Into the Son

Description

Into the Son is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Dakoda Motor Co., released on Myrrh Records in 1993, a division of Word. (The album was originally independently released by the band in 1991, under the band name Dakoda. They had to add “Motor Co.” to the band name on the major label re-issue of the album for legal reasons.) The album was engineered by Earle Mankey and recorded live in Earl’s kitchen (literally!) in Thousand Oaks, California; with Louis Gutierrez and Michael Gurley producing.

Hot, jumping rock from the California foursome, majoring on fast-paced high energy sounds as evidenced in the blistering attack of the opening track «Wind An’ Sea». The pace eases back a touch for «Grey Clouds» which gives vocalist Davia Vallesillo the chance to show off her delightful, youthful-sounding voice. Not a lot of power in it, but tuneful and smooth. «Need A Love» steps up the pace again and highlights Peter King’s ability to pour on the hot guitar licks. Derik Toy (bass) and Chuck Cummings (a name, not a petition from the Cross Rhythms staff!) on drums, provide tight, solid rhythm throughout. «All Good Generals» is a highlight; again it’s very fast-paced, a superbly controlled vocal from Davia – the demands of this song would have thrown many a lesser singer into a nasty attack of the wobblies. The set closes with «Sing Hallelujah», a rockin’ R&B finale, with Darrell Mansfield or someone equally stylish blowing some hot harmonica. So, this is good stuff to shove into your ears. I guess in some ways it’s a slightly dated, sorry, retro sound, but very acceptable indeed. [Tony May, Cross Rhythms, October 1993]

in case you didn’t know, the first major label album by Dakoda Motor Co was actually a re-release of their independent release on tape and CD. «Jesus Song» was re-named to «Only the Beginning» for some reason, but that was the only major change. Dakoda was originally formed by Vallesillo and King (who was also a pro surfer). King’s brother was David King, guitarist of Mary’s Danish. Petr’s brother told him that if he could form a band, that band could open for them when they were televised on MTV for Rock the Vote. Somehow King as able to recruit Koval (of Breakfast With Amy fame) and Cummings (who had been in Common Bond, Lifesavers, and Uthanda by this point) along with Toy to be in the band for that performance, and then to record this demo. The sound here is very, well, Southern California-ish: alternative, catchy, fun, punk-ish at times, but kind of its own sound. By the time this was re-issued in 1993, Koval was no longer listed as part of the band, but was credited as “additional guitars.” Not long after this was re-released on Myrrh Records, the band was forced to change their name by adding “Motor Co.” By the time the band released their 1994 sophomore album Welcome Race Fans, they had added Elliot Chenault on guitar. [Christian Tape Underground, July 22, 2026]

[Bruce A. Brown, CCM, June 1993]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/into-the-son/1166005282)

CD tracklist:

01. Wind ‘an’ Sea – 2:52
02. Grey Clouds – 3:59
03. Need A Love – 2:40
04. Ocean Seems – 5:09
05. Only The Beginning – 2:48
06. Everything – 3:14
07. Sondancer – 3:40
08. Wasteland – 2:15
09. Freedom – 4:07
10. All Good Generals – 1:44
11. Sing Hallelujah – 4:21

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Myrrh Records.