Dawnstone

DAWNSTONE: A Band On The Rise

STREET BEAT FEATURE

by Ernie Thomas

Together just eight months, Dawnstone has quickly become one of the most popular new rock bands on the local club circuit.

That last statement is backed up, not only due to the large crowds who have been turning out at the Northwest Indiana-based band’s shows, but also because they were actually voted as one of the “Top 3 New Local Artists of 2003” in the recent region-wide Midwest BEAT Magazine reader’s poll. Squeaking into eligibility just three months earlier.

Jeremy Lippelt is well known to region rock fans, as he had previously been playing drums for the popular Pearl Jam tribute act, Even Flow, before parting ways with them to forge ahead with Dawnstone.

“I learn quickly and get board easily,” said said the 28-year-old. “Tribute bands generally make good money, but when you are in a tribute band, you have to play the same handful of songs night after night, because that’s what everyone comes to hear.”

Lippelt, who has banged on drums since the age of four, now enjoys slapping bass strings in Dawnstone much more. “There’s a lot less stuff to drag around from show to show,” he laughed, noting he has also played bass for a number of years.

Keeping the beat for Dawnstone is Joel Collins, who honed his percussive craft through lessons with Lippelt. “I’ve know Joel forever,” explained Lippelt, who is four years older than his three 24-year-old band mates. “I was best friends with his older brother John, who passed away when we were in school. John and I were both drummers. Joel’s been noodling around with drums since he was about ten, but only got serious a couple of years ago.”

Brett Deardorff –– the younger sibling of another of Lippelt’s school chums –– is Dawnstone’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist.

“Brett and Joel showed up at an Even Flow show and approached me about putting a new band together. They knew I could play bass well and asked me to come and jam with them,” said Lippelt.

Deardorff and Collins had previously been in cover band called, Sixteenpenny, which they had formed while in high school together. That band surprisingly lasted until a year ago, though they never quite made a name for themselves outside of their hometown of Kouts, Indiana.

A young Merrillville string-bender named John Scott, who hung around with Sixteenpenny, now plays lead guitar for Dawnstone.

“We do cover songs, but we’re focused on doing original music,” said Lippelt. “I’ve been stockpiling song ideas for years.” Deardorff likewise has lyrical scribblings for probably a hundred or more songs collected on various scraps of paper and napkins.

In most cases, all four members write collectively and hash out their respective ideas. One exception is the song, “Sunday Morning Hangover,” which Deardorff wrote in under 10 minutes one night.

“He was sitting on the stairs scribbling on a piece of paper and we asked if he was ready to start practice and he said – ‘Hang on, I’ve got a song here!’ – and five minutes later he was teaching it to us,” said Lippelt.

“Sunday Morning Hangover” is a highly infectious pop number that has become one the most requested songs at their shows. That says a lot, considering the group’s covers include Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and assorted high energy hits by the likes of Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Violent Femmes and No Doubt.

Six snappy, originals flesh out the band’s repertoire of 200-plus cover songs. “We have a lot more songs, but we’re really picky about making sure a song is really good before playing it out,” said Lippelt.

The band is currently recording at Bear Tracks Studio in Valparaiso. As yet untitled, the disc will feature 9-10 songs and should be done by mid-summer if things stay on schedule. A web site is coming soon. “Things have been happening fast for this band,” concluded Lippelt.

Back To Top

Web Design By:
Hungry Mind Design