Reviews

It’s hard to believe that the start of the season is just over a short four months away. As we all work to finalize our promotional plans, are you planning a "Jimmy Buffet" type theme night and in need of an excellent cover band? Well, I have one for you, the "Coco Loco Band"!!!!! I highly recommend them. They will be returning for the second time in three years for our annual Jimmy Buffet night on Saturday, July 15, 2006. We booked them for the first time in 2004 and missed out on them in 2005 and our fans noticed the absence with many requesting Coco Loco return in 2006. We listened and they are back.

Rocky Vonachen
President
Peoria Chiefs & O'Brien Field
Class A, Midwest League Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs

First off, let me set the record straight. I have seen Jimmy Buffett in concert more than 20 times and I must say it's the best party I have ever attended (yes, even including the Academy Awards). Not only that, the concert is a great time. It is more like two parties in one: the first being the parking lot blast and then the show itself.

This brings me to a show I witnessed July 2 at the Petunia Festival in Dixon. The band in question was named Coco Loco, and judging from that name, I had to check them out. Why?

Coco Loco and Buffett had to be linked somehow.

I wasn't disappointed. This group provided the Buffett fix I and my fellow Parrotheads needed this summer. We gathered and waited for the band to start, and when we glanced toward the stage, it was decorated in all the beach attire one would expect for such an event. Furthermore, the band members themselves were wearing the correct clothes.

I was ready, as well.

Then they emerged. Coco Loco brought their self-proclaimed "tropical rock 'n' roll for your soul" to Dixon and it was a delight. The eight-person band rocked, rolled and made you want to put on some suntan lotion as they wonderfully mixed that tropical sound with many hits we have heard before and keep requesting. Songs that we grew up with and songs that lift us up are what this high-energy and skilled band provides.

And Buffett fans rejoice.

Coco Loco played many Buffett tunes, from the well-known "Margaritaville" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise" to the lesser-played Buffett classics, such as "Last Mango in Paris" to "Pencil Thin Mustache." Those who have seen a Buffett show can attest that they love it when "Pirate Looks at Forty" gets played. Coco Loco plays it and such songs as the Alan Jackson/Buffett hit "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" and Kenny Chesney's smash, "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems."

Add in Elvis, Van Morrison, Bob Marley, Toby Keith, and even Pink, to name a few, and this is one party and one band not to be missed.

The style of Coco Loco is well-planned. They feel out the audience as to what works and what doesn't. Then they build, and as each set gets more rowdy, they lead the way. By the end, it's hard not to be dancing with complete strangers while singing along to "Fins." Wilson Pickett and a Blues Brothers tune rounded out the evening, as did an encore. (We didn't want them to leave.) I must say, it was one heck of a night.

Thank you, Coco Loco.

I needed that.

I must start by saying that your show builds as it progresses and the energy is intense. Is that designed or does it just happen that way?

You are not imagining things when you say that the band’s stage show gains energy with each set. That is by design. My goal is that by the time we hit our finale, everyone in the crowd is feeling like they just got hit by a tidal wave of tropical energy. I hope that they are exhausted, enthused and leave saying that was the greatest show they have ever seen. I know, myself, that if I am not physically spent at the end of a show, I have not done the audience justice. I have seen too many bands that just "Mail it in" and collect the check at the end of the night. I can’t perform that way. It’s balls out, full-tilt, 110 percent every time.

How did the band get its start?

The band actually got started as an idea that my buddy "Big Wave" Dave Olen and I hatched while running up a serious bar tab at the Margaritaville in Montego Bay, Jamaica, airport during a flight delay. More details of this adventure can be found on our Web site, www.cocolocoband.com. Just click on the link titled "The Beginning."

How long has the band been together?

The band has been together for about two and a half years. Some of the band members - such as "G-Force" (Mike Garrett on lead guitar) and Wayne Johnson (fiddle, squeezebox, acoustic) - have known each other and crossed paths musically for more than 20 years. We found Brett Sleeman (percussion) from a former band member that I knew from my days at the Baja Beach Club in Chicago, when I used to sing there in the late 1980s and early ‘90s.

You truly have a following from Parrotheads. I am one of them. That has to be special, and it also must be great knowing that many will travel to see your show.

I feel we have a tight connection to the Parrotheads. They are a great audience to have and some wonderful people to get to know. I want to say a special thanks to my buddy Pete Trainor from the Central Illinois Parrotheads out of Bloomington. Thanks, Peter, for your support of the band. It’s always good to see Pete and his crew at our shows. Last year was quite a thrill playing the Corona VIP Pre-Concert Party prior to the Buffett shows in Tinley Park. We had about 1,000 Parrotheads in the Corona VIP tent singing in unison with every Buffett song. That was cool!

How did the Jimmy Buffett connection begin? Was it a natural progression or did it just happen by accident?

It’s kind of funny; some of the guys in the band had never really listened to Buffett before this band, but now they are really digging his music and are becoming tropical junkies!

Have you ever met Jimmy?

I have never met Jimmy personally, but I would love to sit down and talk with him sometime. Not necessarily about music, but other interests that we have in common, such as fishing, flying, boats, food, literature, etc. He seems like someone you could really hang out with and have a good time, someone that doesn’t take himself too seriously.

What are some of your favorite songs?

Some of my favorite songs? Man, I have so many! I like a lot of Buffett’s lesser-known stuff - hell, I like almost all of his stuff; who am I kidding? I have so many different musical interests. I love Elvis Presley. He truly is "The King" in my opinion. I do a cover of "Suspicious Minds" with all the karate moves and everything. The crowd really seems to enjoy that. One song that we do is "Amos Moses," an old tune by Jerry Reed from 1975. It is about a boy who grows up in the swamps of Thibideau, La., whose parents raise him to be an alligator hunter. It’s a fun, funky tune. We go right from that into "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry. Our music encompasses a general feeling of fun, sun, surf, margaritas, tequila, etc. All of our songs have a central theme of escapism running through them. Along with a good dose of Buffett, we do songs by Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Bob Marley, etc.

How did the gig at Wrigley Field com about?

We were fortunate enough to be contacted about two years ago by Barton Brands Inc. of Chicago. They are responsible for importing Corona from Mexico to the United States. They had sponsored another band as kind of "their band" here in the Chicagoland area, and were looking to make a change. They apparently liked our energy and the style of our music, and we have been doing the Buffett concert parties for the last two years and hopefully many more to come.

Are there any limits to how far you will travel to perform?

As far as travel, we will go wherever if the check is big enough! Seriously though, I love to travel, and love nothing more than to be in new towns, new states, other countries, sharing this musical party with whoever wants to come along for the ride. I love meeting new people and visiting new places. We always meet the greatest people wherever we go. For example, DIXON, ILLINOIS!!!!!

So how did you like Dixon?

Dixon was a blast! We played there for the Fourth of July weekend at the famous Dixon Petunia Festival. I love playing fairs and festivals. It truly captures the spirit of summertime: people having fun, drinking beers, the smell of all festival foods grilling and frying in the air. Dixon reminds me very much of the town that I grew up in: small farming town with a lot of history and tradition and good people.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I wanted to say one thing about the band. We have assembled such a great cast of talented musicians. It is really a privilege to share the stage with these guys night after night. I hope that everyone that comes out to see Coco Loco leaves the show with a feeling of how much we appreciate them. We are just the delivery boys of the party to some great folks who deserve some celebration in their lives.

If you have not had the pleasure of seeing the CocoLoco Band, you must make it a high priority! I have seen many live bands, but none like this one! The guys will show you southern hospitality, Chicago style! They make sure their audience has the most memorable time! Be sure to check out their schedule for their next appearance near you! Thank you guys for a fantastic evening! Let me know if you ever get to the south, and I will show you southern hospitality at its finest!

Carla Palmieri
Independent Sales Director
The Pampered Chef
www.pamperedchef.biz/carlap

What a great addition The Coco Loco Band was to our Caribbean-themed fundraiser! Our full evening of cocktails, dinner and auctions was topped off in great style with your wonderful rock and roll for the soul music. Many of our donors and guests said good things to us about our choice of bands. Thanks for helping us give them a good time!

Gayle L. Rathbun
Vice President for Development
Peoria Zoological Society

The Coco Loco Band is "Awesome". Tropical Rock N' Roll with a Kick! The 7-piece band members are so talented and really get the crowd rockin. Many favorable comments from my guests and staff. Can't wait to do it again!

James Barrack
Barrack's Cater Inn, Peoria

I just wanted to drop you guys a line to say great job, and I hope that you had as much fun as we did Saturday Night. I got a lot of good comments about The Coco Loco Band, as well as everyone else. It was truly a team effort from top to bottom, and I wanted to thank you for being part of the team.

This will open up much more opportunities for future shows, as well as programming for the Youth Programs. I can't wait to start putting together our Audio Engineering Class, and I hope that we can work together in a way that helps each other. Again thank you for being part of the team.

Bill Green

The Coco Loco Band is easily one of the top two bands we have ever had and I have been booking live music for the past nine or ten years at my club! My regulars did not want to leave the bar. I look forward to having you guys back real soon!

Bob "The Hammer" Fleming
Former Peoria Riverman Professional Hockey Star and owner of "Hammers" nightclub in Bartonville Illinois.

Going to a Coco Loco show is like escaping to the Caribbean islands for a night! Their musical talent is awe-inspiring and the atmosphere they create during a show is just short of a tropical delirium. If you like live music... you'll LOVE Coco Loco!"

Dena Jenkins
Graphics Designer, Peoria

Summer Bash was the greatest Cactus event ever. Loads of fun, Great music, You all had great loads of energy. Come on back and see us sometime at the Cactus - first Corona's on me.

Naresh Nair (N2)
Cactus Manager, Chicago
"Your Parrot Head Friend"