Two local bands pay tribute to Buck Owens’ Streets of Bakersfield - By N.L. Belardes
Gus from the Filthies already mentioned in a Buck City Podcast tribute moment that rural rock punksters The Filthies were going to throw together a hard rocking rendition of “The Streets of Bakersfield”.
Not only has the punk scene just declared Buck Owens’ music should be covered, there’s already been a tribute from the Bakersfield underground. At Riley’s Tavern Sunday night, members from the band Norfolk teamed up with a local singer to create The Indians, a band that normally plays fun renditions of classic rock tunes. Although they played their regular hard-rocking music, they also paused to perform, “The Streets of Bakersfield”. “I never saw Buck Owens perform,” said lead singer Rafael, “But that’s not stopping me from doing this tribute to the passing of a legend.”
On a night of great music that included a new three-piece rendition of Norfolk that dropped its alt country sound, members James Ratliff and Michael Llewellen stepped in to The Indians to perform Buck Owens’ and Dwight Yoakam’s 1986 hit.
That just may have been Bakersfield’s first in what is sure to be a long series of tributes to the legend of Bakersfield that recently died. The Indians took to the wooden floors of Riley’s Tavern to catch the crowd in a moment of reflection and celebration for the great sounds that spawned from Bakersfield of yesteryear.
A once striking alt country sound may have been lost in the latest pop-friendly rendition of Norfolk (I showed up late and didn't catch all the songs). It’s a spin off the old Marcco band that James Ratliff created several years ago. Although lacking a lead guitar, I found the new Norfolk to have a captivating sound, that although no longer ambient in country riffs, was certainly as moving as any Norfolk tunes I had ever heard.
I noticed photographer Mike Herrera was in the house to snap photos of the band possibly to help in the resurgence of Norfolk as James Ratliff moves the band into a position to perform more shows and gain a new following (don't forget to check out mikiephoto.com)
One of the loudest rock bands in town is Pangolese, a Bakersfield alternative band in the vain of the Pixies/Frank Black that I am just mesmerized over each time I see them. Vocalist Dave was looking more Metro than I ever do in his funky frontman attire that included a rainbow belt buckle, long-sleeved striped shirt and funk black glasses. His vocals screamed while Daniel and Johnny tore into the bass and drums… I hung out and snapped photos. Daniel was wild as always. I have no idea how he can rock out and play the bass the way he does. My favorite Pangolese moment? Dave’s guitar strap snapped off during a solo. He didn’t miss a lick as he carried his guitar to an amp, rested it on the side and tore into his solo…
After the show I walked outside and snapped some photos of Pangolese over by the Alley Dog. I was kind of hungry but the window wasn’t open… So I just took pics as they all struck a few poses. Afterward I asked about their demo. Dave mentioned their entire recording session at Rubber Tree Studio may have been lost due to a crashed computer. Now that’s a setback.
After Pangolese was the Indians. I lingered far past their Buck Owens tribute and even caught James hilarious Led Zepellin Moby Dick drum solo in a moment that saw other band members wander off to the restroom while he pounded away as only a furious rocker in a classic rock band could.
Not only has the punk scene just declared Buck Owens’ music should be covered, there’s already been a tribute from the Bakersfield underground. At Riley’s Tavern Sunday night, members from the band Norfolk teamed up with a local singer to create The Indians, a band that normally plays fun renditions of classic rock tunes. Although they played their regular hard-rocking music, they also paused to perform, “The Streets of Bakersfield”. “I never saw Buck Owens perform,” said lead singer Rafael, “But that’s not stopping me from doing this tribute to the passing of a legend.”
On a night of great music that included a new three-piece rendition of Norfolk that dropped its alt country sound, members James Ratliff and Michael Llewellen stepped in to The Indians to perform Buck Owens’ and Dwight Yoakam’s 1986 hit.
That just may have been Bakersfield’s first in what is sure to be a long series of tributes to the legend of Bakersfield that recently died. The Indians took to the wooden floors of Riley’s Tavern to catch the crowd in a moment of reflection and celebration for the great sounds that spawned from Bakersfield of yesteryear.
A once striking alt country sound may have been lost in the latest pop-friendly rendition of Norfolk (I showed up late and didn't catch all the songs). It’s a spin off the old Marcco band that James Ratliff created several years ago. Although lacking a lead guitar, I found the new Norfolk to have a captivating sound, that although no longer ambient in country riffs, was certainly as moving as any Norfolk tunes I had ever heard.
I noticed photographer Mike Herrera was in the house to snap photos of the band possibly to help in the resurgence of Norfolk as James Ratliff moves the band into a position to perform more shows and gain a new following (don't forget to check out mikiephoto.com)
One of the loudest rock bands in town is Pangolese, a Bakersfield alternative band in the vain of the Pixies/Frank Black that I am just mesmerized over each time I see them. Vocalist Dave was looking more Metro than I ever do in his funky frontman attire that included a rainbow belt buckle, long-sleeved striped shirt and funk black glasses. His vocals screamed while Daniel and Johnny tore into the bass and drums… I hung out and snapped photos. Daniel was wild as always. I have no idea how he can rock out and play the bass the way he does. My favorite Pangolese moment? Dave’s guitar strap snapped off during a solo. He didn’t miss a lick as he carried his guitar to an amp, rested it on the side and tore into his solo…
After the show I walked outside and snapped some photos of Pangolese over by the Alley Dog. I was kind of hungry but the window wasn’t open… So I just took pics as they all struck a few poses. Afterward I asked about their demo. Dave mentioned their entire recording session at Rubber Tree Studio may have been lost due to a crashed computer. Now that’s a setback.
After Pangolese was the Indians. I lingered far past their Buck Owens tribute and even caught James hilarious Led Zepellin Moby Dick drum solo in a moment that saw other band members wander off to the restroom while he pounded away as only a furious rocker in a classic rock band could.
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Monday, March 27, 2006.
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