For a venue accustomed to hosting big-name rock stars, Belly Up just might have outdone itself. Aspen had better be prepared, because the moment mega-rock super group Camp Freddy hits the stage tonight, and a fair amount of seismic activity could occur.
The brain-child of Jane’s Addiction guitarist and one-time reality TV star Dave Navarro, Camp Freddy is an audacious blend of the highest caliber musicians modern rock has to offer. The core band members are Navarro, fellow guitarist Billy Morrison (The Cult/Circus Diablo), drummer Matt Sorum (Guns N Roses/Velvet Revolver), bassist Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction/Alanis Morrisette) and singer Donovan Leitch Jr. (son of 1960s folk singer Donovan). Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots was with the group from 2006-2008 before departing after a dust-up with Sorum.
Strictly a cover band, every Camp Freddy show is different from the last, and they always feature a special guest. The list of guests is staggering, a potpourri of music giants from Lou Reed to Macy Gray, Stephen Tyler to Cypress Hill. Even mellow, electronic music wizard Moby has hopped on board. Big act role-players also share the bill on occasion. Tonight’s show, for example, will feature Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell.
Camp Freddy was formed in 2002 as a vehicle for Navarro and his friends to let off some steam and have a little fun. Getting away from a rigid touring schedule and strict set list, the band can play a loose, devil-may-care gig in a club, theatre, or, in one case, the world’s largest strip joint. The point is to change things up a bit, to get away from the tired, corporate side of the music business.
With regard to the songs Camp Freddy covers, nothing is off the table. Generally speaking, they go with timeless rockers. One night might include Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times, Bad Times,” “Train Kept A-Rollin,” by Aerosmith, and AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” while another could spice things up with variations of Poison, Nirvana, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The unexpected gem is also a trademark of any Camp Freddy show. Anyone attending will know 99 percent of the songs and the majority of the lyrics, but Navarro and his gang of giants will always pull something new out of their collective hat. Instead of playing the biggest hit off your favorite album, they will play your favorite song. It’s a little thing, but it makes each show extra special to at least one person in the audience.
The band plays Belly Up tonight at 10 p.m. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $150.
