The DuShane Band stopped by the Hot Indie News offices to kick back and chat with us for a spell. Here’s what went down during the course of our conversation:
Hot Indie News: Please introduce the members of the DuShane Band and tell us who does what in the group.
Shane “DuShane”: Thank you for your interest in the DuShane Band. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the members. We have Joe Scarangella on bass and back-up vocals. For drums and assorted percussion it’s Tony Lazzara. Ron Torina is the guy sitting behind the slide guitar. On electric guitar and banjo is Joseph Cavaliere. Electric violin is covered by Kate Hong. Pedal steel player vary with the dates and performances. I’m Shane “DuShane” and I’m the lead vocalist and also play acoustic/electric guitars in The DuShane Band.
Hot Indie News: Nice to meet everyone. You received quite a bit of attention over the last few months for your song “Alabama Rain”. Who wrote it and what inspired it?
The DuShane Band: Alabama Rain was written by Shane “DuShane”. The song was inspired by the American workers who each day work very hard to support their families. It’s a true story of a young man who lost his job and couldn’t support his family, so out of desperation he joins the military as his only means to keep his family from losing everything. Johnny is a true American hero and that’s his legacy.
Hot Indie News: What other material has the DuShane Band released since you’ve all been playing together?
The DuShane Band: We released 2 videos, “When I Walk Out”, and “Summertime”. Both videos were well received with a total of 10 million plays between the two of them. We also released our first single, “Forever for Now”, which went to #10 on the Cashbox Single Charts.
Hot Indie News: Do you ever do cover versions of any of your favorite songs?
The DuShane Band: Recently we did a cover of The Eagle’s song “Take It Easy”, which offers a different view of taking it easy.
Hot Indie News: Your sound’s been described as urban country music. What is it that defines that sound and how do you go about creating it?
Shane “DuShane”: We consider ourselves an American Band, and we sing about personal experiences and real situations in the life of Americans. Since we come from New York it’s been suggested we were like a Urban style of Country music, or “Americana” to be more precise. I’ve been a blue collar man and worked hard my whole life. All those experiences and upbringing comes out in the songs. Keep it honest, as my dad use to say. If you can make people listen to your songs on just a acoustic guitar and vocals and they get it, then your doing something right. 
Hot Indie News: Being a country music group in New York City is kind of unusual, isn’t it?
The DuShane Band: Keeping it country is a state of mind more than a geographical condition. At one time where I grew up, Staten Island, being there was considered moving to the country. Not all of New York is what people think it is.
Shane “DuShane”: When I grew up my hero’s ranged from The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd to Glen Campbell, and of course, Good ole’ Hank Williams. My dad is a singer. He loves Johnny Cash and use to sing “Jackson” to us, so that’s where it started for me. I like to believe as Americans we all have a bit of country in us.
Hot Indie News: Does the DuShane Band have a favorite place where you like to play live? If so, what, where and why?
The DuShane Band: Our favorite gig was playing the New York Marathon, It’s amazing to see so many folks from around the globe in such great spirits, and it’s a honor for us to be a part of its greatness. 
Hot Indie News: Anywhere else?
Shane “DuShane”: Another fun place is Dewey Beach, where we’ll be performing on May 5th. I absolutely love Delaware!
Hot Indie News: The DuShane Band has some ties to a band that was signed to a major label called Law And Order. What’s the connection and what happen with that group?
Shane “DuShane”: Law and Order was the ultimate experience when I was growing up. I was so very young and it was a family. We all lived together in a big old house that had 3 floors, and until it burned down, the fun never ended there. We were signed to MCA and Russell Simons managed the band. We also had a A&R guy named Bruce Dickinson. Yes, the same guy they wrote that skit about “More Cowbell” on NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
Hot Indie News: WoW!
Shane “DuShane”: We shared the stage with folks like Guns and Roses, Pearl Jam, Sound Garden, Blind Melon and many more It was a great time when bands wrote from the heart and their first record read like a diary of life up to that point. I was the lead singer of that band and one of the songwriters. That was a great time for music and that era defined the shape of songwriters for a long time to come after.
Hot Indie News: Do you rely on inspiration when it comes to your music or do you have some other source you draw upon for your creative process?
Shane “DuShane”: This may sound strange, but I write songs every day, I write songs on the spot while we are playing at a gig and the guys are tuning up. My best songs are fully arranged in my sleep, but that’s just music. I write lyrics by listening to folks rap about life, so I listen to people complain and I try to put a spin on it.
Here’s an example: Someone dear to me was complaining about his wife. He said, “Got me a mean eyed woman and a kid with an attitude, dog keeps me up at night and no sex.” I thought to myself well that’s forever for now. So I translated it to, “Got me a mean eyed woman and a dog with an attitude. At home it’s cold as ice and a bed that’s grown long in the tooth and forever for now”. 
I think there are guys out there that understand where I’m coming from. Alabama Rain was written about a 20 year old going through tough times, it’s out there and you’ve just got to listen up. In sum, I really listen to folks. So, if I ever meet y’all out there someday you may not want to share anything with me, or then again, maybe you do.
Hot Indie News: Who have been your influences and how have they influenced you?
Shane “DuShane”: It started with my family, my dad was a song writer. I am Italian so traditionally speaking the arts and singing is what we do. Some might choose a 45 and a shovel if you know what I’m saying (just kidding…). Growing up and hearing things from my dad like, “A real man chooses to honor and be faithful to only one woman. He was a role model for me, and that has been a real influence personally and lyrically.
I always liked songs that had a good story behind them, “The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down”, “Intentional Heartache”, “Crossroad Blues”, “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”, “I Love This Bar” and of course “Southbound”. I definitely loved the classic rock bands as well. Bruce Springsteen has some pretty great songs (wish he wasn’t so political these days though). That was the music culture that influenced my life.
Hot Indie News: Are you working on anything new and when will we hear it?
The DuShane Band: We are finishing off our first full length record of 15 songs, and we’re in the final stages of finishing it now. “Alabama Rain” is going to be our next video release. It stars Ms. Oklahoma “Anna Marie Costello” who is a strong actress, and Mike Leavy who is an actor/director at Fuzz on the Lens. It reenacts the story of Johnny well. The video was shot at the Chrusher Mansion. The story goes the mob use to own it and ran it as a restaurant. A bunch of folks got shot up there so it has a certain mystique about it. Maybe an episode of “Supernatural” should be shot there some day.
Hot Indie News: That DuShane Band “When I Walk Out” music video was pretty cool. Give us some background and behind the scenes insights that went into making it.
Shane “DuShane”: The video was produced by the Fuzz on the Lens folks. It was shot near Yasgur’s farm near Woodstock. Here’s the story behind the video. After a serious breakup I was in bad shape. It was a weeknight when my good friend Johnny took me out and tried to cheer me up. There was a very pretty waitress there and she was waiting on us. My head was on the bar and I really wasn’t up to talking, but she spoke to me in this very kind voice and said, “Hey DuShane, if there’s anything you want just let me know”, and it shook me up a bit. My friend said, “She knows your name, ask her out!” I wasn’t in the right state of mind to do anything as bold as that, but on the way out I was thinking it would be such a thrill if she was looking at me as I walked out. So, I could see in the reflection that she was looking at me, and that’s where the title came from for “When I Walk Out”.
Hot Indie News: That’s a great story, man!
Shane “DuShane”: And it’s 100% true.
Hot Indie News: How do you feel about the current state of the entertainment business?
Shane “DuShane”: Well I am not a fan of bands that get taken advantage of because of the way the business works. We all try hard to make something happen, it’s a tireless job for some, and I wish everyone well. In my opinion, bands need to reach out to each other and create scenes more, it gives bands some control back into their hands.
I like the music coming out of Texas these days, it’s creative and fun. There needs to be more venues for original bands and people need to support that. I mean, how many times can you see the Led Zeppelin tribute band? Feed your brain!
Hot Indie News: What about the world?
Shane “DuShane”: The world is a big question. Donald Trump is from New York City, his building blocks the sunlight everyday, lol. If you like him, then yes we are from New York. If you hate him, don’t hold it against us (again, just kidding). Really, my thoughts are that bands aren’t politicians and they shouldn’t try to be like, “So let’s get on with the show and let’s move folks.”
Hot Indie News: Now, how can your fans keep in touch with the DuShane Band?
The DuShane Band: We have many social media platforms to choose from:
https://www.facebook.com/dushane.bandd
https://twitter.com/dushaneband
