Quaid leads shark attack

Dennis Quaid has a new girlfriend in his life.

Actually, it's more of an old love: music.

Playing guitar since he was 12, the 47-year-old actor has played in various bands, including several in the '80s.

When he married actress Meg Ryan in 1991, however, Quaid put the guitar aside. The time involved in being in a band along with his and Ryan's acting careers not to mention becoming a first-time father a year later was simply too much.

That all changed in July after the much-publicized split between Quaid and Ryan.

Although he shares custody with his 9-year-old son, Jack, Quaid is no longer bound by the time constraints of family life. In October he returned to music and started a band, Dennis Quaid & the Sharks, which performs Saturday at Sunset Station's Club Madrid.

Calling from his home in Los Angeles this week, Quaid was upbeat and enthused about his life.

"I've never been happier," he said. (Quaid declined to answer questions about his personal life for this interview.)

Music, he concedes, is partially responsible for his happiness.

"I can't say music has made my life better, but my life is better for doing it. It's just one of those things I love doing."

Serving as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the band, the quintet also features Jamie James, guitar; Tom Slik, bass; Ken Stange, keyboards and harmonica; and Tom Walsh, drums musicians who, while not household names, have played and recorded with many big-name artists, such as Tina Turner and Joe Cocker.

The band's origins can be traced to one night last fall when Quaid went to see actor Harry Dean Stanton and his longtime band (appropriately named the Harry Dean Stanton Band) perform at an L.A. club.

Quaid was invited to join the band onstage. At first reluctant because of his decadelong layoff from music, Quaid finally did perform with the band and was successful enough that James, also a member of Stanton's band, approached Quaid about starting a group of their own.

James quickly began recruiting others for the band and it wasn't long before Dennis Quaid & the Sharks, which specializes in "rock 'n' roll and country-soul," was performing at L.A. clubs.

"(Being in a band) is wonderful," Quaid said, "especially with this group of musicians. Nobody's screwed up, nobody's on drugs -- everybody just loves the music. It's an easy thing instead of a hard thing."

The actor/rocker enjoyed playing around California with his band so much that while filming his latest movie, "The Rookie," in Austin, Texas, for three months the band performed at a club there once a week.

He also worked on original songs -- mainly country -- for the band during his time off from acting to go along with its eclectic cover set, which typically includes "Slow Down," by Larry Williams, "Spill the Wine" by Eric Burdon and War, and "If You Wanna Get to Heaven," by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

The band even throws in a Jerry Lee Lewis song or two in the mix, such as "Great Balls of Fire," which Quaid has firsthand experience performing, having played "The Killer" in a 1989 biopic.

Quaid said the shows are as much fun for those in attendance as they are for the band.

"(The audiences) have a blast, which is all we want," he said. "I make a complete and utter fool of myself. I think that's the only way to have fun (onstage), instead of trying to pretend to be cool and all the rest of that stuff."

But no matter how "uncool," he is while performing, he's still Dennis Quaid, which equates to a Hollywood sex symbol.

"I can't get any attention," James joked. "I even set my hair on fire one time. It's all women and they're all looking at Dennis."

Maybe it's the lure of music equalling women that have so many actors jumping on the bandwagon.

For example, Dan Aykroyd partnered with John Belushi, then Jim Belushi, then John Goodman for the Blues Brothers; Bruce Willis was in a blues band and cut an album; Keanu Reeves formed the rock outfit Dogstar; Kevin Bacon and his sibling, Michael, teamed for the Bacon Brothers; and Jeff Bridges recorded an album of originals a year ago.

Sometimes in these types of groups, musicianship takes a back seat to the marquee name in the title, Quaid acknowledged. But for those bands, longevity isn't a factor.

"(Audiences) come in for whatever reason, and they come back because they enjoy the show," he said.

When asked what's the difference between Dennis Quaid & the Sharks and some of the other actor-led bands, Quaid was reluctant to compare.

"I know there are a lot of actors out there who have bands and all that stuff, but I'm not in it for the ego or to compare myself," he said. "I'm not even in it for a record deal, to tell you the truth. I'm in it because I love it. I love playing."

What about the idea that an actor is an actor and a musician is a musician and never the twain shall meet?

James doesn't see why the two professions can't coexist.

"I don't believe there should be any boundaries: If you're Bing Crosby don't be in any movies, if you're Frank Sinatra and going to act, then don't sing anymore," he said. "I don't relate to that boundary-thing of acting. It's all performing art; it's all good."

In bands since he was 13, James has played with many musicians over the years, which lends credibility to his statement that, although there are better musicians than Quaid, the actor is very good in his own right.

"Thelonius Monk wasn't the best piano player technically (speaking)," James said. "But his magic and heart captured you. I think Dennis Quaid has that magic and heart, that je ne sais quoi. That's what Dennis has.

"Dennis is the real deal, no doubt about it."

As for how long Dennis Quaid & the Sharks will be around, even its namesake doesn't know.

"I have no idea," Quaid said. "I just know that music will always be in my life."

Spoken like a man in love.

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