Over the past 25 years, San Diego-based guitarist Gino Meregillano has played the role of sideman with a succession of both, popular local bands, such as The Stilettos and Mo Wasabi, as well as international touring groups such as British psychobilly legends, the Guana Batz and 1950s icon, Ray Campi. On May 3, at Tio Leo’s, the focus will be on Meregillano’s own songs and influences when he takes the stage with his own group, Gino and the Lone Gunmen. Part of a long local tradition of great roots rock and blues bands that ranges from The Beat Farmers to The Casey Hensley Band, Gino and the Lone Gunmen excel at dance floor filling late ’50s and early ’60s rock favorites, with a few musical left turns for fun.
“I started the band around 2009, primarily as a means to perform my own music as well as a selection of my favorite songs from other artists,” said Meregillano. “I had always been a sideman and wanted to something of my own.” The reasons for the combo’s name was pragmatic. “I intended the band to be essentially a solo thing but felt too self-conscious to just use my name alone,” he recalled. “I also figured the lineup would change over time, so I decided to have an official band name and stick my own name in there so fans would identify ‘Gino’ and not so much the changing rhythm section. Kinda like Neil Young and Crazyhorse or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,” he mused. “It’s a band of course, but it’s also the ‘Gino Show.’ The ‘Lone Gunmen’ part of the name came from the TV show ‘The X Files.’  I’m a big fan of sci-fi, paranormal and conspiracy theories,” Meregillano said.
Gino & The Lone Gunmen play originals as well as a mix of classic rockabilly, blues and Tex-Mex songs, with some surprises in their repertoire. “It’s just rock ‘n’ roll,” Meregillano said.  “We also play surf and country, whatever. It’s still rock ‘n’ roll to me. “Our main influences would be The Beat Farmers, the Paladins, The Blasters, but a good song is a good song, it doesn’t matter how old it is or who wrote it.  I can stick a Zeppelin song or T-Rex or Beatles or Queen songs or my own music in the middle of a set of rockabilly or oldies and people don’t care as long as it’s a good song and you play it from the heart.”
Upcoming plans include more touring and the beginning of work on their third album. He notes that it is harder than ever to be a working musician. “What drives me to keep going? My mortgage and my cats,” he joked. While touring is often considered a necessary part of a band’s existence, Meregillano points out it is difficult at best. “I enjoy traveling to perform. I don’t get to near as much as I’d like, but I love when I do get to go on the road,” he said. “We play out of town here and there, we do a lot of festivals, but we don’t really tour per se, because we don’t have enough time and also, it is near impossible to make any money touring. I hate to admit it, but the older musicians get, the harder it is to justify touring unless it is affordable. Sucks but it’s the truth.”
After more than two decades making music, Meregillano is still happy with his life playing guitar in a rock ‘n’ roll band. “I’ve gotten to meet and play with a lot of amazing musicians and artists,” he said.
Performing is hard work, but Meregillano points out there are advantages to this career path. “I like being creative and having a legitimate excuse to have fun,” he said.  “Music is fun and, as they say, the worst day playing music is still better than the best day working behind a desk or digging ditches.”
Gino and the Lone Gunmen: Thursday, May 3 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.tioleos.com www.GinosGuitar,com