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January 11, 2007

LA Radio Gone Wrong

Is it just my car's stereo or has LA Radio gone all wrong? Practically every station is playing Elton John and Billy Joel all the time. Ok.

And it is not just the usual suspects of KEARTH 101.1, but JACK 93.1, KLOS 95.5 (!?!?!?!?!?!? WTF???), and KOLA 99.9....

Dear Music Programmers, please only play Elton John, Billy Joel and Fleetwood Mac once very 2-3 hours. Please intersperse with other artists and bands.

Thank you.

AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Ms. Jen at 10:23 PM

August 29, 2006

NEW ORLEANS WALTZ

Today marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I don't think anyone could have predicted the emotional (or political!) effects of this disaster, even a year later.

Singer-songwriter Grayson Capps is a New Orleans resident who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. I met Grayson and got to see him perform in Nashville at the Americana Music Conference shortly after the disaster last September. His theme song from his current album at the time, If You Knew My Mind? A song called "Get Back Up." Grayson's a delight.

He's set to release his sophomore album Wail and Ride on September 26, but here's a link to the video for his first single from the album "New Orleans Waltz."

We love you, Grayson, and New Orleans.

Posted by darlin at 8:38 AM

August 16, 2006

Dublin is Not Punk Rock

I have 7 more weeks in one of the most un-punk-rock towns in the Northern Hemisphere. Really. Google Video is my friend, reminding me of good music and snarky bastards...

Darn it all, I like Campbell, Calif. Esp. the gluten free section of the Whole Foods in Campbell...

Posted by Ms. Jen at 2:10 PM | Comments (1)

July 23, 2006

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

Even in the sweltering summer temps, nothing can beat the fun of a house party in Fullerton Hills. Rob McCann really knows how to throw a party, and it was awesome to view the lightening bolts flashing down around the city below while listening to the music of the Vaquetones echo throughout the canyon. Perfect acoustics! This guy really knows how to throw a party. Add good eats, good company and good music to the mix and you have a winner of a night. Thanks go out to Ms. Wanda for being DJ of the night, and to Rob and Betsy for hosting this lovely event! Last, but not least, thanks to the Miguel and the guys for bringing us such great music!

Posted by CindyLu at 9:49 PM

July 12, 2006

Fairweather

Allison Moorer's latest CD Getting Somewhere, released on Sugar Hill Records, is definitely way more rock-n-roll than any of her previous albums (read: a lot less twangy!), but still good! It's produced by her husband Steve Earle, and you can watch the video for "Fairweather" here.

Posted by darlin at 1:51 PM

July 1, 2006

DJ Wanda on Wanda Jackson

Read about it in the OC Weekly.

Posted by Big Kev at 11:56 AM | Comments (1)

June 6, 2006

Country Comes to the Sunset Strip

Check this lineup out...Something to look forward to over the summer, since "24" won't be back until January 2007. Rockin' Country Nights at the Whisky!

And besides all that, Monday is Junior Brown's birthday - what better way to celebrate?!

Posted by darlin at 1:18 PM

May 4, 2006

Feet Don't Fail Me Now

How did I become one of those people who never goes to see and hear live music? That's not who I am. It wasn't that long ago that going out 3-4 nights a week was the norm. I used to peruse the listings and map out my week accordingly. Older and stodgier but not dead yet, I had plans to go out a couple nights ago with my ex and heading out to a club seemed like a good way to hang out but have some external stimuli if the conversation well ran dry.

How did I become one of those people who never goes to see and hear live music? That's not who I am. It wasn't that long ago that going out 3-4 nights a week was the norm. I used to peruse the listings and map out my week accordingly. Older and stodgier but not dead yet, I had plans to go out a couple nights ago with my ex and heading out to a club seemed like a good way to hang out but have some external stimuli if the conversation well ran dry.

She got turned on to a singer/songwriter named Priscilla Ahn who had a gig at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, which I've always found reliable for live music. They recently rennovated and expanded the club and added parking, so it would be an easy place to hit. Wrong. Ms. Ahn's set time was 8 p.m. and somehow we freakishly got there at 8 p.m. and more bizarre, she started on time. But the line was out the door and around the club. Apparently, "label interest" in the headliner packed the place, and not only did we get in the waiting line, we had to maneuver to get out of the parking line.

Chatter was still awkward between us and in deciding where to go to get some food, we went to the Palms, hoping Thai Elvis would be performing and we could again circumvent having a dialog. (I realize we shouldn't have put ourselves in this uncomfortable situation in the first place.) Alas, no such Asian impersonator, but the pad thai and red curry were reliably delicious.

With the night still young and not wanting to extinguish the anguish, I drove us to the Lava Lounge in a strip mall near Hollywood High School. The last time I was there was the Fat Tuesday before last; the single hurricane lived up to its name and I tempered it with some sweet cream rose water ice cream from Mashti Malone's next door. This time, there would be no gardenesque refreshment, just garden-variety singer/songwriters who sounded like episodes of Sex & the City put to acoustic guitar or keyboard. But the ex had opened a tab for us (hey. I got dinner) and everyone at the door seemed excited about the band Script's first show. Relishing the opportunity to one day say, "I was there first," we stuck around. When they got on, I found four guys all looking like runner-ups for the Avenged Sevenfold try-outs or had stepped out of the pages of Alternative Press. Then they busted out some acoustic campfire session like Tesla doing an ode to Train or Third Eye Blind. We left.

Maybe it's not me. Maybe it's L.A. I'm leaving work a bit early today to hop a flight to New Orleans for my sixth straight Jazz Fest: Buckwheat Zydeco; Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Ohio Players, and I really can't wait for Fats Domino (did you see that footage of him after being rescued by boat after Katrina?). "Feet don't fail me now, my feet can't fail me now." Laissez les bons temps rouler.

The following weekend I'll be in Austin, home of wall-to-wall clubs on 6th Street, and the party band Brave Combo (they won a Grammy for Best Polka Album) are playing the wedding I'm attending. So, when I say I need to "get out more," I guess I mean out of L.A.

Posted by occulator at 10:34 AM

March 31, 2006

Flametrick Subs

The Flametrick Subs will be appearing on a short West Coast Tour starting April 1. Catch them while you can!
Saturday, April 1: Grease Demon Presents "No Fools Trailer Park Party" with The Barnyard Ballers, The Flametrick Subs, Pal Joey, Skunx, and Donchalator at Lakewood Elks Lodge in Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Sunday April 2: Alex's Bar in Long Beach, CA with The Irish Brothers

Friday April 7: Doll Hut in Anaheim, CA (featuring The Satan's Cheerleaders) with The Rocketz, and The Irish Brothers, and The Ditch Diggers (see flier by Dick Cherry)

April 2 at Alex's Bar in Long Beach. Tonight I interviewed Clem Hoot, lead guitarist for the band. Come out and see The Flametrick Subs and meet DJ Wanda and Filthy Rotten Wes, who will be dj'ing!

Posted by DJWanda at 7:56 PM

March 27, 2006

RIP, Buck Owens

I took this picture of Buck Owens at the 1998 Bumbershoot festival in Seattle. A good chunk of the crowd were there to see Screaming Trees, who were scheduled to play next, but Buck won them over. He rocked.

Posted by Big Kev at 5:21 PM

RIP, Buck Owens

From the Official Buck Owens Website: 03-25-2006 KUZZ Radio owner and Country Music Hall of Fame musician Alvis E. "Buck" Owens died early Saturday morning at his Bakersfield, CA home. His family says Buck died in his sleep and the cause of death is not yet known.

For those of us who grew up loving Buck's music, and watched our parents watching Hee Haw (every weekend at my Grandma Vicki's on a huge console tv set), this is indeed a sad day.

Allmusic.com has a nice biography on Buck by Stephen Thomas Erlewine:
Buck Owens, along with Merle Haggard, was the leader of the Bakersfield sound, an twangy, electricified, rock-influenced interpretation of hardcore honky tonk that emerged in the '60s. Owens was the first bona fide country star to emerge from Bakersfield...

scoring a total of 15 consecutive number one hits in the mid-'60s. In the process, he provided an edgy alternative to the string-laden country-pop that was being produced during the '60s. Later in his career, his musical impact was forgotten by some as he became a television personality through the country comedy show Hee Haw. Nevertheless, several generations of musicians — from Gram Parsons in the late '60s to Dwight Yoakam in the '80s — were influenced by his music, which wound up being one of the blueprints for modern country music.
(read the rest of the biography at allmusic.com

Posted by DJWanda at 12:05 AM | Comments (2)

January 8, 2006

I Love Rock and Roll

And for that reason I promise I will get my review of Joan Jett at the OC New Year's Eve festival up before the month is over. I promise.

Posted by DJWanda at 1:47 AM

October 20, 2005

Heavy Trash

Fans of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion will be pleased with Heavy Trash, Spencer's newest incarnation in partnership with Matt Verta-Ray (Speedball Baby).

Heavy Trash is actually less filling than the JSBE, but still tastes great. Drawing heavily on surf, 50s rockabilly, gospel yowls and growls, and greasy hip-shaking, fever-inducing boogie woogie, Heavy Trash is heavy on the harmonies, heavy on the infectious groove and right on the money.

Think Dexter Romweber on crack. Southern Culture on the Skids at Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles, Charlie Feathers, and Gene Vincent. Yes, y'all, you get the picture. This is the real deal - twangy, creepy, groovy, rockin' - like Sun Studios after hours with booze-fueled, drug addled ramblings and ravings. Lots of feedback, reverb, whammy bar, and sexual tension.

On tour with the always amazing Canadian brother-band, The Sadies:
10/22/05 at Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, Joshua Tree
10/23/05 at the Knitting Factory, Hollywood
10/24/05 at the Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco

Posted by DJWanda at 9:14 PM

Best Chance to Turn On

It's now official. I'm the best. Yes, our own little Miss Wanda's radio show, Howdylicious!, has been named one of the best radio shows in OC by the OC Weekly:

Best Chance to Tune In, Turn On KUCI. Welcome to the revamped and revved-up KUCI—cooler (if maybe less consistent than Indie 103), with a competitive roster of live sets by local-but-we-don’t-mean-local-as-in-suck bands like Rilo Kiley and Matt Costa and an engaging schedule that combines rookie enthusiasm with serious cultural chops from classic county radio shows like Howdylicious!, Closed Caskets For The Living Impaired and Riders of the Plastic Groove. An OC institution that deserves as much broadcast power and as much respect as KXLU. KUCI 88.9 FM or listen on the web at www.kuci.org.

Posted by DJWanda at 8:45 PM | Comments (1)

October 16, 2005

Rockabilly Legend, Gene Summers w/High Strung Ramblers and More!

Posted by CindyLu at 9:37 PM

Delta Blues with an edge for Punkabilly, or is it Punkability?

Photo courtesy of Kirk Schneider

Ms. Wanda from Howdylicious enlisted me via an intriguing e-mail a few weeks ago. She mentioned that she was going have special guests on her radio show – a two man band by the name of HillStomp, reigning from Portland, Oregon. Notating that they would play Pike’s in Long Beach on Wednesday night, she told me I should come down and catch their set, because I wouldn’t be disappointed. Of course, I trust Ms. Wanda’s opinion so I decided to go, even if it was a school night. Case in point: My feet would not quit moving on the floor, because their sounds are very distinctive. This was the best foot stomping Delta Blues I’ve heard in a long time and all from two guys who work all their own instruments from doubro and acoustic/slide guitar, to scrub board with spoons, and a makeshift drum kit with a real live pan from your mother’s kitchen. At first, you might think what did I get myself into, and then they let you have it...and how. Make no mistake, Henry Kammerer and John Johnson are no amateurs, and they don’t need three or four other band members to pull if off! The two are busy with a fall tour and traveling to festivals. The latest release, The Woman That Ended the World, or their debut, One Word will take you over the Mississippi to the Bayou, and you too will be a born again foot stompin’ fan. For more info on Hill Stomp visit www.hillstomp.com.

Posted by CindyLu at 9:26 PM

October 1, 2005

The Pervz @ The Brigg - 9/30/05

Things are a little dull around her without Miss Jen, so my date and I went over to Alex's Bar to see what was up. Alex was sober and checking ids at the door with CJ. The Adolescents were playing, so she was settling in for a long night of Spot the Fake ID. People kept coming up and squealing "OH MY GOD. How are you holding up without Jen?!" and I kept thinking they were talking to me, before I realized they were talking to Alex. This was only mildly annoying, so I decided we had to leave. Anyway, I was feeling claustrophobic and it was 9:05.

We went for burritos at Chronic Taco and then over to The Brigg to see The Pervz, a band I had heard a lot about. "Have I seen The Pervz?" I asked. "No" answered my date. I like it when someone else can keep my memories straight.

Now, I like The Brigg. It's wonderfully decorated and has strong drinks and good air conditioning (too good, so if you don't like your hair blowing in the icy cold draft, bring a sweater). But there are just too damn many "beach people" there. Beach people really think that flip flops are a real shoe. Beach people think that chunky highlights are still in. And beach people think that really bad (ie, cheap, poorly done) boob jobs are a good thing. You always think that something interesting might happen at The Brigg. A bar fight. A good band. But no. Every time I walk into The Brigg I'm in a good mood, and within an hour I'm comatose with boredom and irritation. Not good.

Last night was no exception. Some metal band played first. They said they were German, which explains a lot, but is still no excuse. Then it took The Pervz about 90 minutes to set up. I amused myself by looking at the flyers on the ceiling and reminiscing about shows I had been to at Safari Sam's. Then I tried to imagine all the things The Pervz were doing backstage or in the van that were taking so long. Shortening their pants. Eating pizza. Picking nits off each other like monkeys. Doing their hair. Having a circle jerk. Eventually, I got really bored and more tired. The date and I couldn't talk to each other because the dj was so loud. The dj kept mixing in bands like the Rolling Stones with the old school punk rock. Bad. Bad. Bad. It's cool to mix in AC/DC and ironic to throw on some Kiss between the Damned and the Sex Pistols. But the Rolling Stones? What's next, Led Zeppelin? Please. That dj was more concerned with his hair than his levels, and if you're a dj, you know what I'm talking about.

note: I am much too lazy to take pictures, so I took this from The Pervz website. Thanks, Pervz!

But back to The Pervz. They are cute. Really cute. They're a trio, which is just cute! And there's a tall one, a short one, and a goofy one (the drummer). They wear matching tennis shoes! How cute it that? They have an amazing fashion aesthetic that is sort of like the Briefs but less 80s. Very cute. And since the bass player and guitarist are brothers, I think they buy the same size Dickies. And since one is short and one is tall, this has an interesting effect. But cute.

However, their music is not all that interesting, I must say, although the crowd loved them. Or maybe they were just tired of doing nothing but listening to scratchy Misfits records played at ear-splitting volume. I'm not sure. The Pervz website is full of quotes from reviewers who call them totally hook-laden. I couldn't find a hook in The Brigg at all that night. Not a one. I think there was a song called "Pieces of You" that people were singing along to. I'm not sure how anyone sang along, because the songs had no real structure to latch on to, but I'm an old bitter ex-punk and this is a fact. I can sing you 20 X songs right now, because they all have hooks, but I couldn't tell you what a single Pervz song sounds like. I don't mean for this to be a bad review, because I did have fun, in a sort of really bored teenage way. There was no cover, someone else bought the drinks, the band was cute. I look forward to seeing The Pervz again somewhere other than The Brigg.

Posted by DJWanda at 10:43 PM | Comments (1)

September 9, 2005

Showdown Sunday, or was it Sundae?

Aside from the text messages which were the whip cream with the cherry on top, Showdown Sundae virginity has been broken for this girl!

Showdown 6, held at Hollywood's Knitting Factory was a steam sauna of Rockabillies weaving their way back and forth from room to room... minus the air conditioning. Ouch! It was hot, but not so bad, because you could escape to the secondary room where there was cool air, until all the bodies piled in there and then you had to leave again. Ah....and then there was a special place in the vendor room, where Papa Crash showed me the exact spot to stand for a blast of cold air! We love Papa Crash.

So, it was on with the show. I saw several bands whose names I unfortunately didn't hear near the beginning, but the evening highlights were Chuy and the Bobcats (oh, traditional RAB bands get ready for stiff competition), these guys are going to take it over. I'm not exactly sure why....maybe it was Chuy's demeanor, but he made me think of Ritchie Valens. He had that clean cut innocent thing going on. The freshness of a new band when they first start out and all their dreams are seeping off their cuffs.

I'd never seen Rip Masters in all these years. My friend, Tony, stood in on the bass this night, and they're a band I'd go see any time - my kind of music any day of the week.

Also, the Hellzapoppers put on a very impressive set. It was a change of pace from the normal RAB and leaned a bit more towards swing. Nice and refreshing!

Lance Lipinsky is the prodigy of Jerry Lee Lewis's young ghost. If you didn't know better you'd think "time travel" was a thing of the past. He had a few minor electronic piano issues near the beginning, but once that was fixed, he gave us a show of shows - bouncing, singing, kicking, piano playing genius. The grand finale had almost all band members on top of that grand while piano wailing to their hearts content. Amen.

And, then....there was Linda Gail Lewis, sister of famed Jerry Lee Lewis. Oh, the giggles I had under my breath when she sang one song in particular where the lyrics echoed - you can take my husband, but you can't have my man! YES! I had to wonder how many women would identify with those words, and I found myself feeling lucky not to be one of them. The lady has a lot of dynamic and it was really great to see her live after all I've heard. A friend of mine drove her to San Diego earlier last week where she was doing some recording.

Little Rachel, hailing from Kansas City, was all a-glitter in a lovely silver evening dress and she belted out tunes that told you she wasn't with Toto in Kansas anymore. This lady can sing! It was a pleasure to finally see her after all this time.

I don't need to tell you that the crowd went crazy to see Kim Lenz and her Spanish Jaguars. She is a Rockabilly favorite throughout the states and this was my first time seeing her live as well. The room was so crowded I didn't stay for more than three songs, but it was obvious the crowd loves Kim Lenz, over and over again.

Of course, I couldn't leave without seeing those Cumbia loves, The Moonlight Cruisers. Original in their sounds, I don't know anybody who doesn't like their music. For those of you who missed them at the Showdown, you can catch them on September 24th at El Cid where they'll be doing a show with Joe Houston and CC Jerome Combo.

And last but not least, because the music world would not be complete without the two - I'd like to pay homage to all the audience friends I saw there: (I know I will forget someone, and I apologize. And, if you weren't there you were still in my heart)

Derek
Tom
Ricky
Sean
Cameron
Gaby
Veronica
Nancy
Juliana
Crash
Rory
Tony
Suzanne
Lindalu
DJ
And also, my friends from MySpace (my former abode)

Posted by CindyLu at 8:08 PM

August 18, 2005

The Adolescents - Bustin' Out All Over...

OC's very own Adolescents have a new CD out, OC Confidential, and are getting a lot of press and radio love in the last week:

NPR's Fresh Air
The Cover article in the OC Weekly today
Joe Sib's Complete Control tonight (Joe called Steve's Mom!)

I do believe the Barflies.net needs some love... We do have two of the original Kids of the Black Hole writing for us...

Posted by Ms. Jen at 9:58 PM

May 27, 2005

DON'T MISS BIG SANDY'S NEW SIDE BAND, THE JAXON FOUR!

SATURDAY, JUNE 25TH
EL CID
4212 W. SUNSET BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA

SHOWTIME: 10:00 P.M.
THIS SHOW IS 18 AND OVER!

Posted by CindyLu at 10:04 PM

May 4, 2005

What Bands Breaking Up Made You Sad?

For me it was the local band the Distraction. I first saw them in 2001 at the Doll Hut at Julie Wanda's insistence as Ed Stuart, then in the band, asked her to have Barflies.net / KUCI folk show up at the show. It was worth it.

Then Ed left the band. The Distraction got a new singer, put out a CD, "Calling All Radios", and played lots of great shows opening for CH3, The Briefs, The Stitches, et al.

Then sometime early 2004 the band got unreliable. They wouldn't show up for shows that they had booked and then by last summer they were no more. Rumors of the needle. Very sad.

I am now listening to "Calling All Radios" and mourning the loss of a band that could have gone on to great things.

Who do you miss?

[Photo by Jen Hanen : Chris Bradley of the Distraction speaking to Mike Magrann from CH3]

Posted by Ms. Jen at 9:03 PM | Comments (2)

March 26, 2005

Darlin's SXSW Recap...by numbers

5 - Days spent in Austin for SXSW
33 - Bands seen
11 - Venues visted
1 - Miller Lites consumed
90 - Minutes spent standing in line to pick up my badge
1 - Times I decided to get a horseshoe tattoo on the side of my neck
1 - Times Wanda & Ms. Jen talked me out of getting said tattoo
46 - Degrees Fahrenheit when Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver performed OUTSIDE at Opal Divine's
4 - Lonestar beers consumed
1 - Ray Romano look-a-likes spotted at Guero's
250 - lbs. the driver had to haul around when Alex decided he wanted a pedicab ride
110 - Guestimated lbs. of pedicab driver who had to haul 250 lbs. of Alex
0 - Time spent at the Austin Music Awards since Wanda got banned
4 - Dollars required to withdraw money from the ATM
11 - Shiner Bocks consumed
1 - Times Turkish hackers with bad grammar sabotaged barflies.net
3 - Visits to Amy's Ice Cream
265 - Dollars spent on souvenirs
1 - Tequila shots consumed
2 - Servicepeople who hit on me while I was patronizing their establishments
632 - Number assigned to my minidisk recorder as an “official” SXSW Videographer/Photographer
3 - Cross-dressers spotted on Sixth Street
2 - Lip glosses included in the complimentary goodie bag from "Heidi's Night of Beauty"
3 - Margaritas consumed
355 - Days remaining until 2006 SXSW Music Festival

Posted by darlin at 5:45 PM

It's Where Music is Going...

If you're looking for a cool place to hang out (when you're done with barflies, please!), check out altville.com...It's a place on the web and on the radio where fans of alt. country music can hang out & talk about all things Alt. Country...

Posted by darlin at 5:16 PM

March 21, 2005

SXSW - We're BACK!

So, we're back (ugh!) and I'm almost unpacked (ugh!) and I started the laundry (ugh!), took the moldy food out of the fridge (ew!) and I even went to work today (triple ugh!). Where do I begin? With the food, the drinks, the music, the sights, the sounds, the smells? Over the next week (or two) Miss Jen, Darlin' and I hope to put up our Best of SXSW, taking no prisoners, pulling no punches and mixing no metaphors. You'll get the best of the best and the worst of it all. You'll feel like you were there! (except your feet won't hurt and you won't have gained 10 pounds in four days).

As always, we took hundreds of pictures (literally) and it will take a while to sift through them all, find the best, and post them for you. Yes, Jen is still working on the bowling photos. And since I know this site is about more than photos (isn't it?) I'll have some extended thoughts over at the magazine as well. I hope you'll check back often.

- DJ Wanda

Posted by DJWanda at 11:50 PM

March 12, 2005

South By Southwest!

Spring Break in Austin, Texas. Computer Geek, Film Folk, and Music Spring Break!

I am blogging and photo-blogging the Interactive portion of SXSW over at BlackPhoebe (Yesterday through Tuesday). And next week, Wed - Sun, Wanda and I will be blogging the Music conference here at the Barflies.net News & Tidbits!

I have already met a barflies.net mailing list-er, Amanda Udoff, at a party last night.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 12:46 PM

March 5, 2005

Save Indie 103

In this weeks LA Weekly, they have a open letter to God, praying to help keep Indie 103 on the air.
What the FCC?, God Save Indie!" by Kate Sullivan
Indie will continue till about the end of March, the letter says, unless a miracle happens. . . Pray for Indie!!!

Posted by Tinkinator at 11:14 AM

March 2, 2005

Video Killed the Radio Star

So I found this link on apple and the Rhino Records website that plays old videos.
Classic Videos

I was a fanatic as a kid for music videos. I remember being really little and on Sat. mornings(I think), Richard Blade from KROQ had a show on channel 5 and I think it was called Video Beat. They would play Duran Duran, The Cure, Depeche Mode videos, etc, plus interviews too. Then I found out that he was doing a show on KDOC (A Orange County Channel, owned by Pat Boone) called Video One. It was the best and then it turned into Request Video in the late eighties/early ninties. They had Social Distortion play live and the Vandals, too. In the mid to late 90's Request Video signed off and I always wondered what happend to all those videos. Of course, I loved MTV when they played videos. I would come home everyday a 3 and watch total request live and then at like 5 PM Request Video came on. I was in heaven. . . Just Like Heaven!

Posted by Tinkinator at 7:52 PM

February 25, 2005

The Rasta Rabbi

When Yaeger told me about a reggae singing/rapping Chasid who has been performing all over the country (but never on Shabbat), all I could think was "Poor Occulator, the broccoli margaritas must be causing horrible hallucinatory flashbacks." But I was wrong.
Not only was I wrong, but his name is Matisyahu and Carson 'I-have-no-business-being-famous-and-yes-Tara-is-a-whore' Daly called him one of the better acts touring today, he just signed to an indie label, and has been on numerous late night talk shows. I even have a link to a video clip.

Chabbad is taking over! Chabbad is taking over! Hide your leavened bread!

Posted by xx - Ms. Lauren - xx at 10:19 PM | Comments (1)

February 14, 2005

Rock Promotion

Ok...So... There are thousands, if not millions, of musicians out there trying to "make it", whatever that means to them. In SoCal, bands used to do a lot of flyering and self-promotion, but in the last 5 or so years it has dropped off precipitously. I have not had a band member wait for me outside of a club at last call to hand me a flyer in years. The Goldenvoice street team, yes. A band, no.

Now, this kid, Bliss, in San Francisco is working it. SoCal, look, read, and learn. Good Luck, Bliss... Knock 'em dead, Kid.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 9:53 PM

January 26, 2005

BATMOBILE at The Henry Fonda in Hollywood, CA

This past Sunday I attended the Henry Fonda theatre in Hollywood for the ONLY Batmobile show in the US!! A full house, the three stories of vintage glitz & glamour provided an ideal venue for the all ages event - complete with backstage dressing rooms for all of the bands.. And for all of you short people, don't worry; you can see the stage from anywhere in the place. If you've never been there, GO!

Anyway, the show was great. It was awesome to see Batmobile (Holland) play for a huge crowd (the line was around the building!). The opening bands were great - especially Spped Crazy and The Rezurex. But hey, I'm a bit partial. *winkwink* Starting around 5pm, The Black Rose Phantoms from Long Beach kicked the show off with the Coffin Draggers, and Jack The Rippers (UK). The Rezurex, Calavera, and Speed Crazy (NJ) set the stage for Batmobile, going on a little after 1am. We left about 2am, because I go to this place called work at 7 in the morning, but I was sad to go.

The only complaint I have for the night was that the SOUND SUCKED! It all seemed to run together and I didn't think the bass was too distinct. With that out of the way...

Batmobile was a lot of fun. Jeroen was entertaining to watch and decided to do the rockstar thing and strip off his shirt for all of the ladies. I'd definately recommend catching them the next time they decide to come to the US. There were a lot of fun people there who actually TRAVELED to the show - a word foreign to the spoiled southern California crowd. There were bars on every floor and quite a few vendors with plenty to buy. I enjoyed the horror magnets I bought to dress my naked fridge. It reminded me of a mini indoor Hootenanny.

If you've never heard of Batmobile...

The only rockabillies in their dutch school, Jeroen and Johnny decided to start up a band in 1983. Although playing covers at first, Batmobile decided they wanted to write their own music but with a new, unique sound. After releasing ten albums in the past twenty years, it's obvious that Batmobile has their own style, which they began to call B-music. A little rockabilly, a little psychobilly, these guys know what they're doing.. Like in a B-movie, B-music represents bad musicians, cheap humor, horror and the time of your life. Read a complete history of the band HERE.

For more Batmobile, visit their official homepage.

AXF

Posted by xx - aprilfalling - xx at 10:02 AM

December 22, 2004

Music for Hamsters

I don't often invite my dad to punk shows, but I did tonight. He called it, "A music for hamsters on speed."

There you go. He also said of one of the bands, "This is a band that just completed their 4th music lesson ever today." Even so, he, master hamster, ended up bopping along...

Posted by Ms. Jen at 11:15 PM | TrackBack

December 7, 2004

New York Dolls Redux

The New York Dolls, sans Johnny Thunders, have reformed briefly this year for the Meltdown Festival last summer and a few shows here and there this fall.

David Johansen speaks about the reunion, the good "bad" old days, and other funny bits today on Fresh Air.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 1:29 PM | TrackBack

December 2, 2004

The 3 P's

The longer I live, the more stunned I am at the juvenile petty behavior that occasionally pops up in various folks who are old enough to hopefully know better.

The area of life that I see frequently petty, juvenile behavior that surprises me is the ultra insular psychobilly scene. Psychobilly is fun. It is good music. I like psychobilly. But as someone who would like to book the bands at a venue or write about them or .... I have come up against more silliness than any other underground scene. Odd, but true.

Today was a prime examble of the 3 P's - Petty Political Psychobillies. Yep, an international band that we booked at Alex's cancelled late this afternoon for very spurious reasons. As the day unfolded I spent much time on the phone trying to decipher what was up, at the end of the day I knew three things:

1) The Rezurex rock. Daniel and co. are men of their word and honor. Need way say more? Oh, yeah, they are hot and make good music, too. ;oD
2) Certain European bands would rather shoot themselves in the foot over some bizarre point of misguided honor against the promoter from the night before, who was not us, than just play music they love and make their long suffering fans happy. Odd but true.
3) When bands cancel for byzantine reasons late the day of the show, fans from the Moreno Valley and South Orange County who drive to Alex's are very unhappy. If you play music for a living, don't you live to make your fans happpy so that they can worship your little self some more????

Did I say that The Rezurex are lovely men who saved the evening?

Hey Tim, Sign the Rezurex. They rock and are men of their word.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 2:44 AM | TrackBack

October 22, 2004

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Friday, Oct. 29th at El Cid!

Posted by CindyLu at 8:53 PM | TrackBack

September 18, 2004

"Interpol Space"

Last night at Subliminal Projects on Wilshire, there was a promotion event announcing the upcoming release of Interpol's album, Antics. The release date is set for September 28, 2004. Shepard Fairy (Obey / Giant) did the posters and prints for the event. There were also ten short films commissioned by the band.

I thought the event was an interesting way to promote the new album. The art was really well done. The films were a little too abstract for my taste. The DJ was pretty good but I wish the floor space had been used as an actual dance floor. Hey, at least the reception had free drinks and the cutest little water bottles and mints.

If you get a chance, go check out the art. It will be up until October 1st.

Posted by ashleykiana at 6:39 PM | TrackBack

September 15, 2004

Johnny Ramone passed away at 55

One of the founding members of the Ramones, Johnny Ramone, passed away today 09-15-04
I happend to listen to Indie 103 one night, during Joe Sib's set, and Johnny Ramone called to talk about the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Ramones show at the Avalon, which was this past Sunday.
I thought he didn't sound very good. I knew he was battling cancer but he just did not sound well.
I think he hung on to be apart and witness the 30th anniversary. Funny how life works that way.
I enjoyed when he was on Jonesy's show in the afternoon and how both, more Johnny then Jonesy, would tell their stories when punk rock was real. Very interesting and funny stories. I hope but I'm sure they taped those stories. A book would be great. The Ramones were and still are great.

Posted by Tinkinator at 10:07 PM | TrackBack

September 14, 2004

September = The Scotch Greens

If you haven't already gotten out to see The Scotch Greens, do so. The San Diego band has created a new musical hybrid by marrying punk with bluegrass. Think of the Pogues on speed... Not to be missed.

The band has a Tuesday night residency at Molly Malone's in mid-town Hollywood this month and will be at Alex's Bar with the Irish Brothers on Thurs. 11/30.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 4:42 PM | TrackBack

July 26, 2004

Miss Kitty's Fotolog

I don't understand the back tattoo. You can't see it, but everyone else can. I guess that's why there are so many ugly back tattoos - you don't have to look at it every day and think "damn! that's an ugly tattoo! What was I thinkin'?" If I had designed the Ramones logo (this is the designer), I'd get it on the front of my chest, backwards, so that every time I looked in the mirror, I could see it. Screw everybody else.

Check out Miss Kitty's Fotolog for more great pics.

Posted by DJWanda at 10:21 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

July 6, 2004

best and worst hootananny

Tink's best/worst hootananny
Best:
It was nice and cool
more shade
original venue
ice cream truck
getting my very own barflies.net button
seeing the friends that I did get to see
Worst:
Not seeing all my friends who were there
waiting in line to get in
$5 bucks parking
no cell phone reception, hence the reason of not seeing most of my friends, I couldn't call them :(

Actually I had a good time this year. I think it should be at Oak Canyon every year.

Posted by Tinkinator at 6:48 PM | TrackBack

June 23, 2004

A Fender in Time

There is something timeless about the music of Freddy Fender, and at that, he is an original with a signature voice. How many performers can you say that about? Count them on your fingers, please.

Saturday night, at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, Freddy Fender, bowed to an audience that gave him a standing ovation. Not only is he timeless, but he is an extremely genuine man, who's had a rough road healthwise in these past years. But he's returned to what he loves and there is no doubt the audience loves him. What's not to love about a man who can sing "Secret Love" like no one else, and with all of his heart and soul. He looked striking in his black hat and black suit as he belted out tunes like, "God Didn't Make Honky Tonk Angels"; "I Got a Woman"; "The Last Teardrop"; and, "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights". Freddy Fender is transitional from one generation to the next, and that's a fact. Back in the 1950's he was known as the Mexican Elvis, and he's come a long way through the years to etch out a place for himself in the tradition and heritage of his own choosing.

In addition to Freddy's solo performance, he allowed Augie Myers to take the stage to sing some good old Tex-Mex. I'll tell you, if you've got the dinero, Augie's got the Camero! And, there's also an 88 year old lady named Thelma in Selma (TX), who's got a mighty fine song written about her. Augie has a way with lyrics and music that's undeniably his own. The band had them dancing in the isles to all these tunes and the roof nearly blew off at the utterance of "Hey Baby Que Paso?"

Opening the show were The Flatlanders and Soul Inc., both amazing bands in their own right. The Coach House booking agent really matched this lineup superbly. It's not often I can go to a three band show and say that I ultimately enjoyed every single one of them!

The Flatlanders based out of Texas have a definitive country sound and it's no wonder they've landed on the Americana Charts several times around. They've traveled throughout Europe, and you can find more on the band at by visiting their website at: theflatlanders.com. If you have the chance to see them, you'll know what I mean.

Soul Inc. have been a band since the 1970's - a soul funk band that revisits songs from the 70's with a mix of some polka and Tex-Mex as well. Now, that's variety! They closed their set with one of my favorite songs, Archie Bell and the Drells "Tighten Up". Soul Inc., comes complete with bongos, sax, horn, and musicians who know how to move in sync.

After the show, a gracious Freddy Fender took time to sign CD's and pictures. He also posed for pictures with fans, and I think for the night I became the official Coach House photographer. Good deed for the day: I wanted to get a few pictures of Freddy to "blog" a story on Barflies.net, and a saddened man next to me couldn't get his camera to work in order to take a picture of Freddy with his wife. I told him I would take a digital and e-mail it to them, and that comment received wide notoriety!

Yes, it was quite a nite folks, and I don't think anyone there would have missed it. Here's to Freddy Fender and music to dance the night away.

For more info on Freddy Fender, check out his official website at freddyfender.com

Posted by CindyLu at 10:23 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

June 14, 2004

THE WESTERN CONTINENTALS - NO STRIKES!

After a long hard week, I found myself sitting at the Doll Hut (Anaheim, CA) for a Honky Tonky Sunday. There I sat, sipping my Mandarin Smirnoff twister, listening to my favorite new band, The Western Continentals.

The band has has only been together about six months, but you'd never know it. They sound like they've been together through thick and thin. I'd only seen them once prior when they opened for James Intveld, whom I've admired for many years. Had it not been for him, I would have maybe never discovered them, and that would have been a big loss.

As I sat there, I thought to myself how glad I was that my friend suggested we meet up for the show. I had to run an errand to Anaheim, and figured I'd make it a double-header to hear some great music as well. Batter-up...it was a home run - no strikes for this band!

Upon my second time hearing them, I am sold hands down on the Western Continentals, and they must be sold on me, because they not only "sold" me on a CD, but I was pleasantly surprised to find my first review from Barflies.net located on their website.

The Western Continentals deserve radio airplay, no doubt about it... and, I predict we are going to hear a lot more from them. The band will be back in studio in late July to cut a full length CD that will be released before the holidays. But, for now you can pick up their first five song CD, entitled, The Western Continentals (Limited Edition). The CD boasts songs such as, Crazy Arms; There Stands The Glass; Don't Want It Back; Don't Touch Me; and, Only One;(two of the songs were self-penned by J.D. Crawford).

J.D. Crawford (lead singer and acoustic guitar) has a voice that was made for Country Music. It flows just as smooth as the instrumentation of their music. Other band members include, Rob King on bass; Joe Cucuiat on drums; Rick Shea on electric guitar; and Gary Brandin on steel guitar.

Don't miss a chance to see The Western Continentals! They play several Sunday afternoons a month at the Doll Hut in Orange County, along with another very talented female Country singer, Patty Booker. You'll find them popping up at clubs all over the Southern California area. Check out their website for pictures, concert listings and more, at: http://www.thewesterncontinentals.com

Posted by CindyLu at 9:13 PM | TrackBack

May 23, 2004

How do you really feel about the FCC, Mr. Idle?

Monty Python's Eric Idle has a lovely litte song about the FCC and the current Bush/Cheney admin that is funny and worth a listen if you need a good laugh. (Via plasticbag.org)

Posted by Ms. Jen at 10:17 AM | TrackBack

May 9, 2004

Coachella Music and Arts Festival

Great bands- (Pixies, Flaming Lips, Cure, Radiohead, Muse, Moving Units, International (Noise) Conspiracy, lots and lots more.

Not so great weather- It was 113 on Sunday.
The only place there was air conditioning was in the film rooms.

The highlight of my weekend was dancing to Electric Six. They put on one of the best live shows I have ever seen. I have never danced so hard.
Oh and I also had fun living with 21 people in one house all weekend.

Posted by ashleykiana at 10:52 PM | TrackBack

May 3, 2004

Relentless! An evening with James Intveld and the Western Continentals

Of all the bands I've seen over the years, I always seem to come back home again. That's what I did last night at the Doll Hut in Anaheim. I've been going to see James Intveld for well over a decade, and I've recently found myself thinking about all the years and all the bands, because I've sort of taken a step back to reflect. I suppose I'm the type of person who is loyal...who doesn't forget roots, and the people I started out with, but then again, when those people have true talent, it's extremely easy. I wouldn't care if James Intveld was famous or infamous... he delivers the kind of music I like, and I have admiration for his songwriting and tenacity in this business. It's that simple, and I like simple things. Therefore, he will always be number one in my book. I can tell you why, and then I can't tell you why, because life is a mystery. But, I sure am glad I know when I am home!

I was sitting in my car when the Western Continentals started their set, and from the first note I heard, I knew I would like their music. The evening flows so smoothly when I hear one song and know immediately that I will like the band. The first song echoed through the night sky and literally sounded better from outside than when I stepped foot into the room itself. Now, that is great sound! If you like country music you will like the Western Continentals, and so I highly recommend them.

Special thanks to Eddie (Hellbound Hayride) and Jimmy for their acoustic version of Relentless!

In retrospect, if I were Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I would tell you "there's no place like home" and to keep following the Yellow Brick Road, because what your heart tells you is always true. Be true to your heart...true to the sound you like and you won't be disappointed!

Posted by CindyLu at 7:03 PM | TrackBack

April 23, 2004

Ray Condo Interview

Here is an interview done in 1999 for MOTE Magazine. I believe Ray's sentiments are still timely. Ray's manager, Gayle Hurmuses, also has a memorial page where you can post stories and links.

Ray Condo

interview by Chris Andrich
http://www.moregoatthangoose.com/interviews/condo.htm

Anyone familiar with independent music in Canada should recognize the name of Ray Condo. As leader of the Hard Rock Goners and now the Ricochets, Condo has had over a 15 year career in music. Moving from rockabilly to jump blues and western swing, Condo and his band have made a point of preserving a rich musical tradition, helped along the way with Ray Condo's dry onstage humour and genuine enthusiasm. On a stop in Edmonton to play at the Sidetrack Cafe (he has played here twice since, most notably a packed house at a Valentine's Day show at the New City Likwid Lounge) I had a chance to experience the wit and wisdom of Ray Condo after the show.

Chris: Start from the beginning.

Condo: If you want to go forward, you really have to know your past. That's the oldest philosophy of all the arts. You talk to any artiste, and man, if you want to get ahead study your past. That's how you figure out pattern cycles and how you appreciate what's what. How you get real values. You've got to know your sources, and I'm not saying just being pat or trad and just copying, being strictly trad, I'm saying know the stuff and then do what the hell you want afterwards.

Some of this stuff you said sounds like this band from Scotland, the Shaking Pyramids.

The Shaking Pyramids, I remember them. Yeah. They were lively. They had great energy. In the late 70s we were punkin' out in Vancouver and the punk scene was so fun. I was playing in a band called Secret V's and the aesthetic of the time was -- first of all you had to cut your hair off. We were sick of millionaire rock star Frampton hair farmers. So the whole punk scene was about, first of all, cut your fucking hair, then get up there and it was about small amps. It wasn't about Marshall amps or power like they're into now. It was small amps and lots of attitude, get up there with balls and express yourself with attitude and you'll learn the musical side later. That's how we did it. Shortly after that, punk went two ways. A bunch of us jumped ship and went roots, went right out, and the rest of them joined with the metal boys. Yeah, the punks grew their hair long, got Marshall amps and fused with the metal culture. Right? You saw that happen. Well, you're looking at a punk boy who went the other way. Fuck the long hair, fuck the Marshall amps, I'm going home and listening to Hank Williams. That's what happened.

Ray, how old were you when you got involved in the punk scene in Vancouver?

I've never been mature, but I was in my early, late twenties.

You saw it as a natural progression...

The punk thing was a very healthy social wave that had to kick out the jams, because we were sick and tired of millionaire rolling stones and millionaire rock stars trying to show us an aesthetic. I don't think so. They lost the ball a long time ago. The Pistols and the Buzzcocks was very fucking fresh and inspiring, and I still hold to a lot of those ideals, but I'm not as angsty and angry as I used to be. And I don't believe in nihilism. I believe in that 15-minute crash and burn and take no survivors. But it's only 15 minutes. You can't sustain that for a decade. It just doesn't make any sense. And the beautiful thing about that punk onslaught is that it really did open the doors for other forms of expression for everybody. It was a revolution. Democracy! Let everybody in. Fuck the god damn rock stars! If you want to do something different, you want to be a real, cool hip rebellious person, fuck rock altogether. Start a Hawaiian band! Impress me with something entirely different.

It seems like bands like the Cramps and the Gun Club incorporated a lot of roots music in what they did.

The Cramps are really interesting. They kind of represent that 70s, really, grunge sound. They were sonic and distorted and minimalistic. Unlike the other punk bands The Cramps were the only ones who got beyond the fucking 70s and 60s. Every band in the world has their roots in the 70s and the 60s. Except for the Cramps. They're drawing from the 50s. If you listen to their material, their inspiration is coming from the 50s. And that's what drew me to the Cramps. I said, yes, these guys might not play it like the old days, but they certainly understand the spirit of the old days. Rock and roll is about fun. It's about sex, drugs, and fun. It's about fucking and laughing and humour. It's not a gloom parade. If we're all gonna die, well, let's all die. I don't care if we all die tomorrow. Fuck. Let's all walk into the ovens singing a Cramps tune! And that's what I loved about the Cramps. They understood that essence of rock and roll: humour. Life-affirming. Fuck this shit. Let's party.

Have you talked to older rockabilly guys about this? I heard you toured with Ronnie Dawson from Texas.

In our circuit we're really fortunate to work with legendary people. Survivors like Sonny Burgess. Ronnie Dawson really is a phenomenon. He's quite amazing. But unfortunately for Ronnie, he's trying to compete with the young bucks, so he tends to go up there and he tends to just blare away on his guitar for the whole set. It's like, I've heard Ronnie sing, and I know he can sing some good country and a good ballad too. But he don't. He gets up there and he just fucking wails away on the guitar and I think it's that syndrome where he feels he has to compete with all these young bucks that are surrounding him. I think it hurts him. I think he drives some of the audience away. I wish he'd kind of calm down a little. Sing some country.

Now, Sonny Burgess, one of the original Sun rockabilly guys...

Sonny Burgess. He's the man. I can't critique him too easily. He's got it together. These guys are the last of an incredibly important time. The American Renaissance, you're talking from the 20s to mid-century, and after they hit the moon it was all downhill. Now, America has become international since the 60s. But prior to that there was an incredible American culture, as incorrect as it was, it was incredibly fucking gorgeous. Even in its naivete it had this transcending liberal quality to it that really did help the world. Us Canadians we can be pretty smug. We sit back in our armchairs, we look at the States and we think we're so superior to them because we all read and write and they don't. They're kind of illiterate. But, we work the States all the time. We're more of an American band than we are Canadian, and I love that culture. We draw most of our inspiration from, yeah, their past, but they still have stuff going that's really cultural. Sometimes reading and writing and the brain and all that isn't enough. Sometimes you need good old fucking gut level primitive instinct, which the Americans are good at. I admire that. That's really what rock and roll culture is really all about. You can't learn it in school. It's not a European cultivated thing. It's a North American spiritually primitive thing, and that's what the Europeans are so fascinated about. We live in these big ugly shiny malls and we have fascist cops that beat you up, we live in this incredibly primitive world to them. They're fascinated because we deliver such great stuff.

Should we all take time to learn about the 50s going back to the 20s? That different era?

Well the 20s is like the first 60s. The 20s is an incredible revolution led by the feminists. Babes who were like dressing different and acting up. It was the women and music that were breaking all the rules. Just like the 60s, it was really a wild fucking decade. Much wilder than the 60s actually. I figure 2012 we'll be ready to kick the jams again.

Posted by DJWanda at 10:15 PM | TrackBack

April 22, 2004

Having fun with the Irish Brothers in a Savage City with a Royal Crown Revue

Last night's Irish Brothers/Savage City/Royal Crown Revue show at the House of Blues, Anaheim, filled my near lifeless body with some needed energy. After long hours at a computer screen for days and days, it was just what the doctor ordered. As much as I like my job and co-workers, I deserved a break today, and I got it with this show. I also got a VERY strong rum and coke that almost required me a chair to sit in! Luckily, HOB
Anaheim has some good strong walls to lean on. I guess that bartender took one look at me and thought I REALLY needed a drink!

In all seriousness, the show was high energy and the Irish Brothers delivered a fine performance, including my a favorite song, "I Will Never Marry". Complete with their dark green suits, the guys took the big stage like it was their home sweet home. Hot Karl was rarin' to go, and it had been far too long since I'd seen my brothers. I especially liked the part where David was so into it, he lost his drum stick. When you lose a drumstick it can be a severe tragedy... a laughing one. ;)

Savage City reminded me of a band out of downtown Chicago, but the name of the band reminded me of something completely different. Do I win a prize, if I'm right on location and well....? Though, I never did find out where they originate from, I do know they're in my age group! Their lead singer, a jiggly gal, who bounced across the stage in blue rhinestones, backed up by a 10 or 12 piece band (including horn section), had a good voice for delivering a wide variety of style. Was that, It's All Right, that I heard??? If I'm right, take me back to the 70's, please.

RCR, better known as Royal Crown Revue, without a doubt, is a band of great instrumentation and sound. When these guys pick up their instruments and play just one note, you know you are watching seasoned professionals. They've come a long way since the days at the Blue Cafe. Eddie Nicols, suave in a white double breasted jacket, dresses to the nines (did I really hear he pays $1200 for his suits?) and is very comfortable on stage. Someone told me he's so funny he should be a comedian instead. Choices...choices. Perhaps it was just my mood, but after four songs, I already knew what the next five or six would be like, and so it was a toss up between sleep, and no sleep. Perhaps I dreamed about this entire night...well now, maybe I did. Someone pinch me for a wake up call, please.

Good morning, it's 7:09 a.m. and I am off to work.

NEXT UP: BR549 w/Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys, tonight (4/23) at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana. Have fun, enjoy the show, and I invite someone who likes to write to pull up a pillow and tell us about it.

Posted by CindyLu at 7:19 AM | TrackBack

April 8, 2004

Punk Rock Seasame Street?

Minor Threat / Fugazi's Ian MacKaye has been let loose on the little people of the world... (via metafilter)

Posted by Ms. Jen at 8:45 PM | TrackBack

April 3, 2004

What I look at Everyday

I just like The Militia Group website. Check out the new Beautiful Mistake CD.

Posted by ashleykiana at 10:18 PM | TrackBack

April 2, 2004

Pussycats and Powerchords

GuerrillaMonster Films and 7 DUDLEY CINEMA present:

An eyeball poppin' evening of Pussycats & Powerchords with two incredible Stag Films set to Garage Rock soundtracks from acclaimed Memphis direktor John Micheal McCarthy aka JMM

THERE WILL ALSO BE STARLETS PERFORMING LIVE!

ANNA BELLS from the Fishnet Floozys and CHARLOTTE LE BELLE ARONDE

WEDNESDAY APRIL 7TH @ 8 PM sharp! - FREE ADMISSION

located:
THE SPONTO GALLERY
7 Dudley Ave.
Venice, CA 90291
fone: 310.399.2078
parking: free lot on the corner of Rose & Main St
directions: www.mapquest.com

seating is limited- so get there early
also BRING YOUR OWN BOOZE

Posted by DJWanda at 9:15 PM | TrackBack

March 20, 2004

SXSW Day 8 - Ms. Jen's Sat. 3/20/04 Dispatch

DAY 8!!! The Marathon is now in the 26th mile...........

I slept until noon, thank God. Packed my bags and then a large posse of us (Wanda, Vicky, Alex H., Norma, Heidi, Sabrina and the other Alex) went to lunch at Las Manitas. After lunch, we went to see the Flatstock concert poster exhibition at the Convention Center, both Alex and Wanda bought posters.

At 3:30pm Super Shuttle showed up to take me to the airport and off I went. At the airport, I had a nice chat with Tom Ward of Fat Wreck before our respective planes took off.

Lucky Laura picked me up at LAX and we went to dinner at Aki in Long Beach. I went to bed around 1am and woke up on Sunday at what I thought was noon, but I realized a bit later that I had not set my clocks back to Pacific Time. Oops� Now I am exhausted and it is really midnight PST Sunday.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 10:00 PM | TrackBack

March 19, 2004

SXSW Day 7 - Ms. Jen's Fri. 3/19/04 Dispatch

Afternoon � The Spin Magazine Party at Stubb�s. As I arrived The Killers were on their last two songs, not enough to give a report. Next up was The Von Bondies who played fun, rhythmic, bordering on monotonous rock. For all the hype surrounding The Von Bondies and for all the involuntary bouncing that I did during their set, I could not remember a single song or melody or chorus after they left the stage.

The highlight of the afternoon party set was The Hives, who do live up to all the monumental hype. On this hot and muggy afternoon, in the backyard of Stubb�s BBQ, Sweden�s golden boys were dressed in white suits with black button up shirts and white country bow ties. The Hives were fun, sassy, peppy, and dressed to kill or least dressed for a good heat stroke. Where their fellow countrymen, T(I)NC, are overly political, The Hives play kick ass, catchy rock�n�roll all the while jokingly injecting politics into the mix. Ha! And you just thought the Scandinavian Invasion was just about lots of great hard rock bands? Ha! They love themselves a whole lot of politics, too.

All jokes about the Dr. Weapons of Mass Destruction and his too long bass solo in the middle of �I Wanna� aside, The Hives did a damned fine job and are a damned fine band.

5pm � The Spits at Beerland � free show. The Spits are good punk from Seattle in the same vein as the Briefs. How come Seattle and the Northwest gets all those great bands and we only have the Stitches? The Pervz need to move to LA...

7pm � Dinner at Louie�s 106 with Wanda, Alex, Mike Coyle, and Adaline. Excellent food and excellent company. Huge thanks to Mike.

9pm � Emo�s Jr. � Pistol Grip � Pomona�s contribution to street punk/oi! consistently plays good shows and never fail to please the crowd. As usual, all the cute girls were plastered up against the stage to ogle the singer. The Texans were a bit timid to start a pit until the Unseen guys decided to do it for them.

10pm � Throw Rag � Rock up close and personal. Throw Rag puts the Pyscho in pyschobilly, even though they are not pyschobilly, but more punk(abilly) at its best. They one up the Cramps at 165 m.p.h.

The perils of being a reporter at a Throw Rag show�as I was taking the above notes during the show, washboard & spoons player, Craig, noticed I was writing, he took offense. He demanded to know what I was writing which I did not hear. So, he demanded again more loudly into to the microphone, �What are you writing? Stop that!� I shook my head, which I don�t remember doing but Julie Wanda insists that I did, and then Craig dragged me up on stage protesting all the way. He took off the washboard and put it on me so that I could play it during �Please Don�t Touch.� I tried to escape twice, but Craig would not let me go. At all. I made the best of it by *attempting* to shimmy during the chorus and play the spoons along the washboard with the drummer. Yikes!

11pm � Emo�s Jr � The Briefs � Seattle�s punk rock finest have signed with BYO. This showcase was particularly punk and thrashy. Unfortunately, I had to leave 3 songs into it to trot across the street to Emo�s Annex for Flogging Molly.

Flogging Molly was so packed out that not even badges were getting into the show, so Blue got Steve and Steve walked Alex and I into the show via the backstage and drum riser as the band was playing. We stood on the accordion player�s side of the stage and Alex commandeered my camera to get lots of photos.

Flogging Molly was excellent. The crowd of fans and music industry folk went wild for their brand of Irish/Celtic rock/punk. The highlight of the set was �Drunken Lullabies,� which has been getting quite a bit of radio airplay here in SoCal.

12am � Emo�s Jr. � Manic Hispanic - Gabby and the boys hit it hard, hit it often, and hit in on the head of the nail. Punk rock cholo style was well received by all.

1am � Club Deville � Flametrick Subs � I lasted 2 songs before I pooped out.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 11:59 PM | TrackBack

March 18, 2004

SXSW Day 6 - Ms. Jen's Thurs. 3/18/04 Evening Dispatch

Thursday, March 18, 2004

Keynote: Little Richard � blogged it.
Lunch at Las Manitas with Wanda, Vicky Pepper, and Alex.
Alt-Weekly panel � blogged it.
Trade Show.
Peer meeting: Buyers / Agents with Alex and Andy Roe. Good.
Late afternoon: hang out at hotel.
Dinner at Stubb�s with Alex.

Highlights of the evening showcases:

8pm � Javier Escovedo at the Hard Rock Caf� - Very good straight up melodic rock�n�roll. �See You Around� was a stand out song with good guitar and great harmonies. A very little person, around 2, ran up and pumped her fist during the last part of the show.

9pm � BR5-49 is back in fighting strength after a couple rocky years. I ran into Jay McDowell, the band's former bassist who now is a filmmaker and videographer, in line outside of Antone's. Jay was very excited about his short film that won an award at SXSW Film 2004 and his upcoming baby.

Long hair is back in the best possible way all over Austin and on BR5-49�s drummer. To quote Alex H (although he says this about women)� hot! hot! hot!

Music? Oh, yeah. Good. BR5-49 is in the best live shape that I have seen them since Dec. 2000 (Las Vegas), and certainly the best since Gary and Jay left the band. I have seen the band with the two new fellows about a year ago or so and was unimpressed. But the new fellows have grown into the band and it worked.

The ladies toilet stall at Antone�s stated on the right, �Randall gives good head� and on the left in a heart, �Randall Rocks.� I thought it would have been more appropriate to say �Randall Sucks.�

10pm - Alex insisted that we take a pedicab (a bike with a wheeled seat attached on the back) back across town to 710 Red River to see Supagroup. We ran into Eric Melvin and Matt Sciba in line and all went in together. Supagroup was excellent, quite possibly the best rock band of the week � good songs, hard, and oozing rock star attitude. The singer-guitarist, Chris Lee, is the 2nd hottest man of SXSW, coming in behind Shaw Wilson of BR5-49.

Ok, enough wingeing on about cute guys, tell us about the music. This was my second time seeing Supagroup and each time they get better and better. Imagine if AC/DC was a band of 25 year olds from New Orleans right now in 2004 with all the influences of our era but their aesthetic. Such is Supagroup. Rock�n�Roll served straight up, with a side of the blues and a good dose of proto-punk ala Detroit.

11pm � Back across town on another pedicab to La Zona Rosa for Pretty Girls Make Graves. PGMG are a fascinating combination of emo meets 80s girl goth meets punk-core, they are a hard and driving but emotive band with an occasional lilting, soft side. Live the band is very compelling, as Andrea Zollo's vocals which weave in and out of the songs hitting tones and aural scapes usually not heard in emo or hardcore.

Unfortunately, the lights were flashing from behind the band and this triggered a particularly nasty migraine headache by the end of the show. It was all I could do to get back to the hotel, take large quantities of Advil, and put my sleep mask on to shield out the evils of light.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 11:58 PM | TrackBack

SXSW 2004 - Day 6 - Ms. Jen's Thurs. 3/18/04 Afternoon Dispatch

Great Quote from the afternoon Alt Weeklys and Other Uses for Wood Pulp panel:

"I am a writer, not in the music industry." - Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader

Peter wants his columns to first be entertaining and illuminating. He does not feel he is a "member" of the music industry, he feels that the story and good writing is more important than to be a scenester or to have the industry like him.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 12:10 PM | TrackBack

SXSW 2004 - Quote of the Day

"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it is just as hard to cut." - Little Richard

Wanda, Vicky Pepper, Alex and I are currently in the Little Richard opening keynote conversation at SXSW Music 2004.

Little Richard is 70 this year, while he has all the fire he ever did, but it is now tempered with rhyming wisdom.

"I was a country boy from the thickets. It was thick. "
"I've been around a long time, long enough to become a legend."
"People say, 'You can't bring God in.' But I do. I give God the glory. I don't care what religion you are, you got to have God."
"I am going to tell you, get your music together."
"Take time to sign your own checks, or you won't have nothing left to sign. I wish someone had told me that, when I woke up I had nothing left to sign."
"Rhythm and Blues had a baby called Rock'n'Roll."
"When I came up they did not play any black records on pop radio. I was the first played."
"That is exactly how it goes, so do it good, if you can't do it good, then don't do it at all."
"Music is the thing that will bring all of us together."

Dave Marsh, "Good Golly Miss Molly: Did having a ball mean what it means today?"
After much banter, Little Richard replied, "Having a ball now means sex, back then it meant a dancing, having a party."

Posted by Ms. Jen at 8:58 AM | TrackBack

March 17, 2004

SXSW 04 - Wednesday, March 17

The evening started with a delightful dinner at Guero�s, one of my favorite Austin restaurants. I swear that I could eat Mexican food every day of my life, or at least for five days straight in Austin. We raced out of Guero�s to make it to �The Portrait of Billy Joe,� a short documentary on the life of singer/songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, the musician Willie Nelson calls �maybe the best songwriter today.� Told through concert footage, family photos and personal testimonial, the film touches on Billy Joe�s life, loves, and loss (he recently lost his wife, son, and mother), and his personal triumph through the music he loves.

Vicki convinced me we should see Jessi Alexander next, so we headed to the Fox & Hound.

Alexander is a young country singer/songwriter who has a new album coming out. She has a beautiful, soulful voice, and engaging demeanor and sounds little like Lucinda Williams or Mary Gaulthier. At one point, she brought Australian singer/songwriter Jedd Hughes (RIYL: Ryan Adams or Tim Carroll) up on stage to cover a duet of Buddy and Julie Miller�s �Keep Your Distance,� which is a beautiful song. At another point, she began to sing �This World is Crazy,� a song written after the Columbine shootings, but became overwhelmed with emotion. Visibly choked up, she stopped, restarted, then perservered. It�s not you see music this genuine.

We dashed off to the Austin Music Hall to catch Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez next, but managed to see the end of �Class of 78,� a punk supergroup made up of people even I am too old to remember. One of them was in the Big Boys, so they did �Red Green,� but I like the Throw Rag version better. We were then subjected to the Austin Music Awards, with most of the awards being given out by folks from 101X, a radio station I will NEVER listen too based solely on the shitty radio personalities they seem to employ. I believe the Austin Music Awards are the equivalent of the Orange County Music Awards, i.e., they mean almost nothing except to the people involved. Bands who were cleaning up in awards included the Greencards, Los Lonely Boys, and Wide Awake. I would have liked to hear these bands, but they weren�t playing, and I couldn�t take one more minute of the damn awards!

Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez played, but their set was painfully short. Highlights included Red Volkaert on guitar, Earl Poole Ball on piano, and Kevin Smith on bass. They performed hits from their recent release, �The Trouble with Humans,� as well as a countrified version of Taylor�s classic hit, �Wild Thing.�

Even though Jen beseeched us to stay for Los Lonely Boys, I couldn�t take one more minute of the bad awards show, so we toddled off to barhop on 6th Street and wound up at Buffalo Billiard�s for Lucero. This Memphis-based band has been compared to The Replacements, Whiskeytown, and Uncle Tupelo, but they remind me more of a cross of Son Volt and the Drive By Truckers (who of course all borrow from the previous bands). The problem is that most of their songs sound the same to me � wistful and witty guitar-heavy alt. country � the good thing is that it�s a really good song, so I guess it�s okay if there�s only one. To close the night, lead singer Ben Nichols performed a solo song with only guitar accompaniment. What a great way to end the night.

Posted by DJWanda at 11:07 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

SXSW 2004 - Day 5

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My photos and commentary on SXSW 2004 Days 1 -4 can be found over at Black Phoebe : Ms. Jen.

Starting today (Day 5) through Saturday (Day 8), I will post photos and commentary from the Music portion of the conference here at Barflies.net.

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Wed. March 17, 2004

Today I took the Armadillo free trolley to Whole Foods for provisions. Then back up to the hotel to do client work and catch up. Julie Wanda arrive around 3:30pm and Alex at 5:15 pm or so.

After badges were procured, we went to Guerro�s for tacos and margaritas. Alex and I walked down Congress Ave to have a look see at the famed Continental, a stop at Amy�s for Mexican Vanilla ice cream with crushed strawberries before heading back downtown.

First stop of the evening was the Dead Teenager Records showcase at the Red Eyed Fly. We were a bit late and I only caught the last song of The [Angry] Amputees, who were very good punk bordering on hard rock. The Amputees are what the Distillers would be if Brody could sing a wee bit better.

Second up was LA�s Dengue Fever at Emo�s Annex. I have heard a lot of buzz about Dengue Fever, an electro-jazzy rock outfit with an amazing Cambodian singer. The band is a quirky, good, fun romp between Southeast Asia and America.

Back to the Red Eyed Fly for the Players Club, a metal band from New York. The band delivers, nay, pounds lo-fi-low-bass-end metal-core that pulses through one�s body. Not to shabby.

As Alex and I continued on the �ADD Music Tour� by popping over to Stubbs for The (International) Noise Conspiracy. T(I)NC were in full fiery, political mod form, but have sadly replaced the rockin� girl guitarist with some unremarkable fellow.

During the break between T(I)NC and Joan Jett, we ran down to Emo�s Jr. for the first few songs of The Bronx�s set. Mostly Alex wanted to give the Bronx�s singer Matt a rash of shit by rough housing him everytime Matt jumped into the pit.

12:30am found us back at Stubb�s for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Let no one tell you that rock�n�roll is only for folks under 30, cause if they do, take �em to a Joan Jett show. At 44, Ms. Jett and her Blackhearts can kick any rocker or hiphopper�s butt from here to three tomorrows from now.

Whether Ms. Jett played old favorites like �Bad Reputation,� �Do You Wanna Touch Me? (Oh Yeah!),� and the Runaways� �Cherry Bomb,� or the new songs that she debuted at this evening, the crowd was transported into rock heaven and sang along with gusto. Music so catchy that I found myself singing �Oh Yeah� at my 5am bathroom break.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 12:13 PM | TrackBack

March 12, 2004

Barflies.net at SXSW 2004

Starting next Wed., March 17th, Miss Wanda and myself will be blogging the news, events, and fun stuff of the Music Portion of SXSW 2004. In the meantime, I will be giving daily updates of the Interactive portion of SXSW 2004 over at my BlackPhoebe blog.

Due to overwhelming requests by men folk in the last two weeks who asked me if I would...Yes, I will be doing a "Boys Gone Wild SXSW-Style!." So, if you are a male, will be at SXSW, come find me and my camera... ;op

Posted by Ms. Jen at 5:27 PM | TrackBack

February 21, 2004

Road To.. / Macabre Fest / Drop Dead LA / American Nightmare

Posted by xx - aprilfalling - xx at 1:17 PM | TrackBack

December 18, 2003

AXF: The Dypsomaniaxe

I'm feeling random today, so I thought I'd share one of my favorite bands with you: The Dypsomaniaxe.

I don't believe they have an official website, or are even still around (I'd love to be proven wrong!), but they sure kick ASS!! Check out Ameoba or some other indie place like Nervous Record's online store to get your hands on a copy of this British all-girl psychobilly band's full length, "One Too Many." You won't be disappointed.

Enjoy. :)

<3 AXF

Posted by xx - aprilfalling - xx at 12:22 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

December 12, 2003

The Adolescents

Orange County's #1 band, The Adolescents, will be playing a two night stint at Alex's Bar tongiht and tomorrow night. Here are the line-ups for both nights:

Fri. Dec. 12, 2003 - Adolescents, Speedealer, Pistol Grip, Drive by Smile, Supagroup - doors at 8pm.
Sat. Dec. 13, 2003 - Adolescents, The Crowd, The Stitches

For a good introduction to The Adolescents read Kevin Hillskemper's Tag-Along Adolescent.

And finally the OC Weekly's This Week....

This Week In Punk Pedigree - The Adolescents

Recently voted the No. 1 OC band of all-time by the Weekly�s writers and contributors, Fullerton�s Adolescents are not only responsible for one of the most attention-grabbing standout debut albums in the history of punk, but they�ve also become the default, knee-jerk answer to the oft-repeated, mantra-like statement "Nothing good ever comes out of Orange County."

Don�t think they don�t share a similar view, either: if there�s any negative aspect of OC life that didn�t get skewered on their self-titled debut, rest assured it was singled out in "O.C. Life" ("714 imbedded in your brain/Designer jeans and malls are all you�ll ever have to gain"), the standout song from lead guitarist Rikk Agnew�s subsequent solo album, All By Myself.

Subsequent lineups and releases may not have lived up to the Adolescents� debut, but that doesn�t mean the band was overshadowed by anything else released at the time. And considering their sizable influence and pedigree (members formed or were founding members of D.I., Christian Death, 22 Jacks and Joyride, among others), it�s all the more impressive the band�s "classic" lineup (minus drummer Casey Royer) has recently begun playing reunion shows, sounding great, if not better, than the band�s early gigs. There are two back-to-back shows at Alex�s Bar this weekend, but if you must choose between the two, go Saturday, when the Crowd and the Stitches open.

The Adolescents play Alex�s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, (562) 434-8292. Fri.-Sat., 10 p.m. $10. 21+.

�Warren Binder

Posted by Ms. Jen at 6:47 PM | TrackBack

November 25, 2003

Send them Back

Feeling bad about all the music you've dowloaded without paying for it? 'Fraid you're gonna get caught? Check out SendThemBack.org and absolve yourself now!

Posted by Lucky at 1:30 PM | TrackBack

November 22, 2003

The BBC on the Future of the Music Industry

First article in a series of two on the "Future of the Music Industry" on the BBC website:

Last week, two of the five major record labels, Sony and BMG, announced plans to merge. And it�s likely that EMI and Warner will follow suit, leaving three big majors, each responsible for about 25 per cent of the music we �consume�. The remaining quarter is produced by the independent sector. So how do the people in charge of indie labels see the future of their business, and how will it affect the music we listen to?

�I think we�ll mutate into a new type of company - a mixture of artist management, publisher, marketing consultant, agent and promoter,� reckons Steve Beckett of Warp Records. �We�ll be a company representing artists� �careers�, in whatever way they want to be represented.�

Posted by Ms. Jen at 2:45 PM | TrackBack

November 15, 2003

Nikki Sixx Thighs

Kim Carnes' sung a song entitled, "Bette Davis Eyes." I would like to introduce the rock'n'roll concept of Nikki Sixx Thighs. It came to me during an inspired moment at the Garage in Silverlake on Thursday night, while I was watching The Stitches play the 4th to last live music show ever at the Garage. Starting on Tuesday, the rock dive known as the Garage will be a dance club.

Anyways, back to thighs. Really great rock'n'roll has always been, in a large part, an blatant expression of male sexuality. As a confirmed fan of rock and of men, I particularily love it when tall (at least 6'), built / meaty rock guys (no skinny men need apply) wear tight or tight-ish leather or pleather pants, as their long, but shapely thighs are showcased by their choice of pants. Meow....

Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx pioneered this look in the 1980s, much to my delight at the time and now.

Needless to say, I am not a fan of baggy pants on men. They don't have to wear pants so tight that their personal parts are in threat of strangulation, but men ought to show off their thighs a wee bit more often.

Johnny Witmer, of The Stitches, is tall, meaty in the right places, and was kind enough to wear red pleather pants on Thursday evening. He had a good case of Nikki Sixx Thighs going on.

Only one problem.... About the third song into The Stitches set, I turned to Lulu and asked, "Ummm... is Johnny wearing boxers under his red pleather pants?" Lulu looked closer and nodded.

Just say no to chonie lines when you are wearing rock'n'roll pants, it distracts from the Nikki Sixx Thighs....

Posted by Ms. Jen at 8:48 PM | TrackBack

November 5, 2003

Wanda Jackson on NPR's Fresh Air

As I was out running errands today, I tuned into the local NPR station and heard Fresh Air's Terry Gross interviewing Wanda Jackson.

She had several hits in the late '50s and early '60s, including "Mean Mean Man," "Let's Have a Party" and "Fujiyama Mama." In the '70s she kept recording music, mostly gospel. She's 65 now and still touring. She's just released her first studio recording in 15 years, Heart Trouble. Guest musicians, including Elvis Costello and The Cramps, join her for several tracks.

I recommend tuning into your NPR station today for Fresh Air or listening to the interview online. Not only is Wanda Jackson one of the most gracious women alive, but she is a pleasure to listen to. Fresh Air plays a few tracks off the new album.

Wanda Jackson's Website

Posted by Ms. Jen at 1:57 PM | TrackBack

November 3, 2003

The Worst Album Covers Ever?

Marc Cendella says that these are the worst album covers ever....

Kevin, can you top these with selections out of your collection???

Posted by Ms. Jen at 10:58 PM | TrackBack

October 17, 2003

Canadian Concert Riots = Horrible Canadian Female Singer Ads???

Last week we introduced Google Text Ads on various pages of the Barflies.net to help pay for our server fees. Google uses their marvelous keyword search power to deliver relevant text ads on sites using the text that is on the actual page.

Most of the text ads served have been very appropriate, like links to Meteors CDs, Duane Peter's label Disaster Records, Punk CDs, etc.

Two days ago when Ms. Alex posted about the Exploited / Total Chaos riot in Canada, all the sudden Google started serving ads for a certain barfy Canadian pop chanteuse who now lives and sings in Las Vegas and whose name I won't use for fear of more text ads to her. Exploited Riot = watered down old folks pop????

This is F**kin funny... Google, give us more Duane, Wattie, and decrepit tattooed punk rockers!

Posted by Ms. Jen at 10:01 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

October 15, 2003

Concert-goers riot after show canceled

I heard about this on the news this morning and figured it was just a certain horrible Canadian singers* fans gone rabid.....

From CNN: Montreal police said the violence started shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday when show organizers told hundreds waiting outside Medley Hall that the bands Total Chaos and The Exploited would not be performing.

"At that point the crowd turned crazy and turned into a riot," Yannick Ouimet, a Montreal police spokesman, told Global Television.

French-language TV channel LCN said Canadian customs officials had barred some members of The Exploited from entering the country.

One witness said the rioters shouted "Let's start a war! We want to riot."

One city block had 24 cars with smashed windows and at least six stores had their windows smashed, Canadian Press reported. Firefighters put out fires in at least four cars that were overturned and set on ablaze.

An unknown number of people were arrested after riot police arrived, Canadian Press said.

Two police officers sustained minor injuries.

*Name has been removed to protect our sanity

Posted by at 3:26 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

October 9, 2003

The Greatest Album Covers That Never Were

"Track 16 Gallery is pleased to present The Greatest Album Covers That Never Were curated by music archivist Michael Ochs and fine artist Craig Butler. Inaugurated at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in June 2003, the exhibition consists of images created by one hundred established graphic and fine artists who were invited to create the definitive album cover for their favorite recording artist. Given no boundaries, these artists had the unique opportunity to create their ultimate fantasy album cover as a purely artistic expression. The exhibition runs from October 11 through November 15, 2003, with an opening reception on October 11 from 6 to 9 P.M."

Track 16 Gallery
2525 Michigan Avenue, Bldg C-1
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Posted by Lucky at 3:16 PM | TrackBack

September 16, 2003

The RIAA Prank

Mr. John Hargrave is truly brillant. His 6 or so pages of documentation on prank phone calling the RIAA and various record companies is very funny.

The Recording Industry Association of America has been making headlines with their recent threat to sue anyone engaged in digital piracy, even my grandmother. Although my grandmother has about 300GB of warez, hackz, crackz, cheatz, pr0n, and MP3s stored away on her nitrogen-cooled dual-RAID systems, she is no thief. She's simply keeping them for a friend.

Still, the RIAA continues to go after innocent file-sharers like my grandmother, who recently got a monster tat of Dr. Dre flipping the bird to a bunch of cops inked across her back. But that's beside the point. The point is that I was trying desperately to get someone in the music industry to take my money. I had called the RIAA, online music stores, and even the music companies themselves.

But what about the artists? They're the bottom of the food chain in the music industry, the musicians that get their cut after the producers, executives, distributors, retailers, and RIAA lawyers take their share. Why not just send some money directly to the bands, and eliminate the middlemob? So that's exactly what I did next: I mailed checks to ten artists, ranging from the mega-successful to the ultra-obscure.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 8:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 10, 2003

Showdown at the RIAA Corral

The showdown between the music industry, as represented by the RIAA, and the average music fan who file shares seems have come to a big head this week. There are multiple articles whirling around about the RIAA's lawsuits, about their amnesty program, about ... about... about...

Fred Von Lohmann, senior intellectual property attorney for the EFF, has a well balanced opinion column in the LA Times today that actually proposes solutions that could possibly work for all parties. 'Amnesty' for Music File Sharing Is a Sham:

Here's what the RIAA has proposed as its "solution" to file-sharing: an "amnesty" for file-sharers. Just delete the MP3s you've downloaded, shred those CD-R copies, confess your guilt and, in return, the most change-resistant companies in the nation will give you nothing. Oh, the RIAA promises not to assist copyright owners in suing you. But its major-label members reserve the right to go after you, as do thousands of music publishers and artists like Metallica.

In other words, once you have come forward, you are more vulnerable to a lawsuit, not less. This is more "sham-nesty" than "amnesty." What a waste.

Rather than trying to sue Americans into submission, imagine a real solution for the problem. What if the labels legitimized music swapping by offering a real amnesty for all file-sharing, past, present and future, in exchange for say, $5 a month from each person who steps forward?

Additional links to the EFF:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation's "File Sharing: It's Music to our ears"

Posted by Ms. Jen at 6:50 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 8, 2003

Odd Combo?

The Queens of the Stone Age and The Cramps will be playing together at the Greek Theatre on Halloween. Is it just me or does this strike you as an odd combo?

Posted by Ms. Jen at 12:15 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

August 16, 2003

Rock'n'Roll Camp for Teenage Girls

The Nashville Scene has reported on "Southern Girls Rock'n'Roll Camp":

It's July 28, the first day of the first-ever Southern Girls Rock 'n' Roll Camp, a five-day event organized and directed by Middle Tennessee State University junior Kelley Anderson. Held on the MTSU campus, this is a day camp for kids aged 12-18, but there the similarities to other camps end: This one's a crash course on plugging in and rocking out. And it's just for girls. The campers are provided everything from instrument instruction (even if they've never picked up a guitar before) to empowerment workshops, with the camp focusing less on musicianship and more on enabling young women to trust themselves and think independently.

Thanks to Anil for the link.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 12:44 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 6, 2003

Sampson likes Craig from Throwrag, too...

One of the big reasons that Sampson the incredibly hairy cat and the internet junkies here at Barflies.net love the Salton Sea's Throwrag is that the band not only has a great sense of humor and crazy music, but more importantly, really fun screen savers available for download on their website.

If you go to Throwrag's "More Cool Shit" section, you will find five screen savers that you can download and put up on your computer. We recommend Lemmy from Motorhead or Craig screaming.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 12:29 PM | TrackBack

August 4, 2003

24-Hour Roots Music Hotline

The folks at Grindstone Magazine recently sent around an email announcing:

24 hr Hotline of shows around LA : 818-997-1080

Posted by Ms. Jen at 2:05 PM | TrackBack

July 15, 2003

Depends™ for Music

There is a new, interesting, and possibly effective (?) method of leak protection for advance CDs sent to press and promo folk, as seen on the front cover of a cd that I received from a major label two weeks ago:

PLEASE NOTE: This CD has been individually watermarked. This means that there is a serial number, traceable to an individual (you), embedded in the music. The watermark is not changed or destroyed by extracting clips of the music, or by using any compression technology such as mp3. This security measure allows us to trace any individual leaks, in the unlikely event that they occur, and protect the rights of the artist. The sound quality of the audio playback is not affected. The CD should not be copied, left with any third party or heard by any other party. Thanks in advance for your understanding... Enjoy!

The best part is the "Enjoy!" at the end. In this case, there is a bar code printed on the cd, with a serial number, and a name printed on it : Jennifer Hansen. Damn that Jennifer Hansen, she could get herself in trouble.

Lucky for me, Jenifer Hanen, I don't know how to nor have taught myself how to capture songs off of cds or compress them, and then burn them to a new cd or trade them online. I worry about learning stuff like HTML, XHTML, CSS, Perl, CGI, Photoshop, and how to be a better writer, web designer, and photographer.

Posted by Ms. Jen at 2:46 PM | TrackBack

July 10, 2003

Miracle of God or Miracle of Tom Whalley?

The Rancid boys are known for NEVER, EVER, EVER giving interviews. Even if you were God. Who knows why, one can speculate that it is punk rock integrity, or paranoia, or some internal band pack....

I have given various Epitaph/Hellcat pr folk a hard time over the years, a very mild one at that, about this to no avail. No interview, no love. But it did not matter, because Rancid was consistent in their no interviews. Not only did the little guy not get an interview, but neither did Spin or AP.

When Brody from the Distillers was on Hellcat Records, she also did not give interviews, but at the end of last fall she gave one to AP.... hmmm... what happened? The Distillers signed to Warner Bros. Records, that is what happened.

No small coincidence that Rancid's new CD, Indestructible, will be released jointly by Hellcat and by Warner Bros. in late August and I heard a Rancid interview on the radio today.

Yes, it is true. Rancid was interviewed on KROQ this evening. I got into my car around 7:30pm, and there was Tim and Lars and the rest of the band. Funny.

So, what did Tom Whalley do? Apply little silvers of metal up Tim's fretboard fingernails? Write into Rancid's contract that they had to do interviews? Inquiring minds want to know...

Posted by Ms. Jen at 10:24 PM | Comments (3)