One-Man-Band Matt Bolton jams at #Petaluma’s Lagunitas Taproom

As a former musician I had to watch closely to how Matt Bolton performs.   After processing all that he does to create his music I was very impressed.  I have to admit my first impression was – this guy has recorded tracks for his background music – WRONG! I am usually very impressed with artists like Geddy Lee of Rush who sings, plays bass, organ bass foot pedals, and keyboards at the same time.  That would be too simple for Matt. Geddy would have to get rid of Neal Peart and play the acoustics as well to keep up with him.

Matt has toured with bands like Todd Rundgren and Jesse Colin Young band (that I actually had the opportunity to play a few songs with at the Inn of the Beginning in Cotati many moons ago). Rundgren recently said “I knew Matt was a player – that’s why I hired him.  But, it wasn’t until I a saw him do his own thing that I realized what an entertainer he is.” according to the Kauai Music Scene.

This solo artist from the Island of Kauai tours nationally and plays several genres of music using guitars, bass guitars, drums, keyboards, piano, saxophone, violin, mandolin, slide guitar, ukelele, banjo, percussion, dobro and yes, he does the singing too.  Matt was kind enough to dedicate this song to Positively Petaluma in this video we produced.

 

The Gravel Spreaders at #Petaluma’s Lagunitas – Hee Haw Metal???

The Gravel Spreaders, a Bay Area band, made an appearance at the Lagunitas Tap Room (and that’s stating it mildy). The genre of their music, Hee Haw Metal!  What?  It was so different it draws you in and the crowd was getting into it. You had to pay attention because you had no idea what they were going to play next.

Gravel Spreaders with Editor of Petaluma Magazine: Photo By Naomi Carlson
Gravel Spreaders with Editor of Petaluma Magazine: Photo By Naomi Carlson

The band is made of four members Bud Hole on bandit bass and lead vocals, Buzzy Do-Well on banjo, Dr. Buck Knife playing lead on mandolin and jaw harp, and Uncle Mungar on acoustic and slide guitars. Barefoot, overalls, cowboy and trucker hats you’re thinking country, but then they’re jammin’ tunes like Ozzie Osborne, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, ACDC. Most shocking to us was a punk song from the Ramones. They fill their songs with comedic innuendos of clever lyrics, blowing raspberries or letting out chicken calls.

Lagunitas Tap room has excellent bands on a regular basis, but we have to say that this band had an entertainment factor not seen before and not to soon forgotten.  We hope that  they make a return appearance in the future.

Here is a video of one of their performance of Ozzie Osborns Crazy Train.

For more information about this band, click here to go to their website.