Transcript from an Interview with Dan and David Raymer
Dan & David Raymer are real brothers hailing from Los Angeles, California. They are sons of a Navy Test pilot who gave up violin at the age of 6, and an English teacher whose father played trumpet with the Dorsey Brothers and Harry James. Dan and David and three more Raymer brothers grew up playing music - instead of hand-me-down clothes it was hand-me-down guitars. Instead of fighting over chores we fought over chords. We're still at it.
Dan and David perform thoughtful original songs in an acoustic and bass guitar format with harmony vocals. This page has songs written by Dan, who played 12 and 6 string guitar, banjo, and keyboard. David played bass guitar and drum machine. Dan sang lead vocals, both shared the harmony, and David produced/engineered. Songs are all copyright C by Dan Raymer. For some excellent songs written by David, check out Silvertown.
Why this name?
Being brothers named Raymer, we gave it great forethought and decided upon "Dan Raymer and his Hot Licks" but it turned out that someone else had already used almost the exact same name. Then we thought about using "Brothers Raymer" or "BR's" for short, but that left us cold. So we went for our third choice.
Do you play live?
We played for several years at Common Grounds in Northridge, California - an excellent but now defunct student hangout. We've separately been in various bands over the years, but enjoy playing together because we know each other like, well, brothers.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
Since we are unsigned, we love it because it gives a showcase for all musicians. If we are ever signed we'll hate it because of the lost royalties.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
When pigs fly, oceans freeze, gold grows on trees, and major labels sign anyone..
Your influences?
John Lennon, Simon & Garfunkle, Cat Stevens, Beatles, Harry Chapin, Al Stewart, Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Cream, Peter, Paul & Mary, Monkees, the Lovin Spoonful, Kingston Trio, Bruce Cockburn, and believe it or not, Guns & Roses.
Favorite spot?
Actually, we prefer to play quietly by ourselves where no one else can hear us....
Anything else...?
Would have been nice to become famous singer/songwriters, but real life is pretty good too.
Equipment used:
Ovation, Gibson and Alvarez guitars. Warmoth and WD custom bass guitars. Yamaha keyboard. Shure vocal microphones. Peavey speakers. Wind chimes.
Official Website: http://www.aircraftdesign.com/