It's time, once again, for my monthly Band Spotlight. This month, I'm featuring a band that can truly call themselves a family, because, well, they are.

I'm talking about a band called Eclipse, which has been going strong for just about 13 years now. Though they have undergone a few lineup changes throughout their career, they are now a killer three-piece act consisting of husband, wife, and son/stepson.

The lineup is:
Connie Bonds: Bass/Vocals
Boogie Bonds: Guitar/Vocals
Julius Mendoza: Drums/Vocals

The three band members have been involved in music very heavily for most of their lives. Connie started out singing with her aunt's group as well as for her school's Christmas productions. She started playing in bands when she was about 11 years old.

Even though she had played rhythm guitar for years before switching to bass, she had a love and fascination for bass in her early years, thanks in large part to Jack Bruce of Cream.

Says Connie, "I owe it all to Jack Bruce... he was fantastic."

Boogie actually started out playing horns in school at the age of 10 until focusing on guitar at 16, having listened to the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Steve Howe and Gary Moore. He started playing professionally very shortly after that, playing some of his first gigs at age 17. Julius started on drums very young and played his first professional gig at age 10 with a country band that his mother (Connie) was in at the time.

The band itself starting coming together when Boogie answered an ad at a music store looking for a guitar player in 1992. The person who placed the ad, as you've probably guessed by now, was Connie. For those first seven years, they played in many bands together spanning multiple genres and playing all over the world before forming Eclipse in 1999. Back then, it was a five-piece band with a rhythm guitarist and lead singer who eventually parted ways with the rest of the band. After going through a couple different drummers, Connie finally brought her son on board, and it's been that way ever since.

Eclipse is an immensely talented band that plays a huge range of stuff, some quite unexpected. In addition to that, they also do whatever they can to support local music, which occasionally includes letting other bands share the stage with them. When asked about the West Pasco music scene, they were generally positive about it, feeling that live music itself is starting to gain more ground in the area.

Says Connie, "It seems to me that people are starting to come back around, like the cycle has changed. It's out of the 'sequence band' mode and people are starting to appreciate live music [again]."

However, being in an original band separate from Eclipse, Julius said "The local music scene in original music absolutely fell off, because there's no venue [that will pay]." He continued, saying "Our scene is lucky, because there are venues that still want cover bands and are willing to pay them.... For Eclipse to do a gig of, say, four hours of music with our own P.A., we get a set price. If [an original band] goes into a place--even with your own P.A.--and you say 'We want this much, and we'll provide four bands to play for an hour each,' and they want to give you $50 , that's kind of a joke." This makes a valid point, because while I know for a fact that there are people in this area who want to support local original music, they should understand that there's an economic push-and-pull that goes on in that world that complicates things and makes it hard for original music to thrive in the area.

While Eclipse doesn't have any dates booked in the West Pasco area in the immediate future, you can catch one of Connie's other projects--Undercover Betty--at the Seaside Inn in Port Richey on March 16th. You may also want to check out some of Julius's side projects, including the Japanese drumming ensemble Tampa Taiko and original Metal band A(k)new. The latter will be playing at Insomniacs in New Port Richey as part of an EP Release Show for the band Burning Fair Verona on March 10th.

Many thanks to Connie, Boogie, and Julius for taking time with me to interview them at Overtime Sports Bar & Grill, and extra thanks for the beer and wings (note: Overtime's blackened wings are amazing!).

Here's your weekly live music list for March 2nd-8th. By the way, I usually make it a point not to do any blatant advertising for me or my band. I have to make an exception this week, though, because this coming Sunday, I'm getting married, and we're throwing a big party at the Seaside Inn after the ceremony/reception. After that, I'll be going on a week-long honeymoon, which means that there will not be a blog post from me next week. In lieu of that, I urge all you music fans to look up or contact your favorite bars and bands to see what they'll be up to. In addition, you can also visit WhereWillWeGoTonight.com and look up band and venue listings there. You can still contact me if you have any additions or corrections to my listings at tcronin82@gmail.com, but I probably won't get back to you until I'm back from my honeymoon.

Have fun out there!

Friday, March 2nd:
All Stars Sports Bar (4331 US Hwy 19, formerly Bourbon St)
    Rockit (Classic/Hard Rock) (9pm-1am)

Anchorage Saloon (12815 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Karaoke by Santa Fe Entertainment (9pm-1am)

Back Room (7845 Grand Blvd, PR, part of Alex's Place)
    Big Foot (Blues/Rock & Roll/Swing) (7pm-11pm)

Blarney Stone Irish Pub & Eatery (7813 Mitchell Blvd, Ste 101, Trinity)
    DJ Cage (9pm-1am)

Boulevard Lounge (6210 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    The Slick Johnson Band (Classic Rock) (9pm-1am)

Brennan's Sports Pub (1144 Alt Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ Radar (9pm-1am)

Brew City Grill (5711 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    On the Dockside (Dance/Classic Rock/Country) (8pm-11pm)

Catches Waterfront Grille/Rum River Bar & Grill (7811 Bayview St, PR)
    TBA (6pm-10pm)

Cocktails (6229 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    The Sean Chambers Band (Original/Blues) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Colorama Premier Performance Center (9302 Denton Ave, Hudson)
    True Passion (Bob and JoRae Stewart) (Oldies/Classic Rock/Top 40/Rod Stewart Tribute) (Doors: 6pm, Show: 8pm, Tickets $5-$7.50)

Cricketers 52 (7306 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ Rhinestone (9pm-1am)

Jilly's Lounge (5313 Main St, NPR)
    Karaoke with Carolyn (9pm-1am)

Karl Reef (6307 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    The Mark Anthony Band (Classic/Modern/Dance Rock/Top 40) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Kickin' Wing (8702 SR 52, Hudson)
    Protocol (Classic/Southern/Dance Rock) (8:30pm-12:30am)

Miss Vicki's on the River (1029 Baillie's Bluff Rd, Holiday)
    Randy Vincent (Acoustic) (5pm-9pm)

Muddbuggz Bar & Grill (13330 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Lawless Intent (Classic/Southern Rock) (9pm-1am)

Orbit 19 Lounge (1542 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Circuitry (Original/Electronic Rock) with Boney Fiend (Original/Punk) (9pm-2am)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke with DJ Diamond Dave (9pm-1am)

Rock 'n Roll Rendezvous (1148 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ Sideshow (9pm-2am)

Sand Bar (4780 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    LostNFound (Classic/Modern Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Jennifer Lee & Nevaeh Peek (Original/Country/Classic/Southern Rock) (8pm-12am)

Shananigan's (8404 Little Rd, NPR)
    DJ Mathu Bishop (9:30pm-1:30am)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    George Marshall (Original/Acoustic/Country) (7pm-11pm)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Top 40 DJ Night (9pm-1am)

Smitty's Shipwreck Bar & Grill (5511 Chaparral Ln, Holiday)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Stilettos Bar & Grill (8351 SR 54, NPR)
    Ooh-La-La (Dance/Classic Rock/Top 40) (9pm-1am)

Stormie's Country Legends Saloon (5748 Main St, NPR)
    Karaoke with DJ Hank (9pm-1am)

Trio's Lounge at the Quality Inn (5316 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Karaoke by Santa Fe Entertainment (9pm-1am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Baker Act (Classic/Dance Rock) (8pm-12am)

Wild Stallions (3645 Universal Plaza, NPR)
    Broken Roads (Classic/Southern Rock/Country) (9pm-1am)

 

Saturday, March 3rd:
All Stars Sports Bar (4331 US Hwy 19, formerly Bourbon St)
    Rockit (Classic/Hard Rock) (9pm-1am)

Anchorage Saloon (12815 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Karaoke by Santa Fe Entertainment (9pm-1am)

BB Magee's Bar & Grill (12400 County Line Rd, Hudson)
    Karaoke by Santa Fe Entertainment (9pm-1am)

Beer Hut (11909 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Blarney Stone Irish Pub & Eatery (7813 Mitchell Blvd, Ste 101, Trinity)
    Scott Fallon (Acoustic) (8pm-12am)

Boulevard Lounge (6210 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    The Slick Johnson Band (Classic Rock) (9pm-1am)

Brew City Grill (5711 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Shadow Ridge (Classic/Southern Rock) (8pm-11pm)

Catches Waterfront Grille/Rum River Bar & Grill (7811 Bayview St, PR)
    The Roadhouse Band (Classic Rock) (6pm-10pm)

Cocktails (6229 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Jersey Dirt (Country/Classic/Southern Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Cricketers 52 (7306 SR 52, Hudson)
    2 Year Anniversary Party with LostNFound (Classic/Modern Rock) (9pm-1am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ (9pm-1am)

Jilly's Lounge (5313 Main St, NPR)
    Eccentric (Classic/Modern/Dance Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Karl Reef (6307 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    The Mark Anthony Band (Classic/Modern/Dance Rock/Top 40) (9:30pm-1:30am)

LNT's Kickstand Saloon (2413 Grand Blvd, Holiday)
    Marshal Law (Classic/Southern Rock) (9pm-1am)

Muddbuggz Bar & Grill (13330 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Lawless Intent (Classic/Southern Rock) (9pm-1am)

Ollie Oyster Marina & Tiki Bar (6438 Clark St, Hudson)
    Cat Valentine (Classic Rock/Top 40) (6pm-10pm)

Orbit 19 Lounge (1542 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Vinyl Lotion with DJ D-Volv (9pm-2am)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson
    The Embry Brothers Band (Country/Classic/Southern Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Sand Bar (4780 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    At Shovels End (Original/Metal) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Circle Sky (8pm-12am) (Classic/Alt/British Rock)

Shananigan's (8404 Little Rd, NPR)
    The Bob Hope Band (Classic/Alt/Modern Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    TBD (8pm-12am)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Top 40 DJ Night (9pm-1am)

Stilettos Bar & Grill (8351 SR 54, NPR)
    Ooh-La-La (Dance/Classic Rock/Top 40) (9pm-1am)

Stormie's Country Legends Saloon (5748 Main St, NPR)
    Karaoke with DJ Hank (9pm-1am)

Stormie's Too (9821 Denton Ave, Hudson)
    2nd Annual Psycho Hootenanny Rumble in the Sticks (12pm-???) Featuring:
    Viva Le Vox (Original/Horrorpop/Folk)
    Los Bastardos Magnificos (Original/Outlaw Americana)
    The Sweet Chariots (Original/Punk/Rockabilly)
    The Wrenchers (Surf Rock)
    The Firewater Tent Revival (Original/Country/Bluegrass)
    The Coon Doggin' Outlaws (Original/Punk/Rockabilly)
    Hell-Bent (Original/Punk/Horrorpop)
    Little Jerks (Original/Punk)
    Dead Cat Lounge (Original/Punk)
    The Cowboy Mafia (Classic/Southern/Modern Rock)
    Camel Cult (Original/Avant-Garde/Hardcore/Punk)
    Housebroken (Original/Punk/Horrorpop)
    The Anti-Anthropics (Original/Punk/Horrorpop)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Scarlett Moon (Acoustic/Classic/Modern/Dance Rock) (1pm-5pm)
    Fat Tractor (Original/Acoustic/Classic/Southern Rock) (8pm-12am)

Wild Stallions (3645 Universal Plaza, NPR)
    Karaoke by KJ Jersey Entertainment (9pm-1am)

 

Sunday, March 4th:
Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ (8pm-12am)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson)
     Karaoke with DJ Diamond Dave (9pm-1am)

Rock 'n Roll Rendezvous (1148 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Karaoke with Carolyn (9pm-1:30am)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Tim & Starr's Wedding Afterparty featuring Circle Sky (5pm-???)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Big Show Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Sully's Shack (7751 Grand Blvd, PR)
    Open Jam with Jason & Smokin' Joe (4pm-8pm)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Guitar Frank (Acoustic) (1pm-5pm)
    Slickside (Classic/Southern Rock/Blues) (8pm-12am)

 

Monday, March 5th:
Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ (8pm-12am)

Insomniacs Bar (4319 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Jilly's Lounge (5313 Main St, NPR)
    Karaoke with Carolyn (9pm-1am)

Orbit 19 Lounge (1542 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Open Mic with Stick Martin (9pm-2am)

Up the Creek Pub (4400 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Open Mic with Mark Shane (8:30pm-12:30am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Scarlett Moon (Acoustic/Classic/Modern/Dance Rock) (5pm-9pm)

Wild Stallions (3645 Universal Plaza, NPR)
    Karaoke with Ken & Leona (9pm-1am)

 

Tuesday, March 6th:
All Stars Sports Bar (4331 US Hwy 19, NPR, formerly Bourbon Street)
    Bike Night with DJ Patti (7pm-10pm)

Brennan's Sports Pub (1144 Alt Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Rewind Tuesday with DJ China (9pm-1am)

Insomniacs Bar (4319 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Open Mic with Zach VanStratt (9pm-1am)

Muddbuggz Bar & Grill (13330 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Kamikaze Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Ollie Oyster Marina & Tiki Bar (6438 Clark St, Hudson)
    Komedy Karaoke with Pete the Hat (6pm-10pm)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Open Mic Night with Rick Stoots (6pm-10pm)

Shananigan's (8404 Little Rd, NPR)
    DJ Mathu Bishop (9:30pm-1:30am)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Mark & Mike (Acoustic) (8pm-12am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Johnny Lobo (One-Man Band) (5pm-9pm)

Wild Stallions (3645 Universal Plaza, NPR)
    Open Jam featuring Dave Cook (9:30pm-1:30am)

 

Wednesday, March 7th:
Anchorage Saloon (12815 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Mark & Mike (Acoustic) (8pm-12am)

BB Magee's Bar & Grill (12400 County Line Rd, Hudson)
    Jesse & Billy A. (Acoustic/Country/Classic/Southern Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Boulevard Lounge (6210 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Open Jam with The New Boulevard Boys (8:30pm-12:30am)

Brennan's Sports Pub (1144 Alt Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Open Mic Night (9pm-1am)

Cocktails (6229 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Open Jam with John, Mark & Tim (9pm-1am)

Cricketers 52 (7306 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ (9pm-1am)

Insomniacs Bar (4319 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Open Jam with Dark Fury (9pm-1am)

Karl Reef (6307 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    DJ China (9:30pm-1:30am)

Miss Vicki's on the River (1029 Baillie's Bluff Rd, Holiday)
    Scott Fallon (Acoustic) (5pm-9pm)

Molly Malone's Irish Pub (4106 Little Rd, NPR)
    80s Night with DJ Infamous (9pm-1am)

Ollie Oyster Marina & Tiki Bar (6438 Clark St, Hudson)
    Guitar Frank (Acoustic) (6pm-10pm)

Orbit 19 Lounge (1542 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Underground UK Electronica & Dub-Step with VDJ Lord Fader (9pm-2am)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson)
    Ladies Night Karaoke with DJ Diamond Dave (9pm-1am)

Sand Bar (4780 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Ladies Night with DJ Manic Moss (9pm-1am)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Brandon Embry (Acoustic) (7pm-11pm)

Shananigan's (8404 Little Rd, NPR)
    Open Jam with Bob Hope (9pm-1am)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Karaoke by Santa Fe Entertainment (8pm-12am)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Big Show Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Smitty's Shipwreck Bar & Grill (5511 Chaparral Ln, Holiday)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Stilettos Bar & Grill (8351 SR 54, NPR)
    Komedy Karaoke with Pete the Hat (8pm-12am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Open Jam featuring Billy Sandlin (6pm-10pm)

Wild Stallions (3645 Universal Plaza, NPR)
    Karaoke by KJ Jersey Entertainment (9pm-1am)

 

Thursday, March 8th:
Back Room (7845 Grand Blvd, PR, part of Alex's Place)
    Bike Night with Big Foot (Blues/Rock & Roll/Swing) (7pm-11pm)

Cocktails (6229 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Ladies Night with DJ China (9pm-2am)

Cricketers 52 (7306 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Karl Reef (6307 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Ladies Night with DJ Infamous (9pm-1am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Thirsty Latin Thursdays with DJ 787 (9pm-1am)

Mac Daddy's Irish Pub (11024 SR 52, Hudson)
    Open Jam hosted by Dave Cook (9:30pm-1:30am)

Orbit 19 Lounge (1542 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Vintage Youth with VDJ Jason Barco (9pm-2am)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson)
    Open Jam with The Slick Johnson Band (9pm-1am)

Rock 'n Roll Rendezvous (1148 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Open Jam with Mark Shane (8:30pm-12:30am)

Sand Bar (4780 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Bike Night with DJ Patti (9pm-1am)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Dave Muse Duo (Classic/Southern Rock) (6pm-10pm)

Shananigan's (8404 Little Rd, NPR)
    Ladies Night with DJ Manic Moss (9:30pm-1:30am)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Ladies Night with The Bob Hope Band (Classic/Alt/Modern Rock) (8pm-11pm)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Music Video Night with DJ X (9pm-1am)

Smitty's Shipwreck Bar & Grill (5511 Chaparral Ln, Holiday)
    Open Jam (9pm-1am)

Smokin' Joe's Cigar Bar (9764 Little Rd, NPR)
    Komedy Karaoke with Pete the Hat (8pm-12am)

Stormie's Country Legends Saloon (5748 Main St, NPR)
    Open Mic (8pm-12am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Guitar Frank (Acoustic) (6pm-10pm)