South Florida Sun-Sentinel

HOMEGROWN

BY BETH FEINSTEIN-BARTL

The high-energy manic mix of Dharmata

June 27, 2008

If it's sweat, forceful frets and flying dreadlocks, Dharmata is on stage.

The five-man, West Palm Beach-based band has been rocking its way through the local club scene with detours to Tallahassee since forming last year. Lead vocalist Jay Slim describes their sound as manic.

"It's chill and heavy," he said. "It's one. It's the other. It's both."

Slim is backed by guitarists Greg Diamond Phillips and Chris Turbo, bassist Kevin Sanchez and drummer Chip Rommell. They've built an original works repertoire of varying rhythms featuring lyrics that take a raw, honest look at life. The musical influences span metal to hip-hop. "All of it finds its way into our songs," Slim said.

The mix is presented and tossed out at high energy, positive shows. "Our gigs are the cornerstone of what we do," Slim said. "We're truly in our element performing live."

The group is auditioning its catalog in front of audiences, testing which ones are album-worthy. They expect to begin laying down tracks this month for their debut CD at Hellaphant Records inside Swampgrass Willy's, 9910 Highway A1A Alt, Palm Beach Gardens. The band is set to perform at the club July 11. Call 561-625-1555, or visit myspace.com/dharmatamusic.

Go to southflorida.metromix.com for more coverage of South Florida's local music scene.

sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/music/concerts/sfl-sh27homegbrjun27,0,2195359.story

Copyright © 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Regarding the Everclear/Eve 6 show at Roxy's:

Unfortunately, we had to take ourselves off the bill due to prior obligations. 

However, the lineup will be stacked high with Hellaphant Records artists all day, so make sure you support your local music!!!

We will be spending the remainder of March in pre-production for... THE DEBUT ALBUM!  That's right.  In April, we begin production on the as-of-yet untitled debut album.  More news after we get our pancakes fluffed...

I'd like to address a few questions that have been asked over and over again.  Here are the answers to your queries:

We have not booked our first show yet.  I'm not going to estimate when that will be, but I will say that it will likely be before the return of Jesus.  Don't worry, when we do book the show, everyone, everywhere will know about it.  We will glue the details of the show to your bathroom mirror.

The Recreant is still in production.  Realize that the goal here is to finish our debut album, and when the songs are ready, we promise to let you hear them.  We rushed out the first couple of songs so that everyone could hear what we're doing.  Patience, my friends, patience.  While you're waiting, go pamper yourself at the local spa.

And finally, the answer to the most popular question of all:

Greg Diamond Phillip's favorite food is peanut brittle.

...And for our next act, we'd like to welcome to the stage someone who may or may not need an introduction.  So, for lack of certainty, please everyone stand up and give a cold-hearted heckling to a coward, a hero, a godless whore, half-man half-animal, a legend, a liar, a lover, a superstar, a pussy, an egotistical genius, a wonderful friend, and a former criminal. 

Here he is, The Recreant.