Southern California bassist Greg Boulet discovered the electric bass almost by accident after spotting it on a middle-school instrument list. Within a year, he was playing his first show at the Old Town Temecula Theater at just 13 years old—and headbanging through nearly the entire performance.

That early experience began a musical path through marching band, jazz band, Palomar College, original projects and regular trips to perform in San Francisco with Lunar Hand. Today, Greg holds down the low end for reggae-rock band Indica Roots and Eastlake Rhythm Section, a Temecula-based collective performing classic rock, funk, pop and yacht rock favorites.

Greg also teaches at Leading Note Studios in San Marcos, where he directs the Rock Band Program and helps young musicians become more confident performers.

Brian and Greg discuss what makes a rhythm section work, how bass and drums create the pocket, learning from live performances, recovering from mistakes and why the ultimate goal is always to make the audience feel the music.

In this episode

• How Greg discovered the electric bass in middle school
• Performing his first show at 13 at the Old Town Temecula Theater
• How marching band and jazz band shaped his musicianship
• The private lessons that changed how he approached the fretboard
• Finding a supportive original-music community in San Francisco with Lunar Hand
• Joining Indica Roots and helping expand the band’s sound
• Forming Eastlake Rhythm Section with longtime friends
• What makes a tight rhythm section—and Greg’s definition of “the pocket”
• Teaching students not to fear mistakes
• Learning from Marcus Miller, Jaime Preciado and Tony Kanal
• Recording social-media tracks for Ampeg and building his live bass rig

Connect with Greg

• Greg on Instagram
• Indica Roots on Instagram
• Eastlake Rhythm Section on Instagram
• Eastlake Rhythm Section website
• Greg at Leading Note Studios

Sponsor

The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. Proudly built in Southern California and backed by a lifetime warranty, Tsunami Cables are made for musicians who care about clean signal transfer, reliable tone and gear that can handle real wear and tear.

Visit TsunamiCables.com and use promo code SOCALSETLIST for 10% off. Offer valid through May 29, 2027.

Gary Stanionis has spent nearly four decades building a life in music—as a drummer, world percussionist, vocalist, touring musician, record label executive and artist manager.

His journey began at 17, when his mother discovered one of his graffiti pieces and asked what it would take to make him stop. His answer was simple: a drum set. Within months, Gary had started his first band and was performing professionally by 18.

From the Southern California funk and acid-jazz scene to smooth-jazz tours, megachurch stages, recording sessions and artist management, Gary has experienced almost every side of the music business. He also helped musicians working with artists such as Stevie Wonder secure endorsements and build their careers.

Today, Gary has returned to the stage with SoleMusiq - a deeply personal solo project shaped by his late mother, her song recommendations and his desire to bring people together.

With hundreds of songs, no setlist and no breaks, Gary reads the room and creates what he calls a “soundtrack of connection.”

In this episode

• How a graffiti piece led to Gary’s first drum set
• Discovering funk, jazz and the idea that “everything has a groove”
• Starting the original funk and acid-jazz band Middle Earth
• Devoting five years to learning world percussion
• Performing on the smooth-jazz circuit and major church stages
• What Gary learned from working as a professional sideman
• Why he left his record-label position to protect an artist’s music
• Launching GÁM Representation and helping touring musicians build their careers
• How his mother’s song recommendations inspired SoleMusiq
• Why Gary performs for three hours without a setlist or break
• Finding a second chance in Temecula’s live-music community
• Why Gary believes musicians are ultimately there to serve the audience

Connect with Gary

• Gary Stanionis: https://www.instagram.com/garystanionis/
• SoleMusiq: https://www.instagram.com/sole_concert/

The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. 🌊

When your signal matters, your cable matters.

Use promo code SOCALSETLIST for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com

“If you can’t dance, they can’t dance.”

That line really sums up how Anthony Necerato approaches performing.

Playing shirtless, standing on the drum throne, throwing sticks and pointing at people in the crowd, Anthony has the kind of stage presence that pulls people into the show.

His bandmates in Those Guys describe him as a “frontman drummer,” - he isn’t just there to provide a backbeat - he’s there to help turn every show into a party.

In this episode, Anthony talks about growing up in Murrieta, finding his feel for the drums through the video game Rock Band, getting his first kit from Kyle Hudson and his dad, and helping build Those Guys from their first show at The Cove into one of the most fun and respected bands in the local SoCal scene. He also talks about being a dad and keeping that balance, his bowling league, and how rewarding it’s been to watch Those Guys keep growing - playing bigger stages for bigger crowds.

As Anthony put it, “We stuck with it.”

Anthony plays in the pocket. And a big part of that is the connection he has with Steven - locking into accent hits, catching each other’s changes, and sometimes looking at each other mid-song like, “that was sick.”

He plays for the room. He watches the crowd. He wants people to dance, forget their problems for a few hours, and feel like they’re part of the party.

“The reason I’m having such a good time is other people are having a good time.”

Meet Anthony Necerato.

Follow Anthony on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/anthonynecerato/

The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. 🌊

When your signal matters, your cable matters.

Use promo code SOCALSETLIST at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com.