Bad Bodega
Bad Bodega is a Southern California power trio that blends elements of blues and rock to create a unique sound that can only be experienced in the Bad Bodega. Imagine this: you walk off the sidewalk, past the beaded tapestry that hangs in the doorway of your favorite Bodega. As you walk inside, your nose is tickled by the aroma of the fresh brew of your favorite coffee roast. The beautiful woman behind the counter greets you with a smirk and through her smile lines she says, “Hola Papi.” You don’t even bother to take off your sunglasses, because you could walk through the Bodega with your eyes closed if you wanted to. You just smile back at Mari behind the counter as you walk past; stopping briefly to pet her bulldog, Nacho, in his usual spot near the corner.
You can hear the vinyl record behind the counter spinning Coltrane today; but yesterday it was Zappa and last week it was Zeppelin. You grab some beef, veggies, something to drink and some of your favorite smokables. As you walk toward the counter to pay, there are people hanging out inside; some are reading, some talking amongst themselves and others enjoying a bite to eat. Maybe you’ll stop in tomorrow and hang out, maybe not. You wish Mari a good day and smile yourself into the doorway as the vinyl starts scratching. Mari goes to put on another record and you wonder, “What’s playing next at the Bad Bodega?”
Bad Bodega formed in 2019 as Larry Morse, Daniel Valenzuela and Pat Bourke started jamming out on some of the songs Larry had written. The three had been in various bands in the past, some together and some separately. Ranging from rock, blues, psychedelic, folk, ska, jazz, and reggae to progressive; the trio had a diverse background to inform their style when forming Bad Bodega. Nothing was a conscious choice when stylistically creating music. The band simply entered the Bodega and emerged with different ingredients to create a sound for each song.
The band has played all over Orange and Los Angeles Counties in their time together. With highlights to include The Viper Room and The Coach House, opening for blues powerhouse, Orianthi. A Bad Bodega show is like no other. It’s not just a concert; it’s a shared experience. 2025 marks the release of the band’s first full length album, "Bad Bodega I", which offers a snapshot of the first 5 years of the band’s existence. Go visit the Bad Bodega for yourself and get your own taste of what’s on offer.
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