Article Contributed by L. Paul Mann
Published on 2026-04-27
Skeleton Crewe | Alcazar Theatre | April 15th, 2026 - photos by L. Paul Mann
There is a special kind of magic when a so-called supergroup rises above resumes and reputations to become something larger than the sum of its parts. On April 15 at the historic Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria, Skeleton Crewe did exactly that, delivering a two-set performance that felt less like a side project and more like the birth of a fully realized band.
While much of the country was occupied with tax deadlines, a lucky few hundred music fans were treated to an evening of adventurous sound, where Hawaiian slack key traditions met Bay Area psychedelia, Americana grooves, and jam-band intuition. By the end of the night, many were dancing in the aisles of one of California’s most beloved small theaters.
Before a note was played, the venue itself helped set the tone. Originally opened in 1928, the Alcazar Theatre remains a Spanish Colonial Revival treasure and one of Carpinteria’s cultural anchors. Older locals still remember it as the Plaza Theater, though its survival was far from guaranteed.
Over the decades, closures and neglect threatened the building’s future. A grassroots effort led by Carpinteria Community Theatre, Inc. helped save and restore the space through years of fundraising, volunteer labor, and community determination. Walking into the intimate 200-seat room today, that pride is still tangible.
Skeleton Crewe brings together five seasoned musicians with deep roots in multiple corners of the live music world.
Stephen Inglis, the Grammy-nominated Hawaiian guitarist and vocalist, brought a rare and beautiful voice to the evening through his mastery of ki hōʻalu (slack key guitar). His style added warmth, texture, and a fluid melodic base not often heard in psychedelic rock settings.
Barry Sless, known to many through Bob Weir and Wolf Bros, moved between pedal steel and electric guitar with grace and authority. His lines often tied the room together emotionally.
Rob Barraco, longtime keyboardist with Dark Star Orchestra and former member of The Dead, added jazz sophistication and soulful vocals, particularly on material connected to Robert Hunter’s songwriting world.
Pete Sears, whose résumé includes Jefferson Starship and Hot Tuna, made every bass line feel melodic and conversational rather than merely functional.
Jay Lane, fresh off his work with Dead & Company, anchored the music with crisp, powerful drumming that kept even the loosest improvisations focused and moving forward.
The opening jam immediately established the chemistry between Inglis and Sless. Slack key guitar and pedal steel intertwined into a shimmering soundscape that felt like desert twilight meeting Pacific surf.
One of the night’s highlights was “Music is a River,” an original composition that carried the confidence and shape of a future staple. It flowed naturally, allowing each player room to contribute while maintaining a clear emotional center.
The band also nodded to their Grateful Dead lineage with several reinterpretations that felt inventive rather than nostalgic. Inglis’s fingerpicking approach gave familiar material a new identity, while the ensemble leaned into mood and movement rather than imitation.
The Alcazar’s intimacy proved essential throughout the night. In a room this size, nothing is hidden. Every glance, cue, and subtle shift became part of the performance. Sears watching Lane’s kick drum, Barraco trading nods with Sless, the whole band listening in real time—it all drew the audience deeper into the music.
As the encore faded into the Carpinteria night, Skeleton Crewe felt far more substantial than a one-off collaboration. This is a working band with a unique lane—exploring the intersection of traditional Hawaiian music, American roots sounds, and psychedelic improvisation.
In a theater the community fought to preserve, the evening became a celebration of endurance, artistry, and shared culture. If Skeleton Crewe comes through your town on the remainder of their 2026 run, don’t hesitate.
This is the sound of masters at play.
The Alcazar Theatre is currently celebrating its 98th birthday. For upcoming events, visit thealcazar.org.
