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As Debbie and I arrived, we could see that we were going to experience a unique evening at The Roxy. There was a larger than usual crowd of people all around the venue, a stretch limo, and a professional filming crew including a video cameraman and handheld lighting technician. “I wonder who is here,” I commented to Debbie. Then we saw that Ashley and Tiffany were beside the limo with Jacob. It became obvious to us that MTV's filming of their reality TV show, which MTV announced in a press release on June 27th, “There and Back” starring Ashley Angel, must have already begun and the crew had followed Ashley and Tiffany to The Roxy Theatre where they had come to see Jacob’s Loc perform.

We worked our way through a group of bystanders. Like moths to a flame, some attendees swarmed Ashley and Tiffany’s filming entourage, making it even more difficult for us to make it up to the ticket window. Ashley and Tiffany were also buying their tickets at the window, so we greeted them. Inside, a band was already performing to a packed room. Truly, it was standing room only.

Admission to The Roxy included free access to On the Rox, an upstairs lounge where Jacob, Aaron, Mike and the Loc-ettes would be performing their acoustic set around midnight. We made our way upstairs. Through the windows, we could see the Sunset Strip below and the city lights of the LA basin stretching beyond it. The room was illuminated by the blue neon tubing that trimmed the room and the lighting behind the long and colorful line of liquor bottles at the bar. With only one portable electric fan at the lounge’s entrance, the room was incredibly hot and stuffy. We decided to descend to the club’s lobby to catch some cool autumn-like air that drifted into the nightspot each time the incessant stream of attendees entered or left the club. We climbed back up the dark, steep and narrow stairway to On the Rox just before Jacob’s Loc’s set. As is often the case with live shows, some glitches had arisen that needed to be addressed while Jacob, Aaron and Mike were setting up, but soon they were ready to roll.

The five-song set opened with “Deadly Game.” Jacob played the harmonica in this blues-fused folk rock rendition of this number. Much like the enjoyment one experiences when seeing a new side of an old friend when they appear in flattering new clothes, I was happy that I got to see and hear the becoming folk rock side of this song. In my opinion, the genre complemented the philosophical lyrics of “Deadly Game.” It reminded me of the folk rock music movement of the 60s and 70s when musicians such as Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young and Crosby, Stills and Nash rose from the ashes of the formulaic Top 40 pop music movement of that era.

America's youths were disillusioned by what they felt was the nation’s turn away from a true democratic voice and the songs of the folk rock artists of that time inspired youths to address what they saw as America’s shortcomings, especially in the area of civil rights and matters of social concience. In my opinion, America has a new movement rising up from major media’s formulaic music industry of today. This time it is enabled by the new capabilities of independent artists to share their music with people worldwide via the widespread availability of recording technology and Internet broadcasting, networking and marketing.

Folk music is defined as, “Music originating among the common people of a nation or region and spread about or passed down orally.” (I think “aurally” is a more accurate choice of words.) I found that same element in this version of “Deadly Game”, as there is thoughtful, worthwhile advice in the song’s lyrics. Jacob played the harmonica on this and other songs in the set. It was wonderful to see the rich and diverse musical expressions of this band that follow along the lines of groups that inspire them. When I asked Jacob about particular artists that inspire his harmonica playing, he said that John Popper (Blues Traveler) has been the biggest contemporary influence. Jacob added, "But overall it's just