Nestled amongst the breathtaking, panoramic and majestic waterways of Marina Del Rey Harbor, lay the musically iconic restaurant and Club, “Killer Shrimp”, which successfully thrived for over 20 years on a single secret recipe. The concept was inaugurated via rock superstar Lee Michaels, celebrated for singing while accompanying himself on the Hammond organ, piano and guitar usually using a single drummer, “Frosty.” He is also recognized for his top 10 billboard hit, “Do You Know What I Mean”, and playing sessions for greats including Jimi Hendrix.
Right off, with musical history like that, you just knew this was going to be an exceptional venue to hear supergroup Think:EXP with members including, founder Scott Page saxophonist and rhythm guitarist of Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Toto, Stephen Perkins, drummer of Jane’s Addiction, Kenny Olson, founder of Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band, and touring staple of The Hendrix Experience, Tony Franklin, of The Firm and Whitesnake, the animated Derek Day, Norwood Fisher of Fishbone, and newest member Will Champlin from The Voice.
Think:EXP “strives to bridge the gap between the human spirit and technological innovation with the one-of-a-kind life immersive concert experience.” With a history of over 30 successful, sold out shows at the LA Wisdome, and a featured headlining role at the globally famous O.Z.O.R.A. Festival in Hungary, Think reimagines the classic through the timeless music of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, and a host of others with a twist. Wearing their own clothes, they are not just some of the best musicians on the planet doing a cover but rather the fusion of epitome of the Theatre of the Absurd and spiritual insanity.
The 5000 square foot venue of decadent “fantasy dining” has been serving their signature dish, “Killer Shrimp” to a crowd accommodating 240 seats, intimate booths, and family style tables. Then behind the in plain sight bookcases, lies a secret door leading to a brand new sparkling and opulent, Speak Easy called “Killer Yacht Club,” with a superb sound system, centered with a baby grand piano. The members on Think:EXP were invited to play by owner John Reda, killer guitarist and entrepreneur, (CEO of Sound Marketing, one of biggest distributors of Harmon products and recently acquired by Samsung).
The very instant they opened with the funky, sultry “Cisco Kid” by War, the vibe transported the crowded room into a new realm of magic. At that moment the electricity and a funktafication pulsed through the veins of the audience and the band like a raging tsunami. The Groove prevailed and took over the senses of the packed space which holds an intimate 120 people. It was full and it was loud but with a cool sensibility. They did a medley of Floyd, “Money”, “Have A Cigar”, and “Time.” They added in Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”, along with some Bowie.
Then all of a sudden, the talented and demonstrative animated anomaly Derek Day in a wild, immersive, frenzy, plunged into the audience like a titanic tidal wave during James Brown’s “I Feel Good.” The four-hour set lasting from 9:00 pm until 1:00 in the morning became a super jam with anything goes. The band began to call out random songs, and then actually played them. The congregation was completely entranced, activated and mesmerized.
As the gig came to a close, I asked Scott Page what he thought of the venue’s allure and the fact that it was started by a fellow musician. He answered with a hopeful desire……”Lee Michaels, and Frosty, I love those guys. They are such legendary guys we are hoping they will come down and sit in with us….They are two of my all- time favs…they are serious musicians! ….Scott Page.
Excited owner John Reda said, “I thought it was the most electric, amazing performance that I have seen in a long time. I’ve worked with a lot of bands and this was just electrifying. Out of control. The crowd was jumping up and down on the couches, the energy level was tremendous. Last time I seen anything like that I was on tour with The Stones. They had that energy level. These guys just kicked ass. They put on a tremendous show. I’ve been in the music business for 30/40 years, Clapton, Jimmy Buffett, everybody, these guys just had it going for some reason. They were really in the zone. They did a great job. I’m trying to book them on a monthly residency. It’s packed here every weekend but nothing like the energy they have. These guys just tore the place down. There are tons of requests for them to come back, tons.”
A nod to Lee Michaels who FIRST made his secret recipe at home for his young children, 20+ years later he and his sons have focused on preserving the quality of the original secret recipe, delivering over the top customer service, and keeping the prices affordable. The club and entertainment is a phenomenal new facet and cool edition to the already superlative groove.
Members of the band and special guests will be doing a repeat performance by popular demand, and rocking the house down on December 15th, 2019 at Killer Shrimp followed by a probable residency.
Killer Shrimp
4211 Admiralty Way
Marina Del Rey, California
310-578-2293