They practice right in our backyard and make sure every note hits with abundant precision. Burke holds some gems that we unintentionally ignore, but I'm here to shed some light on local musicians that could make you feel like we lived on the other side of the country.
"Don't you want somebody to love? Don't you need somebody to love?"
Yes, it's Jefferson Airplane.
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Some folks in Burke don't just remember these songs and times, but relive them through their own uninhibited talent. I introduce to you… The New Dominion Band: a 5-piece group of lovers of the '60s, '70s and '80s.
Though they got together through Craigslist, walking into their Tuesday summer night practice, you'd think that they've known each other forever.
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In New Dominion Band, I experienced a true workingman's band, a rock band that could make me, a 30-year-old music fanatic, feel like I was at a Jefferson Airplane rehearsal. It was a nostalgia I haven't felt since I saw Santana open for Bob Dylan at Wolf Trap in 1993.
The first tune of the set was a perfect opener: Proud Mary. Susan Wilkerson, an Air Force retiree, played the acoustic guitar and sang through the tunes with ease, obviously loving every note. Adam Pressman, who lives on a 40 foot sailboat in Friendship, Maryland, sings lead and has his harmonicas laid out and prepared for every song. Rob Spear, a 20-year Burke native and a registered architect, leads the band through the chord changes and nails the solo. Les Carl slaps the bass. He's a retired Navy pilot who was the first to give me a welcoming smile as I entered into their music time machine. Jay Walker has two drum sets that he jumps back and forth on, depending on the song. He's listed as the 'leader' on their myspace and is responsible for all their Craigslist doings. The man can play some mean drums.
So in between songs, I approached Rob, the 20-year resident of Burke. I needed to know how he finds time to practice. This is Burke! Most of us work 40-50 hours a week.
"I play everyday," he says. His tone is optimistic and it seems like getting together with NDB is something he looks forward to on a daily basis. "It's hard to connect in Burke… unless it's all you do."
I can relate to this, most musicians have their grievances with Virginia and the number of venues to play. You wouldn't consider the suburbs of D.C. a hot music location, yet unknown gifted musicians are all around. Like Rob, they work all day, come home to Burke and immediately run to their instruments. They hum tunes on the way home, tap the steering wheel, and 5 p.m. feels like heaven.
Rob reaffirms my belief that our area, with all its congested traffic and overpriced gas, also holds some amazing artists and music groups. NDB is definitely one of them. Don't miss this band, neighbors. You can listen to their tunes, including 'White Rabbit' on www.thenewdominionband.org. For booking information you can contact Jay Walker at thenewdominionband@gmail.com
The New Dominion Band is playing at 8:30 p.m. August 30 at Kate's Irish Pub in Springfield.
