The Ram | Early Photographs
All Photography by Daniel Hernandez | Instagram: @drhphotsd
On the heels of yesterday’s ‘Freaky Friday’ show at the Camp Store at South Carlsbad State Beach, CA, I’d like to take a look back to the origins of one of the best music venues in North County San Diego. It wasn’t that long ago that what is now hallowed ground to local musicians, was built on a knick-knack shop that sold bad coffee, firewood, and beer to campers. God that coffee sucked.
Luckily for us, local beer, wine, and unique pizza offerings are part of the upgraded menu. To compliment everything else, year round live music was added to the mix! Only in California, baby.
Ask anyone who’s performed there, the Camp Store is a dream to play at because of the ownership and the locals. My personal favorites: Ginger Roots, Hazmat, Jason Jenkins, Cinco Hombres, the list goes on forever. One band, the Ride, played right up until a rain storm pummeled everyone in attendance. As we prepare ourselves for the summer of ‘24, it only makes sense to look back and see how far we’ve come.
What Anthony Marrocotti built during the pandemic was immediately successful and embraced by the local community and us local musicians. The good vibes of the crowds are infectious. Being able to enjoy a great meal on a State Beach in California, is a rarity. There are a few places that come to mind, and most surfers worth their salt know what a Jallama burger is, but we had nothing like it in San Diego.
I’m proud that our band was one of the first to initiate live music. It means a great deal to me as a member of the community. Having a place to preview new songs to friends was important to me then, as it is now. Last night, we played ‘Everything’ and ‘Space Cowboy’, unreleased gems.
I found some pics of one of the early shows we did shows pre-stage Camp Store with Marco Savioa, Chris Flores, and Mike Pritchard accompanying me.
Check it out:
Getting after it in front of the ice machine.
This shot was used for the single release ‘New Day Dawn’ in 2022.
Chris Robinson Brotherhood (CRB) sticker on the guitar, and a Deadhead patch on the black blazer.
Inner peace while improvising on the guitar. John Coltrane wasn’t the only one who believed performing music is a pure example of doing God’s work.
Nothing like playing with these guys.
Mr. Fantastic Pritchtastic, playing with Mike is like riding shotgun in a space cruiser. I think he elevates everything he touches.
It looks like I have a stone in my shoe, or forgot one of my lyrics.
I like how you can see the web based set list I made for the band. Providing charts for the boys is an essential.
Looks like I’m either laughing or letting a fart rip. Could be either.
Deep in the groove.
Never let the dark get in the way of playing music.
Throwing down the sign of the devil to some little old lady in the audience.
Singing, crying, or both.
Lecturing the locals on staying clear of drugs, and the evils of booze.
I look surprised that I was actually not flubbing the chord in the song.
This shot was used for the ‘Do It Right’ single released in 2022.
Hitchhiking.
My guess is we played until 9pm that night.
Hitting the groove with the boys.
This photo was used for the ‘Outside the City’ release in 2022.
That’s what’s called belting shit out. Pure and simple.
Getting my triple chin on like Donkey Kong.
The out of focus sprinter van in the background is the real focal point of this pic.
Shouting out to one of my crew out in the water catching a set wave.
The art of listening to the rest of the band.
Laughing at an inside joke.
Yet another joke only the band and I get.
One of the shots used with the ‘Join Along’ release in 2022.
Huge fan of the Blues Brothers.
I think this was the main pic used for ‘Join Along’ released in 2022.
Pure love and happiness when playing at the Camp Store.
Holding down the turf in front of the ice machine like a champ.
Hands down my favorite picture of the night. We used this shot for the ‘Ragtop Car’ release in 2022. I think this personifies the feeling I have when playing to local audiences at the Camp Store.
Thanks for taking a stroll though the past with me. This pictured show will be part of the live footage I’m releasing every Wednesday (dubbed ‘Weekly Wednesday Jams’) for the rest of 2024. This show was a huge leap forward for me as an artist.