Bands have always had trouble getting alternative music out of the garage. Unique music needs a home, and if a community doesn’t have an open-minded venue, said music can’t flourish.
But there is O’Sullivan’s Pub, owned and operated by local Josh Snow, which has been providing a space for more adventuresome musical endeavors.
“When we say ‘alternative music,’ we mean anything that is not the top 40,” Snow said. “We have had everything from reggae to bluegrass, punk rock, honky-tonk country, and rock-a-billy.”
The pub is host to mostly local bands, but tries to book touring bands from out of the area as well. That’s the case for the upcoming show by Shoeless Joe Productions, set to feature opening group Intercept from Los Angeles and Santa Maria-based reggae rock band D Mo Brown.
“Intercept is a band coming out of LA,” Snow said. “They have a really nice kind of indie, alternative-rock sound. I’m pretty excited about them.
“I would call D Mo Brown a party band for sure,” he continued. “They have good music you can dance to.”
D Mo Brown features lead singer and djembe percussionist Maurice Lafuente, guitarist and vocalist Janet Brown, Chris Brown on bass and vocals, Chris Deprator on guitar and vocals, and drummer Jake Bonnilla. The group has been together for a year and a half and performs up and down the Central Coast, including several sets at O’Sullivan’s.
“We like that it’s a local crowd,” Lafuente said. “Josh is a good guy, and we like to help support his business. It’s a fun, upbeat atmosphere.”
O’Sullivan’s has been a bar since the ’60s and became O’Sullivan’s in 1983, to be bought by Snow three years ago. Snow started upping the amount of live music available at the bar immediately when he took over, and the place has seen most of Santa Maria’s alternative groups perform since then.
Currently in the works is a plan to expand the location and combine it with the space next door, formerly Alfie’s Fish and Chips, so as to include cuisine and create a gastropub, which showcases high quality beers and food.
“We are going to have a locovore concept,” Snow said, “where most of the food is locally grown and seasonal. It’s an idea that has been growing nationally; we are trying to give Santa Maria something that it doesn’t really have.”
Already in the plans for the redesign is a full-sized stage and a built-in sound system for better-regulated sound levels. Snow has high hopes for the type of acts the location will attract, including bigger name alternative label artists to supplement the well of local talent in the area. He projects the new endeavor will be underway in the next six to seven months.
“It’s been really fun to see the stuff that I have had a passion for over the years come into town,” Snow said. “To be able to do it here has been really awesome. My dream has always been to meld the food and music thing together.”
Folklorico fun
The city of Santa Maria’s “Tastes of Mexico” event, featuring authentic Mexican cuisine, will also showcase the talents of the Righetti High School Marimba Band and Ballet Folklorico dancers on Sept. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Community Center, 313 West Tunnell St., Santa Maria. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 263, dsmitherman@ci.santa-maria.ca.us, and ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
Music at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez presents DJ Totem on Sept. 8 at 9 p.m. The country music of the Jimi Nelson Band is on Sept. 9 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” with Brant is Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. Right As Rain performs rock music Sept. 10 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Karaoke Night is Sept. 13 at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at 688-0383.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 8-15, 2011.
