I’ve followed with delight the evolution of monster bass talent (and OG SD Wallflower) Paul Howland into a dubstep DJ — a testimonial to the kind of reinvention a creative mind embraces, regardless of genre or gear.
However, this 35-year fan of Paul’s fret work is always excited when the man picks up an axe and takes his talent analog.
So I’m gleeful about his recent appearances on six strings, playing with Unsteady, a ska band with which he toured nationally and recorded two albums in the 1990s.
Paul’s first tour of duty was on bass as part of a lineup organized in 1992 by saxophonist/vocalist John Roy. Other members of the era included keyboardist Kevin “Baby” Hewitt as well as guitarist Creedy Bates and drummer Kent Graves, both veterans of venerable San Diego ska band the Donkey Show.)
As of December 2017, Roy and Hewitt are still going steady with Unsteady, along with an expanded lineup that features a full horn section and two guitars.
Re-enter Paul Howland, who’s been gigging with the band in recent months — his first public appearances as a guitarist.
(Footage by Curtis Meacham, November 2017. To see an extended set, visit his Facebook page.)