THE DEBUT OF THE FIRST ANNUAL SAGEBRUSH CANTINA MUSIC, FOOD AND FUN! FESTIVAL WITH SONS OF SILVER, ROBBY KRIEGER AND THE WALLFLOWERS

BY: MARLEY STEIN

It was a hot day in the Los Angeles county suburb Calabasas. The area is well-known for its affluent residents, estates, and tranquil atmosphere, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa MonicaMountains. But on October 8th tranquility was replaced and rock n’ roll filled the air. It was the debut of the First Annual Sagebrush Cantina Music, Food and Fun! Festival, and the only annual music festival on the west side of the San Fernando Valley.

 

Los Angeles band Sons of Silver were the opening act on the outside stage. The band is comprised of tried-and-true musicians with former Skillet guitarist Kevin Haaland, current Candlebox bassist Adam Kury, former drummer for Peter Murphy and Splender Marc Slutsky, keyboard Brina Kapler, and Peter Argyropoulos formerly of Pete RG front and center on guitar and vocals. Argyropoulos’ voiceis strong and raspy, and the band is at home on stage and clearly happy and content to be there. Their set was a powerhouse of crafted well-thought-out, emotionally gripping songs from their two EPs Ordinary Sex Appeal and Doomsday Noises.” They could have easily been the headliners but as the opening act of the evening they definitely got things rolling and off to a good start.

 

Next up was the Robby Krieger band. Krieger is still the strong and steady guitarist he has always been, and the set was filled with rock n’ roll nostalgia. Although the original Doors members will forever be irreplaceable Krieger has assembled an incredibly talented group to pay homage to the songs of Jim Morrison. Hard to beat having the songs from The Doors played live as the sun went down on a warm California night.

 

Closing out the night was The Wallflowers. It feels like Jakob Dylan has always been held to a higher standard because of his last name and the obvious resemblance to his iconic father. The younger Dylan has a presence, a strength of personality and self-assurance that exudes from him infectiously. The Wallflowers set ranged from folk to rock to hymns to anthems to ballads much to the delight of the audience. He beckoned us to follow him, smiling, lifting his guitar into the air, pointing at us, and delivered the kind of rock and roll show that delivers joy and catharsis in equal parts. It was exciting to hear them play some of their classics and to see them bring their newest material to the stage with such energy and passion.

Watch Sons of Silver play “Who’s Gonna Stop Us” Live at the Sagebrush Cantina –