Oskar Blues, Lyons, CO / 7:00 p.m. Free show
Avogadro's Number, Ft. Collins, CO / 7:00 p.m., $20
The Grocery Story defy a simple description as they blend blues, rock, gospel, zydeco, and R&B to offer up a rich New Orleans gumbo. While the instrumentals are sterling and top of the line, the focus is always on the vocals. They bring back ‘the duet’ as their lead singer, with a wealth of vocal talent in the group. Seldom do you find two lead vocalists in a band, Grocery Story features THREE!
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The band's debut studio record entitled, "Situation on Aisle #3," captures this "heartfelt experience." The LP includes original songs by John Magnie, Peaches Embry, and Rhonda Merrick along side classics from Johnny Cash and Pops Staples.
There are 9 tunes and all are outstanding. “You Don’t Knock” was written by Pops Staples and has that Staples Singers gospel groove and beat to it. I think I coulda had religion if my church as a kid sounded like this! John Magnie writes or co-writes on 6 of the cuts, including with Peaches on ‘Too Hurt To Cry’ and borrows a line from MLK Jr. for ‘Stick With Love”. And there is even a Johnny Cash tune, “Big River”. Every song is rich and full of passion and emotion, and a moving grooving rhythm!
The Grocery Story is the current musical adventure of former Subdudes bandmates John Magnie and Steve Amedee, All photos taken by Backstage Flash.
John Magnie on keys and sometimes the accordion, grew up in Denver, moved to New Orleans in 1974, met Steve Amedee and the other Subdudes there and they all moved to Fort Collins in 1987.
Steve was born and raised in small town Louisiana. His son, Jess Amedee, was born in Fort Collins and was playing the drums by age 3. He and his dad are one big grooving machine when they perform on their custom double drum set.
Mike Finders ("finn ders") is a superb singer and guitar slinger, originally from Iowa. He is known as the main songwriter for FY5 (bluegrass), and SpiderCat (rocking electric blues).
Marty Rein is also a Colorado kid. He has always been the local music scene’s bass player of choice.
Vocalist Rhonda Merrick landed in Fort Collins in March 2024 and is a member of a famous musical family in New Orleans. Funnily enough, she grew up in the town next to Steve’s hometown in Louisiana. But the two didn't meet until they were both in Colorado!
Vocalist Peaches Embry has family roots in New Orleans also but grew up in Gary, Indiana. To paraphrase the Black Keys "When she's rolling... she rolls deep." Her song "Too Hurt To Cry" reaches deep into the bones of the soul. It's as aspirational as it is devastating yet somehow restorative..
Erik Lunde is a longtime Fort Collins singer/songwriter/ recording artist, originally from Wisconsin. He’s a man with a great voice who is known to get swept away when he sings, whether it’s a slow burner or a rocker, sometimes sounding like a fiery barroom preacher, and with Peaches and Rhonda providing soulful vocal interplay, together they make a powerful singing trio.