STICK MEN Stick It To Stockton? Say It Isn’t So!

By capitalchaostv on September 21, 2026 • ( 0 )

By Eddie Jorgensen – Buy us a Coffee on Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/capitalchaostv

The Central Valley has long been known as an agricultural hub. However, thanks to the fine folks at the Haggin Museum, it is slowly gaining a reputation for producing intimate concerts by some of the greatest left-of-center artists. Nestled in a beautiful park just a mile or so off the I-5, it’s a room that gives more than it takes. And last Saturday’s Stick Men show was certainly no exception.

From the museum’s handful of musical presentations including The California Guitar Trio, Tu-Ner and Stick Men (who played as a duo in 2024 when Tony Levin fell ill), it’s certainly become a destination that more like-minded acts will probably include on their itineraries in years to come.

For the uninitiated, the Stick Men trio features bassist Tony Levin (Chapman Stick), drummer extraordinaire Pat Mastelotto, and guitar wizard Markus Reuter (8-string Touch Guitar). The group was on a West Coast tour to promote their first release in many years.

Their common link, King Crimson or their love of the catalog, is wholly evident on their latest 12-track release (s), ‘Let’s THRAK Again.’ A both unlikely and likely sanctioned follow-up to King Crimson’s ‘THRAK’ release, their latest sounds both dated and derivative in the most complementary way.

To satiate their fans’ appetites who appreciate different takes on the originals, there are two different releases feature alternate mixes from Stefano Castagna and Fabio Trentini.

And while the median age was around seventy years old, there was certainly no shortage of enthusiasm from the many return attendees.

The night’s program was preceded by a walk-through of the museum with complimentary wine and snacks. This also proved to be a good time to buy merchandise before the mad rush after the concert when the band signed free posters courtesy of the venue as well as their own releases.

It was easy to weed out the museum members from the band’s core fans during lengthy and wholly complex songs like “Komodo.” Even with Pat’s hilarious but much needed clapping lessons at the start of the concert, the aforementioned struggled to find their own count. Other highlights of the night which befuddled the unsuspecting museum goers included “Brutal,” “Ring Tone,” and King Crimson’s “Lark’s Tongues In Aspic, Part Two.”

Visit www.stickmenband.com for more info and music.

Stick Men live schedule:

September 13 Vancouver, BC Rickshaw Theatre

September 14 Seattle, WA Hidden Hall

September 15 Portland, OR Starlight Patio & Lounge at the Star Theater

September 16 Eugene, OR Wow Hall

September 17 Corvallis, OR Whiteside Theatre

September 19 Stockton, CA Haggin Museum

September 20 Santa Cruz, CA UCSC Music Center

September 21 Petaluma, CA Mystic Theatre

September 22 Pacifica, CA Winters Tavern

September 24 Los Angeles, CA The Baked Potato