Today is St. Paddys Day but if you are Irish, or just Irish sometimes, you know that the celeberation is more than just a day. That being said, the warm up to this years St. Paddy's Day was RockaPaddy 2 at HOB Anheim. Gig Boss out-did himself at this show by putting together this line-up: Hoist The Colors, Brick Top Blaggers,The Galway Hooker Band, Craic Haus, The Rocketz , and Road Kill Kings. The bands were a mix of traditional Irish folk music mixed with Rock, Punk, and Rockabilly elements and the result was a true Irish Party. Click the following link if you would like to see all the bands in action http://youtu.be/lP1ViCBcUkk .
With hundreds of people packed into the HOB and a mix of liquor, music, and Irish tradition, the night was sure to be a succes even before it kicked off. All the bands were new to me and I was in for the show of a lifetime. With some of the bands members sporting the traditional kilts, Irish dancing ladies, fiddles, flutes, and a mumber of stand-up bass', the show had everything a music lover could ask for.
First up was Hoist The Colors and they describe themselves as “ a seven piece group rooted in the influences of traditional Irish, American Folk, Bluegrass and Punk.” It amazed me how this band came out and infused so many different styles of music together. They were like a well mixed Irish Coffee; smooth with a kick. This band formed in a LA livingroom of lead singer Josh Linden. When he and a few friends came together to jam out of bordom they soon brought in drum and a fiddle player and worked on covers as well as writing their own songs. Josh Linden - Vocals, Mandolin, Sina Etesami - Acoustic Guitar, Fabian De La Torre - Bass, Jeff Murphy- Electric Guitar, Ryan Sharp - Banjo, Ivan De La Torre - Drums, and Camilo Barahona- Fiddle are Hoist The Colors. You can expect a traditional sound with a kick when you see this band on stage. I would recommend you check them out.
Brick Top Blaggers took the stage next. If you asked them about the band they would tell you this, “Armed with the energy of Celtic folk music and the power of epic punk rock, Brick Top Blaggers has been winning over die-hard fans since 2009.” I would have to agree their set won me over. With a pinch of the old country mixed with a dash of OC flavor this Celtic Rock band is a show to see. Steve - Vocals, Matt - Accordion& Whistles, Dustin - Bass, Daniel - Guitar, Nick - Fiddle, Nolan - Mandolin & Banjo, and Kevin - Drums are the band.
The Galway Hooker Band is a 4 piece out of Huntington Beach, California. They had a lady of the crew that rocked out on the violin and sheknew how to rock and roll with an Irish twist. The whole band was great getting down Irish Style. If you are into Irish Rock this is a band that is worth a listen.
Craic Haus wowed me. Going from Danny Boy to a remake of the Beastie Boys "Fight for your Right to Party" (click the link here to watch for yourself http://youtu.be/FkJePV1YvL8 ) Irish style, this band gave the crowd a pint of happiness in every tune. “With a love for ROCKABILLY and an equal love for IRISH music, CRAiC HAUS has set out to bring a NEW SOUND to these old traditions. Imagine FLOGGING MOLLY meets REVEREND HORTON HEAT,” that is straight from the horses mouth. The father and son duo of Danny Oberbeck - Drums and Lead Vocals, and Dylan Oberbeck - Guitar, Mandolin and Vocals, and Julian Johnson - Upright Bass and Vocals, this 3 piece is in a league all their own. You may wonder how can a 3 piece bring so much talent to the stage? The answer in this case is Mr. Danny of the drums. This man not only played drums and sang, he played flute, guitar and harmonica also behind the kit. I call him a 1 man band. That is not to take away from the skills of the rest of the boys, they rocked out also. This band was a Shamrock Shake with an Irish surprise. They are a band that has something for everyone in the crowd.
Meet The Rocketz: Tony Slash - Guitar and Vocals, Anthony Drinkwater - Drums, and David Guzman - Slap Bass. Their sound is a mix of Power Rockabilly, Psychobilly, and Punk Rock - plus the look to go with it. If you crave a good old rockabilly show this is your band. Taking over the Southern Cali Rockabilly scene one show at a time The Rocketz are on the rise.
Road Kill Kings closed out the night and this is what they offer their fans, “The Road Kill Kings were formed out of a mutual love of traditional country, rockabilly, and bluegrass music with a dash of rock n' roll thrown in for drinkability.” The gusy: Mike Stave (Fiddle) Darren Ellis (Vocals & Acoustic Guitar, Rick Kavin (Percussion) Gary Riley (Telecaster Lead guitar), and Randy Cochran (Upright Bass Fiddle & Vocals). This band of good old boys make you feel like you are at the local drinking hole with a bunch of friends. At some points in their set you feel you are at a country/rock show, than they go and throw in some Rockabilly. Their set is for those fans that want to go on a musical ride with a mix of great sounds and style melding together for an awesome set.
This show was a blast. A full night of local bands and traditional fun music that brought out the masses. As a supporter of the local music scene this show warmed my heart, bringing out fans, having a different genre of music, and sharing good times with old friends and new. Support local music and have a great St. Paddys Day.
By: Melissa &Wes Anderson, http://www.ROCKwellUnScene.com
Photos and Video By: Rockwell Anderson Media
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