I enjoy hearing new original music as much as anyone, but sometimes familiar feels good, like slipping on your favorite jeans and boots, which is why cover bands are a nightlife essential. Sometimes you want to grab a beer and hear the tunes you know.
One local cover act that’s been delivering the songs crowds gravitate to is The Counterfeit Kings, whose very name invokes replication. For more than a decade, the band—Ty Christensen, David Chock, Scott Robertson, and John Spalding—has been playing music from the 1990s to today.
According to Christensen, they play a “dynamic blend of rock and pop,” delivered with “undeniable stage presence,” delivering “both iconic hits and unexpected gems.”
The band evolved organically, starting when Christensen (vocals) and Robertson (guitar) first began playing together.
“Scott was initially hesitant to take on lead guitar, but quickly proved himself a powerhouse musician, refining his craft with meticulous attention to sound and technique,” Christensen explained. “As the band evolved, we welcomed John Spalding on bass—though originally a guitar and ukulele player, John seamlessly transitioned into the role, bringing fresh energy to the lineup.
“The final piece fell into place when longtime sound engineer David Chock revealed his hidden talent behind the drum kit. With just a few weeks to learn the set list, he stepped in without missing a beat, solidifying the band’s rhythm section.”
Their repertoire is diverse, to say the least. You might hear the Counting Crowes’ “Hanging Around” followed by Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” followed by Radiohead’s “Creep.” Want some Red Hot Chili Peppers? They’ll play “Give It Away.” In the mood for something by The Ataris? How about “Boys of Summer”?
While they specialize in ’90s to modern rock and pop, they step outside the box to play their own versions of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” and Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” putting “a rock ‘n’ roll spin on unexpected hits, keeping crowds engaged and entertained,” Christensen added.
They also play a few originals, including songs Christensen wrote during his time with a band called Flywire. He notes they also “enjoy introducing fans to underrated rock anthems like ‘White Noise’ by Glorious Sons and ‘Berlin’ by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club—tracks that, while lesser-known, immediately resonate with listeners.”
See The Counterfeit Kings at The Siren on Saturday, Feb. 22 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free).
Wanted man
Numbskull and Good Medicine present Sam Outlaw at Club Car Bar on Saturday, Feb. 22 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $26.47 presale or $29.56 day of show at goodmedicinepresents.com), with Hannah Aldridge opening.
Born Samuel Morgan in South Dakota and raised primarily in Southern California, his stage name comes from his mother’s maiden name, Outlaw. He was working as an advertising executive in his 20s, dabbling in songwriting as a hobby, when he was offered a tour opening for Justin Townes Earle. The rest, as they say, is history. His debut album, Angeleno, was a hit—produced by Ry and Joachim Cooder.
Aldridge—who grew up in the iconic music area known as Muscle Shoals, Alabama—is touring in celebration of the 10th anniversary of her debut album Razorwire. She’s got her band with her to breathe “new life into the songs that started her career a decade ago,” organizers noted. “Her music treads a fine line between the genial charm of Americana, and the raw, hypnotic and occasionally electronic stylings of what some might like to call ‘noir indie pop.'”
Ripping strings
The Seven Sisters Folklore Society presents The Lonesome Ace Stringband in the Milking Parlor at the Historic Octagon Barn Center on Thursday, Feb. 27 (old-time jam at 6 p.m. with concert at 7 p.m.; all ages; $28.52 presale at eventbrite.com or $23.18 for 12 and under; tickets cost more day of show).
This masterful band centers on John Showman (fiddle) and Chris Coole (clawhammer banjo) and a rotating cast of upright-bass players that might include founding member Max Malone, Steve Roy, or Lotus Wight.
According to their website, “The band moves freely between a sound so commanding it doesn’t seem like it should be coming from a string band, to a sparse fragility that draws the listener closer. Whether singing about climate change, modern love, barbecue techniques, or life’s inevitable existential crises, the band cuts to the core. They can also turn and churn out a tune with so much verve that it will make your heart spin and set the dance floor swirling.”
Blues harp explosion
The Clark Center, KCBX Public Radio, and the SLO Blues Society present Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blowout on Thursday, Feb. 27 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $35 to $54 plus fees at clarkcenter.org). Hummel is an incredible blues harpist alone, but these shows gather a bunch of other blues harmonica players and a great backing band to bring the finest blues musicians to you.
“Among this year’s lineup is Curtis Salgado, winner of 11 Blues Music Awards, including Entertainer of the year, and the original inspiration for John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s Blues Brothers,” organizers announced. “Others include R.J. Mischo, Sweet Marta (from Spain), Nick Moss, Dennis Gruenling, Rodrigo Mantovani, Wes Starr, Bob Welsh, and, of course, Mark Hummel himself. With talent like this, it’s sure to be a memorable evening that blues lovers won’t want to miss.”
What’s new is old
If you were a local punk fan 20 years ago, you knew New Tomorrow, SLO Town’s biggest punk sensation of the 2000s. Their three albums included Hellohihellohi (2005), It’s All Over But the Shouting (2006), and We’re Counting on the Youth (2009).
They were very active from late 2005 through late 2008, took a hiatus, played a trio of shows in 2014 and 2015, and haven’t played for a decade … until now! Numbskull presents New Tomorrow for their 20th anniversary show on Friday, Feb. 21, in Rod & Hammer Rock (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $12.88 at ticketweb.com), with Watashi Wa and The Pathetics opening.
Also at Rod & Hammer, (((folkYEAH!))) presents DIIV on Saturday, Feb. 22 (doors at 9 p.m.; all ages; $39.47 presale or $44.74 day of show at eventbrite.com). The Brooklyn dream pop act will mesmerize.
All-female Led Zeppelin tribute band Zepparella—The Led Zeppelin Experience returns to Rod & Hammer Rock on Thursday, Feb. 27 (doors at 7 p.m.; 18-and-older; $27.21 at ticketweb.com).
Hot jazz in your earholes
The Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Club presents its monthly shindig this Sunday, Feb. 23, when The Big Sirs of Swing headline a show that will start with an 11 a.m. open jam session followed by opening act Arroyo Grande High School Jazz Band (12:30 p.m.; all ages; $15 general admission, $10 for members, $5 for jammers). Food, drink, and a big wooden dance floor await.
The Big Sirs is a wicked good Gypsy jazz act that plays and sings songs by Django Reinhardt as well as classic jazz and swing standards. The band features amazing local players Daniel Cimo (violin and vocals), Forrestt Williams (lead guitar), Ron Mileur (rhythm guitar), and Alex Morrison (upright bass).
The Arroyo Grande High School Jazz Band is composed of dedicated student musicians who spend their extra time working on pop and jazz music for local performances under the direction of Matt Barcus. Many of the students also perform in other groups at school and in the area.
Techno fever
Repeat this with me in 4/4 time: “boom-tsh, boom-tsh, boom-tsh, boom-tsh.” Who needs a big dose of techno? The Fremont Theater hosts EDM heroes Walker & Royce on Saturday, Feb. 22 (doors at 6:30 p.m.; 18-and-older; $46.32 at prekindle.com), with Leisan opening. Sam Walker and Gavin Royce came to prominence in NYC in 2011 and created their signature single, “Sister,” in 2014, which BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong dubbed an “Essential New Tune.”
Sounds of Groove
The Cal Poly Winter Jazz Concert featuring the University Jazz Band, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and four Cal Poly jazz combos comes to the Performing Arts Center Friday, Feb. 21 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $17 to $22 general and $12 for students and Jazz Fed members at (805) 756-4849).
Titled “Sounds of Groove,” the concert will feature “My Funny Valentine” by Richard Rodgers, Rube Bloom’s “Give Me the Simple Life” arranged by Jennifer Barnes, and Stevie Wonder’s R&B and soul classic “As” arranged by Tim Brent, as well as a mix of jazz standards and original student arrangements.
Happy Birthday!
Green Room hosts Gehrig’s Birthday at The Lot (2469 Kerry Ave., Cambria, which looks to me like a residential house) on Sunday, Feb. 23 (noon to 4 p.m.; free), featuring SLO rapper Gehrig Kniffen, who’s got a new nostalgia-driven eight-track album out called 97. Dude’s got some killer rhymes. There’ll be live music, vendors, and barbecue. Attendees should BYOB. Δ
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Feb 20 – Mar 2, 2025.