an Diego has many topnotch musicians, but only one is acclaimed in different bands, doing different things.
Such is the case of drummer Larry Grano, also frontman for The Soul Persuaders. Grano has held down the beat for numerous artists, including Rockola and Four Eyes, but it’s as a frontman that he really lets loose.
The Soul Persuaders, who appear at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge on Dec. 19, have been playing in local clubs, in different configurations, for the past 18 years. Currently featuring Phil Lenud (co-lead vocals), Mark Moorhead (keyboards), Jeff Snider (guitar), Mike Holguin (drums), Rick Nash (bass), Brad Steinwehe (trumpet), Les Jennings (tenor sax) and Chuck Phillips (saxophone), the group specializes in funk, soul, horn rock and dance grooves, with the band’s remarkable run credited to their good-time party vibe and sterling musicianship.
Grano was born at Mercy Hospital in 1961, growing up in the Allied Gardens area and attending Patrick Henry High, class of 1979.
Like with some kids, music wasn’t Grano’s first choice.
“In our neighborhood, we had about 20 to 30 kids,” he said. “Baseball, football, basketball, hockey; we played everything.”
Grano did own a snare, but sports took precedence over music at the time.
“After realizing I wouldn’t be pitching in the World Series, I went back to the drums,” he said. Tom Boyd of legendary local band Listen was giving lessons at a local music store and Grano’s father signed him up. He cites the “melting pot” of his family’s listening habits as an influence as well.
He first began performing in junior high alongside guitarist Craig Goldy and bassist Greg McKinney.
“Both much more advanced players and a failed attempt at the talent show broke that up,” he said. “I think the band that won played Chicago’s ‘Color My World.’ They had a ringer on flute,” he said.
Since then, Grano has been a perennial on local stages. In the ’70s it was Wizard. During the ’80s he performed with Artisan, 3-D and Pranx. The ’90s included stints in Private Domain and Rockola. More recently, he has also drummed with Mar DeCerbo & Four Eyes and Eve Selis.
Even with that lengthy resume, his place as frontman has made him synonymous with The Soul Persuaders. However, Grano actually came to the group late in their career. The combo was formed by well-known local musicians Mark and Steve Siers.
“They had a great group in town, along with their brother, Ken,” he said. “(But) the clientele for parties or dance clubs demands a certain play list. When the Siers put together the Soul Persuaders, it was a chance to play stuff they wanted to play.”
Grano joined the band at a local watering hole, Jose Murphy’s.
“Like other musicians, I would go and sit in. I was always looking to drum, but Steve Siers, a.k.a. Sonny Drysdale, would give me a pep talk and have me sing,” he said. Grano said that initially he wasn’t very confident in his performances.
“Once I was so nervous, I put my jacket over my head and the mic just so I could get through the song,” Grano said. “I was later told that it helped their food sales when I covered up.”
More recently, he has become one of the area’s top session drummers. It’s not an easy circuit to break into.
“Early on, as I grew in confidence with my playing, I went to some studios to look for work,” he said. Grano found that it was a very small pool of talent that did the lion’s share of the work. “Every place I went, I got the same answer. To get studio work in town, you’ll have to get rid of two guys; Jim Plank and Duncan Moore.”
Grano did eventually pick up the odd session, but it was a Selis session with acclaimed producer Alan Sanderson (The Rolling Stones, Fiona Apple, Elton John) that got the ball rolling.
“Unlike most drummers that just lay down a groove, Larry’s performance usually comes from what the vocalist is doing. He has a great understanding of playing to the artist’s feel, lyrics and vocal melody, probably due to the fact that he is an accomplished singer himself,” said Sanderson.
“I don’t think there are any styles he can’t play,” he said. “I would compare him with a great studio drummer, Jim Keltner. This community is very lucky to have him.”
Grano’s work can be heard in the Reelin’ in the Years production of “Soul to Soul” on Atlantic records, while 2008 will see Grano appear on numerous releases, including new music from Eve Selis, Mark Jackson, Carol Ames, Mark DeCerbo, Anthony Molinaro and Paulo de la Rosa.
After more than 30 years as a major part of San Diego’s music scene, Grano still considers himself lucky.
“Is it still fun? I’m blessed,” he said. “After all, music is all I’ve done for a living since Patrick Henry High said, ‘Get out!'”
The Soul Persuaders perform at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information, visit www.humphreysbythebay.com/backstageMusicClub.cfm.