Toad the Wet Sprocket coming to Ephrata

EPHRATA- Funk and alternative rock bands headline the eighth annual Basin Summer Sounds music festival in Ephrata this year.

Set for July 15-16, Average White Band and Toad the Wet Sprocket headline the two-day, family-friendly event.

Average White Band, a 1970s funk group, opens the festival Friday night on July 15.

Average White Band is widely regarded as one of the great best soul and funk bands. Best known for their instrumental mega-hit "Pick Up the Pieces," the band has several gold selling albums and Grammy Award nominations.

Despite having Scottish roots, the band was influenced by the likes of Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Donny Hathaway, while developing their own sound. Well known songs include "Cut The Cake," "Let's Go Round Again," "Schoolboy Crush" and "Stop The Rain."

Founding members Alan Gorrie (lead vocals and bass) and Onnie McIntyre (guitar and vocals) continue to record and tour around the world with Rocky Bryant (drums), Fred 'Freddy V' Vigdor (saxophone and keyboard) and Klyde Jones (lead vocals, keyboard and bass).

Alternative rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket headline the event Saturday night.

Toad the Wet Sprocket formed in 1986 with Santa Barbara High School singer and songwriter Glen Phillips, guitar player Todd Nichols, bass player Dean Dinning and drummer Randy Guss who honed their skills in bars.

Toad the Wet Sprocket is named for a Monty Python skit. They enjoyed a successful history after signing with Columbia Records.

In 1988, the band's debut album, "Bread and Circus," appeared and was followed in 1991 by the group's breakthrough single "All I Want" from the Album "Fear." The group played more than 300 shows on the Fear tour for two years, ending in throat surgery for Phillips' overused voice.

The group made five albums before parting ways in 1998 and rejoined in 2006.

The Basin Summer Sounds festival aims to bring tourism to Grant County, according to festival chairwoman Janice Moore.

"Basin Summer Sounds started back in 2004 and we wanted to create something to bring tourism to Ephrata. Obviously, a festival is a great way to do that. When we started out, our entire budget was $15,000 and last year's was $110,000. So we've grown by leaps and bounds since we started."

In 2004, 14 bands entertained hundreds of people of all ages with everything from classic rock to jazz.

"In 2009 we made a huge jump when we were able to bring in Smash Mouth and that really put us on the map. Agencies would really look at us more," said Moore.

In the spirit of hosting a multi-genre show with lots of people attending each night, Moore says the 2010 show featuring Jo Dee Messina and Cowboy Mouth "balanced out the nights more."

The 2011 festivities begin July 15, on the lawn of the historic Grant County Courthouse.

For more information, visit www.basinsummersounds.com.