Let me start by sending a shout out to the staff at New Times for publishing a new annual journal called "Sound Check", completely devoted to the live music scene in the county. Great work by Glen Starkey and crew. He's the man.
Essentially a reference guide, it lists, among other information, 213 working bands in the area.
Two Hundred and Thirteen. Looks like a big number even spelled out.
And that is not all of them. I know, because Funk:30 somehow missed the memo...and I know of a number of other groups that also did not get listed. So, what if we said there were another 50 bands that also didn't make this edition? And these are working bands. Who knows how many more garage/basement/jam bands are practicing right now out there. And it doesn't include touring bands that come through the area. Let's put it in perspective.
As of 2008, there were around 270,000 residents in San Luis Obispo County. Quick math therefore tells us that there is a band for about every 1010 people. While I don't have other county statistics to measure that against, I have to think that is a very high ratio.
And the diversity is incredible - you can hear just about anything you want in terms of music genre if you look hard enough.
We love our live music on the central coast, yeah?
Towards the end of the summer season, I tried to see as many live acts as was reasonable. Now, over the years I am have seen many local bands, but in this case I made a dedicated effort to see bands I had heard about but not yet experienced. I'm up to something like 25 bands so far, with my biggest night reaching seven in a single evening. So...I am barely 10% through the list...oh man...
I saw blues bands, an 80s disco band, some nice lounge acts, a band devoted to swing, funk/soul performances, a handful of cross genre cover bands, hard rock cover bands, world/latin music bands, a band focused on mountain/bluegrass, all-original bands trying to make the big time, and a few that defy classic definition. All were at the least OK, some pretty good, and a few quite exceptional.
And that was in the first 25.
What a treat, SLO County, let's enjoy it, and continue to support the live music scene. Another reason to love the Central Coast.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Groovin' in the Garden
Well exceeding expectations, our Grover Beach Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series gig went really well. Weather turned out just about perfect, better attendance than we had anticipated, killer sound...we couldn't have asked for more.
We want to thank the city for having us out. Everybody was very nice and supportive. Big props to Rich Rolson and Tony who took care of the sound system. These guys are great - professional, helpful, anticipated our needs, and got us going quickly. Poor old Rich, though - I am all over the place with my guitar volume, sometimes real loud, sometimes real quiet, sometimes clean, sometimes distorted...and I am sure I kept Rich guessing all day!
Most of all, we want to thanks those who came out to enjoy the afternoon. We were blown away with the reception we were given, and very humbled by it. I can add with certainty that we hope we get a chance to do it again next summer, if they'll have us.
On behalf of Funk:30,
Terry
We want to thank the city for having us out. Everybody was very nice and supportive. Big props to Rich Rolson and Tony who took care of the sound system. These guys are great - professional, helpful, anticipated our needs, and got us going quickly. Poor old Rich, though - I am all over the place with my guitar volume, sometimes real loud, sometimes real quiet, sometimes clean, sometimes distorted...and I am sure I kept Rich guessing all day!
Most of all, we want to thanks those who came out to enjoy the afternoon. We were blown away with the reception we were given, and very humbled by it. I can add with certainty that we hope we get a chance to do it again next summer, if they'll have us.
On behalf of Funk:30,
Terry
Saturday, March 21, 2009
It oughta be illegal...fun (and funk) with Terry Lawless
A quick note for those who missed our show at Mr. Ricks March 20:
Seriously, it was such a fun evening. Playing with Terry Lawless, professional musician extraordinaire (check his resume at www.terrylawless.com) - brings out an additional something with the band.
How he finds time to sit in with us is one of the universe's most mysterious questions, but we won't argue or spend too many brain cells seeking the answer - we know a good thing when we got it, and this is one we got, however sporadically.When you see his resume and "real" job, you'll see what I mean.
So what makes it so much fun? Well, let's start by stating the obvious - he's a terrific musician, great keyboard, sax and flute player, and has a seemingly limitless knowledge of bands, artists, songs, styles....we've yet to trip him up, and we've thrown a few curve balls his way. Example: Diana Krall's version of I'm Just a Lucky So and So, a Duke Ellington song. He nailed the piano solo first time, never having played it with us. Got the nuances, lifted our version to another level. And this, after he tried to play coy. "I'm really not a piano player..." he said just prior to the performance. uh huh, sure, we believe you. NOT.
So ok, we've established he can play. Let's talk about creativity. Last night, we pulled out our rocked-up version of The Fixx's One Thing Leads to Another. We added a big-heavy-distortion-guitar-boffo-ending to it because, well, I like big-heavy-distortion-guitar-boffo-endings. Last night, we gave Terry the nod to jump in the mayhem and go nuts. He did alright. In a way we would have NEVER expected.
He pulled out his flute.
Suddenly, we got "Jethro Tull meets The Fixx, Funk:30 style". Brilliant! On top of a chugging bass and drums, with a feedback laden guitar adding a wierd chordal background, Terry took off and just nailed it. What I would give for a bootleg recording!
But you know what? All of this is great and fine. What REALLY sets TL (as we affectionately call him) apart is so simple:
He's just a good guy. Full of humor. Full of support. Always open, sincere, and helpful. He is, in the truest sense, a pleasure to be around. We are better players, and better people, for having hung out with him in the limited time we have had.
If you get a chance to check him out either with other local bands (he sits in with a couple others, too), or hear his contributions with bands in the Major Leagues of Rock n Roll, do it. You won't be disappointed.
YA BLEW IT!
Seriously, it was such a fun evening. Playing with Terry Lawless, professional musician extraordinaire (check his resume at www.terrylawless.com) - brings out an additional something with the band.
How he finds time to sit in with us is one of the universe's most mysterious questions, but we won't argue or spend too many brain cells seeking the answer - we know a good thing when we got it, and this is one we got, however sporadically.When you see his resume and "real" job, you'll see what I mean.
So what makes it so much fun? Well, let's start by stating the obvious - he's a terrific musician, great keyboard, sax and flute player, and has a seemingly limitless knowledge of bands, artists, songs, styles....we've yet to trip him up, and we've thrown a few curve balls his way. Example: Diana Krall's version of I'm Just a Lucky So and So, a Duke Ellington song. He nailed the piano solo first time, never having played it with us. Got the nuances, lifted our version to another level. And this, after he tried to play coy. "I'm really not a piano player..." he said just prior to the performance. uh huh, sure, we believe you. NOT.
So ok, we've established he can play. Let's talk about creativity. Last night, we pulled out our rocked-up version of The Fixx's One Thing Leads to Another. We added a big-heavy-distortion-guitar-boffo-ending to it because, well, I like big-heavy-distortion-guitar-boffo-endings. Last night, we gave Terry the nod to jump in the mayhem and go nuts. He did alright. In a way we would have NEVER expected.
He pulled out his flute.
Suddenly, we got "Jethro Tull meets The Fixx, Funk:30 style". Brilliant! On top of a chugging bass and drums, with a feedback laden guitar adding a wierd chordal background, Terry took off and just nailed it. What I would give for a bootleg recording!
But you know what? All of this is great and fine. What REALLY sets TL (as we affectionately call him) apart is so simple:
He's just a good guy. Full of humor. Full of support. Always open, sincere, and helpful. He is, in the truest sense, a pleasure to be around. We are better players, and better people, for having hung out with him in the limited time we have had.
If you get a chance to check him out either with other local bands (he sits in with a couple others, too), or hear his contributions with bands in the Major Leagues of Rock n Roll, do it. You won't be disappointed.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Happily Upstaged
Our public calendar is pretty slim this time of year, but our private bookings continue to roll in. We played a birthday party last night, which under most circumstances wouldn't be much to blog about.
But in this case, we had a unique experience I thought I would share. The honoree was an established wine maker in the area, and his closest 130 friends came out to celebrate. Among those was a nine year old girl who had written "Poppa" a special song. Would we mind if she sang it? Heck no, bring it on!
So, in the middle of our second set, we got this young girl up to the mic, and without hesitation, without a show of nerves or any other distraction, she belted out a simple, catchy, touching song she had written herself. From this little voice came a melody that captured the room, an innocence that only a nine year old could have and a love for Poppa that nobody in the room missed.
We were all singing along by the end. Long, loud applause. Just amazing.
As the moment died down I stepped up to the mic and told everyone we were packing up and going home, as there was no way to top that. I was more serious then kidding.
I suppose this is one of those "you had to be there" moments. I was glad I was there. Now, if I could only figure out how to become her agent...
tc
But in this case, we had a unique experience I thought I would share. The honoree was an established wine maker in the area, and his closest 130 friends came out to celebrate. Among those was a nine year old girl who had written "Poppa" a special song. Would we mind if she sang it? Heck no, bring it on!
So, in the middle of our second set, we got this young girl up to the mic, and without hesitation, without a show of nerves or any other distraction, she belted out a simple, catchy, touching song she had written herself. From this little voice came a melody that captured the room, an innocence that only a nine year old could have and a love for Poppa that nobody in the room missed.
We were all singing along by the end. Long, loud applause. Just amazing.
As the moment died down I stepped up to the mic and told everyone we were packing up and going home, as there was no way to top that. I was more serious then kidding.
I suppose this is one of those "you had to be there" moments. I was glad I was there. Now, if I could only figure out how to become her agent...
tc
Monday, August 18, 2008
No Two Gigs Alike
We recently played some interesting gigs that I thought might be worth mentioning. But then I realized just about every gig we do is truly unique in some form or another.
Because it is recent, and still on my mind, I'll mention one in particular. A couple weekends back, we played at Justin Winery for their annual Wine Club Gala - this was a private event for members of the Justin Wine Club. What a great event. Beautiful facility (the public doesn't normally get a look at the actual winery), great food, great hosts. But the thing that really set this one apart? We played for five hours, mid day. I think that is a record for us. We did just fine, but let me thank whoever decided (might have been Jeff the drummer) that we should have a large canopy over us. That made it work, otherwise, we would still be a wilting, melted mess on their crush pad.
We've played in backyards, on grass and dirt, even up in what seemed like a treehouse. We've been in bars, on stages, and in dusty corners. We've been the center of attention; we've been ignored almost completely. We've played outdoors when it was 110 degrees, we've played outdoors when it was below freezing. We've helped raise money for several causes, but we've missed - TWICE - events that are helping save the planet. Still bummed about those.
The one common theme has always been that we've enjoyed each and every one of them. We always find a way to make each gig fun, and we think that translates to those who come to see us. One can hope!
Because it is recent, and still on my mind, I'll mention one in particular. A couple weekends back, we played at Justin Winery for their annual Wine Club Gala - this was a private event for members of the Justin Wine Club. What a great event. Beautiful facility (the public doesn't normally get a look at the actual winery), great food, great hosts. But the thing that really set this one apart? We played for five hours, mid day. I think that is a record for us. We did just fine, but let me thank whoever decided (might have been Jeff the drummer) that we should have a large canopy over us. That made it work, otherwise, we would still be a wilting, melted mess on their crush pad.
We've played in backyards, on grass and dirt, even up in what seemed like a treehouse. We've been in bars, on stages, and in dusty corners. We've been the center of attention; we've been ignored almost completely. We've played outdoors when it was 110 degrees, we've played outdoors when it was below freezing. We've helped raise money for several causes, but we've missed - TWICE - events that are helping save the planet. Still bummed about those.
The one common theme has always been that we've enjoyed each and every one of them. We always find a way to make each gig fun, and we think that translates to those who come to see us. One can hope!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
What?! No Dancing?
Well, that was different! We played a good gig last night at the Crooked Kilt, but experienced something I don't recall happening before. Almost nobody danced. Yes, we had a couple brave souls on a couple tunes, but by and large, we were in "concert mode" all night.
Considering we are totally geared to being a dance/party band, it was a bit unusual.
But perhaps understandable. I could list a couple reasons - early evening, dinner still being served, alcohol not quite kicking in yet...but I'd like to think that the band is as much fun to listen to, as to dance to.
I could be delusional as well; all possibilities are open for discussion!
That said, we LOVE it when people are up and enjoying the tunes. It definitely adds energy, definitely invigorates the vibe that much more.
We want to thank everybody for coming out, it means a great deal to us. Funk:30 fans are the best!
Considering we are totally geared to being a dance/party band, it was a bit unusual.
But perhaps understandable. I could list a couple reasons - early evening, dinner still being served, alcohol not quite kicking in yet...but I'd like to think that the band is as much fun to listen to, as to dance to.
I could be delusional as well; all possibilities are open for discussion!
That said, we LOVE it when people are up and enjoying the tunes. It definitely adds energy, definitely invigorates the vibe that much more.
We want to thank everybody for coming out, it means a great deal to us. Funk:30 fans are the best!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Benefactors and The Fourth
Just a quick note thanking the Rasmussens for hosting a great Fourth of July party. If you don't know, the Rasmussens are essentially Funk:30s benefactors. Let me 'splain...
They have a beautiful vineyard in East Paso Robles, with a spectacular 360 degree view of the surrounding hills and valleys, and they've allowed us to call the location our home base these past couple years. Suh-weet. We're thankful every time we drive up the hill, through the vines, to get to the rehearsal hall.
Their annual Fourth bash is always a killer gig - great friends, great food, and of course great wines made right there. Maybe someday we'll turn that party into our very own Winestock Festival and get everybody out there. That'd be off the charts.
Don't worry Family Rasmussen - I am only half serious.
--Terry
They have a beautiful vineyard in East Paso Robles, with a spectacular 360 degree view of the surrounding hills and valleys, and they've allowed us to call the location our home base these past couple years. Suh-weet. We're thankful every time we drive up the hill, through the vines, to get to the rehearsal hall.
Their annual Fourth bash is always a killer gig - great friends, great food, and of course great wines made right there. Maybe someday we'll turn that party into our very own Winestock Festival and get everybody out there. That'd be off the charts.
Don't worry Family Rasmussen - I am only half serious.
--Terry
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