Fatty’s Big Chance Keeps Dream Alive

Tim Wenger | March 1, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Tim Wenger

Playing in a punk rock band is a life experience that everyone should have. The friendships, the partying the fun, the shows- playing live music is an experience like no other. And no other band in Denver is defining the chaos like Fatty’s Big Chance. Comprised of members of varied age groups and different experience levels, the band has become a staple at Herman’s Hideaway for energetic live sets and a rotating cast of players.

Fatty’s Big Chance has been around for a while, but just recently has solidified the lineup that founder and singer John Hogue has always dreamed of. “I actually got started with it when I was 18 years old,” says Hogue. “I’ve gone through guitar players, drummers, bass players, it’s just been a revolving door, up until I got together with Andy (Lindahl), the lead guitar player. About three years ago we brought in DMac and he’s been the best drummer I’ve ever performed with. Within the last year we started incorporating the female vocals. Through some mutual friends we met Jacalyn (Gallegos).”

“They heard me sing at a show with some other mutual friends of ours,” says Gallegos. “I was just doing back-ups on a song with us. The other band knew I was looking for someone to play with, and these guys presented a really good opportunity. “

Gallegos was in the band for only one month when they took the stage for her first gig. “That was really terrifying,” she laughs. “I was scared but it actually went really well. They’re fun songs to sing, and they’re nice enough to let me do covers of songs they probably otherwise wouldn’t be playing.”

DMac, on the drums, is best known around Denver as a DJ on 104.3 The Fan. He brings the personality and energy necessary for a career in radio to his role in the band. “I am definitely not special as a drummer,” he says. “But what I lack in technique I make up for in relentless enthusiasm. I’ve been in a bunch of goofy bands over the years, but what I love about when I’m on stage with these guys is there passion and their talent. I just try not to embarrass them.”

He is not the only person in the band known for his role on the local airwaves. Lindahl is a DJ on 850 KOA. Like Gallegos, Lindahl had never been in a band prior to joining Fatty’s Big Chance. “Here’s a guy who didn’t know how to play guitar a few years ago,” says DMac. “He goes out and buys all this stuff, he’s never played live before ever, and he’s got thousands of dollars worth of equipment. I was blown away that somebody could want it so bad.”

The guys and gal look forward to booking some more shows throughout the spring and summer and establishing their name in some other venues around Denver. “The band has taken an interesting transition to the point that, we’re ready,” says DMac. “For a while you say, ‘Are we ready, are we ready?’ and it’s gotten beyond that. It’s not that we’re perfect and we don’t need to practice, but I think we’re ready to go.”

The band will be sharing a bill with Funkiphino and Oversoul’d at Herman’s Hideaway on Saturday, March 15. “We’ve played Herman’s several times now, and each time the crowd gets bigger and gets more into it,” says singer John Hogue. “It’s a really good fit for us.”

Fatty’s Big Chance, currently without a permanent bass player, is developing a reputation for bringing guest musicians onstage to fill the hole. Look for Mike Blecha of Synthetic Elements and more to join them at Herman’s.

Online: facebook.com/fattysbigchance