Ford Madox Ford at Westfield Topanga & The Village

Ford Madox Ford, Westfield Topanga & The Village, September 16, 2018

Straight up at 12 Noon brunch hour on a Sunday deep within the heart of the San Fernando Valley, punk rock legend Chip Kinman and his band Ford Madox Ford took to the Westfield Topanga outdoor stage, and proceeded to rock The Village! Best known for his work in collectives such as Rank And File and The Dils, Kinman and Ford Madox Ford kicked off the day with a lively collection of blues -tinged punk rockery under the glare of the warm afternoon Southern California sun. Starting off their set with a blasting cover of the Wilbur Harrison classic Let’s Get Together, Ford Madox Ford proceeded to captivate the longtime fans as well as those passing by and intrigued by the artistry at hand.

Based out of the Los Angeles area, Ford Madox Ford were at the Topanga Mall to perform songs from their recently unveiled This American Blues manifesto on Porterhouse Records. Chip Kinman is certainly a witty, affable front man who can deliver lyrics of political and personal turmoil with a stunning amount of irony and conviction. In addition to his rousing vocals, Kinman delivers the goods on guitar and harmonica. Also within the ranks of the Ford Madox Ford brigade is Kinman’s son Dewey Peek, whose wondrously imaginative guitar work channels the dynamic auditory bliss found within Kinman’s previous band Blackbird. Also on tap within Ford Madox Ford was an exhilarating rhythm section, featuring the solid participation of Matt Littell on bass and S. Scott Aguero on drums.

One absolutely exhilarating highlight of the show was the sprawling How Does Your Horn Sound Today, presenting each and every member of Ford Madox Ford at their inspired. And then there was the anthem-like Dark American Night, reverberating throughout the Westfield Topanga patio with its “the kids are absolutely not alright” sense of urgency. Closing the set with the fiery Images Of My Generation, Kinman and Company definitely left an indelible impression with this very perceptive sonnet.

Expect to hear a lot more from Ford Madox Ford in the future, including an all ages appearance at the Grand Star Jazz Club. Taking place on November 4th, this special event will be a benefit for Music Education at Castelar Elementary. In the meantime, check into the punk rocking world of This American Blues by Ford Madox Ford, produced by the late great Tony Kinman! And watch for an interview with Chip Kinman in the comeback issue of Highwire Daze Magazine, out on the street during the first week in November! This will be our first interview with Chip since the debut edition of Highwire Daze hit the stands in 1990!

(Review and Photos by Ken Morton)

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