The music of Ten Cent Lure has a warmth which allows us to heal, the gusto to provoke an array of emotions, and most of all, the sensibility that transcends generations to let us get down and groove.
Ten Cent Lure, based in South Lake Tahoe, is new on the scene and combines southern Rock, California funk, and some good ol’ country, creating what they consider ‘a trademark funkin’ swanky tonk sound.’
The music is influenced by a diverse array of artists from Ween, Beastie Boys, and Glove, to Duane Allman and Warren Haynes, to James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, and Parliament. Each of the five members of Ten Cent Lure accepted at a young age that music would be more than a mere outlet or mode of expression, but rather more of a significant partner sharing all of their ups and downs.
Jason Sherman, Sean Groover, Chad Oleson, Mike Wilder, and Jon ‘Fuzzy’ Oxendine are the unique, talented, and passionate musicians who make up Ten Cent Lure and their ages range from the generation that spawned classic rocker Frank Zappa to the generation that gave us the Beastie Boys.
Performing live, each member’s ‘two cents’ become a sweet unified melody (making ‘cents’ of the name?). ‘Through basic musical theory we keep the beat,’ Fuzzy said. But making their sound unique and fresh is the hard part; ‘When the sweet melody distinguishes a pattern, you have to listen to what the music is saying in order to lay it down,’ he said.
For the most part Sean and Jason write the songs and according to the rest of the band they deliver gallons of heart and soul in their lyrics and vocals. Jason and Sean were raised on southern rock, which inspires the band’s combo of bluesy, rock riffs and electrifying guitar solos.
Yet each person contributes to the sound. Fuzzy grew up amidst the turmoil and chaos of Vietnam when Rock ‘n’ Roll transformed American culture and gave an entire generation a platform to express their thoughts on the state of society. Fuzzy’s music experience and his elaborate jam duo list, including Duane Allman, Jerry Garcia, Van Morrison and Jim Miller, allow him to channel the classic old-school vibe on percussion, washboard, and other inventive sounds. According to the band, Chad lays down the law on bass by driving in his cool and steady grooves while continuously meshing time with Mike on drums.
One of the most recent stops for Ten Cent Lure was at the Lake of Sky Music Festival put together by Nick Catanella of Paesano Productions. It was at Lake of Sky where the band created a heartfelt memory through one song, a cover of Voodoo Lady. They played early morning and turnout was bleak, but one guy made their day. He rocked out to Ten Cent Lure for the entire one-hour set. At the end he met the band and said their resurrection of Jimi Hendrix ultimately made his day.
Another fantastic moment of the summer for Ten Cent Lure was the day they cruised on the Tahoe Queen in a five-hour jam session, Jason said.
‘These are two of the best gigs we have had all summer. [But as a far as crowds go] the kids in Squaw at the Dubliner are the best, we have never felt such a great response from the crowd,’ Jason said. The North Shore has welcomed Ten Cent Lure with open arms but the steadfast love from the South Shore fans continues to inspire the band to keep on truckin’.
Newfound local fame has not let their hearts’ desire falter. Jason, Sean, Chad, Fuzzy and Mike keep one aspect in mind when making the music they love (and hope their growing fan base will also love): keep creating something you can build on.
Find Ten Cent Lure at myspace.com/tencentlure.
Upcoming Ten Cent Lure dates in and around the area:
Aug. 12: Sierra Hot Springs Resort – Sierraville, Calif.
Aug. 25: Auld Dubliner – Squaw Village, Calif.
Aug. 30: The Gold Country Casino – Oroville, Calif.
Aug. 31: The Conneticut Yankee w/ Waiting for TIM – San Francisco, Calif.
Sept. 2: Tahoe Underground w/ Waiting for TIM – Stateline, Nev.
Sept. 14: Rojo – South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Sept. 27: The Avalon Nightclub – Santa Clara, Calif.
