Strong ‘bond’s band members of Dublo Seven
By Janette Washington
IV Leader Staff, Oct. 2, 2003
Seven members in one band can become a bit intricate...especially while practicing. “We practice in Kevin’s basement, and it’s hard to focus with seven people in the band, but we try to get things done. Practice usually runs for about a couple of hours at a time,” said 19-year-old IVCC sophomore, Luke Wisen. Wisen, in company with six other teenage guys, make up the band Dublo Seven.
“I was the last member to join back in November. The band played one or two shows before I joined. They actually wanted a drummer. Kevin played guitar and then switched to drums when they invited me in. At first, I was just supposed to fill in, but it ended up being permanent,” Wisen remembers. “Dublo Seven started off as a three-piece with guitar, bass, and drums. People were traded in and out until the right people were found to fit,” Wisen said.
As for Dublo Seven’s genre being ska, their style has to be met with multiple members. The band is Rex Bush, 17, on vocals, Ian Kidd, 16, on vocals and bass, Luke Wisen, 19, on guitar, Lenny Matuszewski, 17, on guitar, Dave Drag, 17, on trumpet, Andrew Kelly, 17, on trombone, and Kevin Kramer, 17, on drums. “When we first started playing out, I didn’t know what to expect. At first, we weren’t exactly a crowd favorite, but as we played more, people began to like us,” said Wisen. While performing, the band crowds the stage with loud singing, playing, dancing, and synchronized jumping. During certain songs where the horns aren’t playing, Drag and Kelly jump off the stage into the crowd where they start a circle pit.
Dublo Seven’s main venue is the Cancun Restaurant in Ladd. When asked if there were any plans that the band will go somewhere, Wisen responded with, “No one is really expecting it to go anywhere. We’re just letting it go where it will take us; it’s all about having fun because that’s what music is all about.”
“We have about 17 originals, and we try to stick with those at shows. We try not to do too many covers, but every so often, someone will request one, so we’ll play one here or there,” Wisen said. “Lenny and Kevin will sit down with their guitars and just write songs. When we can’t figure out what notes the horns are supposed to play, Kevin figures it out. Without Kevin, I think we would really be struggling.” Wisen continued, “We are planning to do a full-length album soon. Also, we are sort of planning on doing a tour next summer. I’m not sure if it will actually happen, but it would be a lot of fun to be able to play shows every week or every other day.”
Dublo Seven will appear at the Upstairs Ballroom, First Street in LaSalle, Saturday, September 27 at 7 p.m. and the Cancun Restaurant, 123 Main Street in Ladd, Saturday, October 18 at 6 p.m. Both shows have a $5 cover charge.