Disowned for Good

There are probably enough ex-Ska Daddyz still at large to form an orchestra or fill a jail. A new band, No Regrets, includes several fun guys who have been kicked out of the Ska Daddyz (now the Daddyz) over the years. No Regrets will seek to encourage some dancing and some meaningful one-night stands when they play plenty of punk-powered or reggae-flavored rock this weekend at the Bombay Bar & Grill in Ventura.

Not regretting a darn thing are Blake Cruz on rhythm guitar, Dustin Maddelone on vocals, Paul Shinn on bass, Pauly Lester on lead guitar and Rich Crawford on drums. Cruz, Shinn and Maddelone were formerly in the Ska Daddyz, but collectively, all five have been in a million bands. It became a million and one last winter, when it suddenly occurred to Cruz that he and Maddelone didn’t have a musical night job anymore.

“Dustin and I were working in San Diego on the construction stage crew for the WB Network, and one night we were just sitting there when we decided to get a band going. So we started writing tunes down there.”

Cruz and Maddelone chose the name No Regrets, started putting the name on the drums, getting tattoos, exaggerating to some girls and making some T-shirts. The two pals didn’t stay a duo for very long, according to Cruz.

“Since Paul wasn’t playing with anybody and since he is a ripping bass player, we got him to join when we got back up here. Then we started auditioning drummers and we found Rich, and the next day, he brought Pauly, and we started jamming and it just clicked. This band has an all-star lineup.”

No Regrets’ first gig was at Chuy’s in Oxnard on Super Bowl Sunday, and it was a hit, partly because it was close to their Silver Strand homes--a harbor hopper, in the vernacular of locals--and their fan base.

“People from 6 to 60 were raging,” said Cruz.

When all these guys were still in the Ska Daddyz, seemingly a different one of them would quit the band after every set, and in between, they’d party as if there was no tomorrow, basically playing to cover their bar tabs. No Regrets is different. No kidding. Shinn even used the scary R-word.

“This band is responsible,” said Shinn, who used to be so late so often, the Ska Daddyz were considering changing the name of the band to Where’s Paul?

No Regrets has a set list of about 25 songs, with half of them originals, but they practice up to three times a week.

“We play a little bit of everything. It’s variety with some good progressive rock tunes with reggae influences and some punk stuff,” said Cruz.

So they have their own sound and an airtight plan. More importantly, they also have a friend.

“Right now, we’re booking a lot of shows so we can make some dough and get a CD out,” Cruz said. “We’re making money to make money. We’re in the studio right now, and the CD, hopefully, will have eight songs on it. It’s going to be on Guy Jeans’ label, PoFolk Records. We want to make the CD, then go to San Diego and beyond, and maybe do some stuff with his band, Papa-Nata. Guy has been great, just helping his friends out.”

So far, there’s no double bill scheduled with the Daddyz, but who knows? Time wounds all heals or heals all wounds, or something like that, according to Maddelone, the last one to leave the Daddyz.

“I was a little bitter at first, but now we’re working things out. I mean, we all grew up together. But as for this band, everyone just wants to rock, party and have a good time. We all communicate, and also, this band eats.”

No Regrets at Bombay Bar & Grill, 143 California St., Ventura, Friday and Saturday, 9:30 p.m. $6. (805) 643-4404.

*

For years the old box-like building at the west end of Ventura was a redneck bar called the Chaparral Club, then it closed in the early ‘90s only to be resurrected as a couple of rock ‘n’ roll bars, first the Midnight Hour, then The Bar, which only lasted slightly longer than its name. Guess what? The venue is back--this time as Chicago West #5. The whereabouts of the other four venues is uncertain.

Anyway, the place has been open a few weeks now and threatens to hang around for a while, since the flier promises activities each and every day of the year. The official grand opening party is set for May 22 with Psychedelic Summer playing some classic rock for the event.

Chicago West will offer a number of drink specials nightly, with Thursday being Ladies Night. The new management plans to use the patio and garden areas for some outside shows. The venue, with a brand-new paint job and refurbished interior, is at 281 W. Main St. in Ventura. Call them at (805) 643-9378 for more information.

*

For something completely different, check out Papa-Nata front man Guy Jeans doing a solo piano thing from 6 to 9 p.m. every Thursday night at the Cafe Banco d’Italia in downtown Ventura. No reggae-powered dance tunes, no “Beer in My Hand” raging rockers, just mellow lounge-lizard stuff. Not surprisingly, Jeans has a new solo album entitled “Equinox.” The venue is an Italian restaurant at the corner of Oak and Main streets. Call them at (805) 643-7424.

*

Also, the Downtown Marketplace has returned to Thursday nights from 5:30 until 8:30, with any number of merchants and craftsmen hawking their wares. There’s even live music. Tonight it’s the Blue Morning Band and Kindred Spirits playing on Main Street between California and Oak streets. Call (805) 984-1323 to find out more.