Moon Dog Mane Guitarist Turned Tesla’S Demise Into Something Good

When a band breaks up, it’s like the end of a marriage - a marriage to three or four people, that is. It can be ugly. It can be friendly. But either way it requires a whole lot of soul searching.

Such is the position Frank Hannon found himself in. In 1995, the guitar player for ‘80s rock band Tesla found himself without a band and without a direction.

The hard-rock group with a metal edge - known for hits such as “Love Song” and “Signs” - had split up (“We all grew apart,” Hannon says).

Hannon, who had been in the band since he was 15, knew he wanted to keep playing music but didn’t know what kind.

It was time for some serious soul pondering.

“I tried to sing and play guitar. I tried playing instrumentals with no vocals. I was doing a lot of searching,” Hannon says. “But really, I had to go back to what I love in my heart and that’s good ol’ classic rock and roll.”

Hence the formation of Moon Dog Mane, a band firmly rooted in the classic rock tradition and wrapped with a Southern-flavored blues and country rock feel.

For Hannon the band came together when he met singer Brodie Stewart: “He had the perfect classic rock ‘n’ roll voice.” The addition of drummer Lady Cortney DeAugustine, bassist Joel Kreuger, keyboardist Chris Martinez and guitarist Kevin Hampton completed the band.

Although Moon Dog Mane harks back to Hannon’s previous career, don’t expect the band to be a rehash of Tesla.

“Tesla had a heavy-metal edge to it and that was not my influence,” Hannon says. “My influence was in the songs that were more on the acoustic, soulful side.”

And Hannon believes that, while his beloved classic rock is not necessarily at the top of the charts these days, it will always draw music fans.

“It feels good. It is soulful and simple and I think people can relate to it. It will last forever that way.”

Moon Dog Mane performs at Johnny Rockets Thursday. San Francisco quintet Train headlines the show with a rich rock sound steeped in roots, blues, pop and country. And in case you just can’t get enough of that rootsy rock and roll, the five-man band from North Carolina called Far Too Jones opens the night.

Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Radio station KHTQ-FM 94.5 is giving away 200 free tickets to the show. Of course, you have to listen to the rock station to find out when and where to get these tickets. However, if you miss your chance for freebies, G&B Select-A-Seat will be offering a limited number of tickets for sale. They are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

Sweet and fancy

Spokane quartet Sweet Fancy Moses has been stirring up the dust and is soon to hit the pavement. And with two new CDs out and a new management contract, this alt-countrified rock group has certainly set its shotgun sights squarely on the big time.

Sweet Fancy Moses (Mark Kelley, Robert Kaufman, Kurt Hoffman and Mike Hermanson) just released their second full-length CD “Greatest Hits Volume XXII” as well as a live CD “The Secret Files of an Unsigned Band.”

With multi-part vocals and dual guitars, these recordings sit on the roots/rock fence line a la John Cougar, Counting Crows and Matchbox 20. Songs like “Rose Queen” and “Travelin’ Song” traipse through earthy Americana-pop storyteller territory. They are a little bit rock. A little bit twang. And plenty of open road in between.

Their song “One More Whiskey” has received airplay on the aforementioned KHTQ 94.5 FM while their Christmas song “Shotgun With Santa” has landed on a number of airwaves in the Midwest and Northeast.

In November Sweet Fancy Moses signed a two-year management deal with Serge Entertainment Group in Georgia. The Sweet Fancy guys - with the help of their new management company - are hoping to establish a national fan base through extensive touring and some hard-core radio promotion.

They head out for their first national tour on February 1. Before they go, catch Sweet Fancy Moses tonight at Fast Eddies with Piece of Pie (formerly the Trouser Trouts.) The show starts at 9 p.m. Cover charge is $3. Sweet Fancy Moses also performs Saturday at The Fort Spokane Brewery with the Bone Daddies. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $4.

Jazz and swing news

OK all you jazz fans, here’s plenty of advance notice: Next Thursday marks the first big jazz show of the year at Hobart’s Jazz Lounge. And it’s a doosy.

Legendary New York trombonist Roswell Rudd brings his acclaimed horn work to one of Spokane’s classiest joints. Rudd is known for his powerful, dynamic and expressive playing technique. (See Thursday’s IN Life section for more information about this musical master).

Rudd is joined by standout Portland players Rob Scheps on saxophone and flute, Alan Jones on drums and Dan Schulte on bass.

The show at Hobart’s starts Thursday at 7:30 p.m. It’ll cost you $10 at the door.

Here’s some good news for those who’ve been missing Thursday swing nights since Harry O’s closed. The Bayou Brewery has picked up where Harry O’s left off. Every Thursday night the Bayou offers complimentary swing dance lessons through Dance Street from 8 to 9 p.m. Afterward, Spokane swing/jazz group Casey MacGill & The Spirits of Rhythm perform live. Cover charge is $5.

There’s more

Seattle’s dynamic violin player Chris Murphy performs tonight at the Fort Spokane Brewery. Murphy and his band play roots rock spun through with elements of Irish, Gypsy, blues, and country music. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover charge is $4.

Catch local musical wonder Dax Johnson at Mootsy’s Saturday night. Johnson (best-known for his solo piano skills) will be performing a new set of his work - experimental classical music done with guitar, cello and his very own vocal chords. Spokane musician Jon Brown opens the show playing solo guitar. And here’s some good news - the show is free. Music starts at 7:30 p.m.

For a dose of power pop rock check out Spokane three-man band Flourish tonight at Ichabod’s North. They’re joined by Moses Lake group Honey Hush and Coeur d’Alene band Bead. Cover charge is $5. Music starts at 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday at Ichabod’s, tempt your ears with a bevy of punk rock offerings from Spokane’s own Intifada and Offset, along with Portland group Iowa Hawkeyes and Seattle’s Positively Negative. The rock starts at 9:30 p.m. It’ll cost you $5 to get in the door.

Second Notice

For those who didn’t read this column last week, first of all, shame on you. (Yes, this is blatant self-promotion for more readership.) Secondly, here is my second plea to all those involved with local bands, music studios and record labels: Please send me the address to your Web page (if you have one). Also, I’m looking for the address to some of your favorite music-related Web sites. Please fax or e-mail the information to locations listed below.

And thanks to all those folks who already sent me their Web info. It’s greatly appreciated.