Naalehu-based classic rock band Bottle of Blue is the up-and-coming favorite in West Hawaii’s live music scene. From the Waikoloa Bowl stage on July 4, to Laverne’s Sports Bar in downtown Kailua-Kona, Bottle of Blue is mixing up classic oldies with fresh contemporary songs.
“We originally formed back in 2013,” said Scott Reagan. “Acoustic guitar player, Marion Geruschat and I originally got together to do a small duo show, then in early 2014, we met Dan Corippo, who is our lead guitar player. They’re both songwriters and had a few original songs they brought to the table. The three of us played together for the next year and a half as a trio.”
The trio, who are also all songwriters, is big fans of ‘60s and ‘70s rock music. While Bottle of Blue plays the standard classic covers, the band also writes its own original music that is reflective of the classic rock genre, but with a fresh perspective. The band recently added two new members, Mati Laino and Joe LaRusso.
“Our venues have recently started getting bigger, so we’ve had the chance to expand the band and add a bass player and a drummer,” said Reagan. “We all have a passion for the music. And while we play a lot of originals, we also play covers like Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, Neil Young, The Eagles, Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin and the like.”
Reagan learned to sing as a young boy in Maine, while attending Catholic school and singing in the church choir. He always dreamed of having his own band, and that dream came true when he came to Hawaii and started playing the type of music he loves most.
Bottle of Blue released its first album, “Big Horizon,” last October, and have been getting positive responses to their work.
“We have a lot of people in our audience who love to hear the songs they grew up with,” said Reagan. “Probably one of the best compliments I’ve ever gotten was when someone said to me, ‘I’ve always loved classic rock. The only problem with classic rock is that no one is making any new classic rock, but that’s exactly what you guys are doing.’ We’re keeping alive the best of what we have, and bringing to the table more of what we all want.”
Upcoming shows
7-10 p.m. July 30 at Laverne’s Sports Bar in Kailua-Kona