Ventura Music Photos: June 2014

Posted on June 14, 2014 by venturarocks

Amigos – June 29, 2014
Medicine Hat & Matt Armor

Bombay Bar and Grill – June 28, 2014
Derek Jennings, Shane Alexander & Alicia Murphy

W20 – June 22, 2014
Shawn Jones

Ventura Fairgrounds, Vans Warped Tour – June 22, 2014
Linkin Park with Jeremy of the Devil Wears Prada

Bombay Bar and Grill – June 21, 2014
Rey Fresco

Squashed Grapes – June 21, 2014
50/50 Band with Rachel Flowers (keyboards and flute), Tom Buckner (sax), Domenic Genova (bass) and Tina Raymond (drums)

Bombay Bar and Grill – June 20, 2014
8Stops7

Bloody Mary Morning

VENTURA MUSIC WEEK PHOTO GALLERY

Miscellaneous Shots

Discovery Ventura – June 15, 2014
Ventura Music Week Wrap Party

Winchesters Grill and Saloon – June 15, 2014
The Catterwailers

Saloon BBQ Co. – June 15, 2014
Ted Waterhouse

The Star Lounge – June 15, 2014
Robert Thomas Band

Ventura Harbor Carousel Stage – June 15, 2014
DejaBlu

Bombay Bar and Grill – June 14, 2014
Mandex

SolTree on back stage

Sans Souci, June 14, 2014
Iron Outlaws

The Hong Kong Inn – June 14, 2014
The New Vibe

W20 at the Watermark, June 14, 2014
Drunken Monkeys

Discovery Ventura, June 14, 2014
Jonny Two Bags
The Americans

Billy O’s – June 14, 2014
Whiskey Stone

Winchesters Grill and Saloon, June 14, 2014
Camp Franco

Squashed Grapes – June 14, 2014
Barrelhouse Wailers

Four Brix – June 14, 2014
Kelly’s Lot

The Sandbox Coffeehouse – June 14, 2014
Mitchell Blake

Amigos, June 13, 2014
Spencer the Gardener

Grapes & Hops – June 13, 2014
Otis Hayes III

Yolies, June 13, 2014
Alastair Greene Band – CD Release Party

W20 at the Watermark, June 13, 2014
Mini Driver

Saloon BBQ Co. – June 13, 2014
Mighty Cash Cats

Peirano’s – June 13, 2014
Tony Ybarra and Friends

Keynote Lounge – June 13, 2014
Crosscut

Squashed Grapes – June 13, 2014
Fausto Cuevas

Bombay Bar & Grill, June 12, 2014
Musicians Brew with Coso, Brian Nicolet, Joe Baugh, Adam Clark & Josh Myers

Amigos, June 12, 2014
Gypsy Blues Band with special guest BB Chung King

Rookees, June 12, 2014
Rubberneck Lions

Golden China Restaurant, June 12, 2014
Carl Sonny Leyland Trio: Swing Night

Saloon BBQ Co., June 12, 2014
Mark Sellers

Pulse Drumming Drum Clinic at Squashed Grapes, June 12, 2014
Brad Dutz & Nick Mancini

Squashed Grapes, June 11, 2014
Karl Hunter’s Jazz Hates Johnny

Rufus Philpot, Karl Hunter, Aaron McLendon, Andy Langham & Hans Ottsen.

Discovery Ventura, June 11, 2014
Dylan Schmidt and the Rhythm Souls

Green Art People – June 11, 2014
Shaky Feelin’

Milano’s Italian Restaurant – June 10, 2014
Bluegrass Jam (Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month)

Historic Ventura City Hall, June 10, 2014
Visual Arts Event celebrating local photographers & videographers who capture our live music. Special screening of “Drummer Wanted: Dean Zimmer”

Amigos, June 9, 2014
Joey Billingiere blues jam with special guest Tommy Marsh

Century Theater 10 Downtown – June 9, 2014
20 Feet From Stardom Screening

Amigos – June 9, 2014
Karen Eden, Bill Macpherson & Doug Johnson

Bombay Bar and Grill – June 8, 2014
Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers CD Release party

Amigos – June 8, 2014
Jen Staves and the Bluzfish

The Sandbox Coffeehouse – June 8, 2014
The Space Band

Bombay Bar and Grill – June 7, 2014
Los Dudes

Bombay Bar and Grill – June 7, 2014
Deer Leg

W Gallery – June 7, 2014
The Global Guitar Greats Tour: Shawn Jones, Stephen Inglis, Thomas Leeb

Museum of Ventura County – June 7, 2014
SRO Benefit – Highway Starr

Pulse Drumming – June 7, 2014
Bongo Workshop with Fausto Cuevas

Grapes and Hops – June 6, 2014
Jade Hendrix

W20 at the Watermark – June 6, 2014
The Legalizers

The Patio at Players Casino – June 6, 2014
Teresa Russell

Yolies – June 6, 2014
Babylon Social Club

The Wine Rack – June 6, 2014
Warren Takashaki and Friends

Poncho’s Mexican Restaurant – June 6, 2014
The Latin Touch
805 Bar and Grilled Cheese – June 6, 2014
Unkle Monkey

Gone West Cellars – June 6, 2014
Dave Blanchard

Discovery Ventura – June 6, 2014
Alligator Dave, Dave Grizzle
“First official act performing during Ventura Music Week!”

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 4/2 – 4/15

Posted on March 31, 2014 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

VenturaRocks.com’s 5th anniversary party was a blast. Many thanks to Those Lousy Drunken Uncles who kicked off the festivities and especially to one of Ventura’s favorites, Rey Fresco, for hitting it out of the park. Diego and the crew at Bombay’s are the best; I can’t thank them enough for their hospitality and for their continued support. The night was a long one to be sure with family, friends and VenturaRocks.com supporters coming and going as they celebrated their St. Patrick’s Day in their own way. Many heartfelt thanks to those who did stop in including Sheldon Brown from the Ventura Breeze, Sally Williams representing the Swillys (thanks for the bubbly dear!), Shawn Jones, Owen Bucey, Dan Grimm, Doug Johnson, Kat Merrick from Totally Local VC, JR from Winchesters, Armand John Lizzy, Tommy Marsh and Tammy Aren, Eve Mimiaga, John Reese of Amigos, Brother Rob from KXBS and all my family and friends who made the time to come by, that meant a lot. Oh! Big thanks to Maggie McKinney for the beautiful flowers and all that delicious cake!

John Reese of Amigos announced something extremely cool. Nathan McEuen will be playing at Amigos every Tuesday night 6-8 pm through the month of April. Yeah baby!

The Ventura Beach Festival announced the line-up for the May 3rd event at San Buenaventura State Beach with Martha and the Motels headlining. Other bands on the bill include The Surfaries, Rey Fresco, Spencer the Gardener, Dirty Rice and Barley Legal. This one helps benefit Friends of Channel Coast State Parks. For ticket information, visit www.VenturaBeachFestival.com.

It looks like more music will be happening down at the Ventura Harbor Village Carousel Stage as the weather continues to warm up. All shows run noon – 3 pm. Just a few lined up: Rusty Rounders on April 6, Beach Bums on April 13, Main Street Jazz Band on April 20 and Jill Martini Soiree on April 27.

Shows to watch out for at the Majestic Ventura Theater include The Pet Shop Boys on April 11, and Latin-ska band, Panteon Rocoxco, which will be in town on April 19. Both Ellie Goulding on April 16 and Cage the Elephant on April 18th are sold out.

Ventura’s music scene is incredible because we have three different elements coming together here in this amazing town. First and foremost, we have amazing talent, secondly we have the venues which support live music (and a great deal of it original), but it wouldn’t come together without the third element which is us music lovers. Together, we make Ventura Rock!!!

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

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 3/5/14 – 3/18/14

Posted on March 2, 2014 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

It was pretty cool catching the Numbskull Show on a rainy Wednesday night in the backroom at Bombay’s with Kevin Seconds from 7 Seconds sharing an acoustic evening with Steve Soto (Agent Orange and The Adolescents) and Russ Rankin (Good Riddance). Kevin’s three-week tour in support of his new release, Off Stockton, kicked off in Ventura. Rankin told me he’ll be performing the first four dates and the last three dates with Kevin. The night had the three as solo performers – just the artist and their acoustic guitar – and though there were some missteps from Soto, it was pretty cool when he just laughed it off like the true punk rocker he is.

We’re looking forward to catching Karl Hunter of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy as he returns to Squashed Grapes for another show on Saturday, March 22. In what is being called the Karl Hunter Organ’ic Quartet, Karl will have the legendary Jimmy Calire who toured for several years with America on keyboards, Mario Calire from the Wallflowers and Ozomatli on drums and guitar player extraordinaire Hans Ottsen will round out the quartet. Tickets are $10 and you should get them in advance at the Grape as this one is sure to sell out fast.

Technicolor Tone Factory out of Boulder, CO, will be making their debut in Southern California area with a free show at Green Art People on Wednesday, March 12. According to Taylor Frederick, TTF isn’t a jam band that rocks, but rather a rock band that jams. I took a listen on SoundCloud, and trust me, the band rocks.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations officially kick off with the City’s annual parade on Saturday, March 15. We’ll be hitching a ride on Kat Merrick’s Totally Local VC float where Dan Grimm and other artists will be performing live along with Jon Reese of Amigos on air guitar, as we cruise down Main Street. Give us a shout out when we pass by!

And of course you are officially invited to help Ventura Rocks celebrate our 5th Anniversary with a huge St. Patrick’s Day party at Bombay’s on the 17th with first Irish music from the Lousy Drunken Uncles at 6:00, then it will Rey Fresco making this the hottest party in town.
Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help on publicizing? Then send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos: February 2014

Posted on February 7, 2014 by venturarocks

Photos of Music in Ventura this month

Bombay Bar and Grill – February 28, 2014
Diana Boydstrum, Diego Gambino and Pam Baumgardner
Getting out, taking in music, hanging with good friends. Ventura Rocks!

Amigo’s Surf Cantina – February 27, 2014
Gypsy Blues Band with Morganfield Burnett

Bombay Bar and Grill – February 26, 2014
Kevin Seconds (7 Seconds), Steve Soto (Adolescents, Agent Orange) and Russ Rankin (Good Riddance)

Paradise Pantry – February 26, 2014
Xoco Moraza and Todd Hannigan

The Star Lounge – February 23, 2014
Mighty Cash Cats

The Star Lounge – February 23, 2013
Kyle Hunt

Sans Souci – February 23, 2014
Jukebox Mutiny

Amigo’s Surf Cantino – February 23, 2014
Jerry and the Big Beats

The Patio at Player’s Casino – February 22, 2014
Kelly’s Lot – Fundraiser for CARLVC.org

Squashed Grapes – February 22, 2014
Paul McCallum & Friends

Yolies – February 21, 2014
Rick Holmstrum Band

Squashed Grapes – February 20, 2014
Buckner, Flowers, Genova & Christie

Bombay Bar and Grill – February 16, 2014
The Bomb

Amigo’s Surf Cantina – February 16, 2014
Tommy and Paddy Marsh w/ Pam Baumgardner of VenturaRocks.com

Ventura High School Auditorium – February 15, 2014
Ventura Music Festival: Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band

Bombay Bar and Grill – February 15, 2014
Doubt Aplomb, Rubberneck Lions, Mandex

Cafe Fiore – February 13, 2014
Christopher Hawley

W20 at the Watermark – February 13, 2014
Ventura Social Club with Lenny Castro

Bombay Bar and Grill – February 9, 2014
RB Bombers

EP Foster Library – February 9, 2014
Toni Jannotta Jazz quartet

Surf Brewery – February 8, 2014
The Hard Times Band

Bombay Bar and Grill – February 7, 2014
Owen Bucey
Aaron Orbit

Peirano’s – Friday, February 7, 2014
Shawn Jones with Sam Bolle

El Rey Cantina – Friday, February 7, 2014
Xoco Moraza & Friends

Amigo’s Surf Cantina – Thursday, February 6, 2014
Gypsy Blues Band

Bombay Bar and Grill – Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Mikey Mo with Tommy Marsh

Squashed Grapes – Wednesday, February 5, 2014
The Jazz Report

Green Art People – Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Aloha Radio

Amigo’s Surf Cantina – Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Catfish Fry and Doug Johnson blues swing jam & open mic featuring
Brittney Burchett – Joe Billingiere

: Joe Billingiere on guitar, John Long on Drums, Darren Yarbrough on Rhythm

Billy O’s – Monday, February 3, 2014
8Stops7

Ventura Music Scene is Alive!

Posted on August 24, 2013 by venturarocks

Randy Tick, Adam Clark, Rachel Flowers, Hans Ottsen

This past week alone reminds me yet again of how much I love this music scene here in Ventura.

Thursday night I cruised over to Squashed Grapes for what I knew would be outstanding jazz. I love that I can just show up, order a great Italian sandwich and Josh and Adam will make sure I’m taken care of. They told me a little about their crop about to be harvested and how they’d be doing it with some help from friends after hours – all night – Friday night. Crazy!

In any case, as you probably already know, the jazz scene in Ventura is notorious for changing of members and adding new faces so you never know what you’ll get. But with certain musicians, you just know you’re in for some solid jazz; and so it is with Hans Ottsen and Adam Clark. The Facebook invite named the band Tico Trio with Randy Tico who plays a standup bass, Ottsen & Clark. It also stated that they’d be playing Tico, Hermto, Airto, Miles, and Pink Floyd.

The night was amazing as they had the extremely talented Rachel Flowers join on several songs playing the flute. Flowers, blind since she was a baby, fit in like a glove and the crowd was thoroughly enthralled. Her smile was contagious and her skills amazing.

The trio played as if they’d been playing together for years. They were tight, in the zone and incredibly hot; but you know, you get that with this caliber of musicianship. And yes, the Floyd was worth the wait.

Spencer with Nate and Cougar

Friday night was all about Spencer the Gardener. I was given a head’s up a few weeks ago that Nate Birkey would be sitting in with the band. That just did not compute! The Nate Birkey Quintet out of New York City playing with our beloved Spencer and all his quirkiness? (Turns out he was an original member way back when…) OH MY GOD!!! What a night. AND THEN, Cougar Estrada on drums??? The combination of Nate and Cougar had Amigos hopping well into the night and seeing such world-class musicians tearing up in our local Amigos on Main Street, well, like I always say, Ventura ROCKS!

Saturday night Shawn Jones has a gig at Yolies, and Zoey’s has Omar Velasco & Shane Alexander who will be sharing the stage with special guests Neal Casal & Jesse Siebenberg. But then there’s Big Tweed at The Tavern, Porterhouse Bob at Olivas Adobe, D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers at Bombays…Geez!

Here’s a YouTube video of Tico Trio with Randy Tico (bass), Adam Clark (drums), Rachel Flowers (flute) and Hans Ottsen (guitar).

Ventura Music Week: Miscellaneous

Posted on July 7, 2013 by venturarocks

So much great music during Ventura Music Week 2013. Here are just a few of the images captured between 100 bands 30 venues, 10 days and 1 City:

: The Shakers rocked it Friday night at The Good Bar

: New Liberty back room at Bombays

: Sharks and Cobras up front at Bombays

: Adam Clark on drums, Barb Catlin and Guil Juliao at Squashed Grapes

: Xoco and Joe at W20

: Los Dudes at The Wine Rack

: Brittney Burchett joining Coso Monday night

: Zorba of the Ska Daddyz at Sans Souci

: Jacob Scesney at the Grape

: Die Evil Die at The Tavern

: Boys will be boys…especially at Amigos!

: Siren at the Tavern

: Siren at the Tavern

: Ventura Social Club at W20

: Spencer Barnitz at The Wine Rack

: The Swilleys at The Wine Rack

: Arthur Adams at Yolies

: Todd Hannigan at Zoey’s

: Kaleb of Catholic Spit

: Salty Suites at Zoey’s

: Bobby Campbell

: Deep Pink at Amigos

: Sans Souci…coolest dive bar.

: Deep Pink at Amigos

: Jon Gindick at Amigos

: Toni Jannotta at Amigos

: Ayla, Danielle, Toni, Pam and Allen

: The Big Problem at Billy O’s

: The Big Problem

: CD Release Party at Bombays

: Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats CD Release at Bombays

: Bombay’s the Session with Tommy Marsh and Bad Dog

: The Good Bar Wednesdays with Mark Masson

: Dan Grimm and Friends at Green Art People

: Red Rhythm at Keynote

: Jade Hendrix at the Museum of Ventura County

: The Great Gatsby Night

: The Pretty Uglys

: Scott MacDonald

Ventura Music Week: Rock Picnic, Sound City, Barbara Morrison

Posted on July 6, 2013 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Week 2013 held throughout the City of Ventura – 100 Bands – 30 Venues – 10 Days – 1 City.
Rock Picnic was held the first Saturday, June 8, with a full day of our finest indie bands. Brian Parra did a great job pulling it off this year!
David Comden of the VC Reporter got us a special screening of Dave Grohl’s documentary, Sound City: Real to Reel. We had a terrific turnout and the after party at Amigos was a lot of fun with Mark Masson, Franklin Murphy, Adam Clark and rockin’ the house (Monday, June 10)
Thursday, June 13, at the Gypsy Blues Room at Peirano’s Ventura Rock’s and Hi Hat Entertainment joined forces to bring to town the one and only Barbara Morrison. What a treat for such a such a small intimate room!

: Rock Picnic – False Puppet

: Rock Picnic – Graveyard King

: Rock Picnic – Army of Freshmen

: David Comden of VC Reporter

: Sound City: Real to Reel poster

: Audience at Sound City screening

: Sound City screening Post Party at Amigos with Mark Masson, Franklin Murphy, Quantae Johnson and Adam Clark

: Hi Hat Entertainment VenturaRocks.com bring you…

: Pam Baumbardner of Ventura Rocks introducing Barbara Morrision

: The lovely Barbara Morrison

: Barbara Morrison at Gypsy Blues Room

The Barrelhouse Wailers at Amigos 5/16/13

Posted on May 17, 2013 by venturarocks

Could not believe how incredibly fun these cats were!!! They’re called the Barrelhouse Wailers and you’re not going to want to miss them the next time they play here in Ventura! Loved the Hot Jazz they were serving up!

The band features David Leoncavallo on Bass; Wayne Philipp on guitar/banjo; Jim Wade on Tuba; Diamono Andreo on drums; Curt Ingram on Cornet; David White on Mandolin/Harmonica; and the amazing vocal stylings of Karen Parkhouse (missing, Alethea Lamb on clarinet)

: Quite a drum kit!

: Diamono Andreo on drums

: Curt Ingram on Cornet (horn)

: Karen Parkhouse & David Leoncavallo

: The Barrelhouse Wailers

: The Barrelhouse Wailers

: The Barrelhouse Wailers

: Karen Parkhouse

: David White

: Jim Wade

: David Leoncavallo

: Trust me, you’ll want to tip these guys!!

Ventura’s Jazz Renaissance

Posted on January 31, 2013 by venturarocks

Kudos to our venues for embracing jazz!
Ever since California 66 went out of business, there hasn’t been a solid jazz scene here in Ventura. It’s been way too long. Since CA 66, you’d see from time to time jazz trios pop up at Wine venues or at the Pierpont Inn and definitely at Sidecar, but we have too much talent here in Ventura to have an occasional gig at a random venue. But now, we do have a jazz renaissance occurring. Squashed Grapes has been heavily supporting jazz, and of all places, Amigos has come on board. Jazz is becoming more common and we’re delighted to see over the past six months that Zoey’s, W20, and now Bombay’s are taking this unique American art form for a test drive.

And as this renaissance is occurring it’s quite interesting to see our local talent collaborating and restructuring their lineup. It not unusual to have guest players sit in, or to feature musicians from L.A. or from other parts of the country or world. At this point, I would normally list off local musicians, but I know I will leave some off, and so I won’t. But know that you guys kick ass. Yea, I know it’s jazz…but you really do ROCK!

And to be frank, jazz is completely therapeutic. To sit in a lovely environment, with friends, sipping a glass of nice wine while listening to extraordinary musicianship…well, it takes you to a different place. And sometimes you’ll be so connected to the players as the band will be working on a particular piece that the room becomes a part of the process and they become engrossed and their instantaneous feedback of appreciation with applause and cheering after a solo, well, it’s just amazing…yea, there’s definitely passion with jazz.

And whether it’s Avant-garde jazz, Nu jazz, Latin jazz, or traditional jazz, we know it’s an acquired taste. And so we hope that our venues will continue to support this art form as patrons become accustom to where they can DEPEND on jazz. Because as the saying goes, “Build it and they will come.”

We invite you out to support our jazz scene. See you there!

Pam

Ventura Jazz Collective at Amigos 1/3/13

Posted on January 4, 2013 by venturarocks

The Ventura Jazz Collective played their first of what we hope is many gigs to come at Amigos. Band featured Pablo Plasencia on bass, Garrett Miller on drums, Franklin Murphy on keyboards and Patrick Martin on Saxophone.