At home with Stonehoney
Angelenos-turned-Austinites revisit LA at Molly Malone’s
By Bliss 07/08/2010
When former Angelenos Stonehoney played Levitt Pavilion with mentor Dan Navarro two weeks ago, concertgoers lined up afterward for autographed copies of the band’s new CD, “The Cedar Creek Sessions.” Shaking guitarist Shawn Davis’ hand, one man declared, “I drove 100 miles to hear you guys tonight. It was worth it.”
Such fan loyalty is gold in today’s niche-dominated industry. It’s something Davis, bandmates Nick Randolph, lead guitarist Phil Hurley and bassist Dave Phenicie have actively cultivated since happening upon their Eagles-esque harmony blend while jamming at Randolph’s Beachwood Canyon house five years ago. They bantered with audiences, routinely invited fans to post-show after-parties, played many informal gatherings (including this writer’s backyard), and built a supportive community that generated buzz about the band.
But last February, Stonehoney relocated to a band house in Austin, Texas. The move was a pragmatic necessity.
“I was working at a guitar store to play guitar at night [in LA],” explains Hurley, a former Eagle Rock resident. “In Texas, I play in Stonehoney — that’s my job. It’s so much less expensive, and also there’s so much more live music where you can actually go out and get paid. [The move] came with its fair share of compromises. We all have people that we love and miss in Los Angeles.”
“Southern California [is] very important to my songwriting style and musical tastes,” adds Phenicie, a former Arcadia resident who used to gig around Pasadena with Paper Dolls and Bobby Joyner. “[But it] doesn’t really embrace its own country rock roots. For other bands that are carrying on the Laurel Canyon tradition like I See Hawks in LA or Old Californio, I certainly wish them well.”
In Austin, Stonehoney fell in with a community that includes the Mother Truckers, Deadman and fellow California ex-pats Shurman. The “slick” criticism that once dogged them has abated as their sound and repartee have toughened.
“I was surprised at how quickly we were accepted into the [artists] fold,” Phenicie admits. “Audiences, we had to win ’em over.”
“Texans prefer Texans; you don’t want to come in leading with your California license,” Hurley acknowledges, chuckling. “But we’re already seeing a dedication there, and a commitment to being a fan.”
Singer-songwriter Jimmy LaFave hooked them up with his Music Road label, which just released “The Cedar Creek Sessions.” The 14 tracks, which balance sensitive ballads with rowdier rockers, were culled from 40 songs recorded over three-and-a-half days. With four singer-songwriters, there’s no shortage of Stonehoney material — and more’s being written.
“We’ve already got most of another record written, and a bunch of new songs have already found their way into our set nightly,” Hurley says. “Truth be told, we don’t rest.”
Stonehoney joins Dan Navarro, Dan & Leland 8 p.m. Saturday at Molly Malone’s, 575 S. Fairfax Ave., LA; $10. For more information, call (323) 935-1577 or visit stonehoney.com.
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