HomeEkoostik Hookah - May Artist of the Month January Artist of the Month-The Werks
Written by Jimmy Cummings
As a kid, used to fantasize about taking the stage and
playing to a sold out crowd; even though I was never a singer or musician I
would dream about what it must feel like to perform to the cheers of fans as I
would go off into a drum or guitar solo. I’m sure many musicians have that same
dream but few are fortunate enough to make that dream a reality; but January’s
Artist of the Month, THE WERKS are doing just that. I remember going to Chubby’s
a few years ago and he was jamming on this video so I asked him, “Damn who’s
that Chubby?” He said, “Man it’s a band from Dayton called The Werks, they’re
killer. You have to go see them live; they’ll blow you away.” It would be a
year before I would get that opportunity when the band played Tree Farm’s
Halloween show. The show had to be moved to the barn due to a cold pounding
rain which kind of added to the ambience and the guys ripped it up. Chubby was
right, there was something about that thumping Bass, the ripping Guitar solos,
and hard driving beat of that resonated with fans even back then.
Since then, The Werks have been gaining momentum and quite a
few fans, as was evident at the bands recent New Year’s show at the LC Pavilion
in Columbus, Ohio. It was the second night of a two day gig with another great
Ohio band Papadosio and DJ/VJ acts roeVy and Carma/Attak. The New Year’s show
sold out (it was elbow-to-elbow) and was one of the best shows of the year. The
Werks seem to have that effect wherever they play these days selling out venues
all over the Buckeye State as well places like the House of Blues in Chicago. I
hear bands say all the time that “you have to pay your dues” and The Werks are
no different. The guys have gone from playing in basements and living rooms
back in the day to selling out the LC Pavilion.
The night was reminiscent of the Werk Out Festival and had
that same festy atmosphere. Along with the New Year, The Werks were alsocelebrating the many accomplishments the guys have achieved since the band
formed back in 2007. On hand to help celebrate was former Bass player Chuckie
Love who reunited with band mates for a couple of songs and the Werkadosio set.
It was one of the coolest collaborations of the year. I thought it showed a lot
of class by The Werks Chris Houser (Guitar, Vocals), Rob Chafin (Drums,
Vocals), Norman Dimitrouleas (Keys, Vocals), and current Bass player Dino
Dimitrouleas to let Chuckie share in the festivities. I think that is one
reason these guys have such a following, because they are not only great
musicians, they are also great guys. At the end of Chuckie’s stint on stage,
Dino and Norm came up and both gave Chuckie a BIG hug; it was a pretty cool
moment and added to an already killer night.
2011 was a big year for the band as they played some of the
biggest summer festivals like All Good, Summer Camp, Electric Forest, Wakarusa,
Camp Bisco, and their own fest The Werk Out and 2012 is gearing up to be the
bands biggest year yet. The guys are ready to begin their 2012 Werk & Play
Winter Tour in Cleveland January 27 at the Beachland Ballroom and the tour
takes the band to Michigan, Kansas, Colorado, Virginia, Tennessee, North
Carolina and Nebraska. The Werks also return to Chicago and after selling out
the House of Blues the guys are planning a surprise venue for the show yet to
be announced. The band is also set get into the studio to werk on their second
CD to be released April 20 of this year with a Release party at The Madison
Theater in Covington, KY. We would like the congratulate The Werks and the
entire Werks team on a great year and we are looking forward to seeing what you
guys have in store for fans in 2012.
1/27: Beachland Ballroom -
Cleveland, OH w/ Broccoli Samuri & The Main Squeeze
1/28: Blind Pig - Ann Arbor, MI - Evening with
2/3: Bottleneck - Lawrence, KS w/ Mouth
2/4: Hideout - Omaha, NE - Evening with
2/9: 320 South - Breckenridge, CO w/ Perpetual
Groove
2/10: Bluebird - Denver, CO w/ Perpetual Groove
2/11: Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO w/ Perpetual Groove
2/15: The Bourbon Theatre - Lincoln, NE w/ special
guests TBA
2/17: Return*2*Chicago, IL - surprise location TBA
2/22: Sun Music Hall - Floyd, VA - Evening with
2/23: Cider House - Knoxville, TN - with special
guests TBA
2/24: Pisgah Brewery - Black Mountain, NC Evening
with
2/25: Southland Ballroom - Raleigh, NC
Spring 2012 Dates
3/1: Return*2*Philadelphia, PA - surprise location
TBA
3/2: EQ Productions Presents: The Werks at The
Canal Club - Richmond, VA w/ very special guests TBA
3/3: All Good Presents: The Werks at 8x10 -
Baltimore, MD w/ special guests TBA
3/6: OG Presents: The Werks at The Georgia Theatre
- Athens, GA w/ very special guests TBA
3/7-8: Return*2*Charleston, SC & Savannah GA
3/9-3/11: AURA MUSIC FESTIVAL - St. Cloud, FL
4/20: Studio CD Release Party @ The Madison Theater
- Covington, KY
4/21: Early Bird Music & Arts Festival @ NLQP -
Garrettsville, OH
4/26: Galaxy Lounge - Johnson City, TN w/ special
guests TBA
4/27: Cosmic Charlie's - Lexington, KY w/ special
guests TBA
5/5 CINCO DE MAYO -- Very Special Show Announcement
coming soon, so stay tuned
Ekoostik Hookah - May Artist of the Month 
celebrating the many accomplishments the guys have achieved since the band
formed back in 2007. On hand to help celebrate was former Bass player Chuckie
Love who reunited with band mates for a couple of songs and the Werkadosio set.
It was one of the coolest collaborations of the year. I thought it showed a lot
of class by The Werks Chris Houser (Guitar, Vocals), Rob Chafin (Drums,
Vocals), Norman Dimitrouleas (Keys, Vocals), and current Bass player Dino
Dimitrouleas to let Chuckie share in the festivities. I think that is one
reason these guys have such a following, because they are not only great
musicians, they are also great guys. At the end of Chuckie’s stint on stage,
Dino and Norm came up and both gave Chuckie a BIG hug; it was a pretty cool
moment and added to an already killer night.
