Front Porch
Total fans: 19
Front Porch weaves an original sound with the threads of classic blues and early rock n roll. The unique Front Porch sound comes from the interplay between guitar and harmonica while sweet harmony vocal lines float overtop the rock solid foundation created by the bass and drums. This is classic music for today.
Over the past five years, what was once a coffee shop acoustic blues review has morphed into an original electric rock n roll band. JJ and Lorne started the band as an acoustic duo side project, as they were both in other bands at the time. Their love of blues helped them form a musical connection that would underlie everything Front Porch was to become. At an Ocean Beach house party, Lorne met Pollo Enfermo bass player Pete McCoy. Pete was looking for a similar side project to develop his stand-up bass playing, so he joined JJ and Lorne and they began to play the Sea Biscuit coffee shop as Front Porch. After a few gigs, it became clear that a dynamic drummer could take the band to the next level. Jim joined the band in it’s first year, and brought the ability to texture the acoustic music as well as add harmony lines to Lorne’s vocals, creating the distinctive sound heard today. In this version, Front Porch regularly played the Sea Biscuit and the Beach Chalet Restaurant, earning a nice local Ocean Beach following. Occasional gigs in the city would expose them to a wider audience.
A major change came when Lorne began to bring more upbeat rock n roll songs to the band, which did not fit the acoustic sound. The decision was made to go begin mixing in electric guitar and a dirtier ‘Little Walter’-esque harmonica sound. As the sound changed, so did the band. One night at a local SF club, Lorne heard a bass sound so heavy, precise, and driving that following the band’s set he immediately approached the bass player and asked him to join his band. Less than a month later, John became the final member of Front Porch. Drawing on his extensive experience in all kind of groups from jazz combos to hard rock bands the music immediately took on more of a rock ‘n’ roll edge. Inspired, the band had no trouble writing a number of songs indicative of their new sound.
These days Front Porch is in top form, mixing in a variety of old and new songs within a normal set. Sometimes when Lorne pulls out the acoustic 12, you can hear the band’s early roots come through, and then you will know how far Front Porch has come in developing their own distinctive rock n roll sound.
