ABOUT D.A. KARKOS

D.A. Karkos is an accomplished musician and producer hailing from Nashville, Tennessee. With his impressive skillset as a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and producer, he has made a significant impact in the music industry. D.A. is also the owner of the renowned Underdog Studio in Nashville, where he produces music videos as well.

One of D.A.'s notable endeavors is his involvement in the "Nashville On the Rocks" show/podcast, which he co-hosts and produces alongside his wife, a rock n’ roll bartender/mixologist and former metal vocalist, Lisa Karkos. The show features in-depth interviews with popular rock musicians, and Lisa adds a unique twist by creating cocktails with the guests during the show. This entertaining and engaging podcast is filmed at D.A.'s Underdog Studio, further showcasing his versatility as a creative producer.

D.A. is a member of Darkest Daylight, a hard rock project collaboration with the talented Farley brothers, Matt and John, as well as Andee Blacksugar (known for his work with KMFDM, Blondie, and Peter Murphy). As the lead vocalist of Darkest Daylight, D.A. not only co-writes and produces their songs but also handles the mixing, mastering, filming, and editing of their music videos. This multi-dimensional approach demonstrates his dedication and expertise in delivering high-quality rock music.

Beginning with his early career, D.A. gained recognition as the lead singer of the Rochester, New York-based metal band Diamond Tyr from 1986 to 1991. The band, which also included his brother Andre "Virus" Karkos (known for his work with Dope and Device), made a mark in the metal scene during that time.

After a lineup change, Diamond Tyr transformed into ONE in 1991. ONE, consisting of D.A., Andre, and the Farley brothers, relocated to New York City in 1996. This dynamic lineup showcased D.A.'s versatility and commitment to his craft.

In 2000, after D.A.'s brother pursued a career with the nu-metal band DOPE, D.A. continued his musical journey by forming BULLY with the Farley brothers. In addition to singing lead vocals, D.A. also played rhythm guitar for the band. BULLY released their full-length album, "Songs That Make You Cry," in 2003.

Throughout his career, D.A. has collaborated with esteemed musicians and explored different genres. In 2005, he began playing rhythm/acoustic guitar in renowned drummer Jerry Gaskill's (of King's X) solo band. Their collaboration led to the arrangement of “Julie”, which appeared on King's X's fifteenth album.

D.A. developed a passion for country blues finger-style guitar, drawing inspiration from artists like Lindsey Buckingham, Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Jerry Reed. His original country-blues fingerstyle song, "Rain," was featured in the movie "The Jersey Devil" in 2005, directed by Dan DeLuca. He further expanded his songwriting expertise by working on soundtracks for J King Films.

Later in 2005, D.A. reunited with his brother and released the notable collaboration album, "Black-N-Blues Vol.!" This album showcased a different side of his musical persona, offering a darker and more introspective ambiance. The popular song, "The Sale," featured renowned drummer Jerry Gaskill (of King's X) and bassist Hector Graziani (of 40 Below Summer).

In 2010, D.A. relocated to Nashville and joined forces with John Corabi, a seasoned musician known for his work with Mötley Crüe, The Dead Daisies, The Scream, and Union. D.A. produced Corabi's album "Unplugged," which was released on Rat Pak Records in 2013. Additionally, he served as the lead guitarist and provided backing vocals for John Corabi's band. Together, they embarked on tours, sharing stages with notable acts such as Cinderella, Lynch Mob, Enuff Z'Nuff, Don Dokken, Sebastian Bach, Tesla, and Skid Row. They also performed on multiple Monster of Rock Cruises.

Based in his Underdog Studio in Nashville, D.A. has been involved in various recording projects, collaborating with both established and emerging artists. He co-wrote the track "This Town" with Michael Rhodes, featuring the vocals of popular Mercury Nashville recording artist Julie Roberts. D.A. has also produced albums for artists such as Mama Tried and D.J. Grissom, showcasing his versatility in working across different genres.

D.A.'s musical journey has involved exciting collaborations, including metal projects with Andee Blacksugar (known for his work with Black Sugar Transmission, Blondie, KMFDM, and Peter Murphy). Furthermore, he has recorded inspired solo cover versions of songs by Michael Jackson, Moke, Fleetwood Mac, Squeeze, and Toy Love, which have been featured on tribute albums.

In 2015, D.A. and Jerry Gaskill signed a record deal with Rat Pack Records and released "Love and Scars," the second album by Jerry Gaskill. This album garnered widespread acclaim and featured notable musicians such as Billy Sheehan (Mr Big, David Lee Roth, The Winery Dogs), Earl Slick (David Bowie, John Lennon), JD DeServio (Black Label Society), Andee Blacksugar (Blondie, KMFDM, Peter Murphy), Phil Keaggy (Glass Harp), and more. D.A. played multiple instruments, provided backing vocals, and co-wrote the entire album. He also took charge of producing, engineering, and mixing the record.

Additionally, in 2015, D.A. collaborated with the late Jeff Labar, the guitarist of Cinderella. Together, they reimagined Jeff's song, "Hello or Goodbye," into an unplugged version. D.A. wrote and recorded the backing vocals and contributed to the mix.

Continuing his musical journey, D.A. released the single "Mouth Open Wide" in 2020, featuring Andee Blacksugar (Blondie, KMFDM, Perter Murphy) on lead guitar, Michael Staertow (Lou Gramm, The Guess Who) on rhythm guitar, and Tom Hurst (Backstreet Boys, Wang Chung, Gary Allan, Sister Hazel) on drums. The following year, he released another single titled "Undivided," which featured Andee Blacksugar on lead guitar, Topher Nolen (John Corabi) on bass, and D.A.'s wife, Lisa, on backing vocals. 

In 2021, D.A. lent his lush backing vocals to John Corabi's single, "Cosi Bella," produced by Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Ozzy, Buckcherry, Carrie Underwood). This collaboration further showcased D.A.'s versatility and ability to contribute to various musical projects.

Moreover, D.A. co-wrote the song "Take The Time," which appeared on King's X's album "Three Sides of One" in 2022, solidifying his impact on the rock music scene.

D.A.'s talents extend beyond music production, as he has also dabbled in creating captivating music videos. One noteworthy project is the music video for Breath of Ashes' single "Soul Divide," released in 2024. This video, produced by D.A., features the talented singer Brion Gamboa, known for his work with Mick Mars.

Currently, D.A. is producing the upcoming album for Galactic Cowboys, scheduled for release in the summer of 2025. Additionally, he is working on Jerry Gaskill's next album, further cementing his role as a dedicated and accomplished producer.

D.A. Karkos' prolific career and boundless creativity have left an indelible mark on the music industry. With his unique blend of talent and passion, he continues to push boundaries and create exceptional music that resonates with audiences worldwide.

If you look at D.A. Karkos's body of work, you might be surprised to hear a smattering of style that runs the gamut from bludgeoning heavy metal thunder to Beatles-inspired melodicism to understated bluesy acoustic delicacy. It's not surprising to find that his influences fall into no predictable pattern, including Fleetwood Mac, Tom Waits, James Taylor, King's X, The Beatles, and Nirvana. After being wowed by the man's incredibly accomplished singing and overall musical focus, you may come away thinking that D A's best skills are actually his versatility and his wide-ranging appetite for music." - Andy Hinds