Story

 Once upon a time, under an ol' Oak tree at Doc's house... 
The Live Oaks band began in the hills of Oakland in 2016. In the backyard of a legendary doctor's home. Our friend "Doc" was a pioneer of free health clinics in San Francisco in the 60's-70's and also happened to be a lover of rock & roll. He even had Jerry Garcia as a friend and patient. He was widowed and chronically ill later in his life and preferred the company of musicians, so he took us in.
He provided a roof over our heads. 
He let musicians live at his home for free as long as there was music and some good cookin'. He took care of us, and we took care of him. We danced and dreamed about rock & roll. It gave us hope. It gave the house in which we called "Bagshotte" life again. We sang for Doc, we wrote for Doc, we brought the best musicians we knew over to the house to jam for Doc. A lot of our songs were written at his house in the hills. That was 9 years ago when we first moved in. He even purchased us an acoustic Martin guitar that we still use on stage to this day. But after years of battling cancer,  he is gone now and has since passed away.  
But since then we have not stopped writing music and refining our live show and recording processes. We have done it all. Toured in shitty vans up and down the West Coast over many years (the vans improved eventually), playing for our friends and in small venues. But lately the venue sizes are starting increase as well as our organic fan base. We really believe in word of mouth not social media app bullshit ran by billionaires. We believe in putting on a very good show, writing good songs and the rest will take care of itself. We have played dozens of small festivals, hundreds of shows, and on occasion welcome the corporate music thing  but lately are really focusing on writing, recording and releasing more of our songs. Like Doc always cheered after we played him a song,
"we're gonna be famous!" 
 
Band leader of The Live Oaks, Evan Lanam started his musical days with his elementary school choir at St. Matthews in San Mateo, California. Every year they would sing the National Anthem at San Francisco Giants games and compete in local and state competitions. Over the years Evan has recorded with some of the best musicians in the Bay Area and has been called "one of the best singing drummers in the history of rock n roll" (it might have been Doc who said that).. About 20 years later, and a lot of bands--later,  Evan (37 years old) is still in his performing prime but now under the name The Live Oaks, which is a throwback Americana Folk & Roll band that takes huge influence from the San Francisco 60's rock n roll sounds. We incorporate everything from bluegrass, folk, blues, country, rock, and more! "Sounds like The Band but with Otis Redding singing." - Daniel Erik
 
 Surrounded by some of his best friends, as well as some most undoubtedly prolific musicians in the Bay Area, The Live Oaks put together a really fun set, can play for hours and hours  and can take any stage, room, event, you name it, and make it a wonderful evening and design the perfect set. 
Some notable acts they have played with are The Baseball Project (members of REM sold out show), Norman Greenbaum, Larkin Poe (sold out show),  Chuck Prophet (sold out), Shinyribs, Rainbow Girls and many many more at venues like The Independent, Rickshaw Stop, Guild Theatre, Felton Music Hall, Cornerstone Music Hall, and Sweetwater Music Hall and many many many more.  
 
Past Notable Festivals 
Sheather Fest (Willy Tea Taylors fest) 2019
Solaura Fest 2019
North Beach Fest 2021
Real Neato  (Dan Stricklands fest) 2021
Earth Day SF 2022
Union Street Fest 2022
Woollystar (Avery Hellmans fest) 2023
Blackberry Jam 2021-23
Fremont Festival of the Arts 2023
Knights Ferry Music Festival 2024
Burning Man (Reverbia main stage) 2024
Sawtooth Valley Gathering 2024 (featured Cassandra Lewis, and members of California Honeydrops in our set)
Bryce Station Vineyards concert series 2025
Golden Gate Park Bandshell concert series 2024 and 2025
and MANY MANY MORE! 

"Evan and the Live Oaks is a rowdy folk rock and roll outfit from the San Francisco Bay Area. Hailed by some as the “Anderson Paak of folk music,” 
-Deli Magazine
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"Holy sh%# @evlanam in San Fran last night - filling in for his own drummer, just a hurricane of talent" - Tasha Valdez 
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Current Line-up:

Annie Simmons: 
A youth theatre teacher for the San Francisco Mime Troupe for many years Annie Simmons aka Ginger LaFontaine has been an integral reason for The Live Oaks continued success. Picking up and excelling at the guitar when we were in need, we have been blessed that she has become a main-stay and an extremely solid member to the band in which she contributes to in a variety of ways, especially with her angelic voice!

Daniel Erik: 
Daniel and Evan became friends through the local music scene in the SF Bay Area. Daniel has played and continues to play in National Touring acts including: Con Brio, Josiah Johnson, Kaleb Kohen, and many more. A true professional and gifted multi-instrumentalist. We are very lucky to have him on bass! 

Graham Norwood: 
One of the best musicians this Earth has ever known. He can sing like Mariah Carey and rip like Prince. He has truly been an honor to play with. The loss of his vision has not slowed Graham down one bit. Has played with some very big names and bands in the industry (Once and Future Band, Bryan Scary, and the Dough Rollers to start) and is absolute gem of a human and extremely gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist. 

Christian Eck 
Hailing from the blues clubs of Chicago now via El Sobrante this freak of nature and music educator has the ability to play almost any instrument at the highest level. A master musician, singer and extremely great person who also plays in a California Honeydrops side project Beau Beau Beau Band, and has done stints with Sway Wild, Wolf Jett and many more! 

Chris Hoog
A seriously fantastic saxaphone player who is one of the most successful musicians around and seems to be always on some large stage wooing the crowd. From High Sierra Music Festival to Outside Lands, Chris Hoog is one of the best sax players you can possibly dream to have. 

Graham Patzner 
oh you know Graham. (refer to: Whiskerman) need I say more? His talent is so overwhelming our show alone will not be enough to fully showcase him. 

Other members like Harry Gold, Derek Burle, Nate Dibble have extensive resumes of their own, and absolutely rip, and you may just be lucky enough to catch them at one of our shows! Other past members like Steve Jaeger, Adam Spry, Steve Jimmy Joe, Russel Bourne, Jordan Feinstein, Zak Mandel  will always remain close Live Oak family members and wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors! 

THANKS FOR SCOPING OUT THE LIVE OAKS

CHECK US OUT ON BANDCAMP OR SPOTIFY, BUT PREFERABLY BANDCAMP! 


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