Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream now with the PBS App + Encore Monday, June 3 at 9 p.m. on KPBS 2
San Diego has long been known as a hotbed of great musical talent. What’s more, San Diego is home to one of the best music venues on the West Coast. Since 1974, the Belly Up has been featuring great local bands from the Cedros Design District.
This episode features performances by The Devastators and The Grass Heat.
THE DEVASTATORS
The Devastators are a four-piece outfit based out of San Diego, California. Their sound can be described as a soulful mix of roots reggae and dub with a hint of funk, combining heavy drum and bass grooves and the old school sounds of Hammond organ, clavinet, and piano.
The line-up consists of some of San Diego's most prominent reggae musicians including Ivan Garzon (lead vocals, bass), John Allen (drums, harmony vocals), Alex Somerville (keyboards), and Brian Teel (guitar, keyboards, harmony vocals). These four veteran performers share over 10,000 hours of combined stage experience and have backed artists such as Pato Banton, The Wailing Souls, Garth Dennis, The Itals, Edi Fitzroy, Earl Zero, Wadi Gad, Bunny Mystic, Carlos Paez (B-Side Players), Elijah Emanuel, One Drop, Kevin Kinsella (John Brown's Body/10ft. Ganja Plant), among others.
March 9, 2012 marked the release of the bands' third full-length studio album entitled "Lights of Tomorrow," the follow up to their sophomore "Better Days" and debut "Frontline" albums on the Peaks and Valleys Productions label.
THE GRASS HEAT
With a loose, joyous and somewhat wreckless spirit, The Grass Heat brings the backyard party to the main stage. This rock 'n roll trio will have you on your feet from the first strum till last call! With their raw-natured, whiskey-drinkin’, back-to-basics approach, The Grass Heat delivers high energy, good songs and good times. Grab a shot AND a beer, keep your bar tab open, then join the boys front and center for a night you won’t forget!
Episodes of LIVE AT THE BELLY UP are available to stream with the PBS App.
Belly Up brings the best in new, up-and-coming artists as well as established legends in genres ranging from alternative rock, rock, reggae, and hip-hop to blues, folk, jazz, Latin & more! Visit their online calendar of shows. Belly Up is on Facebook and Instagram.
