February, 2016
Crooked Eye Tommy
Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media – Crooked Eye Tommy
2
Author Archives: venturarocks
Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/20 – 2/2
Ventura Mus
ic Scene
“Surf to Country, Blues to Jazz… ”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Talk about musical diversity! Let’s start with something altogether different, how about a Disc-o-town Hoedown at Discovery on Saturday January 23 with karaoke, a western outfit contest, a mechanical bull and then live country music from Moonridge. It’s all ages with a $10 cover charge and I’m pretty sure line dancing will be involved.
We’d heard the rumblings of live music coming to Ven Tiki (701 E. Main where Bernadette’s use to be located) and it looks like it’s true because the venue received special permission from the City for a one-time chance to have the world famous Surfer Joe from Italy play downtown; there will be no reservations. We hope they pull this one off to a big win so they may be granted a more permanent entertainment permit.
And speaking of having music more often, we’re pleased that you can find more music at the Harbor as the Boatyard Café has been offering up more music including the Bluegrass Jam on Thursdays 6-9 and then there’s the Copa Cubana’s opening pending City approval; Andy who also owns 805 Bar and Grilled Cheese, expects no further delays, and we’re hoping by the time of the next Breeze issue, we’ll be reporting on their grand opening.
After taking over ownership a few months ago Bill Kracht, formerly of Player’s Casino, has brought live music to O’Leary’s with O’Leary’s East End Blues Band performing every Saturday night headed up by harmonica blues master, RJ Mischo, Jerry McWorter, Franck Goldwasser,and Brent Harding; it also won’t be unusual to see guest players sit in from time to time.
It’s one of those special events at Squashed Grapes that lovers of jazz won’t want to miss; Sergio Bellotti’s Groove Experience comes to town on Wednesday, January 27. Bellotti will also hold a drum clinic earlier in the evening in conjunction with Pulse Drumming.
Hi Hat Entertainment brings James Intveld to the Ventura Beach Club on Friday, January 22, and Paul Oscher Band on the 29th.
After having sold the building last Fall, Saana at Peirano’s has decided to close the restaurant doors on January 24. We’re not sure where the tango crew will land, but we know their Thursday night dance club will continue, and we’ll let you know where. In fact, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibilities that someone else will come along and reopen Peirano’s in the future.
And if hard rock is your game, then you’ll want to be at Bombay’s for the Gygax record release party on Friday, January 29.
Finally, our condolences go out to the family and friends of Michael DiMauro who passed away December 31. DiMauro’s most recent project was the Iron Butterfly All Star Band. Services were held at San Buenaventura Mission on January 8.
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 on CAPS Media – Medicine Hat
December 2015
Medicine Hat
Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 1/6 – 1/19
Ventura Music Scene
“Happy New Year!”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Shawn Jones, Herman Matthews and Sam Bolle at the Watermark
First off, I’d like to wish you a very happy new year. I’m already hearing the rumblings of changes coming to Ventura’s music scene; they’re good changes too. As they’re verified and come to fruition, you know I’ll be passing along the good news to you.
Ozomatli was indeed the perfect way for Discovery Ventura to kick off their music line up for the new year with a packed-to-the-gills house. Spencer the Gardener warmed up the crowd getting everyone in the dancing mood. Spencer Barnitz describes the band as a rotating list of stellar players and that evening they added to the mix for the first time trombone player Skabone Stan who tours with Pato Banton. Discovery’s two-year anniversary is coming up the week of January 18th. I’m looking forward to many more cool shows there.
As you can tell, I’m always delighted to learn and meet talented musicians who have worked as session musicians and/or have toured in support of world renowned artists because you have to be that good; and I found out first hand just how good they are as a couple of hot drummers have been playing around town. First Shawn Jones has had drummer Herman Matthews with him the last couple times he played Sunday afternoons at W20 at the Watermark. Matthews has toured with Tower of Power, Kenny Loggins and more than seven years with Tom Jones. Then there’s Alvino Bennett playing with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Robin Trower, Chaka Khan and he’s about to go out on tour once again with Dave Mason; he was spotted at one of Tommy Marsh’s blues jams at Bombay’s and then sat in with Shawn Jones switching seats with Matthews for a couple of tunes this past Sunday.
Gypsy Stew will be releasing a new CD this month with half the 12 songs being originals. Don Cook of the band said the music is what they like to call “Outlaw County,” old school as opposed to new country. The CD will be available at their shows as well as on their website GypsyStew.com. They’ll be playing at the Star Lounge Friday, January 8. The release party will be at the Chop Shop Bar & Grill in Simi Valley on Saturday January 23.
And finally, Ventura is losing one of its own, Russ Camp (4 on the Floor, Stundexim, Camp Franco) when Camp moves up north; one of his final shows will be with BOHICA at Golden China on Saturday January 9 5:30 – 9:30 pm. Camp has been a mainstay in Ventura for over 20 years always supporting other bands and filling in when needed. He’ll be missed.
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: January 2016
O’Leary’s – January 9, 2016
O’Leary’s East End Blues Band
Squashed Grapes – January 9, 2016
TIZER – Lao Tizer (keyboards), Ric Fierabracci (bass) Gene Coye (drums not seen) and featuring Karen Biggs on violin
W20 at the Watermark – January 3, 2016
Shawn Jones with Herman Matthews and Sam Bolle
Discovery – January 2, 2016
Ozomatli
Discovery – January 2, 2016
Spencer the Gardener
Ventura Music Photos: December 2015
Amigo’s Surf Cantina – December 31, 2015 NYE Party
Dive Bar Messiahs (photo credit: Candance Marshall)
December 18, 2015
Ran into the one and only Albert Lee downtown!
VenturaRock’s Pam Baumgardner w/ Albert Lee
Downtown Ventura – December 5, 2015
Ventura Winter Wine Walk with The Bomb
The Livery Theater – December 4, 2015
Kinky Friedman
Amigo’s Surf Cantina – December 3, 2015
Gypsy Blues Band
As I walked into Amigo’s last night with my dear friend Tammy Myers, I was curious to see who was sitting in for Jerry who is currently in Japan; I was super jazzed to see that it was Mario Calire! I told her that Mario use to play with the Wallflowers and Ozomatli…and then quickly added Oh! there’s Brent Harding who plays with Social Distortion, and of course Jimmy Calire who was a member of Raven and toured with America in the 70’s. Rounding out the band were local Blues legends Morganfield Burnett and John Marx later joined by Tom Buckner.
It was one of those “I-am-so-lucky-to-live-in-Ventura nights.” Never take it for granted peeps. Support Ventura’s music scene!!
CAPS Media – December 3, 2015
Taping of Ventura Rocks with Medicine Hat
Ventura Music Photos: November 2015
Amigo’s Surf Cantina – November 28, 2015
With the Dive Bar Messiahs REPRESENTING!
Ventura Beach Club – Novembre 28, 2015
Raging Arb and the Redheads & Spencer the Gardener
Majestic Ventura Theater – November 22, 2015
Everclear
Squashed Grapes – November 14, 2015
The Doug Webb Group
Doug Webb (horns) has recorded with the likes of Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Clarke, Quincy Jones, and dozens of others. He played with the house band for the Dennis Miller Show and continues to tour witht he Doc Severinsen orchestera. He’s recorded music for hundreds of TV shows and movies such as Mysitc River and Million Dollar Baby including the saxophone of Lisa in the The Simpsons.
Jimmy Earl (bass) has performed nightly on Jimmy Kimmel Live since 2003. He’s worked with Chick Corea, Robben Ford, and dozens of other artists.
Steve Fister (guitar) has performed and recorded with the likes of Bon Jovi, Lita Ford, Pat Travers, Joe Satriani and more.
Danny Carey (drums) from Tool. Enough said.
But this past week Webb brought in Mike Garson who has played with the Smashing Pumpkins, NiN, and David Bowie to name a few. You know the piano on Young Americans by Bowie? That’s Garson.
The night was electrifying to say the least.
The Hong Kong Inn – November 8, 2015
Ashford Gordon Blues Jam
New Year’s Eve Parties
Where to bring in 2016:
We found as many posters as we could and created a photo gallery below, but here’s the lowdown, in alphabetical order of venues we know of who are offering NYE parties. Just so you know, many will have a cover charge, and may depend on whether you want dinner or not:
Amigo’s Surf Cantina: 9 pm – The Dive Bar Messiahs; 4-7 pm Doug & Frank
546 E. Main Street – (805) 874-2232
Bombay Bar and Grill: Fido; DJ Philocybin
143 S. California Street (805)643-4404
Cafe Fiore: Big Adventure
66 S. California Street (805) 653-1266
Discovery: Spencer Fischer, DJ Lunatic
1888 E. Thompson Blvd (805) 452-4967
El Rey Cantina: DJ Aycer
294 E. Main Street (805) 653-1111
Gigi’s: Karaoke countdown
2493 Grand Ave. (805) 642-2411
Golden China: Fallout vs X-Machina
760 S. Seaward (805) 652-1188
Grapes and Hops: Shawn Jones and Friends
454 E. Main Street (805) 616-2375
The Greek Restaurant:DJ dancing
Ventura Harbor (805) 650-5350
Keynote Lounge: Action Down
10245 E. Telephone Road (805) 647-9390
Now Ventura: William Rottman
185 E. Santa Clara St. (805) 667-2200
Peirano’s: Gil Valencia and Friends
204 E. Main St. (805) 648-48523
Prime: a 4 piece band
2209 E. Thompson Blvd (805) 648-1143
Red Cove: 3 in the Morning; The Free and Natural Human Beings
1809 E. Main St. (805)643-1101
Rookees: DJs
419 E. Main St. (805) 648-6862
Sans Souci: DJ Spinobi
21 S. Chestnut St (805) 643-4539
Star Lounge: Cross Cut
343 E. Main St. (805) 648-4709
The Tavern: DJs Masquerade Ball
211 E. Santa Clara St. (805) 643-3264
Ventura Beach Club: Shaky Feelin;, Christopher Hawley Rollers, DJs
281 W. Main St. (818) 307-7598
Ventura Theater: War, Tierra
26 S. Chestnut St. (805) 653-0721
Watermark: DJ Erok, DJ Ciera
598 E. Main St. (805) 643-6800
Wine Rack: Ventura Jazz Collective
14 S. California St. (805) 653-9463
Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 12/23 – 1/5
Ventura Music Scene
“Ventura Rocks Another Year”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Trey O’Toole (Pulse Drumming), Rich Barth (Ventura County Jazz) Colin Bailey (Drummer extraordinaire) Pam Baumgardner (VenturaRocks.com) Tony YBarra (Guitarist)
We’re in the final stretch for 2015 and Ventura Rocks at CAPS Media is finally scheduled. The debut episode features Medicine Hat and will air several times including a Christmas evening broadcast at 8 pm. Go to Capstv.org/program-schedules for all air dates!
Nothing like being one degree of separation from Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra and more; that’s exactly what went down at Squashed Grapes when drummer extraordinaire, Colin Bailey, was in the house, Saturday, December 19. Mr. Bailey has not only played with the cream of the crop but he was also the drummer for the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Bam!
And just one final note before we move on from Christmas, giving the gift of music is always a treat, especially when you’re supporting local artists and picking up music such as Tommy Marsh’s Crooked Eye Tommy, Butterflies & Snakes; Medicine Hat’s Whiskey and Waves; the self-titled The NaVaNaX; Honey Owl’s Early Bird, The Barrelhouse Wailer’s Last Call; Nathan McEuen’s Side by Side, and so much more! Of course you can go to their websites or be old school and pick up a CD at Salzer’s, Grady’s, or Very Ventura where you’ll find the VenturaRocks.com listening station.
Opening up recently in the former Zoey’s location at 185 E. Santa Clara is Now Ventura featuring higher end Italian and Seafood fare. I went in and met Michael Anthony, one of the partners, and a former bassist for Puddle of Mudd (who are coming to Discovery in early March). Michael gave me the low down on offering live music after they’ve renovated the stage; his vision includes two 45 minute sets Thursday through Saturday. I’ll be keeping tabs and will get them listed as soon as the music is back, but meanwhile they’ll be throwing a New Year’s Eve Bash with William Rottman performing acoustic 80s and 90s covers. Call 667-2200 for reservations and more information.
Ventura will most definitely be off the hook all over town with New Year’s Eve parties, here are just some highlights: The Dive Bar Messiahs at Amigo’s Surf Cantina; Fido and DJ Philocybin at Bombay’s; Big Adventure at Café Fiore; Spencer Fischer and DJ Lunatic at Discovery; Shawn Jones and Friends at Grapes and Hops; Action Down at The Keynote Lounge; 3 in the Morning, The Free and Natural Human Beings at Red Cove; DJ Logic at Rookees; DJ Spinobi at Sans Souci; Cross Cut at the Star Lounge; DJs will be featured at a NYE Masquerade Ball at The Tavern; Shaky Feelin’, The Christopher Hawley Rollers, 9 Lives and more at the Ventura Beach Club; DJ Erok and DJ Ciera at the Watermark, The Ventura Jazz Collective at the Wine Rack and the biggest show of them all is WAR with Tierra at the Majestic Ventura Theater.
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.
Now Ventura!
VenturaRocks.com is all about promoting venues who offer music and supporting those artists who live in and around Ventura as well as those who travel here to play. We’re devoted to inspiring people to support Ventura’s music scene.
Over the years our music scene has had its ebbs and flows; no one disagrees we took a major hit when Zoey’s closed their doors a couple of years ago and we continue to feel the effects of no longer having a dedicated listening room for artists. But we have a new venue in town taking over the exact same place where Zoey’s use to be located at 185 E. Santa Clara Street. Now Ventura is first and foremost a higer end italian and seafood restaurant and lounge which has been totally renovated. The digs are fabulous, the food delicious, the staff on the ball, and what makes it most intriguing to me isn’t their reality TV connection, but rather their rock star connection. One of the partners at Ventura Now is Michael Anthony, one of the former bass players for Puddle of Mudd.
We arrived on a Thursday evening, and Michael was there greeting patrons, seating them, visiting to make sure their food was prepared properly, and quite open to engaging in conversation about his rock and roll past.
Ventura Rocks: What brought you to Ventura?
Michael: I just really like Ventura and being by the beach every day. I’ve been running bars in West Hollywood and Hollywood for the past 13 years and I was looking for a change of pace.
VR: Do you surf?
Michael: I did try surfing once in Hawaii. Wasn’t very good so I will just stick to what I know and focus on my restaurant and maybe play some music once I get settled in.
VR: Why did you decide to give up the life of a rock star?
Michael: During the last big tour I already had someone all ready to fill in for me so that I could go back to the opening of PUMP in West Hollywood. It was stressful for me to be out on the road while opening a huge restaurant right in the middle of West Hollywood. The morning we got back from tour I had to throw on a suit at get camera ready for staff interviews for Vanderpump Rules. I looked pretty tired during that shoot. It’s a good thing my partner in Now Ventura, Rani John, was my AGM at Pump. He kept me in the loop the whole time. I would not have been able to get Pump or NOW going without him. The guy that was ready to sub for my was Alien Ant Farm’s bass player Tye Zamora. I didn’t need a sub after all because the tour got cut short due to some crazy shit happening with Wes. That’s a whole other story. So, I gave them a month’s notice. I figured that was plenty of time because that is all I had when I joined the band.
I gave it up for the chance at a semi-normal life I guess. Touring is fun until you are really doing it and then you come back home to nothing. I loved being on stage but I did not love all the waiting around. It was the most difficult decision of my life. I would always buy tickets to see POM back in NJ and was surreal to actually be a part of it. Would I go back? Yes. Would I make the same decision to leave again? Yes.
VR: Do you currently have any other music projects since Puddle of Mudd?
Michael: I am actually so focused on making Now the best restaurant it can be that I put playing on hold for a while.
VR: I heard you’re likely to sit in with Puddle of Mudd when they play at Discovery in March.
Michael: That is true. I actually didn’t event know they were playing there until I went in and saw myself of the poster. Yes, they have not taken me off yet.
VR: What are your plans for live music at Now Ventura?
Michael: My vision for NOW is quality not quantity. I want to do live music Thursday to Saturday but not all night. Maybe 2 45 min sets. I’m going to start working on the stage soon. Need to get all my gear up here from my rehearsal studio in L.A. All the gear is coming from the Puddle of Mudd rehearsal space.
VR: Will we be seeing you sit in or playing sets?
Michael: Yeah, I will for sure do a little cover band night here and play. Need to dust off my bass.
VR: What the ETA for live music at Now Ventura?
Michael: The beginning of February.
Now Ventura will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Party with William Rottman preforming acoustic 80’s and 90’s covers from 10 to 12 and will also MC the night.
Once again Now Ventura is at 185 E. Santa Clara Street, (805) 667-2200. Here’s a link to their website which also features their menus:
www.now-ventura.com
Like them on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/nowventura/
Follow them on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Nowventura1
Follow them on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/now_ventura/
By the by, when I emailed Michael about sending me some photos, I wasn’t sure if he had any on hand, so I told him to just take a selfie, that it would be good goofy fun…AND HE DID! We love him!
