Harmonica John Fraiser
Hordes of pirates climbed aboard the William D. Evans sternwheeler docked behind the Bahia Hotel. The swashbucklers were accompanied by sea creatures, vampires, angels, and devils. They all made their way down the gangplank to board the beautiful hundred-foot-long vessel for Six String Society’s Hallo-Gras cruise. A hybrid of the annual Haunted Halloween and Mardi-Gras cruises. The sternwheeler with its 19th-century charm was scheduled to board at 5p.m and set sail at 7p.m. The cruise featured a VIP dinner and several bands and artists performing on all three ship levels. Decked out in my best journalist costume, complete with my cameras and press pass, I was ready for a night of great music.
The evening began moderately as the VIP guests enjoyed their multi-course dinner while ambient music played in the background. I took the opportunity to meander around the boat and check out the majestic vessel. I walked outside and admired the spiral wooden staircases at the ship’s bow; that is where I encountered Harmonica John Fraiser, a.k.a. Solobo. He was playing guitar accompanied by his harmonica and vocals for the guests as they boarded the boat. I struck up a conversation with the multi-instrumental musician-singer who donned a wrestling mask and bright red suspenders. He talked a bit about his musical journey. He has performed for a little more than 30 years and has released a couple of CDs, one of which, titled Inside the Radar, featured Fraiser on all the instrumental parts, including vocals. It was clear why he donned the name Harmonica John when I heard him play the harp. He sang one of his originals, “Learn How To Lie,” which had bluesy unfettered ease coupled with a vocally warm tone that mirrored the candid, witty lyrics of the song. His harp playing was expertly, and he mentioned that he had the rare talent of playing drums and harmonica simultaneously. You can check out Harmonica John on his website @ www.harmonicajohn.com and see for yourself.
JW Jones Band
After hanging out with Solobo, I went back inside as seven o’clock rolled around, and the bands kicked off the evening. I was on the bottom level, where JW-Jones were the first band up. The band featured JW on guitar and vocals, Jacob Clarke on bass/upright bass, and Will Laurin on drums. Blues guitarist, singer-songwriter J.W.-Jones has released 11 albums and won the International Blues Challenge for “Best Self-Produced CD for his release of High Temperature in 2017 and “Best Guitarist” in 2020. The Canadian three-piece ensemble had an expansive mercurial style. Their first couple of songs were subdued and had a smooth jazz appeal with charming evocations of 1940’s big band style. Then they went straight blues where Jones laid down some splintering dynamic guitar phrasing. They hopped from genre to genre, covering country classic rock and everything in between, playing both covers and original material. The set concluded with a dizzying montage filled with Hendrix, Sabbath, and Zeppelin signature hooks, while the band hoisted their guitars behind their heads as they plunked out the classic riffs. They added excitement to the finale when all three band members gathered together, joining Jones’ for a frenzied-fingered guitar solo on his Strat. I caught up with J.W. Jones after the show, and he talked about his band and their current touring schedule. Tonight’s show is part of a five-week tour across North America, which started in Nebraska and took them to Minneapolis and British Columbia and landed them in California. Next, they will be playing in Vegas, Phoenix, and then into Texas. Jones added that they usually tour the US a few times a year. I asked Jones about who has shaped his musical style the most. “My biggest influences are the old blues guys like B.B. King, Hubert Sumlin, T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins, and then some of the more modern players like Jimmie Vaughan, Little Charlie Baty, Junior Watson, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds.” I could definitely hear the heavy blues influence in his guitar playing and the overall attitude of his music. It was a treat to experience the exceptionally talented JW-Jones band, described by Dan Aykroyd, a.k.a. Elwood Blues, as an Amazing blues band. You can learn more about JW-Jones at jw-jones.com and on all other social media platforms using the handle jwjonesblues.
Whitney Shay
I ventured upstairs to the dining parlor. The room had a breathtaking bright vaulted skylight that featured 50,000 pieces of European stained glass. The extended wooden dancefloor was filled with a multitude of guests donning their various costumes and taking in the live music of Whitney Shay. I was excited to check out the blues artist, a five-time San Diego Music Awards winner, including “Artist of the Year” in 2019 and “Best Blues Artist” in 2021. Shay has released 3 albums, and her latest, Stand Up, topped the charts reaching #1 on Billboard’s Blues Chart. Shay and her band were rockin’ the boat with their infectious blend of blues and soul. Shay’s delivery and conviction had a high-voltage soulful Janis Joplin quality to it. Her cover of in the basement showcased her malevolent vocal intensity laced with a smooth purity of tone.
Equally impressive was the musicianship of Shay’s band, which included Phil Pardell on drums, Jodi Bagley on keyboards, Jodi Hill on bass, and Laura Chavez on lead guitar. Later in the evening, I spoke with Whitney Shay; she talked about the artists who have influenced her. “My favorite singer of all time is Etta James, because everything she sang was one-hundred percent, completely her own. Bonnie Raitt is another one of my favorites. She’s been such a trailblazer. The activism she’s done and the incredible thing she’s done for female musicians…she’s just amazing. The female environment is something that I write a lot of songs about, it’s something that is very important to me, you know we’ve come a long way, but we’re still trying to get out there.” Shay’s belief in the female environment ethos translates to her band with its two mega-talented female guitarists- Laura Chavez and bassist-Jodi Hill. I asked Shay about what projects or tours she has in the works for the upcoming future. She revealed she just released a new cover, video, and single of Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick of Time.” Shay will also be performing on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in January 2022. You can find out more about Whitney Shay, her music, and upcoming events at www.whitneyshay.com
Nightmare on 80’s Street
I passed Cruella de Ville and a very cool swamp creature on my way back down to the first level to check out Nightmare on 80’s Street. Before their set, I spoke with the band’s keyboardist Dennis Hong who talked about his band. He said they formed about six months before the pandemic, so they were a fairly new band. “We play gritty reboots of 80’s classics. We take happy, upbeat songs from the ’80s, and we give them a darker twist.” Dennis explained that their costumes are not just for Halloween, “We all dress up as 80’s horror movie villains for all our shows. Our lead singer is Freddie Kruger, the lead guitarist is Michael Myers, our bassist is Jason Voorhees, the drummer is Hannibal Lecter, and I am Chuckie.” I was anxious to hear and see this band. When I joined the crowd, the band had already begun their set. Their musicianship surprised me a little, considering they are a relatively new band. The vocalist had a versatile tonality and range plus his Kruger claws were pretty wicked. The keyboardist was highly skilled and animated, but my favorite was the lead guitarist Michael Myers. He moved with a creepy stoic robotic-like expression while he shredded on the guitar. Nightmare on 80’s Street is a super entertaining and novel band. You can see for yourself by checking them out on Facebook and Instagram by searching the handle 80’s Nightmare Band.
The Sleepwalkers
As I made my way upstairs, I ran into a couple of creepy twins wearing blue dresses (poor Danny). My goosebumps disappeared when I heard the vibrant Latin rhythms coming from the stage as the Sleepwalkers were well into their set. I enjoyed the high energy from the band, who have been playing in and around San Diego since 1992. Their style has been self-described as” Cumbia-Billy,” combing rockabilly with blues mixed with Latin flavors. I describe it as good, fun, danceable music. Singer Johnny Valenzuela’s polished, fluid vocals coupled perfectly with the group’s infectious blend of Latin and bluesy rock rhythms. Guitarist Ritchie Orduno’s rockabilly guitar lines combined with the deep pulse of Paul Denton’s upright bass and drummer Chris Perez’s snappy Latin beats added distinctive rich textures to their sound. The band’s first album release, Can’t Stop Rockin’ earned them a nomination for Best Americana Album at the San Diego Music Awards. The Sleepwalkers have performed with top artists such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Beat Farmers, Graham Parker, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and others. After the performance, I spoke with the band’s frontman, Johnny Valenzuela, who talked about performing at the Halo-Gras event, “We love playing this show it’s our fourth time here, and it’s always a good time.” He went on to say, “We like what we do, we have fun, and we like people to dance.” There was no shortage of dancers on the floor during the Sleepwalkers performance. You can check out The Sleepwalkers on Instagram and Facebook.
Safety Orange
A little later, I found myself downstairs again as the band Safety Orange took to the stage. They had a beach rock grunge-infused edge as they performed covers from Sublime, The Clash, and some of their originals. The band’s covers were pretty straightforward, but they uniquely branded others by combining hip-hop with Americana songs. “Hotel Whatever You Like” is one of their most popular hits, which merges rapper TI’s song “Whatever You Like” with the Eagles, “Hotel California.” Safety Orange at times has the exhilarating punchy Ska sound, and other times has a laid-back Reggae vibe. Before the show, I was chatting with the band’s singer and bass player, Sol Turpin, who founded the band years ago. “The band has changed since the Covid thing, we switched guitar player and drummer, but I’ve had the name for 20 years. “We have 3 CDs out and then another 2 CDs worth of singles.” Turpin talked a little about their unique approach covering popular music, saying, “We put a twist on covers, so we will take a Kyra song and put like a reggae vibe to it.” Safety Orange’s music is upbeat edgy and infectious, and a definite audience pleaser. You can find Saftey Orange on Instagram and Facebook and on their website Sol2safteyorange.com.
The Farmers
The last band I took in was The Farmers, who performed upstairs on the dining level. The band’s guitarist/vocalist Jerry Raney was a longtime member of San Diego’s beloved Beat Farmers. The Farmers play many popular songs from the Beat Farmers, and although the members have changed, the music embodies the same lighthearted satire and musicianship. Raney’s son Nathan Raney sometimes plays with the Farmers, and the apple does not fall far from the tree when it comes to his guitar prowess. Nathan delivered some expertly shaped guitar solos with lightning fretwork throughout the set. It’s compelling to hear the effortless skill of the band juxtaposed with their carefree airy, almost vaudevillian performance. Bassist Chris Sullivan “Sully” expertly walked his basslines while dancing about interacting with the crowd. I joined in on the Beat Farmers famous Happy Boy song singing “Hubba-hubba-hubba-hubba-hubba.” While Jerry played the kazoo and vocalist Corbin Turner gargled into the mic. The Farmers, just like The Beat Farmers, have the uncanny ability to always amuse and amaze their audience. The group’s founder Jerry Raney took the time to talk with me earlier before the show. He spoke of the current band The Farmers and the former Beat Farmers. “Now we’re kinda just doin’ it for ourselves, we’re not signed to a record deal like the old Beat Farmers were. We still do some shows as the beat Farmers with guitarist Joey Harris and bassist Rolle Love. We play once or twice a year in reunions. Coming up, we are going on The Outlaw Country Cruise from Sirius Radio. Jerry went on to say it’s a six-day cruise that sets sail in Miami. “I probably won’t get off the boat. Just stay and drink like a pig.” Always fun, always entertaining. If you’ve never heard of The Farmers, you gotta check this band out. https:/thefarmersmusic.com
Time flew by while I was trekking around the boat, reveling in the music and party vibe. We docked around eleven o’clock, and I couldn’t believe six hours had passed since I boarded. RexRode productions delivered again with a super fun, fantastic entertainment cruise.
I look forward to seeing what the Six String Society will be presenting in the future, and I will be checking in on their website regularly to find out. www.TheSixStringSociety.com BackStage360 thanks all the artists who took the time to connect with us, and a big shout out to Kenneth Rexrode for once again letting us be a part of your fabulous productions.
JenB / BackStage360
More images from this event can be found here: Hollogras Cruise 2021