HOOKAH STEW

Garage, soul, powerpop -- John Michael Young can play them all -- and does

Hookah has evolved. And like all evolution, the progress is sometimes hard to see until ... a CD -- "Hits from the Hookah," puts the Stew in a new niche, that of tribal hook masters, rattling the bones of the 80s. John Michael Young formed this band over 10 years ago and gave it a crash course of Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Aquarium Release and the Five Fingers of Funk. Now playing on the van stereo: Oingo Boingo, Nirvana, Run DMC, The Subways, Anti-Flag, Kings of Leon, Mac Dre, Fat Boys, Rollins band, Weezer, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jd Hardy, Human Rights, Van Halen. The riff is hotter than it was; the energy is jacking up. Evolution at work.

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Friday,
Dec., 5,
9 p.m.

MIKE TRACEY BAND

Northwest Harmonica Champion 2007

After 10 years of musical inactivity, Mike started playing again in May 2006, entering the west Eugene Overtime Tavern blues jam with "sack of rusty old marine bands." By the next year Mike was blowing his harp in the Northwest championships at the Secret Garden, then, winning the contest. He also played at the Bill Rhodes blowoff at the 2007 Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland and is a frequent music jam host in Eugene.

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Ashland veteran brings in the swinging jump blues

David Pinsky has been a part of the Northwest blues scene for over three decades with a series of bands from Bohisattva to the Royal Blues Band to the Rhythm Kings. He has created a style of original swing, R&B and jump that keeps dancers on the move. He has shared the stage with B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Elvin Bishop and other greats. He recently had a successful showcase at the Austin, Tex., Songwriters Symposium and performed as an emerging artist at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival.

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ALPHA DAHALIA

Indie pop and rock from Eugene

Here comes one of those Eugene bands known for its high energy, tight harmony, ripping rock riffs and fast change lyrics. Led by drummer Micky Fuchs and vocalist Sassy Fuchs, this is power punk from start to finish. Every once in a while things calm down but that just allows Shawn Notdruft, he of a snazzy lead guitar, and bassman Joe Pettit, Jr., AKA The Wave Generator, to get in a string of rugged riffs.

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Latest from Roger McConnell, rock and roll music

We aren't too sure what's up with this bunch, but anything Roger is connected to is always worth a listen. His roots go deep in the Eugene scene and he is part of a playing family that includes the Mofessor. This band has just been hatched, promising classic rock and a look into the present.

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Blues, jump blues and swing from jazzy Eugene outfit

This band plays music by everybody from Louis Prima to Ray Charles, presenting a different approach to the blues. The lead guitarist is Michael Anderson, a West Coast guy who has performed all over, solo, in jazz groups and behind the sound boards recording and producing. He can whip his guitar through just about anything and has a solid voice perfect for the style. On drums is Rick Markstrom, keeping the beat since the late 60s, and on bass is New York City native Mike Hatgis, who has performed Top 40, Middle-Eastern dance, R&B, Blues, Jazz, and Latin.

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THE SUMMIT UNDERGROUND

Mike Riley brings in the blues from up the mountains

Riley is a consistent and generous blues player who has lived the life all his life. This band is 15 years old, a testament to the mellow style and the depth of appreciation its members have for the music. The blues lives because musicians live the blues. Mike is backed by Vegas and LA session harp player Kooch Kucera and Bongo Bob Pettit on drums.

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Roots rock from Portland via the Midwest

Portland is becoming more of a musical melting pot. Here's a new group of roots rockers whose ground is the Midwest. Frontman Mike Struwin began writing and performing 12 years ago on the shores of Lake Michigan, blending classic rock, reggae, and funk, into a show he took on the road during his college years. He moved to Portland in 2007 and met lead guitar player Daniel Fretto, born in Joliet, Ill., where he cut his licks in Chicago-style blues jams. Bass player Arcellus Sykes has been playing the electric and upright bass professionally for over 13 years. He maintains an active teaching studio and performs regularly in and around Portland. Drummer Demetrius Keller is something of a legend in Portland. He has put his touches on 10 plus indie albums and can produce, write, sing, and rap.

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From SRV to Hendrix - those rippin' blues from the south

J.R. is a consummate blues guitar player who can recreate the sound of the tradition as well as anyone. Stevie Ray rewrote the Texas blues of the '40s and '50s into the high-flying guitar styles that last today. J.R. was there when Stevie Ray invented this stuff and J.R. brings it right into the Yachats living room for your listening pleasure. And check out his album cover, that's Yachats Beach.

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Rockin' Portland blues band winning awards and followers

In four years singer/songwriter Kolvane moved the Rose City Kings from obscurity to notoriety, winning Muddy awards, releasing three critically acclaimed albums; touring behind Chicago blues legend Jody Williams and gaining entry into the Top 50 Roots Music Report in the Roots Blues category. Last year the Kings morphed into the band Kolvane, playing a rollicking style of rock with the crash-energy Kolvane blasting around the stage and Louisiana keyboard monster Steve Kerin rattling the room with boogie-woogie that let's you feel the Fess.

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