Eddie

TACO FUSIONS ARE GOING OFF IN A BIG WAY AT THE FIRST “OFF THE GRID” SOIREE AT CROCKER MUSEUM • JULY 19, 2016

As if the Crocker Museum didn’t already have enough things going on that were totally cool and worth every penny, the “Off the Grid” grand opening gathering is a midweek family-friendly event replete with special takes on everyone’s favorite dish dubbed taco fusions. Expect to experience tacos in a new light and find out what’s going to be on the menu by joining their event page. This four-hour event lasts from 5–9 p.m. and also features live music, myriad activities for kids and more. Tuesday has always been taco night and there could not be a better way to celebrate the only day of the week that has no feel (Seinfeld reference, sorry). Bring some cash and an empty belly to this event that is sure to become a Sacramento tradition. You heard it here first! Show off and RSVP at Facebook.com/offthegridsac.

(Submerge)

Eight Gigs: Peter Gabriel

Fri., July 15, 7 p.m., Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s, $89.50-$255

Peter Gabriel and Genesis both headed in a more pop direction after splitting in 1975, and Gabriel has experimented widely in the years since, even issuing an orchestral cover album of songs from Radiohead, Arcade Fire and David Bowie in 2010 followed by an orchestral album of his own material. The trailer for the Rock Paper Scissors tour, however, acknowledges that “people want to hear hits,” so expect plenty of them, because the other headliner on the tour? That Sting guy from the Police. This legendary lineup is not to be missed by classic rock fans. Highway 50 Stateline Avenue in Lake Tahoe, http://petergabriel.com.

(SN&R)

DROPPING IN FROM DIZZYING NEW HEIGHTS WITH CHASING NIAGARA AT THE TOWER THEATRE • JULY 12, 2016

(Photo by Marcos Ferro)

With plenty of rivers around for Northern Californians to engage in whitewater rafting or kayaking, this feature film will fit right in when it is screened for only one night at one of Sacramento’s beloved local movie art houses. On this special occasion, kayak fans and extreme sports enthusiasts will get together to discuss kayaking tips, see some crazy action on film and, of course, partake in some free Red Bull (hint, hint).

This isn’t your normal happy-go-lucky film where everyone smiles and each and every character succeeds. However, the film carries with it the underlying message we can all succeed and conquer even our darkest fears if we set our minds and bodies to the task. It also serves as a harrowing tale of whitewater kayaking with some hard lessons learned along the way. Without giving too much away, we caught up with kayak legend, Rafa Ortiz, to get the lowdown.

The Submerge staff are afraid of heights (this writer included) and this movie, produced by Red Bull Media House, doesn’t help squash those fears.

Where do you find the inner strength to conquer such amazing feats?
I find my strength in a process of concentration. Every time I’m above a drop, fear comes, along with negative thoughts. So if I can find that original motivation that has me sitting in my kayak, if I can focus on the rational idea of completing a successful descent, then I will clear my mind. My goal then is to find a concentrated, relaxed state of mind, which is hard to achieve with all the adrenaline.

Are you married or have children? Surely a loved one must go through your mind when doing such stunts.
I just got engaged earlier this year. Fernanda is an amazing woman who has supported my paddling career through every stage. Indeed, as I grow older, the more I consider my close loved ones when doing something dangerous. It’s part of a maturity process. And I can’t even imagine yet what it will be like to have kids. But in the moment of concentration, right above a waterfall, it is crucial to clear your mind.

Why is death a recurring theme in the movie?
It wasn’t something planned. Death just happened to be a constant thing that kept appearing on every trip. Life versus death ended up being a theme throughout the whole movie. From the first line, “Water is life,” to the very final one, “What it means to truly be alive.”

Do you think of Jesse Sharpe [one of the first extreme kayakers who died in a waterfall accident] or do you erase your thoughts before taking on such a quest?
I don’t actually think about him too much. Twenty-six years ago, extreme kayaking was in a very different stage in regards to waterfall descent. Plus, he went for a line down the very middle of the falls, which I consider a total gamble.

Would you encourage others to try this sport?
To try the sport? Absolutely, yes. Kayaking has changed my life and given me a unique perspective on our environment. The experience of interacting with ever-changing water, making it down a river and through canyons that only a few have seen, along with a group of friends that you trust each other’s life to, makes kayaking the most special sport I’ve ever got into.

See Rafa Ortiz and a crew of the world’s best whitewater paddlers in Chasing Niagara. The film screens in Sacramento for one night only at Tower Theatre on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

(Submerge)

Eight Gigs: Brit Floyd

Tues., July 12, 8 p.m., Community Center Theater, $32.50-$52.50

Sadly, Pink Floyd will never be getting back together; when keyboardist extraordinaire Richard Wright passed in 2009, the band’s fate was sealed, and many purists even argue it really ended with Syd Barrett—he died in 2006 and was unceremoniously exiled from the band in 1968. Thankfully, the existence of dedicated tribute bands means acts like Brit Floyd, hailing from Liverpool, England, can carry on the legacy. The band manages to capture all the nuance and sound of the legendary rock ’n’ roll band, and this is a show for which any Pink Floyd fan will want to get off the wall. 1301 L Street, www.facebook.com/britfloydshow.

(SN&R)

HOLD AND EMBRACE THIS RARE RECORD COURTESY OF SS RECORDS • OUT NOW!

Scott Soriano is going to hate me for saying this but here goes: He is a local treasure. Sure, he has put out some great releases and anyone with two opposing thumbs and still breathing knows his taste is exceptional. However, it’s releases like the reissue of Sacramento band The Twinkeyz’s record Alpha Jerk that prove Sacramento had a fertile music scene dating well back to the ’70s. Alpha Jerk suffered greatly from a shitty mastering job when it was released in 1979. Thankfully, ex-KDVS alumni and audiophile Karl Ikola worked alongside Twinkeyz member Donnie Jupiter on this remixed and remastered version. The end result is a delicious, psyche-warping platter way ahead of its time. If tracks like “Aliens In Our Midst” or the equally awkward “Cartoonland” don’t make you reach for the volume knob (to turn up, of course), perhaps a couple of Valiums and some red wine would help you settle into their state of mind. The pairing of Soriano and Ikola alone is worth the price of this limited edition vinyl. Tell ‘em Submerge sent you and don’t ask for a discount. This shit is golden. Do it now at Ss-records-sol-re-sol-records.myshopify.com. Do it!

(Submerge)

GO GO GODZILLA WITH BLUE ÖYSTER CULT AT HELWIG WINERY • JULY 9, 2016

Blue Öyster Cult

Although Blue Öyster Cult’s arena and stadium-filling days are over, as long as guitarist Buck Dharma and singer Eric Bloom are in the band, the cool quotient is still greater than any other living indie, metal or hard rock act. Nearly every band cites this group as an influence, and not because of megahits like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and “Godzilla.” Their catalog features musical treasures dating back into the early ‘70s with their now-classic, self-titled album from 1972. As luck would have it, they’re playing the Helwig Winery in nearby Plymouth. It’s a Saturday night and you can even book a nearby hotel if you want to party with the big boys/girls. For those who need a musical history lesson, get Agents of Fortune (1976) or even Spectres (1977). Odds are, you will buy everything they have to offer, no new album needed. General admission tickets are $80, with the option to add a pre-show dinner and a band meet and greet. Get tickets and more info at Helwigwinery.com.

(Submerge)

Eight Gigs: Swift Country

Wed., July 6, 7 p.m., Palladio Marketplace, no cover

I wouldn’t say that I like Taylor Swift’s music. But after working one Labor Day weekend gig for Sacramento’s Local 50 Stagehands at Sleep Train Arena a few years back, I grew to like her. Maybe it was because I was so impressed she had 23 semitrucks worth of stage and backstage gear. Maybe it was because she put on one helluva show. Maybe it was because so many members of her touring crew worked so hard for their money. Whatever the reason, I realized people from all walks of life loved her, and this Colusa-based cover band does an excellent job mimicking the real thing. 410 Palladio Parkway in Folsom, www.facebook.com/swiftcountryband.

(SN&R)

MAKING SOME HISTORIC AND NOT-SO-HISTORIC ART AT THE STATE FAIR • SIGN UP BY JULY 1 / JULY 16–17, 2016

The world is full of people (men and women alike) who will lie online or in person about their shortcomings and, more importantly, exaggerate their triumphs. Of course the only way to truly say you are anywhere is to be there and what better way to do so than at the upcoming “en Plein Aire” contest at the annual State Fair. And while we all know at Submerge that you want to see Mike Reno and Loverboy turn you loose with their sexy bass and synth lines, the real lure is painting in the open air with no restrictions (well, maybe a couple). This is not a competitive event and all are encouraged to take part in something that will surely get people talking once again, rather than staring at their cool iPhone. I’m actually entering my 19-year-old son who I am most certain stands a great chance. Sometimes the young and innocent (or seemingly so in the case of my son … Ha!) can teach us the most. Find out more and sign up by July 1 at Castatefair.org/plein-air-fair.

(Submerge)

Femi Kuti Is A Funny Guy, But This Is Not A Funny Piece

Originally, this piece was supposed to have a comic angle, built around the discovery that Afrobeat heir Femi Kuti’s Facebook page mistakenly linked to a softcore Asian porn site. When I alerted his management and even Femi while trying to set up a Skype interview with the artist at his home in Lagos, Nigeria, the idea of providing a comical twist I never told them about seemingly fell on deaf ears (though the link did eventually get fixed).

The eldest son of iconic Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, Femi’s already over 20-year career broke through on a global level in 1998 with the success of Shoki Shoki, an album that cross-pollinated Afrobeat with hip-hop, neo-soul, and house music. In the nearly two decades since, Femi has retained his cultural authenticity and reputation for explosive, marathon live shows.Femi Kuti & Positive Force | 2013 SummerStage Concert Series [FULL] by Noisemaker Media on YouTube

Thankfully, the request for an interview – in the same email, no less – received a swift response from his management, as everyone, Femi included, responded in kind.

After a series of problems with my Dictaphone and my phone – yes, I interview the old school way and transcribe concurrently, then later go back to add what I missed – I got the quiet and reserved Kuti on the line.

He profusely apologized for the bad connection, as he has no electricity and Skype was his only option as he has no landline to speak of (or at least none that he mentioned). At that point, I stopped typing, sat back in my office chair, and cried quietly while I listened to one of my favorite world music artists speak honestly and candidly.

Here I was, a spoiled Caucasian writer on the other side of the world worrying about what I would buy my daughter and son for their upcoming birthdays, and the son of the late Fela Kuti was apologizing to me. What?

Needless to say, he got 110 percent of my attention. Rather than talking about his father’s legacy as has been extensively (and exhaustively) covered throughout his career, it seemed wholly proper to discuss current events and the economics of touring with such a large band.Femi Kuti – The World is Changing (official video) by Femi Kuti on YouTube

“On tour, we will have a 12-piece band and have 20 people in the group when we play in Nigeria. We have many extra dancers and musicians here,” he said over the scratchy connection.

For a band that plays regular shows nearly every week or month at Kuti’s New Afrika Shrine, it seemed the prospect of getting to tour abroad must cause some dissension in the ranks.

“It’s quite a big band and I cannot afford to bring everyone, as I pay for everything. I barely break even on these tours, even with all these big shows,” Kuti explained.

Thankfully, the music is what keeps him focused on completing tours that always have the potential — however unlikely — to turn into a disaster financially.

When asked about current events, Kuti was rather terse, and for good reason.

“It’s easy with social media now, and you can just Google Nigeria if you want to know what’s going on here,” said Kuti. “I know you have a lot of problems there as well. I am not blind. I see the struggles and the homelessness on tour.”

Furthermore, he said the band members prefer to stay in their rooms and enjoy having the lights, TV and even air-conditioning on.

“I once stayed in a hotel for seven days straight just to see if the power would go off while on tour with my father,” said Kuti. “I could not believe it, since ours never stays on for long.”

As far as song selection goes, Kuti’s current tour will focus on his most recent effort, 2013’s No Place For My Dream.

“We’re going to play a lot of stuff from my latest. In Nigeria, I play for four hours and start at 7 p.m. If it is a really big show and the time is right, we go past 12 a.m.,” said Kuti. “It’s my club, so I can play as long as I want and nobody can tell me what to do. I really enjoy playing so many numbers.”

Kuti is one of the marquee acts performing at this year’s High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy from June 30-July3 (he performs on the closing day of the fest), but he and his Positive Force Band will also headline at the historic Fillmore in San Francisco on Wednesday, June 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.

(CBS / San Francisco)

Eight Gigs: Brass Bed

Thu., June 30, 8 p.m., Oak Park Brewing Co., no cover

Local manager-turned-label-guru Chris Watson became quite a big name after Pennsylvania’s Dr. Dog blew up on a national scale. His label boasted lesser-known releases from artists including Sacramento’s own sadly defunct trio Frank Jordan. His new company is called Friendship Fever and comes at a time when our scene is due for some new love. His latest find, Brass Bed, hails from Louisiana and brings a blend of lazy indie pop steeped in the tradition of noisy guitar rock. Opening up are local bands Honyock and the Rippers. 3514 Broadway, http://brassbedisbrassbed.tumblr.com.

(SN&R)