Related Links

• "Marielle" video
• YouTube channel
• Website
• "Coffeehouse 101" Video co-starring 100 local musicians
• Musician Interviews: "Video DeMille"
• Blurt: "Leave Britney Alone"
• Blurt: "Cosmic Joke"

"Shade of Eden" video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAMkv1jx5xk

6-21-10 LOCALS IN THE NEWS - MARK HOPPUS LANDS HIS OWN TV SHOW, more

His blink bandmate Travis Barker had his own reality show - now the Fuse music television network is set to announce a brand new weekly music show hosted by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182. The show will provide a humorous spin on a wide range of topics in the world of music. more

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Rihanna's next album will reportedly show and happier Rihanna who is in a much better place in life, according to songwriter and collaborator Sean Garrett. more

First West Coast tour in 20 years!
KINKY FRIEDMAN
with guest
MOJO NIXON
Sunday August 1, 7 p.m. • SAN DIEGO • Belly Up

Two new books:  Heroes of a Texas Childhood and What Would Kinky Do?

• • •

THE GO WEST YOUNG KINKY TOUR OF 2010

Kinky Friedman Announces First
West Coast Performance Tour in Two Decades

AUSTIN, Texas — Former Texas gubernatorial candidate, political commentator and self-proclaimed “author, columnist, musician and beautician” Kinky Friedman will perform on the West Coast this summer for the first time in nearly 20 years. Dates for the “Go West Young Kinky Tour of 2010” start on July 26th in Vancouver and continue into August (a full list of venues follows). Two members of Kinky's seminal band the Texas Jewboys, Little Jewford and Washington Ratso, will join him on the tour.  No prisoners will be taken. Only the strong shall survive.

The Kinkster, often referred to as the “Mark Twain of Texas,” will also be hawking his wares, in this case his most recent (limited edition) books, Heroes of a Texas Childhood and What Would Kinky Do?, both of which will be available for purchase and signing at the shows. As Kinky has often said, he’ll “sign anything but bad legislation.” This includes any of his dozens of top-selling books or columns, or even his Kinky Friedman Cigars, which, rumor has it, will also be available at the venues. Bring it, and he will sign it.

Kinky Friedman rose to stardom in the ’70s, with the aforementioned Texas Jewboys as his sick and twisted sidekicks. An equal opportunity offender, Kinky, with his outrageous lyrics and crazed stage persona, may have offended some, but drew people like Don Imus, Robin Williams, Bob Dylan and John Belushi into his spiritual fan club. He toured with Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue and appeared on the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live. His infamous appearance on Austin City Limits, the only performance ever filmed by ACL and never broadcast because of content, has finally been released on DVD, to the delight of fans everywhere.

In the mid ’80s, Kinky rescued a woman being robbed at a midtown Manhattan ATM, and, based on this experience, created the character Kinky Friedman the Detective, who solved murders in what would become a series of wildly popular mystery novels. In the years since, the real Kinky has branched out into children’s books, memoirs, historical reflections and editorials, all to great success, and all powered by his razor sharp wit.

Kinky’s commentaries have appeared in such diverse media as The New York Times, Texas Monthly and Playboy, and since adding politics to his résumé, he has been a regular on cable networks, even stopping by occasionally to spar with Bill O'Reilly.

His books are now read the world over, and his tour schedule reflects this. From Bill Clinton to Billy Bob Thornton to Nelson Mandela, everybody loves a Kinky Friedman mystery. As the ever-humble author likes to say, “I write novels for Americans to read on their aircraft.” Billy Bob is currently working with him on a new book, as is Willie Nelson.

And now, for the first time in almost a generation, folks on the West Coast will get to hear Kinky perform (live!) tunes like “Ride ’Em Jewboy,” “Sold American” and “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore.”  And many friends will be there too: Mojo Nixon will join Kinky in San Diego, and Van Dyke Parks has already signed up for L.A.  There’s no telling who else will pop in.  Will there be a Wavy Gravy sighting in San Francisco?

Tickets $20
http://www.bellyup.com/show/detail/29207

Blotzer: I've always been the kind of person that shows up on time and does my job. Some people that are in the band, or used to be, don't treat Ratt with that type of respect. We have a great thing going with this new album and the public's interest – but people take it for granted. I never have.

Metal Sucks: You talk about getting offers for weekend shows a few years back, and certain people in Ratt not wanting to do them.

Blotzer: Yeah, that was so annoying! Warren wouldn't want to do them because he didn't want to deal with a layover at some airport. That's the kind of shit I deal with. He's a rich kid, so he didn't care about the cash as much.

Metal Sucks: Earlier in our call, you sounded very uneasy about Ratt's current situation.

Blotzer: I just see some of the things that were problems coming up again. I don't get it. I'm never not thinking about this band falling apart, because of the way Ratt operates. It's not me, dude. It's my 2 business partners. Even now with the album's success, there are power struggles within the band. I just want to tell them, "Come on guys — let's just go out there and kick ass!" But they make it more complicated. All I have to say is that if everything falls apart again for us; I'll just write an amendment to the book with all of this new shit. Hopefully people wake up, and get their shit together. I just want to go out there and play. - Read the full interview here

 42 YEARS AGO – THE VELVET UNDEGROUND IN SAN DIEGO

42 years ago – July 4 through 6, 1968 – the Velvet Underground debuted one of their most oft-discussed but seldom heard lost tracks, “Sweet Rock and Roll.” The band played three nights at the converted skating rink on Front and G Street known as the Hippodrome, accompanied on the final two evenings by Quicksilver Messenger Service.

The performances were recorded on 4-track tape, according to guitarist Sterling Morrison in a 1986 interview for Spanish television. “After tuning, we started with ‘Waiting For the Man’ and it didn’t sound so bad…then came ‘Sweet Rock and Roll,’ which was never recorded and never played again. We wanted that tape, it sounded so great, so there was no point in recording it. I think we did it a time or two after that, but it was nothing compared to this first one."

"I remember the chords and some words, ‘Sweet rock ‘n’ roll is good to your soul.’ We used that as a preamble to ‘Sister Ray,’ it kind of just goes along and then hits the chords, which were very heavy. It was good. It was heavy, serious. Cale played keyboard on ‘Sweet Rock and Roll,’ and that was really what carried it.”

 Famous former neighbor Lester Bangs wrote of the tune’s Hippodrome debut in a 1971 article for Creem Magazine. “The Velvets launched into a new song that was one of the most incredible musical experiences of my concert career. Lou announced it as ‘Sister Ray, Part Two,’ but it sounded nothing like the previous song. It was built on the most dolorous riff imaginable, just a few scales rising and falling mournfully, somewhat like ‘Venus In Furs’ but less creaky, more deliberate and eloquent.”

“The lyrics, many of which Lou made up as he went along, seemed like fantasy from an urban inferno: ‘Sweet Sister Ray went to a movie / The floor was painted red and the walls were green / Ooohh, she cried / This is the strangest movie I’ve ever seen …Ohhhh, sweet rock and roll - it’ll cleanse your soul.’ That’s classic, and no other group in America could have (or would have) written and sung those words.”

So why hasn’t the tape of “Sweet Rock and Roll” at the Hippodrome ever surfaced?

Richie Unterberger’s book White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground Day by Day quotes Sterling Morrison saying “That was a great performance … [but] the tape was stolen that very night. Stolen within seconds, actually. As soon as it ended, it vanished, never to reappear on earth.”

The Velvet Underground had played the Hippodrome just a few weeks earlier (the gig for which the above concert poster was created)

LOCALS IN THE NEWS 6-10-10

Gamble pays off for Delta Spirit band; day jobs no longer needed
OregonLive.com
Idol fave, Evanescence team up
Toronto Sun
Northern Ireland Welcomes Top Christian Bands
Christian News Wire

CAGE Working On DVD, New Music - June 10, 2010
Blabbermouth.net

RATT CANCELS TOUR DUE TO PEARCY SURGERY

Ratt have issued a statement about being forced to cancel their upcoming European tour because vocalist Stephen Pearcy will be undergoing urgent hernia surgery this week.

Pearcy's doctors anticipate a full recovery in time for Ratt's North American touring schedule, which includes a run with The Scorpions, beginning in July and running through September.

The band regrets missing the European dates on the heels of the release of their first album in 11 years, Infestation, which enjoyed a high chart debut in European territories. ALSO SEE Ratt Doesn’t Want You To Read This Blog

STP TOUR DATES

Stone Temple Pilots has announced details of their upcoming North American headline tour with special guests Cage the Elephant.

The trek kicks off on Tuesday, August 10th at Denver, Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre and then continue through early September (see attached itinerary). Joining Stone Temple Pilots on all dates will be special guests Cage the Elephant.

The new album Stone Temple Pilots is the band's first all-new collection in close to a decade. The band will bookend the upcoming trek with headline appearances at a pair of North American festivals: Canada's annual Rock On The Range on Saturday, August 7th at Winnipeg's Canada Inns Stadium; and the Arizona Fall Frenzy '10, slated for Friday, September 17th at Phoenix' Tempe Beach Park.

GREGG ROLIE'S SANTANA TRIBUTE BAND

Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer and famous former San Diegan Gregg Rolie, best known for his vocals and keyboard work with legendary music groups Santana and Journey, will be playing select dates with his band throughout the summer.

The Gregg Rolie Band will be performing electrifying versions of several Santana classics such as "Evil Ways", "Black Magic Woman" "Soul Sacrifice", "Jingo" and "No One To Depend On" as well as tracks from Rolie's previous effort 'Roots' and new songs.

The Gregg Rolie Band consists of Adrian Areas (son of original Santana percussionist Jose Chepito Areas) on Timbales, drummer Ron Wikso (who was also in The Storm), Elliot "Toby" Borrero on congas, Kurt Griffey on guitars, internationally acclaimed bassist, Chapman Stick artist and Santana alumni Alphonso Johnson and former Jean Luc Ponty keyboardist Wally Minko.

PONY DEATH RIDE THINKS YOU'RE GAY FOR MORRISSEY!

Pony Death Ride just recorded two new tracks this past week at Mike Kamoo's Earthling Studios, "I Think My Boyfriend's Gay for Morrissey" and "Kids, We're Getting a Divorce." Here's the link: http://www.myspace.com/ponydeathride

Pony Death Ride is a lounge/punk/comedy project fronted by Trophy Wife singer/guitarist Joe MacAskill and ex-Nautical Disaster/Daffodils bassist Jaye Furlonger. “Pony Death Ride is going to be pretty theatrical once we’ve got all the pieces put together, with costumes, props, semi-scripted comic banter,” says Furlonger.

“It’s going to be a slow and expensive process, but at least we’ve got a couple of recordings under our belts now. I’ve got a lot of work to do to improve my singing-while-playing ability, but at least that’s not necessary in the recording studio. Based on the current state of the live music scene in San Diego, we plan to play mainly out-of-town in places like L.A. and S.F., where they have regular variety/burlesque/vaudeville type shows, maybe some open mic comedy shows as well.”

FREE PRIVATE SHOW WITH ELI PAPERBOY REED

SCREW THE MAN!! THE EXPERIMENTS GIVE IT UP FOR FREE

Disgusted with the RIAA's lawsuits against music lovers, San Diego based rock / punk band The Experiments has released their new album, What Kind Of Animal? for free under the Creative Commons license. Anyone is free to download, distribute, re-mix or otherwise use the songs for non-commercial purposes.

"It's ridiculous that a single mom gets fined $1.9 million for downloading 24 songs. It's criminal, and the RIAA are a criminal organization," said the band's bass player, Dave Blood. "So, we say, take our songs for free. You deserve them."

"What Kind Of Animal?" is the band's 5th release. It is a complete DIY (Do It Yourself) project, with the band writing, performing, recording, and mixing the songs themselves. It can be downloaded at the band's website, TheExperiments.com.

"We recorded it in this big wood shop that some friends let us use. We pushed the band saw and drill press aside, and set up the drums in the middle of the room. It sounded great in there," said singer / guitar player Dan Bonn. "We did the vocals in Dan's bathroom, and mixed it in his spare bedroom," added Blood.

The Experiments have played their style of rock and punk in San Diego and clubs across the USA since 1994. Influenced by The Who, The Ramones, Cheap Trick and others, the band has toured the US and played in iconic clubs like NYC's CBGB and Chicago's Thurston's.

VIDEO: From the Overheard and Famous in San Diego art gallery opening 3-29-10 at the Ruby Room, with selected artwork from 15 years of Overheard and Famous Former Neighbors comics in the Reader - Cathryn Beeks and Sven-Erik Seaholm performing (for the first time!) the popular Overheard in San Diego theme song! Also, a collection of random scenes, plus Happy Ron Hill performing his Famous Former Neighbors song -

TOP 10 WEIRDEST LOCAL VIDEO s!

By Bart Mendoza: Politics makes for strange bedfellows? That’s nothing compared to the music biz. Here’s ten interesting pairings of San Diegans with musicians from elsewhere.

1)       Jason Mraz with Elmo & Friends – “Outdoors”

Hands down the coolest TV team up by a San Diego musician, ever. This clip almost didn’t happen as Big Birds backstage rider was considered excessive. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrqF7yD10Bo

2)       Stephen Bishop & Marilyn McCoo – “On & On / Save It For Rainy Day”

This is the direct opposite of the Mraz video, but then McCoo is no match for Elmo…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up4_uZfaGJ8

3)       JJ Cale & Eric Clapton – “After Midnight”

Escondido’s finest with Slowhand. So casual it almost feels like a back yard barbecue…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5Tiqv4Irjs

4)       Jewel & Jessica Simpson – “Who Will Save Your Soul”

Without a doubt, Jessica Simpson is the closest thing to the Velvet Underground in music today…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW6QrCaRrmY

5)       Frankie Laine & Johnny Ray – “Up Above My Head”

A clip from Frankie Laine’s show features a dueling hits medley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcPKHLXpm7I

6)       Nathan East & Bon Jovi – “Bad Medicine”

Fair enough, it’s a cliche Bon Jovi tune, but he’s playing before more people at this one gig than many bands will play to in their lifetimes…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw2pTMlVRR4

Bonus: Here’s the ultimate Nathan East band, with Eric Clapton, Mark Knofpler (Dire Straits) & Elton John: “Layla” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E13R0MAfC9E

7)       Blink-182 & Robert Smith (The Cure) – “ All of This”

December 6, 2004 @ Wembley Arena,  London, UK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnQkPkcAxhE

8)       Louis XIV & The Killers (and Friends) – “Helter Skelter”

A live musical free for all somewhere in Australia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjh6b5J9PME

9)       Ratt & Michael Schenker – “Round & Round”

This is a rough audience clip but it’s notable for two things – the bassist’s interesting stage shuffle and Schenker’s fist bump with Dimartini. Oh yeah, killer solo too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhOJhXw6wOU

10)    Alison Brown & The Indigo Girls – “Closer to Fine”

Rough sound, but a key tune…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP7DMY9Sowc

Bonus:

Bonus - 11)    Dave Humphries & Tony Sheridan – “Music In A Friends House”

Full disclosure, I was involved with this production, but  it’s kind of cool that Beatles compatriot Sheridan hung out and recorded this track in La Mesa, as documented here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ289Y-VVFw

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 SOLO TEMPLE PILOT

 TODAY'S "WHAT THE F-CK" ALBUM COVER

All the green grass in the world isn't gonna make this dork crew look any cooler - hey, in the lower right corner, isn't that "Newman" from Seinfeld?!

"Let's get that photo I took of the pervert stalker hiding in the bushes and make it our album cover...."

Sears must've been having a sale on those suits!

You laugh, but you should hear this soulful mama belting out "These Boots Were Made For Walking" and "Hard Day's Night"! You'll laugh even harder...

And this is AFTER he pimped his ride!

What makes this so WTF isn't the clothes - it's the medieval dungeon they look so comfortable in...

And OTHER skiing songs?!?!?! That first one killed the dude!!

Where oh where to start - the guy's giant pointy elf shoes? The mysterious brown liquid seeping out from between the girl's legs and onto the floor? The Beep Beep poster with inexplicable ocean motif? The hemorroid donut mounted on a wall with garden trellis?

If Love Ain't Nothin' But a Business, guess who just declared bankruptcy?

Gene Simmons' Family Jewels - in an alternate HELL DIMENSION! Why do they make their women dress as couches that someone threw up on?

Previous WTF Album Covers: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2010/may/31/worst-album-covers-ever-strange-bizarre-and-butt-c/

LOCALS IN THE NEWS 5-20-10

Rock Radio reports: Slash doesn't blame Scott Weiland for the controversies that led to the singer's departure from Velvet Revolver. In fact, the guitarist believes the whole band became victims to their chemical addictions – only Weiland suffered worse than his colleagues.

The singer recently said he wishes Velvet Revolver well. Now, after the pair spent time together recently Slash tells Spinner.com: "I still love the guy and there's not any hard feelings.

"Velvet Revolver was intended to be a lot of fun and we started off having a great time, but I think we all had chemical issues as the thing wore on." He said. "Scott had his issues. Even Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum went down the same road. The only one who stayed sober was Dave Kushner." - more on this story

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PunkMews.org reports: Travis Barker has posted a brief update as work continues on a new album from The Transplants. The band is a collaboration between the prolific Blink 182 drummer, Tim Armstrong of Rancid and rapper "Skinhead Rob" Aston more

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AntiMusic reports: Stone Temple Pilots news - VH1 have announced the lineup of their "Friday Night Alright," concert series, which features a continuing lineup of popular rock and pop concerts from around the world presented in HD every Friday night at 11pm*.

Carly Smithson and her Evenescence spinoff band We Are the Fallen will continue tour - Following their short European festival run in early June which includes performances at the Download Festival in the UK, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Germany, the band will return to North America for a summer long tour with Saving Abel.

The first fifteen dates are being announced this morning with the tour expected to run into September of this year. Rising stars Taddy Porter and American Bang will open these shows.

The quintet is comprised of former members of multi-platinum band Evanescence, guitarists Ben Moody and John LeCompt along with drummer Rocky Gray, joined by breakout American Idol finalist Carly Smithson on vocals. Acclaimed bassist Marty O'Brien (Disturbed and Static-X, among others) rounds out the line-up of this power combo. - more on this story

DESTROY THE RUNNER CALL IT QUITS

Carlsbad metal-core band Destroy the Runner has announced an "indefinite hiatus." According to a group statement, "We have sought to maintain musical integrity and honesty within all facets of our functioning, and unfortunately are not able to do so at this point in time..."

"Keep on the lookout for a softer, more experimental project with Nick Maldonado [guitar], Duane Reed [guitar, vocals], Marc Kohlbry [drums], Jeremiah Crespo [bass] and several others called Other Mountains. Also check out Chapter 14 with Chad Ackerman [vocals] and Tanner Sparks [bass, vocals]. And for the super heavy fans, be on the lookout for a very heavy, experimental band with Nick , Duane (vocals), Kyle (from Thieves and Liars), and our guitar tech Jason that is yet to be named."

Destroy the Runner singer Chad Ackerman told the Reader about one of his band's worst gigs. "In Cheyenne, Wyoming, we had a huge guarantee, and we were on tour with Lower Definition at the time. We were told that the show had been promoted for months. Keep in mind that we were in Cheyenne, haha. We all had hotel rooms that the promoter booked, an open bar, free meal at the restaurant, and a huge guest list."

"Two people showed up to the show! There were seriously two people. Ha! We felt so bad that everyone on the tour decided to close the open bar, and we played whatever songs the two kids wanted to hear. I think all the bands gave the kids free shirts too. That was pretty bad, though."

 VIRTUAL JEWEL IS SWEET AND WILD

Antimusic reports: ClubCorp announces that it has teamed with FIRST SPIN to simulcast live, in experiential High-Definition format, an exclusive virtual concert and album-launch event by Jewel in 34 of its private clubs in 30 cities across the country.

The June 7, 2010, event, preceding by just days the release of her new "Sweet and Wild" album, will provide members and guests with the unique opportunity to experience Jewel's telecast studio performance with the feel of watching live in an intimate venue.

Members and guests attending this exclusive, innovative event, at a cost of $50 per ticket (tickets are limited), will enjoy a private club setting to watch the concert on a 10-by-10-foot screen. - more on this story

LOCALS ON THE RISE: STEVE PHILLIPS AND THE PESCADERO PICKERS

Originally known as Six Foot Set, and then Men in Blue, surf rockers Steve Phillips and the Pescadero Pickers was formed in Ocean Beach by friends who’d gone to school together. Though using only a sequencer for drums, they landed a slot as house band at Fiddler’s and at Sadie's/DVO in Warner Springs, as well as playing the Del Mar fairgrounds.

 Steve Phillips grew up in Ocean Beach, and entered the local music scene in the late 1960s with his group, The Inmates.  The Inmates was one of a handful of bands that played San Diego’s large dance venues popular at that time; the War Memorial Building in Balboa Park, San Diego State College, UCSD Elliot, OB and Santa Clara Rec. Centers, and others. 

The Inmates teamed with songwriter June Jackson, and recorded in LA in 1967-68.  Their single “This is the Day” on the Kopit label made local top-40 charts in many outlying markets.  The Vietnam draft effectively put an end to the Inmates in 1968-69.  All members of the band survived the war, but never played together again.   

Dennis Dobler grew up in the same neighborhood as Steve, and graduated from Point Loma High School one year earlier, in 1963.  Although Dennis and Steve were loosely acquainted through surfing and a mutual friend, they never performed together.

Dennis too was drafted, and served a tour of duty in Viet Nam.  After returning from the war, he began writing music and performing in local coffee houses with Gary Grissom, also a guitarist and songwriter from the OB neighborhood.

Darrell Killingsworth  grew up in Long Beach, California, and graduated from Richard Henry Dana High School.  Darrell has played drums and percussion for numerous LA area bands over the years.   He is also an accomplished guitarist.

An incredible turn of events brought Darrell into Steve’s world a mere two years ago.  Darrell was welcomed to the extended Music Family that Steve, Dennis and other area musicians had been a part of for years.  He was one of the missing puzzle pieces to what would later become the Pescaderos band.

Tommy Sanchez walked out of a dark backcountry night and into the Dodge Valley Oasis where the Pescadero Pickers were performing as the house trio.  A local acquaintance approached Steve and asked if Tommy, his buddy, could set in on a harp number.  Steve reluctantly agreed, and brought the stranger to the mike near the end of the evening.  Tommy blew the roof off the place.  We signed him to a lifetime contract. Tommy’s hometown is Escondido, California.

 In 2009, the band appeared on a compilation album of OB bands, Waves. In 2010, they won the Reader's Famous Former Neighbors Song Contest. Bandleader Steve Phillips answered our queries:

Can you describe your music for readers who may not have heard?

The foundation of our act is classic blues; Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and the like.  We are also big fans of Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Chuck Berry, and many  other 1960-70-ish rockers.  Finally, we do a handful of originals to round out the sets. 

Long programs of pure blues formulae get monotonous for some folks.  For this reason, we have been known to throw in some stuff completely out of left field every now and then; kind of a palate cleanser for the ears.  Sometimes we go back to our roots and grind out a couple of Ventures surf instrumentals, or pull out the accordion and do a polka.      

What’s in your CD player now?

Stevie Ray Vaughn, “The Real Deal”; What can I say? The Cat could play!

The Meters, “Funkify Your Life”; New Orleans Funk Groove at it’s best. You’ll hear this influence in the bottom end of some of our original tunes.

Electric Flag, “Long Time Comin’”: Mike Bloomfield’s 1967 super-group. Together for less than a year, they recorded one of the best blues-rock albums of all time.

Various groups, “Golden Age of Doo Wop”; I love this stuff. I was a little kid when this was goin’ down, but it really made an impression.  Sure, some of this era’s music is truly awful, but the best tunes are still among the most romantic ever recorded.  

Coco Montoya, “Just Let Go”; Local LA boy makes good! Smokin’ guitar; Really tears it up live.

What would your grade school teachers say about you?

Well, my grade school teachers would be 90 to 100 years old now, so not much.

What's your best/most effective pickup line?

“Get in the car, I have a gun!”  JUST KIDDING * JUST KIDDING

Do you have any fears or phobias?

Yeah.  The first 27 years of my life were free of all irrational fears. I first experienced intense fear at the San Francisco airport, on my way home from a business trip.  It was a warm September afternoon, and I was onboard a packed PSA 727 about to take off for the return flight to San Diego. 

Something went wrong, and the pilot shut the plane down.  As we sat on the tarmac, the cabin temperature began to climb.  A half-hour went by, and all the babies and kids aboard were now crying and screaming.  The heat was now suffocating, and I started to feel trapped. 

I WANTED OFF THE PLANE!!!  I wanted to run to the exit, pound on the door, and scream.  Instead, I just gritted my teeth, and clutched the arm rests for what seemed like forever.

I had just learned first-hand what claustrophobia is all about.  I have flown countless times since then, but I have never been completely comfortable with being sealed in an airplane since that day.      

What was your first pet?

I started life on my Grandparents’ farm in southern Indiana. I got my first pet when I was four years old. It was a goose, and his name was Wilmer.  We ate him for Thanksgiving.  He was delicious! 

Worst TV commercial ever?

I find comic value in commercials for local businesses featuring sports celebrities.  You know, you’ve seen them:  The sports celebrity wears his jersey, and holds a football or baseball bat while reading a prepared pitch in an emotionless monotone, followed by the business guy coming on camera, patting him on the ass, and saying something patronizing.  

Who should play you in a movie?

Mel Gibson, for sure.  We’re the same age, although you wouldn’t know it; He has a much better makeup crew than I do.  I love the way he plays the sweet-guy-gone-psycho because of some heinous, unprovoked, atrocity in his past.  In my movie, however, he would write and perform some epic blues tunes instead of embarking on a spree of revenge killings. 

Psychics - real or fake?

I KNEW you were going to ask that!!  

Ever seen a ghost or UFO?

Not since my late teens when I lived in the Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco.  Ghosts and UFO’s were pretty much a daily occurrence. The aliens were intrusive, and annoying. They never had stash of their own, were always whining about something, had crabs, and smelled bad.     

Ideal superpower (and what would you do with it)?

I would love to be able to see just 1 hour into the future.  My work-year would immediately shrink from a grueling 52 weeks, to a more acceptable 43-day racing season at the Del Mar track. 

Worst movie you've seen?

Man, that’s a hard one.  There have been some really bad flicks.    ‘Ishtar’ is probably the worst of the worst.  Why?  I don’t know where to begin…..  Utterly, totally, awful to the core!    

What video game are you into playing now?

I don’t play video games anymore.  I write and record music, and practice my instruments, in the time slot that used to be for video games. 

I’m old enough to remember when Pong was a jaw-dropping wonder of modern technology, so I burned out on games early relative to most.  I think my last true addiction was Super Mario Brothers, so you get the idea.    

Magazine subscription you always renew?

Surfer.  I have a nearly uninterrupted collection of Surfer mags, going back to the beginning.  Today’s mags are crap compared to the old days:  Nothing but advertising and glamour shots of the pros surfing Indo, Pipe, etc.  Nothing anymore for average Joe’s like me who live for

4-foot OB, or 6-foot Cliffs.  I keep meaning to stop the subscription, but haven’t done so yet.  Oh look, my May issue just fell through the mail slot!  Cowabunga!!

Best advice you ever got?

That would have to be Mr. Lloyd, my first landlord.  He accurately predicted in 1975 that the price of the average house in Ocean Beach would one day exceed $50,000, and encouraged me to buy anything and everything I could.  OF COURSE, I didn’t listen.  A big Homer “DOH” on that one.  

Most visited websites?

San Diego Reader; What’s happening around town,

Sign On San Diego (U-T); Local and national news,

Musician’s Friend; An online “Toys ‘R Us” for musicians.

Surfline & Surfshot; Surf reports and features, local surfcams.

San Diego Fish; Reports and forums for San Diego fishermen.

Mac or PC?

The only Macs in my life are the big ones I buy and consume beneath the Golden Arches. 

That’s Easy: A golf tournament “Closest to Pin” prize; A set of Callaway clubs and bag.

It’s important to say up front, I don’t golf.  Well, I go out with a bag of clubs and whack at the little white ball, but I wouldn’t call what I do “golf”.  Long way of saying, I’m a municipal course hacker.

Just the same, I beat out 143 other golfers in a best-ball tournament by sinking a shot on the Closest to Pin hole from 135 yards out.  My first, and probably last, hole-in-one, the one time it counted! 

Yeee-Hawww!     

What’s your drink of choice?

Paulaner Salvator double bock beer.  If it’s a special occasion, add single shots of brandy to each bottle.  Warning:  Don’t try this at home without proper supervision!  I’m a trained professional!

First book you remember reading?

The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway.  Papa writes a masterpiece using no more than a 3^rd grade vocabulary.  If you’ve never read it, I highly recommend you do.  

Something about you few would know or guess?

I don’t think many people know that I pray every day.  I pray for the health and well-being of my family, my friends, and all of the folks out there who struggle from day-to-day to be decent people and live honorable lives.  I keep my faith to myself, and am outwardly a very earthy guy.  For this reason, the importance to me of a strong spiritual life would probably surprise some.     

BEER FEST VENDOR BUSTED (AND PHOTOGRAPHED)

Rosey Bystrak at http://www.sddialedin.com reports on the Festival of Beers held on Sunday, May 2, where she was pouring next to the booth operated by Rock Bottom brewery. City rules required the vendors to stop serving beer at 5:30pm - following excerpts her subsequent blog entry:

Last year...the organizers went booth by booth to make sure taps were removed. This year, it was left to the brewers who stalled, just trying to get rid of product.

In the booth next to me, where Natalie had worked her shift, a volunteer was being cited for pouring after 5:30. She reluctantly handed her ID to the cop who was nailing her, and it was clear that she did not understand her infraction. When the Rock Bottom honcho caught wind of what was happening, he attempted to defend her, and while I was out of earshot, I saw the cop push him, and with help of an Elite security who put him in a chokehold, he was thrown to the ground and subsequently arrested. While the event as a whole was successful, it is unfortunate that it ended on such a sour note. Should a citation be given? Perhaps. Throwing a donating brewer to the ground? I call unnecessary and excessive force on that one. #FTP.

More (including additional photos) at http://www.sddialedin.com/

LOCALS ART ---- a few locals who've appeared in the Reader comix ---

More later!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Overheard and Famous in San Diego art gallery opening on Monday, March 29th at the Ruby Room! Bunches of photos and video clips coming soon -

The night before the opening reception, I heard my name on KPRI radio as I drove into San Diego, while randomly flipping stations. It was Cathryn Beeks on the Homegrown Hour, talking about the show - and then she played the Overheard in San Diego theme song!! I almost drove off the road - thanks, Cathryn!!

 After people checked out the 60 or so comic strip art boards, Wendy Bailey and True Stories rocked the stage, later returning with guest Bart Mendoza (The Shambles) to play some stuff learned just for the occasion, including one of my favorite songs by one of my fave bands, "I Got a Line On You" by Spirit.

 

The Reverend Stickman, Carly-plus-one, me -- in case we've never met, howaya? --- and fellow cartoonatic Christie Maconnell, the Rock 'N' Roll Comics colorist who put up the strip display.

Happy Ron Hill played his "Famous Former Neighbors" song (which seems to imply that I think my "sh-t don't stink," heh heh), and Cathryn Beeks was joined by co-writer Sven-Erik Seaholm to mock me in song once again, with their "Overheard in San Diego" theme song.

 Happy Ron, Bart Mendoza, and Carlos Olmeda, Collage Menage, Neener, Carnal Comics writer Jamie Ralph Gardner, videographers Duane and Susan, and random passersby...

The Cathryn Beeks Ordeal and Marcia Claire were awesome, as was Collage Menage, with guest singer Jenene Lambert, who also played their own "Famous Former Neighbors" song - they came in second place in the Reader's FFN song contest.

BTW, we had six song entries - Ziva Gottesman & Dan Galant, Steve and the Pescadero Pickers, Speaking Idly, Happy Ron, Ed Cormier, and Collage Menage.

The winner? Steve and the Pescadero Pickers !! Their tune tells of the summer that Bob "Gilligan" Denver moved next door to Steve in OB -----

Due to some confusion -- no doubt compounded by me being on vacation all week --- bandleader Steve wasn't notified in time to play it at the show, but you can checkitout - and all the song submissions, along with their final vote stats - at http://www.sandiegoreader.com/audioclips/sets/famous-former-neighbors/

There was quite a fiery debate on the website about this contest, among listeners and some of the contestants themselves -- http://www.sandiegoreader.com/polls/2010/mar/vote-your-favorite-former-famous-neighbors-theme-s/results/

All in all, it was terrific to see the Reader comic strips getting their own spotlight showcase - my thanks to the Ruby Room for letting me plaster my scribbles all over their walls and letting my friends and I play all night in their colorful sandbox! Thanks also to the artists who came out to do live art demonstrations, and you can checkout a selection of comic strips from the show all thru April at the RRoom --

Now, it's back to being an obscure underemployed cartoonatic and itinerate writer-slash-blogger - surely, it's all downhill from here...

http://www.artdamages.com/2010/04/overheard-and-famous-in-san-diego-art-show/

http://www.artdamages.com/2010/04/overheard-and-famous-in-san-diego-art-show/

 OWES IT ALL TO THE MAN WITH NO NAME....

“We play hip-hop with a twist,” says Tim Beaman (aka Timmy B) of the trio OCT/Outta Control, who all moved to San Diego from Detroit six years ago in hopes of kickstarting their recording and performing career.

“We do the unexpected, like starting off a set with a crazy electric guitar solo and setting a sick Beastie Boy-style party vibe. We make music that reflects our life, which is pretty much a never ending struggle AND a big party, all at the same time. We don’t have sick cars or money, so we don’t rap about that.”  

The band cites surprising inspirations, such as the Prince formerly known as Fresh, Will Smith. “He’s one of the sickest MCs in the game,” says Beaman. “If you don’t think so, check out his song ‘Freak This.’ We actually live our lives by that saying.”

Another big inspiration is a man whose name they don’t even know.

“We were in L.A. trying to get into record label offices to hand out our demo, even though we knew it wasn’t going to work. After getting thrown out of Capitol Records, we talked to the guy who threw us out for a while. He told us that he had thrown out 50 Cent and Kanye when they were still unsigned. After talking for a few minutes, he looked at us and said ‘If you’re good at what you do, don’t quit. It’ll happen for you too.’”

Outta Control has released three albums, as well as contributing to last year’s SDMA-nominated hip-hop compilation Best of Daygo City.

Get Uked to It (or San Diego Gets Uked) - 15 San Diego artists have their songs covered on Ukelele

By Bart Mendoza: It’s true, ukeleles get little respect in the music world. But with their portability and ease of use it’s easy to see the four stringed instruments appeal. 

 Long a favorite for fans of Hawaiian music and century old pop tunes, the current resurgence in popularity has seen many modern era tunes showing up in uke players set lists.

Here are 15 songs originally performed by San Diego based artists, recast for ukelele.

Local custom ukelele maker Owen Burke: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2008/apr/09/blurt4

1)      As I Lay Dying / “Through Struggle”

By vik733 – my vote for most unexpected cover version, ever:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0y8Q6Jdy8Y

2)      Blink 182 / “Rock Show”

The Sebi Next Door:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSFsmYtYQpw

3)      Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper  / “Debbie Gibson is Pregnant with My Two Headed Love Child”

By Henrique – he portrays both Mojo and Skid in this video!:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2EZXKEW4g0

4)      Nickel Creek / “Doubting Thomas”

By Abe Schmidt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Yeu6tvLrI

5)      Boxcar Racer / “Letter To God”

By one man band, Hammelino:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyncCZFu_rQ

6)      John Stewart (The  Monkees / Anne Murray) / “Daydream Believer”

This version has lyrics by Japanese music icon Kiyoshiro Imawano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5LLBty3cs

7)       Unwritten Law / “Save Me”

Performed by Phoebe Henry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKqvmiMp6NI

8)      Steve Poltz (Jewel) / “You Were Meant For Me”
Sung by Janica Salaz:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4jY24cffg8&feature=related

9)      Jack Tempchin (The Eagles) / “Peaceful Easy Feeling“

performed by the Second City Ukelele Players Association:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bddC4aYML4Y

10)   Stephen Bishop / “It Might Be You”

by Keone Pax:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPe9C7ro3Vw

11)   Iron Butterfly / “In A Gadda Da Vida”

Performed by Fritz Herman – dig the drum solo:-):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBBOymHPozY

12)   Cascades / “Rhythm of The Falling Rain”

Performed by Tonma

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMD_vXhl2HM

13)   Jason Mraz / “I’m Yours”

Performed by a group of students:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUF2jiVgT4I

14)   Ratt / “Round & Round”

Rearranged by The Awkward Sounds of Scott & Skiz:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvK77lNoSBA

15)   Kingston Trio / “Scotch & Soda”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDZuYH1h5xg

MUSTAINE MAKES ROCK VIDEO BASED ON SAN DIEGO TANK ATTACK

Noisecreep reports: On May 17, 1995, a U.S. Army veteran and unemployed plumber in San Diego, Shawn Timothy Nelson, snapped and stole an M60 Patton tank from a nearby National Guard Armory. He drove down the highway, crushing cars, fire hydrants and an RV before he was stopped and killed by police.

The headline-grabbing story forms the basis of Megadeth's new video for 'The Right to Go Insane,' the second single from the band's acclaimed 2009 disc Endgame. In the clip, which surprisingly features no performance footage, frontman Dave Mustaine is filmed sneaking onto a military facility, stealing a tank and playing crash-up derby through the streets.

Video footage from the cockpit shows Mustaine singing and laughing, while shots from a surveillance helicopter depict a missile gunsight tracking him as he pillages.

No word from the family of Shawn Timothy Nelson, who was killed by police on live TV after the stolen tank got stick on a highway divider, on what they think of famous neighbor Mustaine having so much fun with their tragic true-life story.    (more Megadeth, 'The Right to Go Insane' -- Video Premiere )

• Famous Former Neighbors comic strip
• Music Feature "Darker and Angrier"

NEW COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL MUSIC DATABASE IS LAUNCHED

If you wanna see a list of over 2,100 San Diego bands, with links to full profiles, photos, discographies, articles, MP3s, etc, checkout http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/search/

Believe it or not, you can click on ANY LOCAL MUSICIAN'S NAME (around 4,900 musicos listed!) and bring up bios of every notable band they've ever been in! Try it here with Rob Crow ---

AND, if that wasn't cool 'nuff, click on an instrument, say like this here link to "Drums" - BAM, a list of EVERY DRUMMER IN SAN DIEGO!!!

We've been working on this massively cross-linked Local Music Database for over two years now, covering a century of San Diego history --- if you're a local performer who wants to add or edit a page, go to http://www.sandiegoreader.com/band/edit/

More soon!!!! JAS

 14 Things You Might Not Know About Jim Croce!

By Bart Mendoza: In honor of the release of a new book on Jim Croce’s music, Anthology, here are a more than ten things that you might have overlooked about the music icon. The book includes music & lyrics + stories behind 40 tunes! Penned by Ingrid Croce, published by Hal Leonard) For more info, please visit  www.jimcroce.com

I also highly recommend the Jim Croce’ DVD Anthology, Have You Heard:

1)      Jim Croce is now the third San Diego related artist to be portrayed on film or TV. In the 4th episode of ABC-TV’s, Life on Mars (2008), he is played by Don Puglisi, in conversation with the show’s star during a brief scene set in a night club.

2)      Jim Croce’s album, Life & Times, has been immortalized at the Sleeveface site: http://www.sleeveface.com/?p=288 – from the site: “One or more persons obscuring or augmenting any part of their body or bodies with record sleeve(s) causing an illusion” – Amazing!

3)      The Muppet Show aired a touching clip of “Time in A Bottle” – An old scientist grown younger until… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF8ZgguyQ3Y

4)      And… here’s The Muppets version “Working at the Car Wash Blues,” starring Gonzo and a bunch of chickens. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Gw5e1AnMc

5)      Frank Sinatra released a single of “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” which hit #83 in 1974. Dean Martin then used the same arrangement of the song for his version. Here’s a Glen Miller Big Band arrangement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA3Eq8r8fGs

6)      Glen Campbell recorded a version of “Time In A Bottle” for the BBC in 1975. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC8bygMhrvs

7)      In 1977, Maureen McCormick (aka Marcia Brady) sang a version of “I’ll Just Have to Say I Love You In  A Song” on the TV’s The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.

8)      Croce’s character, Leroy Brown, next showed up in the Queen song, “Bring Back that Leroy Brown.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vHZU_HcXDo

9)      “I’ll Just Have to Say I Love You In A Song” was covered by Cilla Black.

10)  “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” was covered by Jerry Reed. Here’s his version of “I Got A Name” , with a very nice introduction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ts0qwRBx4c

11)  “Lovers Cross” was covered by Melanie.

12)  His songs have appeared in TV shows such as Eli Stone ("You Don't Mess Around With Jim")/ 2008), The West Wing ("Time in a Bottle" / 2003), The Greatest American Hero ("You Don't Mess Around With Jim" / 1981)

13)  His songs have appeared in movies such as Home Alone 3 ("Bad Bad Leroy Brown"/ 1997) and The Ice Storm ("I Got a Name").

14)  Jim Croce appeared on several TV shows including In Concert,  Rock Concert and twice on NBC’s the Tonight Show: Aug. 15 1972 (other guests included Danny Thomas and the comedy duo Burns & Schrieber) and May 30 1973 (other guests included Karen Valentine)

Antimusic reports: Mike Keneally is set to launch his first full-band tour in nearly five years, bringing his ever-evolving, remarkably inventive musical vision to the Northeast US in early May for five shows in support of his latest Exowax Recordings release, Scambot 1.

From Keneally's well-documented recorded work as a guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist in Frank Zappa's last touring band, to his recordings and performances with Robert Fripp, Dethklok, Wayne Kramer, Steve Vai, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Andy Partridge and many others, he's earned a reputation as someone who can bring an intense, original musical voice to any situation. His extensive and wildly diverse original catalog of 19 albums and counting defies traditional classification, and concertgoers are regularly left awestruck by his band's high-wire-act execution of the eclectic material.

In a unique twist, this tour's Mike Keneally Band members also comprise the opening act, the band of Keneally's longtime bassist Bryan Beller (Steve Vai, Dethklok), whose intricate jazz/rock compositions and tasteful playing earned his sophomore album Thanks In Advance widespread acclaim.

The sneakily-titled "They're Both The Same Band" Northeast Tour 2010 features Keneally, Beller, drummer Joe Travers (Zappa Plays Zappa), and guitarists Rick Musallam (Ben Taylor, Byrd York) and Griff Peters (Billie Myers, Anika Paris). - more on this story

WTF SLEESTAKS!

I have SO many problems with this bizarre Land of the Lost relic.

First, what's up with asking the kiddies to help that Sleestak EAT poor lil' Dopey?! "He craves raw, bloody meat and does not know which rope is attached to Dopey. Which is the right one?" And why's the Sleestak a toy, while the Dino is drawn?

"Puzzle" 1 instructs "Look into this sacred cave, then cover it. How many Sleestak can you remember having seen?" Fair 'nuff, that's a KIND of a puzzle. But then look at the effin answer key -- "Any humans who gaze upon our god will die." Geez, Muhammad much?

Plus, written as if by Sleestak, the answer key indicates that THIS IS A SLEESTAK-CREATED PUZZLE! Notice the possessive apostrophe in the puzzle title, "Sleestak's...."...No wonder they wanna trick kids into killing Dopey...

"Puzzle" 2 - not really a puzzle. "Grumpy the dinosaur surprised Will, Holly and Chaka while they were out on a walk. Can you solve the puzzle of how Will and Holly will escape?" Well, clearly, we can see that some mirror thingly blinds Grumpy. BUT...

"How will WILL AND HOLLY escape?" WTF, what about Chaka?! Those sick fukken Sleetak puzzlemakers made a snuff film, and this clip shows Chaka seconds before getting bit in two...and, BTW, how stoopid are Will and Holly that they can still be "surprised" by a thirty foot tall dinosaur, AND NOT A FREAKIN' TREE IN SIGHT!

So let's refer to the answer key as to how the two mentally challenged humans escape..."Hit Chaka with a rock, breaking his leg, then run." I say again - WTF?! The dumbass duo is supposed to sacrifice Chaka to the dino?!

And if the answers are written by Sleestak, why are they such Chaka haters - or do they simply wanna eat "raw and bloody meat" offa Will and Holly themselves, while Grumpy polishes off the hairy Oompa Loompa?

The answer to number 3? "Dopey is slower than even a Sleestak. He should fall easily to the wicked eviscerating claws."

Sid and Marty Krofft - the Owsleys of Saturday morning TV ---

 "TOO MANY TRAILS, MAN" - OR "WHY I STOPPED TAKING PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS....."

Because who can get any work done with all THIS going on????

COMING IN 2010 - ROCK 'N' ROLL COMICS: JOAN JETT AND THE RUNAWAYS

Here's a sneak peek at the cover art for the full-color Runaways issue of Rock 'N' Roll Comics, which will be released to tie in to the Runaways movie --- www.myspace.com/rocknrollcomics

Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics: The Runaways with Joan Jett and Lita Ford

Writer: Spike Steffenhagen, Jay Allen Sanford

Artists: Joe Paradise, Larry Nadolsky

Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics presents the Runaways, the ‘70s jailbait rockers whose story is wild and crazy enough to merit both a feature film starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning and an even more revealing no-punches-pulled comic book bio! Three complete full-color stories chronicle the rise and fall of the Runaways themselves, as well as going far beyond the bio-pic to also cover the solo careers of band stars Joan Jett and Lita Ford. 

Scripted by rock ‘n’ roll historian Spike Steffenhagen (Kiss: Comic From the Elder) and San Diego Reader columnist Jay Allen Sanford, this lovingly illustrated edition features art by Joe Paradise (Overheard in San Diego) and Larry Nadolsky (Deposit Man). Unauthorized and proud of it!

Here's a sneak preview of the story and art -----

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/40472/2068009180
103947755S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/45758/2286475540
103947755S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/46451/2549638090
103947755S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/44915/2243644840
103947755S600x600Q85.jpg

SHIPPING SUMMER 2010: ROCK 'N' ROLL CARTOON HISTORY - THE SIXTIES

Here's the first look at the cover art for the 300 page graphic novel Rock 'N' Roll Cartoon History: The Sixties, shipping summer 2010 from Bluewater Productions. www.bluewaterprod.com  --  www.myspace.com/rocknrollcomics 

 THE RETURN OF ROCK 'N' ROLL COMICS!

Hard Rock Heroes: What goes together better than comics and rock music? With almost 300 pages of Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics, Hard Rock Heroes goes WAY beyond Behind the Music, to tell the real life, behind-the-scenes stories of rock’s most heavy hitters. Creators include Stuart Immonen (Superman: End of the Century), Ken Landgraf (Wolverine), Jay Allen Sanford (Overheard in San Diego..), Todd Loren (Beatles Experience), Scott Pentzer (Razor), Mike Sagara (Ninja High School), and many others.

 

Hard Rock Heroes is a book-length pictorial history, covering bands like Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Poison, Megadeth, Pantera, Anthrax, Motorhead, Sammy Hagar, and more. The cinematic stories are realistically drawn, researched from countless photo and video archives, with an encyclopedic eye toward visual accuracy, dramatic flair, and journalistic depth.

 

 Also includes the never-before published “missing” Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics #8 from 1990, on Skid Row. The lack of an eighth issue has vexed collectors and catalogers for years – exactly 20 years later, the story can finally be told, and collectors can finally own ALL the Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics!

 

As a bonus treat, Hard Rock Heroes also features the Motley Crue comic story from their official box CD set Music To Crash Your Car To II, released in 2004 and written and drawn by original Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics creators Lyndal Ferguson and Larry Nadolsky. Shipping February 2010.

 

 (colors: Christie Maconnell)

 

 "Great ideas, like the marriage of rock 'n' roll and comics, have the half-life of Uranium and will always be popular," says series co-creator Jay Allen Sanford, who has worked on over 200 reality-based comic books and thousands of similar cartoon strips for the San Diego Reader, as well as for magazines like Rip, Spin, and Oui. "The folks at Bluewater clearly have their fingers on the same pop culture pulse that enabled the original Rock 'N' Roll Comics to become one of the top-selling indie comics of the '90s. Truth is often stranger than fiction...and certainly much more interesting!" 

 

WHY AL KOOPER HATES LOCAL WRITERS (BUT LOVES SAN DIEGO)

Legendary keyboardist Al Kooper has played with Dylan, the Stones, George Harrison and countless others, but he still has time to beef about local music reporters like Buddy Blue and a certain Reader columnist... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar

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ANYA MARINA GETS STONED!

Rollingstone.com has added Anya Marina to their "breaking artist" profiles - http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar

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 THE BEATLES IN SAN DIEGO

 8-28-65 – the Beatles: For the Beatles' one and only local appearance, at Balboa Stadium, radio station KCBQ declared that Saturday "Beatle Day" and gave out pins saying so to attendees. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar

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 UNEXPECTED BEATLES ART - The Fab Four turn up in the oddest places... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar

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MAHARISH COMIX AND STORIES, OR "YOGI MAKES A BOO-BOO"

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/29/the-return-of-black-heart-procession-plus-anya-mar

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WEIRD BEATLES MERCHANDISE - WTF were these licensors (and bootleggers) thinking... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/feb/06/my-brunch-with-yoko-plus-weird-beatles