JAMES INTVELD CONCERT REVIEW & VIDEO- ALEX'S BAR - LONG BEACH, CA- 3/29/14

To call James Intveld a multi-talented artist would be an understatement. Not only is he an incredible singer, songwriter and musician, he also dabbles in acting and film making when he’s not busy making music. After spending last year touring with John Fogerty’s band, Intveld is once again hitting the road as a solo artist and his legion of fans couldn’t be happier. We have been fans of his music for over 25 years but never had the opportunity to see him play live until tonight. This evening’s show at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach was billed as “James Intveld Performing Two Sets.” Intveld and his band decided skip the break and played one incredible four hour set of live music. We both got the sense that they would have played all night if the bar would have let them. There is nothing better than seeing someone play music simply for the pure joy of performing.

James Intveld on stage at Alex's Bar

Many know Intveld as the singing voice behind Johnny Depp’s 1950’s rocker character in the John Water’s film Crybaby. If you categorize him strictly based on the rockabilly performance in the film you would be missing the bigger picture. Intveld is a “roots” musician in the truest sense. He is a self proclaimed country artist but his music also touches on rock & roll, western swing and honky-tonk as well. He encompasses everything that is considered traditional “American” music.

Intveld’s bread and butter has always been his live shows. His body of recorded material is sparse at best, having only recorded three records in the past 17 years. Tonight he played a nice mix of songs from his three solo records. “Perfect World” is one of our favorites from his self titled 1997 debut album. The band played the tune early in the set and it brought all the “cowboy” couples to the dance floor. We were lucky enough to capture the performance of “This Place Ain’t What It Used To Be” from the 2000 release Somewhere Down The Road (2000). It’s a sweet country song about a bittersweet homecoming.

The band also played some excellent covers tonight including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Heartbreak Hotel” and Buddy Holly’s “Modern Don Juan” which was included on his 2008 release Somewhere Down The Road. We captured his performance of the Holly song in the video below. He seems to be able to stay true to the original while putting his own modern spin on the song.

It was a homecoming of sorts for Intveld since he grew up in Compton and went to high school in nearby Garden Grove. He had several friends and family in attendance including his sister who was running his merchandise table while simultaneously dancing to his performance. At one point he even gave a shout out to his chiropractor who was also in attendance. He thanked him for giving him the ability to stand up and perform in front of all of his fans. We had a chance to speak to Intveld briefly after the show and we can safely say that he is one of the nicest musicians we have ever met. He's one of those rare people that can do it all.



Wayne "The Train" Hancock - Concert Review - 12/14/12 - Alex's Bar - Long Beach, CA

If you are tired of what passes as modern day country music you owe it to yourself to check out Wayne "The Train" Hancock. The authenticity of Wayne's writing and performing hearkens back to the traditional country sounds of Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers. The self proclaimed "King of Juke Joint Swing" was in Long Beach tonight playing in front of a packed house at Alex's Bar. Wayne attracts a rabid and diverse fan base which also includes enthusiast of honky tonk, western swing and blues.

 

 

Wayne's current touring band consists of  Zach Sweeney on lead guitar and Zack Sapunor on standup bass. Both are excellent musicians and feed off of Wayne's improvisational style. Like many nights before the band started with no written playlist which makes for a spontaneous show with a lot of energy. Wayne took the stage and told the crowd that they looked like the floor of the New York Stock Exchange due to the constant chatter of song requests being thrown at him. From the first note of tonight's show it was easy to see why many refer to Wayne as "The Real Deal." There are very few performers that can play a retro style of music without coming across as a novelty act. Wayne is not rehashing the past but instead adding to the to the great tradition of American music.

 

Guitarist Zach Sweeney, Wayne Hancock, Bassist Zack Sapunor

Wayne's songs often paint a picture of heartache, freedom and the spirit of the open road.  Tonight at Alex's he played songs from every era of his long career. From his debut album he played the title song "Thunderstorms & Neon Signs" as well as "Juke Joint Jumpin'" both which have not only become staples of Wayne's live show but also two of his signature songs. Much to my delight he also played several songs from 1997's That's What Daddy Wants including the title song, "87 Southbound," "Highway 54" and the the crowd pleaser "Johnny Law."

 

Big Sandy with Wayne Hancock

The highlight of the evening was when Wayne spotted Rockabilly Hall of Famer Big Sandy in the audience. Big Sandy joined the band for a couple of songs which sent the crowd into a frenzy. The fact that Sandy was in the audience is a testament to the sincerity and honesty of Wayne's music.

 

Wayne closed the show with an extended rendition of the song "Tulsa" from the 2006 album of the same name. The jam session was a fitting end to an unforgettable night of live music. Wayne has an outstanding catalog of recorded music but nothing compares to seeing him live. If you have ever wondered what true American music sounds like look no further than Wayne "The Train" Hancock.

 

 

 

 

 

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys Concert Review - 11/17/12 - Alex's Bar - Long Beach, CA

For nearly 25 years Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Trio have played their own brand of classic American roots music. They seamlessly blend rockabilly, western swing and traditional country into a freewheeling retro sound and add just a touch of present day punk energy.

Big Sandy at Alex's Bar

Tonight's show at Alex's Bar was Big Sandy's first US gig since returning from a November tour of Spain. The band kicked off the show with "Hot Water" from their debut album Fly Rite with Big Sandy & The Fly Rite Trio. From the first note it was easy to see why the band is enshrined in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Their excellent musicianship and high energy performance combine for an unforgettable live show. Much of Big Sandy's early material sounds so authentic that it can easily fit right in with the Sun Studio sound of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Their hour and a half set featured songs from every era of the band's career. One of the staples of the Big Sandy live shows is the song "Tequila Calling" from the 2000 album Night Tide. This evening, like many before it, Big Sandy took the opportunity take a tequila shot with the audience while performing the song. This was much to the delight of the several hundred in attendance. No Big Sandy show would be complete without a packed dance floor. Once the band ripped into "Jumpin' From 6 to 6" the front of the stage was mobbed with couples showing off their best moves.

I also had the opportunity to shoot a video of the band performing their classic song "Chalk It Up To The Blues" which is the song they closed the show with at Alex's. Click below to see the video.

Seeing a Big Sandy show is a real treat and is always a ton of fun. Sandy is a little bit of a throwback in the sense that he likes to interact with the crowd like a true showman. He also has a way of connecting with the audience so by the end of the show they feel like Sandy has been a lifelong friend. If you have a chance to see one of their shows make sure you bring your tequila and your dancing shoes and they will give you an experience that you will never forget.