Ready to dance off those holiday calories? Look no further than blues singer and guitarist Burning James Scoolis playing at Puffers of Pismo on Sunday, Dec. 28 (5 to 8 p.m.).
“The combo that I’m bringing into Puffers is a powerhouse blues quartet,” James explained. “Besides me and my good friend Billy Baxmeyer on bass, I’ll have Wes Starr on drums. He’s a premiere ‘shuffling drummer’ and has played with the best of the best all around the world. And on blues harp and vocals will be James ‘Jimmy G’ Godfrey, who has recently relocated to the Central Coast. This will be his coming out party.”
Starr is fresh of a European tour with blues greats Anson Funderburgh and Mark Hummell. Godfrey was mentored by John Clifton, co-founder and frontman of The Mofo Party Band. James calls Baxmeyer the combo’s “deep pocket groove machine.” Scoolis was raised in the grit and soul of Cleveland and has been performing soul, blues, gospel, R&B, funk, and rock on the Central Coast for more than 50 years.
“It’s an honor and privilege for me to share the stage with these super talented folks and get tuned up for the big January 10th Blues Society ‘Spectacular’ Show,” James added.
This combo will be opening for The Ray Jarique Big Band. The upcoming SLO Blues Society show also includes an opening set by The Irene Cathaway Rhythm & Blues Band, all on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the SLO Vets Hall (doors at 6:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $26.80 presale at sloblues.org).
Shaken, dirty, and cheesy
You can always depend on The Siren to keep the party going, even over the holidays.
This week Leslie and the Soul Shakers play a free matinee show on Saturday, Dec. 27 (2 to 5 p.m.; 21-and-older). This group of passionate Central Coast musicians “play some soulful and funky R&B, soul, and Motown, with danceable rhythms for all to enjoy,” their bio explains. “With many years of experience in the local music community, the band brings some skilled and soulful melodies and riffs to Leslie’s compelling and from-the-heart vocals.”
It may not have any of the original members, but the current iteration of New Orleans’ famed Dirty Dozen Brass Band carries on the same traditions as the original band that started 48 years ago in a youth music program at Fairview Baptist Church and that eventually developed into the powerhouse international touring band it is today.
The Grammy Award-winning septet “has taken the traditional foundation of brass band music and incorporated it into a blend of genres, including bebop jazz, funk and R&B/soul,” their bio explains. “This unique sound, described by the band as a ‘musical gumbo,’ has allowed the Dirty Dozen to tour across five continents and more than 30 countries, record 12 studio albums, and collaborate with a range of artists from Modest Mouse to Widespread Panic to Norah Jones.”
They play on Tuesday, Dec. 30 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $30.12 at tixr.com).
If you’re ready to kick 2025 to the curb and usher in 2026, The Cheeseballs play The Siren’s New Year’s Eve Party on Wednesday, Dec. 31 (doors at 7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $58.74 at tixr.com). Your admission ticket includes a complimentary appetizer bar served from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
The Cheeseballs are what former Rock Steady Posse frontman Eric Cotton (also in local bands One Love Bomb and Upside Ska) was doing in the Bay Area after he left SLO County a couple of decades ago before returning a couple of years ago, and he still plays with the high-energy San Francisco dance band.
From ’60s Motown classics to ’80s new wave, from ABBA to Bruno Mars, Cotton and company keep their repertoire soulful and funky, and they’re constantly adding new top hits.
As the band explained, “Better than a cruise ship party, hotter than a Vegas revue, The Cheeseballs will keep you guessing as the set list brings hit after hit from over six decades of bangers! With thousands of successful shows under their belt, TCB have delighted fans nationwide, as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica, and at corporate events, public events, private parties, weddings, and more. Dress to impress and bring 2026 in with style and a little bit of sweat.”
The long kiss goodbye
If you’re ready for a New Year’s Eve experience, SLO Brew Live at Rod & Hammer Rock has you covered with its NYE 2026—Funk Bizarre with headliner Pimps of Joytime (doors at 7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $111.15 to $317.15 at ticketweb.com). Dance band Vince Cimo’s Hot Fire, funk act The Funk Junket, and live EDM duo Elysian Moon open on the main stage. The event also includes entertainment on several stages from a variety of performers. Visit slobrew.com for a complete list.
Pimps of Joytime got their start in Brooklyn in 2005 but also have ties to New Orleans. They formed in 2005 and released High Steppin, their first of six albums, in 2007. Their most recent, Reachin’ Up (2022) started in 2019 when guitarist and vocalist Brian Jay began laying down grooves in a New Orleans studio in early 2019.
“He didn’t exactly have a proper album in mind, so much as capturing the steady flow of ideas that were at his fingertips seemingly every day,” according to the band’s website. “Over two years and a global pandemic later, Reachin’ Up is Pimps’ vibrant new full-length album that finds the venerable frontman once again brimming with trademark kaleidoscopic styles and undeniably funky dance music.”
Get ready to par-tay. ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Dec 25, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026.