San Bernardio Sun

Victoria Gardens Concert:
A homecoming of sorts for Riverside's John Hoskinson

GREEK people have a reputation for making classic architecture and fine cuisine. They also appreciate good power pop music when they hear it.

L.A.-based singer/songwriter and Riverside native John Hoskinson was pleased to discover this on a brief tour through Europe last month.

"The audience was so great that we would've (played forever) if they didn't have to close," he said about a gig in Ioannina, Greece. "It was the kind of show I'd been waiting many years to experience."

Hoskinson even did an in-store performance near the Olympic Gardens in Athens. Alex Abravanel, a musician friend who put out Hoskinson's 2004 independent CD, Miscellaneous Heathen, had given a copy to the retail manager. "He happened to be a big power pop music fan."

"It was a hectic trip," Hoskinson continued. "I did 13 shows in 16 days in seven cities," including London, Manchester and Liverpool. "Alex had been bugging me to come over there and play for a long time. I booked a couple of shows at the Cavern Club."

For a major Beatles fan like Hoskinson, appearing there was quite an experience.

"I really thought I could treat it like any other gig. Technically, it's not exactly where The Beatles played as the club was torn apart in the '70s." (The Cavern was rebuilt with the same bricks and specifications, reopened in 1984 and now occupies 75 percent of the original site). "When I walked in and saw that stage, a huge grin immediately suffused my face."

Hoskinson's latest CD has also made informed music critics giddy. He's often compared to The Beatles (think "Rubber Soul" and "Sgt. Pepper") and acclaimed New Zealander Neil Finn of Crowded House; both are admitted influences, along with Jellyfish, XTC and Squeeze.

The finely-crafted "Miscellaneous Heathen" is on par with major label releases. Songs range from the bittersweet ("When She Speaks") and buoyant ("Waiting for Someone to Call," "I Hope I Die Before You Do") to heartbreaking ("It's Not My Place"). Fountains of Wayne and Jason Falkner fans should definitely take notice.

Raised in Riverside, Hoskinson graduated from UC Riverside. He joined local alternative-pop band Ferocious Daisies and played The Barn regularly from 1990-93. The group released a full-length album and EP.

After taking a few years off from music, Hoskinson did a solo tour of Denmark and Norway in 1999 and met Abravanel while playing in Greece.

"I gained a lot of confidence as a songwriter and musician during that period."

In July 2000, Hoskinson performed with Finn at L.A.'s Largo pub. Seated at the front of the stage when Finn opened the stage up to the crowd, Hoskinson jumped up, played piano and sang a bit on "Weather with You."

Who knows? There could be some audience participation when Hoskinson does Victoria Gardens for the third time. His solo acoustic sets take place over a couple hours with breaks in between.

"I play originals and throw in some oldies" people might recognize, he explained.

How do the shoppers react to live music within that setting?

"People take it in stride. It's not your typical mall. It's like a little city, with the Town Square. You have people pushing strollers and kids playing near the fountain. It's almost like a bandstand" in a Midwestern town.

George A. Paul may be reached at The Sun, Features Dept., 2239 Gannett Parkway, San Bernardino CA 92407.