Since that first show just last year, more and more people are asking about Whitey Gomez -- the name has become less like a mumble and more like a buzz.
The band's been invited to play clubs across San Francisco, including gigs at the Bottom of the Hill's Sunday Barbecue -- a weekly SF tradition -- and Slim's, where they recently won a coveted slot opening for BR5-49. In upcoming months they'll be sharing stages with acts like The Gourds, Jack Logan, The Backsliders, and Robbie Fulks.
|
|
 |
|
 |
We just finished recording a new CD," enthuses bassist Eric Velasco. "We worked with Kyle Statham, who's in the band Fuck. He owns Black Eyed Pig Studios, and he helped us out a lot." Indeed, Statham, with his indie rock background, had a unique approach to producing the band's rollicking sound. "We wanted to capture the energy of our live set," continues Eric, "and he knew how to get that on tape."
Towards that end, the band recorded a raucous version of the old Carter Family tune "I'll Be All Smiles Tonight," a favorite that Whitey Gomez often closes their sets with. "We stood around a single microphone and did it in one take, just like Bill Monroe used to do," says Scout, who sings and plays acoustic guitar. "There's some mistakes, but we left 'em in there. We wanted it to sound like we were right there on your front porch, drinking up all your beer. I don't know how Bill Monroe would have felt about it, but
the kids sure seem to like it."
|
|
|
Though the group is earning its rightful place in the pantheon of great San Francisco bands, it must be noted that at least one of the members is a ringer: guitarist and mandolin player Nancy Rideout was a founding member of Chicago's Moonshine Willy, on Bloodshot Records. "Moonshine was a great experience for me. It taught me a lot," she claims modestly, adding, however, that Whitey Gomez's blend of Replacements-style rock & roll with Hank Williams-inspired cry-in-your-beer country "is exactly what I've wanted to do all along."
Whitey Gomez has played so regularly in the Bay Area lately that now they're filled with missionary zeal: they're planning to hit the road soon in search of new converts. In addition to spending the summer playing locally, they'll be doing a little traveling up and down the West Coast, to cities like Portland, Seattle, Eugene and Vancouver. "It all depends on gas prices," laughs Scout.
The new CD, The Discolandia Sessions, is currently available at shows, by mail, and soon, through the band's website at www.whiteygomez.com. To order by mail, please send a check or money order for $7, payable to Peter Craft, to:
Whitey Gomez
156 Henry Street
SF, CA 94114
For Whitey Gomez booking, please contact
Laura Cavaluzzo at (415) 701-7548, or laurac@slip.net
|
|
 |
