PASSING THE DESERT ROCK TORCH: ICON JOHN GARCIA POWERS UP THE NEXT GENERERATION

here’s a certain kind of magic that only exists in the desert. It’s a mix of dust and dreams, vortex and veracity. And no one out-carries that magic in their bones like John Garcia—the voice of Kyuss, and a living, breathing cornerstone of desert rock.

But this isn’t a story about one man’s legacy. It’s about what he’s choosing to do with it.

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Garcia makes a tour stop at his desert home to headline Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, the spiritually sonic space where legends like Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Lucinda Williams, and Patti Smith have leaked their wizardry into the creaking stage boards. But he’s not coming back to soak in the spotlight. He’s coming to share it.

“I see myself in Whitewater. I see myself in Empty Seat,” Garcia says simply. “Knowing how great it is to be young and expressing yourself at an early age is something no one should take for granted. I just love these two bands—the energy, the vibe, and of course, the songs and how they make me feel.”

For Garcia, this homecoming show is more than a performance.

“This is our only local show,” he tells Joshua Tree Voice, “and I’m very proud to be having it at Pappy and Harriet’s. No special guests this time—because I really want to showcase Whitewater and Empty Seat. I want to shine all the light on them. I’m just an afterthought, and proud to be a part of something that’s still very real here in the desert. The scene is alive and well—in the low and hi desert.”

And that scene just got a little brighter.

A Setlist Like No Other

Fans will be treated to a rare, career-spanning set. “This setlist is something I’ve never done before,” Garcia reveals. “It showcases all my past projects—except Unida. I’ll be playing my solo material, Hermano, Slo Burn, Vista Chino, and of course some Kyuss… all of which I’m very proud to have been a part of.” But don’t expect a nostalgia trip. Garcia’s perspective is grounded in gratitude, not ego.

“Regardless of the past, people change. I have no hard feelings about anything that’s happened. My only wish is that all my former bandmates and brothers are happy and healthy. Life’s too short to hold on to anything bad. For me, it’s about celebrating the past and enjoying this very short time on earth with my family and friends. I’m very lucky.”

The Sacred Photo Shoot – Behind the Lens

Before Garcia hit the road on his current tour, he pulled off a near-miraculous feat—coordinating a private photo shoot for the bands. The shoot was done with longtime friend and world-renowned photographer Kevin Estrada at The Church, a private, invitation only, 3,500-square-foot recording sanctuary nestled inside a restored 1960s mid-century modern church. The unique property has been preserved and repurposed through the partnership of Jay Nailer and MiShell Modern (the visionary couple behind Palm Springs’ iconic Shag Store and tireless champions of mid-century modern design), and Ron Mesh (a side arm for some of the biggest names in rock and roll). Mesh was more than happy to accommodate this very special opportunity for the young artists amidst traversing the globe with Guns N’ Roses.

Estrada’s heart was on the same page.

“When he (John Garcia) called me about this, I was all in,” shared Estrada. “A legend like John using his platform to pass the torch? That’s the kind of story I want to shoot.”

Estrada’s own story reads like a gritty rock-and-roll fairy tale. As a teen, he smuggled his Canon AE1 into Southern California concerts, selling photos from his school locker to fund his passion. He became the youngest photographer to shoot for CREEM Magazine, and his early work with a then-unknown Nirvana launched a lifelong career that would include iconic assignments for Rolling Stone and music mags around the world.

When asked if he had some favorite photos, Estrada recalls a treasured memory with Kurt Cobain on the set of the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video — a moment that speaks to friendship, spontaneity, and a little rock-and-roll divinity. “Kurt had tied what he thought was an old blanket around his neck and was running around like Superman,” Estrada remembers. “We were all cracking up.” When Estrada noticed it was actually a tapestry of Jesus, he wrapped it around Cobain, handed him his guitar, and dubbed him the “punk rock messiah.” Cobain laughed and said, “Kevin, you gotta take a picture.” Estrada did — now iconic and eternal. “It’s a striking image,” he says. “And a beautiful memory of the friendship we had.”

“Two photographs from my time with Johnny Cash still hum in my heart,” he continued. “One captures a midnight alchemy—Cash, Tom Petty, Marty Stuart, and Rick Rubin huddled close, shaping the harmonies and lyrics that would become the Unchained album. The other is more intimate: Johnny alone, pausing just before stepping into the vocal booth. He looked at me and said one word—“Inspired.” I’ve often wondered: was he describing his state of mind, or the way I was seeing him through the lens? Maybe both.

Estrada’s most recent transition has taken him into the world of movies and television (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Deadpool & Wolverine, Modern Family). He currently serves as Unit Still Photographer for the hit series, “Shrinking” starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford.

Whitewater: Born From Brotherhood

Jason Zembo (vocals/guitar) and Ryan Priest(guitar/vocals) have been making music together since their friendship began in middle school. First meeting through baseball, their bond grew tighter through their love of rock music. Through years of being in the school choir together, the pair built a knack for harmony, sparking what would become their next musical venture.

After Zembo’s former band, Pescaterritory, dissolved during the pandemic, fate stepped in. Daniel “D-Nasty” Duardo (drums) and Emanuel Torres (bass) invited him to front their band for a one-off gig. “It just clicked,” Zembo recalls.

Having some original music already written, Zembo had a vision. “We were looking for another guitar player, and I instantly thought of Ryan.” From their very first rehearsal, they could tell something magical was happening.

“I was told we’d just be playing a few cover shows,” Priest admits with a laugh. “I didn’t even want to be in a band at first – I wasn’t into electric guitar, didn’t think it was for me… but after our first show, I was hooked.” The chemistry grew from there, and the band began to form their signature sound characterized by Duardo’s thunderous drumming, Torres’s carefully woven bass lines, Ryan’s melodic guitar playing, smooth harmonies, and Zembo’s wailing vocals over driving riffs and sentimental lyrics.

Prior to Whitewater, Zembo had already sent shockwaves through the local music scene and beyond as a young phenom on electric guitar. Now, with Whitewater, he’s stepping fully into his craft. “Chris Cornell’s vocal style really helped me find my voice,” Zembo says. “COVID gave me space to focus on singing. I learned to trust what my voice feels, not just what it sounds like—to be fully in the moment. This band lets me spread my wings as a vocalist.”

The future? It’s wide open. Although none of their songs have been officially released, the band has been perfecting their music on local stages. “We are planning on recording at Fireside Studios after the Pappy and Harriet’s show,” Zembo shared. “We want our first release to be something special; we’ve spent the past few years growing together and want to make sure we deliver the best we have to offer.”

Things look bright for this fresh rock outfit, and having desert icon John Garcia’s support means the world to the young band. “Honestly, just having John believe in us… that’s everything. We met him during a Battle of the Bands at The River last year. We had no idea he was judging until about 30 minutes before our set. Afterward, he came up to us and said our songs made him feel something, we gave him a new musical experience—it left us speechless.” The band isn’t afraid to embrace their desert rock roots, with their name being partially inspired by the Kyuss song ‘Whitewater’ off the 1994 classic, Welcome to Sky Valley. Now having the chance to play alongside one of their biggest influences, the band is honored to share the stage with John Garcia at the iconic Pappy and Harriet’s. “Something special is happening here” Zembo remarks. “This isn’t just a show – this is a celebration of the desert scene and its music spanning multiple decades. Spending time with John and the members of Empty Seat, this feels like a big musical family, and we can’t emphasize enough how much the support means.”

Empty Seat: Decades Deep, Still Climbing

With a lineage that stretches back to the early 2000s, Empty Seat is no newcomer to the stage—but they’re still burning like a band with everything to prove. Erin Marie, the band’s magnetic frontwoman, commands the mic with a voice that projects post-punk passion with finesse. Critics compare her range and presence to Aimee Mann, Deborah Harry, and early Gwen Stefani—and it’s easy to see why.

Their early years saw them rise through the L.A. scene, landing a Top 10 Band spot on LA TV in 2007. After a brief hiatus, they relocated to the desert in 2018 and returned with a vengeance—winning multiple Coachella Valley Music Awards for Best Alternative Band, Best Song (“Won’t Wait”), and Best Front Woman for Erin. They stunned audiences at the Annual Joshuas Honors Gala, and their 2020 single “Rise,” featuring Cherie Currie of The Runaways, earned airplay on SiriusXM, Rodney on the ROQ, KLOS, and more.

Today, Empty Seat is sharper than ever. Their latest release, “Take Back,” leans confidently into post-punk territory while channeling their 80s roots with a bold, modern edge. Backed by the explosive trio of guitarist Anthony Ferrer (Erin’s husband), bassist Matt King, and drummer Ricky Villalobos (a fast, hard-hitting alumni of the SGV Punk Scene), the band plays with such depth and cohesion it’s easy to forget there are only three instruments behind Erin’s voice.

In addition to holding down the low end with Villalobos, Matt King brings noteworthy literary sensibility to the band. A recent graduate with a master’s in English literature and current journalist for CV Independent and Reno News & Review, he’s earned top writing awards from the Association of Alternative News Media and California News Publishers Association. He also curates the local scene through Dunes Booking and the Dunes & Tunes Podcast. “My first band was “FrankEatsTheFloor,” King recalled, a band that earned the Best Youth Band award at the 2018 CV Music Awards. “I played open mics at Pappy and Harriet’s back then—never imagined I’d be back on that stage for something like this.”

Empty Seat is also in the studio recording this summer at the iconic Rancho De La Luna Studio in Joshua Tree (Foo Fighters/Dave Grohl, Arctic Monkeys, Iggy Pop, Mark Lanegan…) with Alain Johannes at the board (No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, Chris Cornell…). The combination promises a brand of magic yet conjured by the seasoned ensemble.