WILLIE CHAMBERS - True to the spirit of “Time Has Come Today,” the Chambers Brothers’ 1968 timeless hit that launched the four-sibling vocal ensemble to global superstardom, Willie Chambers continues to bring energy and inspiration to audiences everywhere, whether he’s playing rock-and-roll or the Mississippi gospel music that first inspired him and his brothers to write, record, and perform. In the years before The Chambers Brothers achieved household-name status—which came via a string of Big Apple appearances circa 1965 where they were introduced by Bob Dylan—they were a Southern church born-and-bred group that, like their West Coast contemporaries Sly and the Family Stone, shattered racial and musical divides to forge an incendiary fusion of soul, funk, gospel, blues, and rock. With his brother Joe, Willie Chambers co-wrote “Time Has Come Today,” an 11-minute psychedelic soul epic that has become a hallmark of the era and has been used on over 100 film and TV soundtracks, including Oliver Stone’s The Doors, Spike Lee’s Crooklyn, and Girl, Interrupted. The Chambers Brothers’ additional global smashes “People Get Ready,” “Can’t Turn You Loose,” and “Love, Peace and Happiness,” remain classics today. Armed with the love, peace, and happiness he carries in his heart, Willie Chambers continues his magnetic performances that convey the message that the people of the world can live together as one. Venice Beach Music Fest 9 is proud to welcome headliner Willie Chambers back to the Ocean Stage in 2014! THE KING BROTHERS - The King Brothers’ passion and visceral interpretation of the blues attracts fans from all walks of life! Rather than relying solely on tried-and-true Blues stylings, which they inherited naturally from second cousins and blues legends Freddy and Albert King, Sam and Lee King are establishing a new standard. “It’s danceable, it’s rock-flavored, funk-flavored, and gospel-flavored,” explains Lee. “I don’t know a damn thing about picking cotton; I don’t drink whiskey; I don’t dip snuff; I don’t fit any of those blues-man stereotypes,” explains Lee. “I do Blues the way I see it.” Raised in the San Francisco Bay area, the brothers have been playing together for 30 years. With Lee on guitar and Sam on drums, the brothers began by performing in and winning elementary school talent shows. Later, Lee went on to play with Ike Turner, Big Joe Turner, Freddie King and Albert King, while Sam toured with Albert King, recording the landmark Blues at Sunrise album, and appearing in the movie Crossroads. The brothers had a successful live performance career that was highlighted by appearances on television and radio. In 1992, Albert King presented “adopted cousin” Lee King with his prize guitar, Lucy, a Flying V that was commissioned for Albert by ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons. Lee was greatly moved. “He passed the torch. It’s a very special instrument: the finest guitar I’ve ever played,” he says. But even with all of their history with the Blues’ finest, the King Brothers are moving forward with their own unique approach to the music, rather than imitation. Original lyrics and taut instrumental arrangements are the hallmarks of their critically acclaimed debut album, Turnin’ Up the Heat (Vent Records), which features thirteen original hits, including “’Bout to Lose My Mind” and “Treat Her Like a Lady.” The name King is synonymous with the Blues, and the King Brothers definitely live up to that name, carrying on the tradition and taking it one step further. A warm welcome to the King Brothers for their debut performance at Venice Beach Music Fest! THE UNTOUCHABLES – Los Angeles: 1980 – the members of The Untouchables didn’t realize that by 1981 they’d be in the middle of a dream come true: a mod revival in the city, of which they were the center, influencing a nationwide ska revival. Kids all over the city danced for hours to singles like “Twist-n-Shake” with its b-side, “Dance Beat” (released on their own Dancebeat label in 1982), and 1983’s “Tropical Bird” with its b-side, “The General.” The liner notes for their Cool Beginnings: Rare & Unreleased 1981-1983 album notes of their years at the Roxy, “Color barriers were smashed as black and white youths came from neighboring cities and counties to join the mod revival in unity, harmony and ska.” The band’s first 12” was a six-song EP (’84), Live & Let Dance, that included originals like “Free Yourself,” “Lebanon,” and a cover of the Monkees’ “(I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone.” By ’84 the band had appeared in the movies Repo Man and Surf II. Their first full-length LP, Wild Child, came in 1985, and gave the band several UK hits. The Untouchables have shared stages with The B-52’s, Black Uhuru, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and X, and were the impetus for bands such as Fishbone, early No Doubt, Skeletones and Let’s Go Bowling. Venice Beach Music Fest 9 is honored to host a return engagement to the Ocean Stage by The Untouchables! ZEN ROBBI – For nearly eight years, the titanic trio that is Zen Robbi has been terrorizing audiences across America with their rambunctious funk straight outta Long Beach. Led by the notorious pirate captain Mic Dangerously (guitar), Scott Wittenberg (drums) and Timmy “Too Tall” Baker (bass) are the backbone of a sound that fuses rock, soul, swing, jazz, and funk. They’ve ripped the roof off of all major venues in the L.A. area, amassing a following of loyal Zen Heads along the way. While releasing four full-length albums: Company (2005), Pawn Gone King (2007), Heavy Lies The Crown (2010), and Lovely in the Middle: An Acoustic Collection (2012), Zen Robbi has found time to share the stage with The Smashing Pumpkins, Barrington Levy, The English Beat, Ras MG of Sublime, Fergie, and many others. Their music has been featured on MTV, FOX, and on action sports networks. It only takes one show to see that these guys truly are the Kings of California! VBMF9 welcomes Zen Robbi for their debut performance at the festival. JAH FAITH AND THE HASHISHANS –The Hashishans’ gritty and soulful sound has earned them respect as one of California’s fastest growing reggae bands. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Jah Faith is one of Los Angeles’ most notable reggae performers, known for his hit video “Bun a One” and his residency at the internationally celebrated Dub Club. Jah Faith joined with the Hashishans in El Monte, California, in 2012, and they have since been committed to spreading the Rastafarian movement through uplifting, conscious music and lively performances. They have performed live on KSPC’s reggae radio show (hosted by Junior Francis), and on stage with Israel Vibration, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Inner Circle, Don Carlos, and many more. This year, the Hashishans are celebrating the release of their first EP, Hashishans 2014 Bootlegs, a compilation of several recording sessions with various Los Angeles producers. VBMF9 welcomes Jah Faith and the Hashishans to the Ocean Stage! GREG DOUGLASS BAND - Greg Douglass started playing guitar in 1968 and his band, Country Weather, shared the stage with Sly & The Family Stone, Santana, and others at the Fillmore and the Avalon Ballrooms in San Francisco. Greg went on to play and write with Van Morrison, Hot Tuna, Peter Rowan, Eddie Money, Tom Fogerty, and The Steve Miller Band (he co-wrote the #1 hit, “Jungle Love”). His guitar playing has contributed to five platinum albums, denoting the sale of 13 million units. Currently Greg tours with the Greg Douglass Band, The Monsters of Classic Rock, Deva Premal, and The Former Members (members of Country Joe & The Fish and the Blues Project). After having guested with Barry Melton for Melton’s set at the recent Venice Spring Fling 2014, Douglass is back with his own band, which features Rose Cox on vocals and guitar, Hector Toro on drums and vocals, Joe Hastings on bass and vocals, and special guest Barry Melton! This will be a set to remember at Venice Beach Music Fest 9! Welcome, Greg Douglass Band! ROOTS COLLECTIVE - Come explore a rich mixture of reggae, dub, ska, cumbia, funk, soul, and bossa nova with Roots Collective! Beginning as an open mic house band for Soup Kitchen Inc.s Irie Tuesday in Pomona, this ensemble flourished in the communal vibe, becoming the resident band at Rockers on 1st for over a year and moving on to a weekly residency at Alibi’s in Corona. The current lineup has helped break Roots Collective out of a strictly traditional Jamaican roots reggae format, and includes longtime friends and bandmates Anthony CAsoulnova Ramirez (Benny & the Gardners, Downbeat Allstars) on soulful psychedelic guitar and vocals, and Luis Upriser Flores (Jah abiding citizens, Grand Marquis) on Latin jazz-influenced guitar. Filling out the band are guitarist Greg Hernandez (Mezklah Mezklah, Concepto Tambor), bassist Robert Campos (Buen Estar, La Santa Maria), percussionist Terrell Smith (Fountain of Roots, One Drop Redemption), Tyrone Rudolph (Christafari, One Drop Redemption) and vocalist Milan Wills “Mickey Taelor” (Soul Motion), who interweaves influences from Billy Holiday, Lauren Hill, and Erykah Badu. Roots Collective embodies a diverse sound that not one genre can describe. True to their name, they embrace musical roots of all nations. VBMF9 extends a warm welcome to Roots Collective for their performance on the Ocean Stage in 2014. SAMBA DA MUDANCA – The festival begins with a samba drum and dance parade down Ocean Front Walk, led by Samba da Mudança (Samba for Change)! “Mudança” is Portuguese for “Change,” and Samba da Mudança performs throughout California to help raise awareness for positive, environmental, and progressive events. Come share and celebrate group drumming and dancing in a fun and supportive environment—come Samba for positive change in the world! Venice Beach Music fest 9 welcomes back Samba Da Mudança for another fun performance.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 05:32:19 +0000
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