Boogie-woogie, honky-tonk band the Mike Livingston Trio plays the Cinema Bar on Thursday, August 3, and the three men (Mike Livingston, Adam Steinberg and Ben Getting) will be performing two ten-song sets. They all took the time to tell the News about what Culver City can expect from them…
When did you start playing and performing?
Mike Livingston: I paid for my first saxophone via my paper route in San Pedro around 1970, Started piano when I was seven. I played sax in stage band, marching band and orchestra in high school in New York. Played guitar in a stage band in Morningside High in Inglewood which was where I learned about playing funk. I moved to Hollywood in 1980 and started playing guitar in the Mau Maus and Legal Weapon. Started the band Lock Up, and played with DH Peligro [of the Dead Kennedys] and also developed an interest in mandolin and Irish folk and bluegrass. Played with the Bluegrass Bastards and the Homebillies with Bob Seal from Clear Light on bass. I also played in the Billybones, the Yellow Payges (house band at the Hulabaloo in 1967) and did a few shows with the Sloths. I started the Trio because I wanted to see what gigging in a band playing piano and singing would be like as I had never tried it.
Adam Steinberg: I started playing in seventh grade school band, and started performing in the high school band. I Went on to go to UCSB and got a degree in music composition after the moved to Northern CA. All the time continued to gig in all manner of situations. Moved back to L.A. where I’ve continued to gig regularly in all manner of situations.
Ben Getting: As well as the ML Trio I also play with the Swing Riots but previously with numerous bands in Chicago and New York. We are basically the core of the band and we like to invite soloists to sit in.
Describe your sound/style?
ML: The core component of our style is honky-tonk and boogie-woogie. We have some originals but we also cover Bill Monroe, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams, the Cramps, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Percy Sledge. I liked the way Jerry Lee was able to interpret traditional American ballads and also rock & roll exquisitely. That was our jumping off place. The Trio is the core of the deal but we rely on luring side players in to play live so we can pass the solos around. We currently rely heavily on harmonica player Doug Camphious as a soloist.
AS: I have so much love for so many different kinds of music and musical traditions. I work at being a versatile musical dynamic supportive groovy drummer. And always try to play what’s right for the song. If I’m able to incorporate some creativity, all the better.
BG: This music captures a time when rock and roll was young and the strains of blues, R&B, western swing, folk, and jazz hadn’t been homogenized. It’s exciting to strip it back to the roots and feature the piano over the guitar.
What are your career highlights so far?
ML: Opening for The Yardbirds (reconstituted) at the Canyon Club with the Yellow Payges, Playing with Robbie Kreiger live with the Mau Mau’s, opening for the Adicts at HOB Hollywood and Las Vegas with The Billybones. The Mau Maus reunion at The Redwood in 2010.
AS: Playing with Lisa Loeb and members of Tom Petty and Heartbreakers and Counting Crows, Blasters, Carlos Guitarlos. Currently also playing with a few other jazz and blues projects as well as being the drummer for First Zion A.M.E church.
Have you performed at the Cinema Bar before?
ML: Playing the Bluegrass Bastards CD release party at which I sang the title track, “Let the Cocaine Be.” Have played there several times with the ML Trio. The environs seem to lend itself to honky-tonk style music. Always have a great time.
What can the audience expect from the set this time?
ML: We’ll be doing two 10 song sets with a break in between and have added a few new songs.
What else do you have coming up?
ML: Another set at the Cinema September 16 for now. Looking to book some other places as well.
The Mike Livingston Trio performs at 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 3 at the Cinema Bar. Go to thecinemabar.com for more information about the show.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys, and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
The next show at Boulevard Music is the Benny Brydern Quartet at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 8. Visit boulevardmusic.com for more info.