Rather than shovels and scarves, for more than eight years January in Rocky Point has meant dusty boots, sand between the toes, and moonscapes over the sea set to the background of rock ‘n roll at Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers annual January Jam. With 2016 being the 20th anniversary marking the release of “Fizzy Fuzzy Big and Buzzy” from Roger and drummer PH’s first band The Refreshments, RCPM moved many of their Jam activities (JJ’s venue, golf tournament) to last October, making room to celebrate FFBBXX across the country. Instead of the traditional Jan Jam in Cholla Bay, music lovers can still plan to get their thing on this coming weekend at “Rocky Point Jam” on the Banditos stage with the likes of Whiskey’s Quicker, Black Bottom Lighters, The Black Moods, and yes! Roger!
With Arizona bands increasingly looking to the shores of Rocky Point, this weekend’s Rocky Point Jam at Banditos will be mixing the rock covers of Whiskey’s Quicker with the reggae/rock hip hop tinged groove of Black Bottom Lighters, and rock ‘n roll as it should be in the 21st century by The Black Moods. None of these guys are strangers to Rocky Point as they’ve all taken the stage here before. Some may remember how Whiskey’s Quicker jumped right into last year’s Circus Mexicus on the Banditos stage, while Black Bottom Lighters made their way to Rocky Point shortly after releasing their debut album “2 or 2000” and headlining Scottsdale’s LiveWire venue. Though Black Moods guitarist Josh Kennedy could be spotted at Circus in 2013, the band first took the stage at RCPM’s Circus Mexicus in 2014 and since then they’ve become welcome familiar faces across Rocky Point where they’ve found a growing fan base.
We had a chance to catch up with Kennedy and Black Moods drummer Chico Diaz recently, just to get the scoop on what to expect for Rocky Point Jam. Kennedy promises “for the 23rd, you can expect all out rock n roll. We love both bands we are playing with and don’t mind causing trouble together.”
Along with Saturday night’s Jam, it was also recently announced the aptly dubbed Tucson Troubadour himself would be making weekend appearances at Banditos. That’s right, Roger Clyne can be seen Friday, Jan. 22nd inside at Banditos and then on Saturday, he’ll join the bands for Rocky Point Jam. There’s no cover for Friday night, though it’ll be $10 US at the door on Saturday. With weekend temps expected to be in the mid-70s during the day and low 50s at night, grab those flip-flops and boots and get ready to make your way to Rocky Point to Jam.
Rocky Point Jam 2016 @ Banditos
Friday – Jan 22 – Roger Clyne @ 9 pm (no cover)
Saturday – Jan 23 @ Banditos $10 US cover at door – things to get started around 7:30 pm
Whiskey’s Quicker – Black Bottom Lighters – Roger Clyne – The Black Moods