The Idaho Falls

L.A.-based Idaho Falls is named after group leader Raymond Richards' hometown, but their musical oeuvre sounds somewhat Southwestern in origin (from Arizona or New Mexico, perhaps). Richards -- former pedal steel guitarist with Mojave 3 and co-founder of the Sid Hillman Quartet -- plays guitar in this group and shares vocals with the lovely Heather Goldberg, who contributes mandolin on some of their songs. Guitarist Kevin Feyen is a former member of the Black Eyed Peas, while pedal steel guitarist Greg Vincent appeared on the first two albums by Cake. Original upright bass player Jim Brown left the band in spring 2002; his replacement, Dave Koenig, comes from the lineup of several L.A. bands, including the 2002 lineup of the Brian Jonestown Massacre and a California country-rock outfit, the Quarter After. Another local L.A. player, Roger Brogan, (ex-Sunstorm), is the group's drummer. The Idaho Falls' self-titled 2002 debut was a self-released effort. ~ Bryan Thomas