Hidden among the Tarantino-esque back alleyways of Van Nuys, California, is a vibrant musical Mecca. It’s housed in an unassuming industrial warehouse that sits over the hill from Hollywood and shares the block with blue-collar businesses and the occasional food truck. The hallways are decked with flight cases, some bearing names of legendary LA artists. There are many units, covered rehearsal rooms, storage and studios, the decor is refreshingly old-school rock ’n’ roll. It’s a buzzing hive that reflects none of the glitz and glamour commonly associated with Los Angeles, and you certainly won’t find an ‘Instagrammable moment’ in the foyer here.
This, instead, is where the LA musical elite come to hone their craft, create new projects and prep for worldwide tours. At the end of the hall, drummer Kenny Aronoff (above, centre) and bassist Fabrizio Grossi (above, far left) are musical neighbours. They also make up the superstar rhythm section of Supersonic Blues Machine.
Aronoff is a drummer’s drummer, a rhythmic powerhouse. In LA you are just as likely to find him playing local megadome The Staples Center as you are laying it down with other LA luminaries at Studio City’s long-standing jazz club The Baked Potato. Grossi was born in Italy and arrived in LA in 1996. He is an accomplished bassist and producer, with a history of working with some of the world’s greatest guitarists.
Their collaborative project, Supersonic Blues Machine, is no exception. It’s a hub for guitar elites such as Billy F Gibbons, Robben Ford, Walter Trout and Eric Gales. A platform for six-string slingers to jump onboard and let rip, both live and on record. Their second album, , sees Kris Barras take front-of-stage vocal and guitar duties, and once again, there is a more than impressive guest list.
