Lagwagon opens up their set at the Oakland Metro Opera House with “Kids Don’t Like To Share,” “Violins,” and “Island Of Shame.” It was the first time that the band and I were at the Oakland Metro and it was ok. There were some pretty major sound issues it seemed – particularly with the monitors, but the guys rocked the house as usual. Good times!!

The Trespassers finish up their set with “Swamp Gas” while at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco for their CD release party for “Road Time: Live In California.” Tarantula dedicates the song to his mom, and every one gets down and boogies! It was a great night.

Lagwagon wrapping up their set with “Alien 8″ and “May 16″ at the Fillmore in San Francisco on Saturday January 21, 2012.

The Trespassers get the crowd moving with “Golden Vein” at the Great American Music Hall during their CD release party on May 5th for “Road Time: Live In California.”

Enjoy the music too – a little Metallica with “Battery.”

The Trespassers
Sarah Cupery Ottley (violin/fiddle, vocals), Benny Lee Friedrich (upright bass, vocals), Andy “Tarantula” Roberts (banjo, guitar, vocals), and “Bronco” Ben Goger (guitar, mandolin, vocals)

So, what are you up to this coming Cinco de Mayo? Well, if you are in San Francisco and want to have some fun I highly recommend going and seeing The Trespassers at the Great American Music Hall in support of their CD release party for Road Time: Live In California! The Trespassers have been described in the following ways:

“Homesteaders, activists, educators, workers, philosophers, travelers; The Trespassers strive to live in harmony with this world. Their songs often times include critiques and solutions pertinent to life in the twenty-first century.”

“The Trespassers sing stories that make you feel at peace but also dare to remind you that we are not always alright in this complex, modern world. Strength, protest, anger, hope and, above all, love are the emotions that resound off canyon and concrete walls as this band drifts across the west.”

“This young band is coming into their prime, after eight years of playing in the underground. Honing their skills in taverns, barns, campfires, at grassroots music festivals and environmental rallies. They are ready to bring their music and message to a wider audience.”

I have been lucky enough to work with The Trespassers a few times in the past and I can easily say that they are a group of the nicest people you could ever meet. They are truely just down to Earth, good people trying to make it by in this world. They are always looking to have a good time and it comes across in their music. They always get the crowd moving with their infectious energy.

The Trespassers have been touring around the West for quite a while now, so you may have already caught their Sierra Foothill Folk music at places like the Strawberry Music Festival, Joshua Tree Music Festival, Fillmore Poster Room, Carter Ranch Music Festival, Café Du Nord, and the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival.

To put together Road Time: Live In California, The Trespassers recorded all their live shows from their 2011 Summer and Fall tours. They then had the recordings mixed at Jerseydale – Ain’t No Studios by Peter Bogle. The album features 19 songs recorded live at 6 venues in 2011 and can be purchased now at CD Baby.

Tickets are now available for The Trespassers’ official CD release in San Francisco at The Great American Music Hall. Go to http://tickets.gamh.com/events/196440 to buy tickets. Opening for them will be Windy Hill, Faux Renwah, and Melody Walker. If you know you’re going to the show, or you think you’re going to the show, please buy your tickets in advance! It’ll also be an awesome opportunity to get a great discount on their new album. I have heard from the band, and they are very excited about this show and hope to share the evening with you! Hope to see you there!!

In the meantime, here are some videos of The Trespassers performing at a gig I got them in the KPIG studios years ago:

Lagwagon playing “Coffee & Cigarettes” at the Fillmore in San Francisco on Saturday January 21, 2012.
This is probably one of my favorite Lagwagon songs. I’ve always loved playing this tune on the guitar.

Police Chief Don Pedersen said a break in the case came when a 51 year old security guard from the Culver Studios named, Daryl Emmette Washington, pawned one of the guitars at a Hollywood pawn shop for only $250. While I am sure that Tom Petty and the boys are glad to get their instruments back, a message seeking comment from the band’s publicist, Jim Merlis, was not immediately returned.

Have a good tour, guys!

Lagwagon performing “Mr. Coffee” at the Fillmore in San Francisco on Saturday January 21, 2012. Tried to get a little bit of the pit and got Joey doing some jump rope with the mic cable. Good times!

06/19/12 – The State Theater in Ithaca, NY
06/20/12 – Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, MD
06/22/12 – MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, CT
06/23/12 – Mountain Park in Holyoke, MA
06/24/12 – Governors Ball Music Festival at Randall’s Island in New York, NY
06/26/12 – Warner Theatre in Washington, DC
06/27/12 – Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, PA
06/29/12 – Ives Concert Park in Danbury, CT
06/30/12 – Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston, MA
07/01/12 – State Theatre in Portland, ME
07/03/12 – L’ Olympia Theatre in Montreal, QC
07/04/12 – The Sound Academy in Toronto, ON
07/06/12 – Cain Park in Cleveland, OH
07/07/12 – The Fillmore Detroit (State Theatre) in Detroit, MI
07/10/12 – The Chicago Theatre in Chicago, IL
07/11/12 – Murat Theatre @ Old National Centre in Indianapolis, IN
07/13/12 – Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN
07/14/12 – Peabody Opera House in St. Louis, MO
07/16/12 – Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, MN
07/17/12 – The Midland by AMC in Kansas City, MO
07/20/12 – Paramount Theatre in Denver, CO
07/21/12 – Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, UT
07/24/12 – Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, BC
07/25/12 – Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA
07/26/12 – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, OR
07/28/12 – Fox Theater in Oakland, CA
07/29/12 – Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, you can check out her website at http://www.fiona-apple.com/

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area you can get pre order tickets to the Fox Theater show starting Thursday April 12 at 10am by going to Ticketmaster and using the password, “grand.”

I can’t wait!