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Success is measured in many ways. Some weigh success by the size of their bank accounts, others measure it by the cars they drive or the clothes they wear. On Saturday, March 27, I measured success by the sea of smiles that drifted throughout The Compound grounds. From first glance all who attended knew that festival season was upon us. With streaming psychedelic artwork spanning 180 feet down the redwood fences and monsters dancing along straight from the pages of Where the Wild Things Are, the eye candy was welcoming and reassuring that the vibe was just right. Tie-dye stretched as far as the eye could see, leading right up to the hay that covered the outdoor dance area.
Crowd at The Compound |
With Moonshine Still's big blue bus parked just inside the gate, one could feel the giddy festivarian jumblies in their bellies. The view from the gate down the driveway looked just like Shakedown Street. With a half-court basketball game featuring members of both Moonshine Still and Alfred Howard and the K23 Orchestra, one could size up the musicians to see who had more game. If hoops weren't your bag, then Rock Star energy drinks, vodka, and tasty green cookies that left you giggly just may have been. The finishing touch was one nice, unique feature: a hot tub smacked right out in front of the stage.
First band on the bill was The Groove Syndicate from Laguna Beach. One man shy of their full lineup (Randy on the keys was sick), they took the stage fashionably late and delved right into a full set that showcased vocalist Natalie Martin's incredible talent and heavenly voice. David Carano on the axe threw new toys into the mix, playing his guitar through a toy gun that shot Martian themes and spacey solos. Justin Knox was as steady as ever, thumping and smacking all over the drums. Nicki Carano slipped behind the kit and dropped jaws as usual. With her pigtails tucked behind a fishing hat, it was only a matter of time before a buzz began about that damn fine, sexy drummer. That's the best part of The Groove Syndicate: their look, their sound, all of it, makes for a very sexy band. With the sun beating down they set the standard for the soul of the Compound. Great things are in store for this band and it was a privilege to have them play; for any of you out there going to Joshua Tree Music Festival, make a point to see their set.
Al Howard & the K23 Orchestra
from www.alhowardk23.com |
Alfred Howard & the K23 Orchestra took the stage right around four o'clock and by 4:02 everyone in the yard was doing the hippy-jig stoner shuffle. Al is a legend in the making, dropping lyrics and poetry that bring light to how real this life is--he's in tune with that special place not many go to. With a serious funk band to match Al's lyrical acrobatics, they keep you dancing and thinking. Without even realizing it, your ass starts to bounce and that's about when your arms get rolling along in compliance with the rest of your body. Layering intense, stomach-rumbling bass, impeccable drumming, burning guitar, and intelligent, inspiring lyrics, Al and crew brought their A game and reminded everyone what the funk is all about. The Compound's energy level was raised to eleven with the K23, and the good times never let up.
Grampa's Grass |
Grampa's Grass have been longtime friends of The Compound and this show marked their first time playing with the full band plugged in. There has been an acoustic Grass session now and again, but nothing like this, nothing this rocking. Settling in with a psychedelic jam in the Allman Brothers vein, the Grass busted out a full-on, hard hitting set of all new material from their new studio album (which was released the night before at their show with Leftover Salmon at the Galaxy Theatre). With Lisa Blue tearing it up on vocals, goose bumps spread like wild fire as she swayed through "Honey Child" and booties bounced to her hippity-hop tune. It was her take on "Bobby McGee" that brought the people milling around the other side of The Compound front and center. Even members of Moonshine Still came off the bus to see who was belting out Janis and actually pulling it off. This girl has pipes, and the band has chops to match. With John Malsberger and Brett Davis killing it all day long on guitar and newbie Johnny Berger on drums holding his own next to the sturdy bass work of Tim Kerrigan, the Grass came to play and created a backyard down-home feeling. Aside from being some of the nicest, most genuine folks you'll find in Southern California, they're also fine musicians with a penchant for great songwriting, amazing harmonies, and straight-up rock 'n' roll.
Al Howard with Moonshine Still |
OK folks, I'm gonna ask you all to fasten your seat belts for this point in our ride. I knew Moonshine Still rocked, which is why I asked them to headline, but I didn't expect the energy they brought, and by the looks of the crowd after the Still were done, I knew I wasn't alone. Taking the stage around 7:15, MsS floored it into an incredible set that lasted over three hours--with no breaks. Al Howard made another appearance onstage, joining the group for some lyrical bliss during the jam on "C&KB." Coffee and kind buds indeed--between the Rock Star energy drinks, vodka, and dank beer, the whole crowd was nicely oiled and dancing like mad. These good ol' Georgia boys tore down inhibitions, and lo and behold, they managed to get some ladies into the hot tub. God bless 'em! Scott Baston came to play dressed in a shirt that matched The Wild Things artwork and a voice that mowed straight through any skepticism; he owned the stage all night and brought every pair of dancing shoes forward to grace the hay. David Shore took some hellacious solos, fondling his guitar and making the "O face" that put some stank on his sound. The rhythm section of Ray Petren, Will Robinson, and Bill Jarrett kept a backbone groove that rumbled all the way down the street and tested the patience of our neighbors. Trippe Wright was a mad scientist on the keys, creating a time warp that skipped from circus to calypso without any hesitation. Throwing out covers like the very appropriate "Moving Out" by Billy Joel and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Blood Sugar Sex Magic," they proved this was a very special, intimate setting, and that we were bound together because of this night. Orange County had never had anything like this event, and I do believe it'll be some time before it happens again. MsS rocked it with a very unique, open demeanor that poured over the crowd and won over many new fans.
Moonshine Still |
Late night parties got right underway; DJ JP and DJ Rhines were already throwing down in a big way back in the Innerflight Dance House. Blending house, funk, and soul, these guys kept the crowd moving all night and didn't quit until shortly after 5 a.m. A new independent record label and DJ collective, Innerflight held it down in a big way and great things are on the horizon for them. Check out their website for the latest news and info on their next Compound throwdown.
Across the way from the Dance House was an acoustic session made up of Scott and Will from Moonshine Still. Normally behind the kit, Will took to the mandolin instead and with candles burning and projections flowing onto the wall behind them, we were treated to a full set of old material and choice covers. Taking a very unique twist on David Grisman's "Shady Grove," they proved right away that this was a very special musical arrangement that they don't get to do enough. With Lisa Blue and Johnny from Grampa's Grass harmonizing and adding bongos to the mix, this impromptu jam treated a very small crowd to one of the best acoustic hours I've ever heard. Ending with the standout track off their album Moon Over Georgia, Scott and Will picked their way through a truly beautiful rendition of "Blue Mule," flowing back and forth from singing to just jamming, not quite ready to call it a night. Alas, before I knew it, the whole party had come to a close.
All in all, I'm humbled and pleased to have seen this celebration through to the end. The people involved in making this event deserve my heartfelt thanks and deepest respect. The food was amazing and the overall vibe created by each and every person there made it the beautiful party it was. The day's events were captured on over 20 hours of raw footage that will be sifted through for a future DVD release. The sound was crisp and shines through on the recordings. The police never showed up, no one was arrested; there were no drug issues and no one got hurt. It was just boatloads of smiles throughout the day and tons of people dancing and enjoying each other's company. With all of these factors peering back at me when I reflect upon this experience, I must admit, it was a successful event. The OCcompound pulled it off. I look forward to working with all of the bands again in the future and can't wait till next year when we host our second annual OCcompound Festival.
For more pictures from the event, visit www.occompound.com.
Words by: Matt Layton
Images by: Chris Layton
JamBase | California
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