Duncan Fellows: American Citizens. Good Band. Bad Bowlers.
I was in the belly of Barracuda surrounded by the most denim jackets I’d ever seen in one crusty bar. It was perhaps the most denim jackets ever conglomerated under one roof in Texas outside of an NRA meetup. All on a wednesday, at that. We were waiting to see Duncan Fellows.
I missed the very first opener, Sixteen Jackies, so named after Andy Warhol’s Jackie Kennedy prints. I heard they brought a phenomenal energy to the venue from multiple sources. Sixteen Jackies members walked around the audience dressed as nuns (this was the day before Halloween), with the lead singer in full drag. Everyone I talked to when I showed up told me I had just missed out. Thanks guys. I blew it.
Sun Seeker were on stage when I arrived. They were a ton of fun too. The lead guitarist was in a brilliant striped sweater. It was obvious to me that I was being distracted by fashion tonight.
Nuns, drag, striped sweater, denim jackets...
And speaking of striking attire, Duncan Fellows took the stage in pristine matching embroidered bowling shirts. Has anyone actually seen Duncan Fellows bowl? I was floored to be watching what I thought was a team of semi-pro or even professional bowlers play outstanding rock & roll. It’s rare to see this kind of crossover ability in a group of humans, especially bowlers.
Photo and collage by Jake Dapper.
The air was full of revelry. Duncan Fellows had transformed the beanied and denimed crowd into a rolling sea. I stood in appreciation, and too, felt the sway, until about halfway through the show, the thought occurred to me: “Has anyone ever seen these guys bowl before?”
The veil had been shattered.
I looked around the room in disbelief. The impassioned scene appeared in slow motion before me: the crowd singing at the top of their lungs; every battered sneaker dancing; Tim, Duncan Fellows’ drummer, alone appeared at normal speed, breaking the laws of light and time.
But could all of this be a lie? Do these guys even bowl?
The internal dialogue proceeded.
“Has anyone ever seen these guys bowl?”
“Are they any good?”
“What lanes do they go to?”
“I wonder if they’re in a league…”
“Don’t these talented losers skateboard?”
“Is it all a lie?”
Later that evening I learned that Duncan Fellows don’t bowl. Sadly, they only play great rock and roll.