Musical Review of the 2015 Ponderosa Stomp

2015 Ponderosa Stomp Festival

The Ponderosa Stomp is back and better than ever in 2015, presenting a mind-boggling cavalcade of the underground heroes of American music over two marathon nights of concerts Oct. 2-3. As usual, the menu is an all-you-can-eat platter of classic rock ‘n’ roll, Chicago and Mississippi blues, New Orleans R&B, Memphis and Motown soul, hellacious rockabilly, blistering garage rock, and Louisiana swamp pop. Old favorites like Warren Storm, Barbara Lynn, Billy Boy Arnold, and Roy Head are appearing, along with some very special artists making their Stomp debuts. The Stomp is especially proud to present, for the first time ever, an all-star revue of San Antonio’s Chicano soul legends from the 1950s and ‘60s. Go behind the curtain of the full 2015 Ponderosa Stomp Festival line-up and see the dizzying array of artists performing in October.

The 2015 Ponderosa Stomp: We Got Soul

The Ponderosa Stomp is back and better than ever in 2015, presenting a mind-boggling cavalcade of the underground heroes of American music over two marathon nights of concerts Oct. 2-3. Soul music has played a starring role at every single Ponderosa Stomp. Howard Tate, Maxine Brown, Brenton Wood, Lavelle White, Wendy Rene, and Otis Clay are just a few of the giants who’ve delivered unforgettable performances over the years for the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau. Some, like Tate, are no longer with us. Go behind the curtain of the 2015 Ponderosa Stomp and see this year’s Stomp artists who dwell at the intersection of soul, R&B, and funk.

Louisiana Deep Soul – Behind the Curtain with the Ponderosa Stomp

2013 Ponderosa Stomp Festival

For decades the state of Louisiana contributed hundreds of classic songs to the hit parade, from R&B and rock n’ roll to swamp pop, zydeco, Cajun and deep soul. While Charles Brimmer, Richard Caiton, Lynn August and James Alexander may not be household names across the US, they’ve all recorded indelible contributions to the deep soul oeuvre. First time performers at the Ponderosa Stomp, they are geared up to bring the authentic sounds of Louisiana to the 2013 fest.

The Sonics – Behind the Curtain with the Ponderosa Stomp

2013 Ponderosa Stomp Festival

Hailing from Tacoma Washington, The Sonics burst onto the American garage rock scene in the early 1960s. The Sonics quickly forged a unique and unprecedentedly savage sound which has been a major influence on punk, garage, and rock bands such as The Cramps, The White Stripes, Nirvana, The Fall and Bruce Springsteen. The Sonics will perform in New Orleans for the first time at the 2013 Ponderosa Stomp, performing alongside fellow legendary garage rockers The Standells, The Sloths, The Gaunga Dyns and Ty Wagner.

Swamp Dogg – Behind the Curtain with the Ponderosa Stomp

2013 Ponderosa Stomp Festival

Since the late 1960s, Swamp Dogg has been the principal musical outlet of psychedelic soul visionary Jerry Williams Jr.  Entertainment Weekly called Swamp Dogg “a one of a kind musical genius.” In a career spanning nearly 60 years, Swamp Dogg has focused on songs about the struggles of the little guy, in pointed reflections on the ills of society; he writes what the Washington Post called, “Ragged, politically charged protest funk that matched the roughest edges of Sly and the Family Stone and early Parliament-Funkadelic.” Swamp Dogg is enjoying a pop cultural resurgence, with profiles in magazines like SPIN and his catalog re-issued by Alive Records. See him live at the 2013 Ponderosa Stomp!

Behind the Curtain with the Ponderosa Stomp

2013 Ponderosa Stomp Festival

The music fanatics of the Stomp bulldoze the slick detritus of contemporary music to find the rawest, deepest stuff out there, simmering under the surface, waiting to be rediscovered before it’s too late. They are still out there among us, and the Stomp exists to celebrate these architects of American music. Go behind the curtain of the full 2013 Ponderosa Stomp Festival line-up and see the dizzying array of artists, from girl singers to rock n’ roll to soul, garage and swamp shouters, performing in October.

Riot on the Sunset Strip! – Behind the Curtain with the Ponderosa Stomp

2013 Ponderosa Stomp

Stars of the Sunset Strip scene The Sloths, Ty Wagner, and The Standells perform with proto-punk New Orleans rockers the Gaunga Dyns. These feral garage legends were unhinged pioneers of raw fury, igniting teenage raves and rebellious rioting on stages across the US, becoming icons of a movement that continues to flower.

Where the Girls Are – Behind the Curtain with the Ponderosa Stomp

2013 Ponderosa Stomp

Three of the greatest female vocalists of the Girl Group genre represent this year, Justine “Baby” Washington, Chris Clark and Maxine Brown. Performing during the years in which racial discrimination was prevalent, travel was difficult and performers had to present an image of high glamour at all times, would grind down any artist, but these women gained strength and resilience, personally and professionally. They embody the pioneer spirit the Ponderosa Stomp Foundation champions.

Maggie Lewis – Heroes of Louisiana Music at the Mint

July 17, 2012 – Concert and Conversation with Maggie Lewis
In 2012, the Ponderosa Stomp Foundation co-produced a series focusing on the rich musical heritage of the state of Louisiana! During each of the 2 events in the series, we focused on a different geographical area in the state. Each program included a live performance, an interview with the performer, and a question and answer session with the audience! View on YouTube

CP Love – Heroes of Louisiana Music at the Mint

May 15, 2012 – Concert and Conversation with CP Love
View on YouTube