December 2002

26mph

Eddie December 26, 2002 0 Comment

Redefine

Sonoma County’s 26mph, a four-piece band fronted by vocalist Airrick Nettleton and his guitar-playing brother Adam, would have to be the hardest working nu-metal band in the state. Its tour schedule has been relentless for the last two years, as the band has hit virtually every all-ages venue. It sounds like a mixture of early Papa Roach (Infest), Sevendust and Deftones. Its first-person lyrics can be a shortcoming, but not on the album’s high points—“Recognize,” “Pay Off” and “In Our Hearts.” Unlike Shortie, Tenfold and the countless bands that have played up and down the West Coast, 26mph has done everything itself—booking itself, promoting its own shows and going the extra mile for every show. In a market crowded by bands that would rather rest on their collective asses after just one capacity local show, 26mph shows its endurance on the live front and on this debut long player. Worth your listen.

Live! Saturday, December 28; at Capitol Garage, 1427 L Street; with Subject of Us, Thought Riot and Jim Jones Brigade; $6. Call venue for time.

(SN&R)

That Kai Kln connection

Eddie December 12, 2002 0 Comment

“Come see People magazine’s 51st and 52nd most beautiful people” said Ricky and Del Connection drummer Del Nelipez, better known as Neil Franklin. You might recognize the “connection” to his cohort, singer and guitarist Ricky Ranchero, aka Gene Smith; both men did time with the defunct Kai Kln, one of Sacramento’s biggest bands in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Connection formed a few years ago and has played locally, rarely traveling farther than Santa Rosa. Ranchero, Nelipez and alto saxophonist Flamp Sorvari perform without a bassist and fuse multiple styles, including jazz, rock, blues and folk. Their CD-release party is Saturday, December 14, at the Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Boulevard. Electric Flood, which features Chris Horton and ex-Kai Kln bassist Scott Anderson, will open. Rumor has it Anderson may join Ricky and Del for part of their set. Where’s Sherman Loper? Smells like a Kai Kln reunion. You can find MP3s and more info at www.therickyanddelconnection.com.

(SN&R)

The Reindeer Section

Eddie December 5, 2002 0 Comment

Son of Evil Reindeer

Like the Lambchop collective, the Reindeer Section features many players from different bands and backgrounds. Fortunately, the similarities end there. This recent CD finds members of Snow Patrol, Teenage Fanclub, Astrid, Mogwai, Alfie, Idlewild, Arab Strap and Belle & Sebastian, along with lesser-known acts Eva and Cadet, working together for one common cause—a great song. The music settles nicely somewhere between pop confection and slo-core, from the minor-key laden, narcotic effects of both “Grand Parade” and “Budapest,” to the genuine beauty of “Your Sweet Voice.” Such tunes as “I’ll Be Here When You Wake” leave no doubt that the talent pool represented on this effort is destined for bigger and better things. Although a Reindeer Section tour is logistically impossible, these recorded works should suffice. In a market filled with dubious “superstar” projects, this one stands out.

(SN&R)