San Diego Reader

Paul Castellanos: Banjo, Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Mandolin, Violin | Sergio Guitarrez: Guitar (electric), Vocals | David Winter: Keyboards, Vocals | Clay Colton: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Vocals | Grant Gebler: Bass guitar, Vocals | B.J. Morgan: Drums, Percussion, Vocals

Genre: Covers | Standards, Rock

Sound description: '90s alt meets kickin' country, for alt-country kickers.

RIYL: Pearl Jam, Neil Diamond, the Dave Matthews Band, the Beatles, Tom Petty, Wilco

Upcoming Local Shows

Song Downloads

• Roses Don't Mean a Thing

Discography

Related Links:

• Blurt: "Live Irish Music" · June 1, 2006

• Blurt: "Monster Bass Player Lost" · Dec. 1, 2005

Synoposis

Inception: San Diego, 2000

Ex-Band Members: Gary Piro, Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) Craig Yerkes, Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Vocals Joe Pontisso, Bass guitar Rob Smith, Bass guitar Redneck Joe, Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Vocals Matt Bongiovanni, Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Vocals Bort Schrader, Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) Eli Fugate, Drums, Percussion, Vocals

Current Status: The Clay Colton Band performs four to five nights a week at area venues like Dublin Square in the Gaslamp, Hennessey's Irish Pub in Carlsbad, R. O'Sullivan's of Carlsbad, Killarney's Irish Pub in Temecula & Riverside, and J.J. Landers Irish Pub in Fallbrook.

Influences: The Beatles, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, Radiohead, Buffalo Springfield, Alice in Chains, Neil Diamond, Cat Stevens, Kenny Chesney

Background:

The Clay Colton Band plays classic rock covers and original songs. The group was founded in 2000 by guitarist-vocalists Clay Colton and Matt Bongiovanni. Originally known as Bender, the duo’s album Two Months was released in fall 2001.

After the Bongiovanni/Colton partnership faded, Colton began performing with a rotating lineup of support players. “The band could number as many as five or six musicians to as few as two,” says Colton.

In 2005 the Clay Colton Band released their album Looking Back Ahead. In September 2009 they won the Viejas Big Country Showdown and $10,000 in prize money (which the band says they “immediately pilfered away on booze and women”).