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ENLARGE
Expect a Hendrix revival when The Ralph Woodson Experience debuts in Nevada County Friday.
“We're trying to expand our circle,” said bassist Pete Roberts. “We've been mostly Bay Area for a good while, and we're trying to get out.”
The tribute band stands out with their elaborate costumes (think purple bell bottom pants and custom made outfits) and musical maneuvers, such as playing the guitar behind the back and with teeth.
The Bay Area trio was formed by Ralph Woodson in 2001. “I was originally playing with a bass player from New York, and he knew my drummer, Dan (Cueva), and so he actually got Dan into the band, and I found my current bass player Pete (Roberts) online,” frontman Woodson explains.
It makes sense for Woodson to headline a Hendrix tribute band –– he considers Hendrix to be the best guitar player ever.
“(There are) many facets of Hendrix; trippy side, bluesy side, all out rock ‘n roll side, a multi-faceted musician,” Roberts continued about Hendrix's appeal. “(He) certainly made in impact in three years that nobody can deny.”
The band is fresh off a great New Year's Eve show in Sacramento.
“It was a huge success,” Roberts said. “The place was packed. One of the best shows we've ever done.”
“It went great, went really well,” Woodson concurred. “We'll be back in Sacrament on Feb. 5 at Marilyn's on K, so we got a pretty good buzz going on there right now.”
It was one of Cueva's favorite shows –– ever. “I really liked playing on New Year's in Sacramento. I think that was probably one of our biggest gigs we've had as far as the number of people.”
The trio has performed at numerous events, clubs, and festivals, including the California State Fair, Lodi Grape Festival, and Modesto Blues Festival.
“We played in 2004, Fire on the Mountain over in Sonora. They were jumping up and down and screaming and it was really unbelievable. Other than the Sacramento gig, that was probably the show where we had the most impact on the audience,” said Roberts.
A memorable fest for Woodson? The Corn Festival in Brentwood, where they received “a real good response from the crowd.”
They perform regularly at Lou's Pier 47 in San Francisco, Tradewinds in Cotati, Downtown Joe's in Napa, and The Bistro in Hayward, and are open to playing weddings and other events.
The band plays a variety of Hendrix tunes. “We don't just do Purple Haze and Foxey Lady, we do the more obscure songs and go into detail, a good rendition,” said Woodson.
It's hard for the band members to pick their favorite Hendrix tune.
“If I were have to have one, it would be ‘Bold as Love,'” said Roberts. “(The) lighter side of Jimi.”
“I think at different times I've had different songs, it kind of changes,” said Woodson. “I enjoy the more obscure ones, ‘Machine Gun,' ‘Hear My Train a Comin','' ‘Bold as Love.'”
“Probably ‘If 6 was 9,'” said Cueva of his fave song. “I haven't heard anyone else play it, and it's kind of exciting to play. To play it with someone who can actually play the song is kind of exciting.”
Something for fans to watch out for? The group is working on broadcasting their shows live on the Internet.
Their CDs are available on CDbaby.com and will be sold at the show.
“If you dig Jimi Hendrix, (we are) a must-see show,” said Woodson. “If you really like Hendrix, you won't be unsatisfied.”
To contact Content Manager Angela Diaz, e-mail entertainment@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4203.
“We're trying to expand our circle,” said bassist Pete Roberts. “We've been mostly Bay Area for a good while, and we're trying to get out.”
The tribute band stands out with their elaborate costumes (think purple bell bottom pants and custom made outfits) and musical maneuvers, such as playing the guitar behind the back and with teeth.
The Bay Area trio was formed by Ralph Woodson in 2001. “I was originally playing with a bass player from New York, and he knew my drummer, Dan (Cueva), and so he actually got Dan into the band, and I found my current bass player Pete (Roberts) online,” frontman Woodson explains.
It makes sense for Woodson to headline a Hendrix tribute band –– he considers Hendrix to be the best guitar player ever.
“(There are) many facets of Hendrix; trippy side, bluesy side, all out rock ‘n roll side, a multi-faceted musician,” Roberts continued about Hendrix's appeal. “(He) certainly made in impact in three years that nobody can deny.”
The band is fresh off a great New Year's Eve show in Sacramento.
“It was a huge success,” Roberts said. “The place was packed. One of the best shows we've ever done.”
“It went great, went really well,” Woodson concurred. “We'll be back in Sacrament on Feb. 5 at Marilyn's on K, so we got a pretty good buzz going on there right now.”
It was one of Cueva's favorite shows –– ever. “I really liked playing on New Year's in Sacramento. I think that was probably one of our biggest gigs we've had as far as the number of people.”
The trio has performed at numerous events, clubs, and festivals, including the California State Fair, Lodi Grape Festival, and Modesto Blues Festival.
“We played in 2004, Fire on the Mountain over in Sonora. They were jumping up and down and screaming and it was really unbelievable. Other than the Sacramento gig, that was probably the show where we had the most impact on the audience,” said Roberts.
A memorable fest for Woodson? The Corn Festival in Brentwood, where they received “a real good response from the crowd.”
They perform regularly at Lou's Pier 47 in San Francisco, Tradewinds in Cotati, Downtown Joe's in Napa, and The Bistro in Hayward, and are open to playing weddings and other events.
The band plays a variety of Hendrix tunes. “We don't just do Purple Haze and Foxey Lady, we do the more obscure songs and go into detail, a good rendition,” said Woodson.
It's hard for the band members to pick their favorite Hendrix tune.
“If I were have to have one, it would be ‘Bold as Love,'” said Roberts. “(The) lighter side of Jimi.”
“I think at different times I've had different songs, it kind of changes,” said Woodson. “I enjoy the more obscure ones, ‘Machine Gun,' ‘Hear My Train a Comin','' ‘Bold as Love.'”
“Probably ‘If 6 was 9,'” said Cueva of his fave song. “I haven't heard anyone else play it, and it's kind of exciting to play. To play it with someone who can actually play the song is kind of exciting.”
Something for fans to watch out for? The group is working on broadcasting their shows live on the Internet.
Their CDs are available on CDbaby.com and will be sold at the show.
“If you dig Jimi Hendrix, (we are) a must-see show,” said Woodson. “If you really like Hendrix, you won't be unsatisfied.”
To contact Content Manager Angela Diaz, e-mail entertainment@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4203.
