This metro-Washington-area band has discovered Hagerstown. dc Motors, a rock 'n' roll band of three musicians, was introduced to Washington County when it played a booking at Oliver's last September. Oliver's, a newly opened restaurant and watering hole that was gaining popularity with young adults, seemed to be pleasing its patrons with the band's array of music.
Since then, dc Motors has come back to town for nearly a dozen private parties and weddings and as a featured attraction during the June Hagerfest downtown.
The band returned to familiar ground earlier this month to participate in Oliver's three-day celebration of its one-year anniversary.
"They're one of our most popular bands," says Dick Roulette, co-owner of the Long Meadow pub. "They create a lot of crowd involvement. They really make people want to get up and dance."
Mike Dimmick, the band's drummer and leader, said the group was formed in July, 1979. Members played part-time less than half a year. Demand has kept the musicians working full-time ever since.
The band has seen personnel changes. Dimmick's brother Rocky was a member in the late 70s/early 80s, and can lay claim to naming the band and its publishing company, Internation Groove. Explains Mike, "My sister's Volskwagen broke down, and Rocky asked Charlie Husar, the original bass player, how to fix it. Charlie said, "Is it an ac or dc motor?" Rocky said, "That's it. We'll call the band dc Motors."
dc Motors released two albums in the 80s and a 45, Angelaire, that was popular enough to work its way up the charts on several east coast radio stations.
Dimmick says the band sticks to playing a wide variety of music "because we like lots of different music." We have a really wide audience that ranges in age from little kids on up to people in their 80s.
dc Motors playlist features the best from five decades of music, many original tunes, and brilliant harmonies.
But the repertoire isn't the band's only attraction. Members move into the crowd, playing their instruments all the while, getting the audience to participate.
"We view music--especially rock 'n' roll--as a celebration of life in that we try to get people involved in what we're doing so they're not just spectators." Dimmick explains.
"We want to create a good time for them," he says, adding, "The flow of energy then goes back and forth. We're not trying to be cool or pretentious, which I feel makes us cool, and not pretentious. Figure that out."
Audience members are sometimes cajoled into stepping onstage to sing, or to strike Dimmick's mobile snare drum that he sometimes takes through the audience.
"We wanted to be a positive diversion," says guitarist Ross. "We want it to be enjoyment, but not a decadent sort of enjoyment."
The band has an unbending policy--whether it's playing to five people or 500, members are expected to give it their all.
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