 Alec Bourgeois Guitar, Vocals Jesse Quitslund Bass, Vocals Ben Azzara Drums |
Ben Azzara and Alec Bourgeois found each other after several attempts to rebound from their respective "significant other" bands. Alec's former band Severin broke up in late 1993 and Ben found himself spiritually (and physically) on the outs with The Delta 72 later in '95. The Dusters first line-up was solidified with the addition of Bill Colgrove, a recent refugee from Upstate NY and the hardcore band Foundation. Bill and Ben had known each other as Foundation and Junction, Ben's previous band, often played shows together in the old days.
The Dusters released two vinyl only releases on Superbad Records with the generous help of Dischord Records. Forest Fire b/w Seventeen 7" was released in Oct.1996. It was pressed on clear vinyl with a clear vellum sleeve. The 1997 10" features 3 songs apiece from The Dusters and their friends The Most Secret Method.
Shortly after the release of the 10" The Dusters found themselves in "bass limbo." Bill left the band to concentrate on his life and work at home (he now owns a web design business called Threespot Media with Bill Barbot) and The Dusters were joined briefly by Mark Lacasse. Mark helped record the full-length Simplicity and then quickly departed. The Simplicity album was released in October 1998 on Superbad/Dischord. It was recorded at WGNS in Washington, DC with Geoff Turner (Gray Matter & New Wet Kojak). Now joined by old friend Jesse Quitslund (Vile Cherubs & Please) on bass The Dusters toured the US in the Fall of '98 and Spring '99. Also, just prior to Simplicity's release they officially changed their name to "The Capitol City Dusters", both to usher in a new era and to decrease confusion with bands, past and present, of a similar nomenclature.
In October of '99 the Dusters toured Europe for the first time with Barcelona's finest, Aina. Aina and The Dusters shared a tour split 7" that was released on BCore disc in Europe and on Superbad/Dischord here in the states. Tired and weary (of the road and perhaps each other) The Dusters took most of 2000 off and (some of 2001 as well), playing rarely and focusing on writing and their lives at home.
Mid 2001 saw the Dusters shake off the rust and re-dedicate themselves to writing and recording. The fruit of this rejuvenation is the album Rock Creek. This album was recorded at Phase Studios in the summer and fall of
2001 and was released on Dischord Records on April 1, 2002. This is their first release to be put out exclusively on Dischord Records. The Dusters toured extensively upon the release of the album, playing dates along the US Atlantic Coast in May, touring in Spain with Aina in June and returning for a full US tour in the Fall. In the spring of 2003, on the eve of US Bombing in Iraq, the Dusters returned to Europe. The tour was by far their best to date but was also to be their last. Shortly upon the band's return they decided to shut things down. (see all the shows the played)
Ben continues to play and record with multiple musicians and groups; from punk rock, to folk, to experimental improvisation. He designs websites, mostly for Jazz musicians and writes Twitter poetry. You can keep up with all his goings on at benazzara.com.
Jesse played briefly with Dame Fate before moving to the west coast. He is currently working as a guitar tech and has toured with Lucinda Williams, Death Cab for Cutie and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs among others. Jesse still plays as a solo artist under the name Check Please.
Alec is currently fronting a three-piece band called DIAMINE who will be releasing their debut album on Superbad Records in late 2024. He still lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Giuliana, and their two boys.
