The Dan Band is the best, most entertaining show I’ve seen in a very long time.  As a matter of fact, I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about any show.  In the last six weeks I’ve seen them three times and told everyone I know about them!  How many times do I have to see them before I’m viewed as a die-hard fan?  Or am I already there?  I thought I left those days behind a decade ago, but The Dan Band did something to spark up my musical interest again.  What that something is can only be described as “kick ass comedy sh--,” as Dan would probably put it.  Oh no! Now I’m starting to talk like them!  Is my next step singing in Karaoke bars and dressing like them too? 

The Dan Band is an all male band of talented musicians that perform hit songs, mostly by women (like, Christina Aguilair’s “Genie in a bottle” and Vanity’s “Nasty Girl”).  By the time they get to the theme songs from “Fame” and “Flashdance” (complete with the water bottle to splash Dan’s face as he finale’s the song with awesome dancer moves), the crowd is roaring with laughter and applause.  (It’s no wonder the shows sell out so fast!) 

Half way through the show, frontman Dan Finnerty goes into the audience to mingle with unsuspecting fans, speaking in the soft tone of a seasoned lounge singer.  The entire crowd is completely fixated on his every move in anticipation of what he will do or say next.  He is truly a gifted comedian. And let’s not forget his two back-up singers, in their tweed jackets, glasses and ties.  They are hysterical with their impeccable comedic timing and dance moves to die for.

Comedic sexual references and curse words strategically placed into the lyrics of these classic hits, along with choreographed dance moves, are a hysterical combination.  And to think this all started with Dan joking around at a Karaoke bar singing Helen Reddy’s “I am Woman.” (I hear she loves the show). 

Dan has appeared in many television shows and toured with Stomp before founding The Dan Band.  He is also an actor whose star is on the rise (at mind-boggling speed).  He has appeared in many movies including Starsky and Hutch and Old School.  Anyone who has seen Old School remembers Dan as the wedding singer (my favorite scene). His latest film role is thanks to a director who happened to see the show and wanted to work with him.  That director happened to be Steven Spielberg! Dan was very excited to have the opportunity to work in a scene opposite Tom Hanks in Spielberg’s latest film, The Terminal.  Dan also said that the planning for his next project was, “an amazing experience, to be in a room with Steven Spielberg and McG (the awesome director of Charlie’s Angels), as they talked about producing The Dan Band Special,” due to air on Bravo in August. How fabulous is that?  So fabulous! And after my conversation with him, I am convinced that he’s not only incredibly talented, but also the nicest guy in Hollywood and deserves all the success that comes his way. 

The Dan Band cd, which includes most of the set list (yeah!), is due out in a month. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and see their next show at Avalon in Hollywood.  And if you’re wondering, yes, I will probably be there.  I guess this next show would definitely put me over to the die-hard fan category. What the heck, I’m doing it!  Hey, I may even wear my official Dan Band tank top.  I guess that means I’m on my way to dressing like them too.  Next stop….the karaoke bar.

 For more info and tickets to The Dan Band contact: www.thedanband.com

                    Annette Dominguez: annettedominguez@socal.com