Didley Squat

A Sacramento, CA, four-piece who play new wave-influenced pop with an edgy, energetic, but tuneful attack, Didley Squat was formed in 2002, when most of the group's members were still in high school (and were honor students, as befits their nerdy image). Starting out by playing a few numbers at a Sacramento coffeehouse's open mic night, manic vocalist David Mohr (who also designs the group's graphics), classically trained keyboardist Stuart Nishiyama, guitarist Jacob Barcena, and drummer Casey James quickly developed a loyal local following and recorded a self-released album, Break Dance Party Massacre, which appeared a few months after the band was founded. An EP, The Cloudy Stem Taster, followed in 2003, and the group earned the attention of the Sacramento-based independent label The Americans Are Coming Recordings, which signed on to distribute Didley Squat's second full-length album, The Smile Box, in 2004. Another EP, Burning Alive, Making a Living appeared in 2005, the same year Didley Squat was named Best Pop Band by the Sacramento News & Review; the band would win the honor again in 2006. Didley Squat continued to play frequently around California, accumulating material for their third album, which they planned to record and release in 2007. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide