Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 11/20 – 12/3

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ventura Rocks artworkCongratulations to Tommy and Paddy Marsh as they will be traveling to Memphis to compete in the Solo Duo category at the International Blues Challenge in January. To help with the cost of the trip, there will be a special evening of Blues at Oak and Main on Sunday, November 24. All the money raised will not only help Crooked Eye Tommy but Jim Gustin & Truth Jones who will compete in the band category. Both are scheduled to perform along with special guests sitting in such as Teresa Russell, Laurie Morvan, Mark Sells, Kelly Zirbes & Perry Robertson, Ray Jaurique, Brigitte Purdy Rios, Toni Dodd and if that weren’t enough, I get to help emcee the event, so you better be there!

Remember the good folks from Green Art People? Well they’ve put together a family Thanksgiving reunion on the eve of Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 27 from 6 – 9 pm at Bombay’s with VC/DC (Grateful Dead covers), and a performance of Alice’s Restaurant by Hip E. Mark and the Group “W” Bench. All are invited!

You now can enjoy live music along with the delicious food at Peirano’s on Main Street. The artists are being booked by Steve and Polly Hoganson (Zoey’s, Topa Mountain Music Fest, Ones to Watch Productions). On the books for upcoming gigs are The Swilly’s, Jodi Farrell Brent Franklin and Danny McGaw (see calendar listings).

Quick Notes: The Aquabats play at Discovery on Friday, November 22; The White Buffalo returns to the Ventura Theater on Friday, November 22; Elwood who is out on his Guitar Town Tour will be making at stop at Sandbox Coffeehouse on Sunday, November 24 at noon; The Untouchables are booked for Oak and Main for Saturday, November 30; and don’t forget to set aside Saturday, December 8, for the Downtown Ventura Winter Wine Walk, the social event of the year! Tickets can be bought at VenturaWinterWineWalk.com.

Last issue I covered the upcoming CD release party for the Local Love Project Holiday Album, The Spirit of Giving benefiting fire survivors, well I have my copy and it’s totally worthy to add to your seasonal collection of Christmas music. It’s produced by John Baffa (Grammy award winning recording engineer) and Ralph Carter, featuring covers and originals from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Dirty Rice, Kelly’s Lot with Doug Pettibone, Guy Martin, Charles Law and Jagged and more. There are too many highlights, but just two of them are the Ventura High School Choir’s cover of “That’s Christmas to Me,” and Sugaray Rayford’s “O Holy Night.” I’m also a new fan of the Midtones. If you celebrate Christmas, then I highly recommend adding this to your collection, you can get it online at www.CDBaby.com/cd/totallylocalvc, you can even have it shipped as a gift to someone else.

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

Ventura Music Photos: February 2015

Squashed Grapes – February 18, 2015
Bruce Foreman with Marvin Smitty Smith on drums.
Bruce Forman


Peirano’s – February 18, 2015
Warren Takahashi – Representing!
Warren


Grapes & Hops – February 17, 2015 – Fat Tuesday
Hot Roux
Hot Roux


Peirano’s – February 17, 2015 – Fat Tuesday
Gil Valencia & Friends
Gil Valencia & Friends


Ventura Beach Club – February 17, 2015 – Fat Tuesday
Swing Cheese
Swing Cheese


Prime – February 17, 2015 – Fat Tuesday
Danny D (Sinatra impersonator)
Danny D


Squashed Grapes – February 13, 2015
Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey of TOOL
Danny Carey, Doug Webb


Bombay’s – February 13, 2015
The Velveteen Band
The Velveteen Band


Bombay’s – February 13, 2015
50 Sticks of Dynamite
50 Sticks of Dynamite


Discovery – February 7, 2015
Pinback
Pinback


Padrino’s – February 7, 2015
Lola Haag
Lola Haag


Grapes and Hops – February 6, 2015
Shawn Jones, Sam Bolle, Suzie Candell (Switzerland) and Grammy Winner Jeff Silbar (“Wind Beneath Your Wings”)
Shawn - Suzie - Sam - Jeff


Saloon BBQ – February 6, 2015
Big Tweed
Big Tweed

 


Bombay Bar and Grill – February 5, 2015
Robin Bacior (Portland, OR)
Robin Bacior

 

Erik Emanuelson of Grand Lake Islands (Portland, OR)
Erik Emanuelson
The Brave Kind (Ventura)
The Brave Kind


Majestic Ventura Theater – February 4, 2015
Willie Nelson and Family (Many thanks to Gary Best for photo!)
Willie Nelson


Amigos – February 3, 2015
Nathan McEuen (joined by brother Jonathan)

Nathan and Jonathan

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 10/29 – 11/11

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Ventura Continues to Rock!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Army of FreshmenChris Jay of Army of Freshmen is totally looking forward to their upcoming UK tour with the band Lit. Jay told me, “I just love being on tour. We don’t get to do it nearly as much as we used to so I think we tend to enjoy it more and appreciate it. Every night is like a big party. It’s more like vacation than work.” The dates in the UK run from November 13 through the 23 so it looks like the guys will be back in time for Thanksgiving. See complete interview with Chris Jay at VenturaRocks.com

No news yet on the Discovery entertainment permit appeal. We have our fingers crossed this matter will be settled sooner than later and with Discovery retaining the right to have live music in their venue.

Way to go for The Velveteen Band who has been invited to play the Steampunk Worlds Fair in Piscataway New Jersey. The SPWF is the world’s largest gathering of steampunks. After only six months of being a band, the Velveteen has gained national attention with their Puppets, Rabbits, and big rock band sound. You can find them playing locally at Bombay’s The Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, party on November 1 with Cirque Noir, Angie’s Curse and Fangboy and the Ghouls.

Kelly’s Lot will be holding a fundraiser for one of Kelly Zirbe’s favorite charities, C.A.R.L. at the Patio at The Player’s Club which will raise money for Canine Adoption and Rescue League. Look for appearances by Teresa James, Guy Martin, Steve Hinojosa, Lenny Mazzotti and Bobby and lee Orgel. The event will be held on Saturday, November 8 from 6 – 10 pm. $10 donation plus 15% of food sales donated.
Looking forward to hearing the new song that 8Stops7 has been recording. Bass player, Cory Tarallo, says, “This song is straight up awesome!” I can’t wait to hear “Center of Our Universe” after they put on the finishing touches.

Jan McWorter of Hi Hat Entertainment reminded everyone, “When one door closes, another one opens,” after Hi Hat said goodbye to over six years at Yolie’s on October 17 with the R&B Bombers. But after just a couple days of searching they found their new location just a stone’s throw away, at the newly renovated facilities at 281 W. Main Street at Ventura Beach Club (formerly Fuegos). Just a quick head’s up as Ventura Beach Club already had a previous obligation, on Halloween, Hi Hat’s James Harman party will be at Peirano’s on October 31.

There will be a cool fundraiser at Bombay’s on Saturday, November 1, to help raise funds for Dawn (single mom) and Damian (7 years old) and their battle with Cancer. There will be lots going on all day but on the music side of it there will be Alastair Greene, James Harman, Morganfield Burnett, Hot Roux and more.

And finally, I’d like to wish Ken Winters, “Happy Birthday!” Ventura’s jazz scene will be helping to celebrate his 88th birthday on November 4th during the bi-monthly jazz jam at Squashed Grapes. I’m sure cake will be involved.

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

The Gypsy Blues Room 1/10/13

Hi Hat Entertainment’s opening night of The Gypsy Blues Room at Peirano’s on Main Street.  The night was a complete success with amazing musicians.  Looking forward to a long successful run.