By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review
Since forming a little over a year ago, the High Desert-based Van Halen tribute band Fair Warning has been setting local venues on fire with its high-energy and entertaining stage shows.
According to guitarist Jay Hotrum, his four-member group draws sellout crowds everywhere from the Cadillac Ranch in Apple Valley to Johnny Fingers in Victorville.
At 9 p.m. Thursday, Fair Warning looks forward to rocking the house in a New Year’s Eve party at Frogee’s Cocktail Lounge, 21820 Highway 18 in Apple Valley.
Hotrum said it promises to be an evening the High Desert won’t soon forget.
“Our band’s popularity has been growing tremendously,” said Hotrum, who joined Fair Warning a few months ago. “We’re in high demand here in the area and have even been getting calls from venues down the hill that want to book us.
“This thing just keeps getting bigger and bigger and it’s very exciting.”
Along with Hotrum, Fair Warning’s lineup includes Darryl Thompson (lead guitar), Nathan Keefer (drums) and Jayk Swan (bass).
Hotrum said Thompson, Keefer and Swan originally got together hoping to mostly play for fun and a little extra cash. But once audiences began to experience what they had to offer, the band took off in a way none of the members expected.
“We shot a couple of videos of the band performing at the Cadillac Ranch and put them up on YouTube,” said Hotrum, who lives in Victorville. “People started sharing one of them with their friends and all of a sudden, it had thousands of views and we began getting calls from venues.
“Even though the band’s only been doing this for a short time, a lot of work has gone into putting our shows together. It seems like it’s all been paying off.”
Hotrum said Fair Warning’s typical gig lasts about four hours. The band plays over 40 songs from the first six Van Halen albums.
Tunes in its set list include “Everybody Wants Some,” “Runnin’ with the Devil,” “Hot for Teacher,” “Unchained,” “Dance the Night Away” and “Panama,” to name a few.
“We don’t have a gimmick and we don’t wear wigs or try to impersonate the members of Van Halen,” said Hotrum, who was the 17th singer Fair Warning tried out before making a decision about who they were going to hire. “We just play the songs note for note and we bring the fun that Van Halen brought to audiences back in the ‘80s.
“I think this formula is the reason what we do works and why it’s gotten so much attention.”
Admission to Frogee’s New Year’s Eve party is $10. Along with live music, the event will feature party favors, a champagne toast and dinner and desserts at midnight.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call 760-247-6800. Find Fair Warning on Facebook by searching for HD Fair Warning.