The One Man Band, Marc Dobson
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The One Man Band, Marc Dobson

Cocoa, Florida, United States

Cocoa, Florida, United States
Band Rock Comedy

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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The best kept secret in music

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"I’m with “The One Man” Band"

It’s a cold, windy Sunday night as I walk up the back stairs of Lou’s Blues in Indialantic. Lou’s has long been known as a venue to be reckoned with when it comes to blues, but tonight there is something a little more exotic on the musical menu. It’s just about seven when I hear some clanging and banging from behind the large screen hanging in front of the second story stage.

The Sunday night game is running a little late so the wizard behind the curtain is taking a minute to make a few adjustments. When the game is over the screen rises to reveal something not seen in these parts before. Looking as if he stepped out of a movie about flying nannies, Brevard’s own “Bert” stands before the slightly bewildered crowd, geared up with an acoustic guitar, harmonica and an entire drum set strapped to his back, ready to rightfully claim his post as Melbourne’s musical mad scientist. Take a seat and grab a beer, this is going to be interesting. You’re with the one man band!





Marc Dobson has been playing music in one way or another for most of his life and has become quite excellent at it. A short jaunt through MarcDobson.com will reveal a wide range of acts that are still active and up for hire including a pirate band, an Irish band, a wedding band, a buffet style tropical band, a Neil Diamond tribute (seriously) and now his current opus- the one man band. Dobson decided long ago to take on the life of a professional performer and follow through with it, but after a few thousands gigs playing even something as fun as music can become a hum drum job. So, after years of gigging with his quiver of novelty acts and performing solo over prerecorded tracks Marc has found a new direction, a new reason to be excited about music again.

“I was playing with tracks before karaoke was even a house hold name and to be quite honest, I’m f...ing sick of it. I can’t tell you how many nights someone has come up to say, where’s the book, I want to sing!.” About 9 months ago Marc became interested in one man bands. Now everybody has heard of one man bands in one way or another - even if just from Dick Van Dyke’s role in the Disney film Mary Poppins, but just to be clear on how special this particular set up is let me run down the stats for you. According to my sources there are approximately 700 one man bands actively performing the world today. That’s not very many. Out of that there are maybe around 200 that stand up and have everything connected to their person. To micro even more if you look at how many are actually trying to sound like a full inclusive rock band there are only about 3 - and that’s not including Marc’s 8 year old son who does the same thing with a smaller set up.

According to Marc this is his twelfth version of the “contraption”, as he calls it.

“As the learning curve extends and I get new ideas I’m constantly changing things to make the contraption more effective and lighter.”

The contraption is extremely involved and quite an engineering feat. You can’t just order a kit from Hobby Town and put it together. Mixing borrowed ideas from other OMBs and some innovative improvements of his own, Dobson has created a fairly clever piece of machinery. He has custom “shoe independent” foot straps that are tethered to pulley systems controlling the kick drum, high hat, snare and cymbals depending on the movement he makes with his legs. For instance- if he stomps one leg up and down it triggers the snare and high hat together, but if he kicks his leg to the side it triggers a crash cymbal. Similarly he is connected by both elbows and the neck of his guitar. There is also a bouncing maneuver that plays a completely different role. Oh yeah…and he has to remember to sing and play guitar too. Most people would be happy learning to play one instrument. Not this guy.

A consummate professional, Marc controls his own sound check. He starts off playing guitar to a recorded track and is completely wireless. In this way he can freely roam the room checking levels while he plays the first song. After a few flawless covers it’s time for the real show to begin. Once again very pro, Marc allows no lag between songs and sings Walking in Memphis the entire time he transitions from guitar to the “contraption”. It’s all quite impressive actually.

He starts off slow with Knocking on Heaven’s door and gradually gets into more complicated rhythms. As he plays he has to constantly move and begins a slow circle around the stage. This a good for a couple of reasons. One, we get to see how everything works and the spectacle is 70 percent of the show. And two, he gets a hell of a workout.

“I’ve actually lost about 25 pounds doing this. I feel better than I ever have in my life. I had to buy new clothes. I can even wear medium shirts for the first time in my life.”

Last month Dobson played 16 nights in Key West and returned with a pinched nerve in his neck. He is playing in pain tonight, but you would never know it - Matthew Bretz - Brevard Live Magazine


"Jan 2011 - Bubba The Love Sponge Radio Studio Interview"

Segment 6 – Marc Dobson in Studio

Coming out of commercials, we heard a promo for the Brn Garage sale. Bubba said that Manson has had a chance to see the one man band; Manson said it was a pretty amazing setup. Marc said the RV show went great, he said business has been good. Bubba asked how people get a hold of him, marc said it’s MarcDobson.com. Bubba said that each foot has a drum on it, marc said he has nine instruments, including the vocals, he said he’s not going to use is head, he then recapped his instrument setup, Manson thinks it’s mind boggling. Bubba said he loved his Billy Joel stuff, marc said that’ll be out of the question today. Marc then did “Free Falling” by Tom Petty, Bubba said that this was all done by one guy; we then heard the tymbal after that. Bubba said they can’t get the vocals, Manson said he’s marveling at the setup, Marc said the setup is about six months in the works, he said he’ll turn the guitar down a little, he said he’ll be going to Atlanta on January 28 for “America’s Got Talent”. Bubba thinks they should do a sound check to make sure the vocals are good, he then asked for marc’s crowd favorite, Marc said Mr. Bow jangles, he then said that he hasn’t weighed himself since Christmas, he then did his version of “Mr. Bow Jangles”, this was followed by the tymbal. Spice thinks he could make money by standing on the corner, marc said he was a street performer, he said his 8 year-old son does it too, Spice thinks Bubba should get Tyler into this. Bubba asked if marc could do some AC/DC, he wonders how the brain does it; Marc said his aspect is multy tasking, he’s on auto pilot. Marc then did “You Shook Me all Night Long”. They then went to commercials a few seconds later. - Bubba The Love Sponge


"Nov 2010 - Bubba The Love Sponge Radio Phone Interview"

Segment 7 – Tucker Carlson calls in, Marc Dobson

... Marc Dobson came on, he said he’ll be going to the Keys on December 26. Bubba said that Manson was impressed, mark said even he’s impressed with his talents, he said it’s about timing, he said he’s on seven months, he’s still learning, he said he’s played music for 20 years, this is a new thing for him. Bubba asked if he could do a little performance for them, mark said they could do it, he said the drums are louder than his vocals, he said he’d love to come to the studio, Manson said he can’t wait, he said he was totally out. They then went to commercials a few seconds later.

Segment 8 – Marc Dobson performs via phone

Coming out of commercials, we heard a promo for “Toys For Tatas” on December 17. Bubba asked where Cocoa beach was, Spice said it’s near Orlando. We then heard a clip of Derik Anderson having a meltdown after the game, Spice thinks he sounds like a dick, Bubba said this is a classic turn around. We then heard a clip of David Cassidy getting arrested for a dui, Spice called him “lazy eye”, Bubba wondered if the cop was being a dick, Spice said they were under a bridge, Manson thinks he doesn’t sound drunk, he thinks Kevin Hayslett could get avid off. Marc came back on, he said he’s strapped up, he then explained his set up, Spice thinks the guy needs some help. Marc then played “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles, Bubba said this was just one guy playing all this. Spice said he’s got one instrument, he then pounded the gong, Marc said he has four wireless microphones with him when he plays, he then played a little “You Shook me All Night Long”, he then played bit of “Piano Man”, bubba said this was all over a cell phone, Marc said he’s had a hard time selling this act, Bubba plugged MarcDobson.com, marc thanked the guys for having him on, Spice said it was amazing to him, bubba said you have to see it visually. They then ended the show a few seconds later. - Bubba The Love Sponge


"Nov 2010 - Bubba The Love Sponge Radio Phone Interview"

Segment 7 – Tucker Carlson calls in, Marc Dobson

... Marc Dobson came on, he said he’ll be going to the Keys on December 26. Bubba said that Manson was impressed, mark said even he’s impressed with his talents, he said it’s about timing, he said he’s on seven months, he’s still learning, he said he’s played music for 20 years, this is a new thing for him. Bubba asked if he could do a little performance for them, mark said they could do it, he said the drums are louder than his vocals, he said he’d love to come to the studio, Manson said he can’t wait, he said he was totally out. They then went to commercials a few seconds later.

Segment 8 – Marc Dobson performs via phone

Coming out of commercials, we heard a promo for “Toys For Tatas” on December 17. Bubba asked where Cocoa beach was, Spice said it’s near Orlando. We then heard a clip of Derik Anderson having a meltdown after the game, Spice thinks he sounds like a dick, Bubba said this is a classic turn around. We then heard a clip of David Cassidy getting arrested for a dui, Spice called him “lazy eye”, Bubba wondered if the cop was being a dick, Spice said they were under a bridge, Manson thinks he doesn’t sound drunk, he thinks Kevin Hayslett could get avid off. Marc came back on, he said he’s strapped up, he then explained his set up, Spice thinks the guy needs some help. Marc then played “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles, Bubba said this was just one guy playing all this. Spice said he’s got one instrument, he then pounded the gong, Marc said he has four wireless microphones with him when he plays, he then played a little “You Shook me All Night Long”, he then played bit of “Piano Man”, bubba said this was all over a cell phone, Marc said he’s had a hard time selling this act, Bubba plugged MarcDobson.com, marc thanked the guys for having him on, Spice said it was amazing to him, bubba said you have to see it visually. They then ended the show a few seconds later. - Bubba The Love Sponge


"One-man band Marc Dobson plays The Mix in Cocoa Village"

MIKE NUNEZ • SHAKE, RATTLE & KNOW • August 20, 2010

I've seen a lot in my 20-plus years in and around the Central Florida music scene. Some musicians have amazed me, some have disappointed me, but none have ever shocked me.

That was until Marc Dobson and his new one-man band came around.

Not knowing what to think as he strapped a drum apparatus, complete with cymbals and a harmonica, onto his back, fastened with cords down to his shoes, I chuckled. My first thought was: "Is this for real?"

When Dobson finally got strapped in and started to play, I found myself thoroughly entertained and completely amazed that one man could play so many instruments at one time.

This weekend, audiences will have a chance to catch this amazing one-man band as Dobson returns Saturday to the first venue I caught a glimpse of his show, The Mix Niteclub in Cocoa Village.

I spoke with Dobson about his music, the origin of the one-man band and his professional goals. So let's Shake, Rattle & Know: Marc Dobson.

SRK: You started off as every musician does, playing as part of a band. So how did the one-man band concept come about?

Dobson: I was actually a street musician as a teen and saw someone else doing it. I first tried doing a similar thing when I was 17.

Some 20 years later I picked it up again. I knew a club owner that said she was looking for a one-man band, and I thought she meant someone that could play guitar to tracks. When I realized she meant an actual one-man band playing live, I called a few agents and asked how that would go over and the idea sounded pretty good. Now I have been working on it for the past four months.

SRK: Do you feel some more serious music venues may look at what you do as gimmicky?

Dobson: Yes, absolutely. There is a reason that they would think that, though. I guess it's a matter of seeing is believing.

It's hard to explain what I do and hard to believe it when someone tells you what it is.

There are some one-man bands out there, but they are usually missing something. I am a very serious musician that is able to get a full band sound by myself.

SRK: Do you feel your vocals suffer as a result of trying to do too much musically?

Dobson: Yes, they do to some extent. It's partially due to the amount of energy I have to put out to play the drums with my feet.

It's a personal challenge for me; I'm basically jogging or walking around while playing. I have lost 15 pounds since I started strolling around with my drums.

SRK: You play as the one-man band, as a member of the Vagabond Troup and as a Neil Diamond tribute artist. Which do you enjoy the most?

Dobson: The one-man band by far.

Contact Nunez at myspace.com/ shakerattleandknow or srkmusic@cfl.rr.com. - Mike Nunez TGIF Florida Today article


Discography

As is this act is like a cover band. The largest collection of performances is on my YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/marcrocs

Photos

Bio

Drawing from 20+ years of working as an entertainer working solo, in bands, in comedy troupes and as a Tribute Artist performing at bars, restaurants, theme parks, cruise ships, fairs, corporate events, private parties, weddings, supporting national acts and more, Marc I am "The One Man Band".

I've been developing, researching and performing this act since April 2010. To my knowledge, I have surpassed the skill level of all other One Man Bands. I only consider 2 others to be close. I can play 16th notes without using my hands on a snare drum located behind my head.

Seeing is believing with this act. Please make sure to watch video performance of Mr. BoJangles on Bubba The Love Sponge National Radio show.