SPOTLIGHT
Rockin’ & Chompin’ down The Golden Road
by B.D. Middleton
I’m pressed hard against the stage, smoke machines filling the air with green fog, It’s a packed house at Cactus Jack’s in Phoenix Arizona. The house lights dim as the maniacal crowd blurts out song requests ….”Lovelight” … “Hard to Handle” …The crowd noise suddenly silenced by the incendiary opening licks scream from the fingertips of lead guitarist, Steve Kyu Kim – The legendary Kimchee Warrior. Out of the green fog appears a large bearded figure, draped in a colorful African Dashiki emerges from the other 5 silhouetted figures in the haze and declares the bands opening manifesto to the crowd.
“We are The Alligators from Los Angeles California; we are here to Rock yer’ asses and kick this Pigpen-Party into high gear” ….I think to myself, Ahhh Yes!, I’m back! I start singing along “I take a little powder; I take a little salt …
The band is just 20 seconds into The Pigpen classic Mr. Charlie, when out of nowhere the excitable young man in the green tie-dyed shirt next to me, falls straight to the ground. In an instance, the concerned security rush to the scene, the band halts, the crowd is still, house lights pop back on, Paramedics are called to the scene, and after an18 minute delay, thankfully the tie-dyed man is revived, and gives an assuring thumbs-up to the tribe in attendance, as he’s carted off for further evaluation. Then Bam!! Chuba Chuba – Wooley Booley… The lights dim… and the ceremonial circus continues without missing a beat, the band resumes with the same intensity ….“Im gonna scare you up and shoot ya, Mr. Charlie Told me so. This was just the first show!
Now 5 years on as staff writer for The Wall of News, once again, I was summoned to join the band and report on The Alligators / Skull & Roses Warm-up Tour across 4 states in 3 months …and Once again, I survived my mission. The following is a hazy account of just some of the tour highlights, {at least some of the ones I’m allowed to talk about} … That was just the opening night of the Alligators tour which takes them through April 2023 culminating to their 5thappearance as the House band for The Skull & Roses Music Festival. All roads lead to Ventura- Strap yourself in! and re-live the ride with me.
12-03-22 – SOHO HOUSE – Santa Barbara, CA – w/ NO SIMPLE HIGHWAY
Tonight’s set at Santa Barbara’s SOHO House featured a rare breakout of a 15-minute Good mornin’ lil Schoolgirl which morphed into a dual drum solo featuring Richard La Chomp & Lead Vocalist, Pete Pen trading solos into a slip-knot jam back into schoolgirl.
Great Crowd and fabulous hosts. The band invited the crowd back to the hotel for an epic after hours pool party. The next morning, The Breakfast feasting ritual begins. These boys have turned culinary enjoyment into near-Olympic style event in which band members meticulously study the menu and try to out do each other’s meal order, This culminates in a bizarre post feast play-by play -recap and scoring system to determine the best order of day.
Today’s Top Order award went to Gator Road Manager, Fast Eddie “Dark Angel” Torrez, who set the pace with Chicken Fried Steak n Eggs, a side of Pork Chops, a stack of Chocolate chip pancakes and a half-dozen Bloody Marys to wash it all down. His masterful navigation (both inside and outside of the menu) garnered deep respect and humility from the band, neighboring tables and the staff. Unified hypnotic chants of “Good Order” built to a powerful crescendo and echoed throughout the halls.
FRIDAY 01-27-22 – SLO BREW ROCKS – San Luis Obispo, CA
w/ BIG STEVE & THE ASSBITES and SHAKY FEELIN.
The Alligators were treated to an Epic Pre-party with none other than Big Steve Parish and his ferocious band, The Assbites. The backstage green room was so dense with cannabis it was hard to make out who was actually in attendance. Anyone within 50 yards of this bash had a Grizzly Peak contact high. While Big Steve regaled us with Golden tales from the days of yore, Alligators singer Pete-Pen had his own agenda. At a glance, I happened to notice him devouring a small mountain of Cheeseburgers and onion rings, which the Assbites had hidden backstage for their post-show meal. Ahh Yes, Once again I was reminded of this band’s peculiar fixation with feasting and road food.
After barn burning sets from all three bands the caloric overload served as rocket fuel for the all-night hotel afterparty.
SATURDAY 01-28-22 – FELTON MUSIC HALL – Felton, CA w/ ROSEBUD
Now It’s off to the band’s debut performance at the Felton Music Hall near Santa Cruz. Great Show tonight including a 12 minute-funky new remake of the Pigpen Classic, “Operator”. The boys were fired up to see some familiar faces in the crowd including The Gator Girls { a traveling group of fabulous female fans who shake up the fun at the shows} and Super fan Joel K. also referred to by the band as “The Chompman” who’s front row at most shows decked out in a full body Alligator costume. leading the signature chomping ritual that occurs in between songs. But Tonight’s highlight was a surprise appearance by great new friends of the band, and Grateful Dead Royalty, Dennis and Susanna McNally. The McNally’s bring an infectious spirit of joy everywhere they go and brought tonight’s celebration to a Grateful Jubilation!
SATURDAY 02-18-23 – CERVANTES’ – Denver, CO.
w/ THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRATEFUL DEAD REVUE
The day begins in a nearby park where the Gators find themselves in a heated battle of their ritual game of “Shoe” which dates back 38 million years to alligators of the Plyocene era. which is almost exactly similiar to the modern day cornhole game but instead of bean bags being tossed to the bullseye, they use each other shoes. though there’s no money at stake, the victor in this game will get to pick tonight’s setlist for the show, which is a coveted task with this band. After a close 3-way tie ensues, Drummer Richard La Chomp shuts it all down w/ a wining toss of his Vans slip-on Shoe about 25 yards across the playing field to nail the bullseye. with a victorious yawp he shouts, “Looks like were opening with “Easy Wind tonight fellas”. The setlist has been claimed and it’s off to ….
Tonight’s show -Live at Cervantes Hall. It was a full throttle double header, opening for Rob Eaton of Dark Star Orchestra and his Rocky Mountain GD Revue, featuring Jake Wolf on Drums. Both performances were through the roof, complete w/ an allstar jam encore consisting of members of both bands. The post show backstage celebration was when the real fun began. After in depth stories from Rob Eaton on everything from -Life on the Road w/ DSO, to his 1st show, to epic story of reviving the famed “Betty Board tapes. The Gators then challenged Rob to a little game in the style of the classic “Name that tune” only in this case they put his Grateful Dead knowledge to the test..
Bass Player, J.J. Gator, pulled out his blue tooth speaker, fired up the Spotify app and began playing snippets of random Dead shows to see if he could Identify what year the show was played in as few notes as possible. Let the games begin!…
Rob proceeded to slay every trivia song presented quicker than Ken Jennings {all time Jeopardy champion} and Rainman combined… Every Live song snippet was instantly devoured as he rattled off the dates of each classic show in seconds – one after another …“War Memorial 77, Carousel Ballroom , Fillmore 69” etc etc… Nailed em’ all
The Gators were blown away, they swapped high 5’s and pleasantries w/ Rob and the boys, then it was off to Denver’s famous 24-hour Pete’s Diner” for some late-night Steak n Eggs and Apple pie..
FRIDAY 02-24-23: THE LODGE ROOM – L.A., CA
w/MELVIN SEALS & JGB
The boys in the band were foaming at the mouth for this run of the tour as they were honored to be invited to open for their Heroes John Kadlecik and The Great MELVIN SEALS and JGB across 3 shows from L.A to Tahoe. The Alligators took their hometown stage at The La. Lodge room by churning out one classic Pig tune after another, Hog for you into a >14-minute Alligator into >Caution. then all member of the band thanked the packed house, quickly removed their gear and each member jumped right down in the front row to get a up close spot on the rail to watch the masters in action.
SATURDAY 02-25-23: VENTURA MUSIC HALL – Ventura, CA
w/ MELVIN SEALS & JGB
The Next nights show was at The Ventura Music Hall where 2 calamities were narrowly averted. The Alligators were not able to sound check this night, because their Keyboard Player {Berkey Gator} was missing and couldn’t be found. Turns out Berkey showed up at The Ventura Mystic Theatre {the wrong Venue} and set up his gear awaiting to check his equipment. He soon realized something was off when the rest of the musicians loading and checking their instruments were draped in head to toe -leather/ studs /spikes and dark eye makeup. {There was definitely no Sunshine Daydreams going down at this venue tonight} The house soundman realized his confusion and Let him know that Tonight’s performance was a Death Metal show featuring a Canadian Dark Metal band called “Annihilation” and said …”I think you’re looking for The Ventura Music Hall.
Calamity number 2 occurred when singer Pete-Pen realized he had left his wardrobe case filled with signature African Dashiki Mu-Mu Kaftans was stolen from the tour bus by poachers during soundcheck. In the midst of his panic, he had an epiphany and crafted a cutting-edge modern Moo Moo from the bedding and draperies in his hotel room. He remains wanted for vandalism and missing sheets throughout the 805 area code, but the show went off without a hitch!
SATURDAY 03-04-23: CRYSTAL BAY CASINO – LAKE TAHOE, CA
w/ MELVIN SEALS & JGB – CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER
According to the U.S. Weather Service, The Alligators’ Operator jam at the Ventura Music Hall agitated the San Andreas Fault and triggered a mini-Ice Age in the High Sierras making travel to Lake Tahoe impossible. This Show is Rescheduled for NOVEMBER 4, 2023.
FRIDAY 03-17-23: THE GET DOWN – PORTLAND, OR w/GARCIA BIRTHDAY BAND
SATURDAY 03-18-23: WHIRLED PIES – EUGENE, OR w/GARCIA BIRTHDAY BAND
The Gators broke new ground planting their flag and chomped up the deep Oregon trail for the first time. The two-night stand was hosted by hometown heroes, THE GARCIA BIRTHDAY BAND, of Portland. The two bands hit it off famously and these were two of the most electric shows of the tour. The hungry Gators were graced with outstanding backstage buffets, superstar jams and rabid hordes of hippie ragers in both Portland and Eugene. Saturday in Eugene the bands were also graced with a surprise appearance by close friend of the band, the legendary Rosie McGee.
FRIDAY 03-31-23: TOOT’S TAVERN – CROCKETT, CA – w/ CUBENSIS
SATURDAY 04-01-23: HOP MONK – SEBASTOPOL, CA – w/ CUBENSIS
The Alligators close out the tour w/ good friends and The Longest running Grateful Dead Tribute band – CUBENSIS. Back-to-Back Barnburners in Crockett and Sebastopol were masterfully facilitated by Mr. Hat and Reina to the delight of all in attendance. Hotel Security was alerted both nights to break up head to head beer guzzling battles between the two bands. The Brew fest frenzy was broken up before a winner was decided … the rematch will occur and champion be crowned on the beaches of Ventura.
EPILOGUE:
After many years as beat reporter for countless music publications and touring on assignment with the likes of R.E.O Speedwagon and Huey Lewis, it’s refreshing to see a band like The Alligators who continue eating, breathing, and living the Rock n Roll rituals of days gone by.
Despite the daily Spinal Tap frenzies that are synonymous with this band, come showtime they Always deliver the goods. They continue to kick out full-throttle Pigpen Celebrations night after night, tour after tour and Skull after Skull. Come Join the party, and chomp down with THE ALLIGATORS at their next Live Performance:::
SATURDAY, APRIL 22nd at SKULL & ROSES.