Live Jazz in SF Bay

About IVY ROOM PRESENTS—SATURDAY APRIL 4TH—TAMMY’S CAMARO(AN EVENING WITH)—7:00 PM DOORS / 8:00 PM SHOWAdvance Tickets Available—IVY ROOM | 21+TAMMY’S CAMARO—Forged in Oakland by a devotion to deep tracks, Tammy's Camaro is a group of friends committed to playing the bitchenest underground rock for a discerning dance crowd.

IVY ROOM PRESENTS SUNDAY APRIL 5TH—JOHN DOEplus special guests6pm doors / 7pm showAdvance Tickets AvailableJOHN DOE—As one of the founding members of the Los Angeles punk band , John Doe was one of the most influential figures in American alternative rock during the early '80s. In 1990, he stepped out as a solo artist, blending the uncompromising spirit of punk with country, folk, and roots rock flavors to create music that had a personality of its own without losing touch with the sensibility of . Possessing one of the richest and most expressive voices in American punk, Doe's vocal abilities were adaptable to the diverse roots rock sounds of 1990's Meet John Doe and the more introspective singer/songwriter approach of 2000's Freedom Is … Doe indulged his interest in classic country music on 2009's Country Club, recorded with Canadian roots rockers , and 2016's The Westerner and 2022's Fables in a Foreign Land showed him comfortably transitioning into a contemporary folk artist with a keen eye as a songwriter.John Doe was born John Nommensen Duchac in Decatur, Illinois on February 25, 1953. Doe spent time in Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Maryland and earned a degree at Antioch College in Baltimore before he relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1976. Doe was interested in poetry and was attending a poetry workshop in Venice, California when he met a fellow aspiring writer named . Around the same time, Doe, who had played bass in bar bands before moving to California, had answered an ad in a local newspaper from a guitarist eager to start a punk rock band. The guitarist was Billy Zoom, and when Doe brought to a rehearsal to show off some poems he thought would make good lyrics for a song, the band that would become began to coalesce. With the 1980 album Los Angeles, became the most talked about band in Los Angeles, thanks to the off-kilter harmonies of Doe and , the supercharged rockabilly guitar of , and the clattering rhythms of Doe and drummer D.J. Bonebeak. Four more albums would appear between 1981 and 1985 before left the band after Ain't Love Grand -- an experiment in pushing their music into a hard rock/metal direction, which failed to give the commercial breakthrough they desired. (Doe found time during this period to record with a pair of side projects, the acoustic country-folk combo – which also featured and Bonebrake – on 1985's Poor Little Critter on the Road, and 's group , popping up on their 1981 masterpiece A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die.)In 1987, returned with the album See How We Are, introducing new guitarist , and while the album received positive reviews, it once again failed to break the band to a larger audience. After bringing out a live set, 1988's Live at the Whisky a Go-Go on the Fabulous Sunset Strip, the band split up. By this time, Doe had been dabbling in acting, appearing in 's Salvador (1986), Allison Anders' and Kurt Voss's noir-ish L.A. scene drama Border Radio (1987), and the blockbuster Road House (1989). He had also been playing gigs on his own, and he signed a solo deal with , which had released his debut, Meet John Doe, in 1990. Doe butted heads with the album's producer during the recording sessions, and when it failed to sell to 's expectations, Doe was dropped. As it happened, 's breakthrough with Nevermind in 1991 led to plenty of major labels taking a second look at many noted underground bands of the '80s, and signed a reunited (with on guitar) for a new album, 1993's Hey Zeus! ' imprint stepped up to bring out Doe's next solo project, 1995's more rock-oriented Kissingsohard, which appeared the same year as Unclogged, a semi-acoustic live set from . Not long after the release of Unclogged, quietly broke up, though in 1998, to the surprise of many fans, the original lineup of Doe, , , and Bonebrake reunited for a handful of shows in Los Angeles. The reunion gigs were wildly successful, and continued to tour periodically from then on, when the schedules of the members permitted. While acting kept Doe busy for much of the rest of the 1990s (his résumé included roles in Pure Country, Wyatt Earp, Georgia, Boogie Nights, and Brokedown Palace), he recorded an EP in 1998 for the indie label, For the Rest of Us (it included a track Doe co-wrote with , "This Loving Thing"), and he reissued it in an expanded, album-length version in 2006 as For the Best of Us.In the 2000s, Doe devoted more time to working as a solo recording artist, offering a casually personal sound on Freedom Is…, released by the label in 2000. For 2002's Dim Stars, Bright Sky, issued by . Doe recorded his first acoustic album as a solo artist, though he brought in a number of guest stars to help, including , , , and . Doe signed with the respected roots music label for 2005's Forever Hasn't Happened Yet, a low-key but forceful set with appearances from , , and . Doe stayed with for his next two albums as well, 2007's A Year in the Wilderness and 2009's Country Club, where he was co-billed with Canadian roots band . A new solo album, Keeper, recorded at the Way Station and New Monkey studios in Los Angeles and featuring guest appearances from , , Smokey Hormel, Don Was, and , appeared in 2011. The album featured the rocking lead-off single "Never Enough."In 2012, Doe teamed up with his harmony partner for Singing and Playing, a low-key album featuring new songs as well as interpretations of favorites from the catalog. In 2014 released The Best of John Doe This Far, a collection of highlights from his solo career. In the spring of 2016, Doe found himself looking back and looking forward; he released a new solo album, The Westerner, while also publishing a memoir. Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of LA Punk offered an inside look at the scene that produced , with contributions from a number of his musical peers. A second autobiographical effort, More Fun in the New World: The Unmaking and Legacy of L.A. Punk, appeared in bookstores in 2019. In 2020, released their first album of new material since 1993 (and the first studio effort with since 1985), Alphabetland, which was hailed as an exciting re-creation of the band's powerful original sound. Doe and were invited to sing vocals on the song "Destroying Angels," which appeared on the expanded edition of 's 2021 album No Gods No Masters. Doe returned to his solo pursuits with 2022's Fables in a Foreign Land, an upbeat and stripped-down exercise in folk-rock that included an acoustic version of "Destroying Angels" with and contributing backing vocals. It was Doe's first LP for , which had issued 's Alphabetland. ~ Mark Deming & Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

ivy room presents TUESDAY APRIL 7TH—PRISM BITCHLADY STARBEASTFUZZ KIT—Doors 7:00pm / Show 7:30pmAdvance Tickets Available / $15 Door—IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+PRISM BITCH—Life tilts from one extreme to the next. PRISM BITCH does as well. The Albuquerque for now trio—Lauren Poole [bass, vocals], Chris Walsh [guitar], and Teresa Cruces [drums, vocals]—hop from robust riff-ery to sticky sweet hooks before dipping back into moments of distorted bliss and warm melodies. With no shortage of unexpected thrills, they construct something of a sonic rollercoaster on their 2021 independent full-length debut, Perla. "We’re an aggressively friendly band," smiles Teresa. "We cover a spectrum of topics. The music can be serious and existential or super fun—just like real life". "When you listen to us, maybe you feel like we visited you at home, listened to what you had to say, and even helped you clean up," laughs Lauren.Lauren and Chris first met as members of a small theatre company, where they dreamed up a plan for a performance art project in the guise of a band. In 2015, they crossed paths with Teresa. Their initial project idea soon morphed into an actual band, which they named Prism Bitch. The group wanted to take "bitch" back and hold that word with pride. "When Lauren asked me to be a part of this performance art project, we wanted to make sure the songs were really good, which pushed us to focus more on the songwriting than the actual story," explains Chris. "This led to the creation of our band more so than a theatre project".Prism B!tch made their introduction with 2017's The Getaway EP before unleashing the self-titled Prism Bitch EP a year later. Along the way, they’ve amassed over 100K cumulative streams, won three Weekly Alibi "Best of Burque" Music Awards, and ignited iconic stages, including The Whisky A Go-Go, The Roxy, and Webster Hall.LADY STARBEAST—Defying traditional genre and embodying idiosyncrasy, Oakland-based dark pop artists Ilana Magill and Marc Martell join forces to form the project Lady Starbeast. Ilana is the songwriter and vocalist; Marc creates the instrumentation; and together they record and produce. Ilana combines sultry, powerful vocals with operatic background harmonies, dark, eerie and intricate melodies and a wild, irreverent spirit. Her lyrical content explores the introspective particularities of mental health, while using a broad lens to remark on the human condition. Marc’s dramatic electro-pop instrumentation gives the listener a glimpse into the inner-workings of their minds and hearts, making for a raucous and haunting experience.FUZZ KIT—Fuzz Kit is a SF Bay Area post-punk band, formed in 2023. With vulnerable lyrics and overdriven guitar, they compress sonic explorations into tight, hard-hitting songs. They harness the intensity of living in this world, with moody vocals over fuzzy guitar hooks and powerful beats.

ivy room presents WEDNESDAY APRIL 8THpartially seated show—Scott Amendola’s Floating ParadeFeaturing:Scott AmendolaNate BrennerRobert LopezMark CliffordRyan Schaeffer—Doors 7:00pm / Show 8:00pmAdvance Tickets Available / $20 Day of Show--IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+Scott Amendola’s Floating Parade—Scott Amendola: drums/percussion/electronicsNate Brenner: electrical bassRobert Lopez: percussionMark Clifford: vibraphoneRyan Schaeffer: electrical guitarGet ready for a vibe-y, grooving, sonically fun and rad experience. Floating Parade is about an unknown journey of bumpin' beats and soothing sounds. It will be hypnotic and engaging. Come join the parade. We'll go where we go and know when we get there, and know when it's time to move on.For Scott Amendola, the drum kit isn't so much an instrument as a musical portal. As an ambitious composer, savvy bandleader, electronics explorer, and first-call accompanist, he is a creative foil for some of the world's most inventive musicians. His closest musical associates include guitarists Charlie Hunter, Nels Cline, and Jeff Parker, Hammond B-3 organist Wil Blades, violinist Jenny Scheinman, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, and bassists Trevor Dunn and Todd Sickafoose. Amendola possesses a gift for twisting musical genres in unexpected directions.Nate Brenner is a bassist, composer, and producer best known for his work with the acclaimed project tune-yards. With Merrill Garbus of tune-yards, he has toured the world, released celebrated albums on 4AD, and recently co-scored Boots Riley's Amazon Prime series I'm a Virgo. Brenner also records under the moniker Naytronix, releasing four solo albums, and has collaborated with Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Ben Goldberg, and Thao & The Get Down Stay Down.Mark Pascucci-Clifford is a vibraphonist, composer, percussionist, pianist, educator, and producer based in Oakland, CA. A much sought-after performer and improviser, he is deeply involved in new music, jazz, free improvisation, classical music, and indie rock. He composes for and leads his own group, The Dirty Snacks Ensemble, whose 2022 release You Would Do Well was named "One of the Best of 2022" by Andy Gilbert of the Classical Voice and which headlined the 2024 Outsound Summit.Robert Lopez is a percussionist, educator, and researcher. His background in various types of music such as folkloric traditions of Brazil, Ghana, and Cuba, alongside contemporary chamber music and free improvisation, allows a malleable approach to sharing musical ideas. Since 2011, he has been an active member of the Bay Area music community working with groups like SO AR, the Red Room Orchestra, Grex, and Jordan Glenn's BEAK, among others.Ryan Schaeffer, guitarist, is an Oakland native who has played all around the Bay Area and across the globe. Ryan's unique musical background has influenced his instrumentation, creating a fusion of funk, jazz, and gospel that allows him to transcend genre.

ivy room presents THURSDAY APRIL 9THPlanet Booty's presents: Booty Camp Spring Break—PLANET BOOTYTOP SECRET ROBOT ALLIANCE—Doors 7:30pm | Show 8:00pm—IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+—Planet Booty's presents: Booty Camp Spring Break their second ever Bay Area residency and first since 2022. Happening the last four Thursday's in April each night features a dance heavy lineup of funk, disco, R&B, and comedy that will celebrate all aspects of their eclectic community. Complete with merit badges - every night will have a theme ranging from radical joy, body positivity, inclusivity, and living your best life - Booty Camp will be the ultimate escape from the tumult of our times but also a melting pot of the people that make the Bay Area so special... all while working your glutes in the best way possible. Need to get away? Buy your ticket(s) to Booty Camp Spring Break before it's too late.PLANET BOOTY—Planet Booty’s sound is a divine mixtape of pop, R&B, 90’s house, 70’s funk and classic hip-hop that might have been made by your strangely attractive high school gym coach. Their sexual diversity, unrelenting energy, showmanship and body positivity transforms any venue into an inclusive, sensually charged safe space.TOP SECRET ROBOT ALLIANCE—There's nothing funny about seriously good dance music.Lucious Sandstone - guitar, crucial harmonies, soft yet edgy flairDion Thunder - bass, beats, synth, sultry chants, the best power thrusts this side of LV-426

ivy room presents—SAT APRIL 11TH—BITCHw/ special guestKATIE CASH—Doors 7:00pm / Show 8:00pmAdvance Tickets Available / $25 Door(partially seated show)—IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+BITCH—Bitch makes witchy poet pop. She does it with violins and synthesizers. The resulting songs from her ninth studio album Bitchcraft, which came out on Kill Rock Stars February 4th, 2022, are heartbreaking, spectral, political and beautiful.Bitch is a longstanding queer music icon. For this tour, she has written a narrative play, an autobiographical “jaunt through her herstory” to take the audience on the journey of a shy and introverted child who goes on to reclaim ‘Bitch’ as a name and feminist act. This empowering, funny and heart-felt show is woven together with the huge violin-forward pop songs of Bitchcraft.“There’s no stopping her now” the LA Weekly said, after she premiered the show in Los Angeles for the album release.

ivy room presents SUNDAY APRIL 12TH—BOB SUMNERplus special guests—Doors 6:00pm / Show 7:00pmAdvance Tickets Available / $18 Door—IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+BOB SUMNER—Singer-songwriter Bob Sumner cites the musically progressive sensibilities of his heroes when talking about the spirit of his new album, Some Place to Rest Easy, out now via Fluff & Gravy (worldwide) and North Country Collective (Canada). “They were always creating something new, something different,” he says of idols like George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. With that ideology in mind, Sumner set about creating an album that takes as much inspiration from the audio production of Randy Travis as it does the lyrical soul of Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker—a melding of eras, sounds, concepts, and stylings that’s informed by the past, but never bound by it.With Some Place to Rest Easy, Sumner picks up the tempo compared to his previous releases, balancing the stirring lyrical depth fans have come to expect with a more buoyant, lively feel. “It felt appropriate to give the music itself some joy,” says the man who’s made a career out of tapping into difficult-to-touch-on, real-life stuff in a relatable, palatable manner. In the end, that’s what Sumner’s music has always been about—more than a single sound, influence, instrumental, or clever line. “I always want people to feel something,” Sumner explains. “If I heard that this album helped somebody that was feeling down, even just by feeling some other emotion for a little while, that's the number one thing for me.”

IVY ROOM PRESENTS—TUESDAY APRIL 14TH—Jenny Don't And The SpursMitch Polzak & The Royal Deuces—7 PM DOORS / 8PM SHOWAdvance Tickets Available / $23 day of show—IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+JENNY DON’T AND THE SPURS—Jenny Don’t and the Spurs have been pioneering their own path in the music world for over a dozen years. Known for their high-energy Country Western style and captivating stage presence, they've garnered a global following with their infectious enthusiasm, and extensive discography, featuring three albums, an EP, and nine singles.Their 2021 LP, Fire on the Ridge, expanded their horizons, leading them on tours to continents where few other country bands have had the opportunity to perform, affirming their formidable presence in the country music scene. This latest release, "Broken Hearted Blue," set to debut on June 14th, 2024, adds even more fuel to their fire.With their exciting new album, Broken Hearted Blue Jenny Don’t and the Spurs present 10 dynamic songs that channel the essence of the Northwest’s music sounds while evoking the nostalgia of the Western frontier. The album bursts forth with the explosive energy of the opening track, "Flyin' High," akin to a wild horse spurred by a crack of lightning. The song skillfully merges the band's garage-rock origins with their distinct western sound, characterized by a driving tempo and gritty fuzz tones. From the outset, this album asserts itself as a standout in the country music scene, with its high-octane rockin' western delivery approach setting it apart from the herd.​Jenny Don’t earned her moniker in her youth for her strong-willed and independent nature, often defying authority figures much to their consternation. This inherent rebelliousness led her to resonate with the authentic outlaw spirit of Country Western music. Such influences shine through in songs like "Pain in my Heart” and “One More Night,” where the band channels the bold attitude and vocal style reminiscent of classic country legends like Johnny Paycheck and George Jones. Their music authentically captures the outlaw spirit while paying homage to the genre's iconic figures.Born in New Mexico, Jenny later relocated to Washington state at a young age. Growing up, she navigated the contrasting landscapes of the lush Pacific Northwest and the vast Southwestern desert, which greatly influenced her songwriting. In the title track "Broken Hearted Blue," Jenny's haunting vocals capture the intensity of a fleeting romantic moment, complemented by lead guitarist Christopher March's guitar work, which echoes the haunting allure of the desert night sky with its reverb-drenched tones.Growing up poor in a tiny rural Washington community, Jenny spent her early years living in a converted single-wide trailer. Spending her summers herding cows and catching garter snakes in the tall grass, she could only dream of traveling to the kinds of exotic locales to which the band’s tours have taken her. The song “You’re What I Need” is an ode to the fans whose support has made this possible.“Traveling the world as a musician and experiencing the enthusiasm of our fans who come to see us is an incredible feeling that's difficult to put into words” says Don’t. “We all feel immense gratitude towards everyone who has supported us through the years. They’re the ones who’ve inspired ‘You’re What I Need.’Broken Hearted Blue is a significant milestone, as it marks Buddy Weeks' debut on drums. The loss of longtime drummer Sam Henry (The Wipers, Poison Idea, Napalm Beach) to cancer in 2022 was a devastating blow that would have halted many bands. However, instead of slowing down, the band intensified their touring and recording efforts, determined to honor Sam's legacy by forging ahead with their musical journey.Weeks' inclusion in the band marks not only a new chapter but also adds a fresh perspective and energy, symbolizing their resilience.With "Bones in the Sand," Jenny Don’t and the Spurs draw from that profound experience, crafting a song that intricately blends dark and luminous sonic textures. March's resonant low baritone guitar captures the somber tones of loss, contrasting with the vibrant shimmer of the 12-string acoustic guitar, symbolizing hope and resilience. Together, the band constructs a rich musical narrative that reflects the multifaceted nature of the experience, while the vocals offer insight and guide the listener through the emotional exploration.“Despite the loss we faced, our band's core and aspirations remain steadfast. With the release of our new album, we're embarking on a new trail that bridges our past experiences with the promise of what's yet to come,” explains Don’t. “We’ve got a lot of open road ahead of us.”Produced by Collin Hegna (Brian Jonestown Massacre, Federale), this album is a testament to Hegna's meticulous craftsmanship. With his guidance, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs have created a musical tapestry that highlights each member's talents.“On this album, bass player Kelly Halliburton and I collaborated more closely than ever, shaping most of the musical parts together”, reflecting on their growth both as a couple and as a band. Jenny expresses, "We're just fed up with mainstream music's repetitive nature and the confines of genres. Each of us brings our own musical flavors to the table, emphasizing the importance of authenticity over conformity. Our music pulls from a variety of genres, which can be a bit tricky to define. But Collin really nailed it, capturing our blend of country, rock and roll, with that added touch of Western charm."Broken Hearted Blue presents a cohesive assortment of varied tracks. From the thunderous bass lines of the instrumental "Sidewinder" to the infectious melodies of "Unlucky Love," reminiscent of Lee Hazelwood's 60s style, each song possesses its own distinct charm while seamlessly upholding the album's western essence.Much like the rhinestones on their custom outfits, handcrafted by Jenny herself, the album shines brightly, illustrating the band's dedication to creating memorable and authentic music.MITCH POLZAK & THE ROYAL DEUCES—The big guy from out West and larger than life energy (he’s also 6’5’) performer, guitarist, singer, banjoist, songwriter, composer, entertainer, musical historian and teacher Mitch Polzak wears his heart on his sleeve and his playing in his heart.Polzak performs rockabilly and 60’s country music with the religious fervor of Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash and delivers a Honky Tonk ballad with the sincerity of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. Mitch will bring a room to a fevered pitch of joyous energy on the dance floor and then tell you a story in a song like two old friends sitting at a kitchen table at midnight.His virtuosic guitar skills and influences range from the blazing flying fingers of Joe Maphis , Marty Stuart, Roy Clark, and Don Rich to the timeless dreamlike state of “Sleepwalk” by Santo and Johnny along with the vast valleys of deep rumbling twang associated with Duane Eddy.There is not one singular definition of Polzak’s music but that is very specific to what he does. Being fluent in the musical languages of Country, Rockabilly, Honky Tonk, The Bakersfield Sound, Surf, early Rock and Roll, Bluegrass, Cajun, Blues, and Truck Driving music gives Polzak the unique voice of the melting pot of the American musical experience. This is why he consistently connects with so many people directly at every show.Polzak’s abundant joy in communicating with people through music leaps off the stage through every fiber of his being. His near-constant genuine smile can be seen clear across the room and invites you in without any pretense or judgements. Some call him “The Honky Tonk Mister Rogers”!Make no mistake though. Underneath that smile is a deep and reverent respect for the history and integrity of the music and musicians who came before him and created the sounds and told their stories.Just as Waylon Jennings created his own outlaw sound, as Johnny Cash could never be put in a box, the full throttle intensity of Jerry Lee Lewis’s rock and roll grabs us and takes to a time and place, Polzak’s live show has the unvarnished purity of the Bakersfield Sound paying homage to his California musical heroes Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Wynn Stewart and Dwight Yokam. It’s a heaping helping, but a Mitch Polzak show brings all of these musical flavors to the table in a potluck of American musical flavor.Polzak learned firsthand from some of his musical influences, sharing the stage with legends like Don Maddox of The Maddox Bros. and Rose, deeply respected contemporary and friend Deke Dickerspn, The Ragin’ Cajun Doug Kershaw, Rockabilly icons Joe Clay and Gene Summers, former Bluegrass Boy and West Coast music pioneer Peter Rowan and Cajun greats Jimmy Breaux, Andrew Carriere, and Blake Miller. He has also shared the bill with Brian Setzer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Duane Eddy, The Stray Cats, Big Sandy and The Fly Rite Boys, and Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives.