D'Haene: Press

D’Haene is a good band, on their own terms. With very soulful lyrics, and a delivery to match, and a full jazzy sound, you really fall in to their sound. The music shows influences from as far and wide as the 70s rock, jazz and even giving some quick nods to the sound of the islands, its plain out fun music.
D’Haene have their own merits as an act, and as individual musicians, (with some of the sickest breakdowns I’ve heard in a long time).......D’Haene has a solid sound unlike anything I’ve heard in a long time.

D'Haene merges soulful, lived-in vocals with funky guitar and hard rock riffs. In spite of a '70s classic rock influence, the mixing of genres and the wry, intelligent lyrics make the disc sound modern.

One minute you'll be reminded of Randy Newman, the next of Blue Oyster Cult, then you're grooving to some funk-jam band at a hygiene-deficient festival in upstate New York. Sometimes these shifts occur within a single song. "Feelin' Human," which, at just over five minutes, is of average length for this CD, is a mini-sonata, something like the early Who or Elton John might have done.

A tight knit sound born of plenty of live performance and some well used time in the recording studio are two hallmarks of "brother man", the first album from D'Haene. As a songwriter, founder Bob D'Haene (vocals, rhythm & lead guitars)mixes part poet, part hard drinking and screwing rocker with a childhood lived to the music of the seventies and eighties in songs that, whether ballad or driving classic rock, are intelligent and full of soul. Backing D'Haene on the album and bringing to his lyrics the weight they deserve are Tim McCracken (keyboards) and Nicole Bradin, whose contributions on Feelin' Human, Crazy and Circle make her an indispensable asset to the bands sound. Additionally, Rick Guetschow (bass) and Sammy K (drums and precussion), childhood friends of D'Haene and each long-time rockers in their own right, bring a strength and power to this album that reminds you that many other bands leave these key positions overlooked and undermanned. Finally, Riley McMahon (lead and Rhythm guitars, lap steel) must be credited in large part for the strong, distinct sound which fills this album. He not only produced "bother man", but engineered the recording of the bulk of the tracks, in addition to playing a wicked lead guitar, which along with that of Bob D'Haene, keep this album driving forward. If you're looking for nostalgia rock or bubble gum, look elsewhere, please. This album wants serious rock fans, and with enough word of mouth, it can't help but find them.

Saw these guys at the Cutting Room a while back. Got on their mailing list & got the heads up on their 1st release. They avoid trendiness in a good way. If Bobby Darrin fronted a hard rock 70's band, it might sound like D'Heane. In other words, original. Evidence of Funk & Swing can be found behind all the sonic propulsion. Despite some epic shredding, there's a sincerity & a heart behind it all that betrays any sort of swagger. The title track, deftly nods to Billy Joel's New York State Of Mind with just the right hint of sarcasm. Refreshingly & knowlingly out of step with today's generic tattoo Rawk.

It is hard, today, to find true rock 'n' roll. Musicians have either been too influenced by pop melodies or try too hard to prove that they are "real" rockers, and lose sight of the music. Bob D'Haene falls into neither category. Instead, he concentrates on, well, the music. And succeeds.

I've listened to nothing else since I got this! It's refreshing to hear rock music that is unpredictably catchy, thoughtful and provocative, and NOT pretentious and cheesy. D'haene's music is brilliantly composed--without formula! There's obviously an array of influences upon these cats because the music is VERY GOOD!! Do yourself a favor and buy this CD!

D'Haene's first offering, BROTHER MAN, is 10 solid cuts of kick ass rock and roll. In an age of manufactured bands, pop, and an overindulgence of hip-hop/R&B, it's refreshing to see a band come forth with an album that is soulful, melodic, arresting, unpretentious and fun. When listening, you can hear influences of great rock bands past, but when it comes time to pin down one, you realize D'Haene's sound is far too unique to be pigeon-holed. Bob's lyrics come from the heart and still have a sense of play, never forgetting his rock and roll roots. His voice turns from smooth and mellow to a soaring, soul-wrenching wail, reminiscent of rock's best leading front men. The music is tight, with some great licks by Riley MacMahon (lead guitar), and Tim McCraken (keyboards, vocals) and some additional beautiful vocals from Nicole Bradin. Each cut has something different to offer-- a rarity in the music world where bands usually figure out one cool sound and then repeat it 10 times. BROTHER MAN is an album worth listening to over and over-- each track getting better the next time around. Buy this album now! You won't be disappointed.

D’Haene, as you know, means cock. (Seriously. Look it up.) But fear not kitty kats - the album, Brother man, is not just cock rock. Don’t let the lead track fool you, cause D’Haene came here to mess around with ALL your emotions. They start out with words both sweet and hot to get you bothered (Somebody Loves Me) and move on to some playful push and pull to get things swinging (MBDSR). Then, on the sly, they mingle tenderness (Brother Man), sliiiide in to produce a flood of tears (Subtle), urge a primal scream (Crazy), and make a final plaintive cry to “circle back or follow through”. Take note kitty kats, this really is the sound of rock n roll - and I for one am very satisfied.

It's the same in every town in America: you go to the club, see a band that you like, hand over the cash for the record, take it home and listen, and realize you have yet ANOTHER flatly produced indie band's self produced drink coaster. Not so with "Brother Man"! This is a great sounding record! Crisp, warm production that doesn't get in the way of the musicians. D'Haene is a band that knows what it's doing, and they prove it on every song on this disc. And boy, is it nice to know that there's someone out there making quality rock'n'roll music these days. Keep it up!

I love this album! I’ve listened to it over and over for a couple days now, and I’m not even close to getting tired of it. Screaming guitars, pounding drums, rampant vocals – Yes! Finally. Thank you, D’Haene. But the real kicker is the lyrics. Wow. It’s rare for rockers to be so damned smart and intimate and still ROCK. This stuff does what music is supposed to do. It reaches down your throat and rips your heart out – and it feels so good. Can’t wait to hear more.