KC Turner Presents: 11th Annual Concert Series at Hopmonk Tavern Novato

July 15, 2024 by Jessica Klausing

By Jessica Klausing

Day 1 - Friday

Victor Krummenacher
Camper Van Beethoven
Cracker

KC Turner Presents is hosting the 11th annual concert cookout series at the Hopmonk Tavern in Novato. KC Turner, a prolific promoter known for organizing quality music events and private house concerts throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, is behind this event. If you’ve never been to a KC Turner event, do yourself a favor and go! KC is an all-around great guy, who always ensures his audience has a great time!

As soon as Cracker was announced to perform for three days at the Hopmonk Tavern, I bought the tickets and made the travel arrangements. I had a feeling this was going to be special—and I was right! It turns out the rumors were true: Greg Lisher joined Victor Krummenacher and David Lowery for a surprise Camper Van Beethoven mini set!

My last Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven show was in 2014 at their Camp Out festival, which used to take place every September at Pappy & Harriet’s in Yucca Valley, California. You can read about it HERE

Victor Krummenacher Band

Victor Krummenacher photo by Jessica Klausing.

Victor Krummenacher and his band opened the show on Friday. Victor has been a musical hero of mine since middle school when I discovered his other band, Monks of Doom. Seeing him perform his solo material was a real treat. His vocals are both beautiful and emotive. Blue Pacific is my favorite solo album of Victor’s, and it’s one I listened to on repeat during a particularly rough time in my life. Hearing the title track, “Blue Pacific,” transported me back to that healing period. Additionally, hearing the heartbreak in Victor’s voice during “If I Could Only Close My Eyes” nearly brought me to tears.

Joining Victor onstage were Paul Olguin (bass), Greg Lisher (guitar), and Loralee Christensen (backup vocals). Loralee stole the show with her gorgeous, powerhouse bluesy vocals on “Hard to See Trouble Comin’” and “The Cock Crows at Sunrise.” Loralee and Victor complement each other vocally. I can only hope these two continue to make music together.

Victor Krummenacher:
Head for the Hills
Blue Pacific
I Aint Got No Home
If I Could Only Close My Eyes
Hard To See Trouble Comin’
The Cock Crows at Sunrise
Autoluminescent

Camper Van Beethoven

David Lowery and Carlton Walker Owens (Cracker’s drummer) joined Victor and Greg onstage for a surprise Camper Van Beethoven set. Despite the absence of Jonathan Segel and Chris Pederson, the band delivered a solid four-song mini-set of their renowned psychedelic rock quirkiness. “Take the Skinheads Bowling” was a crowd favorite, inspiring lots of dancing and singing. The band closed their set with “Club Med Sux,” a rarity from their Telephone Free Landslide Victory album. As much as we all wanted CVB to continue, it was time for the main act of the night—Cracker.

Camper Van Beethoven:
Good Guys and Bad Guys
Take the Skinheads Bowling
Pictures of Matchstick Men
Club Med Sux

Cracker

From left to right: Johnny Hickman (lead guitarist), David Lowery (frontman, guitarist), Bryan Howard (bass), and Cracker night one setlist photos by Jessica Klausing.

Cracker’s co-founders, David Lowery (lead singer) and Johnny Hickman (lead guitarist), have been playing together for three decades and are still going strong! If I had to describe night one, I would call it "lightning in a bottle."

Johnny was on fire! Watching him shred his guitar and feeling his blissful energy was truly infectious. Despite the scorching 104-degree heat that evening, it didn’t stop me and countless others from singing and dancing our butts off! Bassist Bryan Howard even got into it and was seen headbanging during “Get Off This.” Drummer Carlton Owens was all smiles, keeping tempo during the hype.

Crowd favorites like “Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now),” “Low,” and “Eurotrash Girl” prompted some of the loudest sing-alongs. As the night went on, David slowed things down with the beautiful and reflective “I Want Everything,” while Johnny shined vocally on his heartbreaking “Another Song About the Rain.” The band closed out the night with “El Cerrito” for their encore. My body was buzzing from all the energy—it was a high I never wanted to come down from.

Cracker:
St. Cajetan
Someday
Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)
Mr. Wrong
Low
Loser
Get Off This
Been Around the World
I Want Everything
Happy Birthday To Me
Eurotrash Girl
Another Song About the Rain
Encore:
El Cerrito

Day 2 - Saturday

Megan Slankard
Cracker

KC Turner at Hopmonk Tavern. Photo by Jessica Klausing.

Just when I thought nothing could top day one, day two took it to the next level with more talented musical guests and surprise Cracker rarities making it into the setlist.

Side note: My friend Arie and I embarked on the California Cheese Trail. This is an absolute must for cheese and wine lovers! We followed the trail from Novato to Petaluma, visiting four delicious creameries. The drive is stunning, with breathtaking views of vibrant mountainsides and bustling small coastal towns.

Marin French Cheese Co. was our favorite stop. As the country’s oldest cheese company, they offer a huge selection of cheeses, jams, chocolates, wines, and various charcuterie snacks. You can enjoy these delicious treats beside a lake on their property. It’s the perfect spot for a date night or a picnic with friends and family. As much as we wanted to continue our cheese journey, we had to cut it short to make it to Hopmonk Tavern for the show.

Megan Slankard

Megan Slankard opened the show on Saturday, and seeing her live is a truly captivating experience. She's a phenomenal guitarist with boundless energy! From the moment she stepped on stage, her presence was magnetic, drawing the audience in with a combination of genuine charm and impressive talent. Her music is characterized by remarkable emotional depth and a seamless blend of folk, rock, and pop influences, showcasing her versatility as both a vocalist and a songwriter.

Opening the set with “You Got This” had everyone on their feet, bouncing along to the beat. Megan brought the sass with “California,” delivering lines like, “Did you get what you came here for?/Did you get what you wanted?/Will it fix all of your problems you’ve had since college?” The standout track of the night was her cover of Melanie’s “Brand New Key,” where Megan’s peppy vocals perfectly conveyed the joy of this timeless tune.

Megan Slankard:
You Got This
California
How Can You Tell
Dirty Wings
Brand New Key (Melanie cover)
A Token of the Wreckage

Cracker

Cracker returned for a sold-out night with new surprises added to the setlist. Tonight, we were treated to some hits from their third studio album, The Golden Age. I lost my mind when the band launched into “I’m a Little Rocket Ship” from that album. Of all the songs Cracker played during their three-day stint, this was the one I secretly hoped would make it into the set! A huge thank you to Megan Slankard for making this possible—she played the string arrangements via David’s laptop from the side stage. Many hits from the previous night made it into tonight’s setlist, which meant LOTS of dancing and singing!

Bryan and Carlton’s powerful and rhythmic presence in “100 Flower Power Maximum” fueled the fire. Johnny slowed things down with the sentimental “Hold of Myself.” At one point, the band tried to play “Happy Birthday to Me” but kept messing up, so they ended up playing “Friends” instead. “Happy Birthday to Me” did make it into the encore, with the band closing out the night with the riveting, honky-tonk-esque “Lonesome Johnny Blues.”

Cracker:
The Golden Age
I’m a Little Rocket Ship
Useless Stuff
Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)
100 Flower Power Maximum
Time Machine
Hey Brett (You Know What Time It Is)
Get Off This
St. Cajetan
Low
Don’t Fuck Me Up (With Peace and Love)
Hold Of Myself
The World is Mine
How Can I Live Without You
Friends
Eurotrash Girl
One Fine Day
Give Me One More Chance
Encore:
Happy Birthday to Me
Lonesome Johnny Blues

Day 3 - Sunday

David Lowery
Cracker

Hopmonk Tavern outdoor stage. Photo by Jessica Klausing

Cracker closed out the final night with another stellar, sold-out show. The past three days have been unforgettable and special. Attending a Cracker show feels like a family reunion. The Crumbs (Cracker fans) are some of the nicest music fans I have ever met. Saying goodbye after a show is never easy; the post-concert depression is real! That’s the beauty of concerts—they bring wayward souls together. I will cherish these memories always.

The final night featured an acoustic set by David Lowery and even MORE surprise rarities from Cracker.

David Lowery

David Lowery opened Sunday with a set of songs and stories. His banter between songs was charming and engaging, filled with anecdotes and reflections that provided insight into his creative process and personal experiences. His wit and humor added a layer of warmth to the performance, making the evening feel like an engaging conversation with an old friend.

Opening with the introspective "(I Don’t Wanna Go to the) Lincoln Shrine," he immediately drew the audience into his world, his storytelling style creating a sense of intimacy and connection. “Disneyland Jail” offers humorous yet wise life lessons. "Giving Tree Father" was a standout, weaving together a narrative that reflects on fatherhood, with David's rich and resonant voice carrying an emotional weight.

David Lowery:
(I Don’t Wanna Go to the) Lincoln Shrine
Super Bloom, 1973
Disneyland Jail, 1977
It Don’t Last Long
I Wrote a Song Called Take the Skinheads Bowling
Giving Tree Father

Cracker

From left to right: Johnny Hickman (lead guitarist), Carlton Owens (drummer), Bryan Howard (bass), and David Lowery (vocals, guitarist) photos by Jessica Klausing.

Cracker saved their biggest surprise for the final night. They opened their set with the ethereal, trippy “Bicycle Spaniard,” a rarity that has not been played live in eight years! Apologies to anyone recording near me, as I may have blurted out, “Holy Sh*t!” a bit too loudly in shock.

David Lowery, with his unmistakable voice and commanding presence, led the band through a set that revisited hits and introduced new ones like “King of Bakersfield.” The chemistry between David and Johnny was palpable, and their interplay was one of the night’s highlights. Johnny’s guitar work—whether searing solos or more subtle, nuanced riffs—provided the perfect counterpoint to David’s gravelly vocals. A huge shoutout to Bryan and Carlton for holding down the backbone of this well-curated journey through Cracker’s greatest hits and deeper cuts.

Cracker’s concert was a reminder of their impressive longevity and their knack for delivering a memorable live performance. If you get a chance to see them, don’t miss it—this band still knows how to put on a hell of a show.

Cracker:
Bicycle Spaniard
Friends
King of Bakersfield
St. Cajetan
Someday
Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)
Wedding Day
Eurotrash Girl
California Country Boy
Get on Down the Road
Low
Loser
Movie Star
The World Is Mine
The San Bernardino Boy
Get Off This
Encore:
The Man in Me (Bob Dylan cover)
El Cerrito

Snow Patrol @ LA's Immanuel Presbyterian Church

March 30, 2022 by Jessica Klausing

By Jessica Klausing

Gary Lightbody performs at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Photo by Courtney Lavender

Snow Patrol performed a beautiful acoustic set at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. In late 2019, for their 25th anniversary, the band released, Reworked, an album consisting of stripped back versions of their songs. The tour was originally scheduled for 2020, but was rescheduled twice due to the pandemic.

“Thank you for helping get us through the pandemic, Gary!” a fan from the balcony eagerly shouted to front man Gary Lightbody as he took stage.

“You’re welcome, but I didn’t do anything really,” Lightbody smiled humbly, acknowledging the thunderous applause and cheers all around him. “Let’s give it up for all of the musicians who were still sharing music during the pandemic, helping us all get through it!”

The past two years have been tough for musicians and music lovers alike with many show postponements and cancellations, but on that Monday night in March, Snow Patrol provided Los Angeles with the comfort of live music and community that we’ve all been deprived of for too long.

The lineup consisted of two originals from the band; Gary Lightbody and guitarist Nathan Connolly. Iain Archer, a former Snow Patrol member, filled in for Johnny McDaid as the keyboardist for the night. Upon scrutiny, one would question why a rock band would choose a cathedral to play a gig. The question was immediately answered as soon as the band launched into “Empress.” During the song the band ceased their playing, allowing their rich a capella harmonies to soar and echo throughout the venue. It was indeed a spiritual performance.

The irony of being in a church was not lost on Lightbody who jokingly commented that he would refrain from saying anything that might get him struck down by lightning. Lightbody kept the mood light with his comedic banter all night. He hilariously admitted to shrinking the only shirt he brought for the show in the laundry. And he not only forgot lyrics to many of the songs despite having them printed in front of him, he also forgot the word 'wrist.' The grinning front man has a way of drawing the audience in with his endearing, self-deprecating humor.

On “I Think Of Home,” Lightbody took a somber moment to remember his grandmother. The low lights shined down as he crooned about the memories of his youth, reminding all of us “there’s beauty north, south, east, west.” My favorite part was when Lightbody finished the song with just his vocals echoing into the cathedral. No instruments. No backing vocals. Just a man and his vulnerability.

A favorite of the night, “Life On Earth,” was packed with emotion. If there was a moment during the show that nearly moved me to tears, it was this song. You could feel the passion in Lightbody’s voice during the chorus. “This not the love you’ve had before/This is something else, this is something else/This is not the same as other days, this is something else/It shouldn’t need to be so fucking hard/This is life on earth, it’s just life on earth. It doesn’t need to be the end of you, or me/This is life on earth, it’s just life on earth.”

During “Called Out in the Dark,” Lightbody insisted everyone stand up and sing along, but it was perhaps, “Chasing Cars” that prompted the most feral crowd screams and the loudest sing a long of the night. The singing became so out of control, the band stopped playing to allow the audience to sing out the ending lyrics, “If I just lay here/If I just lay here/ Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”

By the end of the night, the show turned into one giant sing-a-long dance party. The audience overpowered Lightbody’s vocals during the closers “What If This Is All The Love You Ever Get?” and “Just Say Yes.”

I left the venue feeling rejuvenated and with a thankful heart. The Snow Patrol unplugged gig with those beautiful harmonies and Lightbody’s delightful sense of humor was the spiritual awakening that I did not know I needed, but I’m glad I did. Thank you, Snow Patrol!

SETLIST:
Chocolate
Crack The Shutters
Empress
This Isn’t Everything You Are
Don’t Give In
Run
Set the Fire to the Third Bar
You’re All I have
The Long Shadow
I Think Of Home
These Lies
Life On Earth
Heal Me
Called Out in the Dark
Chasing Cars
Open Your Eyes

ENCORE:
What If This Is All The Love You Ever Get?
Just Say Yes

CONCERT REVIEW: Coby Brown Plays with Heart @ Hollywood's Hotel Cafe

June 26, 2018 by Jessica Klausing

Written by Jessica Klausing

From left to right: David Immerglück, Coby Brown, and Jonny Flaugher. Photo by Jessica Klausing.

Coby Brown treated fans to a beautiful, laid-back set in the intimate Second Stage Room at Hollywood’s Hotel Café on Thursday.

Brown is no stranger to the Hollywood music scene. He’s a composer and songwriter who’s had his work featured in numerous films and TV shows; most recently he completed the score for the biopic, “The Man Who Knew Infinity.” Brown himself is a proficient performer. He exudes tremendous ease on guitar while his soft, pure voice delivers humble lyrics. His band for the night – Jonny Flaugher (upright bass) and David Immerglück (guitar, mandolin, and backing vocals) play like they have been performing all their lives with Brown, moderating their instruments to keep the vocals in the forefront while laying down solos when called for.

Jonny Flaugher photo by Jessica Klausing.

The opener, “Sunday,” set a mellow tone for the rest of the night. Flaugher’s heavy bass supports Brown’s lyrical narrative as well as his crisp guitar chops. His lyrics are plainspoken but evocative as he sings, “Don’t you talk to me like a dead man/Cause I can do anything you can.”

Brown is an acoustic folk artist, but more importantly, he’s a keen observer able to capture the singer-songwriter genre in the personal stories the lyrics tell, and the sensitive, emotional accompaniment of his band.

David Immerglück photo by Jessica Klausing.

After a relatively laid back slew of songs, the energy started to pick up on “Living Proof,” with Immerglück’s rousing solo on his red Jazzmaster. He then traded in guitar for the mandolin on “Call and Answer.”

The highlight of the set was “Hospital,” in which Brown strikes an emotional chord through the anxious feelings of fear, the desperation for comfort, and to find a way out of a bad situation. The band followed with “Cigarettes,” a sweeping, honest ballad that captures the pain of watching someone destroy their life through a substance addiction. Brown laments, “Take something beautiful/ fill it up with hate.”

Brown closed with “Lived To Tell the Story,” a fitting ending to sum up his experiences to learn from past mistakes in order to move on.

When the evening finally came to an end, Coby Brown and his band left to a roar of applause, ample evidence of a show well done. There’s a soothing sensation that hits you when they first start playing and a satisfaction when they end, and the time between those moments is filled with a sense of trying to make sense of all the loss and heartbreak in life. And for an evening, while we still may not be able to make sense of the pain, it’s comforting to know that things will be alright somehow.

SETLIST:
Sunday
Come On, It's Time to Go
Living Proof
2 Way Street
Without You
Call and Answer
Hospital
21st Century
Cigarettes
Tokyo
Lived To Tell the Story