ROCK TALK : Dread Zeppelin Combines a Bit of Led With a Whole Lotta Elvis : Tortelvis, a portly version of the King, fronts the group that plays famed rock band’s songs as reggae.

Dread Zeppelin is a band that does Elvis and Led Zeppelin--together--with a whole lotta love and food. Fronted by an overweight Elvis impersonator named Tortelvis--definitely not the young svelte Elvis on the stamp--Dread Zeppelin does Led Zeppelin songs as reggae. The odd squad will be playing at Nicholby’s in Ventura on Friday night.

Greg Tortell (Tortelvis), former milkman and part-time King, has the clothes, the sneer, some painted-on sideburns, the voice--and even the towels when things take a turn for the Hawaiian--to pull it off.

None of this is worth getting dazed and confused over because, according to Tortelvis, Dread Zeppelin is precisely what the King would’ve been into these days had he, well, you know.

“I think he would be doing this. That’s where I got the idea for the band,” he said. “One time Elvis was talking about how he was into this reggae thing. The way he said it was like he invented reggae or something. Now there’s a Graceland West in Temple City. I’ve got a little bitty apartment but with a great big gate.”

Opening are some tight pop rockers out of Canada, the Minstrels. Nicholby’s is located at the corner of Oak Street and Main Street in Ventura. Call them at 653-2320.

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One thing is for sure, the dance floor at Joe Daddy’s in Ventura won’t be big enough for all those shaking money makers once Geno Delafose gets his rockin’ brand of zydeco and R & B cooking Saturday night. His debut album is called “French Rockin’ Boogie.”

Delafose, at 22, is no rookie, but a 15-year music veteran. He began as the rub-board player for his father’s band, John Delafose and the Eunice Playboys, before switching to drums--and now accordion. Schooled in the Creole and Cajun traditions, Delafose sings in English and French. Few feet are immune to zydeco, as will be seen at Joe Daddy’s at 211 E. Santa Clara Street in Ventura.

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Week after week, nothing happens in the county, and then it is sensory overload. In addition to the aforementioned Dread Zeppelin gig, while young Delafose is playing, the Ska Daddyz will be at Bombay. Meanwhile, those in the East County can check out the Epic Records recording artists and Simi Valley locals April’s Motel Room at Pelican’s Retreat in Calabasas. Nervous pop rockers Shellfish will open.

Saturday night, Newbury Park legends majority DOG perform at Pelican’s; Raging Arb & the Redheads, Bill Coffey and Alkaline play an all-ages show at the Ventura Theatre; Ska Daddyz play again at Bombay, and the Upbeat play Nicholby’s.