2008 Woodie Awards
Three bands rock Chico late into night
The Hot Toddies, Belles and Whistles, March of the Mannequins mix music styles at Thursday's show
By: Angela Perez
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Entertainment
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Aug. 29, 2008
Nick's Nightclub was rocked Thursday by girl groups as The Hot Toddies, and local bands Belles and Whistles and March of the Mannequins performed late into the night.
Beneath the green and white lights, Belles and Whistles took the stage around 10 p.m. and livened up the small crowd of people hanging around the bar with its unique sound of classic rock, folk and a bit of country.
Throughout the show the band switched instruments several times through the six band mates. Seventh member, Molly McNally, was absent from the show.
The audience started out meager, but soon grew in size, as well as sound, as Belles and Whistles played on with cheers from fellow performers, The Hot Toddies.
The set consisted of a mixture of original songs, covers and even a performance of a song written by band member Ska-T when he played with another band called The Hats. Ska-T described it as "just a small song about our small town."
At one point, the band had to pause for a while between songs for a readjustment of sound levels, during which drummer Nolan Ford remarked to the sound technician, "sorry, I whack it too hard," about the drum set. A loud roar of "yeah" came in reply from the back of the bar.
The group continued to entertain the crowd with a version of "Fever" that combined the sensuality of Beth Knight's vocals with a mix of classic rock, jazz and blues. It finished its set with a version of the Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down", which proved a perfect way to end its set, showcasing all their vocals and instrumental talents.
"They were great," said Jessica Wright, keyboardist for The Hot Toddies. "I loved all their covers."
During the Belles and Whistles set, the crowd stayed mostly near the bar. People seemed to migrate in a large pack while The Hot Toddies were setting up their instruments.
The Hot Toddies grabbed the audience's attention with a "Hello Chico. We love you," from member Erin Skidmore.
Clad in short dressees, the band proceeded to start its set with a slow song that got the audience moving toward the stage. The opening number then turned into a faster, rock song reminiscent of surf songs from the '60s.
Since a particular group of drunken guys were shouting "Seattle", Skidmore asked "You wanna hear 'Seattle'?" and The Hot Toddies proceeded to play their popular song. The song prompted a few outspoken members of the audience to break into a drunken dance.
"You're so sexy," one guy yelled from the audience, as the small group moved as close to the stage as possible could get without actually being on it.
"The crowd's always fun," said Wright, of The Hot Toddies. "They were kinda mellow, we weren't intimidated."
"Keep coming to the shows," added drummer, Sylvia Hurtado.
The Hot Toddies set continued with old favorites and a few new songs that have yet to be recorded.
Though the harmonious vocals were a drowned out by the instruments, the group still sounded great. It finished its set, and the crowd mingled with the group as local band, March of the Mannequins, set up for the last performance of the night.
"I'd like to thank you for sticking around late on a school night," said March of the Mannequin band member, Ernesto Alvarado as it started its set.
With a loud, pure rock sound, the band kept the crowd alive even after obvious favorites The Hot Toddies had finished. March of the Mannequins kept Nick's Nightclub rocking into the late night.
Angela Perez can be reached at
Angela Perez
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