“I’ve been writing songs since I was 14,” Dean says. “I just never had a good opportunity to play them. So the first thing we did was record the 11 songs I wrote from the ages of 14 to 17.”
However, Mind Fish’s climb to Athens notoriety wasn’t always assured. After a rough freshman year with the band, Dean and the band were ready to call it quits. As it so happens, Dean and Steve decided to give it one more go while on summer break in their hometown of Toledo. That summer generated the band’s first EP, Ooo’ Who. Since then, their sound has blossomed from simple chord progressions and croonings of failed high school relationships to an eclectic, energetic sound.
“It’s like OK Go and They Might Be Giants fronted by David Lee Roth and/or Freddy Mercury,” Dean explains.
Last year, Dean branched out even more and became sax player for The Sights, a band out of Detroit, driving five hours each way to play the gigs. In addition, Dean plays sax for Toledo-based band Gold.
Dean’s omnipotent ability has provided rewards for Mind Fish. Other than vocals and saxophone, Dean plays guitar, keyboard and tambourine. With all that talent—and sound—Mind Fish has appealed across fan divides, winning a dedicated base. The new album is a creative mind field, from ironic lyrics and funky sax to slow jam ballads and beautiful harmonies.
“We take that Midwest ethic and doll it up and make it look sexy,” Dean describes. “I think we really did it”.
Although Dean has made positive strides in his musical career, his path to success hasn’t been easy. In addition to being a full-time student and member in three bands, Dean works two other jobs and splits the rest of his time between his girlfriend, friends and family. For Dean, that means sacrificing the “typical” college experience--the parties, drinking and leisure time--for his dedication to music.
How does he do it? Self-discipline. Multi-tasking. And practice. “I made my dinner when I made my lunch today at noon,” Dean says, describing his typical busy day. It means practicing footwork and stage presence before bed. Perhaps most important, Dean’s success comes from a positive, grounded mentality and an incessant drive to do what makes the heart happy.
“Some times I miss college, man,” Dean says. “I’ve been so serious about this, really, since my sophomore year. I definitely didn’t have the normal college experience”
WatchOut!, is a polished work, benefitting from the help of esteemed record producer and O.U. professor Eddie Ashworth, famous for his resume with bands such as Sublime and Pennywise. Starting last January, the band wrote, rehearsed and began promoting the album. Almost exactly a year after starting work on their WatchOut!, the band’s beginning to market the completed project, starting at The Union and planning to play a dozen gigs across the Midwest.
A busy 2012 awaits Dean and the group, as their upcoming touring and production of music videos ensures little time off. But Dean’s not fazed by the potential calamities that greet dedicated musicians. He even imparts a little advice for all those aspiring to do the same thing.
“Don’t have plans, have goals. You just have to do what you love all the time. You can suck really bad and there’s always more you can do, but once you stop you’re out.” |
