Rockin’ New Year’s Eve

Across Ventura County, someone, somewhere will be playing your song on New Year’s Eve.

Probably the best show of the evening will be at the Ventura Theatre, where Los Lobos will perform. But more on that later.

Elsewhere in the county, most venues will be going with the sure thing, featuring the same bands they showcase throughout the year.

These days, dancers pretty much want to hear the same old song, which would account for the preponderance of classic rock bands and all those DJs who fancy themselves to be rock stars. In any case, here’s a sampling of live music alternatives for New Year’s Eve.

At the Tree House, that giant dance club in Simi Valley, Atlas will play classic rock and lots of dance music. At Season Ticket, the sports bar that rocks, there’s more classic rock from 4-Play. At the Arena, there’s swing music and other very danceable stuff by the Starlighters.

In the Conejo Valley, the most elaborate celebration will take place at the Hyatt Westlake, with three bands in three separate settings, plus hotel rooms that solve the getting-home problem. There’s Big Band music from the Harry Selvin Band, disco music from Disco Inferno and Top 40 stuff from Funky Smooth.

In Thousand Oaks, Midnight Train will play some classic rock at that small but popular local hangout, the Lounge; Kronius will play in the bar in the basement of the Hungry Hunter. At Azar’s Red Robin in Newbury Park, Good To Go, which is pretty much the house band, will play even more classic rock. Down the Conejo Grade in Camarillo, Mr. O will play at the Crab House.

Classic Rock a Classic Choice

In Oxnard, the Lobster Trap Restaurant will offer classic rock from a pair of popular outfits, the Drivematics and Second Wind, the latter led by guitarist Jimmy Roberts. Crosscut will play classic rock at Pirates in the Channel Islands Harbor, and at Port Royal, pianist Loren Richards and vocalist Paula Jones will play old favorites for their loyal fans. Down the road at Capistrano’s, there’s more danceable classic rock from Indigo Chip.

In east Ventura, Crosstown Traffic will play some classic rock, probably including a few Hendrix tunes, at the Keynote Lounge. A few miles west down Telegraph Road, Pecks Bad Boys will play at O’Leary’s Side Bar.

Near the Ventura Harbor, Teresa Russell & Cocobilli will spark some dancing at Alexander’s. This talented threesome has weeks of material and just released a collection of its most requested rockers, “Live 1.” At the Clarion Ventura Beach Hotel, that veteran blues band named after a misspelled car, the Pontiax, fronted by the energetic Mitch Kashmar, will play its brand of California blues.

The Ban-Dar, the oldest country and western venue in the county, will revert to form as it features Aces & Eights, formerly the Desperados, who were for years the house band. Jennifer Starr & Silver Spur will open festivities for those who hanker to yahoo in the new year.

At the Pierpont Inn, piano player Gil Rosas will tickle the ivories and play some old favorites. The David Hall Quartet will perform in an adjacent tented pavilion.

At a new venue on Thompson Boulevard, Bubba’s Lounge will offer original rock from Jackass, featuring Toby Emery and Billy McGraw of Raging Arb & the Redheads fame. Opening will be Kitty Kat Stew, playing some fast and loud original music.

Some Venues Offer 2 Dance Floors

Down by the ocean, the Banana Belt Cantina will feature the Jonathan Raffetto Band playing acoustic music and original rock. Next-door at the Holiday Inn, Typhoid Mary and Check One Two will play separately, one on the ground floor and the other on the top floor.

Certain to be packed to the max is the Bombay Bar & Grill, which has emerged in 2000 as a venue for original bands. But on New Year’s Eve, look for the old favorites--Sound Effect, playing classic rock in the front bar, and those heroes of the Internet, the Ska Daddyz, playing in the back.

On Main Street, the Suzanne Paris Band will officially open the new upstairs music room at Zoey’s, home to all that great food and eclectic music. At Nicholby’s, the Atomic Dogs will pack the place, just as they do every Saturday night playing all those disco songs beloved by all those dancers.

While DJs are pretty generic and therefore not listed, there is an exception in Ojai. Daniel Ash, one of the founding members of Bauhaus and Love & Rockets, will spin some of his favorite songs at Calypso’s. Make his night: Look sad, wear black.

Now, back to the big name and perhaps the most inspired option for those who want to spend the dough. Los Lobos, the pride of East L.A., began playing nearly 30 years ago. On New Year’s Eve, they will be at the venerable Ventura Theatre, the cool art deco venue that opened in 1927.

The principals--Louie Perez, Cesar Rosas, David Hidalgo and Conrad Lozano--met at Garfield High School and learned more than 150 traditional Mexican songs to play at weddings and backyard parties when their fee was a case of beer. In 1980, one of their friends, Tito Larriva of the Plugz, got the band a gig at the Olympic Auditorium, opening for Public Image Ltd. That was their official coming-out party, even though the punks didn’t dig their acoustic norteno music.

Best Bet: Don’t Drink and Drive

Next, Los Lobos started playing around L.A. with the Blasters, another roots rock outfit out of Downey. By the time they signed with Slash Records in the early ‘80s, they had already been together for nearly a decade. In 1982, the band gained a fifth member--and still the new guy--sax player Steve Berlin.

While Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez and that Taco Bell mutt seem to exemplify Latino culture in mass media, Los Lobos have the track record. They’ve recorded more than 10 albums and received numerous Grammys for creating that invigorating mix of Mexican, blues, funk and country music. Los Villains will open the show.

According to Grammys bigwig Michael Green, “Los Lobos are the kind of band that are so good, so polished and so creative that other musicians, the biggest in the business, go to see them just to appreciate how well music can be played.”

Now that you’ve got lots to pick from, here’s your annual word of warning: If you’re drinking, call a cab or choose a designated driver--anything to avoid that embarrassing 2 a.m. conversation with those who serve, protect and make the county lots of money. Allow the county to operate in the year 2001 without any unwanted assistance from you.

DETAILS

Los Lobos and Los Villains at the Ventura Theatre, 26 Chestnut St.; 9 p.m. Sunday; $35, $55 or $75; 653-0721.

Bill Locey can be reached by e-mail at blocey@pacbell.net.