In the past century, social, political, and environmental movements have created music as much as music itself has stoked the fire of cultural resistance and sown the seeds for a crop of social change. Rock and Roll has altered our society and protests and rallies without music are sleepers. Groups like Clan Dyken have helped people find greater consciousness, validate rebellion, take positive action, build community, transform society--and have fun dancing at the same time.
Based in California's Calaveras County Foothills, Clan Dyken, formed by brothers Mark and Bear Dyken, has harmonized, toured, activated, and entertained for more than two decades. Through the years, many talented members of their immediate and extended family have rotated in and out of the band. The drama of the times (state sanctioned terrorism, oil wars, corrupt leaders, the Berlin Wall's falling, arms race continuing, eco-wars transpiring) has been matched by the parallel drama of the family Dyken. Backstage and front, there has been serious pleasure, power and spirit, as well as pain, tragedy, and loss.
Clan Dyken convey incredible passion for peace, justice and planetary salvation. This passion combined with the experiences of travelers and activists has influenced the music and the presentation. In 1992 The Clan recorded the world's first completely solar powered album, Shundahai, in Hawaii and then donated the solar panels to a local Native school after the recording. They toured with a solar powered stage that folded out of the side of an old school bus, run their tour bus on veggie oil, stumped for Nobody for President in a cross country tour with Wavy Gravy and have used the magic of the music to make friends around the world. This is music from the vernacular of community, rallies, and demonstrations. They've always been willing to lend a hand, tunes, and sound equipment to a worthy campaign.
From the Nevada Nuclear Test Site and the Livermore Nuclear Labs to the Headwaters Forest to the annual Revive the Beauty Way tour and Thanksgiving food and supply run to support the Dineh (Navajo) People in northeastern Arizona, to rallies against nuclear power and forest clear-cutting, for organic farming in rural California, against road building in Britain, for solar and against geothermal power in Hawaii, for civil liberties and peace, against the arms race and fascism. They have distinguished themselves by their activism and their music that celebrates their experiences and hopes for a better future. Getting arrested for peace was for a time a frequent habit of certain band members, nonviolent civil disobedience being a central tenant of their personal philosophies.
During a lifetime of playing music with a great number of diverse, talented musicians the Dyken sound has continued to evolve. Over the course of 10 albums, the Dyken sound ranges from a stark, acoustic solo project by Bear to an eight piece band with screaming guitar solos, keyboards, horns and long percussion jams to jazz instrumentals in 5/4 time to drum and voice chants. Quiet studio pieces, dynamic live concerts and home recordings have been part of the ever changing mix.
Clan Dyken continues to refine the tribal-funk-eco-folk-rock-hippy-soul music they've been making for more than 20 years, while taking us on an incredible journey into the heart of how we can all contribute to society's positive evolution through collective and personal action. After repeated requests, they have finally pulled together this greatest hits CD for their family of friends and fans. As this great green century unfolds, much of what they've sung about has proven to be prophetic. Partly because of the politics, their uncompromising ways, and their audience, they've performed largely on the fringe of the cultural tableau. But while fame and fortune may have eluded the band, they are rich in community and being correct about our species proper place in the world.
Rebels, activists, organizers, role models, rock and rollers. Clan Dyken know their place in history and revel in it. Along the way they have become the change that they want to see in the world.
By David Kupfer
