The THUGZ
(Tribal Hippie UnderGround Zone)
The THUGZ (aka -tribal hippie underground zone) is a Sonoma County with a repertoire ranging from inventive originals to psychedelic classics and “Grateful” jams, mixed with songs by Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Coburn, Donovan Leitch and other artists.
Founder Mike Campbell says he and the band members like the Dead because "their music encompasses so many styles and has an element of improvisation." The band members are Mike Campbell on guitar, Sylvia Murphy on keyboard, Chris Lushington on a headless, 5-string bass(for an extended lower range), Andre de Channes on guitar and Ian Favell on Drums. Mike and Sylvia do most of the singing from a repertoire of over 150 songs.
Campbell grew up Fremont and his family had a cabin in Cazadero where they took frequent holidays. When Campbell left Fremont in the 1960s to "escape the asphalt," the river area seemed a natural connection to his past, as well as a place with many live music venues.
"All the San Francisco bands like the Grateful Dead came from the city to play here," Campbell noted. He recalls long-gone venues like the old Rio Nido dance hall and the roller rink behind the Rio Theater.
Campbell’s first instrument was a bugle his father brought back from World War II. When the Beatles hit the scene, he immediately wanted a guitar, like everyone else. His parents told him only "riff-raff" play the guitar and bought him a ukulele instead. After listening to him try to play rock music on a ukulele, they finally gave in and bought him a guitar and he hasn't looked back since.
Andre de Channes on guitar is also a DJ at The Krush in Santa Rosaand played in such bands as "East Of Eden", and Los Angeles based band, "Velvet Chain".
The other stellar addition to The THUGZ is drummer Ian Favell, a talented multi-instrumentalist. Ian has also played bass with the Bob Lucas Trio (jazz), The Heavies, Soulvine, and The Crazy.
Tickets for the concert are $15.00, available online at www.arenatheater.org and at local ticket vendors; $12.00 for members with card at local vendors only.
Arena Theater’s local ticket vendors are Sea Trader and Four-Eyed Frog in Gualala; Arena Market and The Pier Chowder House and Tap Room in Point Arena; Tangents in Fort Bragg.
The show starts at 8:00 PM and doors open at 7:00 PM. The Arena Theater Bar and the snack stand will be open. |