Virtual garage band

LA HABRA - Itching to play some music again? Looking to relive the excitement of playing in a garage band? Well dust off the old Les Paul, pull that amp out of the closet and head down to La Habra Music Center because they're about to make the process a lot easier.

The store is a local sponsor of "Weekend Warriors," a nationwide program offered by musical instrument retailers, that gives baby-booming musicians a chance to reclaim a piece of their raging youth. La Habra Music puts players together in groups according to their instrument and musical taste. The store even provides rehearsal space and a musical "coach" to help erstwhile pickers shake off the rust.

After rehearsing one night week for four weeks, each band will play a concert for family and friends at a local venue. "We built a little rehearsal space in the store that's about 15 feet by 30 feet," store owner Steven P. Capalbo said.

"We're hoping to start this on the 30th of this month. We've already got enough players for the first band but we'd like to start with a couple of groups." The program is designed to be non-threatening but efficient.

"Many of these people used to play in bands but then they got

married and started a career," Capalbo said. "They'd like to start playing again but they don't want to set up a band because that's too time consuming. This gives them the opportunity to set aside just five weeks and get that experience of playing again.

" Participating stores pay an annual $75 fee, and NAMM in turn provides a dealer kit with posters, brochures, in-store displays, a band video and other promotional materials. Players pay $75 each to participate. "That includes the rehearsal space, the coach and even the instrument if they don't have one," Capalbo said.

"We also supply the P.A. system.

We never put people in a situation where they are uncomfortable. If they are really rusty, our coach can carry it if he has to." That probably won't be necessary in Jim Lobue's case.

Lobue, who teaches at La Habra Music Center, is an industry veteran who's done extensive studio work and played with the likes of Ike Tina Turner and Sonny Cher. Lobue, 60, of La Habra, plans to participate in the upcoming Weekend Warriors session. "A lot of these guys haven't picked up an instrument in 10 or 15 years," he said.

"You only rehearse about an hour and a half \ but some of these guys want to go until midnight!" Capalbo said Weekend Warriors helps smaller independent music stores compete against mega retailers like Guitar Center and Sam Ash Music. "We're trying to be involved with the community of music and this gives us a new venue for music and a new reason for people to come to us," he said.

Capalbo also hopes to bring to the program to his other store, Corona Music Center.