Fans of 1970’s era rock icon, Pat Benatar won’t want to miss a performance from All Fired Up: A Tribute to Pat Benatar, who perform at The Grand Ritz Theatre in Escondido on February 21. Led by singer Tamara Shoemaker, the band also includes Michael Head (Lead Guitar), Jeff Graves (Drums), Geoff Shell (Bass), Barry Allen (Keyboards), and Annie Jordon (Backup Vocals), with John Flood subbing on drums for this show.
While Benatar hasn’t released an album since 2003’s Go, her legacy remains as one of the biggest hitmakers of the era, inducted into the 2022 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame with a string of classic songs to her credit, including “Fire and Ice,” Shadows of The Night” and “Treat Me Right.”
Shoemaker has been a fan of Pat Benatar and her partner, Neil Giraldo, since the beginning. “All Fired Up has been up and playing since 2022,” Shoemaker said. “We formed during COVID. Played our first show at the Ramona MainStage in late 2022, but I became a fan in 1979. I went to Design School in downtown LA and lived in West Hollywood the same year that Pat and Neil formed the band. I saw them then, and have seen them many times since.” Shoemaker considers that she and Benatar “share a few things in common outside of music. I’m a Feng Shui Master, and she follows Feng Shui as well. We both are also very petite in stature. It’s tough being petite, almost seems like we’re always fighting to stay ahead,” she said good naturedly. “Meanwhile, their band is also something I can relate to, a very clean lifestyle, no drugs.”
All Fired Up has performed throughout the Southland, including gigs at The Coach House, Yaamava, Campland, The Bornemann Theatre, The Mission Theater, Lake Arrowhead’s Tudor House, and The Canyon in Agoura Hills. Which of Benatar’s hits are the biggest crowd pleasers? “That’s a tough question, they’ve had so many hits throughout the years,” Shoemaker commented. “We span the complete catalog, including some deep cuts like “No You Don’t,” “It’s A Little Too Little,” and “I’m Gonna Follow You.” I would say the ones that definitely stand out would be “Hit Me With Your Best Shot, “Love is a Battlefield,” and “Heartbreaker.” The latter is also “by far my absolute favorite song in their catalog,” Shoemaker said.
What’s her favorite thing about performing with All Fired Up? “I love playing all of Pat Benatar’s material first and foremost,” remarked Shoemaker, who in addition to singing also handles of All Fired Up’s production and marketing. “It’s my band, my team. But of course, I do have an amazing group of very professional musicians that do also help out a lot. We’re a team, better yet we’re a family.”
Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/all-fired-up-a-pat-benatar-tribute
