Page 14 - BiTS_10_OCTOBER_2023

CHICKENBONE SLIM – READY TO ROCK

By Lawrence Lebo

Blues artist Larry Teves better known as Chickenbone Slim is
based out of San Diego, CA. The area has long hosted a vibrant
Blues, Roots and Americana scene that’s served as home base
for artists such as James Harman, Candye Kane, The Paladins,
and The Beat Farmers, to name a few. By day, Larry Teves is
a licensed contractor who runs a very successful General
Contracting business. His alter ego Chickenbone Slim, along
with his band “The Biscuits” have been garnering attention with their
unique roots sound, mixing the blues with West Coast swing, rockabilly, and
roots rock.

Chickenbone Slim’s new release “Damn
Good And Ready” is comprised of twelve
original songs, is his second Vizz-
Tone album and his fifth career album
overall. The CD was recorded at
producer Kid Andersen’s Greaseland
Studios in San Jose, California, as was
Slim’s previous release “Serve It to Me
Hot”. On “Damn Good And Ready”
Chickenbone Slim and The Biscuits come
on like a hard-edged rootsy nightclub
Swing band playing to an audience of both
bikers and hardcore swing dancers. It’s
dangerous and refined all at once!

I asked Chickenbone Slim to tell us about
his life, career and his new release “Damn
Good And Ready”. This is what he told me...

LL: So, you grew up in beautiful Santa
Cruz, California (US). What was it like
coming up in a wealthy beach town?
CS: At the time I grew up, I wouldn’t have
called it wealthy! We grew up on the west
side of Santa Cruz, then Scotts Valley. It
was (and still is) a very diverse
community, with lots of alternative culture

(we had a Communist Mayor) and arts. My
earliest musical memories are of Jazz and
Blues bands playing on weekend afternoons at The Cooper House.

LL: I understand you were sandwiched between sisters! What were the ups and downs of
being the only boy?