A Day for Hootin’ ‘n’ Hollerin’
Hootenanny ‘96, Sunday at Oak Canyon Ranch, is geared to music fans who crave rock ‘n’ roll that has a strong sense of roots.
There will be roots aplenty at this festival, from the shade trees that dot its park-like setting to the 10 acts that will play on two adjacent stages during seven hours of nonstop music. Here’s a rundown of the performers.
MAIN STAGE
* Jerry Lee Lewis: One of the great rock ‘n’ roll originals, the Killer, at 60, remains a potentially volcanic force in concert.
Sheer ego stokes the fire that burns in the surgically repaired innards of this son of the original Sun Records. When it flames fully onstage, it can drive Jerry Lee to kick out his piano bench, pound the keys as if determined to annihilate them, and climb astride his instrument to claim a final triumph.
There’s also a soulful side that comes through when this weathered old warrior plays a heartfelt country ballad. While Lewis is one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most arresting stage performers, fans shouldn’t overlook his backing band, which includes guitarist and fiddler Kenny Lovelace, who has been with him for decades, and the mighty James Burton, one of the tastiest and most influential guitarists in rock history.
* Social Distortion: One of the most respected, longest-running and creatively consistent bands in the history of the Orange County punk movement. SD’s sound merges punk thrust and heft with the blues and country sources that have long intrigued leader Mike Ness.
This will be the band’s first area concert in more than a year as it emerges from marathon, intensive sessions for its first album in more than four years. Hootenanny fans figure to get a good sampling of the songs from “White Light, White Heat, White Trash,” which is scheduled for release Sept. 17 (the first single, probably “I Was Wrong,” will be released to radio stations in August). Joining fixtures Ness, Dennis Danell and John Maurer for the gig will be a new drummer, punk and metal veteran Chuck Biscuits.
* Supersuckers: “Hell-bent” is a concise description of this cowboy-hatted Seattle band, which gleefully turbocharges old Stones/Berry licks and lets fly.
Singer Eddie Spaghetti and company are Arizona expatriates who earned their own rootsy spurs by backing Willie Nelson on a track from “Twisted Willie,” a tribute album of juiced-up renditions of his songs. A band to treasure for those who like their rock ‘n’ roll loud, sweaty and unrelenting.
The Blasters: With Social Distortion and the Supersuckers playing roots-informed punk-alternative rock, the Blasters give the bill balance by playing roots rock in the traditional mode.
Mighty-voiced Phil Alvin and bassist John Bazz have been the band’s mainstays, going back to the late ‘70s, when the Blasters emerged on the L.A. club scene to show (along with X) that punk rock and roots rock were compatible manifestations of the same, energizing musical force.
Phil’s younger brother, primo songwriter Dave Alvin, is long gone from the band, but the Blasters’ catalog is rich with some of his enduring nuggets, together with Phil’s authentic-sounding explorations of the blues, country and R&B; traditions. The current lineup, with drummer Jerry Angel and guitarist Keith Wyatt, is working on a live album for the Private Music label.
Los Infernos: This emerging Riverside band describes itself as “surf with a twang,” as it blends punk, surf rock and rockabilly influences.
Singer Derek Coon fronts a lineup that includes drummer Amando Soto, bassist Danny Manuel, lead guitarist Matt Beld and rhythm guitarist Vince Maldonado. The band’s first CD, “Radio Kaos,” is due for release Aug. 6 on Doctor Dream Records. It also marks the record producing debut of O.C. punk-pop veteran Steve Soto.
SECOND STAGE
Southern Culture on the Skids: This North Carolina trio does a greasy, swampy take on its home region’s rock ‘n’ roll traditions. Its lighthearted songs are not averse to simultaneously celebrating and poking fun at life on the wrong side of the tracks in that other Southland, the one that used to be known as Dixie.
The Paladins: This versatile, hard-touring roots-rock trio from San Diego County has issued four studio albums since 1986, showcasing a sure hand with rockabilly, blues and heartland-rock styles.
Next up for singer-guitarist Dave Gonzalez, bassist Tom Yearsley and drummer Jeff Donovan is a live album for 4AD Records, the English label better known for its dreamy and experimental alternative bands than for the raucous roadhouse music the Paladins play. The album, featuring fresh renditions of some of the band’s catalog nuggets, is due in September.
James Intveld: This former Garden Grove resident’s many-faceted talent has landed him in some interesting musical circumstances: ghost-singing for Johnny Depp in the ‘50s-rock spoof movie “Cry-Baby,” writing country songs for Rosie Flores’ first album, playing guitar in the Blasters and fronting various incarnations of his own bands, which have played rockabilly, country and heartland rock.
Intveld’s self-titled debut album is available as a German import. He’ll be playing the Hootenanny with a stripped-down rock band but can also be seen Thursday nights at the Derby in Los Angeles, fronting a nine-piece swing band called Jimmy & the Gigolos.
Sun Demons: This Fullerton trio is immersed in rockabilly tradition, but is willing to add a modern edge. Guitarist Dan Edwards, bassist Jeff West and drummer Joe Tatar (a reformed speed metalist who used to play with Aversion) have two self-produced CDs out.
Coming up: a California tour in August in which they will back old-time rockabilly Buddy Knox and share billings with members of Gene Vincent’s backing band, the Blue Caps.
Custom Made Scare: Hailing from Canoga Park in L.A. County, Custom Made Scare will be trying to impress with a blend of punk rock, country and rockabilly as it plays its first major festival gig.
Singer Dave Hall, guitarist Kevin Caruso, bassist Sammy (who dispenses with a surname) and drummer Jose Medeles are about to release their first vinyl single, “White and Lazy,” for No Name Records, and are working on a full-length record with O.C. producer Jim Monroe.
Note: A Cadillac Tramps reunion set has been advertised as part of the festival bill, but promoters said the band may not be able to play because of the various members’ other musical commitments. If available, the Tramps will appear on the second stage following Jerry Lee Lewis’ performance.
* Hootenanny ’96 is Sunday at Oak Canyon Ranch, Santiago Canyon. 11:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. $29.50. (714) 991-2055 (taped information) or (714) 740-2000 (Ticketmaster).
HOOTENANNY ’96 FESTIVAL
Main Stage:
* 12:15 to 1 p.m.: Los Infernos
* 1:15 to 2 p.m.: The Blasters
* 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.: Supersuckers
* 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.: Social Distortion
* 5:30- 7 p.m.: Jerry Lee Lewis
Second Stage:
* 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Custom Made Scare
* 12:45 to 1:15 p.m.: Sun Demons
* 2 to 2:30 p.m.: James Intveld
* 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.: The Paladins
* 4:45-5:30 p.m.: Southern Culture on the Skids
