Under a blazing Central Valley sun, the day’s events started with music by THE CASUALS. Long before hip-hop bands were sampling sounds and using electronic equipment in place of real musicians, this duo (Dan Trickey on guitar and vocals, and Myra McNamara on vocals, guitar, keyboard, and sax) was using modern technology to lay down a backbeat rhythm. Their blend of old-time rock and roll, country, and swing got the day of to a rollicking start. As the day progressed they played in between the other bands’ sets, assuring that the energy stayed at a consistently high level. On some of their sets they were joined by a 2^nd guitar player, who’s brilliant leads and flourishing fills brought THE CASUALS to another plane.

After a last-minute lineup change (hasn’t GMP learned yet to tell Steve Quartarola to be there an hour before he actually needs to be?) UNDESIRABLE took the stage. With guitarists Steve Chapman and Lou Gordillo (known as the "Dazzling Duo") leading the charge, and Snapper vocalist Jim Remy lending a hand, these guys tore through a set of 70’s metal favorites. Later in the set Jim "Bone" Boyd took over vocal duties, and all I can say is - a star is born. Sounding like a cross between James Hetfield and Bogdan Jablonski, his guttural growls and demonic wailings mesmerized the audience, and showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

Next up was THE NOYZE BOYZ. With guitarist Steve Chapman (known as one half of the "Dazzling Duo") leading the charge, these guys tore through a set of 70’s metal favorites. As if to show that miracles can happen, Jim "Bone" Boyd made his way back to the stage and wowed the crowd again with his vocal gyrations. The highlight of the set was the boyz dead-on rendition of Rush’s "La Villa Strangiato". With drummer Steve Quartarola deftly changing time and tempo, and bassist Tom Hagler keeping the tune anchored, Chapman peeled off riffs that would make Alex Lifeson himself proud.

After another fun set by the Casuals, it was time for THE GOO to show their stuff. Playing a mixture of rhythm and blues-based covers and originals, they had the audience dancing in their seats. Singer Jeff Remy showed he can keep up with the best of them, and that, coupled with some soulful guitar playing, made for a satisfying set.

Local favorites THE CRIME were next. They played straight-ahead rock and roll covers, helped along by some tasty guitar leads and powerful harmonies. If you have not yet seen them, do it as soon as you can. To not do so would truly be a crime.

Then it was time for a brief interlude and a karaoke contest. Wow! Some of these so-called amateurs could easily put the professionals to shame, and if Tawny Hughes does not become a star diva, something is not right with the universe.

Heretofore unknowns DAMN DIRTY APES then took the stage, and no one was prepared at that time for what was about to take place. From the moment the first chord rang out, these guys had the crowd in the palm of their collective hand. Led by singer and guitarist Craig Lyons, they showed how music should be done. Lyons, who can shift from soaring rocker to angelic balladeer in the blink of an eye, was nothing short of remarkable. As if being bestowed with the best voice in the world was not enough, he also proved himself to be one of the best guitar players around. Sounding like a blend of Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Roy Clark, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Ron Freschi, he amazed the audience with his expert playing (he was also a particular favorite of the ladies, as evidenced by one infatuated female referring to him as "hella fine").

No matter how superb Lyons is, without an excellent band he would fall to the ground and shatter like a magnificent chandelier without a proper mounting hook and backplate. Although it seems impossible, guitarist and vocalist Dave Boudreau somehow managed to equal Lyons playing and show that he was a talent in his own right. Bass player and vocalist Kurt Tyrrell kept a solid bottom-end, and showed outstanding capabilities while playing funky lines during their cover of Thelma Houston’s "Don’t Leave Me This Way". Drummer and vocalist Jim "Bone" Boyd (yes, that one) showed that he is a multi-talent, pounding the skins with the same expertise and outstandingness he showed vocally earlier in the day. Keyboardist and vocalist Gary Mears provided the crowning glory, adding just the right touches to each song.

DAMN DIRTY APES choice of songs was the epitome of sublime. Not a loser in the bunch, they notched it up to 11 from the start and never let off the gas. The middle of their set featured a medley of well-known instrumentals, and was a brilliant concept adeptly pulled off. Although it is ostensibly impossible to exceed perfection, they seemingly achieved this incredible feat when The Damn Dirty Ape Singers appeared for two songs. Stacey Tyrrel’s celestial voice was showcased on "Don’t Leave Me This Way", and her and Lynn Lyons’ ethereal harmonies took "Hang On Sloopy" to dizzying new heights.

Not since the birth of the baby Jesus has such a transcendent event graced the world. Seeing the genesis of superstars-in-the-making was a revelation that will be indelibly marked on the souls of those in attendance. There is no thesaurus that contains enough superlatives to describe this band. All I can say is that I have seen the future of rock and roll, and its name is DAMN DIRTY APES.

SNAPPER had the unfortunate chore of following Damn Dirty Apes, but proved they were up to the task. This band has been together for a few years, and it shows, as they turned in the tightest set of the day. Vocalist Jim Remy (brother of The Goo’s Jeff Remy) has a powerful voice, which he showcased on cover songs as well as originals. Guitarist Kyle Bates showed he is certainly no slouch in the guitar player department, as he adroitly threw out licks as if they were candy wrappers, highlighted by a shredding version of Dylan’s "All Along The Watchtower". Drummer Mike Gorman laid down the perfect beats and bassist Mark Lantsberger (who also contributed some killer vocal harmonies) provided a solid foundation to the songs, and by the end of their set, SNAPPER had the crowd dancing in the street.

As the afternoon began to turn into evening, ex-Tracyite Lou Leach’s latest project, FUSED, came onstage. Although only together for four months, they sounded as if they had been together much longer. Playing classic hard rock tunes, the band was one of the highlights of the show. Leach possesses a strong voice and skillful phrasing, and the band’s two guitar players blended well together, complementing each other’s playing and making for a very enjoyable set.

The crowd filled with anticipation as THE MIGHTY CHONCH BROTHERS took the stage. Featuring five (that’s right, five!) guitar players, this band must be seen to be believed. While it would be reasonable to assume that five guitars would result in a menagerie of distortion and fuzz, the reality was quite different. These guys have obviously spent a lot of time practicing together, each player honing his part to perfection, forming a marvelous tapestry of sound. Each one had his place. Gary Mears provided a solid rhythm foundation, with Lou Gordillo usually playing a diminished 5^th in the midrange. Craig Lyons could often be found playing triads on the high strings, while Steve Chapman would add arpeggios or minor modal scales. Like crown moulding in a Victorian mansion, or sprinkles in a frozen yogurt, or racing stripes on a ’69 Camaro, Ron Freschi provided the perfect musical decoration, using the Aeolian scale here or the Mixolydian scale there to accent each song.

Steve Quartarola, who’s hair looks better and better each year, has never sounded so good. Whether it is the complex syncopated rhythms of "Lack Of Communication", or the 3/4 allegretto patterns of "Neon Knights", Quartarola makes it all look so easy. Of course, no amount of rhythmic expertise matters if the bass player can’t keep up, and fortunately THE MIGHTY CHONCH BROTHERS are lucky enough to have the services of Joey Hernandez, bass player extraordinaire, at their disposal. Hernandez, who is in major demand these days, knows his way around a bass guitar. In fact, he’s often referred to as the Ferdinand Magellan of bass.

But, as everyone knows, vocalist Mark Walters is the heart and soul of THE MIGHTY CHONCH BROTHERS. Ripping into the opening lines of "Electric Eye" he put on a veritable vocal clinic, and showed once again why he is considered to be one of the world’s premier singers. Thumbing his nose at tradition, he referred often to handheld lyric sheets, discarding the tired notion that a singer should know the words to the songs.

Unfortunately, space does not permit me to list all of the highlights from the Brothers’ set, but to name just a few:

If Damn Dirty Apes are the future of rock and roll, then THE MIGHTY CHONCH BROTHERS are clearly the past and present.

Then, as night began to fall, the crowds’ desire was fulfilled as the headliner, TRACY/DC, bounded onto the stage. This "supergroup", made up of members of Fused, The Mighty Chonch Brothers, and Undesirable did not disappoint. Vocalist Lou Leach (or should I say Bon Leach?) belted out every tune as if it were the last one, and brought the crowd to a frenzy. Lead guitarist Ron Freschi (or should I say Angus Freschi?) sounded as great as ever, and rhythm guitarist Gary Mears (or should I say Malcolm Mears?) was the perfect complement, not playing any pesky leads or fills complicating the songs.

Joey Hernandez, the Ferdinand Magellan of the bass, played his usual excellence, but it was Ron Hughes who was the surprise of the evening. Apparently coming from out of nowhere, Hughes provided a sterling example of how the drums should be played. If it’s possible to give 200%, Hughes did it as he maniacally pounded away, driving each song to the brink of insanity and back. For 45 solid minutes TRACY/DC electrified the audience, heeding the adage "leave ‘em wanting more" and not overstaying their welcome.

And then, as quickly as it begun, it was all over. As the musicians packed up their gear, and the last of the fireworks went off, the crowd made their way back home, not sure what had just transpired, only knowing that it was something magical. Other than the minor quibble that there were no strawberry-flavored snow cones, the "5^th Annual Tracy 4^th of July Bash" was a rousing success, and one that will not soon be forgotten.