Featuring Alfredo Hernandez, Mike Smith, and Jon Arnold. Post Christmas Stress Release Show Coming to Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert along with Dali’s Llama and Rawbone December 27th (9PM)
by Robin Linn
Drummer Alfredo Hernandez has been in so many ground breaking music projects over the years…..one could write volumes just about him. He has been featured in dozens of publications over the years including Rolling Stone Magazine. His contribution to the desert rock scene is great and he is most always in several projects at one time. Alfredo may be best known (internationally) for his work with first Kyuss….and then the band born from its ashes, Queens of the Stone Age. While Josh Homme has moved forward with a magnificent career in rock and a top selling record this past year (Like Clockwork came in at #141 on Billboard Top Albums of 2013)…….Alfredo has spread himself across a thinner but broader territory. At one time he was drumming with a staggering 11 different projects. The man loves to play and he isn’t faithful to any one genre. Alfredo remains one of the most sought after drummers to come out of our desert rock scene.
Most recently, Alfredo can be heard in not one…not two…but three desert bands, including, Brave Black Sea. I caught Brave Black Sea at The Hood last month, and it’s a fantastic hard rock project that has landed them a record deal with a subsidiary of Virgin Records, V2. Their new record, Fragments is scheduled for release on April 7, 2014….a record I fully intend to add to my home collection.
After a couple of decades playing not just stoner rock…but punk rock…his other passion…with Family Butcher, which featured John Summers on vocals (a real desert character) and Jon Arnold on guitar along with my son-in-law, Kevin Smith on bass…Alfredo and Jon Arnold have pushed forward with a new punk inspired project, Whiskey & Knives…. which also features bassist and vocalist, Mike Smith. The new band features a deeper, more well-rounded Jon Arnold. Jon, known for his Slayer approach to punk rock has opened himself up to new dimensions and he contributes a slightly more melodic sound to the new material than in days past with FB. I was privileged to take in their live set at The Palms in Wonder Valley and I loved what I heard. It’s powerful, well-constructed material that knows no bounds. In each of Alfredo’s musical endeavors…he projects a distinctly different style…..and in this particular band…he definitely embraces his punk rock roots. Jon Arnold just leans back and digs in taking listeners for a wild ride, while Mike Smith’s hard rock vocal approach rounds out the sound and takes Whiskey & Knives to uncharted territory.
On December 27th…Whiskey & Knives will be performing a set at Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert along with Dali’s Llama, and Alfredo’s other project, Rawbone. Dali’s Llama features Zach Huskey on guitar, Erica Huskey on bass, and the talented Rick Carles on drums. Dali’s Llama has remained a solid group producing a staggering 13 records over the past twenty years. Together they paint a canvas of desert doom for Zach to soar over with stunning guitar work and dark, sullen lyrics. Their ultra heavy sound seems to be born from the often eerie and lonely desert. At one time…Dali’s Llama featured a female drummer, Robin Clewell. Now, Zach Huskey and Alfredo Hernandez have formed Rawbone which features Robin Clewell on lead vocals….there is no bass guitar. Perhaps this is the Raw…stripped down to the Bone….free from all fanfare. This will be my first Rawbone show….and I am looking forward to hearing what they are all about.
They are calling this a “Post Christmas Stress Release Show”….I call it authentic desert rock in all its glory. I have been writing about all of these legendary desert players for a long time, and it thrills me to see them creating their own sounds and remaining true to the art of desert rock in all its many forms. Join me at Schmidy’s Tavern on December 27th at 9:PM. The show isn’t just free of stress…it’s free of charge as well.
To learn more about the show, the bands, and their music….visit them on Facebook at:
Whiskey & Knives https://www.facebook.com/whiskeyandknives
Dali’s Llama https://www.facebook.com/dalisllama
Rawbone https://www.facebook.com/rawboneband
Brave Black Sea https://www.facebook.com/braveblacksea
Post Christmas Stress Release pary at Schmidy’s Tavern on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/events/387162834748772/
