Ventura Music Scene
Rocking Ventura – Jazz to Bluegrass
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Brothers Fortune at Bombay’s March 28, 2015

At his latest appearance at Squashed Grapes, Doug Webb told me about a couple of shows he’ll be performing with that he’s real excited about including Friday, April 3, when Norwegian artist, Haakon Graff makes his debut appearance at “The Grape”. But the show that really piqued my interest is the April 18th gig with Hendrik Meurkens. Webb explained that Meurkens is a jazz harmonica virtuoso. Astonished I asked, “Jazz harmonica?” To which Webb just smiled like a Cheshire Cat. Who knew!

The non-profit Ventura County Concert Band will hold one of their free, highly popular concerts Sunday, April 12, at the Ventura High School Auditorium. The theme is “Young at Heart,” featuring beautiful pieces selected to delight music lovers of all ages. The concert starts at 3 and is free for the entire family.

The Global Guitar Greats tour made a stop in Ventura to play to a packed house at the Earl Stanley Gardner Building during Ventura Music Week last year. The trio had so much fun and were so well received they decided to go into the studio this past year; the fruits of their labor will be offered up during their CD release party on Saturday, April 11, again at the corner of Main and California with Thomas Leeb, Stephen Inglis and Shawn Jones performing.

The Sandbox Coffeehouse is once again offering live music at noon on Saturday and Sunday with mostly singer/songwriters. On the bill this month so far: Licity Collins, Hudson Henry, Kyle Parrott and Skeleton Mattress, but they’ll kick it up a notch or two for the likes of the Hard Times Band. Oh! And don’t forget they hold an open mic on Thursday as well.

I don’t know when it happened, but Food Trucks have become cool and you can find a whole gaggle of them at the Poinsettia Pavilion during the monthly Foothill Food Truck Fest on Tuesday, April 7, with the Old-Time Country Bluegrass Music Assoc. performing 6 – 8:30 pm; and then every third Friday 5-9 pm, it’s Food Truck Friday at the Pacific View Mall, this month Mark Masson and Friends will be entertaining the crowd. I’ll admit, food truck fare does taste better while tapping one’s foot to cool tunes.

EcoFest is later this month on the 25th down along the promenade featuring live music from Spencer the Gardener, Dan Grimm, Afishnsea the Moon and Soul Tree. This is the type of event you want to be green and ride your bike to and if you do, there will be a free bike valet.

And finally, if you missed Geezer at the Garage, then go ahead and kick yourself. These guys were not only talented playing the music of Weezer and the Beastie Boys, but they were hilarious and put on quite the show.

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

Ventura Music Scene
New Music Abounds!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Let’s talk new music, local bands with new records include The Barrelhouse Wailers, Night Demon,  and Nathan McEuen who just got distribution through Fontana (Universal) and will be under the Mesa Blue Moon record label this spring.  Nathan just hit the road for his Rocky Mountain Tour through March.

If you were smart, you caught the Global Guitar Greats showcase last year during Ventura Music Week at the W Gallery.  These three amazing guitarists (Stephen Inglis, Thomas Leeb and our very own Shawn Jones) have gotten together to produce an EP called “Common Ground.” These guys are truly masters at their craft.

Records darn close to being released, “Butterflys and Snakes” from Crooked-Eye Tommy (Tommy Marsh) and “The Ballad of Johnny and June” from the Mighty Cash Cats. Michael Jay tells me the CD has several duets and originals on it; they’re in the processing of mixing it now, they’ll also be touring soon leaving for Ireland in March.  A hip hop release from Double Dragon is in the works featuring Ronnie Rivera and Joaquin Cortez.  Kyle Hunt is back on the scene and back in the studio with a new project called Brothers Fortune.  Phil Tibbs from Curtsy told me they’re in the mixing phase of their first release and they’re looking for an early summer release. Rene Ponce let us know that the Stoneflys are working out of Colourbox Studios recording their second release; Jeff Evans producer.  And it looks like KC Mobley (Nylus, Catwalk) has been working with Armand John Anthony (New Liberty) in the studio; that should be interesting!

I also got wind that Peter DiStefano (Porno for Pyros) has a new project; he confirmed yes he’s working on a new EP out of Camarillo.   Jessie Rhoads (Stegosaurus) who’s also done a ton of songwriting and composing for film and TV has been working on his latest the past couple of years but he’s pretty close to releasing it; he’s also looking to perform locally here in Ventura.

And finally, what’s up with the new TOOL record?  Well you can personally ask Danny Carey, drummer, next time he plays with Doug Webb at Squashed Grapes which is Friday, February 13.

Just so you know, the good folks behind the Open Jam Night at Billy O’s have moved their jam night from Tuesday to Thursdays starting February 5 to The Garage on the east end of town and will continue marketing it as “Music Club”.  The first rule of music club:  No pre-existing bands.  The second rule of music club:  No Douche Bags.  Sounds right to me.

And finally, Riot Act Records gave me the head’s up that they booked a last minute show at Bombay’s on Thursday, February 5, with one of their acts out of Portland, Grand Lake Islands.  She said to think “Radiohead with a slide guitar.”  Touring with them is Robin Bacior whose new record “Water Dreams” was just premiered on CMJ (College Media Journal, THE indie bible).

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

Ventura Music Scene
Lining it Up!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

The holidays are a dim memory as 2015 rolls on and the venues in Ventura continue to offer some of the coolest bands around.  Congratulations to Discovery on their one-year anniversary.  The first year with any business can be precarious at best and so it’s been for Discovery, but they’ve made it this far settling permitting issues and working through their growing pains and we’re looking forward to another fabulous year for this innovative venue.   January 21 – 25 includes a Country night, Lee Koch who was featured on American Idol, Natural Vibrations & Junior Reid for reggae night and hometown favorites Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  See their website for dates and prices at www.DiscoveryVentura.com.   Trust me; you’ll want to be a part of the celebration for sure!

Speaking of new businesses, Poncho’s is out, Padrino’s is in.  Haven’t heard of either?  Well it’s Zoey’s former location on Santa Clara.  Switching form Mexican to Italian food, it looks like the new owners are leaning towards jazz.

And as for Billy O’s? I can only imagine what the joint will look like after they close the doors on their final shows at 2819 E. Main Street.  Ill Repute, False Confession, Stop Breathing and almost ten more bands are lined up for Friday the 30th and then on Saturday the 31, the final night will see Death Benefit, All-a-Blur, Cupcake, the NaVaNax , Crazy D & the Nutz and a half dozen or so more.  As of press time, a new joint had not been found yet.

The Expendables will bring their own special brand of reggae to the Ventura Theater on Friday, January 23rd as they tour in support of their latest record, “Sand in the Sky” (mixed by Butthole Surfer guitarist & producer Paul Leary); then on Saturday, January 31, John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting with quartet will do a special performance with Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket opening.

The Ventura Music Festival announced their 2015 season and along with the traditional music you would expect, including a special night with Herp Alpert and wife Lani Hall on May 8th, it’s going to an extraordinary evening at the Ventura College Stadium with Grammy winners Ozomatli delivering jams mixing samba, hip hop, swing and soul.
This year’s Roadshow Revival, a Tribute to the Music of Jonny Cash will not only move to a new location, but will span over two days!  Mark your calendar now for June 27 and June 28 at Mission Park downtown Ventura for one of the most popular music events in our city. Bands will be announced soon.

And the Van’s Warped Tour will be coming through town making their annual stop at the Fairgrounds the week before Roadshow Revival on Saturday, June 21.  Bands are being announced weekly and tickets are already available online www.VansWarpedTour.com.

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

Ventura Music Scene
2015 Will Rock!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

We’ve wrapped up 2014 and we’re looking forward to what Ventura’s music scene will bring in 2015.  I always love meeting new people, shaking hands, kissing babies and getting generous hugs from fellow music lovers.  Ventura has about the coolest vibe going whether it’s catching a national touring act at the Ventura Theater, or attending a live show with visiting and local acts at Bombay’s, Squashed Grapes or Discovery who by the way welcome hometown big shots Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on January 23 in celebration of their one-year anniversary.

There’s new management at the Hong Kong Inn. They’ll continue to offer the Polynesian Review on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 then a live band to follow at 9:30.  This month they’ve lined up Smokey and Friends, Martin and Macias, Teresa Russell, and Jodi Farrell.  The shenanigans of The Velveteen Band will now hold down the fort the first Friday of the month at Bombay’s; however in February they’ll be rockin’ on the second Friday, Friday the 13^th, which seems apropos.

It’s no secret that Billy O’s will be closing their doors at their current location as the new hospital takes over the city block; but I’m assured they are looking for a new location. This town needs Billy O’s and the punk shows that come through there, not to mention those big ass pizzas!  Sorry to hear that Mute on the Floor will be holding their final show Sunday, January 11; but what an amazing line up with the day starting at 1 pm with The Dictators NYC, Motor 666, Stalag 13 and at least eight more bands.  Best wishes to Joel Perkins who will continue to be a force to deal with, just in different avenues promoting his bands.

Not only does the Tavern offer up Metal Wednesdays, but on Saturday, January 10 if metal is your brand of rock, you won’t want to miss New Year’s Metalution with Ruthless, Heretic, Six Pack of Doom and Raiju.

Hi Hat Entertainment welcomes Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown to the Ventura Beach Club on Friday, January 16.

Since the Ban-Dar called it quits so many years ago, we haven’t had too many country bands to support, so it’s way cool that Willie Nelson and friends are playing the Ventura Theater February 4, but bands like Highway Starr, CRV and now a new band on the scene, Pull the Trigger are giving country music fans a reason to get out of the house!

I spoke to JD Drury about Surf Rodeo and it’s been written in ink…well, make that “written in the sand,” that this year Surf Rodeo will inhabit lower Seaward and the beach for two days July 11 and 12^th.  JD promised he’d keep me in the loop as soon as bands are announced later this spring, but do mark it on the calendar and plan to be a part of this two day family oriented music and surf event.

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

Ventura Music Scene
It’s a Wrap!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

We’re wrapping up 2014 and hoping for big things to come in 2015 for Ventura’s music scene.  First things first, let’s take a look at our options for closing out the year.  So many venues are pulling out the stops for New Year’s Eve beckoning patrons with some great music lined up.  Discovery has Crooked-Eye Tommy and Guy Martin with Spencer from The Vibe keeping the dancing going; Bombay Bar and Grill will have crowd favorites Mandex, Shaky Feelin’ and Rising Son along with two DJs Carlism and Darko; W20 at the Watermark will offer music from Dr M and ADD; and Shawn Jones will rock in the New Year at Grapes and Hops. All the aforementioned venues have a cover and offer special beverages and food.  Reservations are highly recommended to ensure admittance.

More venues offering music to bring in the New Year include Peirano’s with the Mighty Cash Cats, Gigi’s with Cynthia Manley, Keynote with Red Rhythm, the Wine Rack has Mark Heyes, Café Fiore with Mojo Box and of course Jonny Reese at Amigos has Toni Jannotta with some sexy jazz to warm up the evening at 6 and then the Iron Butterfly Experience will keep the party going until 1 am.

Play it safe and don’t drink and drive.  Cabs will be out in abundance; have their phone number handy or better yet arrange for a designated driver who you will shower with gifts for taking the bullet this time around.

Kudos to Josh and Adam at Squashed Grapes for bringing the talent this year.  They’ll be closing their doors after a Tillford Jackson Christmas special on Tuesday, December 23, until the end of the year, but they’ll be back January 2 with even more amazing jazz for 2015; Doug Webb with Danny Carey of Tool returns on January 9, they’ll have the Jim Calire Piano Trio on the 15, Karl Hunter’s Quartet on the 24 and so many cool jazz cats in-between.  Please, I beseech you; if you haven’t been in to check out this cool venue, make it a point to do so in 2015.

Jan and Jerry of Hi-Hat Entertainment has really been bringing amazing shows and artists to Ventura for quite some time now and 2015 looks to be a stellar year for them at their new venue, the Ventura Beach Club.  You won’t want to miss Albert Lee’s return to the stage along with Carl Sonny Leyland on January 2, and then on the 16th, it’s none other than Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown one of the earliest British blues bands touring since the mid Seventies.

I wish you love, joy and music for the New Year! Thanks for reading about Ventura’s music scene, much more to come in 2015.

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

Ventura Music Scene
Christmas is Rockin’
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

The Robert Cray Band played to an exclusive audience at the offices of Fitzgerald Hartley on Friday, December 5.  The group had been playing at different Southern California venues over the past week as a part of a special project by Steve Jordan (Sonny Rollins, Keith Richards, John Mayer). They’ve been filming and recording to celebrate 40 years of the Robert Cray Band. Cray was in fine form playing his standards and a few covers as he welcomed top notch musicians to the stage including sax wizard Tom Scott, Steve Jordan and harp master Lee Oskar from War; the band’s rendition of “Slipping Into Darkness” was just one of the highlights of the evening.   Oh! Shawn Jones opened.  Always love the Jones!

I’m looking forward to the Dickies and Pennywise at the Ventura Theater on Friday, December 12.  Since I heard they’d be in town, I haven’t been able to get “Stuck in a Pagoda with Tricia Toyota” out of my head.  I figure seeing the Dickies live should be the cure.  The Theater is also getting into the Christmas spirit with an afternoon Toy for Tots Holiday Sing-a-Long; the doors open at 3, performance at 4 and it is free to the public, you’ll want to take the whole family for this one.

Squashed Grapes has been having some pretty exclusive artists stopping in.  Saturday, December 6 he had the Michael Barsimanto Trio with Mitch Forman (Stan Getz, Pat Metheny) on piano and Chris Colangelo (Count Basie Orchestra, The Tonight Show Band) on bass.  Barsimanto (Freddie Hubbard, Billy Preston, Mark Isham).   Bruce Forman who has performances on three of Clint Eastwood’s films, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of our Fathers and Hereafter, is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10.  And to really get into the Christmas spirit, don’t miss Tilford Jackson’s Christmas Special on Tuesday, December 23^rd.

Ventura’s Winter Wine Walk was a complete success; not only did the event sell out, but Main Street was full of activity from noon well into the night with vendors stretching three blocks and live music at Main and California jam packed with family and friends enjoying the sounds of The Midnight Band and a snowfall to culminate the festivities.  My VenturaRocks.com booth was well attended and we sold many shirts which should turn up under many Christmas trees this season.

Speaking of which, are you still looking for a unique gift idea? Well the gift of music is always a holiday favorite and giving a local band’s CD not only puts a smile on the recipient’s face, but it also helps our local artists.  It’s a win-win situation!  You can go to VenturaRocks.com Artist page to see which bands have CDs available, but of course many of our local artists CDs can be found in Very Ventura on California Street at the VenturaRocks.com Listening Station.

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