Dishwalla - A Great American Alternative Rock Band

Dishwalla is a great American alternative rock band formed in Santa Barbara, California in 1990. The band was initially known as Life Talking between 1990 and 1992 and then as Dish briefly between 1992 and 1993, before finally settling on the Dishwalla moniker. The musical group was formed by vocalist J. R. Richards, guitarist Rodney Browning as well keyboardist Greg Kolanek. Bassist Scot Alexander and drummer George Pendergast later joined the band. In terms of the etymology of the band’s name, it must be mentioned that Dishwalla actually means someone who provides satellite TV to a certain neighborhood in Hindi. The band’s name was brought to the table by the group’s keyboardist Greg Kolanek who found it in an article of the Wired magazine. Dishwalla are best known for their catchy and very beautiful hit Counting Blue Cars from 1996. While they are considered as a ‘one-hit wonder’ of the 1990s, these talented musicians have at least several more songs that they can be proud of based on their quality.

American alternative rock band performing live in 2003. Original caption of the photograph via Wikimedia Commons: The Arabian Gulf (May 30, 2003) — “It is our honor to be out here with you guys” said J.R. Richards, lead singer for the band Dishwalla. The band performed for the crewmembers of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Dishwalla, whose new album is entitiled “Home,” began their tour for overseas-deployed U.S. service men and women in Japan and finished up aboard the carrier. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, having arrived on 25 March. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Monica McLaughlin. Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Dishwalla’s original lead vocalist, the greatly talented J. R. Richards, performing live in 2003. Original caption of the photograph via Wikimedia Commons: Central Command Area of Responsibility (May 29, 2003) — J.R. Richards, lead singer for the band “Dishwalla,” performs on Shipboard Information Training and Entertainment Television (SITE TV) for the crewmembers aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). “Dishwalla” began their tour for U.S. service members forward-deployed to Japan and finished it aboard the Nimitz. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are deployed conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Tiffini M. Jones. Image source: Wikimedia Commons

The band was initially active between 1990 and 2005 and then once more since 2008 onwards. Founding member and lead vocalist J. R. Richards left the group in 2005 and was subsequently replaced by Justin Fox starting in 2008. In addition to lead vocals, J. R. Richards was also the rhythm guitarist and keyboardist in the band between 1990 and 2005.

Throughout their entire musical activity, the band released 5 studio albums as follows:

Pet Your Friends (1995), their debut studio album (or LP) which was released through A&M Records and charted quite well in the US (especially on the US Heat chart) and was certified Gold by the RIAA (i.e. Recording Industry Association of America)
And You Think You Know What Life’s About (1998)
Opaline (2002) through Immergent Records
Dishwalla (2005) through Orphanage Records
Juniper Road (2017) through Pavement Music

Through their early music, Dishwalla certainly made the 1990s more beautiful, a special, creative, and interesting decade for certain in rock music history. Below you can listen to my selection of favourite songs from their discography. I truly hope you will like listening to them! All the best and rock on!