Bob Hylton toured and recorded exclusively with Sourwood Honey before settling down in Charleston several years ago. Playing and recording with numerous local bands, Bob had become a staple in the Charleston music scene as a go-to bassist before joining forces with BG, former singer and guitarist with the Charleston based band Live Oak. Having performed with other Charleston bands after the members of Live Oak parted ways, BG and Bob started collaborating and immediately performing. The band was finalized with the addition of Brooks DuBose, formerly of Gaslight Street and Ten-Mile Tide, on drums. His hard-hitting style gave the band the raw intensity that powers their music. The band has recently released their first demo EP. A modest collection of songs featuring subtle slide guitar and fast paced riffage that pays tribute to some of the best trios like Cream, Gov't Mule, ZZ Top, and the Police.
Local producer and director David B. Baxley shared some of his thoughts on the upcoming video release of the new DDK single, "Ain't Coming Home". Baxley says, "We decided to go with the idea that the studio production of the song would set the mood and feel for the video. After creative brainstorming sessions we chose to go with a more organic approach and not create a big concept, gimmick, storyboards, or any treatments. Instead we decided to just shoot and go with what felt right and trusted our imaginations to capture that type of imagery. We have incorporated studio footage, live footage, and some location footage, along with a variety of cinematography and post-production techniques to create something totally new and unexpected. Our attempt was to create a video that fit the song and looked dope on a shoestring budget." Learn more at David Baxley.
I recently sat down with DDK's amazing bassist and songwriter, Bob Hylton. Bob started out playing classical stand-up bass as a young man, and has played with greats such a Colonel Bruce Hampton. Bob, sometimes called Greasy because of his smooth innovative bass work, shared some of his thoughts about music with me. Here is what I learned.
According to Hylton, "writing a song can start with something very small like a tap on the table, and you have a rhythm, and you start to write a song. This one little thing can be as orchestrated as you want it to be by adding other instruments or lyrics. You are taking that personal thing and saying hear it is. That is living in the moment. You don't know how anyone is going to react. I don't try to write for everyone to accept what I write.
DDK is about those itching things that you want to do, but didn't get to do with any other band, even if you have been with the band for 12 or 13 years. They may say we can't do that as a band. You are just adding your part, and adding your color to it.
DDK says why can't you? DDK means as this band, we are not scared to take on any song if we feel we just want to do it. We may play it one time live and spontaneously for a reaction, and never play it again. That is what is important about having that three piece band. Essential, basic, you don't have to think a lot to understand what is going on. It is stupefied and at the same time challenging. That's what is cool about this band. The way each one of us play is recognizable on its own. Together it is controlled chaos or steering chaos in a way."
I asked Bob about some of his major influences, and he named Cliff Burton of Metalica, Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath, Bootsy Collins (James Brown, P-Funk), Berry Oakley (ZZ-Top), and Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters. He then said, "it's more about what the music or a song offers to me. It is just too big to narrow it down. It is about the moment. I'm just as much influenced by Bach as I am by the Beastie Boys. I just love music, period.
Music is the best medicine you can have."
You can hear DDK's demo EP on their website at: DDK, and you can see them live @
August 5-Village Tavern, Mt. Pleasant
August 13-Visulite Theatre, Charlotte, NC, w/ Band of Heathens
August 28-Pour House, James Island
September 3-The Mill, North Charleston
September 9-Home Team BBQ, Sullivan's Island
September 21-Awendaw Green
October 21-Skinful Halloween
