Going up: Band of Gringos and the Holding Company

The January demolition of the Ocean Beach bar/music venue named the Holding Company helped put its owner in the social-media crosshairs.

Was Steve Yeng, also the co-owner/operator (with his brothers) of the OB Noodle House and other O.B. businesses, ruining the town’s laidback vibe with his plans to replace the beach bar previously known as Gallagher’s with a three-story café/entertainment megaplex?

The three-member guitar-based power trio Band of Gringos — all born and raised in O.B. and still residents — say they would happily play at the new Holding Company once it is rebuilt.

“I can see both sides,” Gringos guitarist/singer Cody Sherman says. “Many OBceans don’t like big party crowds. The Holding Company already tried to hire big bands. When they reopen I think they are really going to go for it. Right now Winstons is the only other killer place to play music in O.B.”

Life has been good for the Gringos since they formed two years ago, driven by Sherman’s appreciation of Hendrix- and John Mayer–inspired guitar leads.

“We’re not a reggae band like 95 percent of the bands that come out of O.B.,” says Sherman. He says he and bassist Kasey Dring soaked up their appreciation of classic rock from their parents’ vinyl collections. “Transcending generations is our goal.”

While they have yet to release original recordings or go on tour, their local popularity led to a recent sold-out show at Winstons. “People could not get in,” says Dring. “A lot of our fans were turned away, but they were happy for us.”

“There’s very few musicians who actually make it out of O.B.,” says Sherman. “A lot of great musicians seem to get stuck in O.B. Slightly Stoopid was one of the first and only bands to break out.”

Ted Wigler has booked Winstons for two decades. He confirms there was a line down the block to see the Gringos January 20th. “Their personal connections pack ’em in. They are big right here right now.”

Wigler says many O.B. residents wonder how big the new Holding Company restaurant/music venue will be once it opens, or how high it will aim to get bigger names. Yeng and talent buyer Jake Skolnick did not respond for a request for comment.