Covert Operations

Covert Operations is more than a name! It is the teamwork of six people from Michigan who bring their unique show, a production, an operation to every stage they play. There is something about this band that is exponential. You sense the vibe right away and feel the family growing and becoming a truly beautiful thing from show to show. Covert formed in 2002, added two members in March 2003 and played a whopping 100 shows in 2006, even more in 2007 and 2008 is turning out to be a hallmark year. Covert is an organism that is healthy and hungry, something that grows larger with each fan made. The music is exciting, mysterious, spontaneous and refreshing. Each show is a celebration, the kind of thing that makes you glad you exist and helps you appreciate life, a time of celebration. Their music is the catalyst to celebrate, dance and BE YOU!

Covert Operations are six music loving guys from Michigan! The band is a five piece centered on a three-brother core consisting of Damon, Derek and Kedree Young. All three brothers are singer/songwriters. They grew up on Covert Road in Flint Michigan and grew up gospel! Drawing largely on three-part gospel harmonies, they bring a refreshing change from the vocally challenged bands of yesterday. At a young age they pursued their instruments of choice, Damon with drums, Derek with piano and Kedree with guitar, but they also learned eachothers instruments as well.

On bass guitar, Alastair Nix knows the mathematics of music. Bass that moves the fans and the rest of the band together and creates superb tension and release from beginning to end. He creates the multidimensional canvas that holds it all in, or out, depending on which side you’re looking from. Just when you think it is never coming back Al has the ability to hold it by a thread and snap it back tight.

Dallas Barr is the fourth singer/songwriter in the band and has such a quirky side to it all. Dallas for the most part of the night paints pretty pictures and swings you from the highest highs to the lowest lows with his incredible tone. His clever use and choice of pedals accentuates the Covert sound and really adds a touch of flare to it.

Erik Bengston is the silent 6th member of Covert Operations and is at the helm of our Light and Sound. Covert shows are audio / visual adventures. He is the member that has the ability to make the connection, to bring it all together and be the locking last piece that completes the puzzle in order for everyone to hear and see the full picture.

WE are Covert Operations.

Covert Operations sounds like a breath of Fresh Air! Covert plays Rock and Roll with Gospel Soul. You can hear influences from genres like Reggae, Gospel, Bluegrass, Jazz, and Funk in the music, but each song is unique, in that the song is clearly a Covert Operations song. Covert has worked hard at developing their sound and that is part of the reason fans, old and new alike keep coming back for more.

“Covert’s home base is from Flint, Brighton and Oxford. Take your pick. One thing’s for sure: Wherever this band calls home, its loyal following isn’t far behind.” ~ The Flint Journal

“Any Michigan heads within the area please do yourself a favor. I have never seen a group like this.” ~ Dead.net

Some of their inspiration is drawn from artists like:

* The Grateful Dead
* The Allman Brothers Band
* Phish
* James Taylor
* String Cheese Incident
* Bruce Hornsby