MENDOCINO CO., 1/29/25 – On Saturday, Burning Down the House, a Northern California-based Talking Heads cover band, will hold a special benefit concert for KZYX and the Anderson Valley Grange at the grange’s center in Philo.
The concert will feature local DJs, a “big suit contest,” referring to the big suits that singer David Byrne notoriously wore during his performances, and food and drinks for purchase, with all proceeds going to the radio station and the grange.
Grange organizations, which began in 1867 with the creation of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, were initially created to help farmers and rural residents with educational and social resources. After the Civil War, agricultural workers sought a central hub to cultivate unity and inspire economic and political reform as corporate companies increasingly bought up land near smaller family farms.
Eventually, the Grange movement inspired the passing of the Granger Laws in Midwestern states, helping regulate the rising fares of railroad and grain elevator companies on local farmers.
As the movement grew, granges were organized geographically and eventually categorized by state. Each state created its own list of grange chapters, where counties like Mendocino County could register their granges into a statewide database.
The political ideas and actions of the Grange movement later influenced other union movements, such as the farmworker unions formed in the 1960s and ’70s. In addition, granges also became centers for social events, dances and concerts, similar to the gatherings currently held at the granges here in Mendocino County.
The Anderson Valley Grange, founded in the late 1930s, began due to increased interest in farmer organizations in the area. Around the same time, granges were also established in Manchester, Willits and Fort Bragg.
Over the last several decades, the Anderson Valley Grange has been a meeting place and social hub for locals and newcomers to mingle and discuss issues that matter most to the small, rural community. This grange is especially popular for its monthly pancake breakfast, diverse musical performances and theater productions.
“Obviously it’s a physical meeting space for us,” said Jon Tyson, the lead singer of Burning Down the House. “When I go to the pancake breakfast, or participate in their variety shows, I see people have a chance to invest in each other. People show up, talk and greet each other. It’s a very warm and welcoming place.”
Tyson, who moved to Anderson Valley from the Bay Area just three years ago, said he was surprised at how welcoming the community has been to newcomers like him.
“The first time I went to a grange event, I was struck by how we are all in community here,” he added. “It’s an engine for sustaining community.”
Burning Down the House, which originated in the Bay Area but plays shows throughout Northern California, was formed from the band’s desire to play music from the 1970s and ’80s.
Surprisingly, the band was actually inspired by an entirely different musician than Byrne, the Talking Heads singer, when they first started gigging together.
“We formed about nine years ago. We were brought together by our ex-band member John Gaines, who started the band right after David Bowie passed away,” Tyson noted. “He formed the band as a tribute to David Bowie, and he wanted to take the project to Burning Man. We rehearsed; we performed shows at Burning Man and performed some shows in the Bay Area.”
After several performances in the Bay Area and elsewhere, Tyson and his bandmates decided to recruit an experienced lead guitar player to the group, and that guitar player was also in another Bowie cover band, called the Jean Genies.
“But this guy said he didn’t want to be in two Bowie cover bands,” Tyson exclaimed in a humorous tone. “We sort of thought, ‘Well we love playing with each other, how can we continue?’ That’s when we pivoted to the Talking Heads.”
As it turns out, there is actually a strong connection between Byrne and Bowie’s musical history. Byrne and Bowie were very inspired by each other’s musical talents, and their friendship has been documented in both books and documentaries about the acclaimed artists. Byrne was the musician who inducted Bowie into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
“They also shared musicians,” Tyson emphasized. “Adrian Belew played with both of them, he’s an awesome guitar player. This was a very cool origin story.”
In addition to rehearsing Byrne’s complex instrumentation and unique vocals, Tyson added that, most importantly, the band just wants audience members to have fun and dance.
“I practice a lot to keep my instrument in good shape, and I am proud of how I am able to deliver a good quality performance,” Tyson said. “I grew up listening to this music, but my goal is not to just be a tribute to him. We want to deliver the music, deliver an experience where people have fun and dance all night, and feel uplifted by this crazy music.”
Doors open Saturday at 7 p.m. and the music begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by using this link.