14 OUNDCHECK 2011 2011 14 •Ssoundcheck
talent
PHOTO COURTESY OF VAL & AL B BLUES
VALERIE JOHNSON & AL B BLUE Valerie Johnson & Al B Blue serve up blues, R&B, traditional jazz, and gospel.
an A-to-Z list of Central Coast musical artists and DJs TALENT
from page 13 owned by My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero. They’ve done seven coast-to-coast DIY tours, played more than 250 shows, and released three full-length albums. Nothing Ever Stays (Indie Alternative Rock) Contact: Ryan Kirkpatrick, 423-6800 URL: nothingeverstays.com
Nothing Ever Stays, hailing from San Luis Obispo, is one of the bands to look for this year. Producer Jeff Schnewies (Tooth & Nail Records) recorded the band’s first EP, titled Progression. Oasis Band (Rock/Jazz/Swing) Contact: Ed Harris, 541-8891 URL: oasisband-slo.com
“We’re the most versatile band on the Central Coast. We go above and beyond to play a variety of musical styles that appeal to people of all ages.” From Big Band to good time rock’n’roll, blues, jazz, and swing, Oasis has built a reputation for creating magic on stage. Of Scarlet Letters (Rock/Alt) Contact: Dave McAbee, 459-1381 URL: myspace.com/ofscarletletters
Scarlet Letters has been making history for almost five years. Dan (vox/guitar) met Dave (bass) in the summer of 2004 when Dave attended the church where Dan was leading worship. They soon became close friends and roommates. When Dan married Kari (keyboards) in 2006, they knew that she had to be a part of the group. Josh (drums) was added, and the band recorded its first EP, Alder House, currently available! OGMA (Alternative Rock)
Contact: Sam Crimmel ogmanow@ gmail.com URL: og-ma.com
“Melodic, and upbeat conscious music created with positive intention to uplift, inspire, and energize the listener.” Ogoun (Doom Metal/Stoner
Rock) Contact: Derek Schultz, 704-6994, hawthornhaze@ gmail.com URL: facebook.com/ ogounband
Ogoun is a stoner-doom power trio from San Luis Obispo laying down bluesy, heavy riffs inspired by giants of the genre such as Kyuss, Clutch, High On Fire, and Sleep. Ogoun is currently booking shows in the Central Coast and greater California area, as well as recording a yet-to-be-titled EP. One (Hip-Hop) Contact: URL: myspace.com/onemultimedia
One is a hip-hop collective featuring Triple X, James Kaye, The Kid Rick, and Caprilord. Louie Ortega and the Wild Jalapenos (Tex Mex/Rock/Folk)
Contact: Louie Ortega, 541-2208 or imlouieortega@gmail.com URL: louieortega.com
Grammy Award-winner Louie Ortega offers several incarnations: Louie Ortega solo (guitar and vocals), duo, or trio; Louie Ortega and the Wild Jalapenos (a quartet); or Louie Ortega and the Wild Jalapenos featuring the West Coast Horns (a septet). When you want
the best, Louie’s your man. Chuck Osborne (Accordionist) Contact: Chuck Osborne, 937-9021 or chuckosborne@verizon.net
The Rogue Canaries
(Jazz/Blues/Rock) Contact: Matt Franscioni, 712-0547
Hire Chuck Osborne for your next event that requires live music. Chuck performs solo on the Roland FR-7, the world’s first completely digital accordion. Specialization of repertoire for restaurants and wine and beer events includes Italian, French, Bavarian, traditional, Oktoberfest, American/Broadway standards, Country and Western, and more.
Instrumental jazz, blues, rock, and standards fuse into an eclectic mix with The Rogue Canaries. Scott Bailey, Matt Franscioni, Adam Levine, and Bill Wingfield bring together a unique depth of experience and professionalism.
Tim Pacheco (Acoustic/Folk)
Contact: Tim Pacheco, 674-2819, timpacheco@hotmail.com URL: timpacheco.com
Tim’s CD, The Gathering of Guides, was released on Solid Air Records. Primarily focusing on fingerstyle guitar, Tim also sings vocal tunes from the ’50s to the present. The Paisanos (Acoustic Blues/ Folk) Contact: Joe DiVincenzo, 434-1323, joedivincenzo@sbcglobal.net
The Paisanos get their inspiration from the close-knit paisanos of Monterey fame! They play a wide variety of rock ‘n roll, blues, and country, from all generations! It’s all mixed in with their unique original compositions to create a classic sound. Pennyjar (Alt Country) Contact:
Patrick Hayes, 235-1506 URL: pennyjar.com
Alt.Country is a term for bands that are neither alternative nor country. It has been called a code word for “good songwriting” or “doesn’t sell.” “So far, we embody both,” they say. Pennyjar are as comfortable with Hank Williams as they are with the Stooges. Mostly they like playing twangy rock’n’roll.
ous regions of California bands together to preserve hip-hop’s true elements.
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Que Cosa (Latin/Spanish Pop)
Contact: URL: myspace.com/quecosamusic
¡Qué Cosa! es el dúo de compositores talentosos Maite Garcia (vocalista) y Larry Arone (piano). Qué Cosa esta escribiendo su nuevo disco. Loren Radis (Folk/Acoustic/
Rock) Contact: lorenradismusic@ gmail.com URL: lorenradis.com
“The songs I write are about what’s important to me; life, love, sadness, and joy, and the meaning of it all. I hope that making good music and being honest are enough to make it as a musician. I love the music of artists like Iron & Wine, Elliott Smith, and Damien Rice, and I hope that my style emulates a similar feel. Thanks so much for listening.” Ragg (Rock/Metal/Melodic)
PK (Rock) Contact: Travis, 610-
Contact: Monique Grajeda, 5419155 URL: myspace.com/raggrocks
Recently being featured in Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the top 16 unsigned rock groups in the nation, scrappy, energetic rock quintet PK have worked hard writing and recording a follow-up EP to Into the Roaring.
Ragg is a band with an audio and visual expression of power overlaid with melodic transitions of dynamics and tempo dramatics. The female and male forces of the band blend into strong emotions portrayed in the messages of the words and patterns of music heard in the songs.
2810, wearepk@gmail.com URL: facebook.com/wearepk or pkband.com
Project 41 (Classic Rock) Contact: Skip James, 610-5051 URL: myspace.com/project41band
Original rock’n’roll for the soul, music is created and performed by Project 41, with great, original lyrics and music written in the classic-rock style. Public Defendaz (Hip-Hop)
Contact: Cassidy Wright, 215-4053 URL: reverbnation.com/public defendaz
The group known as Public Defendaz is a diverse collection of musicians who represent their personal views through the lifestyle and music of hip-hop. Their purpose: to bring audiences a quality of music that directly reflects the “voice” of the people. By combining the driving forces of lyrical wordplay and versatile productions, this group from vari-
been doing shows from Santa Barbara to SLO and all the way up to the North County. With a fresh new West Coast sound meets kicked-back Cali style, he’s sure to make big noise all through California and beyond.
Rancho Deluxe (Country/Rock and More) Contact: Mark Adams URL: myspace.com/rancho deluxe or ranchodeluxe.org
Playing old-school twang with an up-to-date energy, California country-rock band Rancho Deluxe formed in 2005 with singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Adams and lead guitarist Jesse Jay Harris.
Ras Danny (Reggae) Contact: Wendy, wendybalisle@yahoo.com URL: rasdanny.com
Hailing from Trenchtown, Jamaica, Ras Danny is the Central Coast’s “most authentic roots reggae artist.” He’s recorded with many of the best reggae artists at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong recording studio. Red Eye Junction (Classic
Country/Honky-Tonk) Contact: Reid Cain, 441-7521 URL: myspace. com/redeyejunction
If you like your country music
steeped in the sounds of Bakersfield and honky-tonk that reeks with the aroma of beer and sawdust rather than hair mousse and celebrity fragrances, then REJ’s your cup of shine. It’s the music of Saturday-night sinning and Sunday-morning salvation. Red Eye Junction are the new heroes of honky-tonk.
Remnants (Rock) Contact: Ron
Yapo, 925-6207 URL: the-remnants. net
Say The Remnants, “We’re just a bunch of guys who love playing music who have a big all-ages following in Lompoc. We play several times a month in clubs at DJ’s Saloon and The Wicked Shamrock. Lots of parties, lots of benefits. No special plans for the band. Just make happy for everyone.” Resination (Reggae/ Dub) URL: resinationmusic.com or myspace. com/resination
Resination is one of the Central Coast’s most established reggae acts, featuring top-notch musicianship from players who are also members of the Tipsy Gypsies and Cuesta Ridge. Revelation Bill Ballesteros at
Christian Ministry Outreach, 7727456 URL: revelationband.org
Revelation was formed more than 20 years ago by the Ballesteros Family as a means for the family to witness their faith through song. Hear upbeat swinging music with lead guitar arrangements and many originals written by Bill Ballesteros and the band. The music brings a various styles of rock, blues, and rockabilly sounds. It’s great family music with a wholesome message honoring the Lord. The Ridge (Rock/Folk/Country)
Contact: Matt Franscioni, 237-0054.
The Ridge plays a wide variety of styles, including everything from classic Southern rock’n’roll to acoustic folk with some country and bluegrass, too. They can even throw in some Miles Davis styles. RoAch Clip (Hip-Hop) Contact: Nicholas Roberts, 975-7444 URL: myspace.com/roachclipmusic
RoAch Clip is the next up-andcoming hip-hop act in the Central Coast. After the release of his debut solo album I’m Back, he’s
Rough House
(Roots/Rock/ Country) Contact: Tony, 459-6880; or Mickey, 237-1507.
Rough House is the best band you’ve never heard! They play a combination of roots, rock, and country that spans decades and styles. With great vocals, strong musicianship, and danceable music, Rough House delivers a great time and good sounds. RTO (Rock) Contact: John Collins, 712-3065 URL: myspace.com/rtoband
RTO is a high-energy trio whose original approach to rock has made a fan of everyone who has listened. This quickly growing band offers a variety of music with influences of funk, hip-hop, and blues grooves played through hard rock. It’s a band you must see live. Rusted Stone (Rock/Hard Rock) Contact: Shawn Logan, 286-6098 URL: myspace.com/rustedstone
Rusted Stone is a high-energy hard rock band that delivers an exciting live show. They’re finishing a full-length CD and lining up summer shows. T-Shirts and a fivesong CD are available at all shows and through their website. Rusted Stone plays music that will get your rocks off! Sad Lisa (Rock) Contact: Graham Haworth URL: myspace. com/sadlisamusic
A few years back, the members of Sad Lisa were just five close friends, holding acoustic jam sessions in their cave-like apartments near the train tracks of San Luis Obispo. Little did they know that within five years, their sound would morph into heavier electric realms of sound.
San Luis Chamber Orchestra Contact: 528-7795 or info@ sanluischamberorchestra.org URL: sanluischamberorchestra.org
The San Luis Chamber Orchestra is a nonprofit public benefit corporation, organized exclusively for charitable purposes. The purpose of the organization is to provide an opportunity for amateur musicians to rehearse and perform orchestral music, furnish inexpensive live orchestral music performances to the public, and foster appreciation for the live performance of orchestral music. San Luis Obispo County
Band (Patriotic, Classical, Marches) Contact: Curtis Reinhardt, 773-4173 or curtis@curtisreinhardt.com URL:
slocountyband.org
The SLO County Band has been playing continuously for 135 years. Records show that it was formally organized in 1881, but the existence of the band was mentioned in newspapers as early as 1874, when its ancestor, the San Luis Obispo Military Band, was founded. San Luis Obispo Symphony Contact: Michael Nowak, music director, 543-3533 URL: slosymphony.com
Hear a 10-month season of concerts, events, and music education activities throughout the Central Coast. The San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra (Classical and Pops) Contact: Shannon McNeely, 5740692 URL: slowinds.org
The SLO Wind Orchestra boasts some of the area’s most accomplished wind and percussion players as its members. The orchestra performs the finest works written for wind band at the highest possible artistic level, fosters an appreciation of the repertoire, and contributes to the cultural vitality of the Central Coast community. Schwing Thangs (Love Songs) Contact: Billy Foppiano, 546-TUNE (8863)
Love the songs of the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s, and how about something with a melody? These guys only do songs with a melody, and usually the artist must be dead, or very close to on their way. Screaming Jimmy (Folk/Rock/
Blues) Contact: Jim Townsend, screamingjimmy@gmail.com URL: screamingjimmy.com
As a performer, Jimmy likes to do a lot of different things ... hence all of the different “Jimmys.” He plays the piano and guitar, singing originals, covers, jazz, blues, country, and rock songs. Sometimes he plays all by himself as either Jim Townsend or Screaming Jimmy, depending on his mood or the venue. Sexy Time Explosion (Glam/ Punk/Garage) Contact: Erik McCornack, 459-2212, emccornack@hotmail.com URL: Facebook. com/SexyTimeExplosion
Turbonegro tribute band Sexy Time Explosion is located on the Central Coast, but Turbonegro was Europe’s reigning king of death punk in the late 1980s. Like the original, Sexy Time is big on theatrics and puts on a very entertaining show, along with playing good music. Shameless Contact: 464-104
Shameless has been playing on the Central Coast for more than 20 years. They are a classic rock band and do originals as well. They play most of the clubs on the Central Coast as well as The House of Blues and BB Kings in Universal studios while playing a tribute to Jethro Tull with original Tull bassist Glenn Cornick. Sheppard’s Pie Contact: John at 1-895-464-1047
Sheppard’s Pie is a three-piece acoustic band. The three members are from the Shameless Band, and feature acoustic guitar, bass, piano, flute, sax, and hand drums.
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