The earning power of the Afro

Everyone’s got a few skeletons lurking in their closet. For example, the members of Wonder Bread 5—the Bay Area’s largest-drawing cover band, which uses (and abuses) the back catalogs of the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson and the Commodores—previously played in various rock ’n’ roll hair bands before moving on to their current vocations. Change has been a good thing for the quintet, who not only make good money playing the club circuit, but often get even better paying gigs for such heavyweight clients as Microsoft, Infinity Broadcasting, Yahoo, Chevrolet and, of course, the Active 20/30 clubs. Many cover bands playing the circuit draw capacity crowds, but few have the sheer musicianship of Wonder Bread 5. Not only can the band play for hours on end, but also the sets get better upon repeated listen. Whether it’s the Powerhouse Pub or the Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco, these boys know how to bring a party wherever they roam. Wonder Bread 5 plays Harlow’s, located at 2708 J Street, at 10 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $12 for this 21-and-over show. Bring your best dancing shoes; it’s going to be a long night.