The Insomniacs / At Least I’m Not With You

The Insomniacs , a four-piece band, leave no doubt that they can sing, play and write the blues with the best of them on “At Least I’m Not With You” (Delta Groove). Vyasa Dodson’s originals sound so authentic they could be unearthed blues gems (I had to check the liner notes before I made that claim). The covers range from the Chicago blues chestnut “HooDoo Man Blues”, Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s “Broke and Lonely” and one of Little Richard’s lesser known tracks “Directly From My Heart To You”. The title track, “Angry Surfer”, “Maybe Sometime Later” and “She Can Talk” are four great new tunes that blend seamlessly with the blues covers. “At Least I’m Not With You” played live straight through from the first cut to the last would be a crowd pleasing set at any Blues Festival! The thirteen tracks on their second release range from Chicago, jump and piano blues to New Orleans R&B and make me think I need to track down a copy of their first disc "Left Coast Blues".

The Band:
Vyasa Dodson-vocals & guitar
Dean Mueller-bass
Alex Shakeri-piano & Hammond B-3
Dave Melyan-drums

With special guests:
Al Blake-harmonica
Mitch Kashmar-harmonica
Joel Patterson-pedal steel guitar
Jeff Turmes-tenor and baritone sax

Catch 'em live if you're lucky!

Jun 19 2009 9:30P
Trails End Saloon Oregon City, Oregon
Jun 20 2009 9:00P
Roadhouse 101 Lincoln City, Oregon
Jun 26 2009 8:00P
The Upstage Port Townsend, Washington
Jun 27 2009 9:30P
Cascade Bar & Grill Vancouver, Washington
Jul 3 2009 9:00P
San Dune Pub Manzanita, Oregon
Jul 4 2009 9:30P
Duff’s Garage Portland, Oregon
Jul 5 2009 6:00P
Portland Waterfront Blues Festival Portland, Oregon
Jul 10 2009 8:00P
Arcadia Blues Club ARCADIA, California
Jul 11 2009 9:30P
Humphrey’s By The Bay - Backstage Live San Diego, California
Jul 14 2009 8:00P
Shanachie Pub Willits, California
Jul 16 2009 8:30P
Ukiah Brewing Ukiah, California
Jul 18 2009 6:00P
Poor House Bistro San Jose, California
Jul 19 2009 3:00P
Powerhouse Pub Folsom, California
Jul 20 2009 8:00P
Alex’s Plaza Restaurant and Bar Ashland, Oregon
Jul 26 2009 6:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 27 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 28 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 29 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 30 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 31 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Aug 1 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Aug 4 2009 7:30P
National Night Out in Knott Park Portland, Oregon
Aug 5 2009 6:30P
Music in Meinig - Meinig Park Sandy, Oregon
Aug 28 2009 8:00P
Biscuits & Blues San Francisco, California
Sep 11 2009 7:00P
Blues & Brews for the Rivers Edge Trail Great Falls, Montana
Sep 21 2009 8:30P
Blue Monday - The Alamo Springfield, Illinois
Sep 24 2009 9:00P
Slippery Noodle Inn Indianapolis, Indiana