Genoa welcomes Quake City

Quake City Jug Band will be appearing in Genoa for its fifth year at the free Concert on the Green, part of the Summer Concert Series to take place in Genoa Community Park, beginning at 5 p.m. July 9.

Quake City has been performing its unique brand of "musical mayhem" since 1996.

Members Myron Grossman, Steve Scott, John Tuttle, Natasha Haugnes and Doug Cross all hail from San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley, Calif.

While their jug and washboard still make occasional appearances, jazz guitar, saxophone, stand up bass, mandolin and the snare drum form the core of the current instrumentation. The band's upbeat repertoire is based on early American blues and swing. They play standards such as Take the A Train, Sentimental Journey and Sweet Georgia Brown, punctuated with tap dancing.

They have a particular penchant for clever lyrics - She Ain't Rose ("... but she ain't bad and Rose ain't here...") Her Tears flowed like Wine ("... she's a real sad tomato, she's a busted valentine...") and Ready for the River ("... there'll be no more troubles, there'll be only bubbles to indicate what used to be me... ") are just a few examples. And they love audience participation - dance with Natasha in her tap routines, and cluck along with Steve on "Poultrygeist."

The band released a CD, "Uncorked," in 2000 and will record their second album, "Welcome to Quake City," this month.

Quake City's other upcoming performances include the Mission Bay Library grand opening in San Francisco on July 8, the San Francisco Jug Band Festival on Aug. 27, as well as at several farmers' markets and other venues. Their Web site has updated information on gigs: www.quakecityjugband.com.

Quake City always has fun performing , and "we've never found a town more fun and fun-loving than Genoa," said Natasha. "We can't wait to show off some new material for some of our best fans next week."

Audience members can bring a picnic and enjoy the Concert on the Green, sponsored by the Genoa Events Committee. For information call 782-8696.