“When the swamp becomes a cesspool, overflowing you gotta gasp for air, because the times they are deranging, people wonder the buck stops where?”
Fantastic new feature in AMERICAN BLUES SCENE!
Dave Specter Unleashes Timely Protest Energy on ‘The Times They Are Deranging (The Buck Stops Where?)’
Dave Specter ignites live, socially charged blues at Evanston’s SPACE.
While this track was recorded live at SPACE in Evanston, Specter continues to bring his music to audiences worldwide. Shown here performing in Alicante, Spain, in 2024. Photo credit: Phil Solomonson for American Blues Scene.
Chicago blues guitarist and vocalist Dave Specter harnesses both his formidable musicianship and his social awareness on “The Times They Are Deranging (The Buck Stops Where?),” recorded live February 19, 2025, at SPACE in Evanston, IL. The song – featuring Specter on vocals and guitar, Brother John Kattke on organ, E.G. McDaniel on bass, and Marty Binder on drums – offers a direct, topical statement rendered with the spontaneity of a live performance.
SPACE (Society for the Preservation of Arts and Culture), co-owned by Specter, is designed as a listening room, emphasizing sound clarity and audience connection. “One of the things that I and my partners are most proud of is the way the room sounds, the way the room feels… It’s not like playing in a bar with televisions. We pride ourselves with the sounds and the vibe, and we’re just thrilled with how the customers love it and how much the musicians love playing here,” Specter said in a recent ABS interview. That immediacy translates to the track, giving the protest lyrics extra punch against the backdrop of crisp organ, driving bass, and dynamic drumming.
While Specter has long been celebrated for his guitar work, he has also developed a confident vocal presence over the past seven years. Here, his voice matches the bite of the lyrics, showing a seasoned musician fully in command of both message and medium. Written by Specter and published through SpecTone Music, BMI, it’s a striking addition to his ongoing body of work with Delmark Records, accompanied by a lyric video created by Seth Freeman.
Dave Specter – THE TIMES THEY ARE DERANGING (THE BUCK STOPS WHERE?) – AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 12!
Delmark 6001
Digital Single & lyric video release
Dave Specter: The Times They Are Deranging (The Buck Stops Where?)
New live recording of a timely and topical original song by Dave Specter and his band.
Dave Specter: vocals/guitar
Brother John Kattke: organ
E.G. McDaniel: bass
Marty Binder: drums
Recorded Feb. 19th 2025 at Evanston SPACE, Evanston, IL
Video created by Seth Freeman. Photography by Ren Picco-Freeman
Recorded by Dan Glomski
Mixed at Soldering Iron Studios
Written by Dave Specter, SpecTone Music, BMI.
***downloads are available for purchase via Delmark.com or through your streaming services
Check out Dave Specter’s powerful lyrics to
The Times They Are Deranging (The Buck Stops Where?)
Politicians, pimps and poets
Writers, teachers everywhere
Heads are spinning and fools are grinning
Dark winds blow from his bloodshot stare
When the swamp becomes a cesspool
Overflowing, you gotta gasp for air
Cause the times they are deranging
People wonder the buck stops where?
Selling coins, guitars and bibles
Like a snake oil salesman you must beware
Can’t stop lying, good people are dying
Fools believe that he really cares
Accountability has left the building
Don’t look to him, you can’t find it there
Because the times they are deranging
People wonder the buck stops where?
The buck stops where?
The buck stops where?
Now I’m tryin’ to tell you people, try not to despair
Push down hard on that mute button
When you hear those billionaires
But don’t be quiet, we gotta fight it
Cause they won’t stop kissing his derriere
Blame’s been shifting and his brain’s been drifting
Into an eclipse he did once stare
Took to twitter like a cat on litter
How we gonna escape from this dark nightmare?
Give ‘em hell Harry the haberdasher
He took responsibility, mighta read Voltaire
Because the times they are deranging
People wonder the buck stops where?
Because the times they are derangin’
People wonder the buck stops where?
written by Dave Specter, SpecTone Music BMI
