Percy & The Gunslingers

Venice experiened an explosion of music Saturday June 22nd. Despite half the town being in Vegas for the EDC Venice Music Crawl debuted at several music venues and the streets, specifically the street of Lincoln Blvd, were filled with music lovers. This, though exciting, made me wonder if my friend, Frankie Pedano, who was set to perform and host a night of music at O’Briens in Santa Monica would get a good crowd.



Having sadly missed the VMC debut I eagerly rallied to O’Briens to support my friends and get a music fix. I was pleasantly surprised to see an already packed pub before 10pm. Usually this bar draws a typical type of weekend crowd, one I tend to despise but with all the other happenings that weekend I felt that the majority of the people were there not only to catch a buzz but to actually enjoy the music. I caught the end of the fist solo act, Morgan Tobias who warmed up the room . Next up was a female duo, BAMBI & FELIX, made up of of a guitar and drums. This act filled the room with power like a full piece band. I was distracted in and out during their set but would definitely go see them again for a better review but now onto who I really went to see.

I was near the end of my second Tequila and Soda as two members of one of my favorite local acts, THE JANKS, took the stage as THE BROTHERS ZMED. If you haven’t yet heard them or heard me talk about them then get on it. These boys, that are real life brothers, Zach and Dylan Zmed, are not only adorable but extremely talented. When they perform stripped down as a duo songs like “Living In Denial” take on a different feel, mellowing out and highlighting their harmonies. Do check them out, you wont regret it.


Brothers Zmed

Dylan Zmed
PERCY & THE GUNSLINGERS take the stage soon after featuring Frankie Pedano, formally of Fat City Reprise, on keys and backing vocals. This is the first Im seeing them and it is well worth my now buzzed, faded and tired state.

I sit up front to regain some energy and to my surprise Fiona Apple takes a seat on the floor at my feet. I’m AWAKE now! Memories of an awkward teenage me singing “Shadow Boxer” in my bedroom come flooding back but I hold my glee inside. She came to see this band specifically and I don’t blame her. From the start the band is strong, fun and diverse with a country, meets classic rock meets indie-pop meets bad ass chick, Ali Mills, singing and playing guitar and a tom drum. It was a fun set and did I mention Fiona Apple was sitting next to me? Frankie sings a track, showcasing his bluesy vocals, there is some awesome slide guitar, which I love, and a fun cover of “Cecilia”. I would check these kids out again and maybe bring my copy of Tidal for Miss Apple to sign, I joke …(sigh)




Frankie Pedano
The Final act is TIMMY SEAN & THE CELEBRITIES featuring again, Frankie Pedano, and on the drums Lyle Riddle of TERRAPLANE SUN. These guys later told me they only had one full rehearsal together which was not obvious. They start off fun and upbeat right away like a mating call for the drunks to make there way to the front and start dancing. Their sound varies from Beatles meets Beach Boys vibe with a dash of Electric Light Orchestra. I sadly experienced the death of my phone at this point of the night so I have no pictures or sound bites but I highly recommend checking them out. Timmy is a sweet heart and the band over all has great energy and stage presence that will keep you smiling, foot tapping, dancing, singing along (even though you probably don’t know the words) or whatever it is you do when you hear good live music.

Yes folks it was a good night for music in our town. Let us all rejoice and meet again soon at the next awesome event. Go to my events page for video updates coming soon. Dawn Alexander Presents - Dawn Alexander

Venice experiened an explosion of music Saturday June 22nd. Despite half the town being in Vegas for the EDC Venice Music Crawl debuted at several music venues and the streets, specifically the street of Lincoln Blvd, were filled with music lovers. This, though exciting, made me wonder if my friend, Frankie Pedano, who was set to perform and host a night of music at O’Briens in Santa Monica would get a good crowd.



Having sadly missed the VMC debut I eagerly rallied to O’Briens to support my friends and get a music fix. I was pleasantly surprised to see an already packed pub before 10pm. Usually this bar draws a typical type of weekend crowd, one I tend to despise but with all the other happenings that weekend I felt that the majority of the people were there not only to catch a buzz but to actually enjoy the music. I caught the end of the fist solo act, Morgan Tobias who warmed up the room . Next up was a female duo, BAMBI & FELIX, made up of of a guitar and drums. This act filled the room with power like a full piece band. I was distracted in and out during their set but would definitely go see them again for a better review but now onto who I really went to see.

I was near the end of my second Tequila and Soda as two members of one of my favorite local acts, THE JANKS, took the stage as THE BROTHERS ZMED. If you haven’t yet heard them or heard me talk about them then get on it. These boys, that are real life brothers, Zach and Dylan Zmed, are not only adorable but extremely talented. When they perform stripped down as a duo songs like “Living In Denial” take on a different feel, mellowing out and highlighting their harmonies. Do check them out, you wont regret it.


Brothers Zmed

Dylan Zmed
PERCY & THE GUNSLINGERS take the stage soon after featuring Frankie Pedano, formally of Fat City Reprise, on keys and backing vocals. This is the first Im seeing them and it is well worth my now buzzed, faded and tired state.

I sit up front to regain some energy and to my surprise Fiona Apple takes a seat on the floor at my feet. I’m AWAKE now! Memories of an awkward teenage me singing “Shadow Boxer” in my bedroom come flooding back but I hold my glee inside. She came to see this band specifically and I don’t blame her. From the start the band is strong, fun and diverse with a country, meets classic rock meets indie-pop meets bad ass chick, Ali Mills, singing and playing guitar and a tom drum. It was a fun set and did I mention Fiona Apple was sitting next to me? Frankie sings a track, showcasing his bluesy vocals, there is some awesome slide guitar, which I love, and a fun cover of “Cecilia”. I would check these kids out again and maybe bring my copy of Tidal for Miss Apple to sign, I joke …(sigh)




Frankie Pedano
The Final act is TIMMY SEAN & THE CELEBRITIES featuring again, Frankie Pedano, and on the drums Lyle Riddle of TERRAPLANE SUN. These guys later told me they only had one full rehearsal together which was not obvious. They start off fun and upbeat right away like a mating call for the drunks to make there way to the front and start dancing. Their sound varies from Beatles meets Beach Boys vibe with a dash of Electric Light Orchestra. I sadly experienced the death of my phone at this point of the night so I have no pictures or sound bites but I highly recommend checking them out. Timmy is a sweet heart and the band over all has great energy and stage presence that will keep you smiling, foot tapping, dancing, singing along (even though you probably don’t know the words) or whatever it is you do when you hear good live music.

Yes folks it was a good night for music in our town. Let us all rejoice and meet again soon at the next awesome event. Go to my events page for video updates coming soon. Dawn Alexander Presents - Dawn Alexander

A large part of the business is heavily rooted in relationships. You connect with people. You connect with artists. Through those connections you hear random side projects from the connections you’ve made. Percy and the Gunslingers is a new project from a very talented musician in Santa Monica, and we couldn’t be happier that he IMed us today.

Frankie Pedano is a seasoned musician, but this project we found particularly interesting. Part Fleetwood Mac, part Lana Del Rey, Percy and the Gunslingers have a truly classic and infectious sound. Take “Andrew” for example. Lead singer Ali Mills emotionally charged lyrics leads you to associations of Lana Del Rey and BETS. The simplistic rhythmic drumming compliments the soft guitar strumming and trumpets, and magnifies Mills’ haunting vocals. “Gunslinger” on the other hand has a pop structure with catchy powerful bluesy guitar riffs and saloon style piano breakdown. With such a dance inducing pop folk feel, pretty much anyone that hears this tune can’t help but picture themselves drinking some Coors Original dancin’ around a dive bar. Yes, I’m a Colorado boy, and enjoy the banquet beer. I digress.

Take a gander at these three tunes from their debut EP by clicking on the links below. These guys are already gaining attention, and it won’t be long before they get the attention they deserve. - the music ninja

A large part of the business is heavily rooted in relationships. You connect with people. You connect with artists. Through those connections you hear random side projects from the connections you’ve made. Percy and the Gunslingers is a new project from a very talented musician in Santa Monica, and we couldn’t be happier that he IMed us today.

Frankie Pedano is a seasoned musician, but this project we found particularly interesting. Part Fleetwood Mac, part Lana Del Rey, Percy and the Gunslingers have a truly classic and infectious sound. Take “Andrew” for example. Lead singer Ali Mills emotionally charged lyrics leads you to associations of Lana Del Rey and BETS. The simplistic rhythmic drumming compliments the soft guitar strumming and trumpets, and magnifies Mills’ haunting vocals. “Gunslinger” on the other hand has a pop structure with catchy powerful bluesy guitar riffs and saloon style piano breakdown. With such a dance inducing pop folk feel, pretty much anyone that hears this tune can’t help but picture themselves drinking some Coors Original dancin’ around a dive bar. Yes, I’m a Colorado boy, and enjoy the banquet beer. I digress.

Take a gander at these three tunes from their debut EP by clicking on the links below. These guys are already gaining attention, and it won’t be long before they get the attention they deserve. - the music ninja