Ernest Bovine, Sneaky Pete and Thumbs Carllile

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 2 Jan 2019 8:48 am

On my earliest trip to the USA (Spring, '82) I bumped - almost literally - into Doug in a music store on Ventura. Renewing our acquaintanceship (we'd met before in London) was fun and he also directed me to 'Calamity's' - a music venue nearby.

I don't suppose it's still there but it may be.

I was grateful for the tip! The band was 'The Shut-Outs' - Sneaky Pete was on steel and the incomparable Thumbs played his Telecaster and sang. MusicMan amps abounded in those days.

I'm sorry for the quality of these photos but it's all I have. While I'd imagine that Doug's Chevy van is long gone, perhaps his licence-plate still survives?

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 2 Jan 2019 9:12 am

Great pictures, Roger!

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 2 Jan 2019 9:31 am

Roger Rettig wrote: While I'd imagine that Doug's Chevy van is long gone, perhaps his licence-plate still survives?

Found it! and here it is on the C6 guitar that I got out to get ready for SWSGA in 2 weeks.
That photo is in the parking lot behind Valley Arts.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 2 Jan 2019 9:32 am

Bob Regan and Rosalie North (Mrs Greg Humphrey) on guitar, Garth Hudson on keys. The club was in Torrance, formerly "Latitude 21" featuring tropical entertainment by The Aliis.
Greg used many many players in The Shutouts but the group that played the most was Greg & Rose, Steve Duncan, Jack Daniels, Dan Tyack, Doug Atwell, and me (on keys, never on steel). This was in the days when all the discos converted to Urban Cowboy.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 2 Jan 2019 1:18 pm

My band Elvis Montana played Calamity's a lot in the early 80's. Fun place, manager was a PITA. Really cute South Bay waitresses. The Shut Out's were one of the most-booked bands there. Think the name later got changed to All You Can Eat. The club is no longer there. Fond memories, including one night with Vince Gill sitting in, he was a South Bay resident and friend our our singer, Laura Sinclair.

Me on MSA D-10. Norman Stepansky on bass behind Vince the Dreamboat.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 2 Jan 2019 1:28 pm

So Vince had a triple-0 Martin even back then? Great pic, John.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 2 Jan 2019 2:02 pm

Calamity's!! I used to play there a lot back then. Sharp-eyed folks will recognize Garth Hudson behind Thumbs.
What a great band the Shut-Outs were...really awesome. It's too bad that Sneaky, Thumbs & Greg are no longer with us...

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 2 Jan 2019 8:05 pm

These photos are killing me!

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 2 Jan 2019 8:34 pm

Good stuff!

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 3 Jan 2019 2:28 am

I used to play their "PacMan" game on breaks .

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Ernest Bovine, Sneaky Pete and Thumbs Carllile

Ernest Bovine, Sneaky Pete and Thumbs Carllile

Re: Ernest Bovine, Sneaky Pete and Thumbs Carllile