Surf’s Up for Central Coast Bands at Free Fall Art Benefit

November 23, 2009 by J!-ENT

The overlap between surf, art and music is in evidence across the Central Coast region, with the three worlds often forming a singular and influential culture. This is no truer than at the annual Free Fall Art Benefit, taking place December 5 from 11am-5pm at the Cayucos Veterans Hall, where notable Central Coast bands and musicians will take the stage to help benefit San Luis Bay Surfrider programs.

The Surfrider Foundation, with more than 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide, is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches. The website for the San Luis Bay Chapter can be accessed at http://www.slosurfrider.org/.

The Free Fall Art Benefit showcases artists whose work reflects coastal or environment themes.

Bands scheduled to perform include Too Late for Roses, Wadsworth Bluff Rats, Tropo and Fish Out of Water. Too Late For Roses, featuring Karl von Kries on lead vocals, guitar, bass, percussion and flute; Wyatt Lund on drums; and Jordan Martin on bass, pedal synth, guitar and vocals, is currently in the studio finalizing its debut album, scheduled for release on indie label LPE Records this fall. Tracks from the album, as well as photos and videos, can be downloaded at http://www.toolateforroses.com

Jordan Martin also plays drums for Wadsworth Bluff Rats (http://www.wadsworthbluffrats.com), a band that blends roots-rock with alt-country atmospherics. Karl von Kries is producing both the Too Late For Roses album and the debut from Wadsworth Bluff Rats at Hanging Fish Western Front, his private Central Coast recording studio.

Tropo (http://www.myspace.com/tropoganda) is an electro-edged rock band that offers a glimpse into the future of dance-oriented rock music. Tyson Leonard of Tropo, whose soaring lead violin is a focus of the band’s live show, will also run sound for the event. Fish Out of Water will close the show with its blend of rock, funk, reggae and hip-hop (“RoPhunkRaeHop”).

A diverse array of artists will exhibit their work and donate a portion of their proceeds to the San Luis Bay Surfrider programs, which will be used for educational outreach and projects designed to keep area beaches and oceans clean. Local food and wine vendors will join the many artists and musicians on site.

Cayucos Veterans Hall is located on the Pacific Ocean at 10 Cayucos Drive in Cayucos, California. The venue includes a 47×58-foot multi-purpose room for local artists and vendors, a 14×24-stage for the bands, and an outdoor patio area overlooking the Pacific Ocean – a perfect setting to match the ambiance of the event. Bands will perform on both indoor and outdoor stages.

The complete lineup:

11:45-12:30: The Dentures (outside)
12:30-1:15: Hear the Darlings Roar (inside)
1:15-2:00: The Wadsworth Bluff Rats (outside)
2:00-2:45: Chase McBride (inside)
2:45-3:30: Too Late for Roses (outside)
3:30-4:15: Tropo (inside)
4:15-5:30: Fish out of Water (outside)