KoffeeMouse Sessions

Koffeehouse sessions at Harvelle's is a very cool showcase for up and coming talent. Tonight's roster included Mansions On The Moon, Trevor Davis (left) and Stacy Clark.

Stacy Clark and her band (Brian-keys, Brandon-bass, Tyler-drums, Blaine-guitar) kicked off the night with a set of covers and originals that showcased her strong voice.

Mansions On The Moon

Anastasia Roark

Trevor Davis

J, Anastasia and C.J.

Stacy Clark

The singing and guitar playing of Trevor Davis (who was accompanied by Darla on percussion and backing vocals) filled the room with a big sound despite their minimal line-up. Trevor's Michael Jackson influenced set was original and fun.

Mansions On The Moon (Ted Wendler, Ben Hazlegrove and Lane Shaw) are a mystery. While very few people in the room had actually heard them or seen them (this was their first live performance), the place was packed with people there to check them out.

Anastasia Roark hosted the evening, which also included an open mic session prior to the scheduled performers. Special mention go to The Councilmen - a Bakersfield based band who showed some real pop sensibility.

Mouse (right) is the petite and tattooed woman with the clipboard -running things - and keeping the night on schedule. Koffeehouse Sessions is held at Harvelle's the first Thursday of the month.

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.

Vintage Trouble : Take The Shot!!!

Vintage Trouble never disappoint.

They have spent the last week in the studio non-stop recording their second album, which judging by the new ones they have been playing live, should be a soul-stirring collection of great songs. Right after the set tonight, the guys from VT packed up and headed back to the studio to go 'til the break of dawn.

Here's the photographic proof of last night's rip-roaring son-of-a-gun performance! The band members are Nalle Colt-guitars, Richard Danielson-drums, Rick Barrio Dill-bass/vocals, Charlie Brumbly-vocals/harmonica/tambourine and of course the amazing frontman Ty Taylor tearing it up on vocals!!

Vintage Trouble does this every Tuesday at Harvelle's.

If you haven't had trouble in your life, get some!!!

I come from Vintage Trouble

Look out if I’m the one you found

I’ll pop your bubble

With my live wire, straight shooting dirty mouth...

-Blues Hand Me Down

from The Bomb Shelter Session

The UltraLove Definition : LOVE To The Extreme

What is Ultralove?

Let's break it down!

We all know what LOVE is!

There's many kinds of love.

So many, that I could write a daily blog about love and all the ways love manifests itself. Poems, songs, books, sculptures, paintings, relationships - so many are about love! LOVE LOVE LOVE! It's pretty well covered.

So let's move on to "ULTRA"!

The dictionary definition:

ultra- |ˈəltrə|

1 beyond; on the other side of 2 extreme; to an extreme degree

Ultralove is a band that plays at Harvelle's at the beginning of every week. Their nu-skool alt-R&B keeps it fresh enough to bring people out on a Monday night; the infectious hooks and silk smooth harmonies always leave their songs in my head long after the music has ended.

Tonight, triple threat Jon Swift (singing/ rapping/ keys) took 64 bars to plead his case to the responsive crowd. Swift is part of House Of Vibe/ Westside Tribe. He performs at Harvelle's every Wednesday!

Right before the end of the last song none other than Toledo Diamond of The Toledo Show took the stage for a smoke and an extended verse! Toledo brings you into his rough & tumble world from the first note out of his mouth. "T" always plays it cool!

Ultralove plays every Monday night.

The Ultralove CD "[rev-o-lu-tion]" is available : iTunes + Amazon

Harvelle's Weekend : Plan Accordingly

< -Click to enlarge.

Friday:

JT Ross The Harmonica Boss:

This show will feature the amazing talent of guitar wizard Henry Carvajal and Jerry Angel on the drums. Benjamin Bateman Band opens the night.

Saturday:

The Delgado Brothers!

Latin tinged blues and r&b! Always a good time and a great night to let loose and dance. Get on the floor! You'll be glad you did!

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.

JT Ross says:

"Harvelle's is the OLDEST live music venue on the west side and is among the most intimate of clubs one will find in Los Angeles. It's dark & sexy and the perfect room for dressing up, sipping your favorite top shelf cocktail and dancing the night away. So bring your friends, husbands, wifes, lovers, neighbors and anyone who simply wants to have an incredible time."

Leo Nocentelli : The Meters Experience

HEY POCKY WAY!!

That's the battle cry of the funky.

Specifically the funky of New Orleans.

Guitarist Leo Nocentelli - founding father of funk - leads the charge!

Leo Nocentelli is one of the founding members of the New Orleans funk band, The Meters. The much sampled classic funk jams such as "Cissy Strut""Look-Ka Py Py" and "Hey Pocky Way" feature Nocentelli's guitar playing.

Pesuky & Patricia hangin' outside.

VINTAGE TROUBLE : In Full Effect!

Vintage Trouble is the L.A. based soul group that plays every Tuesday night at Harvelle's. The band formed earlier this year and just released their first album "The Bomb Shelter Sessions" (available @ iTunes, Amazon etc.) This CD as well as t-shirts are available at the club.

Vintage Trouble is Ty Taylor - vocals, Nalle Colt - guitars, Rick Barrio DIll - bass, Richard Daniels - drums and Charlie Brumbly - harmonica and vocals. The photos below were taken at last Tuesday's performance.

All images taken with the Hipstamatic™ app for the iPhone.