VALLEY WEEKEND : Smokin’ Ribs and Blues at the ‘House of Dues’ : Barbecue is served up with that everlasting brand of jazz at the Studio City nightspot. Next up, the Roadhouse Rockers.
Much like country-western music, the blues is always around. It just goes in and out of fashion. And the music is so fashionable right now, it’s hot, as evidenced by three clubs in the San Fernando Valley area devoted almost strictly to that life form--B. B. King’s, the Classroom and Smokin’ Johnnie’s.
Smokin’ Johnnie’s, the new kid on the scene, is a small place with big plans and a motto, “Booze, Blues and Barbecues.”
Smokin’ Johnnie’s is currently offering all three, seven nights a week. They have regular acts Tuesdays through Saturdays, a blues jam on Mondays and a showcase on Sundays.
Owner John Ferris, Smokin’ Johnnie himself, has created a warm, friendly atmosphere in this low-ceilinged, brick-walled room. The place has only been open about six weeks and Ferris sounds about as excited as a dog with a big, juicy beef rib.
“I really wanted to do this for a long time,” he said. “It’s a cultural thing: blues and barbecues. I live in the Valley and there’s nothing like this here. So, it’s great that I’m supplying something that others can appreciate.
Scott Perry, the club’s booking agent, says that, besides showcasing local talent, the club plans to import some national blues acts on the average of about twice a month. Next month, Howard and the White Boys from Chicago are scheduled for Feb. 10 and Texas blues man Burt Wills is slated for the 24th.
In something of a stretch from its regular blues format, this weekend the club presents the Roadhouse Rockers, a rockabilly trio out of Santa Barbara. The band, which released its first CD, “Feel Like Rockin’,” last year, consists of Tony Balbinot on guitar and vocals, Micky Rae on upright bass and vocals and John Palmer on drums. Rae is the band’s focal point on stage, a rather diminutive woman who is known to interact rather provocatively with her bass, Perry said.
Ferris, who operates a film prop rental company during the day, wants his place to be down-to-earth, fun and unpretentious, with “no attitude,” as he puts it.
“Anybody can come in and have a good time,” Ferris said. “We’re not the House of Blues. We’re more the ‘House of Dues.’ ”
* The Roadhouse Rockers play rockabilly at 9 tonight at Smokin’ Johnnie’s, 11720 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. No cover. Call (818) 760-6631.
Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster: Tattoo Rodeo is a band on the brink of something better.
Maybe.
The band, which is performing at Mancini’s on Saturday, experienced some limited success a few years ago with their Atlanta release, “Rode Hard--Put Away Wet.” A single, “Been Your Fool,” achieved substantial radio airplay, and the band toured nationally with Bad Company and Damn Yankees. But the group’s expectations have yet to be fully realized.
“We’ve done a lot of good things, but we’ve been on a roller coaster-type of thing,” said guitarist Rick Chaddock philosophically. “Musically, we just try to be the best we can be.”
The band now has a new album, “Skin,” recorded in 17 days and available on the Mausoleum/BMG label. Chaddock said the band wanted to strip down their sound and get back to the “essence of rock.”
Tattoo Rodeo is set to shoot a video for its single “Chamber of Mary’s Gun” the first week in February and there’s a possible tour on the horizon. Meantime, the band is keeping busy with local gigs.
Besides Chaddock, Tattoo Rodeo consists of singer Dennis Churchill-Dries, drummer Richard Wright, keyboardist Michael Lord and bassist Robert Berg. Chaddock, Churchill-Dries and Wright have been playing together since they were students at John Burroughs High School in Burbank, almost 12 years ago.
“Expectations are hard in this business,” Chaddock said. “But, we’re in it cause we love it. Anything we get, besides the music itself, is really frosting.”
* Tattoo Rodeo plays 9 p.m. Saturday at Mancini’s, 20923 Roscoe Blvd., Canoga Park. $5 cover. Call (818) 341-8503.