Pat Mehan handled the drum duties for Dudes this past New Years Eve show at the South Pacific. Pat has been playing drums for about 4 years. Pat has also played on various other projects and is a member of Little Green Men and he also plays for the Bastard Cats. Pat is an awesome drummer with true natural ability and plays for the songs. When asked "you have only been playing drums for four years?" said yes. This guy plays better than people that I know that have played for over twenty years, hmmn.... We were psyched to have Pat onboard! Previously, there was Don Dude (aka Donald Hill) - Don has a fabulous music resume, he had worked with all kinds of interesting people in the music industry. Bands include Yellowstone, George Wallace and George Crowe of the Sonics, Nasty Minds and Joseph Lee Wood. Also, he has worked with Steve Miller, Randy Bachman and some guy that produced Prince (he said that gig really sucked). Don is also involved in quarter horses, a true passion. His stable includes horses from the Doc Bar bloodline - Montana Misty, Joker's Image and Timmy Mac. Don currently resides in the Portland, Oregon area. First there was Bud Dude (aka Richard Neske) - He was the mysterious drummer of the Dudes. He once did hard time for impersonating the Jolly Green Giant and frightening several small children. The guy had two identical matching drums kits, Why? No one knows. Rick drives a beer truck - that's why he is called "Bud Dude". So if you are ever in Jefferson County and you see a tall guy delivering the suds to area watering holes and stores, honk and wave - let him know that you know that he is "Bud Dude". Rick still performs drum duties in "The Vibratones", a staple on the Peninsula night life scene. Where is he now? I dunno, in Port Angeles I suppose. Who's next? As "The DUDES" search for their new drummer, we would like to profile the front runners. The main front runner according to Nate is Brian Forster (aka Chris Partridge) who took over drum duties from Jeremy Gelbwaks in The Partridge Family. Reuban Kincaid has contacted Nate concerning the vacancy left by Don. The reason that this could workout is that that Brian is presently residing in nearby Winlock, WA and is the manager of a prosperous egg farm and has expressed interest in returning to music. In Brian's words "I still feel the yearning of youth and my desire to perform with the Dudes can no longer go unfullfilled" Powerful words, eh? Mr. "Slim" Jim Phantom is known for his career as the "Outstanding drummer" of the Stray Cats. He has always had "stand up" talent and is credited for his contribution to rockabilly. Rumor has it that a scorching case of hemoroids prevents "Slim" from sitting. Currently, the Dudes are unsure if this would work out, but will stand for ideas. I suppose that drumming legand Buddy Rich is a poor choice for three main reasons: 1. The "spirited" master of the drums was highly conceited and hated all musicians. 2. Buddy never heard the phrase that "Nice is Good and Mean is Bad" 3. And the fact that the man is DEAD and that most people that knew the man, do not miss him. Obo Addy is part of the Northwest's premier African-American drumming community. How does this fit into the Dudes, I dunno! But it is pretty damn cool! Obo slaps, hits, pounds and beats the tightly wrapped goat-skinned congas, bongos and other various percussion looking instruments with the best of them. He ain't from the hood, nooooooo - he brings it from the motherland! Richard Starkey (aka Ringo Starr) is in the race as well. We are not sure which Beatle he was, But we know that he played drums on all of the songs that Paul didn't, Right? He is wacky!! Remember "A Hard Day's Night" - "Help" and of course "Caveman".