Speedtwinn, Tim Mosher & Friends, Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, Tarzana, CA., March 27, 2025

Speedtwinn

Speedtwinn, Tim Mosher & Friends, Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, Tarzana, CA., March 27, 2025

Living in the San Fernando Valley for a long as I have, I am very surprised that up until this very special day on March 27th, I had never attended a live show at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon in Tarzana. Tucked in the back of a parking lot off Ventura Blvd, apparently this venue has been hosting amazing live performances in the heart of the SFV for years. Better late than never I suppose – and what a great introduction to the club photographer Denise Johnson and I would experience.

The record release party of California Reboot by Speedtwinn, featuring Gary Twinn of The International Swingers and Bob “Derwood” Andrews of Generation X infamy was being presented. All this, and a surprise acoustic set from the one and only Tim Mosher of Junkyard featuring other members from that very iconic band as well.

Gary Twinn of Speedtwinn

SPEEDTWINN

Speedtwinn is a dynamic amalgamation of Americana, outlaw country, and rockabilly blues presented with a thoroughly British punk rock state of mind. The occasion was the launched of California Reboot – now available worldwide via MR Records. Opening with the should-be country hit single Crazy Ann, Speedtwinn captured the attention of each and every attendee at the very packed Maui Sugar Mill. The show would then continue with instantly memorable tunes such as That’s The Way and Spaceball Ricochet jangling joyously throughout the club.

Gary Twinn is an epically underrated front man, and it’s exciting to see this massively talented and resourceful artist unveiling such a brilliantly inspired project. Joining Mr. Twinn in this sonic adventure is guitarist “Derwood” Andrews, who fills the compositions with a dazzling sense of sonic intrigue. A far cry from his punk rock meanderings as a member of Generation X with Billy Idol, Derwood rocks it on with style and flair. Also featuring in the lineup for the Speedtwinn live experience were Speedie-John Carlucci in bass and Dale Daniel on drums, making for a total dynamo rhythm section.

The great tunes kept on arriving, including the wickedly rambunctious The Ballad of Johnny Clash and the fierce reveries of I’ve Got Nothing. Speedtwinn closed their set out with the standout 101 Ventura Freeway Blues – a song whose subject matter each and every San Fernando Valley resident in the room could totally relate with. What an absolutely amazing set! Gary Twinn is an international treasure, and how great to finally see Derwood play after all these years – as I was a big fan of Generation X way back in the day (I think I was in Junior High when the albums were first released – a punker even back then…).

Tim Mosher & Friends

TIM MOSHER & FRIENDS

The fun and good times was far from over, as my friend Louis Lopez was in attendance and informed me that Tim Mosher of Junkyard would be making a surprise appearance right after the Speedtwinn set. Joining Tim Mosher for the semi-acoustic performance were fellow Junkyard members Jimmy James, Patrick Muzingo, and Todd Muscat. Of course, not in attendance was David Roach, who is currently battling cancer. In their friend’s honor, Tim Mosher and company presented an inspirational set of stripped-down Junkyard tunes as well as other entreaties that absolutely enraptured the still overflowing crowd at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon.

Patrick Muzingo

Junkyard fans were in for a vibrantly amazing show. Although Tim Mosher does not normally sing lead within the ranks of Junkyard, he performed the songs with a ton of passion and conviction. What a delight it was to hear a rarity such as Cut From The Same Cloth from their recent High Water album within this live setting. And those who wanted to hear the Junkyard fans favorites were in for a real treat, as classics such as Rock And Roll Lifer, Simple Man, and Misery Loves Company sent the room into an ultrasonic overdrive. Even in this wonderful format, four out of five Junkyard dudes rocked the world of all within the hallowed walls of the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon.

Such a rocking and historic way to experience a Junkyard show to be sure. Let’s send our good vibes over to David Roach for a very speedy recovery, so we can experience a full force Junkyard live extravaganza once again for the rock and roll ages ahead. For now, thank you to Tim Mosher and the Junkyard brigade for a show many in the room with cherish for a lifetime. Along with witnessing the amazing Speedtwinn for the very first time in such an intimate venue, this was definitely a night to remember in the wilds of the San Fernando Valley.

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Denise Johnson)

Speedtwinn on Instagram
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David Roach of Junkyard GoFundMe Page