July 2024

Laceration’s Latest is a Cut Above

Eddie July 18, 2024 0 Comment

Some records knock one out at first listen. That is especially the case with Sonoma County’s very own Laceration, who just released I Erode, a nine-song platter on boutique independent metal label 20 Buck Spin records.

At its core, the band consists of Luke Cazares on rhythm guitars and vocals, and lead guitar on “Dreams Of The Formless”; Donnie Small on lead and rhythm guitars; Aerin Johnson on drums; and Eli Small on bass. Before heading out on a short 10-date tour with Molten, the band will play most of their new record at their upcoming local album-release show.

Fans may remember the group issued Demise (2021), which cemented the band as one of the most menacing death-metal quartets around.

Thankfully, their latest platter of splatter crushes anything in its wake. As heard on tracks like “Excised,” “Sadistic Enthrallment,” “Carcerality” and the ridiculously heavy title track, this band has done their homework and upped the ante for the local metal scene in the process. With influences ranging from Morbid Angel to Morgoth and Demolition Hammer to Suffocation, this nauseatingly heavy record is sure to land on many Top 10 year-end lists.

We caught up with Luke Cazares to talk about the scene and all things Laceration.

Bohemian: How did the record deal come together with 20 Buck Spin records?

Luke Cazares: We noticed there was an interest in what we were doing after we put out our 2021 debut, Demise, on Rotted Life Records. We were already huge fans of 20 Buck Spin as a label and for its own affiliated bands, so we quickly recorded a demo track of some new material and sent it to their office. That got the conversations going. Today, we are part of the best death-metal label roster in the world and couldn’t be happier.

Bohemian: Did you pick the bands for your record release party at Arlene Francis?

Cazares: Yes, we normally hand-pick show line-ups, as it’s a collaborative effort between us and Bitter End Booking. We like to bring killer bands through Santa Rosa as much as we can. As opposed to years ago, we now have great underground support that continually needs to be fed and perpetuated.

Bohemian: What other local bands are you also into, from any genre?

Cazares: There are lots of sick bands we love locally here like Vile Rites, Coffin Hunters, Burning Palace, Hexen House, Supplex and New Low, to name but a few.

Bohemian: Will there be more touring, aside from the handful of dates listed so far? Are you getting correspondence from other countries to visit and play?

Cazares: Definitely. We have some cool stuff planned for 2025 already. There has certainly been talk to play abroad. We send merchandise all over the world, and especially in Europe, so touring outside of the U.S. is something we definitely plan to do. It’s only a matter of time.

Bohemian: Were there any songs or riffs that didn’t make the record? Any plans to re-record your earliest stuff in a live setting?

Cazares: We have a lot of riffs on the back burner and will apply what we can as future material. We did initially toy with the idea of re-recording some older tracks from 2010 for this record, but decided to issue all-new music.

Bitter End Booking presents Laceration’s ‘I Erode’ album release show with Hemotoxin, Burning Palace and Aseptic at The Arlene Francis Center, located at 99 6th St. in Santa Rosa. Doors open at 6pm, show at 7pm on Saturday, Aug. 10. Tickets are $15 in advance and available online at bit.ly/laceration-i-erode. All ages are welcome. Listen to ‘I Erode’ at 20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/i-erode.

(North Bay Bohemian )

Pink Floyd tribute ‘Pete’ Floyd Plays Rio Nido Roadhouse

Eddie July 18, 2024 0 Comment

Sonoma/Marin exports and purveyors of the Pink Floyd sound, Pete Floyd, have been playing all around these parts lately and have proven themselves a veritable headliner. Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Pete Delaney and the ambidextrous Pete Hale, this is one tribute that delivers on all fronts. 

Although only active for a couple of years, it’s their electronic press kit that caught the attention of countless curious in-house talent buyers. At present, the band is rounded out by vocalist Teal Collins (Mother Truckers), veteran Terrapin Crossroads contributor Paige Clem, keyboardist Bob McBain, bassist Toby Tyler, saxophonist Alex Garcia, and drummer Sean England. 

For those tired of the countless Pink Floyd tributes who have no soul and play the same set list every night, the band is somewhat of a revelation in the genre. Expect different song choices and selections from nearly every important Pink Floyd era. 

We caught up with bandleader Pete Delaney as the band prepared for a handful of live shows in and around the Bay Area and Sonoma County.

Bohemian: How is the tribute scene these days?

Delaney: It’s been proliferating. Locally, we have such an amazing group of talented musicians and we all support each other. Many of our close friends and former band mates play the same venues and we all get along very well. A lot of us have been playing live music for 30 plus years doing both original and cover songs. I can’t describe the tremendous energy that fills the room when hundreds of people come together seeing their favorite songs performed and singing along. 

Bohemian: At this stage, are you having regular band practices or are you all pretty much playing the same set each night? 

Delaney: We have regular sectionals and rehearse before every weekend run of shows. We feel like we owe it to the fans, venues and, especially Pink Floyd, to do their music justice. It is challenging to present their sound properly as we have eight musicians onstage and a variety of instruments featured at every show. We also mix up the set list and are constantly adding and taking away tunes. Our drummer Sean England is the master of creating these and finely tunes the song list to match the venue and vibe.

Bohemian: Pink Floyd died the minute we lost keyboardist Richard Wright. He was such a force. What is your take? 

Delaney: All of the band’s members are incredible, but Richard Wright was the soul of the band. David Gilmour said Wright had “an elusive quality, let’s call it soul, that created a sound that glued the whole Pink Floyd thing together. You notice it when it’s gone.” I imagine ‘’Meddle,’ ‘Dark Side Of The Moon.’ or ‘Wish You Were Here’ wouldn’t be as iconic as they are without him. Once more, the song “Echoes” is a highlight of our set. I always feel Wright’s magic when we play it.

Bohemian: What is your favorite Pink Floyd album? 

Delaney: Ha! The never ending conundrum of a favorite album. My favorite is everything from ‘Meddle’ to ‘The Wall.’ I know there are a lot of folks that love the old Syd Barrett (pre- David Gilmour) albums and the post Roger Waters works, but this is my Pink Floyd wheelhouse. ‘Meddle’ encompasses the old Pink Floyd (goofy, odd, psychedelic) and the breakthrough albums that came after (dark and dreamlike). I think my least favorite was ‘The Final Cut.’ It seems like that album signaled the end of that era and was an afterthought.

Bohemian: Your band features some great players and singers. How long has this exact configuration been in existence? Do you ever play shows with a smaller group?

Delaney: We are very blessed to have the folks we have. They are all amazing musicians and have long careers writing, recording and performing. The exact configuration has been in place since November of 2021, but we never play without all the members. Our show is finely tuned and it requires all the pieces to make this music work. This isn’t a tribute band with one or two main members that pull together other players and configurations. We have so much fun together and play so well with each other that, like Richard Wright, it wouldn’t be proper to perform as Pete Floyd without all the pieces. 

Doors open at 6pm and the show kicks off at 7pm, at the Rio Nido Roadhouse at 14540 Canyon 2 Road in Rio Nido. All ages are welcome.  Advance tickets are $20 and can be found at rionidoroadhouse.com. 

(North Bay Bohemian)

SADUS Play the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma Saturday

Eddie July 18, 2024 0 Comment

Although the Bay Area proper ushered in more great thrash acts than should be humanly allowed (i.e., Exodus, Possessed, Testament, Death Angel, and more), it was the bands on the peripheral, like Antioch’s own Sadus, that played some of the nastiest and most ferocious guitar riffs around. 

Today, founding member/vocalist/guitarist Darren Travis and drummer Jon Allen are out playing live after a seemingly never-ending hiatus. Backed by touring members guitarist Claudeous “Scooby” Creamer (Possessed) and bassist Bobby Real (Deconstruct), the band is chomping at the bit to play live for their friends before tackling some of the most prestigious metal festivals abroad. 

As luck would have it, Sadus are playing Petaluma’s longest-running and greatest live music venue, The Phoenix Theater, both a home and safe-haven for area teenagers and anyone else that wanders through its always unlocked front doors. 

For those not in the know, the band issued its first full-length – “The Shadow Inside” (November 2023), after an unnerving 17-year wait. And while bassist Steve DiGiorgio was noticeably absent from the studio recording this time around, Travis stepped up to the plate playing all instruments but drums and hit yet another thrash metal grand slam. Propelled by songs like “First Blood,” “Scorched and Burnt,” “Ride the Knife,” and The Devil in Me,” it’s wholly evident Sadus has not lost a step. 

Numerous accolades and mentions from all over the globe have helped their cause considerably, and the quartet has been yielding countless festival and headlining show offers from some of the world’s most disparate regions. 

We caught up with local promoter and all-around nice person Stacy Maisenbach to get the 411. 

Bohemian: When did your new (er) company start and why? 

Stacy Maisenbach: I started Evil Eye One Promotions about two years ago. I noticed that small music venues were shutting down and there was only one promoter in my area. I wanted to help the music scene and keep it alive. I’ve also been playing music in bands, promoting shows, and hosting various radio, podcast and live-stream video for years.

Bohemian: How many shows have you done to date, and in what cities.? 

Maisenbach: I have promoted about ten shows in Ukiah and Petaluma. The Phoenix Theater is my favorite venue. It’s a great place for anyone and everyone to see a show. It’s also a nonprofit. Manager Tom Gaffey keeps it open so locals have something to do during the day and night.

Bohemian: Who are some of your favorite local bands and why? 

Stacy Maisenbach: Hellbender is my favorite local band at the moment. They are super fun to work with because they help put up posters and get people out to the shows. Some local bands are easier to work with than others, while some bands just want to get paid and don’t bring anyone out. 

Bohemian: Sadus rarely ever play the area and this is their only California show until they head overseas for festival dates and more. How did that come about?  

Stacy Maisenbach: I’ve always loved Sadus. I saw them when I was younger and soon became friends with them. They reached out to me and asked me to put on this show. It was that easy. 

Doors open at 7:30pm and the show kicks off at 8pm, at the Phoenix Theater located at 201 Washington St., in Petaluma. Sharing the bill are Hellbender and Negative Sixxx. Tickets are just $20 advance and can be purchased at the door or www.thephoenixtheater.com. All ages are welcome.

(North Bay Bohemian)

Stay in your own Mason Lane

Eddie July 17, 2024 0 Comment

From left: Will Evankovich, Tommy Shaw, and Terry Gowan during a vocal warm up. Photo by Jason Powell.

Santa Rosa’s Own Will Evankovich on joining Styx

Of the 99.99% of local bands that aspire to be touring national and international acts playing arenas and amphitheaters, only the remaining 0.01% make it through to the big leagues of rock and roll stardom.

While many amazing bands from Sonoma County were destined to break away from the Santa Rosa music scene, one band continually pushed the envelope into uncharted musical territories. 

If you went to nightclubs in Sonoma County during the ’90s, chances are you saw the band Mason Lane. Along with other name acts that headlined shows in the area, such as Disciples Of Ed, Victims Family, Grand Junction, and The Louies, the band was a strong headliner who drew countless musicians to its often packed shows. 

Unlike much of their contemporaries, Mason Lane — Paul Spina (drums), Joe Shaughnessy (bass), Jason Thwaites (guitar), and Will Evankovich (vocals, guitar) — drew from a mixed bag of influences as evidenced by their frenetic music and well-executed live shows. However, it was ultimately frontman Will Evankovich who recently won a lottery of sorts when he was asked to join classic rock pioneers Styx.

Those who had the great fortune of catching the FM radio giants at the Toyota Pavilion in Concord (also their only Northern California show) a week or so ago with Foreigner and John Waite were treated to an earful and then some. With a set list covering several decades, Styx fans were treated to the band’s biggest hits such as “Lady,” “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Come Sail Away,” “The Best Of Times,” and Mr. Roboto” in addition to the newer “Crash Of The Crown” and some awe-inspiring ‘Grand Illusion’ album cuts. 

For those not in the know, the band played a Monday makeup show for their previously scheduled Saturday gig, which was canceled due to numerous electrical malfunctions during an especially trying heatwave. Rather than outright canceling, Styx made good with their followers and returned just days later and drove through the night from Bend, Oregon, to give the fans exactly what they wanted: A real rock show replete with all the bells and whistles. 

And while all eyes were glued to core members Tommy Shaw (vocals/guitar) and James “JY” Young (vocals/guitar) along with ace drummer Todd Sucherman, it was obvious their second guitarist, Will Evankovich, could sing and hang with the best of them even though much younger. Rounding out the band was the newest member, Terry Gowan (bass), and longtime road dog, Lawrence Gowan (keys/guitars). 

We caught up with Will, who had just returned home to Nashville mere days after their Concord show. 

Bohemian: When did you originally join the band, and how? How long did it take for you to join Styx full-time after that?

Will Evankovich: I began working with Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades in early 2007 to tour and support Shaw Blade’s “Influence” album. I worked on and off for many more years with that ensemble. I eventually formed a writing partnership with Tommy Shaw and, in 2010, I produced his solo bluegrass record “The Great Divide.” That is also when we began writing songs that would end up being part of Styx’s “The Mission” (2017)release. It was a concept album about a journey to space and was the band’s first release in 14 years. As I produced and co-wrote the record, I forged a relationship with the rest of the Styx guys. I worked concurrently with The Guess Who as a vocalist and lead guitar player for seven years. Additionally, I co-produced and co-wrote a record with them titled “The Future Is What It Used To Be” (2018). Styx and I continued to write another record dubbed “The Crash of the Crown,” which debuted at number one on Billboard’s top rock albums of 2021. Post-pandemic, and with the return of Styx touring looming, they finally offered me a full-time position as a guitarist, backing vocalist, and music director. I’ve officially been with Styx for over three years.

Bohemian: How many shows have you been playing for a year now? Is a new Styx record forthcoming? 

Will Evankovich: Since I joined Styx, we have averaged about 100 shows a year. We have a vast collection of songs we have been working on and are closing in on officially recording the new album sometime at the end of this year. No working title as of yet.

Bohemian: Are there any other projects you are working on as a producer or musician?

Will Evankovich: Ironically, there is an American Drag album just about finished, we are just waiting on the right time to release it. Also, I occasionally get together with the Mason Lane guys as they are some of my best friends. We have a handful of pieces we never recorded and even some new things we would like to release someday for the sheer prog rock of it!

(North Bay Bohemian)

Instrumental rock trio Points North to let the music do the talking at Peri’s Tavern. July 14.

Eddie July 5, 2024 0 Comment

Instrumental guitar-driven music has been enjoying a resurgence thanks to pioneers such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Plini, Polyphia, Intervals, and more. Unlike the genre’s diaspora which stick to a color-by-numbers formula and rarely deviate, Northern California’s own Points North have been stretching the genre’s boundaries by constantly exploring sounds outside of their collective wheelhouse.

And while the band has not been as prolific as its fans would hope for, they did manage to release two compelling records on boutique label, Magna Carta, their Self-titled offering (2015) and ‘The Road Less Traveled’ (2012). As evidenced on songs like “Child’s Play,” “Ignition,” and “Foxes & Cougars,” the trio are a live force in the studio as much as they are on the road.

Additionally, they’ve been playing all over California and beyond supporting the likes of Eric Johnson, Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs, King’s X, Yngwie Malmsteen, Al Di Meola, Allan Holdsworth (RIP), Steve Morse, Y&T. Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman (ex-Megadeth), Richie Kotzen, The Aristocrats, UFO, Michael Schenker, Adrenaline Mob, Larry Carlton, Pat Travers (and as a backing band for The Pat Travers Band), Ronnie Montrose (RIP), Tom Keifer (of Cinderella), Gary Hoey, George Lynch (Dokken), Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions, Electric Sun, Sky Academy), Eric Martin Band, Mark Lettieri (from Snarky Puppy), Michael Lee Firkins, and Project N-Fidelikah (George Lynch, Angelo Moore, Pancho Tomaselli, Chris Moore).

Today, the band is rounded out by guitarist Eric Barnett, drummer Kevin Aiello, and bassist extraordinaire Uriah Duffy whose resume includes working with Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Too Short, Sly & the Family Stone, and Starship.

We caught up with guitarist Eric Barnett to find out about their upcoming show at Peri’s Tavern in Fairfax.

Pacific Sun: You guys have been around for a minute. Who thought up the idea and when?

Eric Barnett: Believe it or not, Points North formed on Craigslist. I’m an East Coast transplant and initially moved out here in 2003. I hadn’t been active musically for a few years as I had a young family at the time. Our drummer Kevin Aiello posted an ad on Craigslist looking for folks to play instrumental music just for the joy of creating. I answered much too late and Kevin’s ad had already expired. Soon after, I posted my own looking for the person who made the original. Kevin immediately saw it and replied. He had already connected with Points North’s original bass player, Damien Sisson (current bassist of Death Angel), and we started rehearsing. As a trio, we played on Sunday mornings and never played any cover songs. Instead, we started writing our own music together. Within a few months, we had written a whole set and decided to try to play out. Our first show was at a little venue called the Time Out Tavern in Concord. Back in 2008, I was a finalist in a Guitar Player Magazine national competition which soon led to our record deal with Magna Carta Records (home to Kansas, YES, Liquid Tension Experiment, Steve Morse Band, Steve Stevens, Bozzio-Levin-Stevens, and more). Around that time, Damien was asked to join Death Angel. With their relentless touring schedule, there just wasn’t enough time for him for both bands. Kevin & I asked Uriah Duffy to join who had just recently left Whitesnake and that’s been the band line-up since. We have already put out two records and a third is coming.

Pacific Sun: You guys have opened for a bunch of well-known national acts. What were some of your favorite gigs?

Eric Barnett: The first Michael Schenker show will always be near and dear to my heart because it was our initial springboard. We opened for Eric Johnson who is a personal hero and my all-time favorite guitarist. We also played with Blues Traveler as they are childhood friends of mine and it was such a joy to reconnect with them. Our drummer Kevin would probably say the Steve Morse Band. We were booked as support for the Dixie Dregs, but then they removed all openers.

Pacific Sun: The band has been rather quiet as of late. Do you plan to play more in latter 2024 / 2025?

Eric Barnett: We do. As with many live acts, COVID really set us back. We did a few live streams from my garage and called it the ‘Monterey Garage Festival.’ We started working on new material – possible new album working title is ‘Pulling Some Strings’ – and I upgraded my home recording gear. Uriah and I both tracked guitar, bass, and drums at home, but it was somewhat of an arduous process. We are now in the mixing stage and plan to support some bigger-name artist friends of ours when possible. Additionally, we recently played a co-headline show with Daniele Gottardo and his wife Gretchen Menn (Zepparella) that was very successful. We’re definitely looking forward to doing more of that.

Girlpower Productions presents the ‘Sexy Sundays’ series with headliner Points North who play Peri’s Tavern located at 29 Broadway Blvd. in Fairfax. Doors open at 6pm and the show kicks off at 7pm. Also on the bill are New Earth Farmers, SourFlower, and Daydream Revival. Advance tickets are just $15 and can be purchased at www.peristavern.com or take your chances at the door. 21 and over only.

(Pacific Sun)