Ventura Music Photos – November 2022

The Victorian House (Formerly The Tavern, A Bar Called Country) – November 29, 2022
Jayden Secor
Jayden Secor

Topa Topa Brewing – November 11, 2022
Anchor and Bear (album release party)
Anchor and Bear

Ventura Music Hall – November 10, 2022
Shane Alexander (photo: Ariel Sri)Shane Alexander

Majestic Ventura Theater – November 5, 2022
Gogol Bordello (photo: Chris Jensen)
Gogol Bordello

Ventura Music Photos: June 2016

Squashed Grapes –  June 25, 2016
Colin Bailey w/ Jim Hughart, Jim Fox
Colin Bailey


Surf Brewery 5th Year Anniversary – June 18, 2016
The Slider and Raging Arb and the Redheads


The Wine Rack – June 17, 2016
Hans Ottsen Trio with Mariio Calire and Guil Juliao
Photo credit: Chris Jensen (click photo for full view)


Copa Cubana – June 16, 2016
Toni Jannotta with Tom Collins and Tom EtchartToni Jannotta


Red Cove Open mic night – June 9, 2016
Patrick Bakody
(vocals) and  Josh Handley (guitar & vocals).
Photo credit: Rose Sutton
0611_WeTheUnderclass


Squashed Grapes – June 8, 2016
Rachel Flowers performing with Adam Clark (not pictured)
Photo credit: Justin Beranich
Rachel Flowers


Grapes and Hops – June 4, 2016
The Brambles (Ones to Watch Productions)
The Brambles

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 11/11 – 11/24

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Blues to jazz and all points in between”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ashford Gordon and Glade Rasmussen at the Hong Kong Inn's Blues Jam Sunday.

Ashford Gordon and Glade Rasmussen at the Hong Kong Inn’s Blues Jam Sunday.

The Hong Kong Inn has started hosting a monthly Blues Jam Session on what will be the first Sunday of the month. The kick-off session was on Sunday November 8 with Ashford Gordon supported by Ray Jaurique, Glade Rasmussen and Chris Jensen. All players of all skill levels are welcome to sit in during the second set.

Having signed a distribution deal with Mesa Blue Moon Records last month, Nathan McEuen has been pulling out all the stops, touring more aggressively and will be making a stop at Salzer’s Records on Friday, November 13.  Get out and support Nathan who will have Jesse Olema and special guests with him, but more importantly, pick up a copy of his latest release, “Side by Side”.

Our good friend Dan Grimm with his brand of California Flip-Floppy-Tonkiness returns to the Wine Rack for a gig on Friday, November 20; there’s no denying Grimm’s love for Ventura when he sings original material such as “Two Trees” or “Ventucky.” Meanwhile, Mike Cregan continues his Monday night residency and Frank Barajas and Doug Johnson have taken over Tuesday nights.

The Channel Cities Jazz Club will feature Clyde Reaslinger Big Band on November 15 at the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club in the Channel Islands Harbor. The proceeds will be split between CCJC’s Jazz Camp Scholarship fund and the Pacific Corinthian Youth Foundation. Besides giving musicians of all ages a forum to perform and share jazz, the club’s mission is to build bonds between generations and to enhance musical educational opportunities for youth.

Doug Webb returns to Squashed Grapes with not only Steve Fister, Jimmy Earl and Danny Carey of Tool, but added to the mix this time will be Mike Garson on Piano. Garson has worked with the likes of David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins and No Doubt. This promises to be the epitome of the expression, “Off the Hook.” Tickets are on sale for Saturday, November 14 at Squashed Grapes; downbeat is 7 pm.

I’ll admit I’m a tad giddy with anticipation for a several shows coming up at the Majestic Ventura Theater.  There’s Pepper on November 21, Everclear’s 20th Anniversary of Sparkle and Fade on November 22 and Sublime with Rome on November 27.  By the way, Rebelution returns for two shows in March, don’t miss out and get your tickets soon as they always sell out.

And finally, local musician Gary Best has invited everyone out for an afternoon of Los Dudes at Grapes and Hops on Sunday, November 15 before he goes in for heart surgery.  He’s been taking care of the body and getting healthy, and we love and support him in all those endeavors.

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 – 11/26 – 12/9

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Getting into the Swing of Things
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ventura Jazz OrchestraIt’s good to have Alistair Greene back after hitting the road with Mickey Thomas and Starship earlier this month. Thomas is the voice behind such hits as “Jane,” “Find Your Way Back” (Jefferson Starship), and “We Built this City” as well as “Sara” (Starship). Greene told me, “I’m very fortunate to have the chance to play with such a legendary singer and band as Starship featuring Mickey Thomas. I’m filling in for my buddy John Roth who is on tour with Winger at the moment. Mickey and the band sound amazing, and it’s a blast playing all those great hits from his career. He still sounds like he did in the 70s!”

Nothing like a big band dance to get you into the holiday spirits! Ventura Jazz Orchestra’s Holiday Swing soiree with the vocal stylings of Donna Greene will be at the Poinsettia Pavilion on Friday, December 5, featuring great songs from all eras you can dance to. Call for ticket information at (805) 648-1143.

Speaking of a throwback to a “simpler” time, The Saloon BBQ at 456 E. Main Street will be throwing a bash also on Friday, December 5, with a Prohibition Repeal party, “The 21st Amendment Jubilee”. There will be beverage specials all day long with live music starting at 8:00 with The Rachel Sorsa Band and their 1930’s style of jazz.

Chris Jensen from 50 Sticks of Dynamite gave me the head’s up about a project he’s been working on with fellow Ventura musicians, Evan Gosworth, Roy Katnic, Paddy Marsh, Brad Strickland and Gary Sula-Goff. It’s a Grateful Dead tribute band called Nine Mile Skid. They have a couple of dates lined up including December 10 at Green Art People, then on December 28 at Amigos’s on Main Street.

Under new ownership, Rock City Studios in Camarillo will be pulling out all the stops for their grand re-opening on Friday, December 5, with the national touring act, Dead Sara. The Galvanized Souls will open the show.

The Golden China is offering more music more often along with their nightly Karaoke. Thursdays continue to offer swing, Fridays have a DJ with Cumbia music and now Sunday evenings will be devoted to Reggae. Don’t forget they have an open mic night Tuesdays starting at 6:00 with the back line provided.

The whole family will enjoy the street fair along Main Street in downtown Ventura on December 6. What a great way to get unique gift ideas for the holidays including the highly prized VenturaRocks.com t-shirt! The Winter Wine Walk kicks off at 4:00 with snowfall at California and Main beginning at 6:45. Music will be provided by The Bomb, The Midnight Band and the British Beats.

And finally, congratulations to Todd Hannigan on his recent marriage to artist Brigette Lopez. They tied the knot in November in Ojai. I can’t wait to hear the music she’ll be inspiring out of him!

If you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing?  Send all information short or long to  Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Album Review – 50 Sticks of Dynamite

Love Dream Truth Love
By Pam Baumgardner

Love Dream Truth Love

Love Dream Truth Love

One of the coolest things about Ventura’s music scene is that you really get to know the bands and the more you go out to support their shows, the more you get to know their original songs, so it’s always a treat when one of our local favorites comes out with a CD to enjoy on your own time.

I’m a huge 50 Sticks fan.  But here’s the funny thing, there are a handful of instruments I can normally do without, such as the accordion or the bagpipe, and I use to add the banjo in there; I use to equate the banjo with the old school TV show, “Hee Haw”, but then I had seen a number of performances by Steve Martin which just floored me.  So I’ve developed a respect for banjo playing over the years, and with a more open mind, I was primed to fully embrace the banjo when I first saw Ian playing it during an early 50 Sticks show back at J’s (now Peirano’s) in early 2011.

The early days!

The early days!

This ain’t no bluegrass band, and it ain’t no country jam band.  This is straight-forward rock and roll.  The band describes their sound as banjo driven roots rock & blues.  Regardless, it’s the kind of music that inspires you to get off your ass and dance to their infectious tunes.

Ian McFayden

Ian McFayden

50 Sticks released their second album this year called, Love Dream Truth Love.  I’m completely jazzed to include in my private collection of local music songs like “Far Away,”  “For You,” and the title track “Love Dream.

“Far Away” reminds me of a classic movie or an old relationship which you can count on for getting much needed comfort.  It just feels right;  I love the line, “Yes I’m gonna find you baby and make your untamed heart my own” in the song, “For You.”  The tune seriously drives me to dance which is always a fun thing when you’re seat belted behind the wheel driving down the 101; The title track, “Love Dream Truth Love” is the quintessential rock anthem; and I love the harp on “What’s Next?”

The band is comprised of local musicians you’ve seen over the years in various
projects.  It’s extremely cool when you bring four guys together and it just clicks.

50 Sticks of Dynamite
Banjo: Ian McFadyen
Guitar and harmonica: Whitey Wingland
Bass: Michael Dominguez
Drums: Chris Jensen

And though I still prefer to see the boys play their tunes live, the CD will keep be satisfied until the next we meet.

www.50Sticks.com   
www.facebook.com/fiftysticks.ofdynamite

50 Sticks of Dynamite