Dock Party’s Big Night: Packed House, Debut Album, and a Bittersweet Goodbye

The music venue was packed twenty minutes before McCallie's unofficial house band, Dock Party, took the Songbirds stage on Saturday night. So, too, were the accompanying parking lots. Oh, how far they have come from a couple of years ago, when their debut was at the graduation party of Caroline Clark, drummer Henry Clark's sister, and they were playing on a boat dock, hence the name.

This is how it usually starts for those who make it. Their fans pack small pubs and venues like Songbirds, always forcing encores with chants of "One More Song," as the Songbirds crowd did Saturday night. Then one more song becomes one more addition to Billboard rankings or other playlists. Then a full album drops, as it did for Dock Party with their self-titled debut album on Friday.

A moment involving McCallie videographer extraordinaire Brandan Roberts on Saturday night as he bobbed and weaved through the crowd of 100 or so students, GPS and McCallie faculty, and family and friends of the band: Already up to his eyeballs in projects, the 6-foot-4 Roberts said with a smile as he videoed every angle of their performance, "I just cannot help myself."

Shelton Clark, drummer Henry Clark's uncle and something of an expert on the Music City music scene, said of Dock Party, "They remind me of the early 1980s New Wave bands. Such energy." And there are clearly traces of Squeeze, the Cure, maybe even a bit of Style Council in their songs. But the McCallie senior foursome of Sid Cheemakoti, Stuart Brown, Colin Sanders, and Clark will tell you their inspirations come from a far newer place, citing current bands Flip Turn, Backseat Lovers, and Cage the Elephant. They also did a marvelous cover of Coldplay's "Yellow" at Songbirds.

"I think we have gotten a lot better," said Brown. "Our chemistry keeps getting better."

Added Cheemakoti, the McCallie-GPS "Got Talent" winner several years ago with a breathtaking guitar solo, "I think the experience has gotten better every year, the songs are a little more polished."

He soon added, "Tonight is the culmination of everything. Big crowd. So many of our friends and family and McCallie faculty here. Raising money for our favorite charity 'Guitars for Kids.' This is so special."

Said Brown, "So many people here tonight we did not expect to see, especially faculty. Paco (Watkins) was here. Bill Jemison. Patch Lawson. It was just awesome."

Sam Cheemakoti has watched it all through a father's eyes, watching the group hone their skills weekend after weekend in the basement of Henry Clark's North Chattanooga home.

On Saturday night, when the concert ended after a rousing 90 minutes—it was supposed to last an hour—Sam Cheemakoti, his wife Anu by his side, was asked what seeing the group come so far in a short period of time had meant to him.

"Well, it is bittersweet," he said. "It is sweet because they have done so well. Did not think they would have this incredible arc in just two years. They released an album yesterday. They have raised all this money for charity (Guitars for Kids). But it is bitter because they are about to graduate and go their separate ways. And who knows if they can keep the band together, and they are so good."

They are scattering. Cheemakoti is headed to the University of Miami. Brown will attend Auburn. Clark, who produced the album, is headed to Belmont. Sanders will be at UT-Knoxville.

Sid Cheemakoti said, "I think we are scheduled for a concert this summer and one in November. After that, we will have to see."

Shelton Clark has played in bands all his life. He knows what is ahead for his nephew Henry and the others. He knows how hard it is to keep the music playing.

"The only thing I would say to them is this: Boys, it is never going to be quite this fun again."

If there is another album in the works for Dock Party, perhaps they should name it "Bittersweet."

Click here to check out Brandan Roberts’ video highlighting the energy and emotion of Dock Party’s unforgettable night at Songbirds.

To listen to Dock Party's music and stay updated, visit their Spotify account.