The West Coast's Premier Zydeco Band

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Meet the Zydeco Flames

The Zydeco Flames have gained a reputation as the West Coast's premiere Zydeco band. Their fifth CD release, "Bank the Fire," was released in 2003, providing fans with hot Zydeco in the tradition of masters like Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco and Queen Ida.

The Flames consistently pack the house in venues ranging from contemporary clubs to major festivals to traditional dancehalls. Their eclectic, soulful style ignites at such clubs as San Francisco's Boom Boom Room, Great American Music Hall, and Berkeley's Ashkenaz. Festival appearances include Bill Graham's New Orleans by the Bay, Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival, the Portland Blues Festival, and the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. They've rocked the Northern Rocky Mountain Folk Festival, the Oakland Art and Soul Festival, the North Beach Festival; and have played to SRO crowds at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee for ten years in a row.

Major companies such as Oracle, USAA, Fortune Magazine, Genentech and Google.com have had the Flames entertain at corporate parties and celebrations. Bill Clinton, Barbara Boxer and Willie Brown have all enjoyed the Flames' music at Democratic Party campaign fundraisers. The world's most popular computer reality game, "The Sims Unleashed," incorporates five original Zydeco Flames tunes.

The Zydeco Flames began as a duo formed by Bruce Gordon and Lloyd Meadows, performing for such events as Les Blank's documentary release party for "J'ai Ete au Bal (I Went to the Dance)" held at Arhoolie Records. The current quintet formed some fourteen years ago and has played together ever since.

Lloyd Meadows' soulful vocals, percussive rubboard and diverse musical background in blues, jazz and R & B, have led to performances and recordings with Mal Sharpe's Big Money in Dixieland Jazz Band, Tom Rigney, and Elvin Bishop.

 

Frank Bohan, guitar, has musical roots deep in the styles of the Chicago blues. Flames' fans are energized by his masterful solos and rhythm guitar work. Frank also served as bandleader for Freeway Frank and the Hotwires, and has played with Johnny Copeland, Alvin "Youngblood" Hart, Ricardo Scales, and Johnny Nitro.

Timm Walker, bass guitar and vocals, is one reason why the Flames are known for having having one of the tightest rhythm sections in the business. His resume includes work with Sonny Rhodes and Joe Louis Walker. Timm also led the Oakland-based Winetree a soul-funk band that generated local buzz in the 1980's with the album "Hittin'" on Cherrie Records.

William Allums Jr.'s inspirational drumset playing continues to draw fans to their feet and to the dance floor; with his unique brand of Louisiana-spiced rhythms. This multifaceted player has deep roots in gospel music, hip-hop, funk and R&B.




Photos by © Jef Jaisun Photography:
http://www.eljefe.net/photo.html

Zydeco Flames

Awards

  • Best Original Song ("Don't Worry"), West Coast Cajun & Zydeco Association, 1997

Recordings

  • Bank the Fire (2003)
  • Zydeco Flames Live: Smokin' at the Plant (1998)
  • The Heat is On (1996)
  • Burnin' Up the Tracks (1995)
  • Hot Offerings (1993)

Major Appearances

  • Portland Blues Festival (2003)
  • 26th Annual Northern Rocky Mountain Folk Fest (2003)
  • North Beach Festival, San Francisco (2003)
  • Art and Soul Festival, Oakland, CA (2002)
  • Arizona Rhythm and Blues Festival, 1996-97
  • Big Easy Festival, Reno, NV, Sparks, NV 1998-99, 2001-2003.
  • Bill Clinton Re-election Fundraiser (President Clinton in attendance), Hillsborough, CA 1996
  • Black and White Ball, San Francisco, 1995
  • Bumbershoot Festival, Seattle, WA 1994, 1996, 1999
  • Earth Day Festival, Concord, CA 1997
  • Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas, NV 1999-2000
  • July 4th/Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 1994-97, 1999, 2003
  • Marin County Blues Festival, San Rafael, CA 1997
  • New Orleans by the Bay, Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA 1996, ,1998
  • Redwood Coast Jazz Festival, Eureka, CA 1996-99, 2004
  • Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Sacramento, CA 1994-2004
  • San Francisco Jazz Festival, San Francisco, CA 1997

Print Media

  • Review, Napa Vally Register, 6/20/02.
  • Previews in Sacramento Bee, 5/25/98, for Sacto Jazz Festival
  • Previews in Sacramento Bee (2/20/98), Stockton Record (2/20/98) for Mardi Gras Festival
  • Preview in Oakland Tribune (4/20/97) for Earth Day Festival
  • Review in Eureka Times-Standard (4/6/97) for Redwood Coast Jazz Festival
  • Review in Redding Record Searchlight (9/21/96) for Shasta Jazz Festival

Radio

  • "West Coast Live" 2/9/02

Contact: Frank Bohan
PO Box 1653
San Anselmo, CA
94979-1653
415-457-5767
email: sales@zydecoflames.com
web: www.zydecoflames.com