BMiller,

Wow man, excellent recommendations....you've given me a lot to research. I'm really digging Jason Isbell and The Drams. I'm a huge Ryan Adams fan, and these recommendations are in line with some of the stuff Ryan does....Check out the "Gold" and "Cold Roses" albums.

Some of the local bands in my haunts (LA and SF) that are pretty cool are:

Firecracker - check out "Box of Hearts" and "Welcome Back" on So Long Someday These guys are straight ahead Americana.

Young Dubliners - They're like a more rockin Pogues....Irish and damn proud of it....and they can drink like fishes! We've opened for these guys and partied afterwards. Check out With All Due Respect

Maktub - A bit more on the funky side from Seattle, of all places. These guys put on an amazing show that mixes funk, rock, and R&B elements. Check out their cover of Zeppelin's "No Quarter" on Kronos (their best album IMO) . These guys are super cool.

Richmond Fontaine - back on the Americana side of things....these guys are on my buddy's label. They have a Uncle Tupelo type of sound....more atmospheric.

Jeff Austin Black - another friend of ours...more on the pop side of Americana. Great songs & voice. He's had some songs on TV shows.

Eric McFadden - this guy is San Francisco's resident undiscovered guitar legend and anti-rockstar. Puts on a show that must be like what seeing the Jimi Hendrix Experience was like. His records don't do him justice.

Luce - SF's local pop stars. Beatles influenced well crafted pop rock. These are are cool, and there is never a shortage of pretty girls at their shows.

Gooding - Sacramento's kick-ass guitar heavy trio. Again, incredible musicianship and songs, but their live performances blow away their studio stuff.

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