Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"A hard-working band is something that I greatly appreciate. With no label, no manager, and no money, it's difficult to find the heart and strength to keep things going. Fortunately for us, Dusty and crew use all the might they've got to persevere through difficult times and keep their music alive. This kind of attrition would wear down a lot of bands to the point of watering down their sound in hopes for a major-label hand-me-down, but not these dudes. The sound is fresh, a folk-influenced arrangement of classic rock songs ranging on topics from Wichita, KS, to good ol' heartbreak. Fantastic use of both violin melodies and country guitar licks contribute to a group of guys who just want to sing songs together and have you join in, too (if you're so inclined). Support this band!"
--(Zac, Skratch Magazine) April 2005 - Skratch Magazine
Down the lonely back roads of Anaheim, where the coyotes roam and the stars twinkle through the smog, there's a quiet place where a guy can strum his guitar and sing a few sad songs, except there isn't because isn't Anaheim mostly Carl's Jr. restaurants and poison smoke from Disney fireworks, anyway? But short little sport Dusty Rhodes doesn't care; as a lad, he found something special in the dry Santa Ana riverbed ("There's water in it every winter," he notes), and now he's ramblin' on about it with his River Band (not to be confused with Riverdance), the 714's incongruous twentysomething country/rock Crazy Horse coattailers. "My CD player's broken, and I get all my records at the swap meet," drawls Dusty, taking a break from overdubbing some plaintive vocals and tuning up his accordion. "And I haven't got any CDs since." Huh. That explains why the River BandÑKyle Divine, Allen Van Orman, Tim Schneider, Andrea Babinski and Edson Choi, on down-home-y instruments like acoustic guitar and violinÑsound like they should be toolin' around with CCR and the Allman Brothers. Slow heart-broke songs about whiskey and bullets, and after practice, they probably go ride the Matterhorn."
--(Chris Ziegler, OC Weekly) June 2004 - OC Weekley
Discography
"Cut Open Like a Fish" EP
"Anthology Volume 1"LP
"Live from Hollywood, CA" LP
all available at www.dusty-rhodes.net
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
In this modern age of creative abstinence, one band prevails as the utmost powerful and epic musical experience. Dusty Rhodes and the River Band have been described as both soulful and melodic, and are the self-proclaimed pioneers of progressive folk music.
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band is Dustin Apodaca, 21: vocals, keys, accordion; Kyle Divine, 21: vocals, guitar, harmonica; Allen Van Orman, 21: bass; Andrea Babinski, 21: violin, mandolin; Tim Schnieder, 22: drums; and Edson Choi, 22: banjo, guitar.
Influenced by Woodie Guthrie, Yes, and The Band, and portrayed through a classically trained violinist, reformed punk rock bassist, and a mid-western farm boy, this eclectic bunch have seen a world of musical influence (no surprise to their origins of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wichita, KS, northern California, and down home Orange County).
A high energy live show accompanied with a unique sound sets Dusty Rhodes apart from the average Orange County band. From Dustin's extravagant wardrobe and showmanship, to the shifting song styles from prog rock to traditional folk, to the ever-changing instrumentation throughout their set, Dusty Rhodes and the River Band ceaselessly entertain and surprise returning crowds.
This distinguished six piece have received local acclaim, catching the attention of the OC Weekly, the Desert Post Weekly, and according to Skratch Magazine, "The sound is fresh, a folk-influenced arrangement of classic rock songs ranging on topics from Wichita, KS, to good ol' heartbreak."
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