by Nick Masood
Chandler Blues Band
The Chandler Blues Band somehow unmistakably blends the groovy rhythmical aloofness of Trey Anastasio with the classic buzz saw guitar tone that comes standard with a roadhouse blues band. This is just the kind of music you want to hear in a dimly lit dive bar.
Johnny Hoy & the Bluefish
Vocals that growl like Muddy are the first things you notice from Johnny Hoy & the Bluefish. But backing Hoy’s pipes is a BIG blues tone brought on by Jeremy Berlin on the ivories and Buck Shank on the guitar. Add drummer Chris Anzalone keeping time and collectively Johnny Hoy & the Bluefish might bring the biggest tone on the island. If you close your eyes, you just might think you were somewhere near the Rio Grande…
Crooked Coast
If California gave us Surf-Rock, Crooked Coast spins it with East coast flair. Mellow verses that flirt with reggae and even West coast hip-hop explode into anthem rock choruses with pop punk energy. This is unmistakably summer music and Crooked Coast has managed to bridge East and West together into a unique sound.
Mike Benjamin
It would be easy to classify Mike Benjamin and his group as a wedding band. That is partly true–Benjamin and his band thrive in party settings- -but to say that is all Benjamin can offer would be downright wrong. Their sound ranges from Bill-Clinton- 60th-birthday-party appropriate to acoustic jam sessions at the Ritz. On any given night, you might catch Benjamin backed by a full array of horns or he could be solo. No matter how you see him, the bottom line is that you should. These are talented musicians playing the finest covers around.
The Grateful Dread
Deadheads and Rastafarians rejoice– the Grateful Dread has married reggae with Jerry Garcia’s iconic acid-laced psychedelic jam band. Smooth reggae rhythms and five-minute guitar solos? Yes, we’ll take another dozen oysters please. This is island music if I’ve ever heard it.
Second Hand
This seasoned group of musicians delivers a mix of upbeat surf tunes and hip hop that are perfect for a lively night out. But there is more to the band’s songs. The various mix of melodies instills an optimistic message. Guitarist Mike Benjamin explains that lyrically, the band focuses on themes such as the passage of time and living in the moment, which is exactly what the band wants you to be thinking about when listening to their diverse repertoire.
DJ AP
DJ AP has been a Vineyard staple since 2009. When the EDM scene was lacking during the island’s summertime squalor, AP Lacovello revitalized the tired old iTunes playlists shuffling around nightclubs with his own blend of mixes mainly inspired by the hip-hop and R&B legends of the 80s and 90s.
1 Night Stand
1 Night Stand is a cover band out of Boston that plays rock hits that span from the 60s to today’s favorite songs. Hitting bars all over Massachusetts, 1 Night Stand’s lineup maintains a busy schedule by vibing off the energy emanating from the crowd on any given night. But they’ve got a penchant for early 2000s pop rock. Expect to hear some Lit, a little Blink 182, maybe some No Doubt. And please advise, there are two types of people in this world: those who acknowledge Gwen Stefani’s chops and then there are stone cold liars.
Willy Mason
Mason might be one of the island’s best-kept secrets. A singer-songwriter who has toured all around the globe and put out three records of his own, Mason makes regular appearances at the Ritz Thursday and Saturday nights. A familiar, yet unique folk style, Mason knows how to grab a crowd’s attention and keep them moving all night long.
Phil DaRosa
Phil DaRosa is one of the island’s biggest connects when it comes to music. One of the founders of the Vineyard Sound Series, DaRosa is not only used to bringing world-class musicians to the island–he’s also a musician of his own. Keep your eyes peeled for DaRosa and friends at the Ritz or other island mainstays, as he is sitting in with other Vineyard legends as often as he’s playing a solo gig.
