Drek released their EP Exits Just South of the Spine on Friday. In anticipation of their EP, Drek has released three singles this past year.
Listen to Exits Just South of the Spine: https://open.spotify.com/album/27NXKQglKHKm1t1Y1l4mT4?si=EundotTdSsq2ifxupmF9FQ
The band is based in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
Drek’s name was pulled literally from a dictionary:
“We opened the book to a random page, and the finger landed on Drek which is Yiddish for ‘shit.’ That name fits us perfectly because our music doesn’t fall into a singular genre - we just play shit!”
The band started over two decades ago:
“We started a little over 20 years ago!” Drek says. “Jon ‘Motherfucking’ Carter (guitar) started the band under a different name. They were playing at a party that Scott Barnett was having, but they didn’t have a singer. So Scott got up and started to freestyle, and the rest is history!
“The band has gone through a couple of different lineup changes throughout the years, but this is by far the strongest that it’s ever been. Tyler ‘Nonstop’ Miller joined on percussion back in 2018. He was actually a kid that was on stage at our CD release party back in 2012. He definitely brings an energy to the drums that keep the groove going. Jayson Reading is on bass guitar. Coming from the blues and jazz scene, he definitely has some strong funky rhythms that give the music the extra layer that it needs.”
Drek released their first single of the year - ‘Movements’ on June 4.
“‘Movements’ is actually kind of a play on words because it is three different songs that we mashed together. In classical music, musical pieces are written as ‘movements’ and so that was how the song got its name.”
Thirteen days later, on June 17, Drek released the second single ‘Psychophrenia.’ “‘Psychophrenia’ is pretty much a song about a relationship that drives you crazy to the point of feeling psychotic and schizophrenic.”
On July 8, Drek released ‘Don’t Choke’ which would be the last single before the release of their EP Exits Just South of the Spine. “‘Don’t Choke’ is our ‘reggae’ song,” Drek says. “It’s really just a feel good party song about cutting out the bullshit, coming together and throwing a party.”
The release of Exits Just South of the Spine debuted Drek’s song ‘Life Goes On.’
“‘Life Goes On’ is our newest song,” the band says. “It’s about losing friends and family throughout life and, despite the hardships, life goes on.”
The band’s plans for the year include a gig at VIVO and shows in New Orleans later this month:
“For the rest of 2024, we do have some cool stuff lined up! We have a show coming up August 17th at Vivo Live Events and Eatery in Leavenworth, Kansas with some really great bands. We will also be in New Orleans playing two different shows for a music conference on August 23rd and 24th.
“We have a couple of other cool things lined up that I’m not sure we can really announce yet. . . but keep your eyes open and watch because it’s going to be awesome!”
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