By Marty Dubecky, Staff writer

Last Saturday, as a part of the Xavier vs. UConn Lineup festivities, the Dugan Brothers Band performed to a crowd of loyal fans. 

 The band, formed by Xavier students, has now been featured at a number of Xavier students’ favorite spots and events. Previously seen and heard at Dana Gardens and the Golf Darty, their performance at the Xavier v. UConn lineup only helped their burgeoning status as Xavier’s favorite live music act.  

The Dugan Brothers Band consists of Danny Dugan on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Tommy Dugan on lead guitar and vocals, James Reedy on bass and Gabe Ryan on drums. For Saturday’s gig, Ryan’s drumming spot was filled in by Xavier alum Jack Putney. Bella Bonnano was featured as a guest vocalist during their gig. 

The Dugan Brothers Band took the stage after a lull in the lineup atmosphere. DJ Sam Chavez finished his set and the XUPD had not yet begun to serve their grilled dogs just yet. The energy levels started to drop as students began to submit to the cold temperatures. It was then that Danny Dugan raised the heat with his calls to the audience.  

The Dugan Brothers played a range of music for their Saturday gig, largely featuring music our parents might have danced to in their collegiate years. Their set opened with the Stevie Ray Vaughn classic “Pride and Joy.” Danny Dugan’s gritty vocals instantly grabbed students’ attention. Tommy Dugan ripped into the intricate and rough blues of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Putney, while Reedy kept things tight by giving people a steady rhythm to dance to.  

The line-up instantly rose in temperature with students rushing towards the stage. 

 “Live music is just something different and I think this tailgate needs it,” Dugan said. 

Reedy and Danny Dugan both felt that their band brought a lot to the event. “Good music, good vibes, something to get people dancing. Four or five cute faces,” Reedy said. 

Reedy was right. The students danced through the band’s entire set, only taking a break to eat some hamburgers and hot dogs curtesy of XUPD. Both Reedy and Danny Dugan preferred ketchup on their dogs, although Dugan said he recently got into mustard after 20 years. 

Dugan describes their band as: “Very fun. we are crowd pleasers.” 

One of their crowd-pleasing methods is finishing every set with “Freebird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. This is Dugan’s favorite song on the setlist and favorite way to finish off a gig. “Freebird” certainly does please the crowd as the biggest show and the boldest dances came out during the final song. 

Reedy believes the band is an important thing to have in the Xavier community, citing the familiarity and fun. 

“(It’s) a familiar face at Xavier events,” Reedy said.  “Its cool. I think the students enjoy having a band they recognize on and off campus.” 

The Dugan Brothers Band will return with a setlist featuring a few new songs.  

“We are at Xavier for a limited amount of time. Stuff like this is the stuff we will talk about in 20 years,” Danny Dugan said.