Dr. Pants: Press

Dr. Pants is a fine name for a rock band, although I would be wary of any physician with that name. David Broyles is the legs, so to speak, of this medical menswear. He writes and sings the songs, sometimes with striking honesty.

Broyles writes songs about anything and everything. “Hey Abe Lincoln” seeks out a famous dead president for advice. The disc closes with “Donuts,” which begins by stating: “I love donuts - that’s all I can say, I eat donuts at night and donuts in the day.” Yep, it ranges from dead presidents to a love of donuts - and everything in between.

This CD is mostly guitar rock, although “The Gift,” seemingly about God’s gift of love, smartly adds organ. The song also has some wonderfully funky guitar work.

It may make you a little squirmy to listen to a guy spill his guts on disc. But Broyles does this so artfully, he makes his confessions feel like a comfortable old pair of jeans.

"Gardening In A Tornado" is that dark-bar, cold-beer type of album: one which sounds absolutely perfect driving home late on Friday night. Pure, red dirt-stained rock is the modus operandi for David Broyles, an Oklahoma City-based singer-songwriter whose backup work for wife K.C. Clifford only has sharpened his instrumental acumen.

Following up the 38-track, genre-spanning 2000 debut "Feezle Day", "Tornado" is 13 tracks of lightly countrified rock that's easy on the ears and soothing to the soul, occcasionally obtuse lyrics notwithstanding. To best appreciate what Broyles and company have wrought, seek out a live gig.
For more information, visit www.doctorpants.com.

The average person probably thinks that Jethro Tull is one guy, most likely the one that plays the flute on "Aqualung". This is a common misconception in regards to bands that have taken on the name of a person.

As they took the stage last Friday night at Galileo, one thing was for certain for Oklahoma City band Dr. Pants: if they ever make it big, they may face the same dilemma.

Dr. Pants is primarily the brainchild of local singer/songwriter David Broyles. Formed in Oklahoma City right around the turn of the century, Dr. Pants runs the gamut of rock n' roll with their influences. Big Star, Phish, The Beatles, Weezer, and They Might Be Giants all had a presence in the set list Dr. Pants unveiled at their CD release party for GARDENING IN A TORNADO last Friday.

The band, which included Broyles, Kenneth Murray on guitar and Aaron Vasquez on bass, entertained the crowd with tracks from their new record as well as songs from their 2000 album FEEZLE DAY.

Highlights from the first set included "The Hexagon Song", "Doppelganger Rock" (both of which Broyles' wife, singer/songwriter K.C. Clifford, joined in on for background vocals), "Baby Don't Cry" and "Gardening In A Tornado". The song "Donuts" had Broyles attempting a white-boy rap that demonstrated the kind of humor the band has in its repertoire. Dr. Pants' ability to not take itself too seriously allowed the band to be engaging with the hometown crowd.

"It feels great to be playing in front of Oklahoma City fans again," Broyles said. "We are hoping to tour elsewhere, though, now that the new record is out."

According to the band's website, the real Dr. Pants was an ancient scientist who studied the effects of rock on the human brain. Whether this information is real or not is irrelevant. David Broyles' band name may cause first time listeners to wonder what medical practice he has, but his band's ability to blend comedy with melody should clear up just what they practice: catchy rock n' roll, just like it's namesake.

The heart of the band Dr. Pants is David Broyles. After playing backup for his singer-songwriter wife David then moved onto playing acoustic shows at local coffeehouses.

In 1999 along with three other musicians he formed the band Dr. Pants. The band went on hiatus in 2001 when all of the other members left the band.

In 2004 though David resurrected the band this time with an all new lineup.

This release is their first with the new lineup. On it you'll find modern rock lead by rich guitar parts and crisp vocals.

The CD also features a solid acoustic ballad for the release's title track, "Gardening In A Tornado."

The CD takes a 180 degree turn for the last track titled simply, "Donuts."

The song has a techno club beat along with rap style lyrics that talk about the tasty treats.

This release is filled with little extras that bump it up to the next level of quality.

Things like the hand claps found on several of the songs and the great background vocals, especially the female ones found on the songs.

The songs deal with life, love and spiritual issues and are very well written.

This is a great effort from the band and works on many different levels and should cement their future on the music scene.