Just Dave Band : My Old Crummy Life

Just Dave Band's Lessons Learned Vol. 1 sounds like a bunch of friends jammin' in the barnhouse, empty amber Bud™ bottles everywhere, vintage Fender™ amps buzzing deep into the night while the tape rolls. Spontaneous, inspired and rough around the edges, Dave testifies his heart-felt lyrics - sincere as Al Green - and full of So-Cal Holden Caufield angst and Gram Parsons narratives of traveling North of Ventura Blvd - (i.e. buying wine at Ralph's on Riverside Dr. in "My Old Crummy Life"). I can definitely relate to that!!!

[JUST DAVE OFFICIAL WEBSITE]

At times Dylan-esoteric or Eagles-rockin' and others Steely Dan-shiny, Dave Bernal's (aka J.D.) strong song-writing skill-set and obvious joy at the performing of these songs makes for an enjoyable experience which has been accompanied by repeated listenings.  Of course the star here is Bernal's harmonica playing! Innovatve, captivating and wholly musical, JD says a lot through that mouth harp of his.

[JUST DAVE FACEBOOK PAGE]

 The Burrito Brothers-esque "California Wildfire" bounces around comfortably full of sharp pedal steel and a sing-along chorus. Interesting thing about those California wildfires is that they can be witnessed from the basin of the San Fernando Valley; they can be felt (especially when those Santa Ana's kick in early in the fall), but they don't venture into the 'burbs of "the Valley". There's definitely a lot of heat there ("I been through hell" J.D. declares in "It's Only Life")!!

Just Dave (the band) is J.D.(vocals, harmonica, guitar), Johnny Stachela (guitar), Nelson Blanton (guitar), Lawrence Baulden (bass) and Dennis Pagano (drums)

Lessons Learned Vol. 1  is available  at all the usual outlets including:

AMAZON  +  iTUNES  +   CD BABY

Just Dave Band : Tales From The San Fernando Valley

The Just Dave Band is Dave Bernal on vocals guitar andharmonica, Chad Watson on bass, Nick Amoroso on drums and Aaron Tap on guitar.Johnny Stachela sat in on a couple songs on guitar. His SG was in the shop so he played the hell out of his Les Paul instead.

Dave Bernal (aka Just Dave or J.D.) is a folk/blues player whose prowess on his instruments is second only to his songs ; tales of love set in the San Fernando Valley.

As a native of Van Nuys (the pearl of the SFV oyster) I can truly appreciate Dave's take - us valley-ites being judged for years due to Nicolas Cage as the "new waver" in the movie Valley Girl, cheap digs in Clueless (the Beverly Hills kids get mugged in the valley), Fast Times At Ridgemont High's mall scenes being set in the Sherman Oaks Galleria, and of course Frank Zappa's unleashing of Valley-speak in the

classic "Valley Girl" that kinda set it all off.

Dave's work has nothing to do with

any of the above. He rides

through the streets of the valley with his six-stringer and makes impossible sounds through his harmonica. Catch him driving on the 101 or at a venue in the 818.

Special nod of gratitude to Deborah Foreman, Moon-unit Zappa, E.G. Daly, Stacey Dash, Birmingham High School Alums Sascha Escandon, Carlos Vera, Mariko Henderson, Leslie Deutsch & Andrea Wilson and The Blade Barbershop at Victory and Balboa!!

JSB : Johnny Stachela Band

The Johnny Stachela Band (JSB) is like a bad moon on the rise. JSB is Johnny Stachela (guitars guitars guitars), Jessie Payo (vocals) Vince Foster (drums) and Jason Benfield (bass). Johnny - his bad self - and that Gibson SG shredding up and down in his southern fried style is the model of a guitarist's guitarist. Seeing this band play is a reminder of why I love music. Jessie Payo never fails to impress with her soul wrenching singing and lovely prescence. The yin/yang duo provide hard and soft, sweet and sour, aggressive and gentle while Vince and Jason hold down the bottom end. Catch 'em live!!

JSB : Johnny Stachela BandSets The Night on Fire

I think I must have seen him with Leroy Powell.

Duane Betts was on stage as well, so there were three of 'em in total. Everyone had a Gibson SG and the solos were lengthy and in tandem - like The Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was one of the first times I had ever been to Harvelle's.

Over the years I've seen Johnny Stachela come through with at least a half dozen different bands - Just Dave, Miss Willie Brown, The Juke Hounds and of course Jessie Payo.

Johnny will be returning to Harvelle's Tuesday November 30 (playing before Tuesday residents Vintage Trouble), so get there early (8:30 or so), grab a beverage and proceed to the dance floor. Johnny Stachela and Harvelle's favorite - vocalist Jessie Payo will give you what you came for, what you want, what you need!!

Slideshow pix taken with the Hipstamatic app in tandem with the iPhone.

Harvelle's Weekend : Plan Accordingly!

< -Click to enlarge.

Friday:

The best of rock combined with deeep soulful vocals x 2!!!

Vintage Trouble celebrate the release of their new CD!

Opener Johnny Stachela with Jessie Payo on vocals bring the fire.

Get there early! This is gonna be a great evening of music!!

Saturday:

Jimmy Z is an amazing sax and harmonica player.

Jimmy Z & the Z-Tribe are Harvelle's favorites and they throw down some of the best blues around. Come and let down your hair!!

Sunday:

It's dark. It's erotic. It's funky. It's a burlesque cabaret and it's indescribable in words. That is The Toledo Show. If you ain't never been, what are you waiting for?

Harvelle's is your one stop shop for an evening out. Located in the heart of Santa Monica's award-winning downtown, Harvelle's provides music, full bar, ample dance floor, smooth dudes, kool cats, nice chicks, bitchy dames... everything you need for an unforgettable night. If you've been, you know.

Jessie Payo LIVE!! : Breakin' Her Fast

Jessie Payo recently announced on Facebook that she was taking a month off from singing. That time frame now over with, here she was at Harvelle's - looking great - but it was those in attendance who truly reaped the benefit of her respite. Sounding as great (or better) than she looked, Jessie quickly warmed the room with her soulful originals that she generously shares.

Jessie's performance tonight was part of the Koffeehouse Sessions, held at Harvelle's every 1st Thursday of the month, and her band included Johnny Stachela on guitar (above) and Frank Abraham on bass.

TOMORROW: TGIF Blues with Zac Harmon!!

Thanks to David & Cevin.

Special thanks to the Harvelle's staff : Candise, Mika, Guy, Samantha, Joseph, and Ernesto

Thumbs up to J., Kim Koury, Anastasia Roark and West 4th/Jane.

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

pix taken live from Harvelle's using the Hipstamatic app for the iPhone.

Thursday On Tap : PAYOTE & BUSHWALLA

With a double bill on tap, I arrived at Harvelle's earlier than usual - around 9 - I didn't want to miss a note of singer Jessie Payo's band PAYOTE. Featuring Johnny Stachela on guitar, Vince Fossett on drums, Aaron Leibowitz on sax and Bjorn Fleuren on bass, there was an implied "no disappointments" guarantee.

Johnny Stachela opened the set with some laptop slide playing, accompanying Jessie's lone vocal. As the band gathered onstage, Jessie treated us to some new tunes and a couple of faves, all the while, Johnny digging into those frets coaxing every single blue note out of his Gibson SG.

As reported here before, Jessie has a voice literally like no other. A magical explosion of blues, soul, gospel, country and classic rock's greatest, it has drama and passion, make you rock or break your heart.

I can't write about Jessie Payo without also mentioning her playful personality and sexy appearance (or is it the other way around?). She exudes warmth and beauty and love.

She's got it all.

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An Adidas man, like myself - a man fraternally nick-named Bushwalla - packed the place with fans, and entertained them with his tight band and great songs, that the crowd knew every word of. His bright red Sambas boasted white triple stripes, and kept the singer/songwriter buoyant and respectable as he set the night on fire.

Just Thursday. Just Hangin.

Just Dave.



Dave Bernal.

A harmonica.
A Heineken.
A cigarette.
A snort of whisky.
A D-tuned Taylor.
A Vibra-slap™ dangling from a mic stand.
Johnny Stachela on lead guitar.
A haiku (or two).
Hangin'.
That's the scene tonight down here on 4th St.

Also hangin' - Guy, Josef, Candise, Pete Antunes, Melinda, Dave and Cevin.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Jessie's Grill : Harvelle's Weekend Round-Up

Jessie Payo's natural whiskey soaked vocal quality is ridiculously soulful, exuding hapiness and hippiness, and alternately delivering beautiful controlled moving ballads to king rockers (including ones by influential artists such as Black Crowes, Betty Davis and Bill Withers). Johnny Stachela slings his axe with rock 'n' roll force that brings modern blues rock guitar to new heights. Sitting in towards the end of the night, Amanda Watkins of Miss Willie Brown did what she does best, and brought it like a rock star!!

Thursday brought out local super group Grillin' Bunnyz. The Venice based quintet features Brian Allen on bass, Kris Hawkins on guitar, Luke Miller on keys and the dynamic Emily on vocals. They traversed the funk songbook, including the best of Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan with a heap of Aretha and a sprinkle of Marvin Gaye and Funkadelic

Jessie Payo : Stocking Stuffer

Recently, Harvelle's released a CD of live performances by some of it's most popular acts who play at the Westside blues bar. "Soul Of A Man" by Jessie Payo is the last track on the CD and also the most devastating. It burns through the speakers and sends shivers down the spine.

In person, it's pretty much the same except you have the dazzling visual of Jessie herself. A rare beauty with long dark hair and stage prescence to spare, she is electric, mind-blowing and rocks the house to it's core.

Jessie Payo is here Friday night.

Tonight: Get your bunnyz fix.

The return of Grillin' Bunnyz.

From fun to funky, the Grillin' Bunnyz handle both ends of the spectrum.

Leroy Powell : Rip This Joint

Leroy Powell brought his southern-fried self to Harvelle's Friday night. Leroy is a hell of a singer and played lead guitar alone and in tandem with Johnny Stachela creating a most Jagger/Richards-esque combo.

Bjorn Fleuren (bass) and Iahji Hampden (drums) are too of the most in-demand players in town; I seem to run into them all the time at jazz and funk gigs. They evidently never played before with Leroy, but to watch these guys git it raw provided an awesome night of real rock 'n' roll.