Hootenanny!

Highlights from The 11th annual Hootenanny at Oak Canyon Ranch in Irvine, CA on July 7.



Big Sandy

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys' swing-a-billy charmed the crowd with upbeat ditties like "Feelin' Kinda Lucky" and "The Greatest Story Ever Told".



Deke Dickerson

Mad Marge and company played on the smaller stage and had a nice mosh pit going. Deke Dickerson would later take this stage, covering Buck Owens and ending his set with favorite, "Muleskinner Blues".



The Blasters

80's rockabilly pioneers, The Blasters, played an energetic set including classics like "American Music", and "Long White Cadillac". Phil Alvin, as ever, seemed about to pop a vein as his contorted face displayed a trademark mix of agony and ecstasy. Phil would later join his brother Blaster, Dave, during his set for a rocking "Marie Marie".



John Doe Band

John Doe kicked off with "The Golden State", a sentimental ode to love and imperfection from his new album. Doe and his band sounded and looked vibrant. His red haired, female backup singer bearing more than a bit of a resemblance to longtime band mate, Exene, in both looks and voice.

Doe then launched into "The New World", a song by his old band, X. Though originally written during the Reagan era, the similarities to the current state of affairs were not lost on Doe. "Don't forget to vote next time", Doe chided his audience before starting. Halfway through, the song unexpectedly morphed into The Beatles' "Revolution". Nice touch.


John Doe


Nekromantix thrashed their way through a psychobilly caucophony of noisy dissonance. Then Squirrel Nut Zippers played their quirky brand of Dixie inspired swing, including "Prince Nez" and "Hell".



Hootenanny Fan

Headliners and crowd faves, "Social Distortion" capped off the show. Their set included a cover of Chuck Berry's "Maybeline" and "Far Behind" from their Greatest Hits release. Social D sounded as good as ever, Mike Ness admitting between songs that it's a good thing music became their vocation as he and his band mates "didn't make very good criminals."