BACKSTAGE PASS ARTICLE OCTOBER 1997
NAKED
Whether you are a fan of the BoDeans or just out to have a good time you can’t go wrong partying with NAKED. What do five Chicagoans, all fans of the BoDeans do? Begin a tribute band of course and loving every minute of it. 1996 was a great year for Brian Bentz, Paul Wenzel, Glen Duncan, Guy Dominick, and Howard Rudny. Not only do these guys have a good time and a big following but they do all this while playing their favorite tunes. None other than those of the BoDeans. I had the pleasure of seeing them live at Naperville’s “Last Fling” with a few friends and WOW what a show! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, for this band has what it takes to nail every tune. Not only was the music great but the crowd was way into it. By the end of the show everyone was up and moving from ages 4 to 74. It was a party.
Naked covers tunes from all six BoDeans albums. And with frontmen Brian as Kurt Newman and Paul as Sammy LLanas their shows are a big success. Naked plays all over Chicagoland so a show is easy to catch. They have played gigs from Chicago’s Cubby Bear, Barrington’s Penny Road Pub, Oak Lawn’s Reilly’s Daughter, Antioch’s Blarney Island to the Lyons Brewing Co. You can party with them at Northern or Illinois State University. They have even played Milwaukee Summerfest where the BoDeans have played many times. “Cools gig Aye.”
Paul, Naked’s answer to Sammy is a former Chicago rock DJ whose influences range from Genesis, Sting, to Stanley Jordan. Not only does Paul sing but he plays harmonica and percussion as well. He says, “This is the most fun I’ve had in my life.” Brian, Naked’s version of Kurt is the former Gloryhounds frontman. His wide range of influences go from the Beatles, Hendrix, to Megadeth. Besides being a big BoDeans fan he is gaining inspiration for his own music. Not only is this guy a great performer but a songwriter as well. I’d keep an eye out for this guy. On electric guitar you have Howard Rudny former Lonesome Jubilee Band member. He is a “heartland roots kinda player” says Paul. He also adds “he’s a pleasure to be on stage with, he plays with so much feeling.” Behind the drums you have Glen who shares his talents with the Mellencamp Tribute band. His strong, solid drumming does not miss a beat. On bass you have Guy Dominick who is a multi talented musician. He can go from bass to guitar, keyboards, and a little drums. Some influences are Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears. For many years he enjoyed touring with Dave Mason on the road. When I saw Naked, Guy was not on bass but jammin on lead guitar. Long time Chicago musician Danny Vega was kickin’ it on bass. But Danny has since moved on. You can see him in “Libido Funk Circus.” He is one bass player not to miss. Naked wishes Danny well and enjoyed the time they had with him.
Naked, as stated before, is one big party! Whether a Bodeans fan or not, you may be by the time you leave a Naked show. This band comes across so solid you forget they are doing covers. Maybe the reason is that these guys love what they are doing and that is why there is so much feeling in their performances.
A dream gig for Naked? “To play somewhere and have Kurt and Sammy show up and jam with us! We’d be honored.”
For band information and Naked t-shirts contact P.M. Entertainment at P.O. Box 1715 Lombard Il. 60148 or call 708-313-9189. Their upcoming shows include Oct. 17 at Chicago’s Cubby Bear, Oct. 24 at Palatine’s Durty Nellies, and Halloween night at Chicago’s Hog Head McDunna’s.
