Listen to the Band: Dusty Angel and the Have Nots

Nate Jackson | Posted on

 Don't be alarmed folks. Despite his crazed outward demeanor on stage, or in the photo to your left, Dusty Angel is really just a nice, approachable guy. In fact, if you are a musician and happen to peddle your sonic wares in the belly of Downtown Long Beach, then chances are you actually have approached him, or been approached by him. Aside from fronting the fireball of eclectic energy known as the Have Nots, Angel is also a show promoter for the Blue Cafe. But aside from that, his rhyme skills are the only reason you should give a crap about this post. Picture a puree of Bay Area hyphy, avant garde grit and the goofy, half-drunk nhilism of Eminen (from the Slim Shady LP days). 

Want proof? look no further than the last few bars of “So Side Wayz” to discover this dude's M.O.- “I'm on a Northern Lights high, my egg is already fried and I hang with people that do shit that you won't dare try/ I hang with people that sport colors from all of the sides/ The therapist saw all the signs, I'm officially out of my mind”. Who wants to party with this guy on the weekend?

The magnetic energy of Dusty and his crew can usually turn a sluggish, Sunday night gig into an action packed scene from Animal House. Just give 'em a mic and a few beers and these guys are good to go.  Funny to think that the guy prodding you to sell tickets might actually rock the stage better than you isn't it?

OC Weekly: Who's in the band and who does what?


 Dusty Angel: I am
the de facto leader of the group “HAVE NOTS” which includes Irox
(vocals), B.O.N.E (vocals), Step2 (vocals, production), Jharon (studio
engineer, production), St. Nick (production),Ronnie B (production, vocals),
N Swan Deuce (vocals). Each member plays an important roll and each member
has released solo projects as well as our HAVE NOTS group projects. Aside from
rockin' the mic, I wear “many hats”. I set up the shows, I set
up the studio time, press CD's, create album covers and flyers, if we are doing
a show and we need a certain plug, I'll run to Guitar Center
to buy it. When we're in a strange city and we can't find the
“medicine” man, I usually get us what we need…

OCW: What motivated you to start the band?

DA:I remember watching porn one day and thinking to myself, “This movie could use some better music”

OCW: Who are your biggest influences and why?

DA: Hip
Hop artists who push the envelope such as Outkast, Kanye West, E-40
etc… I grew up listening to EVERYTHING from Classic Rock to Country.
As a kid I remember playing my mothers old records and rapping over
Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson songs.  On a business level I've always
wanted to be a “mogul” like Russell Simmons, Jay Z, P Diddy, Master P.
These are guys who have the same “I can sleep when I'm dead” attitude
that I have. And that, in my opinion is the only way to make it in this
biz. Too many artists are relying on someone else to make them
successful. There's a reason why P Diddy is worth 400 million dollars,
and there's a reason why”MC so and so” is still working at the car wash
listening to his song being played on the radio.

OCW– What's the best thing that's happened to your band? What's the worst?

DA: The best thing that has ever happened to me was experiencing my first groupie a few years back.   My worst experience was contacting an STD from said groupie. Nothing a few pills couldn't clear up though…

OCW: There are millions of bands and solo artists creating music now. Why

should people listen to you?

DA: Because
Obama said it was time for “change”. Naw, just kidding, its because God
came to me in my sleep and told me that anyone who doesn't listen to my
music licks balls, so if you dont want  God to think you lick balls
then u should immediately go to myspace.com/havenotsmusik and check out my music. 


Dusty Angel and the Have Nots perform on Feb. 18 at the Blue Cafe, 210 The Promenade N. Long Beach, CA 90802, www.bluecafe.com (562) 983-7111‎. $5 cover, 21+.