Beer For Dolphins and the Les Lokey Band pause for a triumphant post-gig photo at Sacred Grounds, San Pedro, California, 1:10 a.m., Sunday, April 4, 1999. (Clockwise, from top left) Marc Ziegenhagen (keyboards and vocals; BFD/Les Lokey Band), Les Lokey (guitar and lead vocals; Les Lokey Band), Jason Harrison Smith (drums and vocals; BFD/Les Lokey Band), Evan Francis (saxophone; BFD), Rick Musallam (guitar and vocals; BFD), Bryan Beller (bass and vocals; BFD), Joe Puerta (bass and vocals; Les Lokey Band), Mike Keneally (guitar and vocals; BFD/Les Lokey Band), This was the climactic final night of the BFD mini-tour, supported by the startlingly original Les Lokey.

Les Lokey's talent is not low-key
By Dave Tianen
Journal Sentinel pop music critic
April 30, 1999

"Burned Up and Shining" should be a good test of the major labels collective immunity to talent. "Burned Up and Shining" is the newest recorded venture from Milwaukee blues-folkie-rocker-critic-painter-troubadLine is overdrawn our-gypsy Les Lokey. Like Lokey herself, "Burned Up and Shining" is about as easy to put in a box as Golden State politics. Divergent elements tangle often within the same song. The title track is intense narration over a bedrock that's part cool jazz, part "Riders On the Storm." "Landmine" is part Mavericks borderlands raveup and part Cyndi Lauper girl sass. It's an album of remarkable range, varied intelligence and constant surprise.

Lokey uses words well and with refreshing imagination. "Angel's Envy" explores the notion that the angels in their heavenly tranquility may jealously regard the turbulent passion of earthly existence:

Do angelhearts ever resent;

Their chastity or hold contempt;

Exchanging lust for firmament;

And vows to all of earth transcend;

This what costly sacrifice;

Bloodheat for eternal life.

At 36, Les Lokey has been all over the place and perhaps "Burned Up and Shining" merely reflects the nomadic mind of a woman who's lived in Africa, Texas, Washington D.C., Mexico, Madison, San Francisco, Minneapolis, and now Milwaukee.

"My mom was from a small town in Texas and she was into experience," Lokey says. "I got to see a lot of different cultures: Europe and Africa and Egypt. It just really expanded my experiences and gave me something to write about."

Originally a product of Mercedes, Texas, Lokey grew up under the spell of her Gulf port neighbor, Janis Joplin.

She credits a Bonnie Raitt concert at age 12 with turning her into a musician, but her tally of influences is not the typical girl-with-acoustic-guitar list of sensitive flowers. The acts that young Les grew up with include Pink Floyd, Etta James, Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, Nazareth, Bessie Smith, The Pretenders and Black Sabbath.

The last few years have been an odd oasis of stability in Lokey's life. She's been living on Milwaukee's east side for two years and eating "the same food in the same restaurant four or five nights a week."

Although she's only playing a couple times a month (lately, she's busy painting fish murals at Crabby Al's Seafood Shack), Lokey has made substantial headway. She garnered a 1997 WAMI for Best New Artist and a WAMI showcase brought her to the attention of producer/bassist Joe Puerta. That bit of serendipity led to her being the first act signed to the Firefly Records label started by Puerta and John Young. Puerta also manned the boards for "Burned Up and Shining," giving what was really a budget enterprise a full, high-gloss feel.

"It really is a basement tape," says Lokey. "That's pure Joe Puerta. It's all Joe. He could hear the same landscape. The great thing is that it sounds like we were all in there playing it and we never even saw each other."

The plan is to shop the disc to the majors, a prospect that has Lokey excited despite an early bad experience with Capitol Records, who offered her a record deal and then yanked it.

"My heart was broken. For a year and a half, I didn't play. I wouldn't even go to open mikes," says the self-described "sensitive, tender pit bull."

click here for burned up and shining in mp3 format

Jeff Radi-Oblivion Man Joe Puerta produced the CD & co-wrote the song: Nothing Feels

Radi's journey from 'Oblivion' has been a smooth one, man
By DAVE TIANEN
of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: Nov. 16, 2000

Oblivion has been kind to Jeff Radi.
After knocking around in a succession of local cover bands, followed by a four-year stint as front man for the WAMI-winning Naked Truth, Radi this summer recorded his debut CD called "Oblivion Man" with the local Firefly label.

Manning the boards was former Bruce Hornsby sideman Joe Puerta. The session players included longtime Milwaukee standouts Steve Cohen and Robyn Pluer. Also helping out were guitarist Mike Standal, keyboardist Tyler Traband, bassist Steve Kleiber and drummer Brian Dale, who continue to play with Radi on his live dates.

"Oblivion Man" has found airplay on a variety of area stations including WMSE-FM (91.7), WKLH-FM (96.5) and WLUM-FM (89.7). One of Radi's first gigs following the album's release was a high-profile opening slot for Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians during the annual A la Carte event last summer at the Milwaukee County Zoo. In a final note of good fortune, the inside cover art of "Oblivion Man" is an ultrasound photo of Radi's new baby daughter, Zoey.

"Oblivion Man" is a diverse and polished piece of work that at various points contains echoes of the Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Byrds. But there's also a more hard-pounding side as well.

"There's a part of me that's this acoustic coffee-house folk singer," Radi says, "but there's also this part of me that wants to be this arena rocker."

At 37, however, Radi is not exactly a Korn-fed rage rocker.

"It's not an angry piece of material," he says. "I hope it covers more of a range of emotion than that."

The album's lone cover is a remake of Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe."

There's something of a Dylanesque turn to Radi's own lyrics. Consider these opening lines from "All For One":

"King of the gypsy underground

Spills himself onto his throne.

He's got a plan to change the world

If you wanna stick around.

It just doesn't seem to work

No one to press his shirt

All his dreams have turned to dirt

And it's all her fault."

"I need a lyric that matters," Radi says. "I'm not a real student of Dylan's, but he's just such a great writer."

Lately, Radi has been performing in the area about once a month and is looking to expand his radius to Madison, Chicago and the Twin Cities. He's also well along in the writing of a follow-up to "Oblivion Man."

Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Nov. 17, 2000.

Shortly into his debut solo CD Oblivion Man, the former Naked Truth frontman sings, "I'm over you, so over you. I just can't seem to get over me." With the song "Haven't Got the Time," Jeff Radi has spun the musical gold that Bono has been searching for since Joshua Tree. While people are realizing the Pop Empress isn't wearing any clothes, the naked truth is that Radi has a closetful of hooks to hang his songs on.
From Shepherd Express Metro- 10-12-2000

click here for oblivion man in mp3 format click here for nothing feels in mp3 format (radi/puerta)

Tyler Traband-Numbers, Joe Puerta produced the CD & sings background vocals on Friend To Me

Tyler Traband

With great songwriting and improvisation, Tyler Traband and his band provide an intimate, high-energy show that stretches the limits of stage performance. Featuring piano, guitar, some tasty bass, horns, full vocals, percussion, and a real Fender rhodes, this band can provide an intimate, polished performance of original material, then break down and jam at any moment.

Nominated for 17 Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards (7 for best keyboardist), Tyler draws his skill from classical training, years of touring, playing National Showcases, the WAMIS, Summerfest (the county’s largest outdoor music festival), and opening for such acts as the Indigo Girls, Matthew Sweet, Iggy Pop, Kansas, and Bad Company, as well live radio performances and regular airplay on New Rock 102.1 , WIIL, and 91.7 WMSE. A strong Web presence has helped the band gain new fans all over the country and the world. Just type “Tyler Traband” into any search engine and see for yourself.

Defying conformity and simple definitions of “style,” he describes his attitude as “whatever is best for the song.” This is not just another pop act. Centering around fat old-school grooves and an incredibly powerful vocal style, this group follows no fads or trends. They interpret songs on an individual basis, and in doing so touch on every genre of modern music; from motown grooves, jazz, and funk, right up to modern pop. Undeniable hooks are the key here, and we dare you to listen and not get sucked in. This act is a true original.

Tyler’s third CD “numbers” is available now all over Milwaukee, and on the web at tylertraband.net and CDstreet.com. At our website, you can download mp3’s, view pictures, get club dates, purchase merchandise, and e-mail the band.

Produced by Grammy Award winning bassist Joe Puerta of Bruce Hornsby and the Range and Ambrosia, “numbers” is a great pop record, showcasing Traband’s depth as both a writer and performer. These tracks are radio ready, and competitive on a national scale. No digital editing or samples of any kind were used to record this CD. Every single note was performed by a living breathing musician. In an era of regenerated loops and computerized electronica, these guys breathe life back into pop, reminding us of a time when groups like the Guess Who, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Peter Gabriel were pushing the envelope of live recording. A day not so long ago when the players made all the difference.

A day Tyler would like to see come again.

click here for friend to me in mp3 format joe puerta-background vocals

Chrissy Dzioba-Far From Dreaming Joe Puerta produced this CD & plays bass on it. Above- Joe & Chrissy in the studio

Chrissy Dzioba: Far From Dreaming

'An artist's soul can be seen through their work", thus defining the music of singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Chrissy Dzioba.

Honing her skills around the Milwaukee music scene, Chrissy's music reaches out to listeners as a potpourri of folk, rock, pop, jazz, and maybe a touch of country (though she won't admit it). She is a pure and sensitive vocalist, a passionate performer, and ready to take on anything at such a young age. This is proven through her latest CD album release, "Far From Dreaming", produced by Grammy Award Winner, and five-time Grammy Nominee, Joe Puerta, bassist of Bruce Hornsby and Ambrosia. "

Chrissy Dzioba (Joe-buh) began piano training and performance at the age of three, reading music before she could read words. Continuing her training on piano and later saxophone, guitar and voice surfaced to her abilities, being skills that came easily and from within. Though composing for as long as she can remember, it wasn't until the past four years had she made it a serious pastime. Her lyrics are direct, yet tender, and also introspective, with melodies that can linger in your head for days. Her guitar also has style of her own, which is what helps separate her music from other performers.

In 1999 Chrissy released a demo CD entitled In the Making, with the help of local artist and songwriter, Nick Venturella. One year later, with the energy of producer/bassist Joe Puerta, engineer Kevin Arndt, mastering engineer Trevor Sadler, and accomplished Milwaukee musicians such as Greg Koch, Mike Standal, Theo Merryweather, Brian Dale, Warren Wiegratz, John McWilliams, including a string quartet lead by Jared Snyder, the fully produced album, Far From Dreaming was released. The CD features ten songs penned by Chrissy Dzioba and one cover - a plaintive version of Leaving on a Jet Plane, a tribute John Denver, since it was the first song she sang live with an acoustic guitar for an audience of well over a thousand. This unbelievably diverse record contains a mixture of folk, pop, jazz, and blues, with instruments such as wailing guitars, strings, piano, accordion, and of course, the mysterious "bifinkle geef".

Since the release of Far From Dreaming, many changes have taken place for Chrissy. In 2002 she recorded a live album at It’s a Beautiful Day Café in Pewaukee which is in the final stages and soon to be released. In addition she became a new addition to Milwaukee’s popular cover band, The Orphans. During this time other important issues were lingering such as finishing a senior marketing thesis, piano recital, and a graduation in May. Chrissy decided to put the band on hold to concentrate on school. Graduating in May of 2003 with a double major in Marketing and Piano Pedagogy, she is now returned to her first love of playing out as a solo and original artist. In addition she teaches piano and guitar at the Waukesha Conservatory of Music.

Chrissy Dzioba has performed as featured guest artist on the "Hotel Milwaukee" show on WI PBS Radio (visit www.hotelmilwaukee.com - show HM531), and also at Linneman's, The Ale House, Thai Joe’s, Stone Bank Pub, The Coffee House, River Bend Nature Center, Coffee & Beans, Neighbor's Bistro, Common Ground's Coffee House, Books & Company, Rejo's Tunes & Eater, Nashotah Clubhouse, colleges, private parties, weddings, and many others. She has been featured/shared the bill with artists such as Stephanie Dosen, Lil’ Rev, Eclectic Vibe, Joey Leal, Matt Hendricks, Bill Camplin, and John Sieger, to name a few. Publications such as the Waukesha Freeman, the Lake Country Reporter, and The Current have run featured articles about her many musical talents.

This multi-talented songstress has a sound of her very own. She is an innocent, yet a captivating temptress to anyone who chooses to listen to her heartfelt melodies. Through the music of Chrissy Dzioba, one can see the pure and vibrant soul, which is thriving to conquer the music scene around the globe...

"Far From Dreaming" can be found throughout the Midwest at Best Buy, and locally at: Exclusive Company, Barnes and Noble, Martha Merrell's Books, Atomic Records, Hartland Music, Carthage College Bookstore, and at Chrissy Dzioba’s live shows.

" It's just about everyday life."

"Pick of the Week" "FAR FROM DREAMING-an eclectic mix of folk rock songs." - "And the band Dzioba assembled for her newest release reads like the who's who list of musicians." the Waukesha Freeman

You can find it at: All Best Buy Stores, Sam Goody, Barnes & Noble, Atomic Records, Exclusive Co., Cascio Music, Hartland Music, Whitehouse of Music, Carthage College, Rejo's, Martha Merrell's Books, and wherever great music is sold.

"FAR FROM DREAMING" was released by firefly recordings and distributed by Oarfin Records.

FAR FROM DREAMING Guest Artists:

Greg Koch guitar Warren Wiegratz saxophone
Brian Dale drums Theo Merryweather keyboards
Mike Standal guitar Bob Jennings accordion
John McWilliam guitar Joe Puerta bass guitar
Jared Snyder cello Cindy Pervan viola
Josh Clevleland violin Alex Hansen violin

visit chrissy's site

click here for the wal-mart song in mp3 format joe puerta on bass

Big Nick & The Cydecos-Born Half Wild Joe Puerta produced this CD.

Big Nick & The Cydecos - "Born Half Wild"

On the album there is a fine mixture of cover songs from the Oldies era, traditional French songs and original tunes. "It's You I Love," with bongos and cleaves adding a feeling of a cantina to the swaying jaunt, and "Allons Danse" are two of the tracks that are clearly French-influenced. Acadian folk music, the grandfather of the music now known as "Cajun" is rooted in the French ballads of the 1900's. For "Allons Danse," it was decided to keep the song in its most traditional state, putting the focus of this classic French tune in the group performance and perfect melding of sound. If there's a song on the album that showcases the throaty power of Kelli Murphy's vocals, it would have to be "Hurts So Bad," the Tom Hambridge tune recently recorded by Susan Tedeschi. Joe Puerta said they tried to cut the album as live as possible to capture the excitement and emotion of each performance and for this song, Kelli definitely belted it out! Another wonderful vocal performance by Kelli in "A Girl Like Me" is evenly matched by the wild accordion riffs of Tom Nickel. Richard Holly, a local guitarist who has worked with Mark Paffrath on a more folk-pop musical project, Paffrath and Holly, lends some nice harmonic and guitar work, especially on the 1966 tune "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby."

Announcing Big Nick's latest release, "Born Half Wild" featuring "Hot Dog Zydeco" .. Judged by the Wisconsin Area Music Association as the best song composition of the 2001 WAMI song writing competition!
Steve Cohen
The second effort from this Milwaukee Zydeco quintet shows substantial growth both in production values, and ensemble sound.

Album Description
This is Big Nick and the Cydeco's second CD, following their first release, "Honey Bee" in the summer of 1998. This recording shows the considerable progress the band has made in compositional ability and technical ability, as well as their musical movement into new genres. The music is spirited, fun, and spawned from Eunice Louisiana's famed Zydeco and Cajun roots. Listen and see why the group commands such regional popularity. Produced by Joe Puerta Of Bruce Hornsby and the Range.

Performers
o Big Nick - Vocals, Accordions, Piano, Guitars o Kelli Murphy - Vocals, Rubboard, Enthusiasm o Mark Paffrath - Vocals, Violin, Mandolin, Guitars, Triangle o Cy Costabile - Drums, Bongos o Thad Saucedo - Bass Guitar

Big Nick & Band release second CD
Racine Journal Times; June, 2000
"Sounding Board"
By Patrick Fineran

Remember back in the days when we could easily differentiate the festivals
at the lakefront? There was the alumni fund-raising/reunion festival, the
music festival, the fishing festival, the gastronomically festival, and oh,
there's just too many to name. Well, the fishing Fest - a.k.a. Salmon-A-Rama
- is shaking things up a bit.

Yes, the fish folks are starting to get into my type of festival. I'm not
much for the weigh-in station and all that surrounds the fishing event. Just
give me music and lots of it. With all due respect to Frenchie and Pony Express,
this year's lineup is leaps and bounds beyond the old days with 35 or so
live acts for a total of 40 live music shows, not counting DJs and family-type
demonstrations.

The headliners include Xcstacy, Framing Amy, Rhythm Dogs, Blind Ambition,
Fun Factory, Gary's Music R&B Revue, Love Monkeys, Eddie Butts, Boogie
Men and Further. There's pretty much everything here for music lovers - bald
white drummers who can sing the blues, pretty women who can sing pop, long-haired
guys who can rock your world, men with wigs who boogaloo and smooth as silk
R&Bers.

But when you really want to rock a festival, what do you think of? Screaming
guitars? Kids rushing the twin guitar heroes as they headbang out their classic?
How about a button box, violin, harp, rubboard and spoons?

Big Nick and the Cydecos are a festival band in the finest sense. Tom Nickel,
Kelli Murphy, Mark Paffrath, Cy Costabile, and Thad Saucedo put out a musical
gumbo that has been warming audiences around the Midwest for years. The local
band recently released its second CD, "Born Half Wild," and it is fully a
great time.

Working on classics from the 50s and 60s, Big Nick and his gang have layered
on each of their unique talents to make the end result totally new and
refreshing. The individual members bring backgrounds from rock, punk, R&B,
blues, country and classical to the mix. Check out the touch Murphy brings
to the song "Hurts So Bad," which was recently recorded by Susan Tedeschi.
Paffrath also brings in a stellar version of the 1966 classic "When Something
is Wrong With My Baby."

Big Nick and the Cydecos' version of Zydeco is much more than the traditional
Acadian music laced with rhythm & blues and country that makes up much
of the style you hear today. The CD's producer Joe Puerta (a founder of the
1970s band Ambrosia and bass player for Bruce Hornsby and The Range) has
coined the term "Modeco" for the Cydecos. It's a mix of Motown and Zydeco.
Pop, soul, country, Cajun, swing, whatever you want to call it, people of
all ages and tastes will get into this band.

You can check out the band's Web site at http://www.bignick.net

click here for hurts so bad in mp3 format