Bands Galore

Tucson’s Got Talent

I am fortunate to be playing music with some of Tucson’s best right now. I’m hoping we’ll be able to continue without COVID Interruptus, which seems to be taking certain parts of the country by storm. Pima County still looks pretty good in comparison but we still have many among us who feel that their freedoms are being tromped on when asked to get a jab. For the common good.

My main gig has been an ongoing one with Kevin Pakulis every Sunday at Borderlands Brewing Company, 119 E Toole in Tucson. We kick it at 2:30 and go to about 5. Since we’ve been playing there for almost five years we see many of the same faces week after week, a dedicated bunch who attend our version of church.

The cast includes Kevin on guitar, vocals, and his original songs along with Clay Koweek on guitar, Karl Hoffmann on bass, Dr. Joel Dvoskin on background vocals, and me on the cans. Clay is out of town this coming Sunday so we’ll be honored with the presence of saxophonist Alex Flores!

For those of you planning ahead, we’ll be at Monterey Court in Tucson on Saturday, September 4th from 7-10.

I posted back in July about the relatively new band I’m drumming in headed up by songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Lex Browning. We call it The Tirebiters and local legend Steve Grams, by way of South Dakota and Minnesota, is on bass and vocals.

Our next gig is at Borderlands Brewing Company, Friday, August 27, from 7-10pm. We’ll be on the outdoor stage so spread the word if you’re in Tucson.

The Tirebiters, “Waiting For A Long Time” by Stephen Bruton, video by Jim Travis, Alvin Blaine on lap steel, 8.15.21

I’ve also been sitting in quite frequently with The Determined Luddites on Monday nights for the Meet Me At Maynards gig on the Hotel Congress patio, 5:30-7:30. The Luddites are Dan Hostetler on guitar and vocals, Dan Davis on mandolin and vocals, Gabe Hostetler on bass, Tim O’Connor on fiddle, and, when he’s in town, Peter McLaughlin on guitar and vocals. Hostetler describes the music as Hillbilly Gospel.

I’ll be back with the boys this Monday, August 23rd.

I’m also considered a Whiskeypalian in Don Armstrong’s band that plays at Monterey Court every last Wednesday of the month from 6:30-9:30. Along with Don the players are Petie Ronstadt on guitars and vocals, Liz Cerepanya on vocals, Nick Coventry on fiddle, and Bill “Slim” Rost on bass.

Photo by Phil Kelly

The next gig is Wednesday, August 25 at Monterey Court, as I believe in the power of redundancy.

I’ll mention that all of the above bands are performing their own original material, along with a few choice covers, and all are terrific songwriters.

I’m also still getting some calls to perform on the accordion so I’ve thrown together a trio I’m calling Hard Sun Aggregate for now. We’ll be playing the kick-off of Oracle State Park’s Dark Sky Star Party on Saturday, September 11 from 6-8pm. I’ll have Karl Hoffmann on bass and vocals along with Clay Koweek on guitar and vocals for this one.

That’s all for now and I hope we are able to continue playing out in public…see you out there!

Oh, and this…