The Capitol City Dusters began life as The Dusters, making their live debut on June 2, 1996, at Washington, DC's Black Cat alongside Regulator Watts and The Most Secret Method. Founded by Alec Bourgeois (Severin) and Ben Azzara (ex-The Delta 72), the band's original lineup was rounded out with the addition of bassist Bill Colgrove (ex-Foundation).
The trio quickly carved out their place in DC's post-punk underground, playing regional shows and releasing two vinyl-only records - Forest Fire b/w Seventeen (Superbad/Dischord, 1996) and 1997 (Superbad/Dischord, 1997), a split 10" EP with The Most Secret Method.
Shortly after the release of the 10" The Dusters found themselves in "bass limbo" when Bill departed to focus on the creative agency (Threespot) he'd founded with Jawbox guitarist Bill Barot. The Dusters were joined briefly by Mark Lacasse who sat in for several shows and helped record the band’s first full-length, Simplicity (Superbad/Dischord, 1998) before departing shortly thereafter.
In preparation to tour in support of the new album the band solidified their line-up by bringing in longtime friend Jesse Quitslund (Vile Cherubs, Please) to permanently lock down the bass position. It was at this time the band fully adoped its updated name — The Capitol City Dusters — both to signal a new chapter and to avoid confusion with similar band names past and present. With the new line up firing on all cylinders, the group hit the road hard, touring across the U.S. and Canada.
In 1999, the Dusters crossed the Atlantic for the first time, teaming up with Barcelona’s Aina for a six week European run. This partnership produced a split 7", released on BCore in Europe and Superbad/Dischord in the States, and friendships and collaborations that continue to this day.
The band’s second album, Rock Creek (Dischord, 2002), was recorded at Phase Studios in College Park Maryland. This was the only Dusters record not co-released with Superbad Records. Tours followed in the U.S., Canada, and Spain. In the spring of 2003, on the eve of the US Bombing in Iraq, the Dusters returned to Europe for another six week tour. The tour was their most successful to date but was also to be their last. Shortly upon the band's return they decided to shut things down.
The Bass Player All-stars
- Mark Lacasse – Bass (1998)
- Marc Nelson – Bass (1997)
- Jon K – Bass (1997)
- Bill Colgrove – Bass (1996-97)
Member Updates
- Alec now fronts DIAMINE, whose debut full-length LP, Ancient Riffs, was released in May 2025 on Superbad/Dischord/BCore.
- Ben continues to perform across genres, from punk to experimental improvisation, and designs websites for jazz musicians.
- Jesse builds and repairs amps under the ACME label and works as a guitar tech for artists like Lucinda Williams, Death Cab for Cutie, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, while releasing solo music as Check Please.
- Bill continues as a principal partner at Threespot and also teaches design in Rochester, NY.