The benefit for Tony Unger last night was amazing. He is a local musician that also worked construction and had an accident with a Skill Saw. Many local bands came out to play and support Tony and his Family including The Deadbeats, Buck Love & The Humperheads, Stephen Holland & Friends including his Brother Marty, Lorraine Gervais & the Burnin' Sensational Honky Tonks, Kimberly Bass, Ivan Najera and Friends, & George Souza. This awesome event was held at the Miners Foundry, who donated their venue for this happening. The Community support was overwhelming, I could not believe how many locals came out to support Tony & his Family on a Monday Night. I was told that they raised $8,000, also you can still help out. The Tony Unger Benefit Fund is set up at Citizens Bank in Brunswick Basin, 709 Sutton Way 478-6000 (Any branch can accept your donation). I am so glad to live in an area that supports local musicians as well as this.
Festival John


www.myspace.com/deadbeatswest
humperheads.com
lorrainegervais.com
stephenholland.info
www.kimberlybass.com
www.ivannajera.com
www.minersfoundry.org

The High Ceiling Band from Olympia, WA. really put on an exceptional show last night (5/17/09) at Coopers. A West Coast touring band they play an eclectic, groove saturated blend of reggae, funk, dub, latin, & new world. They even did a Pink Floyd song reggae style. My friend Jim said he thought that they were FanFuntastic. Now not that many people were out being a Sunday Night but, for the people there it was an awesome night of High Energy Dance Music. I was told many times that Coopers needs to have them back on a Friday or Saturday Night. I know that if they do I'll be there with lights on.
Festival John

www.highceilingmusic.com
www.myspace.com/yourcoopersaleworks

Electric Circus & Swamp Zen both put on an exceptional show last night at Coopers (5/15/09). Both Great Bands From Chico where I used to live. In fact they were great bands back in the 90's when I lived there. The night started with Electric Circus playing an awesome set of great music and they are one of the finest Jam Bands to tickle your earbone. Then Swamp Zen took the stage and blew us all away with great original and cover tunes. Now it has been my experience that when a band plays at Coopers for the first time the turn out is dismal at best. Nether band had played Coopers before yet the place was packed all night long including the dance floor. Everyone had a blast and can't wait till they come back again.
Festival John

www.myspace.com/electriccircus
www.myspace.com/swampzen
www.myspace.com/yourcoopersaleworks

The Crazy Harris Band was awesome at Coopers on Saturday Night. From Sacramento they are a Rock Reggae Jam Band with a superb new original sound. The band consist of Casey Harris on guitar & vocals, Kosmik on bass & vocals, Kent Thompson, playing drums, & Eric Barton on keyboards. Their music runs the spectrum of Rock, Jam Rock, Funk, Blues, Reggae and World Music. As this was there first time in Nevada City the locals did not come out in force but, the folks that were lucky to be there at Coopers had a wonderful time dancing the night away and grooving to their outstanding sound. I think they have a future of playing many great gigs and even getting into the festival band circuit. I know that they will be back at Coopers again and I can't wait. In the meantime they are playing at other venues in the area. Check out their website for times and place.
Festival John

www.myspace.com/thecrazyharrisband
www.myspace.com/yourcoopersaleworks

Tracorum from San Francisco, plus opening Band Montana Slim String Band shook up the crowd at Coopers on Saturday Night. Montana Slim Started out playing Foot Stomping Bluegrass Music. They got the great crowd moving and shaking on the dance floor. Montana Slim have played at Coopers before and have a good local following. Then Tracorum took the stage and keep the people on the dance floor the rest of the night. Tracorum plays original Cajun influenced Southern Rock with some Jamaican Sound mixed in. Their music is high energy and keeps everyone moving even if their not on the dance floor. Tracorum will be playing at the Strawberry Music Festival After Party at The Evergreen Lodge in Groveland, Ca on Fri May 22nt. Also I know for a fact that they bothwill be back here in Nevada City soon and I'll be there.
Festival John

www.myspace.com/yourcoopersaleworks
http://tracorum.com
www.myspace.com/montanaslimmusic

Saul Rayo's With A Little Help From My Friends, A Tribute to Joe Cocker''s Mad Dogs and Englishmen show at The Miners Foundery last night was awesome. The show features Saul Rayo as Joe Cocker, and The Contraband is like a Who's who of local musicians and includes: Thomas Schubel, Craig Thomas, Tim Earwood, Mark Thayer, Mark McCartney, Danny Buttacavoli, & Bob Scarlett. Rhino Horns include: Doug Davies, Gary Upton, Michael Bankston, and the Redemption Choir include: Elena Powell, Kim Kinjo, Eleanor MacDonald, April Miranda, Heather Grove, Janice Polucha, Taylor Harris, Valerie Lowe, & Gracie Mackenzie. Just close your eyes and your listening to the real band. Playing such favorites as Feelin' Alright, Sticks and Stones, Cry Me a River, Bird on a Wire, Let's Go Get Stoned, She Came in Through the Bathroom Window, The Letter, Delta Lady, You Can Leave Your Hat On, and of course With a Little Help From My Friends. I loved the show and it goes on for three more days. Each day there is a different opening band and I saw Justin Ancheta & Friends. From San Francisco he plays World/Reggae, Acoustic Experimental, & Roots Music. On the next three days the opening bands are Friday Night The Perry Mills Project, Saturday Night Sabroso, & Sunday The Shreds. This concert was filmed and will be broadcast om NCTV local cable Chanel 11 by Comcast. Also each day Proceeds Benefit a different local group such as The Stone Soup Community Garden, The Miners Foundry, & The 13 Music Program. What a great idea this show is wonderful.
Festival John

www.minersfoundry.org
Saul Rayo Article
www.justinancheta.com

No
Taboo played up a storm last night at Cooper’s Ale Works. They are a
wonderful local dance band and they play a combination of R&B, Classic Rock, and Blues. Co-leader Bimmy Rode on congas & lead vocals. Originally from the Bay Area, she has opened for giants like B.B. King and Taj Mahal. Her genuine and rich soulful style makes her one of the most loved singers around this county and beyond. The other Co-leader Michael Powers plays Lead Guitar & Electric Violin & Lead Vocals. He has roots in Nevada City, but went on to work in Los Angeles as a songwriter/artist where he received production deals for his original music, which appeared in movies and videos in the late 80s. Jeff Marshall on Bass Guitar & vocals came from Santa Cruz where he played with the hot blues band Red Beans and Rice. David Bastian on Keyboards & vocals, can play almost every instrument there is. In No Taboo he plays the Hammond B3 organ along with saxophone, flute, and blues harmonica. David Pazos on Drums is equally exciting to watch and hear. Now this was the band for a time but they have added Aaron Gayden on Synthesizer, Piano, and Vocals. He has a four octave range and he is the vocalist for the Motown songs they perform. I know & love these guys and will always be there when they play locally. Michael told me that they are playing this summer at the Nevada State Fair in Reno, and at the Plumas County Fair in Quincy.
Festival John


www.myspace.com/yourcoopersaleworks
www.myspace.com/cNotaboo

The Glass Onion Band put on an awesome
show last night (4/2/09) at The Chief Crazy Horse in Nevada City. With Tim Barnes on Lead Guitar, Greg King on Bass, and Don Gates on Drums they have an incredible sound. They play Classic Rock Covers including everything from Pink Floyd to The Beatles, The Doors, The Stones, etc. They get the Crowd on the dance floor on almost every song. I really like this band and will see them every chance I get. In fact they are playing again at The Chief Crazy Horse this coming Sunday Afternoon (4/5/09).

Festival John

www.chiefcrazyhorseinn.com

www.myspace.com/theglassonionband

The Band Extra Large had the large crowd at Coopers dancing their socks off last
night (3/6/09). From Santa Cruz these guys and gal rock. Their music is
a mix of soul, funky grooves and positive attitudes, sax, guitar, bass,
keyboards, drums, a generous helping of exotic percussion and high
energy soulful vocals. The band's motto is "We dare you not to dance,"
and they put on a excellent show. I and many of the crowd at
Coop's had a blast. Can't wait till they come back again, hopefully to
the Miners Foundry.
Festival John

www.extra-large.net
www.myspace.com/yourcoopersaleworks

Melvin Seals & JGB (Jerry Garcia Band) Rocked the Roof off the Miners
Foundry Friday Night. This was the first time for Melvin & the JGB to play in Nevada City & I don’t think it will be the last. The music was awesome all night long with them playing a lot of the songs
made famous by the JGB. They also played songs by the Dead and started their second set with a very long version of Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come”. What a night it was!!! The Foundry was packed with local Dead Heads and some that even came from miles away. I was so glad to have been there and so glad to live in the small town of Nevada City with such a wonderful music scene.
Festival John

www.myspace.com/melvinsealsandjgb
www.minersfoundry.org