7:30pm doors, 8pm first band. $25 adv/door. 21+.
Flamin' Groovies
Originating in San Francisco in 1965, and reunited for a tour of Australia in 2013, the FLAMIN' GROOVIES have been touring and performing consistently for the last ten years, exceeding all expectations, presenting their own unique and infectious style of rock 'n' roll with such cult classics as "Slow Death," "Teenage Head," and of course, "Shake Some Action." The current lineup for the last few years features Cyril Jordan with Chris von Sneidern on guitar, Tony Sales on drums, and Atom Ellis on bass.
Their current live show features a repertoire that spans the band’s career, emphasizing both 1971’s “Teenage Head” album (associated with more old time rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, Stones and Yardbirds influences), as well as the power pop period (Beatles and Byrds influenced) more associated with the band's three albums on Sire Records in the late 70s. Their place in history is well established as one of the all-time greatest bands from San Francisco (and the world) and as progenitors of real rock 'n' roll.
A little history: The Flamin' Groovies story goes all the way back to 1965 when the band began as the Chosen Few in their hometown of San Francisco, California. After a name change and a self-released 10-inch album called Sneakers, which sold amazingly well, the band caught the attention of Columbia who sent them into the studio with a big budget to record their first real album, Supersnazz, on the Epic label. Their next two albums were on Kama Sutra, Flamingo, and the revered classic, Teenage Head.
Original lead singer Roy Loney left the band right after that and lead guitarist Cyril Jordan moved the group to England, with Chris Wilson (formerly of Loose Gravel) taking over as front man. They continued their style of straight ahead guitar driven rock 'n' roll but this time with a more 60s rather than 50s influence. A few singles on United Artists, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with Dave Edmunds producing, followed in the early 70s. In 1976 they signed to Sire Records, who released three true gems of power pop: Shake Some Action, Flamin' Groovies Now, and Jumpin' In The Night.
Another lineup change ensued, with Wilson moving to England and joining the Barracudas. The Groovies continued on through the 80s and into the early 90s touring Australia and Europe, putting out a fine but overlooked album called Rock Juice and then finally calling it quits. Jordan formed a new band called Magic Christian.
The band reunited in 2013, and have toured and recorded for the past decade, playing throughout the USA, including multiple tours of the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest, frequent shows in the San Francisco Bay Area, a half a dozen highly successful tours of Europe, and repeated visits to Japan. In 2017, they released a new album of all original material, Fantastic Plastic, which ranks amongst their finest.
They have planned "a dream set list," including tracks from the album Teenage Head, and other songs the band has never performed onstage. Newcomers are asking, "Why haven't I ever heard of this group?" It's hard to say just why the group hasn't got the attention they deserve (at least in the USA) but they're back to give everyone another chance at hearing and seeing just why those in the know consider them one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands ever.
Having just completed another recent tour of Europe in April and May 0f 2022, the band is in top form, and great spirits.
Harold Ray and East Side Dynamite
Harold Ray and East Side Dynamite are an explosive rock, roll, and soul band. We can be lit for your pleasure, it just takes money. Florida to Oakland transplant Harold Ray, aka Jason Morgan is an American soul-singer/performer. Equal parts master showman and work-a-day hero, Harold Ray gained local-fame in his early bands Harold Ray Live in Concert, Eastbay Grease and Total BS. His current list of rock-and-roll hot shots, East Side Dynamite are determined to light the fuse to the grooves, and a blasting cap for your moves. Pick up the phone: high energy, soul-drenched rock and roll is stalking you!
San Francisco power-pop glam extraordinaire!