Frank Bang & the Secret Stash - New Album Double Dare

Frank "Bang" Blinkal - Vocals/Guitar

Bob Spelbring - Drums/Vocals

Josh Hyland - Bass/ vocals -

Tony MacQuaid - Guitar/Vocals

Frank Bang & the Secret Stash.
The brand new album, Double Dare, from former Buddy Guy Band monster guitarist Frank "Bang" Blinkal  is being released on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 by Blue Hoss Records.  Mark your calendars.  You can listen to the album in full before release on the music page as well!  Frank tells his fans, “I’ve set a high bar of artistic maturity and musical integrity for myself,” he says, “and I hope people hear that in this album.”
His fifth release, displays an artist not afraid to take chances, and showcases a wide palette of roots sounds inspired from his blues, rock and country influences - all awash in his scintillating electric guitar and slide work.

"I felt that I really had to step up my game and write songs that had a deeper meaning, because I realized my music had a deep meaning for a lot of people," Bang says. "People would, and still do, tell me my music lifted them when they were down, and helped them through hard times. I wanted to live up to that.

Double Dare was produced by Umphrey's McGee and Rod Stewart producer/engineer Manny Sanchez and recorded at the Windy City's I.V. Lab Studio. Bang's lead vocals and assortment of guitars are backed by a core band of Bobby Spelbring on drums and Ryan Fitzgerald on bass, augmented with guest musicians on harmonica, guitars, keyboards and sax.
The 11 all-original song disc kicks off with the blazing title track, wherein Bang launches a mind-blowing caldron of slide guitar blasting straight into the stratosphere. Other highlights include the riff-based rocker, "Lose Control;" the celebration of life's simple joys, "This Is What It's All About;" and "Wonder Woman," a warm slide guitar powered tune about the inspiration and healing power of love. "I knew I had a song with heart and meaning, and that set the bar for the rest of the songs that I wanted to write," he explains. Similarly, "All I Need" chronicles the turns of life over a bed of gently grinding six-string and a glide of organ, brought to an emotional arc by Bang's soaring solo.
"There isn't one thing on this album that isn't true," he adds. "There are stories about my family, about my life and experiences, about things that have struck me as funny or interesting. Even the guitar sound goes right back to the buzz I got plugging an electric guitar in for the first time — getting that real pure tone and letting it rip."
Double Dare.mp3
Wonder Woman.mp3
Bang began playing during the Monday night Legends jams and soon assembled his own blues-rock group, the Buzz, who became regulars at the club. He also came into his own on slide guitar — which plays a major role in Double Dare — after discovering the daredevil musicianship of Robert Randolph, Aubrey Ghent and the other slide-based players from the Holiness Church sacred steel tradition.

Eventually, the man himself - Buddy Guy - took notice and asked Frank to join his band on second guitar.

Bang circled the world five times with Guy, headlining clubs and theaters, and opening on major tours in some of the biggest arenas and amphitheaters. Along the way, Bang shared the stage with the Rolling Stones, Santana, Robert Plant, R.E.M., Jimmie Vaughan, Dave Matthews, B.B. King, Clapton and other blues and rock titans. He also performed alongside Guy in many television appearances, including the The Tonight Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Bang continued to forge ahead on his own, too. In 2004, he cut his debut album, Frank Bang Alive One, followed by the studio set, Frank Bang's Secret Stash in 2005. In 2006, he made Homegrown Live from Martyr's. With 2007's And They Named It Rock And Roll, Bang's songwriting skills took a significant leap forward, which led to his developing the songs that play out on Double Dare.

Frank Bang & the Secret Stash will continue to tour in support of Double Dare, playing showcase clubs and festivals throughout the spring and summer, including some high profile gigs as part of the Van's Warped Tour in July. He's managed by Vickie Markusic of Vincent, Markusic & Associates (773) 472-2063 / vickiemarkusic@gmail.com; and booked by Sara Vale of AXEcess Entertainment (916) 955-0121 / saravale8@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.frankbang.net.