For years, the Joe Walla Band has ripped it up on the L.A. club scene with memorable shows that have spawned a legion of loyal Joe Walla fans! All this, by remaining true to themselves and their music. Playing straight from the heart smokin' Blues rock that drips with power and passion. Especially if you like your Blues soaked with guitar ripping solos backed with a rhythm section that is rock solid. Just ask anyone who has witnessed the band live, they'll tell you the same thing, JOE WALLA ROCKS! The Rocker and I have had the pleasure of watching Joe Walla and his band perform live a number of times already. Each time, just as powerful as the last . This past April 7th, we caught Joe Walla, and his new band, live at the hottest rock spot in the Valley, Paladino's. A night where the band had to bring their "A" game. This night the band would be opening for one of rock music's legends, Y&T! Not only did Joe Walla and his band bring their "A" game, they served it up hot and nasty on a rock and blues platter! This would be a great opportunity to see if Joe and his new band had chemistry. The band hit the stage a little past 8:00 PM., opening their fiery set with the smokin' "Asphalt Rats", it was a rockin' blues experience that hit the crowd straight between the eyes. Joe Walla's new band is now powered by, RICHARD CALANDE on bass, GEORGE NOWICKI on the drums and MARTY HERNANDEZ on guitar. As far as the chemistry goes that band is like peanut butter to jelly! Hitting the crowd with rocking tracks like, "Twisted Mind”, the instrumental firecracker, "Joe's Boogie", "I Want Your Body" and “Train of Revolution”. Joe introduced new material in the form of steamy passion of "Wings". So tell us, why hasn't the Joe Walla Band been signed to a major label yet? This band should be touring Europe ripping it up big time on stage with the likes of Walter Trout and Gary Moore! The Joe Walla band closed out their set with, one of Walla's more popular tunes, "Crack Whore," that had the crowd singing along, when they weren't laughing with the lyrics. We love the way the band broke it down in the middle of the song with an infused impromptu version of "Greensleeves", before bringing it back around and closing out their set is blaze of blues glory. If this is your first time reading about the Joe Walla Band, it would be in your best interest to check out this band live! Believe everything you have heard and read about the Joe Walla Band, THESE BOYS ARE BADDASS!

Once the smoking embers from the fire the Joe Walla Band left, the moment of truth had arrived!...

Y & T hit the stage around 11:35 pm, to the tape of “From The Moon” and began to pound the packed house with an onslaught of hits and what should have been hits. This is ¾ of the original band whose 16 records have sold in the millions since they got together back in 1974. They bombarded us with classics like, “Open Fire”, “Lipstick and Leather” and “Lonely Side Of Town” before going into the song that sparked the tour, “Black Tiger”. The CD from 1982 was just re-released with a bonus track. Next up they dug DEEP into the vaults for “Earthshaker” and “Beautiful Dreamer” both from their 1976 debut. Then it was time to loosen up, as a playful Dave Meneketti went into “Barroom Boogie”, complete with some funky bass from Phil Kennemore. Dave then set his pinky in motion with some mean guitar playing on “Winds Of Change”. The eager crowd sang along to “Meanstreak” and were mesmerized during “Eyes Of A Stranger”, a song you don’t hear enough of. Once again the guys started having a good time and asked for requests. So we got to hear a quarter of a couple of tunes like, “Don’t Wanna Lose You” and “Rhythm Or Not” during this impromptu. Once we heard the finger picking intro to “Dirty Girl” you knew the night could end and you’d be happy. But it didn’t, after “Midnight In Tokyo” they played a bonus track called “I’m Not Sorry” that was the first riff Dave and drummer Leonard Haze ever wrote together. Hold on, these guys were not done yet. Dave’s ripping solo throughout the instrumental “I’ll Cry For You” was just as good as the closing track on 1987’s ‘Contagious’ record. The closing track for tonight’s show was the incomparable “Forever” that had the guys leaving the stage at 1:04 in the morning, only to come back for an encore of two of the greats, ‘Rescue Me” and “I Believe In You”, that lasted 20 minutes. What a night for guitar players and what a night for rock guitar fans. These two Dedicated Rockers would like to thank the bands and the great fans that attended this show. You guys ROCK!