The Mo Odds – The Dharma Bums – and Revoluions Pride – at Sandrini’s – Bakersfield, CA

Friday night, L.A. based Mo Odds were scheduled to headline and perform with supporting acts Revolution's Pride and Dharma Bums in downtown Bakersfield. By the end of the night the audience got a little more than they had expected.

Let's just say, a chaotic blend of Indie-Rock instrumentals turned amatuer strip show with Mo Odd's vocalist prowling around the room in nothing but leopard print tights.

The night's entertainment took a trip through the hills and down the Grapevine to bestow their talents upon Bakersfield, more specifically, Sandrini's Basque and Italian Restaurant. Well-known for their large selection of imported beer and wine, Sandrini's is the local hot spot for music with live shows almost every day of the week.

The up close and personal atmosphere of the building provides an element that arena shows lack, which is an amplifier sitting directly in front of your face and the vibration of drums beneath your feet. As you enter through the doors from the main street there are stairs that take you down into the basement bar that has a pub-style atmosphere. That night, the regular customers were already gathered around the bar waiting for the music to begin.

Revolution's Pride tuned up their guitars around 10 p.m. and started the night off strong with their signature Indie sound. Lead singer Diego Reynosa sang from the heart with a glass in hand as the energy of the band was dispelled into the audience. Their drummer pounded away at the drums with precision. During their set they ventured into a cover of "Bad Man" originally written by '90s underground garage band The Oblivians. The guitarists and bass player supported Reynosa at times with interludes of catchy gang vocals. Situated at the edge of the stage was a suitcase with their recently released 7" vinyl called "No Mixing".

Check Out Revolution's Pride HERE

Before their last song had ended the guitarist and singer of Dharma Bums, the second band to perform, were seated at a table with a pen and paper in hand. They were drawing out their set list and a few minutes later were ready to take the stage.

The crowd dissipated after Revolution's Pride finished, but not for long, as they would soon return to hear Dharma Bums in action. After a slight delay that was caused by a broken guitar string (guitarist Brian Ponce ended up borrowing a  hollow-body from the previous band) they opened with "Goin' Up the Country," which lead into a string of other tunes that were laced with singer and guitarist Joe Jimenez's skilled solo work. They had an eclectic mixture of different sounding songs with obvious influence ranging from many different genres of music. Jimenez cites his influence as the roots of Zeppelin, rather than the band itself. That would be the Delta Blues my friends; a healthy mix of Lead Belly and Muddy Waters is the proper diet for any Rock 'n' Roller. Ponce, on the other hand, grew up on the metal end of the spectrum and listened to bands like Slayer.

For their first show in Bakersfield the Dharma Bums knew how to work the crowd. It was apparent that they were stage-ready and had plenty of practice beforehand, in that moment they remained a tight jam band with unpredictable tendencies. The show coincided with the recent release of their EP titled "Slumberland," which, (just as the 7" inch recently pressed by Revolution's Pride) was recorded and produced at the Laundry Room Recording Studio. One of the highlights of their set was during their song Light Bulbs And Straws, a catchy tune that created some decent movement in the crowd and was met with a great applause after the song ended.

Check Out The Dharma Bums HERE

Looking around  the bar at Sandrini's there seemed to be a mixed crowd. It was apparent that some were there for music, others to have a drink with their date and then of course the guy that's too wasted to do much else besides fall over unsuspecting guests. But when the time came all eyes were on Mo Odds as they started off with "Olivia," an original track that had a 50's Power-Pop sound, by the time the chorus hit a a modern jump groove had arrived. In the midst of a hollow, out-of-tune guitar sound the vocals could be heard loud and clear. His voice was Rock 'n' Roll. There's really no other way to describe it — imagine Little Richard meets a modern Indie groove. Paul Rodgers of Bad Company would perhaps be another name that comes to mind. The band itself was lively and entertaining at times with a saxophonist brilliantly playing along.

Check Out The Mo Odds HERE

Yet again, their singer stole the show by rolling around on the floor and climbing on chairs while people were dancing. It was all in great fun and the audience seemed to eat it up. While it was a laugh to see him running around in tights with his butt hanging out., Chris' skill and versatility with his vocal range was good enough to be thoroughly entertaining without the act. They broke out into a cover of Little Richard's "Good Golly Miss Molly" that would have made the man himself proud. The talent their singer possess is without doubt the factor that would enable this band to rise above the underground bar scene.

The show ended at 12:45 p.m. People gathered around the bar and others made there way to the exit. Outside were the usual cops prowling the streets on a Friday night in downtown Bakersfield. All in all it was a memorable night filled with exceptional talent and plenty of beer.


                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Breanna Fields-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

 

 

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