News | Tour | Bios | Discography | Lyrics | Media | Gallery | Press | Record Label | Message Board | Mailing List | Links | Contact
 

   

From the sun and sand of Orange County to the Sierra foothills of Chico to the art and culture of San Francisco, comes an artist who truly embodies the spirit of California. Simpson's songs traverse the rock and roll, folk, country, bluegrass, and jazz easily and gracefully. Guitar stylings call to mind the best of Knopfler, Frisell, Atkins, Gilmore, and Morse while holding tightly on to a unique signature. It is a rare treat to hear work so firmly rooted in tradition and so unapologetically breaking new artistic ground. Like an Italian cab-driver, Simpson has torn of the rear view mirror forging confidently ahead without looking back.

Guitarist/Songwriter Lee Simpson is originally a Northern Californian from the Chico area but was raised down on the beaches of Southern California. Years of touring and making records with his and Jason Fletcher's original act Blue Dye Fire honed a life long love of the craft of songwriting, resulting in several recordings and a record single Thank You For Being Alive and Roadburger produced from 1993 to 1995. The release of these two records led to heavy touring of the West Coast culminating in a San Diego to Seattle circuit and several overseas tours of the European continent.

After much change Blue Dye Fire's songwriting members settled in the San Francisco area and through several incarnations including local SF favorites Mobius later to become King Harvest.

As a player Lee is strongly rooted in the bluegrass style and tradition with strong disciplines in jazz improvisation and the classical. This is fused together in an original American Roots songwriting technique that offers a tip of the hat to those who have come before as well as a uniquely wooden sound all it's own. Lee has since headed out on his own with the release of his self titled CD on Vina Loam Records © 2004. The “LS” record showcases the very best of his songwriting and live performance abilities. He hits the road well armed with a new band of serious talent. Look out for them this summer as they roll into a town near you.


Bruce MacMillan + Guitars & Slide-y Things + really loves music, life, puppies, and fuzzy things in general. He's been playing music for quite a while and truly believes that, if he keeps practicing, he can one day become...a skinny, pale, guitar nerd. He claims to play guitar and dobro and other slide-y things but don't believe him. If his lips are moving, he's lying. His favorite artists have included: Jerry Douglas, Jimmy Page, Merle Haggard, Gillian Welch, The Band, Richard Thompson, Ry Cooder, David Rawlings, Daniel Lanois, Tina Yothers, and Frank Zappa. His greatest desire is to someday, not suck.


Nick Bearden + Drums and Percussion + Nick brought a wholly different energy to Buffalo Creek when he joined in 2002, replacing former drummer Kevin Byrne (and Jack Hengst before him). Besides being the drummer for W.H.A.T. and Caveat, two other successful Chico bands, Nick is an excellent guitarist and contributes to BC's songwriting efforts.

Rob Wysling + BASS Master + A spawn of the Culturally void mecca that is the San Francisco Bay Area, Rob was kidnapped 9 years ago and deposited on a front porch in Chico, Ca. Since then he has been looking for the door to the bubble that surrounds this place. When it comes to music, at the age of 11 Rob's road was paved suddenly with one phonecall. He was the proud and unsuspecting winner of an entire Beatles collection. After a short stint of playing folk music in coffeeshops, the kidnapping happened. Since then, you might remember his off-guitar work in the Chico band Timeless Rotation, or know that he has toured the country as an Audio Engineer, or heard his studio engineering skills with local Chico bands. Besides enjoying every moment playing Bass in Gumboots, he currently is the Head Engineer for Deer Creek Digital. Inspirations include. Paul McCartney's sleeping habits, Neil Young's reckless abandon, Michael Franti's stage presence, Lee Sklar's beard (& PERFECT bass playing), Tim Blum's turn of phrase, George Jones' perfect country voice, George Martin's quote "Less is more", Waiting For Columbus, and those musicians who understand that a BAND is not a group of musicians, but a single entity. It's a great feeling.

Britt Smith + The Mando Guy + has won a shit-load of fiddle and mando contests and we should be sure to have all that info listed in here as it is quite impressive.

John McGaraghan + Tender Vittles + is a very special artist that lays ya flat with the songs. "One of the finest craftsmen I have ever heard" says Lee. Vina Loam Records is proud to support both the "LS" record (2004) and hope to release another record in the new year adding McGaraghan's writings to the growing catalog as well. Visit www.johnmcg.com for more....

Boonie Doom + Cover Artist + Bonnie Tompkins, a resident of San Francisco since 1994, hails from "pretty much everywhere, I don't know, whatever.". She likes to drink cheap beer and, on special occasions, Big Daddy. She says she got into the music biz almost on accident, in response to an ad for a picture framer, while attending art school. She loves the music, especially the rock, and of course, the country.


Sesar Sanchez + Love Dr. + My momma raised me without knowing what I'd become. Luckily for her I'm still good lookin. From Salinas to Chico, I've always been fascinated and drawn to music. Now I've got a chance to work with others who show more passion about it then I could ever dream. It may sound corny, but at least it doesn't taste like it. Love Dr. Sesar Sanchez.