Luvplanet Makes Intergalactic Visit to Rickey's

Where I come from — northern New Jersey in the 1970s, when Skynyrd’s “Freebird” was our high school theme song — Dickey Betts was considered one of the coolest lead guitar players ever. The Allman Brothers’ founder who created 20-minute southern rock virtuosic jams known as “Whipping Post” and “Jessica” was revered in my circle of friends, hanging out on the dirt roads inside East Coast woods and quarries on warm summer days, the boys drinking Rolling Rock and the girls trading feather earrings and wearing embroidered muslin Indian shirts.

(New Jersey gear heads and girls weren’t the only ones who appreciated Dickey Betts. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995 and ranked the 58th greatest rock guitarist of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine.)

So you can imagine how jazzed I was to learn that the local musician coming to play in Novato this Sunday afternoon filled those Dickey Betts’ boots for 10 years as lead guitarist with Greg Allman, who once lived in Novato.

As my country radio jock friend and former colleague used to say, “That’s big-time show business, my friend!”

It’s funny though: Mark McGee is so laid back about this amazing accomplishment, he doesn’t even mention it during our interview.

McGee is focused on , the band he shares with fellow songwriter and singer — and yes, spouse — Nicole Sutton; bassist Tommy Sisco and drummer Scott McKenzie.

“One thing that a lot of people tell us is that the feeling and energy of our band is something they can’t get anywhere else,” McGee says. “Between the four of us in the band, we all love so many different types of music. ... We try not to put a perimeter around our music.”

So says the man who has Dolly Parton, KISS and the Beatles in his iPod.

“We’re the kind of band that you can’t listen to just one song and think you have us figured out,” he says.

Luvplanet was formed in 2004 and have produced four full-length albums of original music since then; Luvolution was released last fall. Described as melodic rock with folk, pop and psychedelic elements, McGee says he also loves progressive rock and likes to stretch out songs into extended double-digit jams while playing live.

Waxing philosophical, McGee reminisces, “I fell in love with playing the guitar. It wasn’t about making money, meeting girls, it was for a deeper connection and, fortunately I still get that out of it. If you connect with your instrument in a deep way, it’s a spiritual thing. The music business isn’t the easiest but the healing power of music seems to get you through the tough times.”

Luvplanet has performed in Novato a couple of times (most notably at Rock'n Blues by the Lake at Stafford Lake County Park), but this will be their first time at Rickey’s. They’ll play outdoors from 3-5 p.m. Sunday with a $10 adult cover. It’s a family-friendly event where people are encouraged to bring their suits and use the pool. Food (burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, ribs and salads) will be for sale with meals ranging from $7 to $14. No outside food and beverages are allowed.

“Young kids like our music and we definitely appeal to a wide demographic," McGee says. "Lyrically, you could give all our CDs to an 8-year old kid and there’s nothing inappropriate in there, nothing negative."

McGee spoke at San Marin High School for career day one year.

“It was awesome,” he says, “My experience is in the rock music field, and a lot of kids were into rap but they were really open. It’s really great to share your experiences. I told them, if you’re lucky, it can be a great career, but even if you don’t get rich and famous, you get something from music that you can’t get from anything else. There aren’t any guarantees in this business, but if you get something genuine out of it, you can’t lose."

Luvplanet has played the Mystic Theater in Petaluma recently and packed the house at George’s in San Rafael earlier this summer.  See them at Rickey’s on Sunday or save the date, Sept. 24 when they rock the Southern Pacific Smokehouse at Vintage Oaks shopping center.