Artist description Get back to The Basics! Michiana's own premier rock group. They'll knock your socks off

Music Style Roots Rock

Musical Influences The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Marty Robins, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Monkess and The Benders just to name a few.

Similar Artists Rock bands from the 1960's.

Artist History It was a recording project in 1982 that brought Cowen together with drummer Ben Hahaj, lead guitarist Randy Simpson, and bassist Charley Neises. Their self-financed 45 rpm single “Girls Come Out” gave the young band brief local exposure and caught the attention of RCA and Geffen records. They played many of the top area venues, and once opened for legendary blues singer John Lee Hooker. Reunited in 1999 after sixteen years apart, The Basics still play the basic rock and roll that brought them together in the early 1980s. A typical night will find the band showcasing their own original compositions while mixing in their favorite cover tunes from the last five decades. During their years apart, the Basics went their separate ways, but all stayed in the Michiana area. Cowen recorded several solo CDs and he scored a local hit with “Easy Love” in 1988. He was a founding member of The Benders, and his original compositions are a featured part of every Basics show. Hahaj briefly operated a recording studio called "Red Barn Productions", raced cars and later became the owner of Priority Computers, Inc. Neises published a book about the Beatles titled "The Beatles Reader" and he currently works as a proofreader. Simpson is no longer with the band. Years ago, we used to do “Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits, says Neises. We had no idea that we’d eventually become those guys in that song, working all week and then getting up on the weekends to do the thing we love.

Group Members THE BASICS DOUG COWEN/SINGER, GUITARS, KEYBOARDS & HARMONICA. CHARLEY NEISES/BASS GUITAR, RHYTHM GUITAR & PERCUSSION. BEN HAHAJ/DRUMS, PERCUSSION & RECORDING ENGINEER.

Albums Bitter/Sweet

Additional Info NINETEEN/82 RECORDS

Location South Bend, Indiana - USA

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