Toledo Show : Mad, BadAnd Dangerous To Know

It's a Sunday night at Harvelle's and that means only one thing!

The awesomely delicious burlesque funk performers collectively known as the Toledo Show are taking over!! From 9:30 til close, The Toledo Show have been bringing their patented blend of bump 'n' grind funk with the gritty storytelling of front man/lead singer Toledo Diamond.

Allison (violin) and Sebastian (trumpet)

Toledo Diamond is a legend.

He is easily the hardest working man in show business. He is definitely one of the most entertaining. And you know what? I think I'm underselling it here.

Brian Allen (bass)

Brew (keys)

Toledo is mesmerizing.

Sober as a statue, his only vice being his steady stream of Erik™ cigars, he ringmasters one of the funkiest musical experiences I've ever been privy to witness. Tight as a snare drum, this group, which ranges in numbers from 4 - 15 (+) features singers, horn players, rappers, keyboardists, one of the greatest bass players ever(!) - basically, everything you would need if you were going into funky battle.

Shamari (vocals)

This has been going on for the better part of a decade at Harvelle's, and the rabid fans and Toledo Show every-week regulars are almost as much a part of the show as what's going on onstage. Especially for the un-indoctrinated, there's a bit of a cultural learning curve; The Toledo Show's funk exists at almost lethal levels and seems at it's best, when mixed with much sweat from dancing and perhaps a cocktail (or two)* from Mika or John behind the bar.

Women have been known to swoon at Toledo's aura, and men have become instantly smitten by the waaaay too-sexy dancing girls known as The Dames (not pictured here).

Walter Davis (saxophone)

Besides the music though, witnessing the clothes, the sound, the lights, the dancing girls, the aerialists, the Toledo fans, the sexy women in the front, the cats, the dames; the whole dirty deal.... will leave you glad you decided to step out on a Sunday night.

It's a scene man.

You gotta check it out!

(There's CDs for sale behind the bar if you want a souvenir)

*never drink and drive!!

Big Blog shout-outs to Mr. Toledo Diamond, Brian Allen, Walter Davis, Leigh (aerialist) and

The Dames : Erin, Mindy, Ashley, Leah & Molly.

Happy belated birthday to Jackie O'Neill!

Special thanks always to David and Cevin and the

Harvelle's Sunday cast & crew - John, Mika, Melinda, Emily, Stan & Ernesto.

Howdy to Kasey, Amanda and Baby Blues Bar-B-Q

Nick Moss : Chicago Style

Nick Moss is a big man.

So big that his Fender Strat looks like one of the plastic guitars that come with the Guitar Hero video game. His sound is big too! He plays a mean guitar as well as harmonica and vocals.

There's nothing like the blues to brighten up a room or a mood — some party good-time Saturday night music. I didn't walk into this room looking for a good time but that's what the gregarious Nick Moss is handing out.


Playing tunes from his latest CD, Moss plays with force and vengeance belying his mellow talkative exterior. His 3 piece band - The Flip Tops - was tight and kicked ass super hard!! Nick and the guys took extended musical journeys to the unlikeliest of places, maximizing the genre of blues far past it's standard 12-bar style. Explosive and mind expanding!!

This entry posted live from Harvelle's using BlogPress & the iPhone Hipstamatic photo app

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Harvelle's Weekend : Plan Accordingly!

< -Click to enlarge.

Friday:

Club favorite Dennis Jones brings his rockin' trio for an end-of-the-week, blow-off-some-steam-and-dance party - heavy on blues favorites and some of D.J.'s crazy-cool originals.

Saturday:

Nick Moss and The Flip Tops bring the best in Chicago guitar blues to the stage of Harvelle's for the first time. A Saturday night you won't soon forget.

Sunday:

It's a funky burlesque cabaret and the master of ceremonies - Toledo Diamond - is one of the most charismatic figures in L.A.'s underground. The Toledo Show has been turning people on for nearly a decade.

Harvelle's — located in the heart of Santa Monica's historic downtown — provides music, full bar, ample dance floor... everything you need for an unforgettable night. The best of blues, jazz, soul, latin and burlesque since 1931.

Vintage Trouble : The Trouble With Pix

Another trouble-free Trouble Tuesday with Vintage Trouble here at Harvelle's. Here's a few photos from the night.

We'll do it again next Tuesday.

all images created with the Hipstamatic™ app for the iPhone

Vintage Trouble : Every Tuesday

They call it Trouble Tuesday because the band Vintage Trouble headlines every Tuesday. Each week they play, the crowd gets bigger - more and more people are catching the buzz and coming down to check 'em out.

Doing some research on them, they all have varied pasts in performing and the world of live music. They've paid their dues. Everything is in place. The songs, the dynamics, the energy - they look and sound like a rock band's supposed to (or a soul group... not sure which and don't wanna label 'em).

Lately they've been introducing new songs, stretching out the familiar ones, interacting with the crowd; Ty loves to dance with the audience and every note he sings is from the heart. Nalle plays with force and chops the hell out of his Les Paul with his leads. The guy is a guitar god. Rick holds it rock steady, keeping the bottom end in place and making people's asses move. Richard keeps it deep in the pocket and holds it down. And don't forget Charlie! His background vocals and harmonica adds a secret spice to the mix.

It's easy to see why this band is on their way up.

Ty Taylor - vocals

Richard Danielson - drums

Ty Taylor and Vintage Trouble

Nalle Colt - lead guitar

Rick Barrio Dill - bass and vocals

(not pictured - Charlie Brumbly - harmonica and backing vocals)

Check out their CD "The Bomb Shelter Sessions" available on iTunes and Amazon

House Of Vibe : Chali 2NA In Da House!

I don't like seafood.

I don't like anything that come from the ocean. Maybe it's the briney-ness or the texture... not sure but keep it away from me.

But I like Chali 2na!!

Not the mascot for Starkist™, or the radio D.J., but the rapper - of Jurassic 5, so it was a surprise to find out he was joining House Of Vibe for their *special* Friday night show (House Of Vibe plays every Wednesday at Harvelle's).

Chali and the House Of Vibe just got back from touring all over North America (including a bunch of shows in Canada).

Chali recently released Fish Market Part 2!! If you haven't, check it out!! Real hip-hop for the heads out there.

Big shout outs to David and Cevin @ Harvelle's, Deploi, Tony Tarrasco, Jamie Brewster, Anthony Brewster, Laidlaw and Johnny Ringo.

Vintage Trouble : Get to Know VT

VINTAGE TROUBLE plays every Tuesday at Harvelle's. A relatively new band (they played their first gig earlier this year). I thought it would be good to meet the guys in the band. While a small hail of falling stars disappeared into the night sky - that's just the way it is out here - I met up with the men of VT in the parking lot of Harvelle's before the show. I hit 'em with just some basic questions which I thought would be revelatory in describing who they are.

Ty Taylor/lead vocals
from:Montclair NJ
how did you get started?
Ty was brought up singing in church and remembers singing "kum bay ya" his first time in public. Ty has acted since a young age and seems to have balanced the two careers having bothe performed on Broadway and with his own band Dakota Moon (Elektra).
first concert: Prince (Controversy Tour) @ Madison Square Garden
3 fave cds:
Carole King - Tapestry

Black Keys - The Big Come up
Prince - Purple Rain

last thing you bought:

Cheesburgers and onion rings

Nalle Colt/guitar
from:Malmo, Sweden
how did you get started?:
When Nalle first heard The Beatles She Loves You, he didn't know English. "I didn't know what it meant, but it made me feel something I never felt."
first concert:
Johnny Thunders (in Malmo, Sweden)
3 fave cds:
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland

Beatles - Abbey Road

Verve - Urban Hymns
last thing you bought:

guitar strings

Charlie Brumbly/harmonica & vocals
from:Rock Falls, IL
how did you get started?:
"my dad and my older brother used to play harmonica around the house"

Charlie - like Ty - grew up performing in stage and screen while still playing in bands.

first concert:

Genesis (Invisble Touch Tour)
3 fave cds:
Bob Dylan - Blood On The Tracks

Rolling Stones - Some Girls

Lyle Lovett - Pontiac

Rick Barrio Dill/bass & vocals
from:Tampa FLA
how did you get started?:
A young Rick was exposed to Sly And The Family Stone, and felt that bottom end provided by Larry Graham.... and that was it. He knew what he wanted to do. Make people's asses move!

first concert:

David Lee Roth solo tour (with Steve Vai)
3 fave cds:
Sly And The Family Stone - Fresh

Donny Hathaway - Live
Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life

last thing you bought:
6$ tie from Threshold on Melrose

Richard Danielson/drums
from:Glendale, CA
how did you get started?:
"Nature. "I knew I needed to play the drums as a young child. There was a sexiness to it. It made me tingle." he added "It was in me."
first concert:
Ozzy (in the early 80s)
3 fave cds:
Beatles - Abbey Road
Jeff Buckley - Grace
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
last thing you bought:
video camera