There was dancing in the aisles and the playing of air drums during the foot-stomping and heart-pounding rock concert in San Quentin’s Chapel A on Saturday evening, March 16.
“Rock and Roll is here to stay,” sang Danny and the Juniors back in 1958. They were right, as experienced by a demure yet enthusiastic crowd that enjoyed the variety of rock numbers performed by The Lemon Hammer.
The four-piece ensemble included acoustic guitarist and lead singer Damond Moodie, drummer and occasional harmonica player Aaron Brinkerhoff, electric bass player Fergus Lenehan, and electric guitarist and co-lead singer Alexis Harte, who composed much of their repertoire.
The concert opened with the original “Nothing But Time,” which was very well received by the mostly incarcerated audience.
“Music is a healer; it is good for the brain and body,” resident dancer David Israel said. “It has to be included in the California Model. We should have a DJ like we had at Ironwood [State Prison].”
The concert was hosted by Kurt Huget, who teaches a guitar class in SQ’s Arts in Corrections program. He is also a teacher with the William James Association, which sponsors music and art for the program.
“We’re bringing the power of music in a special place,” said Huget. “It’s a win-win situation with residents and the band.”
The WJA works with the non-profit Bread and Roses, an organization that has provided free music for schools, prisons, hospitals, and senior and rehabilitation centers for the past half century.
Francesca Lee is the show producer for Bread and Roses and recommended the band.
The Lemon Hammer has played locally in the Bay Area for the past 15 years. They perform mostly original songs, but also include covers in their show.
The group’s original songs are written and sung from the heart about personal experiences and feelings.
“You can only go with what you feel,” resident William Wells said. “I was surprised with how good they are and their selection of music.”
Moodie delivered the songs soulfully in a Darius Rucker way. The driving rhythm you could feel in your bone marrow was provided by the animated Keith Moon-ish style of Brinkerhoff.
“We love playing with Bread and Roses. When it was offered, we just jumped up,” said Brinkerhoff, who began his drumming career in the fourth grade.
The melody and bass backbeat of Harte and Lenehan were reminiscent of Lindsay Buckingham and John McVie of Fleetwood Mac.
The poignant song “Window,” with the lyrics “In the window of my life we will all be free,” briefly changed course and demonstrated Moodie’s extraordinary vocal range.
“It was heartfelt. We need more of that,” said resident Steven Martinez. “I’m glad I came. They did a good job. It took me outside these walls for an hour.”
One of the show’s highlights, earning the greatest applause, was the band’s cover of the Bill Withers song, “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
“I love rock. Since I was a small boy, I liked to dance,” said Israel. “I go with the rhythm of the music.”
After the encore, it was still rather early and an unidentified resident spectator hollered out, “Play some more. We don’t have to go to bed until 9:00!”
