Los Poncho Tones
Red Dog SaloonEast San Antonio Drive, Los Angeles 90807
Los Poncho Tones play Red Dog Saloon as the Joshua Tree and Hi-Desert trio of Denny Weston Jr. on drums, Jon Ossman on bass and Josh Sonntag on guitar. Their set draws on the group’s self-described “Greasy Tumbleweed” approach: swampy New Orleans rhythms meeting dusty desert tones. Blues and rock are central to the band’s work, with room for soul, singer-songwriter writing, psychedelia, electro and Appalachian textures; recent material also puts greater emphasis on vocals from all three members. Their live shows move between originals and reworked covers.
The trio comes from the Hi-Desert Joshua Tree area and is known both as its own band and as a backing unit. As Los Poncho Tones, they have backed Matt Ellis, Rosa Pullman, Jesika Von Rabbit and Jessie Payo, among others. Individually, members have toured or recorded with artists including Paula Cole, Chris Botti, The Kooks, Michael Kiwanuka, Robert Palmer, Santana, Draco Rosa and Gustavo Santaolalla. The group received Joshuas awards for Outstanding Instrumental Group in 2022 and Outstanding Rock Group in 2023. The Coachella Valley Independent calls them “a desert favorite,” praising a “blistering blues-rock mix” of “scorching-hot guitar tones, sweaty grooves and expansive jams,” and describes their recordings as “tight, well-produced gems.”
Red Dog Saloon occupies one of Pioneertown’s original working buildings, created in 1946 as part of a Western movie-set town that grew into a real community. Today its oversized wooden bar and timber interior make a fitting home for live bands and vinyl DJs, with some shows moving onto the outdoor patio. Expect a relaxed evening built around music, drinks, and Tex-Mex food, including tacos and queso; the saloon serves craft beer and cocktails. Events range from regular honky-tonk Sundays to band nights and DJ sessions, so check the listing for your show’s time and setting. The venue’s current website lists it at 53539 Mane Street in Pioneertown and gives daily opening hours, supporting that it remains in operation.