145th Street

Artist Information

Biography

145th Street is an Outstanding Blues Band! Their music is driven by raw expressive vocals; exceptional harmonica; passionate, blazing guitar; and wailing, honking saxophone. The rhythm section is spirited and tight. 145th Street excels at keeping The Blues personal, current and vital.

Whether they are playing a hard driving shuffle, getting intimate with a steamy slow blues, or funkin’ it up, they do it with flair, taste and excitement.

145th Street puts on a high-energy, dynamic, and entertaining show, getting the audience involved and on their feet. 145th Street is the quintessential Urban Blues Experience!

Instrumentation

Steve Bulger - Harp & vocals
Marc Marrewa - Guitar
Walter Gentry - Sax
Brian Craig - Bass
Tony Peterson - Drums

Discography

145th Street, Deluxe Blues Band. Released March 2005.
Current Radio Airplay
Partial List

Domestic Radio
KSDS, 88.3 FM - San Diego, CA
KEGR, 97.7 FM - Concord, CA
KCSS, 91.9 FM - Turlock, CA
KMFB, 96.7 FM - Willits, CA
KINK, 102 FM - Portland, OR
KMSU, 89.7 FM - Mankato, MN
KMSK, 91.3 FM - Austin, MN
KSER, 90.7 FM - Everett, WA
KTEP, 88.5 FM - El Paso, TX
KSPQ, 93.9 FM - West Plains, MO
KNBA, 90.3 FM - Anchorage, AK
KMXT, 100.1 FM - Kodiak, AK
KBGA, 89.9 FM - Missoula, MT
KUNV, 91.5 FM - Las Vegas, NV
KGNU, 88.5 FM - Boulder, CO
KUNM, 89.9 FM - Albuquerque, NM
BLUES DELUXE - Syndicated with 2.1 million listeners (Featured Artist)
WHUS, 91.7 FM - Storrs, CT
WCNI, 90.9 FM - New London, CT
WUCF, 89.9 FM - Orlando, FL
WVBR, 93.5 FM - Ithaca, NY
WRQR, 104.5 FM - Wilmington, NC
WRMN, 1410 AM - Elgin, IL
WCMU, 89.5 FM - Mt. Pleasant, MI
WWCU, 90.5 FM - Cullowhee, NC
WWHP, 98.3 FM - Carson, NM
WXLV, 90.3 FM - Schnecksville, PA
WDXZ, 105.9 FM - Atmore, AL
WBCA, 1110 AM - Atmore, AL
WPKN, 89.5 FM - Bridgeport, CT
WPKM, 88.7 FM - Montauk, NY
WQLN, 91.3 FM - Erie, PA
WMPG, 90.9 FM - Portland, ME
WSMU, 91.1 FM - N. Dartmouth, MA
WHFR, 89.3 FM - Dearborn, MI
WYCE, 88.1 FM - Grand Rapids, MI
WUSM, 88.5 FM - Hattiesburg, MS

International Radio
CKIA, 88.3 FM - Quebec, Canada
CKRL, 89.1 FM - Quebec, Canada
CJSR, 88 FM - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
CKLN, 88.1 FM - Toronto, Canada
CFFF, 92.7 FM - Ontario, Canada
CKMS, 100.3 FM - Ontario, Canada
AM 1430 - Mississauga, Canada
At The Crossroads, 19 Canadian Stations - British Columbia, Canada
Radio Holstebro, 97.4 FM - Denmark
Radio Ung - Kristiansand, Norway
Jazz and Blues Tour, Alphenstad, 105.4 FM - Netherlands
Moanna, 1440 AM - Tauranga, New Zealand
96.9 FM - Tauranga, New Zealand
Star 107.1 FM - United Kingdom
Star 107.5 FM - United Kingdom
LCR, 1350 AM - Loughborough, United Kingdom
Krizevci, 96 FM - Croatia
HOT FM - Australia Radio Network
101.1 FM - Queensland, Australia
5E FM & 3HOT FM - Victor Harbor, Australia
3WAY-FM - Warrnambool, Australia
Radio Voce Spazio - Alessandria, Italy
Near, 101.6 FM - Dublin, Ireland
Radio 88 FM - Tel Aviv, Israel
Radio PICA - Barcelona, Spain

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Met Her Last Night - Full Song
  Listen   Download
• Roll The Dice
  Listen   Download
• It'll Come To You
  Listen   Download
• Broke And Hungry
  Listen   Download

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Joe Walsh of the Eagles praises 145th Street
  

  I enjoyed your album. Pretty fucking good! - Joe Walsh of the Eagles

• CD Review - Jazzreview.com [+ Show ]
  

  Featured Artist: 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band CD Title: 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band Yea...Featured Artist: 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band
  
  CD Title: 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band
  
  Year: 2005
  
  Record Label: Independent
  
  Style: Blues
  
  Musicians: Steve Bulger (harmonica, lead vocals), Marc Marrewa (guitar, background vocals), Rollin Rodgers (bass, background vocals), Mark "Doc" Holladay (organ), D.J. Jackson (drums).
  
  Review: There are bands that play the blues and there are "blues bands." This upstart group from Southern California is the real deal. The 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band is a powerhouse quintet, not only in musicianship, but also as fine writers.
  
  Their debut album includes a generous portion of original material blended with four covers of vintage stuff. Their reading of Ray Charles' 1956 gem, "Mary Ann," is both exciting and original with some tasty rhythm changes and good bass work by Rollin Rodgers. The band covers Muddy Waters' "Walking Through The Park" in fiery style with a strong vocal and harp by Steve Bulger.
  
  145th Street continues to impress with one of the finest versions of "Reconsider Baby" in this writer's memory. Everyone from Elvis to Eric Clapton to Roach Thompson covered the Lowell Fulson hit from 1954 but this band's treatment is really meaningful.
  
  The Fulson tune is a winner but the meat of this CD is in the wonderful new pieces penned by the band members. Bassist, Rollin Rodgers, put his pen to paper and created "You Is So Mean." Rodgers captures the essence and evolution of the blues in a single piece of writing. Blues should tell a story with feeling and this song does exactly that.
  
  Guitarist, Marc Marrewa, penned "Roll The Dice" and the burning "It'll Come To You." The latter is another favorite and features some fine guitar by the author and a cookin' solos from organist Mark "Doc" Holladay and harp-man Steve Bulger. D.J. Jackson offers crisp, intelligent drumming throughout the disc.
  
  It's no surprise to this reviewer that the 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band has been chosen to open for B.B.King in San Diego on November 10th. They'll steal the show if they hit the audience with their tasty originals. Knock 'em dead guys!
  
  Tracks: Roll The Dice, Mary Ann, Snakeskin On My Feet, Reconsider Baby, Say Yes To My Baby, Walking Through The Park, It'll Come To Ya, You Is So Mean, Just A Little Bit, Met Her Last Night.
  
  Artist's Website: http://www.145Street.com

• CD Review - Troubadour [+ Show ]
  

  145th Street Deluxe Blues Band By Craig Yerkes, September 2005 Issue What qualifies a blue...145th Street Deluxe Blues Band
  
  By Craig Yerkes, September 2005 Issue
  
  
  
  What qualifies a blues band to be categorized as 'deluxe'? Let's consider this question with a checklist and see how the 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band's self-titled CD stacks up.
  
  * A soulful, gritty, front man/lead vocalist who plays killer harp solos? Check.
  * A kick ass blues guitar ace to make you play air guitar and high five your buddy. Check.
  * A solid rhythm section to make you move and groove even if you don't want to. Check.
  * A master Hammond organ player who adds hot sauce in all the right spots. Check.
  * A smokin' four-piece horn section. C'mon, people, this is San Diego, not Memphis!
  
  The word 'deluxe' is not misplaced when describing what the 145th Street boys do with the blues. Their disc is a solid effort that does what it's supposed to do: deliver a high octane dose of the blues and good times. I very much liked the mix of originals and covers and how the tracks are arranged with variety in mind. Maybe the best thing I can say about this disc is that the music (in particular, the guitar parts) has the bite, vibe, emotion, and edge that will many times disappear in a studio recorded blues project.
  
  All of the tracks are solid, but the ones that impressed me the most were 'Say Yes to My Baby,' 'It'll Come to You,' 'You Is So Mean,' and 'Met Her Last Night.' 'Say Yes to My Baby' and 'Met Her Last Night' are ultra catchy, up-tempo crowd pleasers that most likely get the crowd out of their seats and singing along at live shows. 'It'll Come to You' is a pleasing, swingin', cool guitar instrumental that reminded me of Johnny A. 'You Is So Mean' is the bombastic slow groove tune that every blues band needs to have in their arsenal, and this one works mightily from the start with the lead vocal and organ exploding with intensity. The only problem with 'You Is So Mean' is the almost fatal lyric 'I bought you a brand new Toyota, you said how ?bout a Lexus please,' which is painfully yuppy for a growling blues tune!
  
  All throughout the disc, the solos are inspired and very skillfully executed. I also liked the way the band added some musical surprises like switching from a straight-ahead back beat to a shuffle within the same tune and also the cool riffs/accents/kicks that the band hits together with gusto. If you like your blues 'deluxe' style, this CD will not disappoint.
  
  www.145Street.com
  

• CD Review - Phoenix Blues society - Blues Bytes [+ Show ]
  

  San Diego’s 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band offer a blistering set of high-energy electric blues guar...San Diego’s 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band offer a blistering set of high-energy electric blues guaranteed to get you on your feet with their recent self-titled release.  The disc features ten tracks, six of which are hard-driving originals like “Roll The Dice,” “Snakeskin On My Feet,” and “You Is So Mean,” along with four covers of time-honored tracks (Ray Charles’ “Mary Ann,” and a revved-up version of Lowell Fulson’s “Reconsider Baby” being the standouts).  The band features Steve Bulger contributing strong vocals and harmonica, Marco Marrewa providing some intensely soulful guitar, and Rollin Rogers (bass), D. J. Jackson (drums), and Mark “Doc” Holladay (keyboards) anchoring things down, and these guys mesh like they’ve been playing together for years.  If high-energy, hard-driving electric blues in the Chicago vein are what you’re looking for, look no further.  This enjoyable disc will have what you need.  This CD is available at www.cdbaby.com and the band’s website, www.145Street.com.

• CD Review - Blues Matters UK Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  145TH STREET DELUXE BLUES BAND Self titled This is both a rock/blues and a West coast swing blues a...145TH STREET DELUXE BLUES BAND Self titled
  This is both a rock/blues and a West coast swing blues album (touch of funk too) that was runner up to buxom Candye Kane’s disc in the San Diego music awards. The project is the bands debut, is self-produced with six of the ten tracks band compositions. The covers being – Lowell Fulsom’s “Reconsider Baby”, Muddy’s “Walking Through The Park”, Ray Charles’ “Mary Ann” and the J. Thornton/P. Brown/R. Bass/E. Washington vastly covered, “Just A Little Bit”. There are stand out tracks and others that has your attention drifting. The songs are mostly in an energetic tempo, and often utilise Latin dance beats. Both Marco Marrewa (guitarist) & Steve Bulger (vocals/harp) have plenty of credible solos throughout. Bulger has rock/blues gritty pipes, and an oscillating harp style - imagine a West coast Sugar Blue. Marrewa has some very fast fingers on here though he can draw it out, and has a passing resemblance to Danny Bryant. This is a very good quality debut, from five guys that collectively have over 80 years experience to draw upon. 145th are refreshingly tasty at their best, and probably a stirring live act judging by this debut studio disc. Might I recommend a shorter, more memorable band name?
  Billy Hutchinson

• CD Review - Turbula Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  SPIRIT OF THE ‘60s 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band By the 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band Sa...SPIRIT OF THE ‘60s
  
  145th Street Deluxe Blues Band
  
  By the 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band
  
  San Diego, CA 2005
  
  by Jim Trageser, Turbula Magazine
  There was a time – okay, about forty years ago – when the blues was everywhere, even on the rock scene. Heck, particularly on the rock scene. From the barely distilled blues of Savoy Brown and Fleetwood Mac to the distorted sounds of Robin Trower or Foghat to the psychedelia of Jimi Hendrix, the blues permeated everything that the white kids were listening to. And while the blues remains the basis for just about everything in popular music today, both the influence and the acknowledgement get further and further from us.
  Unless you're San Diego's 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band. This electric blues-rock quintet is so steeped in the blues they practically drip the music. Like Savoy Brown or Humble Pie (two obvious influences), the music of 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band is a full-on homage to their blues heroes.
  Their first studio CD contains a cover of Lowell Fulson's "Reconsider Baby" and Muddy Waters' "Walking Through the Park" – both songs being straight-ahead versions that not only serve as credit to their composers, but to the band as well. Lead singer Steve Bulger has a strong voice that handles both covers and originals with ease and personality; his harp playing is its equal. Guitarist Marc Marrewa has that cocky bravado one wants in a blues guitarist. Doc Holladay's organ is the perfect foil for Marrewa's guitar. Rollin Rodgers' bass playing is up-front and lends the band's music much of its muscle, while drummer D.J. Jackson has the full arsenal of blues beats down cold.
  Just solid, joyful blues that reminds us why this music once appealed to an entire generation of kids.
  
  www.145Street.com
  

• CD Review - Music City Blues Society [+ Show ]
  

  The 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band is an unbelievably talented fivesome based in San Diego, CA. The...The 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band is an unbelievably talented fivesome based in San Diego, CA. Their self-titled debut release was nominated for a San Diego Music award in the Blues category, and it's easy to see why. If you want an album that is a virtual non-stop party, then this is the one for you!! The band consists of Steve Bulger on harp and vocals, Marc Marrewa on guitar, Rollin Rodgers on bass, Mark "Doc" Holladay on organ, and D. J. Jackson on drums. There are six originals mixed in with four fine covers, which showcases their writing talents as well. Also, all of these guys have an unbridled passion for the blues, and it comes through in their playing. In fact, Steve Bulger even opines if "there is any music OTHER than the blues?" We say AMEN to that, brother!! Check out the good-time call-and-response of "Met Her Last Night," a tale of a girl all the guys would surely like to meet! On "Say Yes To My Baby," Steve makes it a point to always make her happy, as the "fringe benefits" are well worth the effort! Everybody gets a chance to stretch out a bit on the jazzy instrumental "It'll Come To Ya." Our favorite, tho, had to be the eight-minute excursion into slow-blues territory entitled "You Is So Mean." Besides some killer solos from Steve, Doc, and Marc, it's the humorous story of a Woman indeed so mean that even when she calls her lover for phone sex, "She calls him collect!" Folks, this one is hot enough to jump-start a Librarian's Convention! All the musicians love what they're doing, and you can "feel" it by listening. As Steve sings on the leadoff cut, "if you wanna enjoy your life, you gotta Roll The Dice!" Take a chance on The145th Street Deluxe Blues Band and we know you won't be disappointed! Until next time.... Sheryl and Don Crow
  

• CD Review - BluesSource.com [+ Show ]
  

  The 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band is not something you want to listen to when you're trying to re...
  The 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band is not something you want to listen to when you're trying to relax. These guys play foot-stompin' get up and dance music. Not that they don't know how to lay back. They prove that they can be slow and grinding on an excellent cover of Lowell Fulson's Reconsider Baby. Of the 10 tracks, six are penned by the band and are all laden with dance heavy hooks and singer Steve Bulger's raw emotional vocals and stinging harp work. Providing a solid force behind Bulger are Marc Marrewa (guitar/backing vocals), Rollin Rodgers (bass/backing vocals), Mark "Doc" Holladay (keyboards), and D.J. Jackson (drums). This California based band is well on its way to finding its groove and audience with the release of this CD. With three writers in the band (Bulger, Marrewa and Rodgers) they should never be at a loss for new and fresh material. An excellent start for what I hope for them is a bright future.
  
  (©) 2005, Tim Richards
  BluesSource.com
  

• Live Review - 145th Street Opens for BB King [+ Show ]
  

  145th Street Deluxe Blues Band 4th & B, San Diego Thursday, November 10th, 2005 Michael Caldwel...145th Street Deluxe Blues Band
  4th & B, San Diego
  Thursday, November 10th, 2005
  
  Michael Caldwell
  
  145th Street Deluxe Blues Band had just finished their second song, “Roll the Dice,” when vocalist/harpist Steve Bulger announced from the stage, “Our CDs are $15, two for $30.” When the crowd caught on, Bulger replied with a smile, “That’s the deal.” The group then tore into “Just a Little Bit,” another track from their self-titled release (which was nominated for “Best Blues Album” at the San Diego Music Awards).
  
  It was easy to think 145th Street was headlining their own sold out gig at downtown’s 4th & B. Instead, they were the first of two acts opening for the legendary B.B. King (the other being, Lady Star and The Bustin Loose Blues Band). But, what Bulger and the group seemed to be saying was they didn’t need to offer a discount. They knew they were good and intended to prove it.
  
  145th Street’s first five high energy excursions included Ray Charles’ “Mary Ann” and capitalized on the audience’s excitement. When Bulger wasn’t trading solos with keyboardist “Doc” Holladay or guitarist Marc Marrewa, he leaned against bassist Rollin Rodgers, who let his fingers do the walking. Fans familiar with the group’s recording know Marrewa is the band’s ace in the hole, but drummer D.J. Jackson’s flurry of fluttering wrists, twirling sticks and thrilling fills threatened to steal the show.
  
  When the group changed gears with the sensual “You So Mean,” Marrewa slipped a slide on his finger and stroked the frets of his Telecaster until he got the “feeling” going, prompting couples to dance and Bulger to rightly declare, “Blues is in the house.” Bulger then breathed some soul through his harp before Marrewa, channeling Stevie Ray Vaughn, dropped to his knees and brought the tune to a climax with a set-topping solo. The crowd ate it up. The band cleaned up and closed out with the jumping, “Met Her Last Night.”
  

• Quotes about the CD and the Band live [+ Show ]
  

  “That's a damn good CD. One of the best of 2005.” -Thanks, Doug Carlisle, WRQR "Houserockin' Blues...“That's a damn good CD. One of the best of 2005.”
  -Thanks, Doug Carlisle, WRQR
  "Houserockin' Blues"
  Wilmington, NC
  
  “There are bands that play the blues and there are "Blues
  Bands." This upstart group from Southern California is the real deal.
  The 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band is a powerhouse.”
  - www.JazzReview.com
  
  “145th Street’s approach to the blues is current, hard-driving, and edgy which satisfy any music lover’s desire for something fresh and distinct.” - Jazz Quad
  
  If high-energy, hard-driving electric blues in the Chicago vein are what you’re looking for, look no further. This enjoyable disc will have what you need.
  -Phoenix Blues society
  
  “145th Street’s new CD is music designed to get any juke joint jumping and your mojo working overdrive.” - Kenora Daily Miner and News
  
  “This electric blues-rock quintet is so steeped in the blues they practically drip the music. The music of 145th Street Deluxe Blues Band is solid, joyful Blues.” - The San Diego North County Times
  
  “The Band recorded this album simply to blues perfection. Their blues has It’s own special characteristic – exceptional rhythm, positive feelings… The significance of the Band merits attention from everyone who is serious about blues.”
  - MLADEN LONCAR
  www.krizevci.info
  Croation Radio
  
  Your group has become the cream of what we have to offer the community. I will continue to offer you to my corporate clients and look forward to working with you soon. Best of luck and thanks for making me look so good! - Loren Smith - www.thetalentsmith.com
  
  “You guys were great at the Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland show. Awesome job!”
  – Wayne, Talent Buyer, 4th and B (1500 seat venue in San Diego, Calif.)
  
  “I’m so glad you guys will be playing the B.B. King date! I had a great time watching your show on the night of Bobby Blue Bland.”
  – Hester, PR Director 4th & B
  
  
  

Setlist

Loads of ORIGINAL Blues and many covers.

Basic Requirements

Calendar