The Dexateens

1998-2010

The Dexateens began as a four-piece band in 1998 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with co-lead singer-songwriters and guitarists Elliott McPherson and John Smith, with drummer Craig "Sweet Dog" Pickering and bassist Matt Patton rounding out the quartet. Patton pulls double duty, as he is also a full-time member of the Drive-By Truckers, with whome The Dexateens have toured in the past. In its earliest form, the band was known for its punk shows at The Chukker and Egan's.

McPherson said The Dexateens' name originated from a guitar pick Smith's brother/roommate had signed by Dexter Romweber, "DEX," which subliminally stuck with him when thinking up names for the band. Once they had the name, they tried to change it to something else (The Highwatts, Red Dirt Five, Sweet Dog) but the name stuck.

Starting in 2004 with their debut self-titled record, The Dexateens have released two albums on Estrus Records and three albums Skybucket Records. Their 2004 self-titled debut and 2005 followup, Red Dust Rising, were both produced by Tim Kerr (Big Boys, Poison 13, Jack O'Fire, Lord High Fixers).

In 2006, The Dexateens released the EP, Teenager, on Dell'orso Records. The record is made up of material from 2000 and consists of the band's earlier punk rock sound.

2007's full-length record, Hardwire Healing, features the acoustic song “Nadine,” a song notable for its portrayal of devastation. The record features artwork by Jimmi Hole and was mastering by JJ Golden. Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers) and David Barbe co-produced the record, which was recorded in Athens, Georgia, at Chase Park Transduction Studios. Also in 2007, original Dexateens drummer Craig “Sweet Dog” Pickering left the band and Brian Gosdin joined the band on drums.

In 2008, the band released the record, Lost and Found, on Skybucket Records. It was initially released as a free digital download with a purchase-able physical product released later. They recorded 2009's Singlewide with Tim Kerr producing over a three day period in Birmingham. The artwork is by Mike Egan.

In 2008, Brad Armstrong (13ghosts) joined the band, also on guitar and backing vocals.

They appeared at the 2009 Austin City Limits Music Festival.

In 2010, singer-songwriter and guitarist John Smith left the band. In July 2010, The Dexateens announced the band was disbanding.

2013-present

In 2013, the band returned from a two-year hiatus with the EP Sunsphere, which is named after the Knoxville, Tennessee, observation tower that was built for the 1982 World's Fair.

Teenage Hallelujah was released October 7, 2016. McPherson said the record is inspired by the C.S. Lewis novel called The Screwtape Letters. The record was recorded in 2011 in McPherson's barn and was produced and engineered by Bronson Tew (Seratones, Jimbo Mathus, Water Liars), and features liner notes by WFMU's Kevin Nutt. Teenage Hallelujah was a shift for the band, as guitarist and vocalist Lee Bains moved on to work on his own band, Lee Baines III and the Glory Fires. The band welcomed the addition of Taylor Hollingsworth (Dead Fingers, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band) on lead guitar and backing vocals.

A second record, Stars In Bars was recorded and produced by Mark Nevers (Lambchop) at Beech House Recording in Nashville, Tennessee, in late August 2015. It is schedued to be released in late 2016 or early 2017.

Cornelius Chapel Records

In 2013, the band started the record label, Cornelius Chapel Records, which McPherson and the extended band family run. Bands on the label in addition to The Dexateens include Brad Armstrong, Vulture Whale, AdamAdam, and Chooglin.

Other projects

In addition to the record label, McPherson works as a cabinet-maker and woodworker in Tuscaloosa. He is involved in various music projects including the band Rattler and has a solo project he is working on. The rest of the band members are also involved in various bands.

Current band members

Discography