Where Are They Now? Update on ’97 Picks
Here’s a brief look at the Calendar Weekend Class of ‘97:
Ozomatli. The spirited 10-piece East L.A. group released its self-titled debut album on Almo Sounds in 1998 and has been busy touring with Carlos Santana and Dave Matthews, while spreading its Ozo-motley gospel on movie (“EDtv”) and commercial (Mountain Dew) soundtracks.
Sugar Ray. Even at their pre-fame live shows, Mark McGrath and company rocked the house (namely Dragonfly) with such dedication, they looked like prime-time players. After racking up multi-platinum sales with the release of “Floored” (Atlantic Records), they proved they were no one-hit wonders as their follow-up album, “14:59,” unleashed more hits.
Tenacious D. The boys are back in town, performing at the Key Club on Jan. 10. The rock-comedy duo has appeared on the “Late Show,” “Saturday Night Live,” Showtime and HBO and can be seen in the Foo Fighters video “Learn to Fly.”
Jon Brion. This multitalented troubadour still keeps shop at Largo each Friday, when he’s not producing albums for Fiona Apple (her latest), his own solo work (he recorded an as-yet-unreleased album) and movie scores (“Magnolia”).
Touchcandy. The promising Eastside rock outfit broke up last year. The group was trying to make a go of it back when Silver Lake was eating its young, still reeling from the national spotlight of the mid-’90s. Lead singer David Willis returned to his native London. Two members, designer-boutique owner Rico Adair and Cathy Cooper, formed and dissolved the group Frankie Machine. All four original members still play in various bands.
Boogie Knights. Those wigs, those leisure suits, the band that launched a thousand knockoffs. The explosive disco cover band that performs at the Beverly Hilton’s Coconut Club each Friday also plays Vegas weekly, tours the country and is part of Perfect World Entertainment’s ever-growing posse of artful, talented, kitschy cover bands.