Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 3/2 – 3/15

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Ventura Rocks!”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

winchester Rebels opening for Puddle of Mudd at Discovery

winchester Rebels opening for Puddle of Mudd at Discovery

I’m looking forward to the Puddle of Mudd show coming up at Discovery on Saturday, March 5, word has it former bass player Michael Anthony and restaurateur of Now Ventura will sit in for a few songs. Let’s hope singer Wes Scantlin is on his best behavior and keeps it together and keeps it live. To kick off the evening, one of my favorite Santa Barbara rock bands, The Winchester Rebels will warm up the house so be sure to get there early enough to catch both acts.

You know the party will be off the hook at Bombays when Hy Brasil performs while celebrating their bass player, Shawn Echevarria’s birthday on Friday, March 11. The Pullmen will open with a special performance from San Diego’s Mrkts.

Rebulation returns to Ventura for back to back shows at the Majestic Ventura Theater on March 12 and 13. Why two nights? Because they always pack ‘em in!

The 10th annual Ventura Music Festival Jazz Competition takes place at the Pierpont Inn on Sunday, March 13 at 1 pm. Get out and support up and coming young jazz musicians. This event is free to the public.

Tickets have been selling briskly for the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy fundraiser concert in conjunction with the 150th anniversary celebration of the City of Ventura. All proceeds support art and music programs for Ventura’s Unified school district students. Be sure to secure your tickets and help keep music in our schools. Go to CelebrateVentura.org for more information on how to get your tickets online. They’re also available at VSUD school sites.

Hi Hat Entertainment brings back the Forty Fours to the Ventura Beach Club on Friday, March 11 featuring Johnny Main, Mike Hightower and Jason Lozano. The band features killer Blues-Rock-Roots music sure to keep the dance floor filled to capacity.

Ventura’s punk scene continues to thrive, The Dickies, Ill Repute show at the Garage sold out. More shows have been popping up between The Garage, The Red Cove, Sans Souci and Bombay’s. You can get the low down at VenturaRocks.com which has you covered Punk to Jazz.

Speaking of which, VenturaRocks.com celebrates its anniversary this month servicing the music community in Ventura for the past seven years; it is the best online resource for keeping up on where to find live music.

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: November 2014

W20 at The Watermark – November 26, 2014
Shawn Jones Roots Trio (Jones, guitar; Christopher Allis, drums; Sam Bolle, bass)
Shawn Jones Roots Trio


Bombay’s – November 26, 2014
Mandex!
Mandex


Amigos – November 26, 2014
Shaky Feelin’


WAV – November 23, 2014
Donna Lynn Caskey

Donna Lynn Caskey


805 Bar & Grilled Cheese – November 23, 2014
Brandon Ragan
Brandon Ragan


Ventura Harbor – Wine, Dine & Jazz – November 23, 2014
Justin Claveria Trio
Justin Claveria


Squashed Grapes – November 19, 2015
Barry Mosley

Barry Mosley Quartet


Bombay Bar and Grill – November 15, 2015
The NaVaNaX
The NaVaNaXAmigo’s – November 15, 2014
Laura Cozzi and Soul Machine
Soul Machine


Cafe Fiore – November 15, 2014
Ricky Coz Band
Ricky Coz Band


Grapes and Hops – November 15, 2014
The Jazz Junkies
The Jazz Junkies


The Tavern – November 14, 2014
Private Island


Squashed Grapes – November 14, 2014
Ventura Jazz Collective
Ventura Jazz Collective


Amigos – November 14, 2014
Michael J and Leticia (MIghty Cash Cats)
Michael J and Leticia


El Rey Cantino – November 14, 2014
Xoco Moraza and Friends
Xoco and Friends


Sans Souci – November 12, 2014
The Miskreants
Miskreants


The Ventura Theater – November 12, 2014
The Misfits
The Misfits


The Winchester Rebels
Winchester Rebels


The Patio – November 8, 2014
C.A.R.L. Fundraiser
Kelly’s Lot
Kelly's Lot

Teresa James
Teresa JamesSteve “Smokey” Hinojosa
Smokey


Bombay Bar and Grill – November 7, 2014
Army of Freshmen
Army of FreshmenArmy of Freshmen
Shane Mac
Shane Mac


Grapes and Hops – November 2, 2014
Shawn Jones
Shawn Jones


Amigos – November 2, 2014
The Tossers
The Tossers Lyla Fronsoe Representing while celebrating her birthday with The Tossers!
Lyla Representing!


Squashed Grapes – November 1, 2014
Paul McCallum and Friends
Paul McCallem

Album Review – Winchester Rebels

3 Sheets to the Wind
by Stephanie Rose

 

Winchester Rebels CD, 3 Sheets to the WindHaving earned my stripes as Program Director at a local Alternative Rock radio station in the mid 90’s here in town called KXBS the Bus, and then launching a national publication, Buzzine Magazine as Vice-President and Editor-in-Chief, I’d like to think I know music.  And though I haven’t been working in the industry for a number of years – opting instead for stability and a steady pay check to cover the mortgage – my first love continues to be music and so in my spare time I do what I can to support our local music scene with VenturaRocks.com.

Recently I was approached about a band I hadn’t heard of before who would be playing some shows in Ventura and they were hoping to get some support on the website. My first introduction to the Winchester Rebels was via YouTube and a video of the band performing an acoustic version of their song, “Loaded Gun” on Santa Barbara’s radio station, KJEE.  I was immediately intrigued and made it a plan to check out the band which was playing at Billy O’s.  After one song, it was clear the band belonged on a much larger stage with a much larger crowd.  And though the house wasn’t packed, the guys played as if it were. I left wanting more and so I decided to spend some time with The Winchester Rebel’s debut release, 3 Sheets to the Wind.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best indie band endeavors I’ve heard in quite some time.  Nick Fitzgerald writes all the music as well as the guitar parts and Nick Hunt writes all the lyrics.   I’m impressed and I readily admit the CD hasn’t left my car, except to rip tunes for my workout playlist for my MP3 player (I added “Down” and “Flying”).

The guys know how to write solid rock tunes reminiscent of STP and Alice.  Catchy lyrics and hooks from the get-go where the guitars, rhythm and vocals drive the listener from song to song, never disappointing and leaving you wanting more.  The more times I listen to 3 Sheets to the Wind, the more the band leaves its mark. I find I’m singing lyrics and wondering where my own “Private Angel” is; or realizing, “I lost my head somewhere on my way to you” from one of their most infectious tunes, “Down.”

The Winchester Rebels

 All five members of Winchester Rebels are solid players and bring something special to the table.  Songs like “Private Angel” and “Silence” remind me yet again how much fun I’m missing having never learned to play drums. The band’s fat sounding bass never gets lost in the mix laying down the band’s groove, creating a fine balance between rhythm and harmony. The guitars work extremely well complementing each other driving the songs (love the solo in “Dining with the Devils”), and Nick Hunt’s vocal arrangements are incredibly captivating; he has a voice worthy of filling the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Here’s the thing, reading about music without hearing it, is like someone trying to describe a full-length body massage without actually ever experiencing one.  Yea, you can explain how amazing it feels and how it will take you away to a special place, and… blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. You get the picture.  So until you actually sit down and give the Winchester Rebels a listen, you won’t know.  Go online to Reverbnation.com/WinchesterRebels and give them a spin for yourself.  Then demand they come back to town and play it live.

Nick Hunt – Vocals
Nick Fitzgerald – Guitar
James Longoria – Guitar
John Livergood – Bass
Barry Carter – Drums

VenturaRocks.com/Artists/WinchesterRebels