Over the years, Brookings residents may have seen Shalynn Doan around town performing her beautiful acoustic songs solo, with a friend or the now-defunct FreeFlight. But you’ve never heard Shalynn like this! The Brookings-Harbor High School graduate recently moved to Portland for school and subsequently joined up with Stark Heroes, a band that proves that rock and roll isn’t dead.  Check the band at www.starkheroes.com.

Here is a high-octane song for your listening pleasure:

Spence Brothers at the Port on Memorial Day

A veteran blues rock band has entered the Brookings music scene: The Spence Brothers.

“We play Texas-style, hard blues rock similar to ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughn,” said lead guitarist and singer Troy Spence. “I call it ‘Light It and Run’ blues rock.”

The band currently consists of Troy, brother Rodney Spence (bass and vocals), and recent recruit Maynard Hull, a drummer from Port Orford. The band hopes to add a keyboard player soon, Troy said.

The band has been playing at several bars and taverns since the Spence brothers moved from Washington state to Harbor a few months ago. The band is set play the upcoming “Summer’s Eve Prom” fundraiser for Stagelights Musical Arts Community on Saturday, June 18.

Troy and his brother have been professional musicians for 40 years, mostly playing gigs on the West Coast. Troy plays covers and writes original songs. In the mid-1970s, Troy was briefly the lead guitar player for the San Francisco-based band Blue Cheer, known for it’s cover version of “Summertime Blues.”

When not playing locally, the band travels to gigs in Washington, Oregon and California. A website to promote the reconfigured Spence Brothers band is currently under construction.

Here are several original Spence Brother songs for your listening pleasure.

For your listening pleasure it’s … Covercast No. 2!

(click on podcast player at the bottom to listen or download)

This 40-minute podcast features live versions of covers songs performed by an eclectic mix of bands. First up is a new discovery: Acoustic guitarist and singer Mike Massé. Check out his videos of The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Africa” below.

Covercast NO. 2 Line up

Mike Massé: “Behind Blue Eyes” (The Who).
Mike Massé and Jeff Hall: “Africa” (Toto).

Mr. Blotto: “Aiko Aiko” (Dixie Cups).
Mr. Blotto: “Stir it Up” (Bob Marley).

Yonder Mountain String Band and Keller Williams: “Fly Like an Eagle” (Steve Miller Band).

Trey Anastasio: “Devil Went Down to Georgia” (Charlie Daniels Band).

Dangermuffin” “Crazy” (Seal).

Drifter: “Southbound” (Allman Bros.) Recorded live during the Stagelights Music Showcase at the Harbor Performing Arts Theater, 2011.

Enjoy this podcast and check back often!

Mike Massé: Behind Blue Eyes

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0ELg_rjIlQ

Mike Massé: Africa

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLrC7e3vSv8

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLv0rcFcxA8

Husband/wife guitar duo Rävenwolf will bring their funky, folksy, acoustic blues-rock back to Curry County with an intimate concert at the Pistol River Friendship Hall at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 16.

The price is $15 with tickets available at the door and at Wright’s Custom Framing (Brookings), The Book Dock (Harbor) and Gold Beach Books.

This writer has caught Ravinwolf the last two times the couple has played Curry County, and was blown away by their versatility and overall musicianship. This time they hope to have their regular percussionist with them, which will elevate the music to new heights.

The Washington-based acoustic musicians Jamey and Heather Bilyeu work magic with just two guitars and dual vocals to defy musical boundaries, switching from gritty blues to rock to country. Their overall style reminded me of ’60s and ’70s artists Jefferson Airplane, Heart, CSNY and Bonnie Raitt. And, while they’re more than happy to cover these artists’ songs, their originals are just as strong. If you are a fan of blues, rock and roll and acoustic folk, don’t miss Rävenwolf.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB2gRD5f-u0

For more information about the concert go to www.pistolriver.com

Find out more about Ravinwolf and see video performances at www.ravinwolf.com

Meanwhile, here is a 40-minute mp3 recorded during Ravinwolf’s concert in Brookings last year: