John Trudell and Bad Dog Rock the Sunset Strip

11-30-2001

by SuzanneWesterly- Los Angeles California

The insightful poetry and distinct style of John Trudell (Santee Sioux) filled the Roxy as John and his band, Bad Dog played cuts from their recently released CD, Bone Days to an anticipating audience filled with fans and friends. The record release party was held this past November at the famous Hollywood nightclub, the Roxy, which is located in the heart of the Sunset Strip.

Bone Days, released on John's own Asitis Productions label, was executive produced by Angelina Jolie, the Academy Award winning actress who was recently appointed Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Smiling, Angelina walked on stage with her husband, actor/writer/director Billy Bob Thorton, and introduced John.

With tinted glasses wearing his customary black, John solemnly walked on to the stage and proceeded to give the audience exactly what they had come for. John's powerful spoken words, set to the musical backdrop of Quiltman's (Warm Springs Apache, Hopi) traditional tribal chants and the rockin' blues of Bad Dog, filled the air and the spirits of those who came to hear and feel what John had to say. Crazy Horse, Carry The Stone, and Hanging From the Cross are a few of the profoundly moving cuts off of Bone Days.

Longtime activist for American Indian rights and freedoms, John speaks his truth with deeply penetrating words that he weaves together in a way that hit you right where they are meant to; he gets you to think.

Some of the celebrities spotted at the party were Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Jackson Browne, Kris Kristofferson, Vernon Bellacourt, Mimi Kennedy (Mom from TV's Dharma & Greg), Rod Rondeaux, and other Native American actors.

Band members are; lead guitarist Mark Shark, on keyboards and percussion, Ricky Eckstein, Native vocalist Quiltman and guitarist Billy Watts. Bassist Bobby Tsukamoto and vocalist Carol Eckstein joined them on stage.

Go to John's website to purchase Bone Days, as well as his previously released albums. www.johntrudell.com.

For more photos of John Trudell at the Roxy, click here: John Trudell