The Bands
These greater SF Bay Area pickin’, twangin’, foot-stompin’ bands and individuals are listed by the first letter of their name.
Look for Toshio Hirano under “T” rather than “H” for example.
77 EL DEORA: Alt-Country. This band is about strong songs with strong hooks. Lead singer Jenn Courtney gets torchy on the slow ones and wails on the fast ones. Guitarist, Maurice Tani, writes the songs and sings. Steve Kallai lets his fiddle do the talking while Mike Anderson and Christopher Fisher supply bass and drums. 77 El Deora: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE B STARS: Honky-Tonk. 
The B-Stars have developed from a four piece to a honky-tonkin’ five-piece with the addition of Mikiya Matsuda on steel. Greg Yanito plays acoustic guitar and sings lead, Eric Reedy (Jiffy Mellows) plays upright bass, Bill “J.L.” Zelinski is on drums and Bill McKenna plays electric guitar. Put on your dancin’ shoes for this B-Stars 2.0. The B Stars: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE BACHELORS: Rockabilly/Vintage Rock. 
The Bachelors have been playing every Monday at The Saloon in North Beach since God was a teenager. Brent “Mr. B.” Byners plays bass and sings. Jinx Jones plays guitar and sings; their various pals play drums. The band offers many styles of rockin’ Americana music, from rockabilly to vintage rock, though no tired oldies. No site, no MySpace, no nothing except a good time to be had by all on any Monday. The Bachelors: MySpace Video Audio Photos
BIG B & HIS SNAKE OIL SAVIORS: Chicken-Fried Swing. 
This dance-friendly band combines influences from western swing, old school R&B, and jump swing. Ben “Big B” Beuttner plays the hollow-body electric guitar and sings. Adrienne Pfeiffer also sings, David Phillips plays steel, Jennifer Jolly plays keyboard, the horn section features Brian Campbell on tenor sax and clarinet and John Halbleib on trumpet. Garry Williams plays drums and Mark Petrella plays bass. Big B & his Snake Oil Saviors: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE BILLY BOYS: Rockin’ Country. 
Everyone in this band is “Billy” and each plays guitars and stuff. Billy P. would rather be an undertaker. Billy D. is a retired bounty hunter who does miss the danger, Billy C. steals cars and cattle, and Billy W. was recruited into the band right out of prison. The Billy Boys: MySpace Video Audio Photos
BLUE DIAMOND FILLUPS: tbd Blue Diamond Fillups: MySpace Video Audio Photos
BLUENOTECATS: Rockabilly. 
DaltonJerry <— not a typo ) plays guitar and sings, Elan Tribo slaps bass and adds vocals while Greg Gallup keeps time in this Napa trio whose originals and covers tunes draw from rock n roll, rockabilly, blues, bluegrass, country, swing and surf. Bluenotecats: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE BROTHERS COMATOSE: tbd The Brothers Comatose: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE BUCKSHOT BOYS: Country/Rockabilly. The Buckshot Boys play “flat git it” rockabilly. This band is young, full of rocking energy and a fine reminder of how well rockabilly and youth go together. Cassidy Crowley on vocals, plays guitar and writes songs. Brett Beaudry plays lead guitar and Evan Saunders is on stand-up bass. The Buckshot Boys: MySpace Video Audio Photos
CARELESS HEARTS: Country-Influenced Indy. Country and rock launched this band’s debut CD. They went big on 2008’s Heart’s Delight and got in touch with their inner indy rock band. Paul Kimball sings lead vocals, plays rhythm guitar and says his twang-influenced indy band is really an indy-influenced twang band, so who are we to argue about listing them on HWS? It’s the music that counts. Derek See plays lead guitar and sings, Bryan Thunderhead plays bass and Eric Powers plays drums. Careless Hearts: MySpace Video Audio Photos
CHARLIE ROMAN & THE TEENAGE WEREWOLVES: Rockabilly. This band finally surrendered to MySpace in 2007, which was quite a sacrifice for a down to the primer rockabilly band. If there were only ten real rockabillies in the Bay Area, Charlie Roman, who plays rhythm guitar and howls at the moon, would be three of them. Charlie Roman & the Teenage Werewolves: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE CHOP TOPS: Rockabilly. The Chop Tops are Gary “Sinner” Marsh (drums, vocals), Shelby Legnon (guitar), and T.K. slapping the bass. The Chop Tops are one of the most versatile rockabilly trios anywhere. They can rock, get dark, or play a spaghetti western tune. This Santa Cruz-based band joined the Van’s Warped Tour in 2007. The Chop Tops: MySpace Video Audio Photos
CHROME JOHNSON: Junkabilly. This quartet calls it “junkabilly” because their music lies somewhere in the musical Bermuda Triangle connecting rockabilly, alt-country and rock. Danny Uzilevski leads the band and writes the songs. The band got back into action in 2007 after a three-year break and are regulars in Marin County. Chrome Johnson: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE COTTONPICKERS: Honky Tonk. The Cottonpickers, fronted by Mitch Polzak and Laura Bermudez, play private events. Billy Wilson handles steel guitar and accordion, Christopher Fisher and Steven Strausse are on drums and bass. This is the busy Mr. Polzak’s honky-tonk band. The Cottonpickers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
COUNTRY CASANOVAS: tbd Country Casanovas: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE COWLICKS: Twang Rock. Winners of the 2004 California Music Award for Best Country, The Cowlick’s lineup is basd on the trio of Mike Anderson, Dan Newitt and Todd Novak. Various friends of the band to add help now and again. They’ve also performed with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys at Ralph’s 80th birthday party, nice. The Cowlicks: MySpace Video Audio Photos
DAVE CRIMMEN BAND: Rockabilly/Vintage Rock. Dave Crimmen is so vintage that he releases 45 RPM singles. He has a bevy music on CDs though. His published music is all original material, but his live sets are mainly covers of ’50s-60s rock and roll, ballads, and even a little surf. He can play several decades and styles so go ahead and yell “Freebird” but know that Dave won’t necessarily back down from a dare. Dave Crimmen Band: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE DEVIL MAKES THREE: Acoustic Alt-Country. This popular band tours and regularly sells out mid-sized venues like Great American Music Hall and The Independent. It’s easy to hear why. Great songs, tight musicianship and a strong stage presence bring fans back for more. Pete Bernhard plays guitar, writes the songs and sings most leads. Lucia Turino plays upright bass and sings and Cooper McBean plays guitar, banjo, saw and sings. The Devil Makes Three: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE FANCY DAN BAND: Honky-Tonk. Clothes make the image, and cowboy isn’t it for the Fancy Dan Band. It’s the music that counts makes the music. From left to right they are Michael Loebs on electric guitar and vocals, Mark Underwood on upright bass, Derek McDonald on drums and Fancy Dan on lead vocals, guitar and harmonica. The Fancy Dan Band: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE FORTUNATE FEW: tbd The Fortunate Few: MySpace Video Audio Photos
GAYLE LYNN & THE HIRED HANDS: Twanger/Songwriter-Country. Gayle Schmitt writes the songs and fronts this five-piece band. Ted Garber plays dobro, Tom Drohan is on upright bass, Cory Losee plays drums and Mike Roper sings backup and plays harmonica. This band is for grown-ups but Gayle, whose day job brings music into schools, also leads the Toodala Ramblers, a childrens music band with many of her usual musical suspects. Gayle Lynn & the Hired Hands: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE GOLDDIGGERS: tbd The GoldDiggers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
HI-RHYTHM HUSTLERS: tbd Hi-Rhythm Hustlers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
HONKY TONK DREAMERS: tbd Honky Tonk Dreamers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
JEANIE & CHUCK’S COUNTRY ROUNDUP: Bluegrass/Country. Jeanie (guitar) and Chuck (mandolin) Poling are the core of this band. They joke that the band’s name comes from the two of them plus whoever they can round up and they do have many musician friends. Though mainly bluegrass, the band is equally at home with country and lets the audience and venue determine how much country they can plug into any given show. They can even morph into The Velotones, a ’50’s era Top 40 group. Jeanie & Chuck’s Country Roundup: MySpace Video Audio Photos
JINX JONES & THE KINGTONES: Rockabilly. Jinx Jones can play many guitar styles and his bands are as diverse as his playing. Rocking out is his main interest with the Kingtones. His playing is so good as to draw sponsorships for guitars, amps and pick-ups. He learned from guitar master Roy Buchannon who was a musician’s musician. Jinx Jones & the KingTones: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE JENNY KERR BAND : Twang Rock/Blues. This SF-based band has a low Bay Area profile, but they are the most popular Bay Area band in Europe where they tour the festival circuit every summer. This band has a blues side as Jenny Kerr can belt ‘em out when called upon. The Jenny Kerr Band: MySpace Video Audio Photos
JOE GOLDMARK & THE SEDUCERS: Honky Tonk. Pedal steel player Joe Goldmark and the Seducers play the second Sunday of every month at the Riptide in SF. Hank Maninger plays guitar and does most of the singing. Henry Salvia and Chris Key, both from Houston Jones, play keyboards and bass respectively, and Ken Owen plays drums. This band is as likely to play a country version of a Beatles song as a Hank Williams tune. Joe Goldmark & the Seducers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
JOHN KIRK & THE RESTLESS SPIRIT: tbd John Kirk & the Restless Spirit: MySpace Video Audio Photos
JON-EMERY & THE HEARTBROKEN: tbd Jon-Emery & the Heartbroken: MySpace Video Audio Photos
KAMI NIXON & THE SKIDDY KNICKERS: tbd Kami Nixon & the Skiddy Knickers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
KING CAB: tbd King Cab: MySpace Video Audio Photos
KIT & THE BRANDED MEN: Honky Tonk. This band came together out of the short-lived Sure-Fires and Glen Earl Brown Jr. & the dICKENS which is taking an extended break. Christina “Kit” Lopez sings lead and plays rhythm guitar while Glen Earl Brown Jr. plays bass. Darryl Pretto plays lead guitar and Jon Hinkle plays drums. They serve up a mix of traditional and Kit-penned tunes. Kit & the Branded Men: MySpace Video Audio Photos
KITCHEN FIRE: tbd Kitchen Fire: MySpace Video Audio Photos
LADY A & HER HEEL DRAGGERS: tbd Lady A & her Heel Draggers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
LARIATS OF FIRE: Honky Tonk This band hoped to regroup after their drummer moved away in 2007 and have. During performance, this band’s drum kit is actually encircled by a Lariat of Fire. Their name and fiery lariat were a sure sign of a band that’s having fun as they play a combination of honky-tonk originals and covers ranging from Merl Haggard to twanged-out Pink Floyd.Lariats of Fire: MySpace Video Audio Photos
LARRY HOSFORD: tbd Larry Hosford: MySpace Video Audio Photos
LONESTAR RETROBATES: Western Swing. tbd Lonestar Retrobates: MySpace Video Audio Photos
LORETTA LYNCH: Alt-Country. This band is built around the song writing and singing talents of Val Esway, Heather Davidson and Ari Fellows-Mannion. Motherhood coming to two of the band members has slowed their live appearances, but it didn’t stop them from releasing a fine CD. Their sound is a unique blend of alt-country and urban influences. Loretta Lynch: MySpace Video Audio Photos
LOS HIGH TOPS: tbd Los High Tops: MySpace Video Audio Photos
LOST WEEKEND: Western Swing. Lost Weekend is western swing big band style, and though the number of players may vary from show to show, they are all top flight. Don Burnham (rhythm guitar) leads the band. Pam Brandon (Belle Monroe and the Brewglass Boys) sings, Bobby Black (Commander Cody) plays pedal steel and Bing Nathan (Lavay Smith) plays bass. Beside band members too numerous to list, Burnham has a lot of musical friends, so expect some fine guest players at Lost Weekend shows. Lost Weekend: MySpace Video Audio Photos
LI’L ANNE & THE TUNE WRANGLERS: tbd Li’l Anne & the Tune Wranglers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE MIGHTY SLIM PICKINS : What-the-Fuckabilly. You ought to see it to believe it, but The Mighty Slim PickIns really are, as they describe themselves, a what-the-fuck band. Lead vocalists Leigh Crow (Elvis Herselvis) and Nettie Hammar front the band while Roxane Chicoine plays stand-up bass, Bleedin’ Eden is on drums, and Jen Grady plays the electric. The Mighty Slim Pickins: MySpace Video Audio Photos
MISISIPI RIDER: Alt-Country. The future is looking bright for Misisipi Rider. Misisipi Mike Wolf and Cree Rider write the songs and sing. Both had a stockpile of songs that needed to get out. They started as a duo and were soon joined by Doug Blumer on stand-up bass and Katy Rexford on fiddle. The audio (right) was recorded in a living room and the video was shot at the Make-Out Room. Darned fine for quick and dirty. Misisipi Rider: MySpace Video
MISS FIRE & THE DETONATIONS: tbd Miss Fire & the Detonations: MySpace Video Audio Photos
NELL ROBINSON & RED LEVEL: tbd Nell Robinson & Red Level: MySpace Video Audio Photos
OCTOMUTT’S COUNTRY COUSIN: Country-Western. Ted Severese (guitar) and Ashley Adams (bass) form the core of Octomutt, a band that is difficult to classify because it plays several styles. But when they play as Octomutt’s Country Cousin, they’re a five-piece all country band.Octomutt’s Country Cousin: MySpace Video Audio Photos
PAT NEVINS & RAGGED GLORY: tbd Pat Nevins & Ragged Glory: MySpace Video Audio Photos
PINE BOX BOYS: Twangabilly Darkgrass. The Pine Box Boys, as their name implies, are not about being pretty side. Their original material is dark, yet very entertaining. They headline shows around the Bay Area and have toured in Europe. They also have two strong CDs to their credit. S. “Your Uncle” Dodds plays drums, Lester T. Raww plays guitar and sings lead vocals, Col. Timothy Leather plays stand-up bass and Alex “Possum” Carvidi plays banjo and sings. Pine Box Boys: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE POLKA COWBOYS: Vintage Twang. The Polka Cowboys play a few polkas but they are not a polka band. They chose their name to fool us. Find Ray Landsberg on fiddle, Patty DeVea on drums, Art Peterson on accordion/vocals and Kurt Stevenson on bass/harmony vocals every fourth Wednesday at Champa Thai Restaurant & Dance Hall, 3550 San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante. The Polka Cowboys: MySpace Video Audio Photos
PORKCHOP EXPRESS: Alt-Country. They started out just being buddies drinking beers and picking a few tunes. The next thing they knew they were a band, and one with a sense of humor. John Brunn is on guitar and lap steel, Collin Conoley provides the lead vocals and plays ukulele, Brian Hamilton plays lead guitar, Ryan Johnson plays harmonica, Kevin Kalahiki handles both electric and stand-up bass and Kitt Thompson adds drums and vocals. Sarah Nelson has joined the band to add fiddle and vocals. Porkchop Express: MySpace Video Audio Photos
RED MEAT: High Cholesterol Honky-Tonk. The main thing that has kept this band out of the national spotlight is that they don’t tour much, but the hits keep coming on their four CDs. Smelley Kelley sings most lead vocals, Scott Young plays rhythm guitar, sings lead and harmony and writes most of the songs, Jill Olson plays bass and also sings lead and harmony and writes songs, Michael Montalto plays lead guitar, Les James harmonizes and keeps the backbeat. Red Meat: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE REVTONES: Rockabilly. The RevTones are a new band and a good one as the songs on their site prove. Randy Schmidt handles guitar and vocals, Marcus “Hot Rod” Edell plays drums and Rob Shaw is on doghouse bass. The RevTones: MySpace Video Audio Photos
RHYTHM RANGERS: C&W. The Rhythm Rangers feature Kevin Russell (Modern Hicks, Laughing Gravy, Under the Radar) on rhythm guitar and vocals; Dave Zirbel (Mother Truckers, Johnny Dilks & his Country Soul Brothers) on lead, lap and pedal steel; Blair Hardman on bass and Ric Cutler on drums. This veteran is country cover Band plays in Sonoma and Marin counties. Rhythm Rangers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE ROYAL DEUCES: Rockabilly. The Royal Deuces are working on their second CD. This is one of the rockabilly incarnations of Mitch Polzak a man of many bands. Mike Walz plays upright bass and Rick Quisol is on drums. The Royal Deuces: MySpace Video Audio Photos
RUSTY EVANS & RING OF FIRE: Honky Tonk/Johnny Cash Tribute. Rusty Evans’ Johnny Cash covers are popular at his live shows because they are great songs and he does them so well. In fact, Cash’s songs have taken Evans all over the world. But this isn’t exactly a Cash tribute band as their live shows and CDs, which have no JC covers will confirm. Rusty Evans: MySpace Video Audio Photos
SACRED PROFANITIES: tbd Sacred Profanities: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE SADDLE CATS: Western Swing The Saddle Cats are, left-to-right, swing/bop guitar master Gordon Clegg, conservatory-trained Bing Nathan who has played with an Igor Stravinsky-led orchestra, steel player Bobby Black (Asleep at the Wheel, Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen) and Richard Chon (Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks, Sons of the San Joaquin). The Saddle Cats: MySpace Video Audio Photos
SHEILA GROVES AND FLATT LONESOME: tbd Flatt Lonesome: MySpace Video Audio Photos
SHITKICKERS: Aggrobilly. ShitKickers are a born-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-trailer-park, Johnny Cash meets the Misfits kind of band. Their line-up is Brian Christian, vocals; Shawn Packer, lead guitar, banjo, vocals; Branch Benson, bass, vocals; Julie Freitas, drums, vocals; Josh Williams, rhythm guitar; Brian DuPras, guitar; and Murray Bowles, viola. ShitKickers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
SHUT-INS: Hulabilly. “Hulabilly” is the only way to describe the Shut-Ins’ Hawaiian-influenced hillbilly music. This is Mike Roper and John Poultney, seen here in the Lear’s front seats, at their visionary best, and though they are having fun, this is not a joke band. Tom Drohan (stand-up bass) and Cory Losee (drums) keep the beat. Ted Garber plays lap steel. Shut-Ins: MySpace Video Audio Photos
STARLENE: Country. Starlene (Catherine Foreman) is back after a long break from Bay Area music. Mike Wolf and Tom Huber play guitars, Maurice Tani is on bass and Christopher Fisher is on drums. Country favorites from the distaff set. Starlene: MySpace Video Audio Photos
ST. PETERBILT: Honky Tonk. Old truckers never die; they just get a new Peterbilt. St. Peterbilt, “a double clutchin’, scale jumpin’, mile makin’, tailgaitin’, possum squashin’, cop dodgin’, pinballin’, jackknifen’, gear bustin’ sort of a band,” plays wall-to-wall trucking songs. Paul Riley, vocals and guitar; Justin Barr, lead guitar; Chris Bradley, bass; and Andy Rosa, drums. St. Peterbilt: MySpace Video Audio Photos
TEXAS STEVE & THE GIT GONE TRIO : Rockabilly. Texas Steve is on vocals and rhythm guitar, Steve Merritt plays a red hot lead, Brendan Glueck plays bass and Tommy Chiffon plays a chiffon drum kit on drums. The band plays straight-up rockabilly with a Texas twist. Texas Steve & the Git Gone Trio: MySpace Video Audio Photos
TOMMY THOMSEN: Western Swing. Tommy Thomsen is in the Western Swing Hall of Fame. Though he lives in Sonoma County, he mainly plays at the Sacramento Swing Society on the first Monday of every month in Sacramento every month. Once in a while he’ll play Little Switzerland in Sonoma as Tommy Thomsen and Friends. Tommy Thomsen: MySpace Video Audio Photos
TOSHIRO HIRANO: Country Favorites. An original Japanese cowboy, Toshio Hirano was taken by the music of Jimmy Rogers, learned to play, sing and yodel, and the rest is history. Beside Rogers, Hank Williams and other vintage cowboy figure into Toshio’s mix. Toshio Hirano: MySpace Video Audio Photos
LOS TRAIN WRECK: Twang-Americana. Los Train Wreck is a band of veteran players assembled by Kathi Goldmark to play the open mike at El Rio on every second Tuesday. They sometimes find other ways to play as they did when they formed the backline for Hicks with Sticks’ A Town North of Bakersfield CD release party. Los Train Wreck: MySpace Video Audio Photos
TWANG TENS: tbd Twang Tens: MySpace Video Audio Photos
YARD SALE: Pop/Country. Melanie DiGiovanni (accordion), Jill Olson (bass, Red Meat) and Denise Funari (guitar) all write songs and sing. The band plays a mix of acoustic twang and pop songs that are touching, rousing and invariably well-crafted. Yard Sale: MySpace Video Audio Photos
THE WHISKY RICHARDS: tbd The Whisky Richards: MySpace Video Audio Photos
These former Bay Area bands have moved or broken-up.
They may be gone, but not forgotten as some return to play
Bay Area shows or re-unite for special shows.
They are listed starting (roughly) with the most recent departures to bands long gone.
THE BURNING EMBERS: Hillbilly. The Burning Embers have evolved from a hybrid bluegrass-country band to a full-on country band. Thomas Wille plays electric lead guitar, Les James is on drums, Katy Rexford plays fiddle, Tom Armstrong thumps the electric bass, and Eric Embry plays rhythm guitar and banjo. Embry and Rexford sing most on the songs, some as duets. The Burning Embers: MySpace Video Audio Photos
KITTY ROSE: Country Western Kitty Rose is the only one of the Bay Area’s urban cowboys or cowgirls who actually owns horses. It is a stretch to call her “Bay Area” though as she lives in rural Hopland about 90 miles north of San Francisco. She folded the band in late 2009, but it she’s still performing, sometimes solo or not and sometimes country, but more singer-songwriter these days.
JASON OVERTON: Bluesabilly The opening track on Jason Overton’s first CD announced his love of country and the blues which he has fused together to create his unique bluesabilly sound. He moved to Nashville in 2009 shortly after his second CD was released.
A.J. ROACH: Twanger-Songwriter A.J. Roach’s wonderful songs have found fans all over the world. He did well on tour, but like many had trouble finding traction in the Bay Area and moved to New York in 2009. The video link at the left is to a solo performance of “Chemicals.” YouTube lists other A.J. tracks which are a good way to get to know this self-described “shitkicker poet”. The audio link is to “Grandaddy” which appeared on the Hicks with Sticks compilation, A Town North of Bakersfield.
THE SWEET ’N’ LOWS: Country Sweethearts The ukulele duo of Anne Arnhym and Loraine Belmonte teamed up with guitarist Pierre Laik (Hotsy Totsy Hillbilly Jazzbos) and upright bassist Danny Santos to be the Bay Area’s country sweethearts, but they moved on in early ‘09. Arnhym (left) has gone on to found Lil’ Anna & the Tune Wranglers.
THE COUNTRY SQUIRES: Alt-Country This band blossomed for a few months in ’08-09, but faded as the members seemed to realize they didn’t really need to be in more bands. The Country Squires had risen out of the ashes of Calamity & Main re-emerging with Maurice Tani on electric lead guitar, Misisipi Mike Wolf on acoustic lead guitar, and Christopher Fisher playing drums. Doug Blumer (Westerlys, Dallas Wayne) plays bass.
THE WHORESHOES: Alt-Country Having fun is what The Whoreshoes were about, as if their name and the posed picture at the left didn’t give that away. They played their last show in 2009. Joni Rueter (center) and Emily Stucky (right) are working on something new. Diana Greenberg (left) remains in Belle Monroe and the Brewglass Boys and Camilla (2nd from right) in in Cheetas on the Moon.
REAL SIPPIN’ WHISKEYS: Alt-Country This band has been playing for over 10 years but they keep a low profile playing only a few shows each year. The core of the band is Robbie Thayer on rhythm guitar and vocals and Jeanna Steele on fiddle and vocals. Rumor had it that the band broke up in 2008, but this band never really breaks up, though it does go into hiding for extended periods.
MIGHTY LYNCH PINS didn’t seem to have much motivation to book shows so the short-lived band just sputtered to a halt. It’s too bad. They had some good songs and seemed poised to develop.
J. BYRD & THE TATER TRIO: J. Byrd Hosch teamed up with Mike Billo (bass), John Lefler (drums) and Mike Wolf (lead guitar) to play some of the finest original hillbilly songs this side of J. Byrd’s native Texas. The Tater Trio broke up at the end of 2008, but she’s resilient and in the process of recording as of late 2009.
DOUG BLUMER & THE BEERHUNTERS: Honky Tonk. Left-to-right, this band is Jeff Hanson (pedal steel, lead guitar), Paul Oguin (bass), Doug Blumer (rhythm guitar) and Ken Owen (drums). The band plays a mix of covers and originals, and they can go for months without playing at all. Blumer is moving to Sonoma county so this on and off band will be off until he finds new Beerhunters.
CROOKED ROADS: Twang/Pop. This band is built around Chris Dingman’s songs of passion, angst and heartbreak. The band’s sound shifted from country to pop with the 2008 release of Put Your Faith in Me. The band is alive and playing, having followed its muse to where it lead.
JOHNNY DILKS & HIS BARROOM ROSES: Honky Tonk. Johnny Dilks & his Country Soul Brothers changed their name when Dave Gleason (guitar) left the Bay Area for Ventura; then he moved to Louisiana. The Barroom Roses incarnation of the band never really took hold, but Johnny’s run out of band members before and he has more lives than a honky-tonk cat.
RANCHO DELUXE: Alt-Country. Pals since their college days, Mark Adams (left) and Jesse Jay Harris (right) form the core of Rancho Deluxe which performs in configurations ranging from a duo to a quintet. There had been confusion about them being a SoCal band, but Adams lives in Paso Robles and Harris lived in SF until he moved to LA in early 2009. Their sound is all-California though in the spirit of Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Brothers.
MIDNIGHT TRIO: Rockabilly. The Midnight Trio developed in 2007 out of The Pendletons who were also from Livermore. They played a few times early on ‘09, but haven’t been visibly active since summer. Brian Covey plays lead guitar and sings, his brother Mikey plays drums, and Matt Olivares rounds out the trio on bass.
BI
G MISTAKE: Honky Tonk. This band was born out of the short-lived San Francisco Cattle Company. Christine Theberge writes most of the songs, sings lead and plays rhythm guitar. But this similarly short lived band tired of it and folded in 2009.
THE HEARTACHE VALLEY GIRLS: Spunky Sweethearts of the Rodeo This band where nobody in the band has a surname disbanded in 2008. Long-time pals Meghan on lead guitar and vocals and Silvia on bass guitar and vocals were up front and Derek was their somewhat regular drummer with other players rotating in and out.
AXTON KINKAID: Alt-Country The Bay Area was just catching on to Axton Kinkaid when the band’s two prime movers moved to Portland in 2008. Kate Howser (acoustic guitar) writes the songs and sings, Jennifer Daunt does mandolin and vocals. Mac Martine (pedal steel), Jon Fojtik (drums, vocals) and Ryan Waggoner (bass, trumpet, vocals) round out the band.
HOWDY!: Twang-Americana From the rompin’ school of acoustic twang, Howdy! combined country, bluegrass, rock and whatever else moved them into a unique Americana stew. They claimed to be taking a break in ’08, but ’09 was just as quiet. Howdy! is Sean Hancock (mandolin, vox), David Nanstad (guitar, harmonica, vox), Aspen Stevenson (upright bass, vox), Chris Erbacher (banjo, pedal steel) and P.J. Medina (drums, percussion)
THE HOTSY TOTSY HILLBILLY JAZZBOS: Very Retro Country This band was always more like a side project than a band and may not have broken up. But the have played rarely since 2007. Country music was born in the 1930s by combining elements of traditional music, mountain music, popular song, Tin Pan Alley and even polka and blues. The Jazzbos, led by Rick Quisol (seated), play the roots that “roots” country came from.
TOM HUEBNER & THE REAL DEAL: Country This band broke up around 2007. Tom Hubner, who played with the Caribbean band Key Lime Pie, has been known to slip a few island licks into his country music, particularly in his originals. Dottie Escue sings, Paul Olguin is on bass and Howie Cort plays drums.
AUDREY AULD Internationally recognized twanger-songwriter Audry Auld Mezzera moved from her native Tasmania to Bolinas, a short way up the coast from San Francisco. Seeking to advance her music opportunities, she moved to Nashville, June 2007
THE PENDLETONS: Rockabilly At least one of The Pendletons moved and reestablished the band in Long Beach around 7/07. But back in the day in Livermore The Pendletons rocked the Bay Area with Reckless Kevin on guitar, Mark Watson on bass, Tony T. Rocker is guitar, harmonica and vocals and Todd Swalla beating the skins.
PETE BERNHARD: Twanger-Songwriter This is the solo project of the frontman from Devil Makes Three whose solo shows slowed down in 2007 as he toured with DM3 and completed work on his second solo CD. Bernhard is fortunate to be able to write more good songs than DM3 can play and this solo project is the best way to release them.
CARI LEE & THE SADDLE-ITES: Western Swing & Bop Cari Lee and Steve Merritt have piloted Cari Lee and the Saddle-ites through three CDs and up to five-piece band configurations, but playing as a trio, as they do now with Danny Santos on bass, is their best line-up yet. The band is so comfortable playing obscure C/W covers mixed with their originals, that they can relax on stage, give and take with the audience, and deliver tight country sets.
DAVE GLERASON’S WASTED DAYS: Alt-Country/Honky-Tonk Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days first two CDs brought out Gleason’s interest in the early ’70s soaring alt-country of the Flying Burrito Brothers and Gram Parsons. His latest CD draws from influences like Charlie Rich, Gene Clark, and Buck Owens. He performs his original songs with fellow guitar player Pat Johnson, who has worked with Penelope Houston of the Avengers.
TOM ARMSTRONG: Country Tom Armstrong had been taking a long break from music but has recently re-emerged playing very rare solo shows and mainly as the bassist in the Burning Embers.
VALERIE JAY: Pop/Country This band broke up in 2006 when Valerie went on maturnity leave. She has returned to music mainly to perform solo and duo shows as a singer-songwriter.
JOE NEW Moved to Oregon. Twanger/Songwriter West of the West — CD
THE LOADED PONIES: Western Swing On break 2006 Western Swing
WEST COAST ROLLERS: Disbanded in 2006 Rockabilly Fifty More Miles — Cracked Piston CD
THE HAYWOODS: Rockabilly On break 2006, played one reunion show in 2009.
LLOYD TRIPP & THE ZIPGUNS: Rockabilly Moved to Austin in 2005.
MOTHER TRUCKERS: Moved to Austin, 2005 Alt-Country
HILLSIDE WRANGLERS: a short-lived band in 2004
HOPPED UP!: Rockabilly Singer moved to Minnesota, 2004
DANNY SANTOS & THE SAVOYS: Rockabilly
KEVIN RUSSELLl & THE LUCKY DAWGS: Western
CALAMITY & MAIN: Alt-Country/Honky Tonk
GREG MCCARTY: Western
KAY WHEELER: R&R Narrative/Dancer
WIGGLE WAGONS