Motion pictures.
Before fate decreed that we should cross paths with professional videographer Phillip Berhauser, who shot the footage of the January 28, 2023 concert at the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center, we had to make do with blurry cell phone fan videos and archaic Kodak pocket cam features pulled from the archives. Always a fan of lo-fi, particularly from the golden age of portable four track tape recorders, we believe that it’s the spirit of the event being captured that’s most important. Enjoy!
DEan Bonzani solo, and C-Los Belos (acoustic) live at Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center, Aug 4., 2023
DB and a stripped down, intimate version of C-Los Belos performed for 165 delighted souls in the parking lot of GMAEC.
DEan Bonzani in concert @ Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center- Full Show
January 28th was an amazing night. Bittersweet Highway, with special guest, cellist Martha Ditto, was beautiful. DEan’s set, with special guest Elizabeth “Tasha Zarathustra” on fretless bass, was a high energy romp featuring rave fingered jazz hands, lots of laughter, and the best audience a performer could ever ask for. Just six seats shy of a sold out crowd, a very good time was had by all.
Live @ Louie’s Pizza, Paonia, CO
Here, in all of its floodlit glory, is the entire 2.5 hour show from August 5th, 2022, on the back patio of the famed Louie’s Pizza, in downtown Paonia. You could say that this video and performance represent the current state of the art of what Bonzani does. The sound system was dialed, the audience was especially frisky, many original tunes were played, the video camera was in a good position, and the night went off with a degree of merriment that made it one to remember fondly.
Bonzani regales the boisterous revelers on the patio of Louie’s Pizza, in downtown Paonia, CO.
Stoik Beer Company, Delta, Colorado. May 28, 2022.
The Mysterious Stranger delivers an oatmeal stout infused rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" on an especially windy late afternoon on the patio of Stoik Beer Company, in downtown Delta, Colorado. May 28, 2022.
Live promo short.
The Mysterious Stranger performing "Gilligan's Grove" live at Louie's Pizza in Paonia, Colorado, with mini slide show of past performances. A short clip for promotional purposes. If you’re considering adding Bonzani’s show to your venue’s lineup, this right here is a sterling example of exactly what that entails. If you have 3D glasses, be sure to wear them as you watch this video.
Who is Tasha Zarathustra?
Who is Tasha Zarathustra? She was the bassist for Flagstaff rock trio, Buddha Witha Gun for nearly a decade, opening for Buckethead at one point. She also played in Babushkas of Doom, and Hippie Outreach Program, before retiring from live performance. That is, until now. Zarathustra has returned to active duty, providing bass and vocals to the brand new project, C-Los Belos in its acoustic and electric versions.
Whuppity Scourie’s Eve.
The Flagstaff adaptation of a Scottish tradition. Kilts were worn. Whiskey was quaffed. Songs were sung and fun was had. An old friend was in town and played percussion for the entire set, which added an entire layer of goodness to the festivities.
Dean and Sonam Targee covering Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" as an encore on their Whupitty Scourie's Eve performance at Flagstaff's Uptown Pub, February 26th, 2009.
Dean and percussionist Sonam Targee tear through Bonzani's "Snakeskin Lever" while drinking pints of Kilt Lifter.
Dean and Sonam Targee dig deep into a cover of Trent Reznor's "Hurt" that is the perfect triangulation between the original, the incredible Johnny Cash version, and Bonzani's own take on the song.
The infamous “Summer of Subs Tour” of 2009.
The late Tim Luckenback and Dean, as The Wee Shites, perform the Bonzani tune "Spin Hippy Girl" at Backstage Pass Sandwich Shop during the infamous "Summer of Subs Tour" of 2009, in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Phone video by Erika Bentley, with post production by D.B.
The late Tim Luckenback and Dean, as The Wee Shites, perform the Bonzani tune "Big Crybaby" at Backstage Pass Sandwich Shop during the infamous "Summer of Subs Tour" of 2009, in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Phone video by Erika Bentley, with post production by D.B.
Altitudes Bar & Grill.
Ah, the madness that was Altitudes. Over the course of many years, Bonzani commanded the tiny stage in the corner of the bar during the winter, and let fly on the upper and lower patios outside during the warm months, much to the delight of the many dogs lounging at their owners’ feet. Occasionally, he’d be joined in song with off-again/ on-again musical partner in crime, Tim Luckenback, of Sonic Wombat and Mondo Dogs fame.
Dean and Tim finish up the night's festivities with a rousing rendition of the Violent Femmes' "Blister In The Sun," followed by a spontaneous ode to Paul the bartender. This was around 2009, before the bar expanded and the stage was banished to the sadness that is now the back room. Also, Tim was alive.
Dean and Tim earnestly simulate a single 12-string guitar during a cover of the Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want." This portion of that historic evening's performance features Tim's sudden obsession with one dollar and fifty cents, a mystery that persists to this day.
Dean and Tim abuse the Gear Daddies’ tune “Zamboni,” a heart wrenching tale of yearning and loss, centered around an ice smoothing machine. The incredible sadness of the narrative is counterbalanced by Tim’s stoic vocals, punctuated by Dean’s plaintive cries of sheer longing and despair. There are also two tasty solos and a declaration of Tim’s being a toad and "...a stinky bastard, sir.”