D.M.K.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Reviewed by: Dan Williams
Three successful musicians from three different East Coast cities and bands form a new group called D.M.K. What would be the logical debut song to release as an introduction? Nobody saw this coming!
D.M.K. is made up of Boston’s Scotty Dunbar (Scotty Dunbar Band) widely known in the Northeast having recorded with folks like Michael Sweet of Stryper. Baltimore’s Ted Merrill (MACH22, Charm City Devils) and New York’s Brian Karl (Station, Mick James).
Guitarist Merrill approached Dunbar with the idea of releasing a Christmas song as a way to introduce the new band to a large audience with something familiar. But there was a twist. In reading the lyrics, Merrill saw a darker meaning that could be adapted to a hard rock treatment. Indeed, lyrically, each stanza begins with a positive statement suggesting the listener have a “Merry Christmas”, but then seems to acknowledge human issues that are less happy: We’ll all be together “If the fates allow,” “From now on, our troubles will be far away” / “out of sight.”
The music begins like a metal anthem with a strong drum lead-in by Karl and a classic Merrill guitar intro. Then Dunbar’s vocal begins with an uncomfortably low tone and slow cadence. He tells me that he tried singing it both ways … low register and higher, which was more comfortable. Everyone realized on playback that the harder edged arrangement dictated the lower vocal treatment. And it works. Those who have followed Merrill’s work will recognize his mastery of his trademark PRS guitar as he shreds between major and minor notes, but with the control and respect the song requires. Karl delivers just the right touch on the drums to allow the vocals and guitar solos to shine. The song ends gently, the exact opposite of the beginning. This quirky take on an American standard is daring and satisfying, especially after multiple plays.
You can purchase the song here. Next on tap for this trio are January studio sessions for their debut album. It will include two cuts that will be used in an upcoming documentary about the 2003 fire in Rhode Island’s Station Nightclub in which 100 concertgoers were killed. Dunbar was a member of the audience that evening.
Rating: Bad-Ass
