The Grover Beach-based Americana country rock group Occasional Mustache has debuted its new album Hard to Keep a Good Man Down. This is the group’s second album, and it was made possible by a fan-funded Kickstarter.com campaign.
Occasional Mustache offers a mash-up of genres, from simple folk and blues forms to crisper country sounds reminiscent of Merle Haggard or The Flying Burrito Brothers. The album begins with the welcoming strum of an acoustic guitar, asserting the band’s musical influences from the get-go.
A variety of guest musicians join the core members of Occasional Mustache—Chad Schmid, Kurt Lindgren, Wayne Gamble, and Ron Sloan—on the 13 track album. Lindgren’s uncle, John Goux, plays guitar on the album and serves as a driving force instrumentally, adding a true Bakersfield sound to Schmid and Lindgren’s songs. Pedal steel player Jay Dee Maness is a delight to hear on songs like “Fallen Stranger,” and violinist Charlie Bisharat offers a rustic sound as well.
Steve Crimmel recorded the majority of the album at Painted Sky Studios in Harmony, with Goux producing the project and Tom Waltz mastering the disc. The resulting sound is a clean, well-balanced recording that’s a delight to listen to in stereo.
Lindgren and Schmid’s songs deserve the genre name given on the band’s Reverbnation.com profile, “Californiacana.” Surf rock blends seamlessly with folk and country rock. The bright electric guitars are reminiscent of Jerry Garcia, with other songs obviously nodding to the Hank Williams’ school of two-step.
Song subjects include lazy Sundays, the romance of domestic life, and having a good time. The Mustache men aren’t afraid to share their favorite brews or weed strains with listeners, or more intimate details about love. The hilarious song “Yard Sale” is a playful ditty that will get stuck in your head and make you think twice the next time you want to clean out your garage.
Occasional Mustache performs on the Central Coast often, with a series of shows coming up in SLO and Santa Barbara counties. Check out the group’s schedule and music at reverbnation.com/occasionalmustache.
Drive-In at the Elks
The Drive-In Romeos perform at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge’s Cook Your Own event on July 25 at the lodge, 1309 N. Bradley Road, Santa Maria. More information is available at 925-1538.
Brews and bands
Santa Maria Brewing Company offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights, including The Caverns on July 25 and Moon Pie on July 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the brewery, 115 Cuyama Lane, Nipomo. More information is available at santamariabrewingco.com.
Wine down and jam
Wine Down Fridays features live music, a food truck, and wine on July 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard and Winery, 3940 Dominion Road, Santa Maria. Free admission. More information is available 937-8463, danielle@cottonwoodcanyon.com, or cottonwoodcanyon.com.
Incoming royalty
The Chumash Casino Resort presents Prince Royce performing on Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. Cost is $25, $35, and $45. The Chumash Casino Resort is located at 2400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. More information is available at 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Bringing the jazz
Jazz in the Garden happens at the Solvang Festival Theater Under the Oaks, including Paul Marinaro and friends performing July 27 at 3 p.m. at the Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang. More information is available at solvangfestivaltheater.org.
Rocking in the park
Concerts in the Park is a free concert series featuring live music, including Body Mind and Soul performing live on July 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, Santa Maria. Free. More information is available at 925-0951, Ext. 260, dsmitherman@cityofsantamaria.org, or cityofsantamaria.org.
Head West
The Creative Juices Lounge in Guadalupe presents Matt Kuster and West Bound performing July 25 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the lounge, 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. Cost is $5. More information is available at 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.
Music all week
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features regular live music, including Jerry Stickell performing on July 24, Dead Zed’s Chopper on July 26, Tony Botello on July 29, and Emily Wryn on July 30. Shows happen at 7:30 p.m. at the wine bar, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More information is available at 430-8356 or facebook.com.
Feel the Storm
The Radisson Hotel presents live music every Friday and Saturday, including Storm performing on July 25 and 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Out by the lake
The Blacklake Golf Resort presents a Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series featuring the Red Skunk Band on July 30. The Blacklake Golf Resort is at 1490 Golf Course Lane, Nipomo. More info: 343-1214, Ext. 400, or blacklake.com.
Get down at GreVino
Ca’ Del GreVino Café and Wine Bar presents live music including Chris Beland performing July 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the wine bar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Santa Maria. More info: 937-6400, dcp@grevino.com, and grevino.com.
Maverick country
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment each weekend, including a performance by Randy Emmet and the Blue Tooth Cowboys on July 25 at 8 p.m. Concert on the Deck with Randy and Friends is July 26, followed by Carole and Terry on July 27, both at 3 p.m. Randy and the Blue Tooth Cowboys perform July 26 at 8 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 24-31, 2014.