Dawes is one of a handful of groups, including peers like Wilco and Broken Social Scene, who have undergone personnel changes without losing the essential heart and soul that make them who they are. Their first manifestation in 2006 as the post-punk group Simon Dawes included the multi-talented guitarist and producer Blake Mills. Though Mills left the band shortly after, prompting the remaining members to evolve toward what critics called a “folkier” sound, their most recent album, We’re All Gonna Die, was produced by their former bandmate, who has since received accolades for his own solo work. The single “When The Tequila Runs Out” bears Mills’s subtle calling card in the reverb-heavy fuzz of the central guitar line and in the carefully controlled and undeniably catchy melody. The chorus could easily serve as the soundtrack to many parties in upcoming months.
