A local favorite! Rock n’ roller Llory McDonald & COMBO DELUXE. Catch Combo one weekend per month, (vacationing in the Rivera in August . . .) at Spirit Room for all your longtime favorite tunes & some of Llory’s rockin’ originals too!
Musical Background – Llory started her musical career on Clarinet at the age of 6, playing in the band until 8th grade, when her brother threw his guitar in the garbage and she rescued it.
She joined her first rock band in high school, playing guitar, slide guitar and singing at dances and proms in Phoenix. She started playing the clubs in Phoenix at age 17 and formed her own band, The Llory McDonald Band in 1979. They opened for Paul Butterfield, Deep Purple, Iggy Pop, Jerry Riopelle and others.
They were playing concerts and clubs throughout the state of Arizona until 1984, when she moved to Los Angeles. There, she was playing in her own band Odds and Ends and in Jerry Riopelle’s band as a sideman.
She signed to Arista Records in 1988. She recorded a single which appeared on the “1988 Summer Olympics” album, along with various other artists including Eric Clapton and Whitney Houston. She also sang background vocals on Lita Ford’s 1988 release “Lita” on Dreamland Records. She signed a 3-year music publishing contract (1988-1990) with Blue Rider Music, where she sang on various singles and demos.
Dropped by Arista in 1989, she left the music business for the film industry, working as a production assistant and driver on films such as “The Dark Wind” with Lou Diamond Phillips and “When a Man Loves a Women” with Meg Ryan. She moved back to Arizona in 1994 and helped form Combo Deluxe.
Musical influences – Slide guitar players, Bonnie Raitt, Lowell George, also Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and soul music of the late 60’s and 70’s. All were a big influence.
Favorite Artist – Linda Ronstadt, Deborah Harry, Sheryl Crow, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Marvin Gaye. She could go on and on . . . and frequently does! One of the funniest women on the rock and roll stage, without a doubt!
Llory’s Equipment – Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster guitar, Fender Hotrod Deville 212 Amp, EV mic, Nady cordless unit, various slides.
Hobbies – Golf and pondering
Likes – Margaritas, Mexico, funky soul music, good films and N.P.R.
Darryl Icard
Darryl Icard is a bass player/singer/songwriter. He has been playing and singing professionally since 1983 in every kind of setting imaginable. He has performed and played all types of music from rock to reggae to punk and country. He has also been writing and recording his own music since music came into his life.
While performing and learning his craft in live situations, he also attended college for theory and performance.
Darryl has recorded and performed music with Jesse Valenzuela, Gin Blossoms, Stevie Nicks, Marshall Crenshaw, J.D. Souther, The Rembrandts, Tommy Keene, Major Lingo, Poet’s Corner, and Los Guys and many other national and Arizona based acts.
Recordings performed on, to name just a few.
Gin Blossoms- No Chocolate Cake
Stevie Nicks-Enchanted the works of Stevie Nicks
Jesse Valenzuela- Tunes Young People Will Enjoy and Hotel Defeated
Major Lingo- All through My Body
Burning Sky-Enter the Earth
Darryl Icard is living in Scottsdale Arizona and has begun a New Journey in the band Llory McDonald and Combo Deluxe. An Arizona based band from Jerome, Arizona and is sure to take music to a new place with one of Arizona Legendary artist.
Steve Botterweg
Steve Botterweg is a native Arizonan and has been performing on drums in bands professionally since he was 13 years old. In high school he started playing in experimental bands playing drums, marimba and synthesizers…arranging, producing and recording. One of the bands, Poet’s Corner (signed to Placebo Records) created a buzz in the early days of the punk scene with live shows in Arizona and California that had US and international radio air play. He has performed on stage with the Red Hot Chile Peppers, Los Lobos, Derrick Trucks Band and many other performing artists. Steve is also the co-owner of Ghost Town Recording Studio in Jerome Arizona. He has recorded and produced many bands and artists. He has worked in the studio with Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship, Hot Tuna), Steve Kimock (Steve Kimock Band) and a few other well-known artists. More recently he had a twenty-year run as the drummer with Major Lingo, a popular Arizona highway band. He is now playing drums with Llory McDonald, another well-known and respected Arizona musician, as a member of Combo Deluxe along with a musical cohort of many years, Darryl Icard, on bass.
Born in the Verde Valley of Arizona, The Invincible Grins fuse eclecticism with unbridled enthusiasm, creating a unique and danceable style of sweaty rock and roll. Marrying strong and original songwriting with undeniable groove, the Grins draw inspiration from such artists as Tom Waits, Woody Guthrie, Andrew Bird, Talking Heads, Morphine, and Goran Bregovic, and have also been accused of sounding like “Gogol Bordello meets Fleetwood Mac.” Their music has been described as “funked-up folk”, “Gypsybilly”, and simply, “…like fun!” No matter what moniker is applied, one thing is for sure: The Invincible Grins are upbeat music for a beat up world. They remind you to have a drink and dance. Take it easy. Brace yourself. Everything’s gonna be alright!
Born in the Verde Valley of Arizona, The Invincible Grins fuse eclecticism with unbridled enthusiasm, creating a unique and danceable style of sweaty rock and roll. Marrying strong and original songwriting with undeniable groove, the Grins draw inspiration from such artists as Tom Waits, Woody Guthrie, Andrew Bird, Talking Heads, Morphine, and Goran Bregovic, and have also been accused of sounding like “Gogol Bordello meets Fleetwood Mac.” Their music has been described as “funked-up folk”, “Gypsybilly”, and simply, “…like fun!” No matter what moniker is applied, one thing is for sure: The Invincible Grins are upbeat music for a beat up world. They remind you to have a drink and dance. Take it easy. Brace yourself. Everything’s gonna be alright!
You don’t want to miss this Halloween party, hosted by the ever-popular Sugar Thieves!
The Sugar Thieves have been winning fans over worldwide with their high energy, soulful live shows since 2006. Over the years they have honed their brand of American roots music, creating a sound that is all their own. Moving between blues, country, folk, gospel, rock and roll, and elements of jazz, freely they honor the tradition that makes American music so great. From smokey dive bars to big festival stages, this band has what it takes to move the people.
The Sugar Thieves call Phoenix Arizona home, but over the past eight years they have made their presence known all over the US, Mexico, and Europe. The Sugar Thieves have shared a bill with the likes of Taj Mahal, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, The Flaming Lips, The Blues Brothers, Lucinda Williams, Robert Cray, and more. They’ve recorded and produced five albums, each containing a variety of original music, and old songs reinvented. Also, their rendition of “Santa Baby” was featured on Putamayo’s Acoustic Christmas Album in 2013.
In trying to describe The Sugar Thieves’ sound, it only makes sense to call it good old American roots music. American music has always been a melting pot of styles including blues, jazz, country, folk, gospel, and rock and roll. All of these genres describe sounds that move us, and The Sugar Thieves blend all of these influences to create a sound that moves audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Their goal is to share their passion for great songs with the audience by exhibiting high energy showmanship and raw emotion with every performance. Firmly rooted in the blues, the Sugar Thieves have a love for all things Americana. On any given night the band will mix original songs with American covers spanning the last 120 years.
The Sugar Thieves started as a Duo in 2006, consisting of Meridith Moore’s deep and colorful vocals, and Mikel Lander’s gritty and gutsy guitar picking style, and vocal approach. Today they are backed by the most talented rhythm section west of the Mississippi.
Todd Chuba on drums boasts a thirty-year career in music and has shared a stage with the likes of Glen Campbell, and David Grisman. He is a wall of sound behind the kit and embraces perfection in his approach to each and every tune. Shea Marshall, on plenty of instruments including keys, sax, harmonica, and even railroad spikes, has been with The Sugar Thieves since their very first concert. He is well known for his uniquely universal and ecumenical approach to instruments and styles. Jeff Naylor on upright and electric balls is a force to reckon with. His expressive showmanship and hard playing capture any audience. He also compliments the band with backup vocals. Together, The Sugar Thieves are an uplifting, and unforgettable musical experience.
The World-Famous Spirit Room Bar features live music acts by local Arizona musicians. Join us for select weekends:
Born in the Verde Valley of Arizona, The Invincible Grins fuse eclecticism with unbridled enthusiasm, creating a unique and danceable style of sweaty rock and roll. Marrying strong and original songwriting with undeniable groove, the Grins draw inspiration from such artists as Tom Waits, Woody Guthrie, Andrew Bird, Talking Heads, Morphine, and Goran Bregovic, and have also been accused of sounding like “Gogol Bordello meets Fleetwood Mac.” Their music has been described as “funked-up folk”, “Gypsybilly”, and simply, “…like fun!” No matter what moniker is applied, one thing is for sure: The Invincible Grins are upbeat music for a beat up world. They remind you to have a drink and dance. Take it easy. Brace yourself. Everything’s gonna be alright!