Hot Rize, Bob Dylan, Split Lip Rayfield, John Hartford, Beastie Boys, AC/DC, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Edgar Meyer, Neko Case, Lucinda Williams, the Stones, the Beatles, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, the Band, Dom Leone, the Pixies, Black Sabbath, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Creepy Lyle (Lyle Motley), Tony Rice, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Old and in the Way, Grateful Dead, Wilco, Gram Parsons, Tom Waits, David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Danny Gatton, Del McCoury, Velvet Underground, Bryan Sutton, Ween, Woody Guthrie, the Clash, Norman Blake, Neil Young, the Allman Bros., Bob Wills, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Robert Johnson, Lighting Hopkins, Django Reinhardt, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Doc Watson, Tim O'Brien, Jerry Douglas, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Grant Green, Hank Williams, Greg Brown, J.J. Cale, Leon Russell, Joe Strummer, Cash, Waylon, Willie, Led Zeppelin, Little Feat, Merle Haggard, Muddy Waters, Bernie King, just to name a few ...
Sounds Like
A stinkin' ass good old time.
"Western Crosswind" from March 24, 2009 at the Wine Loft:
Joe, Ryan and our homey Wine Loft Fred take a stab at "Ant Farm" sometime in early '09. Thanks Shannon!
The Voluntary String Band has been a staple of the Flagstaff music scene for years and has included a broad lineup of some of the best acoustic pickers and most vibrant personalities around. The VSB, while it may resemble a traditional string band lineup instrument-wise, stretches its sounds far beyond bluegrass and old timey music while maintaining strong ties to the roots of it all.
The band’s varying influences range from bluegrass pioneers Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs and newgrass virtuosos Belá Fleck, Tony Rice, Sam Bush and Alison Krauss, all the way to gypsy guitar master Django Reinhardt, the Rolling Stones, Steve Earle, Gram Parsons, David Bowie, Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck.
The three-piece VSB includes Matt Robinson (the sole founding Volunteer) on five-string banjo; Joe Sorren (formerly of Flagstaff’s Lyle and Sparkleface Band, the Memphis Laundramatte, and the Mars Hillbillies) on standup bass, backing vocals and mandolin; and Ryan Heinsius (formerly of Flag bands Virgil Caine, the Mars Hillbillies, Memphis Laundramatte and currently the lead guitarist for Flagstaff's Dave McGraw and Crow Wing) on acoustic guitar and vocals.
The VSB has shared the stage with 2005 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition winners the Badly Bent as well as Colorado neo-traditionalist madmen Boulder Acoustic Society. They also were honored to have played both the second (2007) and fourth (2009) annual Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festivals in Flagstaff, Arizona, where they shared the stage with the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Chatham County Line, the Freight Hoppers, Crooked Still, the Claire Lynch Band, the Gibson Brothers, the Steep Canyon Rangers, and their Flagstaff buddies Muskellunge Bluegrass.
The VSB is extremely proud to offer up its debut album, No Worse for the Wear, which was recorded one chilly, early spring night in March '08 live around one mic in their small Flagstaff rehearsal space and released in June of that year.
No Worse for the Wear is also available digitally at the iTunes Music Store
As well as:
Rock-It-Man
17 N. Leroux in downtown Flagstaff
(928) 214-6096
Amazon Rhapsody eMusic Napster
And several other fine online distribution sites ...
TO RECEIVE PERIODIC UPDATES on VSB live shows, recording projects and all that good stuff, drop us an e-mail at voluntarystringband@gmail.com.
This Wednesday December 2nd the Voodoo Glow Skulls will be appearing live at the Downtown Greenhouse (the venue in the alley behind the Green Room) with Fayuca. VGS play high-energy ska tempered with some punk rock. The show is all ages, tix are $10 in advance ($12 day of) and on-sale at the Green Room, Rainbow's End and online at www.greenhouseproductions.net.
Also there are LOTS of great shows coming up so check em out: 12/31 Xtra Ticket with David Gans @ Orpheum-All Ages 1/14 Umphrey's McGee @ Orpheum-All Ages 1/17 John Gorka @ Coconino Center for the Arts-All Ages 2/6 Geroge Winston @ Ardrey Auditorium-All Ages 2/15 Badfish, a Tribute to Sublime @ Orpheum-All Ages 2/17 Les Claypool with Beats Antique @ Orpheum-All Ages 4/23 Greg Brown @ Orpheum-All Ages
For more info visit: www.greenhouseproductions.net
We've got two very different shows coming up in the next seven days: Hot Buttered Rum and Misfits
Saturday Nov 14 An Evening With Hot Buttered Rum at the Orpheum. Initially formed as an acoustic string band, seven years of constant touring has transformed Hot Buttered Rum into a plugged-in, percussive powerhouse that wows critics and fans alike. Their left-coast rock reveals an access to jazz, country, and world music that few groups can match. While the band's music belies simple categorization, its songwriting and stage chemistry delights listeners at every turn. Doors at 7, show at 8. All Ages. Tix are only $12 advance/$15 day of.
Tuesday Nov 17 Misfits with Hour of the Wolf, Moonlight Howlers, and Awaken the Nightmare. Misfits are the original horror punk band. Original members Jerry Only and Robo play bass and drums, and guitar is covered by Dez Cadena, originally of Black Flag. Doors at 7, show at 8. Tix are $22 advance/$25 day of.
Also coming up soon: 12/2 Voodoo Glow Skulls with Fayuca @ Downtown Greenhouse (Behind Green Room)-All Ages 12/31 New Years Eve featuring Xtra Ticket w/ David Gans @ Orpheum-All Ages 1/17 John Gorka @ Coconino Center for the Arts-All Ages 2/15 Badfish, a Tribute to Sublime @ Orpheum-All Ages 4/23 Greg Brown @ Orpheum-All Ages
Hey fellas, we're playing at Mia's this Saturday with Tater Famine, another 3-piece punkgrass band from Santa Cruz, CA. It's gonna be ______________________ (insert adjective here)!
This Saturday night we are throwing a Halloween Party at the Orpheum with Yin Yang and Zen Some. Sedona superfreaks Yin Yang and Zen Some know how to throw a party. Its actually impossible to convince them not to dress up in costumes during the 364 days of the year that are not Halloween. That's why we thought that they would be a particularly appropriate band to play Halloween. YYZS plays a an eclectic mix of music, focusing on 80s songs that don't suck (think New Wave, Talking Heads, etc...). So put on your freakiest outfit and come down to the Orpheum to dance. Bwahahahahaha!
The show is all ages, ONLY $5, and starts at 9pm.
Also coming up soon: 11/4 Minus the Bear with The Antlers and Twin Tiger @ Orpheum-All Ages 11/14 An Evening with Hot Buttered Rum @ Orpheum-All Ages (A GREENBUILD GREENSTREETS Event see www.usgbcaz.org/northern/greenstreets for more information. ) 11/17 Misfits with Hour of the Wolf, Moonlight Howlers, and Awaken the Nightmare @ Orpheum-All Ages 12/2 Voodoo Glow Skulls with Fayuca @ Downtown Greenhouse-All Ages 1/17 John Gorka @ Coconino Center for the Arts-All Ages 2/15 Badfish, a Tribute to Sublime @ Orpheum-All Ages 4/23 Greg Brown @ Orpehum-All Ages
For more info visit us at www.greenhouseproductions.net
This weekend we have Toubab Krewe from Asheville, NC at the Green Room with DJ Soe. Toubab plays a very original mix of West African, surf rock, jazz, and funk. Its kind of like Medeski Martin and Wood-African Style. Cover is $10 and show starts at 9pm.
Also on Friday at the Orpheum are Kottonmouth Kings with Blastenation and Potluck. All Ages and $25.
And Saturday at the Orpheum is our Greenhouse Productions 9 Yr Anniversary with Xtra Ticket-AZ's premier Dead tribute band. This free show is all ages. There will be prizes as well as a Dr Seuss Rhyme-Off. We'd love to see you. Doors at 8, show at 9pm.
Also check out these upcoming shows: 10/25 The Ditty Bops @ Coconino Center for the Arts-All Ages 10/31 Halloween with Yin Yang & Zen Some @ Orpehum 11/4 Minus The Bear with The Antlers and Twin Tigers@ Orpheum-All Ages 11/14 Hot Buttered Rum @ Orpheum-All Ages 11/17 Misfits with Hour of the Wolf & Moonlight Howlers @ Orpheum-All Ages
We are presenting several events this weekend and wanted to give all y'all a big headsup.
Thursday Frank Rosaly's Milkwork will be at the Coconino Center for the Arts. Frank was an NAU jazz student in the 90s. He has since toured nationally and internationally and plays with a slew of acts in Chicago (including one group with Wilco guitarist Nels Cline). This show is a solo drum concert that explores the process of free-improvisation with the use of both acoustic and electronically manipulated percussion. Show starts at 7:30. Tix are $10 in advance and $12 day of.
Also on Thursday Lake Tahoe group Blue Turtle Seduction will bring their jamtastic bluegrass/rock/funk/fusion to the Green Room with special guests Brothers Gow. Show starts at 9pm. $7 at the door.
Friday night Washington DC roots reggae rockers SOJA hit the Green Room with The Movement and The Hounds. SOJA brings the party with their neo-roots vibe, bad-ass musicality and great lyrics and vocals. Tix are $12 in advance and $15 day of show. Showtime is 9pm. (SOJA will also be at Club Red in Tempe with The Movement, Another Day, The Hounds, DJ Jah Mek and Pickster One on 10/10 and the Rock in Tucson on 10/11).
Saturday night brings the return of March Fourth Marching Band. March Fourth is a 30-piece freaky-stylee marching band complete with stilt walkers, burlesque dancers, jugglers, a huge horn section, lots of drummers, and more. Local vaudevillians Circus Bacchus to open. Cover is $10 at the door and show starts at 9pm.
Last but not least, we are presenting the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats at Prochnow Auditorium on Tuesday October 13th. Their multi-faceted and multi-cultural production features dazzling acrobatic displays, formidable feats of daring and balance, explosive energy, brilliant costumes, with a touch of Chinese comedy. Tix are only $10 for NAU/CC students, $20 for general public and $60 for a family four pack. Doors at 6, show at 7pm.
This Tuesday internationally acclaimed reggae group Groundation hits Flagstaff's Green Room. Groundation is a Northern-Cali based roots reggae band with jazz and dub influences. Their last show in Flagstaff totally killed. If you like to dance, and dig some roots music, you can't miss this!
Tix are $12 in advance (at Green Room, Rainbows End, Animas) and $15 day of show.
Also check out these upcoming shows: 10/8 Frank Rosaly's Milkwork: A solo drum concert @ Coconino Center for the Arts-All Ages 10/8 Blue Turtle Seduction w/ Brothers Gow @ Green Room-21+ 10/9 SOJA with The Movement & The Hounds @ Green Room-21+ 10/10 March Fourth Marching Band with Circus Bacchus@ Green Room-21+ 10/10 SOJA with The Movement, Another Day, The Hounds, Pickster One & DJ Jah Mek @ Club Red (Tempe)-21+ 10/11 SOJA with The Movement & The Hounds @ The Rock (Tucson)-All Ages 10/13 Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats @ Prochnow Auditorium-All Ages (Only $10 for NAU/CCC Students!) 10/16 Kottonmouth Kings with Potluck and Blestenation@ Orpheum-All Ages 10/16 Toubab Krewe with DJ Soe@ Green Room-21+ 10/17 Greenhouse 9 Year Anniversary with Xtra Ticket @ Orpheum-All Ages-Free! 10/25 The Ditty Bops @ Coconino Center for the Arts-All Ages 10/31 Halloween with Yin Yang & Zen Some @ Orpehum 11/4 Minus The Bear with The Antlers and Twin Tigers@ Orpheum-All Ages 11/14 Hot Buttered Rum @ Orpheum-All Ages 11/17 Misfits with Hour of the Wolf & Moonlight Howlers @ Orpheum-All Ages
Hey there! I just wanted to say thanks for being our friends. We hope you dig our music, and we also hope to see you on October 2nd, when we are playing at the MADCAP Theater in Tempe!
Motown legends the Temptations will be at Prochnow Auditorium on NAU Campus this Saturday September 26th. Doors are at 7, show is at 8pm and its all ages. The Temptations are known for their plethora of hits including My Girl, Ain't Too Proud To Beg, The Way You Do The Things You Do, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Cloud Nine, I Wish It Would Rain, Ball of Confusion, and I Can't Get Next To You to name a few.
Their show consists of a 23-piece band doing all the classic soul music you can handle.
Also, don't miss the Red Elvises at the Green Room on Friday September 25th. Doors at 8, show at 9. The Red Elvises play "kick-ass music from Siberia." Thie sound includes rock’n roll, surf, rockabilly, reggae, lounge and traditional Russian styles of music. Believing that one cannot go wrong with “The King” Elvis Presley as an inspiration and with “red” being not only their favorite color but the national color of their native country, the band name Red Elvises was created. Their show is not only rockin, but also pretty funny.
Also check out these upcoming shows: 10/6 Groundation with Summit Dub Squad@ Green Room-21+ 10/8 Frank Rosaly's Milkwork: A solo drum concert @ Coconino Center for the Arts-All Ages 10/8 Blue Turtle Seduction w/ Brothers Gow @ Green Room-21+ 10/9 SOJA with The Movement & The Hounds @ Green Room-21+ 10/10 March Fourth Marching Band with Circus Bacchus@ Green Room-21+ 10/10 SOJA with The Movement, Another Day, The Hounds, Pickster One & DJ Jah Mek @ Club Red (Tempe)-21+ 10/11 SOJA with The Movement & The Hounds @ The Rock (Tucson)-All Ages 10/13 Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats @ Prochnow Auditorium-All Ages 10/16 Kottonmouth Kings with Potluck and Blestenation@ Orpheum-All Ages 10/16 Toubab Krewe with DJ Soe@ Green Room-21+ 10/17 Greenhouse 9 Year Anniversary with Xtra Ticket @ Orpheum-All Ages-Free! 10/31 Halloween with Yin Yang & Zen Some @ Orpehum 11/4 Minus The B
The B-Side Players have won the San Diego Music Awards "Best World Music" category five years in a row. Their mash-up of Latin, funk, reggae, jazz, rock, and hip-hop gets audiences dancing, and their positive message uplifts the spirit.
Come catch B-Side Players...
Thursday September 10th at Plush in Tucson with the Hounds
Friday September 11th at Sail Inn in Tempe with the Hounds
Saturday September 12th at Green Room in Flagstaff with Summit Dub Squad
Also check out these upcoming shows: 9/12 Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers w/ Whiskey Rodeo @ Orpheum-All Ages 9/18 Pepper w/ Tomorrows Bad Seeds & The Movement @ Orpheum-All Ages 9/25 Red Elvises @ Green Room-21+ 9/26 The Temptations @ Prochnow Auditorium-All Ages 10/6 Groundation @ Green Room-21+ 10/8 Frank Rosaly's Milkwork @ Coconino Center for the Arts-All Ages 10/8 Blue Turtle Seduction w/ Brothers Gow @ Green Room-21+ 10/9 SOJA with The Movement & The Hounds @ Green Room-21+ 10/10 March Fourth Marching Band @ Green Room-21+ 10/10 SOJA with The Movement, Another Day, The Hounds, Pickster One & DJ Jah Mek @ Club Red (Tempe)-21+ 10/11 SOJA with The Movement & The Hounds @ The Rock (Tucson)-All Ages 10/13 Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats @ Prochnow Auditorium-All Ages 10/16 Kottonmouth Kings @ Orpheum-All Ages 10/16 Toubab Krewe @ Green Room-21+ 10/17 Greenhouse 9 Year Anniversary with Xtra Ticket @ Orpheum-All Ages-Free! 10/31 Halloween with Yin Yang & Zen Some @ Orpehum 11/4 Minus The Bear @ Orpheum-All Ages 11/14 Hot Buttered Rum @ Orpheum-All Ages 11/17 Misfits @ Orpheum-All Ages
This Thursday August 27th Grammy Winning reggae legend Lee Scratch Perry will be appearing live at the Green Room in Flagstaff. Scratch has been highly influential in the development and acceptance of reggae and dub music in Jamaica and overseas. In 1973, Perry built a studio in his back yard, The Black Ark, to have more control over his productions and continued to produce notable musicians including Bob Marley & the Wailers. Perry remained behind the mixing desk for many years, producing songs and albums that stand out as a high point in reggae history. In 2003, Perry won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album with the album Jamaican E.T.. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Perry 100 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Flagstaff favorites Telescope will be at the Orpheum Theater with special guests Ryanhood on Friday August 28th at 9pm. This show is all ages. Telescope released its first album, "For the Rest of Us" through its indie label Skyrocket Entertainment in 2007. The album met with great success and 7500 hard copies - 4000 downloads later it was time to record more music. The band released the EP, “Wind It Up” in February of 2009, this time to a packed Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff, AZ. The first single, "I'll Drive Tonight" went to #24 on the FMQB Charts in March, a huge accomplishment for an independent band. Telescope's live show and songwriting have catapulted them to the forefront of the Arizona scene.
Telescope will also be at Martini Ranch in Scottsdale on Saturday August 29th at 9pm.
Upcoming Shows: 9/10 B-Side Players w/ The Hounds @ Plush (Tucson) 9/11 B-Side Players w/ The Hounds @ Sail Inn (Tempe) 9/12 B-Side Players @ Green Room 9/12 Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers w/ Whiskey Rodeo @ Orpheum 9/18 Pepper @ Orpheum 9/25 Red Elvises @ Green Room 9/26 The Temptations @ Prochnow Auditorium 10/6 Groundation @ Green Room 10/8 Blue Turtle Seduction @ Green Room 10/8 Frank Rosaly&
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Coming up on Thursday July 23 is Stephen Marley at the Orpheum Theater. He has won 5 Grammy Awards and mixes reggae with a little bit of hip-hop to create one of the best shows around. The show is all ages.
And on Tuesday July 28 the Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson and Junior Marvin will be at the Green Room. The Original Wailers bring the spirit of Bob Marley to life with spot-on recreations of his music. Both Anderson and Marvin toured and recorded with Bob back in the seventies and helped to shape the Wailers roots-rock sound.
Upcoming Shows: 8/27 Lee Scratch Perry @ Green Room (21+) 8/28 Telescope with Ryanhood @ Orpheum (All Ages) 8/29 Telescope @ Martini Ranch (Scottsdale) (All Ages) 9/10 B-Side Players w/ The Hounds @ Plush (Tucson) (21+) 9/11 B-Side Players w/ The Hounds @ Sail Inn (Tempe) (21+) 9/12 Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers @ Orpheum (All Ages) 9/12 B-Side Players @ Green Room (21+) 9/25 Red Elvises @ Green Room (21+) 9/26 The Temptations @ Prochnow Auditorium (All Ages) 10/6 Groundation @ Green Room (21+) 10/8 Frank Rosaly's Milkwork @ Coconino Center for the Arts (All Ages) 10/8 Blue Turtle Seduction w/ Brothers Gow @ Green Room (21+) 10/13 Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats @ Prochnow Auditorium (All Ages)
For more info check out www.greenhouseproductions.net
Thanks for your friendship + supporting our music! Check out our latest single, "Drop". You can download it FREE at Reverbnation ~ http://www.reverbnation.com/wunderbugg
