Colarado’s YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND, known for its high-energy, improvisational live shows has just released (April 15, 2008) a new live album on the band’s own Frog Pad Records. This marks the 5th volume in their lauded series of live albums, Mountain Tracks. Blending bluegrass and rock with traditional instrumentation (guitar, bass, mandolin and banjo), YONDER has pioneered a sound that is their own over the past ten years as a band.
Yonder (Adam Aijala-guitar, Jeff Austin-mandolin, Dave Johnston-banjo and Ben Kaufmann-bass) first came together in September 1998 over a growing love for bluegrass that quite unexpectedly brought the four players together during a free-for-all jam session at The Verve, a bar outside of Boulder, in 1998. Once they met, they knew they were onto something. “It was an eye-opening experience because we heard a unique sound,” says Johnston. “Something coalesced that night.”
With little radio support, Yonder Mountain has become one of the fastest rising touring bands in the country, its fanbase having ballooned over the past five years through steady gigging and high-profile festival sets, all of which are full of improv and none of which feature the same set list. “Now that we’re maturing as performers, our improvisation is more beholden to playing with good tone, good feel, good timing,” says Johnston.
There are nearly three-hundred and sixty five nights a year, and on one third of them, somewhere across North America, you will find a modern day social mosh pit of hippies, ex-ravers, hipsters, dub reggae heads, Dead-heads, Burning Man freaks, artists, fashion experimentalists, social activists, and hip-hop enthusiasts all packed into one steamy room of grinding, orgiastic expression and musical experimentation known as a bass ritual, or, more precisely, a night with Bassnectar.
Playing at nearly one-hundred and fifty shows a year; to thousands of different people a month; from sold out festivals to overcrowded clubs and warehouses to tight and tiny bars and venues; Bassnectar’s enormous popularity reflects the current hunger for raw substance in modern music and a desire for social integrity inside the party scene.
Already gaining critical acclaim from tastemakers at URB, FLAVORPILL, and BPM along with winning local Nitevibe.com, SF Weekly and SF Bay Guardian honors for San Francisco's "Best DJ" and forging new paths within the Burning Man scene, the jam band scene, as well as underground hip hop circles and all styles of emerging electronic music, the future's so bright for the young man from San Francisco!
Mountain is one of those rare bands in the past thirty years that can be credited with forging a style and sound that would for ever change the face of Rock music.The innovative studio and live music of Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, Corky Laing and Steve Knight, Mountain, is one of those elite examples.The combination of Leslie's unique tone and feel, Felix's studio production skills,Corky's powerful double bass drumming and Steve's keyboard textures, produced someof the best and memorable rock tunes ever, Mississippi Queen, Nantucket Sleighride, Theme From an Imaginary Western, Yasgur's Farm, Never In My Life, Blood of the Sun, Dreams of Milk and Honey, all stand the test of time and are forever etched in rock history.These songs came from the classic rock albums, Leslie West-Mountain, Mountain-Climbing! and Nantucket Sleighride.Mountain only lasted two and half years but that's all it took to create their permanent legacy ...
Not your typical jam band (they have just as many disco and electronica influences as anything else), Particle started in 2000 in Los Angeles with keyboardist Steve Molitz, drummer Darren Pujalet, bassist Eric Gould, and guitarist Dave Simmons. Tragically, Simmons died just two months after the band started, but Particle found his replacement in Charlie Hitchcock. Gaining fans from the pure energy of their live show, Particle released their debut album, Launchpad, in 2004. The next year Hitchcock left the band, and Scott Metzger and Ben Combe took his place on guitar, also bringing in vocals -- a new addition for the group. Particle celebrated their first-ever performance with the new lineup by recording it and releasing its highlights (along with pieces from another show) as Transformations Live for the People in 2006. Written by Marisa Brown, All Music Guide
Melvin Seals has had a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years. Melvin is most notably known for his powerful organ and keyboards in the
Jerry Garcia Band, which he performed with for close to 15 years. It was early 1980 and the Jerry Garcia Band was looking for a new keyboard player.
“Melvin started playing with us, and he was just a monster. He’s turned out to be the guy
that we were looking for all along.” -Jerry Garcia
Seals was with the Jerry Garcia longer than any other keyboardist, from 1980 until the
untimely death of Garcia on August 8, 1995. The unit had a genuine gospel feel to it
because of the keyboards of Melvin Seals, and the vocals of Jackie LaBranch and Gloria
Jones.
“There has only been one person that has touched my heart, enhanced my music abilities,
gave me a vision and introduced me to a new style. Those fifteen years were some of the
greatest years of my life, playing with a true legend in his time. The moments we had on
stage were like a dream of a lifetime and that dream must never die. There is no place
that I would rather be than playing with JGB in keeping this dream alive.”
-Melvin Seals, on JGB
Melvin Seals who had worked with Jerry for fifteen years formed JGB one year after JERRY
GARCIA’S death on August 8, 1995.
Drawing comparisons to Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and the Queens of the Stone Age in an early feature written by Los Angeles Times’ Richard Cromelin, GRAM RABBIT have been critical darlings and concert favorites for years since their first appearances. They have mesmerizied crowds at Coachella, San Diego’s Street Scene, and London’s Wireless festival. The LA Weekly declares, “Gram Rabbit offer up in spectacle exactly what they do in sound: music that reminds you of everything from eerie desert twilights to Carter-family country and then again sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard.” With their third record, "RadioAngel and the RobotBeat", the high-desert ensemble takes their inimitable style to the next level, concocting an electro-funk mixture topped off by socio-politically charged lyrics with a playful edge.
Tom Freund, the critically hailed singer/songwriter, often accompanies himself on standup bass as well as guitar and piano. After concluding a summer tour with longtime collaborator Ben Harper, Freund completed a new album entitled "Collapsible Plans" with Harper as producer and featuring such guests as Jackson Browne.
"Tom Freund is indeed one of the great singer-songwriters. He constructs a unique world, defines it, and then burns it to the ground.Truly unique and absolutely brilliant."
Shredding the uniformity of safe-housed club DJs is a duo destined to catapult to stardom. Shark Attack, comprised of Patrick Heaney and Mike Delgado, write and mix their own music in a market that is dependent on familiarity and mainstreaming. These boys have a growing following in the local scene and across the country.
Dressed in tight black jeans, with unkempt hair and tattoos creeping from every available piece of flesh, Shark Attack truly is an unpredictable performance. From swinging on curtains across stage to dragging fans out of the audience and stripping down to bare minimums, Shark Attack always keeps the crowd entertained and security busy.
Say the words "Grateful Dead tribute band" and certain images immediately spring to mind: tie-dyed pants, graying ponytails, hippie sensibilities. While Cubensis boasts many of these obvious earmarks, the quintet also has the goods, not to mention a very serious passion for The Dead. Playing from every era of the Dead's catalog, Cubensis is renown for whipping its faithful crowd into a swirling, psychedelic mass for three hours straight. According to both band and fans, they never play the same show twice; not bad for a group that's logged over 2,000 appearances and averages 200 shows a year. Sure, it might sound a bit silly to rehash a band that was once the crown jewel of the hippie's headband. But if all those Elvis impersonators can get away with it, why can't Cubensis?
-- written by Michael Alarcon, AOL
San Diego Music Award Winners for Best Jazz Album (2007), ON THE ONE walks alongside live acts Karl Denson Trio and the Greyboy All-Stars when it comes to export music from America's finest city. With their debut album “Love Addiction” recently picked up by the legendary Japanese label, P-Vine, through a licensing deal with Velour (Soulive / Lettuce), 2008 will see ON THE ONE touring North America and the Far East in support of their record. Drum King John Staten (Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe) teamed up with long time friend and sax aficionado Jesse Molloy (Giant People) to create ON THE ONE in the summer of ‘06. Bassist Andy Irvine (Giant People) and the addition of guitarist Pete Lombardo square this funky soul rock quartet. With music industry heavy hitters calling him one of the best drummers in the business, Staten’s hard hitting hip-hop beats drive ON THE ONE’s sound. Sax, groove bass, and effortless guitar team up to bring generations of music lovers to the dance floor. Don’t miss the Funkdown.
Izabella stirs up the dance floor with high-energy playing and a style that's at turns soulful, funky and psychedelic. The five players had been involved with various musical projects before coming together in 2007. In the course of that year they played more than 80 gigs, invited members of Railroad Earth and Scott Law to sit in with them, and began to secure a strong foundation throughout the West Coast. This year the band began to tour full time and nationwide after releasing their second studio album In The West. With a blend of rock, soul, and roots music and layers of musical magic, these guys have a true desire to take you higher.
Moriah(Mo) and John(Jo) Whoolilurie(W) make up the dynamic duo MoJoW. MoJoW envisioned The Vibration Army as a vehicle for using music, art, dance and all positive vibrations to help create a better world.
MoJoW’s stage show is a funk, pop, rock celebration. JoW’s live guitar and keyboard loops, MoW’s deep bass grooves, and live drums are the foundation of
MoJoW’s music. Combined with conscious lyrics, vocal harmonies,
powerful sax, costume, dance and JoW's innovative Looptility Belt, MoJoW
creates a performance that is not only appealing to the ear and
irresistible to the feet, but intriguing to watch.
Vegitation was formed in Ocean Beach, California, in 2002 by a like minded group of people joining in one mission...to help make the world better through music. The band brings positive music with a powerful message and universal appeal to the world. Vegitation's unique sound is roots reggae mixed with classic rock, blues, and pop, put together to create their own original sound that transcends ages and musical tastes. When you are a part of a live show, you are part of a movement and a family.
Vegitation has put out four full length cds and is currently promoting their latest...The Green Album. Vegitation has new strength and is currently booking shows worldwide. Be a part of the movement. Let the music bring you peace and the beats move your feet. Vegitation has become a must see act. Vegitation has shared the stage with The Wailers, Midnite, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Skatalites, Wailing Souls, The Abyssinians, Ozomatli, John Brown's Body, Karl Denson, Eek-A-Mouse, Cake, Barrington Levy, Sister Carol, Fishbone, the Itals, and many other international acts.
PRETTY, FUNNY WOMEN is the longest running, all female stand-up comedy show in the country. It was created in 1996 & is hosted by comedienne Lisa Sundstedt (aka The Heidi Fleiss of Comedy). PFW has been running strong in several venues for 12 years. They’ve played The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, The Comedy Stop at the Trop in Atlantic City, The Commerce Casino and can be seen every month at the World Famous Hollywood Improv. The tone of the show is sexy, irreverent, & smart. These comics are pros who have been working with each other for years. The chemistry between Lisa, the comics & the audience is unlike any other show out there.
Women love it because it’s smart, honest, hysterical and relatable. Young boys love it because it’s sexy. Men love it because it’s genuinely funny. Young girls love it because they all want to be us. Gay men love it because they all want to be us. Grandmas love it because it’s not “too” dirty. Couples love it because it’s interactive. Feminists love it because we’re not self deprecating and Scientologist love it because were not on medication (at least not while performing). Stand up comedy has never looked so good!
Alfred Howard and the K23 (AHK23) combines in the pocket funk, staccato spoken word, classic soul, aggressive rock and vintage psychedelic. The group has invented its own genre by combining limitless soundscapes to create something new and impacting. Their musical style moves seamlessly through tightly arranged changes to extended open jams with powerful crescendos and quick shifts in dynamic, while Alfred Howard's lyrics transcend a style or genre, appealing to humanities most primal essence. Continually requested to return wherever they play, the 5 strong rhythmic voices (rhodes & organ, guitar, bass, drums and vocals) sculpt a collective and cohesive expression delivering a high-energy live show fueled by rapid-fire conscious lyricism. AHK23 has found an audience in the world of funk fiends, indie-rock fans, hip-hop heads, reggae followers and even poetry lovers. Their message is one of social change through music and art.
Delta Nove (delta novay) is a national touring world-funk band based out of Long Beach, CA, comprised of members with diverse musical backgrounds and influences. From coast to coast, Delta Nove has been rocking the dance floor with their tasty blend of funk, Brazilian samba, afro-beat, world, jazz, rock, ska and reggae music.
9/7/2008 THIS CONCERT IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF RUSSELL ANDREW REEVES, 1983-2008.
For more information about Russell, please read our articles about him located near the bottom of this Home Page. To read the entire text of each article, click on the article.
In honor of him and his service to our country, service men and women with ID will be given discounted passes - $90 for all three days including camping or $40 for a one day pass.
WE WILL MISS YOU RUSSELL!
7/30/2008 GATE HOURS:
THURSDAY - 6pm to Midnight FOR PRE-SALE TICKET HOLDERS ONLY
FRIDAY & SATURDAY - 8am to Midnight
SUNDAY - 8am to 10pm
You must purchase your ticket before September 1st to set up camp on Thursday. Camping allowed ONLY with a 3-day pass. Late night shows and parties for 3-day pass holders ONLY.
7/29/2008 Join us for a Ranchita Rocks warm-up party at Winston's in Ocean Beach on August 6th. Buy your tickets at Winston's and get a free Ranchita Rocks T-Shirt while supplies last!
6/23/2008 Gates for PRE-SALE ticket holders will open Thursday at 6pm.
Ticket booth and will-call will open at 8am Friday. All tickets purchased after September 1st will be held at will-call.
SO BUY YOUR TICKETS EARLY!
We are adding new bands every day check back soon
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