Achilles Wheel is spinning again.
The Northern California band will jam to South Lake Tahoe’s spectacular venue at the Tallac Historic Site, the Valhalla Grand Lawn. Part of a summertime series, the show starts at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 21.
Table seating is sold out but he lawn outside the table area is free. Walking or cycling to the show is encouraged. Concertgoers can bring chairs, blankets and picnic dinner.
The five-piece band formed in Placerville about 12 years ago.
“We all grew up on the same kind of music, so there is a common language,” said guitarist-singer Paul Kamm. “We are different stylistically and in our hearts we have different things that we feel but we are bonded by a desire to be free form with our music.
“We started with a song and we allow each other to play whatever it is we want to play without ever having to play the same notes every night.”
During the live show lockdown of 2020, Achilles Wheel released a triple CD, “Live on Wesley’s Road.” The title and spirt of the live recordings from 2019 honor KVMR disc jockey Wesley Robertson, who dedicated his life to supporting live music and streaming concerts for radio.
Kamm said more than 25 hours of live audio was edited into the three CDs.
The extended length “gives more of a heartbeat of what we like to do as a band, from folky rock stuff to getting way out there with experimental jamming.”
Kamm, who has a background in world beat music, plays mostly rhythm guitar. Johnny Mojo, experienced in blues, bluegrass and classic rock, plays lead. They combine their diversity in their songwriting.
Mark McCartney plays drums and the newest member is keyboardist Ben Jacobs. Shelby Snow plays a six-string electric bass guitar. His style has been compared to The Who’s John Entwistle.
“He plays from his heart and he plays wild and free,” Kamm said. “Maybe that’s why he has so many strings to keep up with what his hands are doing.”
The Achilles Wheel performance is part of a five-show series on the Grand Lawn. The first concert was James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash. Joe O’Hara and his wife were in attendance.
“We’re here on a scouting mission,” O’Hara said. “We are coming back to see Achilles Wheel.”
- Achilles Wheel
Where: Valhalla Grand Lawn, Tallac Historic Site, South Lake Tahoe
When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 21
Tickets: Table seating is sold out. The lawn outside the table area is free. Walking or cycling to the show is encouraged. Bring a chair, blanket and picnic.
Website: https://valhallatahoe.showare.com/ - More shows:
Wednesday, July 28: The Tom Rhodes Band
Wednesday, Aug. 11: Grateful Bluegrass Boys
Wednesday, Aug. 18: Earles of Newtown
Michael Smyth / Tahoe Onstage
