The crackle of a distorted electric guitar or the explosive power of a barred chord is the musical equivalent of an illegal firework: It packs a punch. The same excitement that ignites in the heart of any young pyromaniac is stoked by the sizzling energy of rock ’n’ roll, a genre of music that has always been an icon of freedom.
That freedom and rambunctious mindset was the inspiration for the new album Boys Will Be Boys by the AJM Band. Headed by singer/songwriter and lead guitarist Andrew Jay Magnuson, the AJM Band is a blues trio whose new album sports a cover depicting a boy on a scooter that is modified to include bottle-rocket accelerators, and in the distance is a plywood ramp, ready for its daredevil.
“The songs really evolved from my childhood,” Magnuson said. “I was one of those kids who was given a lot of freedom to do what I wanted, and I did. We loved motorcycles and bicycles, and we wanted to jump everything.”
The new album leaps into sound with the first track “Dirty Boots,” which features slide guitar as dirty and grungy as the singers’ boots after a week of hard work. A skilled guitar player, Magnuson’s style is steeped in American blues, Southern rock, and ’80s hard rock.
“I love Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters; Buddy Guy is a favorite,” he said. “I also love some of the rockers—Stevie Ray Vaughn, Billie Gibbons—it’s a melting pot really.”
Magnuson is able to work an alchemy uniquely his own, but true to the standards of the blues/rock tradition. He is aided by his longtime collaborators drummer Frank Alsing and bassist Darrell Sisco, both of whom are based in the Visalia area, where Magnuson is originally from. The trio meets up either in Santa Maria or the Visalia area to perform and rehearse.
“It’s kind of hard work with the traveling, but it’s worth it,” Magnuson said. “We’re pushing it real hard.”
The album was recorded mostly in Magnuson’s home studio, with the exception of the drums, which were laid down at the Digital Soup Kitchen in Paso Robles. Once the drums were laid down, the rest was recorded and mastered by Magnuson.
“I’m a pretty analog guy. I have a lot of junk crammed into a little room,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve ever mastered my own album, but I wanted a particular punchy sound, so I figured I would have to learn to do this on my own.”
The result is a balanced album that accentuates the rhythmic drive of the AJM Band. The driving chords are met with a smooth, yet powerful bass. The drums are ever-present, with a brightness that can often get lost in larger ensembles. Magnuson’s growling vocals—reminiscent of AC/DC—are front-and-center, backed by the stinging counterpoint of his red-hot guitar playing.
“Things come and go with music, but everything goes back to the basics, and that’s the blues,” he said. “Rock ’n’ roll started with the blues, I don’t think it will go away, it’s the essence of modern music.”
The AJM Band is celebrating the release of Boys Will Be Boys with a party and concert at Shaw’s Steakhouse in Santa Maria on March 1. The album will be available for purchase at the show, but can also be sampled and bought by going to ajmband.com.
Live at the casino
The Chumash Casino Resort presents live music in its Samala Showroom including country music star Clint Black on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 2400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Cost is $25, $35, and $45. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Live at the Radisson
The Radisson Hotel offers live music Fridays and Saturdays including Storm performing Feb. 21 and 22 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
D’Vine jams
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features Jerry Stickell on Feb. 20, Cellar Roots on Feb. 22, Tony Botello on Feb. 25, and Kyle Reilly on Feb. 26 with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Karaoke nights are Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More info: 430-8356 or facebook.com.
Juicy jams
Creative Juices Lounge presents live music, including Steppin’ Out performing live on Feb. 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the lounge at 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. More info: 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.
Pairing wine and music
Ca’ Del Grevino Café and Wine Bar features live music in the tasting room and café on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jacob Cole performs Feb. 26. Ca’ Del GreVino Café and Wine Bar is located at 400 E. Clark Ave., Suite A, Orcutt. More info: 937-6400, dcp@grevino.com, or grevino.com.
Maverick music
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including a “DJ Rock Party” on Feb. 21 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring Owen Johnston is Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. Jeff Bridges and The Abiders perform on Feb. 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. Latin Night with DJs and Efrain and Raeshell is Feb. 23 at 8:30 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 Feb 20-27, 2014.
