Dennis is a bassist, songwriter and singer. He writes, records and performs with the DC based band, The Slow Burn. He's been playing bass, writing songs, and singing rock, country and jazz music for more than a quarter century. Hailing from Laramie, Wyoming, he recently established a new home range in DC. Dennis plays a custom Stonetree P-bass through Ashdown and Ampeg bass magnifiers. He enjoys spending non-band time with his wife, Heather, and their daughter, Cora.
Album Review
This is Lynrd Skynrd revived. This is southern rock with a hint of indie, definitely a new age kind of music. Songs such as 'No News' and 'Feelin Good Blues' take us back to when cowpunks roamed the nation. For people who can't stand country but love classic rock, here's a happy medium.
Album review
16 bars of thick drums and bass, with an overlay of feedback guitar (reminiscent of Neil Young’s Ragged Glory) introduce this CD and clearly indicate it’s going to be far too heavy to sit back and listen to at low volume, and way too much fun to take seriously. The first track, titled No News, is just good rockin. The vocals are straight forward, unpretentious and full of contemporary comments about the world we live in. The two, slightly more mellow tracks that follow, nicely pave the way for a real kicker titled When We Get Bored. This is outside, hard-edged rock and roll that rocks your socks and grins your chops. The humor in the lyrics, the steady punch of Feeney’s bass and the solid drive of the lead guitar player make this song, and the entire album, a bag of enjoyment from start to finish. Unlike 90% of the CDs of the past ten plus years, the mix on this album is distinctive and perfectly balanced. You can hear what everyone is playing while you are enjoying the lyrics of the songs. It’s the kind of sound that forces you to air-band the guitar licks and bounce your head to the beat, song after song. A cautionary note, however: if you use it while you’re driving, watch your foot. Speeding tickets are very costly these days.
Dennis Feeney Bio and 'Folio
Dennis Feeney is a bassist, singer and songwriter who crafts rock, country and jazz. Dennis has performed with many great artists, including jazz guitarist Ron McClure, Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, Rod Garnett of Colcannon, Mark McKay, June Star, and various artists from the Rocky Mountain region, including luthier and guitarist Scott Platts. Dennis' most current effort is performing and collaborating with the Washington, DC based rock band, The Slow Burn.
Feeney recently completed his first album, “Boots Belts Irons,” produced by the legendary Roscoe Ambel (Steve Earle, the Yayhoos). Feeney’s family, friends and his strong faith are also given important production credits.
Composing all but one of the songs on the album, Feeney also arranged its financing; coordinated studio-time, travel and accommodations; supervised mastering; directed graphic design, photography, replication; and distribution. “I consider the early punk rock scene – unleashed in Laramie by Roscoe – a big influence on my music,” Feeney says, “but also on how I approach the business of being a musician. I love those driving sixteenth notes and the DIY work ethic.”
He cites jazz guitarist Ron McClure as another huge influence. Feeney recalls how McClure turned him onto the jazz cats, Neil Young and The Who during countless bass lessons.
Feeney has continued exploring the principles of composition and theory McClure taught him through classes at the University of Wyoming, Berklee College of Music (Boston) and Swallow Hill Music Association (Denver), and through collaborations with flutist Rod Garnett of the Denver-based Celtic band Colcannon.
In addition to writing and performing, Feeney enjoys teaching, studio session work and being a sideman. He also composes music for media applications. Dennis has performed live all over the Rocky Mountain region and the East Coast Corridor.
His gear consists of a Rickenbacker 4003 bass, purchased for him by his parents in the early ’80s, a custom Precision-style bass crafted by Scott Platts of Stonetree Custom Guitars (Saratoga, Wyo.), and a custom Carvin LB70, all magnified by Ampeg and Ashdown rigs.
Dennis is a member of the Songwriter's Association of Washington and the Washington Area Music Association.