The Dwaas Band

The Dwaas Band was formed in summer of 2004 in Albany Oregon when drummer Brad Van Dyke and his wife Jenny joined Dawn and Larry O'Connell to start a band for no reason other than to play his Aunts wedding. Dawn, who was formerly of the Monmouth band The Groovemeisters, took over bass and vocal duties, while husband Larry played guitar. Jenny added backup harmonies and percussion. The quartet assembled a quick list of classic rock and oldie covers ranging from There She Goes (the La's) to You Make Lovin' Fun(Fleetwood Mac). Realizing they were in over their head, they enlisted longtime friend, and karaoke wizard Dean Van Tuinin from Yakima Washington to share the lead vocal duties. The Wedding went over astoundingly well and the group continued on to play several backyard parties, weddings and a 4-hour rockin ' set at the Tidewater Lounge in Pacific City Oregon with the help of Polynesian Culture musician Alby Fitisimanu, formerly of the grunge band Soul Remedy.

The band began a new chapter in the spring of 2008 when Larry and Dawn began writing original material. The songs bring together the witty twang of modern and classic country along with the quirky energy of their favorite 90s indie rock bands and 60s garage bands. "I like to think of our music as our own personal collage of things that don't necessarily go together, but somehow work out in the end" says Larry.