Hidden Valley Lake >> “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Louie Louie” and “Wooly Bully” are songs that, regardless of age or musical taste, pretty much everyone knows. They’re feet-taping numbers, ones that pull you onto the dance floor to jump and shimmy and sing along. And this is precisely why J Silverheels won’t play anything but oldies and classic rock — with a little bit of country thrown in.
“I get to play all the songs that make everyone happy, including me, and that happens to be rock,” said band leader Joe Geremia. “I think that’s how I’ve been successful, just because of how well I can choose what songs I play.”
Geremia can count his band’s success in years — 40 of them, to be exact. Four decades ago he began J Silverheels, opting to form and lead his own band rather than follow someone else’s agenda. He didn’t go his own way because of tensions or strained working relationships; he simply wanted the freedom to pick what songs he played.
Geremia has always been something of a free spirit when it comes to music. At 13 he received his first guitar for Christmas, took one lesson, then broke his arm. The broken bone was what derailed his instruction, but Geremia willingly never took another lesson after it healed. Instead, he decided to teach himself to play. “You listen to the records and you play it the way they play it. That’s the best way to learn, if you ask me,” he said. “That’s why we play the songs so good. I like to sound like the record, but with my own little rock and roll flair.”
Chuck Berry and the Beatles are natural influences, but it’s the music of the ‘70s that really hits home for Geremia. Geremia was about 17 when he first heard the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and Foghat. He looked to them as he learned the guitar and got his toes wet in the world of music. Decades later and he continues looking to them. “It’s still my favorite music, even of today. That’s why I started playing it and why I still play it,” Geremia said. “Someone better come out with some better music so we can move on. We keep going backwards.”
Although the ‘70s rockers are his favorite, J Silverheels isn’t limited to one decade or style. When they were taking gigs at bars, they had to learn country. Fifteen years ago they added oldies to their repertoire. The result is a wide-ranging set list full of familiar songs, always will a rock edge.
The only music they don’t play are the blues. While many of Geremia’s friends gravitated toward the genre as they got older, Geremia has never felt that inclination. “Rock and roll is just a different animal,” he said.
J Silverheels will be bringing their music to the Greenview Restaurant in Hidden Valley Lake tonight for a Concert on the Green. The band makes their home in Napa, and tonight’s concert will be the only time they’re visiting Lake County this year. It’s the perfect opportunity not only to have fun and let loose, but to scope out the band. They’re available for private parties, be they work functions, anniversaries or birthdays.
J Silverheels always aims to impress, and if their packed schedule is anything to go by, they don’t seem to miss. They don’t play clubs, and still they’re busy every weekend, Geremia said.
Again, it all goes back to the music. Every song Geremia picks was a hit back in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, every song gets people on their feet. And the J Silverheels have just as much fun as the audience — though it’s been 40 years, Geremia certainly doesn’t have plans to put on the breaks any time soon. “It’s like we’re still 30. You don’t feel like you’re in your 50s,” he said. “So it’s easy to think, I’ll go at least ten, twenty more.”
20 years might be pushing it, he admitted, but he has no doubts about making it another ten. “It’s been 40 great years,” Geremia added.
J Silverheels perform tonight beginning at 5 p.m. at the Greenview Restaurant located at 19210 Hartmann Rd. in Hidden Valley Lake.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
