Deuce Coupe has played the Nugget before, and they're back because Pahrump wants to see them.

Maybe it's because they have hundreds of songs in their repertoire and they play everything from the Beach Boys to the Doobie Brothers; and music from the '50s, to the '70's. Maybe it's because they evoke a certain energy with their stage presence that keeps the audience dancing all night.

Whatever the reason, Deuce Coupe is glad to play for Pahrump. In fact, guitarist Mike O'Rourke said, "We'd rather play the Nugget than play in Las Vegas.

"The people are different, and the Nugget has an awesome stage bar and dance floor. It's more our type of crowd. They can dance all night and we're surprised they can keep up with us." He laughed, "We get tired just watching them."

O'Rourke and bassist Steve Leonard have been playing together as "Good Vibrations," and with other bands since 1974. "The jobs (at that time) were measured in years, not weeks," O'Rourke said. After 13 years, a mutual decision to "do something different" resulted in "Deuce Coupe."

One thing about the duo is just that - they're a duo - but they sound like more. O'Rourke said, "It's the way we produce our music. It sounds like four of us because we literally are accompanying ourselves."

Anyone familiar with the harmony of groups like the Beach Boys or the Eagles will realize two people can't produce that "sound" live.

O'Rourke said they get the effect by going into a studio and recording the harmonies along with other instruments like drums and keyboards, then play the recorded music and provide the bass, the lead guitar and the other two-parts of the harmony live.

"It's an art form if you realize what goes into making it happen," O'Rourke said. "We are actually providing all the music. We don't use "canned" sounds. We record them ourselves."

O'Rourke said he and Leonard have both had moments in the limelight, with O'Rourke having jammed on stage with Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys when they were performing live at one of the Las Vegas venues; and Leonard having been on the "big screen" in "Bikini Beach," a movie starring Annette Funicello. At the time, Leonard was performing music for the movie with his band, "The Pyramids."

These days, as is the way with most musicians, both gentlemen have other jobs. But like all musicians, they have to make room in their lives for the passion of music.

Deuce Coupe will perform at the Pahrump Nugget from 6-10 p.m., Oct. 26 and 27, on the stage in the lounge.

For more information, call 751-6500.