Dumbug blazed many trails and cul-de-sacs in their young career, but they had a great time doing it. Easily influenced by the album of the week, you never knew what might come out of this music factory. Who would thought after all these years, Are You Dum would acquire 100 listens? Yes, this two years young stream amazingly commanded 100 plays on SoundCloud.
i touch that and i'm happy
i see that and i'm happy
i smell that and i'm happy
why the bug am i so happy
What is wrong
are you dum
bird it flies and I am happy
dog it barks and i am happy
beer is cold and I am happy
why the bug are you so sad
take a deep breath
see what's around
it's beautiful, so beautiful
how can you not appreciate what's easily found
you must be a fool
you bell the tolls
i'm on my way
I pay the price
go straight ahead
it's dark, it's light
i can't decide
come on, just enjoy the ride
i want it to last last so long
go straight ahead and start again
how was that? did you enjoy
I told you you would have a blast
it's here, it's there, it's everywhere
just make it last
i want it to last so long
get to the end and start again
she's beautiful
how can you not appreciate what is easily found
you must be a fool
what is wrong
are you dum?
touch that and I am sad
look at that and I am sad
smell that and I am sad
why the bug am I so happy
what is wrong
are you dum
take a deep breath
see what's around
it's beautiful, so beautiful
how can you not appreciate what is easily found
you must be a fool
This was the momentum and uptake Dumbug had always hoped for when they barraged nightclubs and ransacked firehouses with their brutally raw sound in the early 90’s. No two songs were ever alike, so you never knew what was going to stick. We caught up with Dumbug singer Tom in his retirement village and informed him of the milestone.
“Wow! This is incredible news.”, exclaimed Tom. “I must tell Bob, we’re getting the band back together”.
Are You Dum was a funk rock number inspired by the likes of FNM & RHCP with the thumping rock bass line and playful, chanty, straight-talk vocals. The song touched many local lives and was an exciting time for homegrown music in York.
Back in the day, bandmate Brandon Mayes was so inspired by this song, he referenced the song in a college speech on censorship. As I remember, he was so appalled we had succumbed to the pressure of such a politically correct society by altering our lyrics to say “Why the bug am I so happy?”. Brandon was convinced we were pressured into curbing our expression and it was the beginning of the end to the freedom of speech.
The song was a break through recording for the band. Their most well-rounded rock recording of the Dumbug debut era. It was a standout on this classic.