Gig Review: Eric Steckel Blues Rocker, Maui Sugar Mill, Tarzana CA

Photo: Martine Ehrenclou

Review: Eric Steckel Blues Rocker Maui Sugar Mill, Tarzana CA

By Martine Ehrenclou

Having just attended Crossroads Guitar Festival in Los Angeles, it was a welcomed surprise to return to the Maui Sugar Mill in Tarzana, CA to see the great blues rocker Eric Steckel. You won’t find up close and personal shows like Cadillac Zack’s anywhere else. After a big festival where I was in the second row and 25 feet from the stage, I couldn’t have been happier seated so close to the band.

One of the best blues rocking guitar players in the world, Eric Steckel is also a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and producer. At age 12, Steckel was picked by John Mayall to tour and record with him and The Bluesbreakers. That tells you all you need to know. Since then, Steckel has released 12 albums and toured 30 countries. He’s shared the stage with Steve Vai, Greg Allman, Johnny Winter, Ray Charles, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford and more.

And Steckel is only 33 years old. That’s right, a virtuoso right from the start and nothing slows this guitar slinger down. He’s dynamic on stage, blows away crowds with his guitar mastery, and genuinely enjoys performing. You can see it on his face. The delight and joy performing alongside JP Cervoni (bass) and Bryan Head (drums) was a constant this night. The feeling was mutual, leading to a tight knit feel to the power trio. The stage loves Eric Steckel.

Guitar fans from all over drove to this dimly lit dive bar just to see him play his brand of “blues metal.” And the venue was jammed with people, some calling out his name during a particularly thrilling guitar solo. With a modern blues guitar sound and production style, we knew what we were in for when Steckel set up his signature Mezzabarba amps and other gear. It was then that Cadillac Zack started handing out ear plugs.

With his signature Knaggs guitar, Steckel owned that stage from the start with “Waitin’ For The Bus” (ZZ Top). His guitar tone alone was enough to rev people up but Eric also has a great voice. Steckel and bass player Cervoni began their kinetic pairing on that tune that continued sporadically throughout the night. He then launched into a rip-roaring guitar solo that drew hollers and whistles from the crowd. A natural on stage, Steckel genuinely had the time of his life.

With Bryan Head at the drum kit, things got swinging in all the best ways. His face said it all for the entire set. Eyes on Steckel, he grooved on playing this set. After two killer instrumentals that merged into Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Lenny” (Right? This guy has it down.) Steckel’s rocking version of “Born Under a Bad Sign” is almost unrecognizable it’s so rocked up and yes, excellent.

Watch Eric Steckel

 
Cadillac Zack draws devoted music fans to his Monday nights at The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon. They’re there for the music, the great musicians. Zack chooses the best. On this night they were all die-hard guitar and Eric Steckel fans.

Steckel and his trio played a few of his originals such as the funky “Take My Love To Town” and “Make It Rain”, the latter is on Steckel’s album Polyphonic Prayer. You’ll get a true taste of his vocals and virtuosic piano skills on this album too. The guy is a monster musician. Watch Eric Steckel “Tennessee” Here

The covers Steckel chose for this live set all had his unique spin. He digs deep on his Knaggs guitar, creates his own unique vision on how to rock a great song. By the time he and his trio got to “Voodoo Child” the audience was wild with the energy from the performance, leaning forward to the stage to video with phones and cameras. You can’t blame them—this was an extraordinary show.

For more information on Eric Steckel see Here