The Legion of Decency was a Catholic organization founded in the 1930’s, and active in the 50’s and 60’s. They would determine what entertainment, specifically movies, was “decent” for Catholics to partake in. My Mother, who attended Catholic school in San Francisco as a kid, was telling me about it one evening. It was apparently a sin to attend any of these movies. Of course, I know what movies I would have made a beeline to.
A band name was born.
This Legion of Decency is a band out of California’s Inland Empire. Born in the Eastern shadow of Los Angeles and that “magical” land of Hollywood, The Legion of Decency has grown with shady moss and all. I hope you enjoy the music and join in our pursuits. I’d like to think it is also a sin to listen to us.
Michael
Singer, Guitar Player
The Legion of DecencyMichael has played with Kevin and Allyson Seconds in a project called Go National, created fantastical fantastic with Gabe who played bass in Cake, listened in awe as Dusty Watson, currently of The Sonics, played drums on some tracks, and signed a deal with John of the Dust Brothers. With John, Michael helped on records with Tenacious D, Beck, and Medeski, Martin and Wood. He embarrassed himself often with his fan status. Michael was also a recording engineer/manager at the legendary Enharmonik (Hangar) Studios in Sacramento. Engineering records for Brotha Lynch Hung, Jackpot, Forever Goldrush and many others.
Now he is recording in the Old House Loft and peacefully loving it.
Caleb is an Inland Empire guitar player and he brings a feel to The Legion of Decency that is tasteful and intuitive. He drinks from the cup of the classics, yet adds his own style and connection to The Legion of Decency. He has handled the solos and a lot of marvelous guitar work. Grateful to have him.
Caleb can also be seen tearing it up with Seville Street and The Storybook Villians.
Caleb
Lead Guitar Player
The Legion of DecencyWe have so many exceptional players joining us. Humbled.
Dusty Watson of The Sonics, Dick Dale, Agent Orange, The Supersuckers, Concrete Blonde and on and on and on, has been playing all the drums.
Sam Bolle from Dick Dale, Donovan Frankenreiter and many others has been playing bass.
Doug Pettibone from Lucinda Williams, John Mayer, and others has been adding his singular steel touch to tracks. He even graciously diddled a banjo for us.
Gabe Nelson of Cake, Mother Hips, and the fantastic Bellygunner has played bass.
Rami Jaffee of Foo Fighters and Wallflowers has added his amazing skills on keyboards.
Onikhol Wells-Howard lent her beautiful name and stunning voice to some tracks.
Jay Gonzalez from Drive by Truckers dropped a little Honky Tonk on a couple of tracks.
Tay Strathairn, who was with Dawes, added piano to Sometimes, Somedays, Somewhere and Grandma’s Sound.
David Ralicke added horns to “Ain’t Got No Room for Kings and Thrones”