Spreading the Rock: Art Daniels Band

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GALAXY HUT IN Arlington has always been a local rock laboratory of sorts. Maintained by musical management and imbued with a friendly, inclusive vibe, the Clarendon watering hole is a catalyst for musical fellowship.

No surprise then, that Art Daniels, the pub and part-time venue's soft-spoken bartender, can often be found there serving up songs with the Art Daniels Band when not slinging seasonal microbrews from behind the bar.

Daniels says the Hut is a good gig: "You can get a good sound in that room, and it's nice and cozy." He should know, as it's pretty much the only place his band has played since forming in 2006; the group has yet to play D.C. But that could be because it leaves the live performance agenda up to others.

"We haven't ever actually even tried to book a gig," says guitarist Dave Sheremata. "To my recollection, people always ask us to play, either at their club or with their band." The group is hoping a demo it's been working on for the past year will eventually help it cross the Key Bridge for future shows.

"We're just having fun," insists bassist Doug Smith. "That said, it would be atomic to play South by Southwest."

In the meantime, the Art Daniels Band is looking forward to playing again on Sunday at Galaxy Hut, where regulars are familiar with the foursome's swinging sentimental pop. "What we do is a little different than the regular rock thing, and you can hear different flavors — we get a pretty good response," says Daniels.

Smith says everyone in the band brings a different set of influences to the table, but it's Daniels' velvet voice and humble charm that pulls you in. Electrified but light and loose, Daniels says the band is the logical extension of his previous solo efforts.

"I did these ballads — I called it the 'love set' — and Dave expressed interest in playing them with me," says the singer of the band's beginning. The two recruited Smith and drummer Mark Alyea-Cheu, and soon the band was at promoters' beck and call.

"It all started out before we thought the band was 'ready' — and it's just continued that way," says Sheremata. "I guess it's time we actually booked our own gig, isn't it?"

» Galaxy Hut, 2711 Wilson Blvd.; with Pet Parade, Sun. Jan. 25, 9 p.m., $5; 703-525-8646. (Clarendon)

Written by Express contributor Johnathan Rickman
Photo courtesy Art Daniels Band