The Stevenson Ranch Davidians

June 6, 2010

I made the trek out to Stevenson Ranch to meet up with the Davidians one rather hot Sunday afternoon, far beyond any sense of urban infill, out deep into the belly of sprawling fast food chains and KB tract developments — although it actually isn’t that long time-wise from LA proper, it certainly feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere (unless you’re the type that considers Six Flags “somewhere”). It was the kind of dry inland heat that’s best served in well insulated, air conditioned boxes. I made my way through a series of cutely Spanish-named streets, lined with identical pseudo-Mediterranean homes, until I eventually reached Bryan’s house at the end of a well-manicured cul-de-sac (now, I live in a tiny run-down apartment that was probably built in the late sixties on the cheap, and that was also probably the last time anyone gave any thought to its general upkeep — that being said, I can’t really condemn the obvious merits of suburban living).

Upstairs at the end of the hall was a room that came straight out of every indie-audio-nerd’s dream; classic guitars lining the walls, any number of exotic percussive toys, vintage amps, organs, microphones, preamps, you-name-it — and every inch of wallspace and open shelving stacked with a lifetime’s collection of amazing memorabilia. The gang was already setup in there, kicking back and enjoying a few beers.

It hadn’t really felt like summer to me yet, but this day may have sparked that sensibility. These laid back, self proclaimed “hippie” songs (I’m not sure if anyone was wearing shoes?), almost beg to be played outdoors; some bright and cheery music festival or the soundtrack to a late-night campfire. And though the lyrics generally tend toward the darker sides of the political, sociological, and existential, there’s still a certain joy in the music that’s faithfully reminiscent of that late 60′s California-folk sound. You want to sway and sing in the sun somewhere to these tunes. And there’s always something so indescribably magnetic to a group of friends having fun playing music together.

Find out more about the Stevenson Ranch Davidians @ www.thedavidians.com

Amazing amazing job on the sound by Bryan (which makes my job so so much easier).

Camera: Elliot Glass
Sound: Bryan Showalter
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