Back in 1992, it started as a “fun side thing” at Venice Bistro, a small bar on the Venice Beach boardwalk, to bring in some extra cash. They called themselves the Pine Mountain Logs–or “The Logs”—and the band simply caught fire. The band moved their residency to Harry O’s Bar in El Segundo, which has since closed, then to Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, where today they play a sold-out show at least twice a year. The Logs quickly found itself in high demand, particularly for corporate parties and gigs. It took them all over the country and once to Europe. They landed high profile gigs too, playing for MTV’s Christmas Party, Jeff Bridges and David Crosby.
The Pine Mountain Logs are primarily comprised of brothers Michael (guitar) and Mark Lennon (vocals), their cousin Kip Lennon (vocals), Mark Harris (bass guitar), Chris Horvath (guitar and keys) and a rotating selection of drummers.
The Logs, who headlined the Lobster Fest in Redondo Beach last year, are not unfamiliar with rubbing elbows with big names in the industry. They’re highly sought session musicians, having worked with the likes of Dolly Parton, Cher, Elton John and Stevie Nicks. The three Lennons recently traveled with Roger Waters on a 219-show tour as backing vocalists.
With this level of talent comes a heightened sense of creativity. The Logs pride themselves in being an atypical cover group, their musical repertoire spanning from the ‘60s and on. Their medleys can go from The Police’s “Message in a Bottle” to the theme from “Gilligan’s Island.” Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” can turn into Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.”
“We’ve been playing together for 25 years,” says Michael Lennon. “We’re able to improv just about anything … People yell out songs, or we’ll make unexpected mashups and medleys. It’s very humorous and off the cuff but extremely professional, musically speaking.”
“It’s all tongue in cheek, and it’s nonstop partying,” Lennon continues. “I think that’s what people like about it. It’s not just one thing that people can get off on. That’s what our special calling is.”
The Lennons, two sets of brothers raised in Venice Beach, began playing together in the late ‘70s, calling their band Venice. Mark, Michael’s younger brother, was just 14 at the time. This past spring, Venice released its 13th studio album under their own label Lennon Records, with Michael engineering and producing the songs — their first release was in 1990 via Atlantic Records. They’ve found much acclaim for their high-energy performances and intricate vocal harmonies, particularly in the Netherlands. In 2003, Venice beat out U2 and Coldplay for an Edison Award, the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy, for Best International Artist. The Netherlands has become a “home away from home,” Lennon says.
“Between the two [bands], we keep pretty damn busy,” Lennon says.
The Pine Mountain Logs take the stage at the Hermosa pier this Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
