Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/28 – 11/10

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer Holder”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Caption: The Kiefer Sutherland Band at W20 at the Watermark October 23, 2015.

Caption: The Kiefer Sutherland Band at W20 at the Watermark October 23, 2015.


I was happily surprised by the Kiefer Sutherland show Friday, October 23, at W20 at the Watermark. I not sure what I expected, nor why I would expect anything less from one of my favorite actors, but Kiefer was entertaining! The set was well received by his fans, some of which traveled quite a way to catch the show. He offered up original rock songs to a few covers including one from Gordon Lightfoot. His band was tight and his gravely whiskey voice was spot on sexy as hell. I caught up with him after the show and he was very happy with the response and with the outpouring of support. The man’s got talent.

Halloween is upon us and most venues will be pulling out the stops hoping to pack their joints by enticing revelers with decorations, costume contests, drink specials and of course music. From the Greek at the Harbor to the Star Lounge downtown, Ventura will be a happening place. You can check the calendar listing here in the Breeze, or go to VenturaRocks.com for any additional updates. All the popular cover bands will be rockin’ all the popular places along with Candyland at Discovery, and Mandex with Pistols ‘n’ Pilez, deemed Ventura’s drunkest Guns and Roses tribute band as they perform the entire album “Appetite for Destruction” at Bombay’s.

But to kick off Halloween you won’t want to miss the 50 Sticks of Dynamite CD release party at Bombay’s for their latest release, “Carry Me Down to My Grave.” I snagged a copy when the boys joined me at CAPS Media for the pilot program of Ventura Rocks (air date to be announced soon). They were the perfect band to kick off what we hope will be a popular feature at CAPS; and between you and me, I haven’t gotten the title track out of me head since we were in the studio…and that’s a good thing.

Polly and Steve Hoganson’s “Ones to Watch Productions” will be bringing Kinky Friedman to the Livery at the Improv Theater downtown Ventura for a show on December 4th. You know this show is going to be a hoot; Kinky was the one who originally said, “I support gay marriage. I believe they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us.” He’s also quoted as saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.” If you have no sense of humor that you are aware of, or you’re easily offended, you might want to skip this one; otherwise, if you enjoy a quick wit, you’ll want to catch this iconic country singer; I hope you’ll help pack the joint and give him a well-deserved warm welcome. For this and other shows including those at the Carpinteria Playhouse, go to OnesToWatchProductions.com.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/14 – 10/27

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Erin Go Bragh!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The Highland Way
The Seaside Highland Games came and went taking those gorgeous men and beautiful women in kilts with them. I stopped in to check out the Celtic music and I wasn’t disappointed; crowd favorites were The Angry Brians, Tannahill Weavers and Highland Way, I’m certainly looking forward to next year’s event and may even be bold enough to try haggis, but probably not.

Congratulations to Plan B Wine Cellars on their 3rd anniversary!  They partied in fine form with Jen Staves and the Bluzfish on Sunday, October 11.

Local hip hop artist, Michael Crawford drops his new album “Escape Artist” on October 16 with a CD release party at the Tavern. I was sent an advance copy and yeah, the man’s got talent.

Frost and Fire, a heavy metal festival will take over Bombay’s on October 17th with such bands as Manilla Road from Wichita, KS, Ashbury from Tucson, AZ our very own Night Demon over a half dozen more bands. There will also be a meet and greet with Tim Baker and Robert Garven of Cirith Ungol. Doors open at 4:30 pm.

Mike Toler is the official new owner of Amigos and he’s brought in his good friend Luke O’Dea to help out with booking bands, promotion and social media. I’ve been assured they plan to offer a variety bands 365 days a year. It’s all good news with the exception of losing Bernadette who will be returning to England this month. Mike is throwing her a farewell party on Saturday, October 17, so swing by to say goodbye and wish her well.

Three-time Grammy winner Tom Scott returns to Squashed Grapes October 24, and it will be another first for the Grape when they offer two seatings in one night. Both are only $10 with 7 and 9 pm show times.

Oh! And I have to share about the extraordinary night recently at Squashed Grapes when Bruce Forman performed the Red Guitar.  The place was at capacity, and you literally could have heard a pin drop the audience was so captivated. The second set Forman brought up his special guest whom he had teased earlier on social media stating he couldn’t say who it was for “contractual reasons.”  Well it turned out to be Tierney Sutton who sang requests the entire second set.  Five time Grammy nominated and the 2005 Jazzweek Vocalist of the year, Sutton heads up the Tierney Sutton Band  who have headlined the Hollywood Bowl, the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. Yeah, it was intense and a privilege to witness.

And finally, don’t forget Kiefer Sutherland will be at W20 at the Watermark on Friday, October 23.  Ten-dollar tickets will be available the night of the show. Doors open at 7 pm.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing?  Send all information short or long to  Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com .

Ventura Music Photos: October 2015

Bombay Bar and Grill – October 31, 2015
50 Sticks of Dynamite CD Release Party
50 Sticks of Dynamite


W20 at the Watermark – October 23, 2015
Kiefer Sutherland Band
Kiefer Sutherland Band

Pam Baumgardner, Kiefer Sutherland, Staci Brown

Pam Baumgardner, Kiefer Sutherland, Staci Brown

Mark Hartley & Kiefer Sutherland

Mark Hartley & Kiefer Sutherland


The Wine Rack – October 19, 2015
Mike Cregan
Mike Cregan


The Seaside Highland Games at the Fairgrounds – October 11, 2015
Highland Way
Highland Way Highland Way


Star Lounge – October 10, 2015
Drunken Monkeys
Drunken Monkeys


Discovery – October 9, 2015
Alastair Greene
Alastair Greene


Amigo’s – October 4, 2015
The Tossers
1004_Amigos_Tossers


Bombay’s – October 4, 2015
Ventucky String Band Ventucky String Band


Discovery – October 3, 2015
Agent Orange
Agent Orange


Boatyard Cafe – October 3, 2015
Camp Franco (photo credit: Candace Marshall)
Camp Franco


Squashed Grapes – October 1, 2015
Bruce Forman w/ Tierney Sutton

Taken from the Ventura Rocks Music Scene article:
“…Oh! And I have to share about the extraordinary night recently at Squashed Grapes when Bruce Forman performed the Red Guitar. The place was at capacity, and you literally could have heard a pin drop the audience was so captivated. The second set Forman brought up his special guest whom he had teased earlier on social media stating he couldn’t say who it was for “contractual reasons.” Well it turned out to be Tierney Sutton who sang requests the entire second set. Five time Grammy nominated and the 2005 Jazzweek Vocalist of the year, Sutton heads up the Tierney Sutton Band who have headlined the Hollywood Bowl, the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. Yeah, it was intense and a privilege to witness.”