Driving Music

Maybe they can’t spell, but The Pontiax can get it going like a ’65 GTO in fourth gear, whizzin’ down the Conejo Grade. This Santa Barbara-based quintet has been doing the rockin’ blues thing for more than a decade. They do it well too--averaging three or four gigs per week. Thus, no member has to mess with the dreaded day job.

This is an especially busy week as The Pontiax will play five gigs in a row, culminating with the Blue Monday show at Alexander’s in Ventura. The night before, the band will provide the soundtrack for a swing dance at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura.

The band was formed in 1982 by singer-harmonica player Mitch Kashmar and bassist Jack Kennedy. The Pontiax have been consistently one of the top-drawing blues bands on the West Coast. In addition to the endless blues festival circuits, the band has toured the United States several times and has played at major festivals in Europe.

A new album is due out in spring; the band will head north to Canada in April and perhaps to Europe in May.

Alexander’s is at Spinnaker Drive and Harbor Boulevard. The Poinsettia Pavilion is at 3451 Foothill Road. For more information on the Sunday gig call 648-1142 and for the Monday show, 658-2000.