Rock’s dada back on road after break

In sports, taking a timeout is a strategic move to rethink the way things are going and formulate a game plan in order to proceed.

It can work the same way in life: Sometimes a pause from a job or a relationship is the only way to improve things.

But in the pop music business, taking a time out can prove to be deadly.

If you’re not making a record, touring, somehow staying in the news and trying to keep ahead of the game, people forget you quickly and move on to the next band with the buzz. Here today, gone tomorrow.

Phil, Joie & Michael of dada

For the members of the band dada, though, deciding on a break after a decade running on the rock ‘n’ roll treadmill was something they had to do despite knowing that it could be career suicide.

The muscular rock trio, which is playing the Beachcomber in Wellfleet tonight, had hit a critical point in its tenure as they got dropped from their label, MCA Records, in 1999 when there was an executive shuffle, their popularity had reached a plateau and their next move was in question.

The band that roared to success in the early ’90s with radio hits like “Dizz Knee Land,” “Dorina” and yes, “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” realized that a little time off might make the future a bit clearer.

Long time gone
Four years, though, is a lifetime in the land of Britneys and Snoops.

“We were without a record deal, and it just seemed to be the right thing to do,” says drummer Phil Leavitt from the group’s tour bus somewhere in Manhattan. “We realized that it could be a hazardous decision – any band that takes time away knows that it can be risky – but it was important for us to do different things, take a look at our priorities and when we someday got back together, things might make more sense.”

Leavitt, along with bassist Joie Calio and mercurial guitarist Michael Gurley, went their separate ways,. staying in the music business either working on solo projects, in other bands or, in Leavitt’s case, joining the Las Vegas company of Blue Man Group. But in 2002, they were offered one reunion gig and, ultimately, they decided to take the plunge once again by reuniting full time the next year.

“It felt good working together again, and we decided that what we needed to do was to go out and reconnect with our audience,” says Leavitt. “Instead of trying to go into the studio or write, we wanted to hit the road for a year, get out and do what we really, really love doing, and that’s playing in a live setting. That’s what we are, a rock ‘n’ roll band, and good rock ‘n’ roll bands play live.”

‘Throwback rock band’
And, make no mistake, the California-based dada is simply a great live band. They don’t get the press, they don’t get the airplay and they don’t get video exposure, but their soaring harmonies, crackerjack musicianship and expansive, adventurous improvisations are riveting.

“We are a throwback rock band,” Leavitt say. “We love to get out there and bang it out together. I’m not going to trash others, but the reality is that there are no bands out there anymore. There may be one guy who is the focus of the group, but that interplay and the need to explore the musical limits doesn’t seem to be there. I don’t know what motivates other groups, but for us it’s to be out there playing and having some fun. It may sound corny, but I like these guys, and that’s why we’re doing it again.”

The group put out their first record in five years, “How To Be Found,” on their own label, Blue Cave Records, earlier this year. It’s a collection of tracks that they recorded in 1998 during the sessions for their last effort.

“While it doesn’t represent what we’re doing right now, we wanted to have something fresh out for fans while we toured,” Leavitt says. “People always want to hear new music, and we think these tracks represent the best of songs we had in the vault.”

This week, Blue Cave is also releasing re-mastered versions of the group’s first three records: “Puzzle,” “American Highway Wallflower” and “El Subliminoso.” All have been expanded with extra cuts. The group also put out an all-encompassing live record, “Live: Official Bootleg (Vol.1).”

“Listen, we’re pragmatic, and we have no illusions about our place in the pop music world,” Leavitt says. “But I also know that we have carved a niche for ourselves and that we’ve developed an audience who really believe in what we do. We have seen that on this tour-people are coming out because they remember us and like what we do. Ultimately, we’re going to make another record, hopefully more than one, and build on our body of work. When all is said and done, you have to be proud of what you do and, let’s face it, this is my life’s work. Up to this point, it’s been really good, but I do believe that it can get better.”

- Ken Capobianco