The Deccas
Encyclopedia
The Deccas are a guitar based band formed in 2007 in the Medway Delta.
The Deccas have played many gigs in and around Medway
and London and have been described as short, sharp songsmiths with a specific style of spiky power pop that has become synonymous with the Medway scene for many years.
The Hammond organ
heard on the album is played by Nathan Swan. After 18 months with the band, Nathan left The Deccas in August 2009 shortly after the UK release of Ways to the Sun.
festival The Deccas performed a lunchtime show at the Cavern Pub and an evening show at the Cavern Club. As a result of the shows The Deccas picked up a distribution deal for the U.S with Kool Kat Musik
. The show which aired at 10pm GMT was dedicated to the band and took in a Desert Island Discs
style section which involved each of the band choosing a song to play out.
The songs chosen were:
Previous Members
Occasional Liggers
BBC Radio Kent
's Stephen Morris: "The Deccas are Kent based Mod Revisionists. It’s an exciting retro-sound that brings the feel of Mod right up to the 21st century. For all they’re use of Hammond organs and Sixties era harmonies there is nothing old fashioned or stale about this band. The music is fresh, vibrant and riotous. The Deccas are an exciting band that bridge the generations from the sixties to the present day. They have quite a few gigs coming up so try and check them out if you can."
"They deliver a superb old school, up beat rock performance. Every inch still in the Britpop scene, their vintage riffs brought The Who, Oasis, and even some Nirvana back to life. They described their sound as “mod revival”: a clever and catchy mix of the 60s with the early 90s". Pauline Eiferman - Surface Unsigned Festival
"Short, Sharp, Songsmiths - The Deccas" Love Music Hate Racism
Dublin Castle/Bugbear Promotions- Inspirals shaped 60s informed indie with an even more so Clint Boon swirling keyboard thang. Got real good energy these Deccas, a bit Clashy, a bit Stone Roses, a tad Julian Cope. Rousing and garagey, and stuffed fulla poptastic whistlability. Nice. Let’s also mention The Stranglers here…
International Pop Overthrow
, Liverpool 2009 - Hailing from Medway, that veritable hotbed of mod garage pop, The Deccas stand out by infusing their mod sounds with a touch of Motown and Mersey. The songs on their debut EP, "The Way Things Were", are a swirling blend of organs, harmonies and energetic vocals that could just as easily be described as "The Way Music Should Be"!!
Scootering Magazine's Mark Sargeant - "The Deccas' influences, references and inspirations, intentionally or not, are there for all to hear. If all the best elements of 60's beat, 70's punk, 80's baggy and 90's britpop were put in a blender, the result, i'm sure, would be a similar sound to that of The Deccas."
The Deccas have played many gigs in and around Medway
Medway
Medway is a conurbation and unitary authority in South East England. The Unitary Authority was formed in 1998 when the City of Rochester-upon-Medway amalgamated with Gillingham Borough Council and part of Kent County Council to form Medway Council, a unitary authority independent of Kent County...
and London and have been described as short, sharp songsmiths with a specific style of spiky power pop that has become synonymous with the Medway scene for many years.
Ways to the Sun
The bands self funded debut album was released on 15 August 2009 at The Nag's Head Pub, Rochester, Kent. The album features 12 original tracks as well as a hidden acoustic track, Top of the World. The album took several months to arrange and organise, only 3 days of which were actually spent recording at Ranscombe Studios, Rochester Kent. Jim Riley and Dr Robert recorded and produced the album.The Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
heard on the album is played by Nathan Swan. After 18 months with the band, Nathan left The Deccas in August 2009 shortly after the UK release of Ways to the Sun.
Cavern Club Liverpool
On 23 May 2009 The Deccas performed two shows in Liverpool at the world famous Cavern Club, Liverpool. As part of the International Pop OverthrowInternational Pop Overthrow
The International Pop Overthrow is an American-originated music festival devoted to power pop music and related genres.Taking its name from Material Issue's 1991 album of the same name, the festival began in 1998, and has been held annually in the LA area since then...
festival The Deccas performed a lunchtime show at the Cavern Pub and an evening show at the Cavern Club. As a result of the shows The Deccas picked up a distribution deal for the U.S with Kool Kat Musik
Radio Caroline Feature Show
On 11 January 2010 The Deccas were the subject of a special feature 60 minute broadcast with Ray Copeland on the world renowned Radio CarolineRadio Caroline
Radio Caroline is an English radio station founded in 1964 by Ronan O'Rahilly to circumvent the record companies' control of popular music broadcasting in the United Kingdom and the BBC's radio broadcasting monopoly...
. The show which aired at 10pm GMT was dedicated to the band and took in a Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs is a BBC Radio 4 programme first broadcast on 29 January 1942. It is the second longest-running radio programme , and is the longest-running factual programme in the history of radio...
style section which involved each of the band choosing a song to play out.
The songs chosen were:
- Wesley Wren - Rudie Can't Fail - The ClashThe ClashThe Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
- Phil Crane - I Am the ResurrectionI Am the ResurrectionI Am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey is a tribute album to guitarist John Fahey released in 2006. The album's title is taken from the title of the third track of his album The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death.-History:...
- The Stone RosesThe Stone RosesThe Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s... - Dave Sawicki - Angel of the morningAngel of the Morning"Angel of the Morning" is a popular song that has been recorded numerous times, and has been a charting hit single for several artists including Juice Newton, Merrilee Rush, Nina Simone, P.P...
- PP Arnold - Tony Hetherington - It's Gettin' Better (Man!!) - OasisOasis (band)Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
Band members
Current Members- Wesley Wren - vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2007–present day) - Nick Rice - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals (2010–present day) - Dave Sawicki - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2007–present day) - Tony Hetherington - Drums, percussion (2007–present day)
Previous Members
- Nathan Swan - Hammond organHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(2008–2009) - Phil Crane - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals, (2007–2010)
Occasional Liggers
- Stuart Turner - harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
- Robbie Wilkinson - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals
Quotes and Comments on The Deccas
Here's what some other people have said about them:BBC Radio Kent
BBC Radio Kent
BBC Radio Kent is the BBC Local Radio service for the English county of Kent.It broadcasts on FM on 96.7 , 97.6 and 104.2 also 774 and 1602 MW and DAB.- History :The radio station was launched in 1970 under the name of BBC Radio Medway, originally only serving the...
's Stephen Morris: "The Deccas are Kent based Mod Revisionists. It’s an exciting retro-sound that brings the feel of Mod right up to the 21st century. For all they’re use of Hammond organs and Sixties era harmonies there is nothing old fashioned or stale about this band. The music is fresh, vibrant and riotous. The Deccas are an exciting band that bridge the generations from the sixties to the present day. They have quite a few gigs coming up so try and check them out if you can."
"They deliver a superb old school, up beat rock performance. Every inch still in the Britpop scene, their vintage riffs brought The Who, Oasis, and even some Nirvana back to life. They described their sound as “mod revival”: a clever and catchy mix of the 60s with the early 90s". Pauline Eiferman - Surface Unsigned Festival
"Short, Sharp, Songsmiths - The Deccas" Love Music Hate Racism
Love Music Hate Racism
Love Music Hate Racism is a music-oriented campaign based in Britain by the Anti-Nazi League and Unite Against Fascism. The campaign involves concerts aimed at spreading an anti-racist message...
Dublin Castle/Bugbear Promotions- Inspirals shaped 60s informed indie with an even more so Clint Boon swirling keyboard thang. Got real good energy these Deccas, a bit Clashy, a bit Stone Roses, a tad Julian Cope. Rousing and garagey, and stuffed fulla poptastic whistlability. Nice. Let’s also mention The Stranglers here…
International Pop Overthrow
International Pop Overthrow
The International Pop Overthrow is an American-originated music festival devoted to power pop music and related genres.Taking its name from Material Issue's 1991 album of the same name, the festival began in 1998, and has been held annually in the LA area since then...
, Liverpool 2009 - Hailing from Medway, that veritable hotbed of mod garage pop, The Deccas stand out by infusing their mod sounds with a touch of Motown and Mersey. The songs on their debut EP, "The Way Things Were", are a swirling blend of organs, harmonies and energetic vocals that could just as easily be described as "The Way Music Should Be"!!
Scootering Magazine's Mark Sargeant - "The Deccas' influences, references and inspirations, intentionally or not, are there for all to hear. If all the best elements of 60's beat, 70's punk, 80's baggy and 90's britpop were put in a blender, the result, i'm sure, would be a similar sound to that of The Deccas."