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.

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

Kirk Fletcher : Down To The Bone

It's a blue Monday today.

I'm a little disoriented from last night's Toledo show.

A blaze of funk fire gave way to nightmarish sleeplessness. Crying toddler tears from down the alley woke me repeatedly and tonight I sit perched on my fave bar stool with my fave bartender and my fave cocktail waitress on my least fave night of the week. Seems like everyone I know outside of this bar is out of town, out of love, out of luck or in the morgue.
So it looks like I'm in the right place.

Oh yeah!!!
I see the Miss Willie Brown crew is here, so big double long neck clinks to them.

Amanda and Kasey!!

Luv ya ladies!!!

- Posted live from Harvelle's using BlogPress & the Hipstamatic app for the iPhone

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Halloween @ Harvelle's : Haunted, Drunken & Sassy

Halloween was a three day long event. It was a month ago, but I've finally edited the photos. Presented here - Halloween at Harvelle's, including the Sassy Minx, Miss Willie Brown, the Toledo Show and the Back To The Future Time Machine.

Halloween Round-Up

Still recovering from a Harvelle's filled 3 day weekend!

There was little chance to rest between Friday's Miss Willie Brown show, Saturday's Sassy Minx Halloween party and the Sunday special haunted version of Toledo Show. The Back To The Future DeLorean Time Machine was a great photo op for all the patrons.

Halloween @ Harvelle's

Halloween Weekend is upon us, and Harvelle's is planning an entire weekend around the scariest holiday of them all.

Tonight - Friday, the return of Miss Willie Brown. If you haven't experienced Venice's own sassy country rocker girls and their fierce Stax-style back-up band, then you need to. It's well worth the price of admission to have your spirits raised and to have a sweaty good time to kick it all off. MK and the Gentlemen open the show. Costumes are encouraged!

Saturday - Halloween proper - is all about the Minx! Sassy Minx, the world famous So Cal based burlesque troupe bring their sex-o-licious bumping and grinding to a whole new level. Costume contest, Crystal skulls filled with Vodka, and the best looking crowd on the West side!

Sunday, it's the Toledo Show! If ya don't know bout the Toledo Show, ya better ask somebody or Google it or something... (fyi - it's easily the most exciting and original show around).

See you there!

(click on image to see it larger)

Miss Willie Brown :OH NO YOU DIDN"T!!!?!?!

Hell Yeah!!

Miss Willie Brown is something to see. Amanda (rt) and Kasey (lft) - the two front women of the band - are hash-slingin', boot-wearing, queens of the rodeo - IF the rodeo was held on Venice beach. And just like a lil' bit of sand in your country, these women do things musically that you wouldn't expect. Their country-western music rocks, swings, swoons, soothes and makes you feel proud to be an American, - and implicitly - they know how to have a party.

For a good time on a Thursday night, come hang out in a dark bar that's not "corporate" or "expensive" or "empty"; Miss Willie Brown will be here so stop on by, and say "howdy".

House Of Vibe : Tuna Melt

Chali 2na (below) gave us a party we won't soon forget Wednesday night at Harvelle's! The night's theme was 'sweat', and that we did, as the non-stop dance floor remained packed and kinetic.

House Of Vibe took their playing to an inspirational new level, as the musicians - Greg Raymond (keys), Pete Antunes (drums), Kris Hawkins (guitar), Corey Cofield (bass), Anthony Brewster (keys and vocals), Sebastian Legar (trumpet) Shaunte Palmer (trombone), Dan Boissy(sax)and Amy Lou (percussion) - jammed furiously, stunning and moving all at once. Westside Tribe members Deploi, Jon Swift and Tony Tarasco, took the stage like they were doing battle. And winning.

The party's highlight was Chali and his brother Laid Law (above). The H.O.V. backed hour-long set of new songs and classic Jurassic 5 (Chali's rap group) had the crowd singing along, waving their arms in the air and thrilled with the awesome 'robot dance' (below) he and Laid Law perpetrated.

Chali & Brew
Laid Law

Westside Tribe's Jon Swift & Deploi

Kris, Tony Tarasco & Deploi

TheArtist Kiki

Kasey and Amanda

(Miss Willie Brown)

[playing at Harvelle's on Sept 24]

Dan & Shaunte

The beautiful crowd included the ladies from Miss Willie Brown (Kasey & Amanda), Cecilia Noel (playing at Harvelle's on the 17th of Sept), TheArtist-Kiki and a plethora of fan's of true hip-hop.

MWB : Miss Willie BrownTears It Down

The ladies of Miss Willie Brown - Kasey and Amanda - brought their country-fried rock rodeo back to Harvelle's. The sweet voiced duo is as delicious to listen to as they are to watch. The brass balled backing band (including Brian Allen on bass) pushes the club into a sweaty packed-to-capacity night of utter Miss Willie Brown-worship.

Kirk & The Gang :Kirk Fletcher Shreds Into The Night.

Kirk Fletcher stayed in the shadows - dressed in black jeans, black t-shirt and black skateboard shoes -but his unmistakable guitar ability was definitely center-stage. His shredding pays a debt to everyone from Buddy Guy to Eddie Van Halen.  Matching his Telecaster with equal amounts sweet and gritty - on his right - was Strat wielding Sam*.  Legendary drummer James Gadson held down the beat in his unflinching heavy-soul style. The band even jammed out on "Use Me" (Gadson played on the original Bill Withers version). 

Baadasss Brian Allen played the bass - his bandmate from Miss Willie Brown - Luke* played all the keys. Paulie* kept the whole thing together, leading the group with Otis-y style vocals and saxophone.

*(didn't get their last names...

will re-post with the correct info)

Miss Willie Brown : Kasey & Her Cowboy Boots

Everybody's fave bar-b-que slinging country girl, Kasey, from Miss Willie Brown was hanging out at Harvelle's last night! She was there in support of bandmates Luke and Brian (keys and bass respectively) as they jammed the night away as part of Kirk Fletcher's group. Here she is in the parking lot showing off her boots.

MWB : Barnstorming

Miss Willie Brown champion the room! A shelter from the storm, as it poured down rain all over 4th St. Harvelle's was nearly flooded, but definitely overfilled with folks who came from near and far to be enthralled by Kasey and Amanda - the women collectively known as Miss Willie Brown. Absolutely one of the hottest acts around, they rocked the house and made it a party! Hope you were there. 

Kasey and Amanda thrash and burn. And harmonize sweetly!

and yes, it's Brian Allen on bass guitar

Miss Willie Brown :Proud To Be Southern (Californian)

Miss Willie Brown

Venice, California's very own Kasey and Amanda. Southern beauty and classic songwriting is what separate them from all the others. A night of hell-raising good times right here in good 'ol Santa Monica. 

Check out Miss WIllie Brown's music here. 

Miss Willie Brown : Setting The Westside On Fire

Kicking ass is a pastime Miss Willie Brown excel in. 

That they proved Thursday night at Harvelle's. 

Amanda sported a brand new guitar on it's maiden performance. With Kasey by her side, singing her heart out, it's an ultimate musical sight to behold. 

Miss Willie Brown is going places, catch them locally while you can.

(shout out to Kayleigh)

Miss Willie Brown Returns

Kasey and Amanda aka Miss Willie Brown, are it!

What can I say? These sassy Southern women are gorgeous, talented (they sing like angels) and on their way to the top. They have a decidedly Country leaning, but i would be more inclined to call it Western/American. Whatever you call it, the songs are full of catchy hooks, sing along choruses and sweet sweet soul. While the women harmonize sweetly, the band rocks it Memphis style.

Miss Willie Brown is pure entertainment. 

Last time I saw 'em the place was packed, and the energy in the room was off-the-charts. 

Highly recommended!

(shout out to Brian Allen on bass!)

Tomorrow : The Return of Miss Willie Brown

Tomorrow, the double-barreled shot of Kasey and Amanda aka Miss Willie Brown take aim at Santa Monica and hit their target - Harvelle's. 

Miss Willie Brown : Which One's Willie?

Remeniscent of Pink Floyd t-shirts in the 1970s that read "Which one's Pink?", a "Which One's Willie?" campaign might be something that the Southern women might wanna consider. The answer is that Amanda (the one who plays guitar) and Kasey (the one who doesn't) are collectively and officially Miss Willie Brown; 2 Venice locals who wait tables at one of the city's best Bar-B-Que joints, but with their sweet harmonies and their kick ass approach, the day job looks dangerously close to being not needed. They have what it takes. 

Completely engaging the crowd, even jumping onto the dance floor for a brief twirl with some enthusiastic fans, their songs are about freedom, relationships and .... 

bad relationships!

The intense 4 piece band pushed it to the max, dynamically backing the women. No small task, considering Kasey and Amanda's bookended high energy dose. Given genrous solos throughout the night the guitar/bass/drums/keyboards 4 piece opened the second set with some authentic Memphis-style r& b instrumentals.

(pix courtesy my camera phone)