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SoCal Soundcheck

SoCal Soundcheck

By: Brian Jensen
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Based in Temecula, CA, SoCal Soundcheck is a podcast about the musicians, bands, venues, promoters, and fans shaping Southern California’s live music scene.

Hosted by Brian Jensen, each episode features real conversations with local artists and music community voices about the stories behind the songs, the realities of performing live, and the work that goes into building a music career. From gear and set lists to landing gigs, open mics, promotion, venues, and behind-the-scenes stories, SoCal Soundcheck brings you closer to the people keeping local music alive.

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SoCal Soundcheck
Music
Episodes
  • Hunter Webb of RoseLine Band on Bass, Groove & the Temecula Music Scene
    May 23 2026

    In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Brian sits down with Hunter Webb, bassist for Rose Line Band, to talk about his musical roots, growing up around music, discovering bass, and finding his place in the Southern California live music scene.

    Hunter shares how moving to Murrieta helped spark his musical journey, why bass lines from artists like Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Jack Bruce, Cliff Burton, and Geddy Lee shaped his style, and what makes a great rhythm section work.

    The conversation also dives into the story of RoseLine Band, how the group came together through the local open mic scene, the role Somerset Winery played in their formation, favorite songs from their setlist, gear, tone, karaoke go-tos, and why the Temecula music community continues to mean so much.

    Follow RoseLine Band on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rose_line_band/

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    43 mins
  • Kyle Hudson of Those Guys on Becoming One of SoCal’s Favorite Local Bands Band
    May 20 2026

    Kyle Hudson, lead singer and guitarist of Those Guys, joins SoCal Soundcheck for a fun, wide-ranging conversation about growing up in Murrieta, learning guitar, starting out at open mics, and accidentally building one of the Temecula Valley’s most entertaining live bands.

    Kyle shares how School of Rock inspired him to pick up guitar, how Those Guys came together for a one-off St. Patrick’s Day show at The Cove, and how that single gig snowballed into a packed local calendar.

    The conversation also digs into what makes a great cover band work. Kyle talks about choosing songs that fit the band, why performance matters more than simply picking popular songs, and why some crowd favorites become permanent setlist staples while others disappear after a few tries. Brian and Kyle also talk about Bailey’s, The Cove, Old Town Temecula, live music noise issues, Rage Against the Machine closers, dirt bikes, gaming, and the community that keeps the local music scene alive.

    Topics covered:

    • Kyle’s Murrieta roots and musical family
    • Learning guitar after watching School of Rock
    • Starting out with open mics and original bands
    • How Those Guys began as a one-off St. Patrick’s Day gig
    • The Cove, Bailey’s, Wine and Beer Garden, and the local venue circuit
    • Why cover bands need to read the room
    • Song selection versus song performance
    • Why “Play That Funky Music,” “Mr. Brightside,” and Rage Against the Machine work live
    • The story behind Those Guys’ original song “Rain Lucky”
    • Old Town Temecula’s live music and noise ordinance challenges
    • Dirt bikes, injuries, gaming, and Kyle’s offstage personality

    Follow Kyle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kvlehudson/

    Those Guys on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thoseguysbanned/

    Those Guys Website: https://thoseguysbanned.com/

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Woody Garcia on Chasing Tone, Reading the Room & Bringing People Together Through Live Music
    May 15 2026

    “The goal is to make people feel something.”

    On this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Brian sits down with longtime Southern California musician Woody Garcia, frontman of Woody and the Harrelsons, for a conversation about the long road from childhood guitar lessons to becoming one of the most recognizable live performers in the local music scene.

    Woody traces his story back to growing up in San Dimas, learning guitar around age 11 or 12, and being shaped by the music of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Temple Pilots, and the alternative explosion of the ’90s. He talks about early bands, reconnecting with childhood friend Eugene at a Save Ferris show, recording original music, playing punk shows with Cry Havoc, and eventually finding his way into the project that would become Woody and the Harrelsons.

    What started as a leap into playing covers became something deeper. Woody shares how performing songs people already love taught him to see music as an emotional bridge -something tied to memory, people, and moments in our lives. For him, doing those songs justice is part of the responsibility.

    The conversation also gets deep into the craft of live performance: reading the room, choosing songs in the moment, building a set without a setlist, and learning how to serve both the crowd and the venue. Woody explains why the band evolved from mostly ’90s rock into a broader mix of ’80s alternative, classic rock, hip-hop, R&B, soul, and funk - and why the goal is never to give people the exact same show twice.

    Of course, there is plenty of guitar talk. Woody breaks down his Friedman Small Box amp, his his journey through guitars, amps and various pedals, the role of his hot pink gear aesthetic, string gauge, picks, and why an unforgiving amp can make you a better player. He also talks about the influence of David Gilmour, Prince, Radiohead, and how the musicians in his band are his biggest inspiration.

    But the heart of this episode is bigger than gear. Woody opens up about taking better care of himself, learning how to sustain the physical demands of singing and performing for hours at a time, and trying to be his best self so the band can be its best self. Toward the end of the conversation, he reflects on seeing how music brings people together, helping people tune out the noise of the world for a moment, and remind us that we are more alike than we are different.

    This is a conversation about guitars, gear, cover songs, and the grind - but even more than that, it’s about connection, presence, gratitude, and the kind of musician who wants every show to mean something.

    Listen to this episode if you’re into: Southern California live music, guitar tone, cover bands, ’90s rock, Pink Floyd, Prince, Radiohead, local music stories, and honest conversations with working musicians.

    Woody & The Harrelson's Website: https://www.woodyandtheharrelsons.com/

    Woody on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodyandtheharrelsons/

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    1 hr and 38 mins
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