The YaYas
The YaYas
have consisted of Andrew Dyken, Tom Esterline and Roger Ray, who pretty
much learned how to play in each others company since High School. They
have had a hiatus or two, but the common interest of playing "what we want,
and how we want" has taken precedence. With strong influences in blues and
soul, they've taken their craft and turned it into something all their own.
A Bit Of History
Predominantly an "originals"group, The YaYas
have covered everything from The Platters' "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" to the
obscure Frijian Folkster: Ernst Langhout. Initially cutting their teeth
in college parties and biker fests, the band did lots of blues and various
covers that matched the sound they were developing.
After a stint playing in the "Checkerboard Lounge"
on the southside of Chicago, singer/guitarist Andrew Dyken decided it was
time he perfected his blues chops, so he moved to Austin, Texas. This
may have caused a slight hiatus for the band, but it was a necessary move.
Here, he developed his singing style in the local acoustic scene as well as
having the opportunity to play blues in front of the great Albert King during
a Sunday Night Jam at "Stubb's Barbeque." From time to time, drummer
Roger Ray would come down and they'd play at an occasional blues jam, thus
perfecting their chops and enjoying the added luxury of "Real" barbeque and
Shiner Bock. While Andrew was amidst his projects in Texas, Roger
was working in the jazz scene outside of San Francisco with the likes of
Joey DeFrancesco, refining his chops as well. Bassist, Tom Esterline,
was also active at this time in Indianapolis with "Blind Otis & The Lost
Highway" and "Vinyl Shriner."
Though living in different parts of the country, they really
wanted to get back together and finish what they'd started: playing their
own music the way they wanted to play. Chops were refined, experiences were
had, and the band decided to rejoin and get to work. Results can be
heard on their new self-entitled CD or at their various gigs.
Andrew Dyken
As lead vocalist, guitarist
and writer of the girth of material, Andrew Dyken has turned a broad
range of influences into something completely his own. When recently
asked by a local musician where he got his style of singing: "Man, that's
a hard one! Let me see...I used to imitate Van Morrison and Mick Jagger
in high school. Then there's John Fogerty, Eric Burdon.....Oh yeah,
Tom Jones!" He remarks as one of his proudest vocal displays, vibrating a
plate off the back wall of a coffee-house in Austin. As for guitar,
Andrew's gone into a complete Gibson obsession, after years of solely
playing Fender guitars: "I've always wanted that "Bluesbreaker tone", but
never quite got it until making the obvious realization that I needed that
"Bluesbreaker guitar" to get it. A Les Paul is a completely different "animal"
than a telecaster or strat; It tells no lies and you have to play much cleaner
or you'll trip over yourself!" His main guitars are a reissue 56 Les
Paul Gold-Top with original 1954 pickups, a 1972 Black Les Paul Custom and
a natural finish Rickenbacker 330/12-string. He plays almost exclusively through
a reissue 62 Marshall "Bluesbreaker" amp.
Tom Esterline
The YaYas' bass player
is very comfortable with his no frills, straight to the point approach
to playing. His bottom ended tone is immediately recognizable to anyone
who's heard him play. During the YaYas' hiatus, Tom occupied himself as bass
player of "Blind Otis and the Lost Highway", playing on their debut CD. He
developed quite a reputation in town and found himself also in another local
indianapolis band: Vinyl Shriner
. Playing Fender basses exclusively for years, Tom has taken a recent
interest in hollow-bodies, which have become his main stage guitars.
These vary from an Epiphone Signature bass, an orange Gretsch Broadkaster
and his black Guild Starfire. He plays exclusively through a Fender
300 PS with an 8 X 10 Cab.
Roger Ray
This drummer
has tackled every style from Al Jackson to the latest Jazz phenomenon.
He loves funk, jazz, basically anything with a groove! He spent some
time in the Air Force where he met Johnny and Joey DeFrancesco. Impressed
with his no-nonsense approach to equipment (yes, he's also an AV technician!),
Joey hired him as Road Manager for himself and the Manhattan Transfer. Although
he was doing something he really liked, there was something missing. He wanted
to play drums, and he wanted to play with the same guys he learned with. Getting
a call from Tom about the possibility of recording the YaYas, Roger
made arrangements and came back home. Thus, The YaYas were reborn!
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