Savory Fare in the Canyon: Roots and Berry

Need an antidote to the hype and trendiness of your average rock-festival-a-looza? Look no further than Hootenanny ‘97, a daylong celebration of rockin’ roots music now in its third year at Oak Canyon Ranch in Irvine.

In addition to 15 musical acts ranging from a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to cult artists to local favorites, Hootenanny offers more than 100 vendor booths plus an exhibit of hot rods and classic cars, all in a setting of lakes, groves and old oak trees.

Among the musical highlights:

* Headliner Chuck Berry he hasn’t retained the chops or electric personal charisma of such other rock ‘n’ roll architects as Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, but he remains true royalty; without his contributions, the very existence of rock ‘n’ roll is unthinkable. At 71, Berry can still cut an amazingly vigorous and entertaining figure onstage, even if he forgot how to tune a guitar decades ago. Catch the duck-walkin’ demon while you still can.

* Robert Gordon was the original rockabilly revivalist, and his albums with Link Wray from ’77 and ’78 are classics of the genre. With pipes as deep as an abandoned country water well and an Elvis fetish so consuming it’s funny at times, Gordon and his hiccuping vocals introduced a generation of ‘70s disco rats to the simple pleasures of hillbilly boogie.

* If Gordon was the first neo-rockabilly, it was the Stray Cats that brought the music back to the mainstream with the early ‘80s hits “Rock This Town” and “Stray Cat Strut.” Of the three former Cats’ solo careers, it is bassist-vocalist Lee Rocker’s that has been the most consistently interesting, even if Brian Setzer’s popularity has eclipsed the rest of the group. Rocker has proved himself a top-notch, versatile singer-songwriter, equally comfortable in the realms of rockabilly, blues, jump tunes and swamp boogie.

* Singer-songwriter-guitarist James Intveld is the slickest of the ‘billy boys in the lineup. With his smooth vocals, simple but tasty guitar chops and matinee-idol good looks, he seems a genuine throwback to another era--some hybrid of Gene Vincent and Ricky Nelson. Intveld has been part of the L.A.-O.C. music scene for nearly two decades, has acted in minor roles in film and television, done soundtrack work (notably for John Waters’ 1990 film “Cry-Baby”) and been a member of the latter-day incarnation of the Blasters. Intveld also has indulged his passion for honky-tonk and swing with different band lineups; what he’ll pull out of his pomp’ at Hootenanny is anyone’s guess.

* The Paladins started out in San Diego in the early ‘80s as a purist hillbilly band, went the Texas-blues route once they were signed to Alligator Records a few years later and in more recent times have proffered a blues-based, hard-rock sound. Whatever the Paladins are pumpin’ these days, guitarist Dave Gonzalez can be counted on to deliver sweaty, hackle-raising guitar work and soulful, honest vocals in front of a driving rhythm section that rocks with the best of them.

* Also from San Diego, Hot Rod Lincoln has enjoyed an association with Rocker as producer and Setzer as an original-song contributor. On their home turf, these boys flash better rockabilly chops than anyone in town but have had an unfortunate tendency to perform mostly obvious, Rockabilly 101 covers. Should they wisely elect to stick to original material for their Hootenanny performance, they’ll get the crowd on their side.

* Simi Valley-based Russell Scott & His Red Hots may be the oddest rockabillies in the region. Just as likely to belt out a demented cover by Neil Diamond, Echo & the Bunnymen or Bob Marley as a Johnny Burnette chestnut, the honey-throated Scott makes any song he sings his own. Scott is also paunchy and balding, which is endearing in this big-hair-and-purty-cheekbones scene.

* Bad-boy country rocker Steve Earle is a bit of an anomaly among this retro roundup, but those with an open mind and ear will find plenty to dig in his heartfelt odes to individuality and prole sensibility--plus if you listen hard enough, you might hear the ghost of Duane Eddy oozing from Earle’s guitar. The man from Virginny has an entertaining history of drinking, drugging and punching people who cross him and has been versatile enough to open for both George Jones and the Replacements. His recently released “I Feel Alright” album is among the finest of a long and fruitful career.

* O.C.’s Los Infernos might seem out of place in this grease-and-crankshaft assemblage, but the group’s stripped-down, take-no-prisoners brand of punk is steeped in old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll intensity, and the band’s live show is reportedly among the most manic of anyone on the scene.

* Also appearing: Supersuckers, the Rugburns, Tenderloin, Dean DelRay, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the Rhythm Lords.

* Hootenanny ’97 runs from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Oak Canyon Ranch, 5305 Santiago Canyon Road, Santiago Canyon. $27.50. All ages welcome. (714) 991-2055 or (909) 715-2252. Web site: www.pe.net/98posse.