Q: How did you guys meet and start DMQ?
A: The official story that we're sticking to: Craig and Paul Jensen (former vocalist) in high school were part of the same band that eventually became Celibate Twist (Craig played keyboards and guitar, Paul played bass). Jeff joined CT in 1991 after being introduced to the band through mutual friend Joey Kline. Craig rejoined CT in 1992 and the band re-christened themselves Gherkin.

In 1994, Gherkin was hired to play a rock-n-roll wedding reception. In addition to doing a full-on rock set, they were asked to learn a few “older” songs for the parents and grandparents. They learned about 20 lounge songs. Turns out they found they quite liked doing it.

After that, the four adopted the name Dudley Manlove Quartet (see, they were a true quartet at one time) and played house parties and cocktail get-togethers around Seattle. At one party in 1995, they were approached with the offer to play a show at the OK Hotel Lounge. Attending that party was Steve, then the bass player for Slugfest, and Matt, who had just started learning how to play the saxophone. The band added Steve and Matt for the purpose of playing the OK Hotel. And voila! DMQ was born.

Q: I'm confused. Which one of you is Dudley Manlove?
A: None of us.

Q: OK, then, who is Dudley Manlove?
A: Mr. Manlove is our mentor and legal guardian. An actor and disk jockey, he appeared in what is generally considered to be the worst movie ever made: Ed Wood's "Plan 9 from Outer Space." He plays the head Alien. He gets punched in the mouth at the end of the film.

Q: Why that name?
A: First off, we thought it was a great, swanky lounge singer name. Second, following in the grand tradition of the Violent Femmes, Echo and the Bunnymen and Mott the Hoople, we named the band never thinking we’d play in public, much less play into the next century.

Q: What are your criteria for picking the songs you play?
A: Initially, we had one rule: No songs after 1981. It was completely arbitrary, but at least we had some guidelines. Now, anything goes – the only rule now is that we have to enjoy the song on some level.

Q: Are there anything songs you won’t play?
A: We do have a standing “No ‘Feelings’” policy. You can’t pay us enough to play that song.

Q: Can I be a singer /go-go dancer etc. for you guys sometime?
A: We get this request quite a bit. Unfortunately, if we let everyone who wanted to get on stage with us actually do it, it would be a nightmare. If you really, really want to, send a tape (audio if you’re a singer, video if you’re a dancer) to our mailing address and we’ll get back to you.

Q: What if I just jump up onstage at a show?
A: It’s always a good policy at a show not to go onstage unless you’re asked to. It’s a good way to get kicked out of the club and incur the wrath of the audience.