Discography
10 Speed - 1998/99

Biography
Theatrics without melodrama. Eccentric yet accessible. Intense but dynamic. Eloquence without pretension. “It’s all rock ‘n’ roll, baby!” quips Russian-born, Canadian-bred bassist Dimitry. “It’s Rocky Horror Picture Show!” While he’s actually referring to the tune “Wired,” which kicks off 10 Speed’s self-titled debut, it’s an apt description for the nearly indescribably trio and their musical magic and madness that is 10 speed. Co-produced by the band and Matt Hyde (Porno For Pyros) and mixed by Tom Lord-Alge (Wallflowers), 10 Speed runs an explosive gamut from the soul-infused modern rock of the groovy groove-oriented “It Makes Me Crazy” to the dramatic syncopation, go-go dance vibe, ‘60’s movie milieu and dramatic vocals of the first single, “Space Queen.” 

At its core, 10 speed is a reaction—to its environment and to itself, a progression away from the music of the early ‘90’s and its conscious lack of sonic and visual color. 10 Speed, together about four years, recalls the excitement and glamour of early rock ‘n’ roll (from Queen to James Brown to Kiss to Curtis Mayfield), coupled with ‘90’s and-beyond musical sensibilities and beautifully crafted pop song work. The trio who comprise 10 speed are unique, idiosyncratic and diverse characters whose combustible chemistry meshes in 10 Speed. If Hutch is the band’s dark dreamer—artistic and unsettled, Dimitry is his perfect foil, a mischievous sort with a zest for adventure that rivals Evil Knieval, permitting Newman to be he much-needed glue that keeps things semi-sane. 

Growing up in New York, singer/songwriter/guitarist Hutch recalls being at the home of a friend whose parents were “60’s activists”. “The Monterey Pop Festival was airing on TV that night. It was the first time I saw Jimi Hendrix—really the first time I saw rock ‘n’ roll. I remember thinking, “this is what this is all about!” he recollects. “I’ll always remember that feeling—he had this incredible heroic quality. I still look for that feeling every time I get on stage.” For Hutch, though, pursuing music is often more of a s struggle than an adventure. A prolific songwriter who cites Roy Orbison as his “most fulfilling” concert experience,  Hutch began penning songs at the age of 10. While the eccentric artist has a clear mind for words and music, he’s prone to losing his keys or wallet. Likewise, he’s traversed various intellectual and artistic stratums, studying engineering in college, dropping out to play music, then disillusioned with music and life, returning to school to study business, “to put things back into right angles.”

Hutch’s artistic/romantic side eventually prevailed, and following a girl to L.A., he settled on the left coast, forming 10 speed shortly thereafter. 

His partner in all things rhythmic is the irrepressible Dimitry, whose grandmother was an opera singer in  Russia and whose father was “a space ship control panel engineer” who played violin and loved rock ‘n’ roll. Emigrating to Canada when he was 4, Dimitry began classical piano at 9.

“I got very proficient, but hated every moment of it,” he says. “My youth was all about being invulnerable and getting into mischief. The earliest songs I remember hearing were from my parents, who had this 8-track of “strangers in the night” by Frank signature, and a bunch of Abba music. Outside of that, I found a box of Pink Floyd and Police tapes in the trash.” After being “asked to leave” high school, Dimitry, then 17, toured Canada with a cover band until, at 18, he moved to Los Angeles, which proved to be the first step in his 10 Speed Journey. 

Newman, who joined 10 Speed after the record was completed in late ‘97, is a down-to-earth SoCal native whose first album purchase was Queen’s “The Game.” He believes that “music is a marriage between passion and discipline,” and has toured Europe with an orchestra, among other musical endeavors. the hard-working drummer ultimately found classical and jazz “too stuffy” for a full-time career, though he plays jazz “for kicks” and he is an accomplished marimba and vibraphone player. When Newman walked into 10 Speed’s rehearsal room, he was drummer #81 to try out, and, recalls Dimitry with a laugh, “It was magic!” “Of course,  paramount, was talent and musicianship,” adds Hutch, “Plus strong vocals, an easygoing personality, and of course, that he smelled right,” Cool on all counts including olfactory, Newman completed the rhythm section. 

During 10 Speed’s initial inception, the soulful-voiced Hutch played only acoustic guitars and the band leaned toward a more organic, “Violent Femme-like” sound. The band evolved quickly, though, moving toward something transcendent and exciting, or, as one person characterized 10 Speed’s approach, “a war against the mundane.” Live, 10 Speed possess and immense passion for the stage and rock show theatrics. The band wields fuzz-box processed guitars and bright “tuck and roll” Kustom amplifiers from the early 70’s giving the stage a futuristic “Elvis in Las Vegas” flair. Despite a seemingly combustible chemistry on-stage, when it came to their debut album, 10 Speed were very process-oriented. “We were in the studio for 16 hours a day for two months, with one day of the entire time. The ultra-focused lineup were set on capturing the signature 10 Speed “sound” working very hard on pre-production to that end. 

Which explains how, within the diversity of the darkly mid-tempo “When Your Lips Are Blue” and the grandiose pop drama of “Suicidal Psychopathic Freak,” it’s all instantaneously identifiable as 10 Speed. 
10 Speed’s debut is the end result of relentless enterprise. Prior to signing with A&M, 10 speed often played three gigs a night, all over L.A., to gain fans and hone their potent live show. They occupy a niche, which, while hard to name, they own. Like a T. Rex, Bowie or the Talking Heads, 10 Speed can’t be confined to just one category, filed under “pop” or “Alternative” or “rock opera” 10 Speed are just ...10 Speed. From the “locomotive” melodic aggression of “wired” to the memorable mid-tempo grandiosity of “I Hate You” to the quirky, Optigan-related musical segue before “Head Splits Open,” 10 Speed are an extravagant and singular band. 
May 1998

Update June 1999
Well as many have heard with the mega merger of A&M's parent company Polygram Records almost all new artist were dropped from the label - 10 Speed among them. We here at Rock n World believe this to be a colossal mistake on the part of the Record Company. The band has obtained the rights to distribute the album and is doing so via their web site. They are also playing acoustic gigs in LA and are hard at work on their second record. One thing is for sure...  whichever label is smart enough to pick these guys up are almost certain to have great success with them. So now cruise over to the 10 Speed web site and listed to why we think these guys are great!

10Speed: See Also
10 Speed Links
10 Speed message board
Review of 10 Speed's Debut