Johnny Mastro & Mama's Boys, a southern California blues band with a signature sound, named after Laura Mae Gross, LA's first blues club owner and owner of Babe & Ricky's.

Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys
There’s no frills attached when it comes to this hard driving blues explosion from Southern California called ‘Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys’. We’re talking the real deal when it comes to the blues. They reek with the pure essence of blues – deep and low down, raw and dirty, full throttle energy – and all with no shame. They serve up the kind of blues that will tempt and seduce you, rip your shoes off your feet, and then send ya home crying to your Mama!

It’s not often that you get to hear a good blues band – one that has a signature sound - let alone one that continues to grow. Raw soul, a groove that doesn’t quit and dynamic echoes of the traditional blues – Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys will take you on a ride through all kinds of emotions, and you’ll like it. Their music is tight and instrumentally polished - these guys know how to jam it out! They’re true bluesmen and they’re honorably named after Laura Mae Gross, LA’s first blues club owner and owner of Babe & Ricky’s

It can be hard to make a living as a blues band in Southern California, and playing with the right people is one of the most crucial elements in keeping a band going - and often the hardest. Between listening to their music and talking with them, it’s apparent that they have found true musical companionship. Performing an average of 240 gigs a year, they are hard working and have grown in popularity from their European tours, Southern California gigs and festival performances, and media coverage.

Manipulating and bending his notes as though the harp is his only vice, front man Johnny Mastro has a musical attitude that is connected from within. His vocals are unusual and to the point, telling you exactly what the story’s about and just how it feels. As he puts it, ‘If you look at all of the old guys that we love so much, they were all pretty much unique and doing their own thing. What’s happening is that people try to mimic them and that doesn’t go anywhere. It’s important to find that combination where on one foot you pay respect to the older tradition, but on the other you have be yourself.’

Signed to Nugene Records, Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys have recorded a number of albums throughout the years including ‘Pinch that Snake’, ‘Chicken & Waffles, ‘The Black Album; and their latest album – ‘Take Me to Your Maker’, which packed with a raw soul and emotion, explores all the roots of the blues, picking you up and taking you down.

Johnny Mastro was a featured guest on SouthwestBlend.com’s online radio show ‘Champagne Sundays’, on Sunday, June 22, 2008. We played some tracks off their album ‘Take Me To Your Maker’ and talked about their music, trips to Europe and more. To listen to the entire, unedited show, click here.
To Listen to Johnny’s interview, please double click on the play button below.

 

To download MP3, click here.

Find out more about Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys CDs; concert and gig schedule; and more at www.myspace.com/johnnymastroandmamasboys or www.TheMamasBoys.com