The Immediate Family
One of the coolest things about living in Los Angeles is the LIVE music scene and last night was proof of that as five legends now known as “The Immediate Family” hit the stage for two sold out club shows.
The list of artists that the members of “The Immediate Family” have written and recorded with is beyond incredible… James Taylor, Carole King, Warren Zevon, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards and Don Henley just to name a few. Heading into 2020 Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar (guitar and vocals), Waddy Wachtel (guitar and vocals), Steve Postell (guitar and vocals), Leland Sklar (bass) and Russ Kunkel (drums) are charting a new course with their own band and if last night was any indication they are ready to once again prove the power of their playing and songwriting.
The Immediate Family live at Bogies
The band played two sold-out shows at Bogies and had the crowd literally dancing in the aisles from the first note of “Lawyers, Guns and Money.” Waddy Wachtel handled lead on this tune from Warren Zevon’s seminal album “Excitable Boy” which was Co-Produced by Wachtel along with Jackson Browne. After the opening number Kortchmar step to the microphone to let the crowd know what to expect when he said, “We’re the cover band that plays all original material.” That was the perfect description as they launched into the Don Henley FM staple “Dirty Laundry” with “Kootch” handling the lead vocals on the hit he co-wrote and co-produced.
The band was on fire the entire show as they covered deep album cuts from James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt and more hits like “Somebody’s Baby” and “Werewolves Of London.” The biggest surprise of the night came in the form of the new songs such as “Divorced On The 405” and “Time To Come Clean.” These new tracks blended perfectly with the tone of the classics and the band played these tunes like they were on a mission to prove that there is most definitely gas left in all their tanks.
Watching Sklar and Kunkel work their rhythm section magic is always mesmerizing and the guitar work from the 3 frontmen was exhilarating. Kudos to Steve Postell who’s lead vocals and vocal harmonies elevated the whole show to a new level.
As we wait to see what 2020 brings to all of our lives I am excited for what the future holds for “The Immediate Family.” Kortchmar, Wachtel, Postell, Sklar and Kunkel are truly a band of brothers who have filled our hearts and minds with amazing music for decades and deserve to be heard yet again!
– Set List –
Lawyers, Guns And Money
Dirty Laundry
3:45 Coming Through
Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead
Machine Gun Kelly
Everything That’s Broken
Damage
Somebody’s Baby
Divorced (New Song)
New York Minute
High Maintenance Girlfriend
Time To Come Clean (New Song)
Slippin & Slidin
Turn It Up To 10
Werewolves Of London
– Encore –
All She Wants To Do Is Dance
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Pat Francis currently hosts the popular comedy/music podcast “Rock Solid,” called 1 of the 8 great music podcasts to put in your ears by USA Today and featuring artists such as Melissa Etheridge, Sammy Hagar and Susanna Hoffs. His frequent appearances on Jimmy Pardo’s top rated podcast “Never Not Funny” are fan favorites. Pat began his entertainment career as a stand-up comic in Chicago, IL. After touring the country and performing in 42 states at comedy clubs and colleges, he relocated to Los Angeles, CA. There he appeared as a comedian on Comedy Central, AMC, the UCB and is a yearly regular at the San Francisco Sketchfest. For the past 5 years he has also served as Co-Host of the yearly event Pardcast-A-Thon which to date has raised over 700,000 for Smile Train. When not entertaining people in person he also makes his living as a Story Producer for reality television programs. It is also important to know that Pat is a monkey in a human mask.