O.B. Doves

“I just could not make another band with people in every other band, which is what San Diego will do to you,” says Chris Leyva, whose group Falling Doves features two locals (him and Oceanside guitarist Mike Dorsey) and two L.A. players (bassist Clint Feddersen and drummer Kyle Mueller). The first press release for their upcoming sophomore album Doves of War (due September) opens “Born from Hollywood’s jaded streets of Sunset,” with no mention of San Diego.

“I wanted my own signature brand on it,” explains Leyva, “and the new album was written in Hollywood on Whitley and Cahuenga Street. Kinda like Rafael [Reyes] from the Prayers claims ‘Sherman for Life, ese,’ same with me and Ocean Beach. But, like STP before us, certain markets identify more closely with your sound...if anything, O.B. holds claim to the Falling Doves as locals. The band name and idea was conceived in England and brought to O.B., where the idea was assembled. But it has been Hollywood that has refined the group into a professional act.”

Falling Doves recently toured Europe (including several dates at Liverpool’s Cavern Club), resulting in being signed to Britain’s RMN Records, which will release Doves of War.

The album includes contributions from Phil Solem, of pop-rock duo the Rembrandts. “He’s been a cheerleader of mine for years, man, just being super-fucking awesome and encouraging. I met the Rembrandts through old-fashioned fan mail, and little by little we have collaborated on other projects. Phil produced my band Revolution 89, and he’s been kind enough to always entertain my calls and spend time with me when he comes to town from Minneapolis. Yes, we drink together, that is priceless. We listen to records and jam on guitars like schoolboys, man. Our last jam session was at Sunset Marquis when Bowie died, we played until 7 a.m. True Hollywood tales.”

Falling Doves will play the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-off on Sunday, June 26. The band’s new single “Paris” drops July 4 and can be previewed exclusively this week on the Reader site.