One evening during January term 2005, a crew of ruffian musicians decided to watch a popular film at the time, Bottlerocket, produced by Luke and Owen Wilson. Dignan (Owen Wilson), after breaking his brother Anthony (Luke Wilson) out of a mental hospital, goes on a “crime spree” for his old boss Mr. Henry. In the final scene, Dignan’s orchestrated heist goes awry, and he uses his pre-arranged warning call “caw caw!”

During post-film wrapup and commentary, these ruffian musicians were joking about forming a band. The comedic value of this was soon superceded by the band’s name… Dignan and the Caw Caws.

Originally vocalized with a shrill, avian-like tone, “caw caw” has undergone many permutations. It progressed from “caw caw” to “caw kaw” to the monotone “Caw Kaw” we know and love today.

The joke soon lost its jocularity, and seriousness began to set in as the feasibility of a band soon became apparent. A few partial band gatherings occurred in spring of 2005, and song writing commenced in late summer. In the early weeks of fall semester 2005, an inventory began of available equipment. Drums were transported from Eden Prairie to St. Peter, as well as a host of electronic equipment including a bass amp, guitar amp, and a microphone from Edina. Practices began and became more frequent as the semester wore on.

On Saturday, October 18th, 2005, band practice began as usual at 10:00AM. Songs were going as smooth as Adam’s behind. A faint voice was heard as a caw spoke up and said, “We should have a concert tonight.” A few calls were made, and the band was scheduled at The Corner, their now-preferred venue. Equipment was moved, egos were prepared, beer was purchased, and the first concert went off without hindrance, save its brevity.

Dignan and the Caw Kaws slowly gained monetary value and notoriety as equipment was added to their repertoire and students on the Gustavus Adolphus campus began to talk amongst themselves. A PA system was purchased from a friend of the band and another concert was planned, bigger and better than the DACK (Dignan and the Caw Kaws’ new moniker) debut of mid-October. The second concert of DACK occurred on November 19th, 2005, complete with 9 songs, again at The Corner.

As finals stressed the members of DACK each in distinct ways, the band lost steam over the end of November and into December. During finals week, DACK shifted to the top priority of its constituents and practice began again for a concert in early January 2006. Over Christmas break, a practice was held in order to rehearse several new DACK originals to debut at the next concert. DACK's drummer received a tangible gift from his significant other: a Shure SM-58 vocal microphone. This refired the kiln of DACK vocals and brought a new tenacity to practice. Practices raged throughout the first week of January, and a third concert was scheduled for January 7th, 2006.

The third DACK concert was held at The Corner, with 11 songs and a 3-song encore. Because of the low workload associated with January term, practices have been frequent and lengthy, as recording is scheduled for touring break, the last week in January. All of DACK’s originals will be chronicled, and a CD release party is scheduled for February 18th, 2006.