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What's the unifying thread to Laguna's coastal soul music? The ocean. Roiling, pungent, magnetic, medicinal. It informs life in Laguna. Nothing quite like a big day, the town electrified with energy. Like any given night at the Dirty Bird, Marine Room, White House, Ocean Ave, or scores of other bars and clubs around town where you'll find writhing bodies dancing ecstatically to the soulful grooves of these artists and bands. The mighty Pacific. Big Blue. It's what attracts musicians to Laguna from all over the world, who blend their own coastal sensibilities to create a distinctive,
multi-cultured musical patios. |
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| Just Jinjer - Just Jinjer officially formed in 1996 and after gaining a reputation as an amazing live act, the band recorded their first album called 'All Comes Round'. It flew off the shelves, becoming the biggest selling rock album in South African history. They suddenly found themselves drawing huge audiences, sometimes in excess of 10,000 people. They began touring with U2, Crash Test Dummies, Toto and co-headlined with Hootie and the Blowfish, Stevie Wonder, Spice Girls, Chaka Khan and many more. The band has a special affinity for Laguna, where they return regularly to their small bar roots to get back to the music and play for intimate, adoring fans who know every song. |
| www.justjinjer.com |
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Missiles of October - Take a pinch of Otis Redding, mix it with a little John Hiatt, give it the voice of James Brown and the soul and sensibility of Van Morrison and you get damn close to the Missiles of October! The Missiles are a dynamic source of delight for fans, music critics and music industry icons whenever and wherever they perform. Even after producing Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin and many others, Jimmy Johnson of Muscle Shoals Studios exclaims: "They are the best act I've seen in ten years!"
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| www.missilesofoctober.com |
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Jason Feddy – This British expat washed up on the shores of Laguna a few years back, and we’re all the better for it. Jason puts his heart and soul into his songs. With a powerful strumming style, and even more powerful voice, Feddy has been moving audiences regularly with his thoughtful and provocative lyrics. This is one artist who’s not afraid to bare his soul. It’s no surprise then that back in England Feddy created buzz by opening for David Grey, Ben Folds and Neil Young. The buzz continues here.
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| www.jasonfeddy.com |
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Common Sense – Perhaps no other Southern California reggae band has broken as big as Common Sense. With a SoCal background and a small beach town attitude, Common Sense took their reggae-rock influences and created their own style. With their infectious beats and magnetic stage presence, they have released 4 albums and toured the world. Nick Hernandez’s soulful singing, Billy Sherman’s upbeat guitar and melodic sensibility, and the band’s funky rhythm section always have the crowds dancing.
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| www.commonsenseband.com |
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Rebel Rockers – The first bonafide West Coast reggae band was formed in 1979 by Redlocks and his then wife Princess. The Rebels are widely credited for bringing and keeping reggae in Southern California. Nearly thirty years later they are still playing the funkiest, most danceable reggae around, and Princess still brings the house down weekly with her singing, dancing, and charismatic stage presence.
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| www.rebelrockersmusic.com |
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World Anthem - Music lovers have a new sound to appreciate that combines skillful musicianship with strong, conscious songwriting. The Orange County, California based World Anthem Band has arrived! The music World Anthem generates, a blend of soul, reggae and R&B, has been honed through consistent and tireless live shows throughout Southern California. It is a pleasure for devout fans and newcomers alike to watch World Anthem perform live. Their distinctive musical sound is a culmination of their culturally diverse background giving World Anthem global appeal.
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| www.myspace.com/worldanthem |
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| Massive McGregor – Massive McGregor was raised in Belize - where the population includes people of Hispanic, Creole and Mayan descent - and it is from this upbringing that he blends different sounds in creating his own unique songs and adding his own flavor to Reggae classics. Massive McGregor came to the US in 1985 with his band Bamiki Bendula. After touring extensively (and opening for James Brown), he landed in Southern California to write and produce his own songs. He plays drums and sings with both World Anthem and the Rebel Rockers, and has struck out on his own with several solo albums and tours of reggaetown / dancehall style music. |
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| Nick Hernandez – The founder of Common Sense has just released his first solo CD, featuring players from Common Sense, Rebel Rockers, plus Lee Rocker (bass player from the Stray Cats), Rock Detrick (drummer for Tracy Chapman and Ben Harper) and Ronnie King (producer of Thug Law/Tupac and legendary punk outfit D.I.). A departure from Common Sense’s roots reggae, the album defies description and showcases Nick’s talent as a formidable songwriter, as well as a soulful singer with a broad range and eclectic tastes. |
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| Jelani Jones – Singer/songwriter/Producer Jelani Jones is respected world-over as a master of World Music. The Trinidad native arrived in Philadelphia in the late 70’s to form the Black Sheep. Later he joined renowned world music band The Bondaddys before coming to Laguna to play with both the Rebel Rockers and World Anthem. Some of the bands the “voice-of-honey” Jelani has worked with are Third World, Toots and the Maytalls, and Steel Pulse. |
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Lee Rocker – Very few musicians scale the professional heights that Lee Rocker has. As founding member of The Stray Cats, Lee and his trio single-handedly revived rockabilly music around the world. Their first American release, “Built For Speed,” held the #2 spot on the “Billboard” chart for 26 weeks, right behind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” They toured the world with their infectuous punk attitude, dance hall grooves, and Lee’s pounding slap bass. Now Lee has embarked on a solo career, and, according to the “OC Weekly,” “there has never been a rock & roll bass player more fun to watch.”
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| www.leerocker.com |
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| Dave Hollandmack – Laguna’s musical artistry extends right into the streets. Walk Forest Avenue on any given night and you’re likely to hear Dave banging out one of his many originals. An American troubadour, Chicago born Dave has been regaling listeners in downtown Laguna for two years running. This is the first time one of his songs has been recorded and released. |
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Mike Hamilton – Guitar virtuoso and singer/songwriter Mike Hamilton began playing professionally when he was 13. Since then he’s recorded or toured with Sting, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler, and Pure Prairie League – with whom he performed several of his own original tunes. Mike defies category – playing everything from rock and blues to jazz and classical. He can be seen playing all over town playing solo but sounding like an entire band.
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| www.mikehamiltononemanband.com |
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