As Davis and Robby’s personal and musical friendship continued, Davis battled severe drug addiction that would ultimately send him to rehab. While in a rehab facility another clandestine meeting would occur much like the one that originally brought Davis and Robby together.
“I met Nakia in a homeless shelter,” says Davis of his initial introduction to Nakia Davis, better known as Diva, who would become a singer with the group. “She shared a life changing message with me, and we shared a common love for music.”
“To see someone’s true inner being wanting something so bad really got me. You can tell those who are for real and sincere,” describes Nakia of what especially drew her to Davis, out of all those other lost souls she has worked with.
“She really helped me to grow sincerity of heart,” adds Davis about his relationship with Nakia.
“It’s all about faith and believing,” smiles Nakia.
It is that faith and belief in each other that continues to keep this close-knit group so tight.
“I first met Davis a long time ago when he was tweaked out,” describes Cozmo Holloway, Dishwater’s guitar player. “He just walked up to me in the middle of his set break and invited me to play that night. I waited just about his whole show, and then he invited me on stage in the middle of one of his songs. Then, I just started sitting-in and playing with them more often. I somehow joined the band with out knowing it.”
“Cozmo’s personality worked so well with the group,” says Robby. “It’s one of those things, when destiny kind of kicks you, you know.”
Destiny played another hand in the completion of the group, by placing Davis and Robby at a local music store one day while Gerald Ware, Dishwater’s soon to be drummer, happened to be playing around with some drum equipment.
“I heard this beat from another room, and I just knew,” describes Robby of his first encounter with Gerald. “Again destiny picks you and you don’t get to decide many times.”
“[Dishwater’s] sound was raw, but different,” says Gerald of his initial reaction to the group. “Robby and Davis were very honest about what they played and it appealed to me, there was no pretense.”
Although Robby and Davis may have been the initial ringleaders of the group, Robby, Davis, Nakia, Cozmo and Gerald have all worked closely together to better mold their unified sound and their electric live performances.
“I might be the spark, in terms of initial ideas, but we all mold it and shape it into what you hear live,” says Davis.
There is no doubting Dishwater’s superior musicianship and energy, because the proof lies in their engaging live shows. However, categorizing their sound is not a simple task considering all the different musical styles the group incorporates.
“We try to encapsulate as many genres as we can: rock, soul, funk, R&B, gospel, jazz,” explains Davis.
“We don’t do no country,” laughs Cozmo.
“Oh, his got some country funk in him,” jokes Robby.
“If it’s good music it touches you and moves you,” surmises Gerald.
As Dishwater strives to solidify and refine music boundaries and performances, music fans are sure to be in for a treat when this funky group completes their third album, which they are tirelessly working on at the moment.
“I think it is going to be our most cohesive record, and most like our live shows,” explains Davis.
“It’s going to be most representative of us,” adds Robby.
When asked where they see the group in 5 years, the group’s humbleness and playfulness shine.
“Really, wherever God wants us to be. Wherever he wants us to be we will be,” says Robby.
“There are no limits,” adds Davis.
“I’m just enjoying the heck out of this,” smiles Gerald. “I’m almost afraid to think of it.”
“We will be taking over the world in 5 years, maybe 3 years,” confidently jokes Cozmo.
“No, we’ll do it in 2 ½ [years],” chimes Nakia. “It’s a family affair. We love one another and we’re so passionate about this [group].”
“We really carry each others burdens,” adds Davis. “And, it encourages me in a way no one else can do.”
Dishwater Blonde is cementing its place in the hearts of fans and the growing southeast music scene. But, national and international music lovers watch out, they’ll be taking over your radios in less then 5 years. No doubt.
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