Name: Mr. Steely Dean & Whatever
Start: 2024-12-27T20:00:00-08:00
Location: Talent Club

https://talentclublive.ticketleap.com/steely-dean-and-the-whatever/dates/Dec-27-2024_at_0800PM
Rogue Valley musician Dean Angermeier is reelin' in his peers to assemble for an upcoming concert at the Talent Club, exclusively playing the tracks of the esteemed rock band Steely Dan.
Under the name Dean's Funtime Party Band, the local group was formed over a year ago by Angermeier and co-founders Eric Pollard, Nick Kirby, Tarik Ragab and Jacob Rubanowitz, and brings together a ragtag lineup of some of the Rogue Valley's best players.
The idea to create a concert fully centered on Steely Dan had been percolating in Angermeier's head for years, he said.
"I'm really looking forward to it … I've got a very specific setlist, but there's still some off-the-cuff solos and arrangements,” Angermeier said.
The curated setlist of tunes is a departure of sorts from Dean's Funtime Party Band's typical style, with the group known for its impromptu style of improvised riffs and spontaneous solos.
"He tends to attract musicians capable of playing on the fly," said Gary Nelson, trombone player for the band, on Angermeier’s style. "It's all very spur-of-the-moment."
That sporadic style was a key trait for prospective band members when Angermeier began assembling the group more than a year ago.
The idea to form Dean's Funtime Party Band came after Angermeier and Pollard crossed paths while doing their own gigs.
"Dean and I, we met through guitarist Paul Turnipseed," said Pollard, drummer, guitarist, vocalist and bassist for the band.
Pollard also has a solo project, Actual Wolf, with Red House Records.
The two instantly hit it off over a shared love for Steely Dan.
"Pretty much from the second Dean and I met and had a 5-minute conversation, we realized one of us is Fagan, one of us is Becker," Pollard said, referencing the founding members of Steely Dan, Walter Becker and Donald Fagan.
"It was like we'd known each other for years," Pollard added.
After core members Nick Kirby (drums, bass, guitar), Tarik Ragab (bass, keys, guitar, drums) and Jacob Rubanowitz (guitar, bass, vocals) got on board, the outfit was well on its way to taking on gigs showcasing their musical prowess.
But Angermeier and his bandmates were always on the lookout for players with the skills and attitude to join up.
"We have a saying, it came from the old Steely Dan days when they were putting the band together where they put an ad out, and all it said was, 'must have chops, no hang-ups,'" Angermeier said.
In other words, the group was seeking musicians who were "very proficient with their instrument, and 'no hang-ups' has two meanings; no hang-ups musically, not being intimidated by anything and no attitude hang-ups," Angermeier added.
Over time they added five other members including Nelson, guitarist Matt Blackett, keyboardist John Mazzei, saxophonist Gordon Greenley and trumpet player Joe Balestreri.
All 10 players will take the Talent Club stage for "A Night of Steely Dean," with most members sharing a deep connection to the rock band.
"It’s part of my DNA, I grew up in the '70s," Nelson said, adding, "I grew up listening to Steely Dan, I heard them on the radio when I was just a lad, when they just started coming out."
So when Angermeier lofted the idea for a Steely Dan-themed concert, the band members were all ears.
"It's enjoyable, accessible music performed by music nerds for regular people … The Dan is just the logical choice," Pollard said.
Dean's Funtime Party Band is looking forward to returning to the Talent Club stage, with each member playing there at one point or another as members of numerous other bands and solo acts.
"It's fun to play there because people come for music," Nelson said. "They're all about the music, which is pretty cool; if you’re comfortable standing up and dancing then it's a lot of fun."
“It has giant club energy, and they make you feel welcomed and (the venue is) chill,” Pollard said, adding, “If you get 30 to 40 people in the Talent Club, it seems like there’s 1,000 people in there.”
While the band is unlikely to keep putting on shows fully dedicated to Steely Dan, Dean's Funtime Party Band is just in its infancy, with band members aiming to record original songs and tour as far out as they can get.
"We'll focus on doing live recording this year and at least regional touring," Angermeier said.
On the band's future success, Angermeier said, "It's starting to get a good response and people are interested … I could see it catching on in some way."
The band leader aims to keep building on the group’s prowess, describing ambitions and plans to tour across the globe.
To learn more about Dean's Funtime Party Band and its upcoming shows, see deansfuntimepartyband.com.