2005

Product placement

Eddie May 5, 2005 0 Comment

If you were one of the several thousand people who attended the KSFM 102.5 Cinco De Mayo 2005 concert on Sunday, May 1, chances are you might have felt cheated by the lack of actual live music. One look at the day’s posted schedule—which featured acts like Frankie J, Baby Bash and Angelina—revealed set lengths that would rival an extended Porta-Potty visit. Sure, we understand that radio-sponsored festivals often feature abbreviated set times, but 15 minutes borders on criminal.

Like other radio-station festivals that have preceded it, KSFM’s was set in Discovery Park and featured an oversized beer garden; Blimpie concessions; a shaved-ice vendor; pizza; barbecue fare; and, of course, a large area for kids, with inflatable houses, slides and even dueling games. Although the event was billed as a Cinco de Mayo bash to celebrate the holiday and the talent, a seemingly nonstop onslaught of emcee banter and shameless self-promotion made it hard to focus on the performers.

Likewise, there was no lack of vendor advertising to further distract attendees from the main stage. Sponsors like Ralphs supermarkets, Phillips 66-Conoco-76, Miller Brewing Co. and even the California Correctional Peace Officers’ Association (which at least gave away nice key chains) filled up literally every space imaginable with a bevy of contests, giveaways and promotional tchotchkes. And if that weren’t enough, you couldn’t walk 10 feet without being solicited by some local artist’s street team handing out yet another glossy, throwaway postcard. While the station did its best to emphasize the cultural significance of Cinco de Mayo by infusing spurts of traditional Latin music, it was during these times that folks would find solace by visiting the Jarritos booth for a soda sample and a chance to win free swag.

One of the most perplexing problems was the presence of Navy, Air Force and Army recruiters, whose appearance resembled that of vultures circling their prey. All their tables had near-perfect positioning to catch the occasional strollers who just wanted to cruise the vendor tables. Open-ended questions like “What have you done for your country?” came from the military-recruiting tents as people passed. Well, who doesn’t need a little forced American spirit to break up their day? At least the booths’ free tote bags could carry all the promotional crap attendees picked up at the 76 gas-station table.

Once considered a medium used to expose up-and-coming talent and even “break” new artists, it seems that radio-station events like this one have effectively shifted the attention to advertising. Had KSFM taken cues from KZZO’s A Day in the Zone festivals and devoted its attention to songs instead of advertisements, this might have been the perfect forum to introduce these new artists and even other local talent to Sacramento audiences. Instead, I have a new Ralphs Frisbee. You can’t say I didn’t get something for my money.
(SN&R)

Locust

Eddie April 28, 2005 0 Comment

Safety Second, Body Last

8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28 with Giant Squid, Tera Melos and the Blue Letter; $12; all ages. The Boardwalk, 9426 Greenback Lane, in Orangevale.

Leave it to the quirky Mike Patton to team up with the Locust as his big middle finger to the record industry. Virtually the progenitors of the spaz-core scene, the Locust, whose stage attire resembles that of life-sized insects, have released a concept album that is essentially one song divided into four sections. If you loved Plague Soundscapes, you’ll find great pleasure knowing the quartet hasn’t let up. “Invented Organs/New Tongue Sweepstakes/Consenting Abscess” is both white noise and math rock, infused with irregular sonic threats. Fans of the Blood Brothers, Holy Molar, Fantomas, or even Hella will appreciate the sonic calisthenics herein. Perhaps the only thing missing from this nearly complete package is a healthy dose of Ritalin. Long live diet pills and caffeinated mints! Let the sleep deprivation begin!
(SN&R)

Not for the halter top crowd

Eddie April 28, 2005 0 Comment

It’s hard to believe that the Wright brothers—that is, Rob and John—have been around since the early 1980s. While most bands formed during the “punk boom” eventually lost notoriety and respect, NoMeansNo’s awkward mix of algorithm-based punk and lyrical sarcasm has led to well-attended U.S. tours and overseas jaunts, not to mention a devout legion of rabid fans. The Wrights’ latest release is a compilation of 15 songs aptly titled People’s Choice. It spans the group’s career and is a great introduction to one of Canada’s most complex and confusing punk bands. Make that introduction in person when NoMeansNo plays Harlow’s, located at 2708 J Street, on Monday at 9 p.m. Admission is $12. Also on the bill is Northern California’s greatest post-punk trio, Victims Family, whose first album, Voltage & Violets, should’ve earned them a punk Grammy. Visit www.harlows.com for more information.
(SN&R)

Roll back the rug

Eddie April 14, 2005 0 Comment

From Sonora to Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz to Reno, Nev., Mumbo Gumbo has maintained a regular show regimen that keeps the surrounding areas quite content. Although the band’s sound is an amalgam of styles including world, blues, balladry, country and even rockabilly, these musicians know how to make it all work simultaneously in their two-hour-plus sets. The core members of the group—Chris Webster and Tracy Walton, the band’s mainstay singer-songwriters—are just two of the many reasons you should experience the band in a live setting. Drummer Rick Lotter, bassist Mike Palmer, saxophonist Reggy Marks, accordionist and pianist Steve Stizzo and guitar hero Jon Wood offer you five more. Still debating? Check out some awesome song samples at www.mumbogumbo.com. On Saturday at 8 p.m., the band will play songs from its last release, Seven, along with a plethora of Mumbo Gumbo favorites at the Palms Playhouse, located at 13 Main Street in Winters. Move those seats into the hallway.
(SN&R)

Mando Diao

Eddie April 14, 2005 0 Comment

Hurricane Bar

This band’s two singers, Gustaf Norén and Björn Dixgard, deliver more hooks in 30 seconds than the Thrills or the Vines have on all of their releases combined. On Hurricane Bar, their sophomore release for Mute, one listen to “Cut The Rope” or the harmony-laden “God Knows” will bring back flashes of Eric Burdon’s Animals and easily should convert followers of Jet or the Libertines. Unlike the countless, one-word named, pseudo-retro garbage acts that preceded the band’s glorious first U.S. release, Bring ’Em In, Mando Diao’s songs are so infectious that a vaccine should be created. Songs like “Down In The Past” and “All My Senses” should be the new standard for rock ’n’ roll in the new millennium. Fans of the Strokes take note: There’s a new kid on the block.
(SN&R)

Radar love

Eddie April 7, 2005 0 Comment

Los Angeles’ Radar Bros. have flown under the radar for more than 10 years, but they haven’t let that lack of attention hamper their creativity one iota. The band’s latest release, The Fallen Leaf Pages, hit the streets on March 22. While comparisons to the great Pink Floyd, Grandaddy, Neil Young, Earlimart and even the Beach Boys are inevitable, the group continues its rich tradition of fine harmonies and dense guitar wash without sounding derivative. If you’re a fan of slow-core, surreal pop or even the Merge Records roster, The Fallen Leaf Pages is one helluva catch.

So, why would a touring band with such critical acclaim book a Saturday night in Sacramento, a town that was once White Zombie’s top-selling market? The tour routing to the Blue Lamp might have been a mistake, but mistakes can be good. The Radar Bros. play the Blue Lamp, located at 1400 Alhambra Boulevard, with Carquinez Straits and the Randies on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Embrace this chance; you might only get one.
(SN&R)

Thank you, drive through

Eddie March 24, 2005 0 Comment

With Passion, recently signed to Earache Records, is adjusting to life in a tour van

In a little more than three years, With Passion has become one of the brightest (er, darkest?) lights in the local metal scene. The six members of With Passion came together in 2002 and played Northern California relentlessly. Recently, the band’s efforts paid off in the form of a worldwide deal with Earache Records.

The band’s technical, metal-hardcore hybrid sound deviates greatly from Earache’s best-known current and former acts: Morbid Angel, Deicide, Napalm Death, Nocturnus and Cathedral. That’s a good thing. Listening to With Passion, you might hear a hint of black metal only to have it juxtaposed by the band’s obvious nods to hardcore.

Vocalist Sam McLeod took some time out from the band’s first international tour to shed some light on With Passion’s quick rise from local to national status. “The signing has definitely brought us more attention from both European and U.S. markets,” he said. “We are still working on getting a U.K. agent, but for now, we are working with Earache for overseas tours.”

The band isn’t resting on its laurels and waiting for the accolades to pour in. Instead, With Passion has maintained a busy schedule on the touring circuit. “With Passion has played well over 200 total shows to date,” McLeod said. “The most standout show was with As I Lay Dying at The Boardwalk. With Passion was the main support band, and we played to a sold-out crowd of around 750 people. That was well over the capacity for the venue.”

When the band is not playing live, its members are busy writing and recording new material. “We are writing for the new album as we speak and are planning on recording at the end of the year,” McLeod said. However, the band’s first EP also is getting a second chance. “We are re-releasing In the Midst of Bloodied Soil because, although we signed with Earache Records, people still have no idea who With Passion is. We are going to support this album on the road and follow it up with the full-length release.”

Although it’s common for metal bands to get signed when the members are in their 30s and sometimes 40s, With Passion is an anomaly. “The median age of With Passion is 22. We feel our age is to our advantage because we still have the energy, drive and motivation to continue to pursue our dreams. At this age, we can focus on music only,” McLeod stated emphatically.

Although the band’s influences are far-reaching, as evidenced on its re-released EP and its bonus tracks, you’d never guess as much by the tracks currently playing in With Passion’s tour van. As McLeod described the van’s soundtrack, “We only have a tape converter and an iPod, but the main rotation is Necrophagist, Kalmah, Children of Bodom, Songs Ohia, Moving Units, Cryptopsy and Cattle Decapitation.” When asked which of his Earache labelmates he preferred, McLeod named several. “At the Gates, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Blood Red Throne, Cult of Luna and Callisto are all our favorites on the roster. We are familiar with the majority of the acts on Earache.”

With Passion is looking into the future already and plans to make its current vocation a lasting one. At the same time, McLeod is realistic about the uphill battle any new band faces in the race to sell records and keep up with an increasingly tough market. “Hopefully by the end of 2005, we will be in the studio recording for our full-length album and continue touring. We are planning on also having the opportunity to tour overseas. Some [of us] have more flexibility than others with time off from our jobs.”

The band’s manager, Eric Rushing (best known for his 720 Records dynasty), is working in tandem with its U.S. agent, John Finberg, to see that the six members don’t return to their day jobs anytime soon. With Passion already is set to tour the country with Deicide and Immolation in May and June, so it doesn’t look like these boys will have time for anything except hustling to the next show.

(SN&R)

Feelin’ Low

Eddie March 24, 2005 0 Comment

It seems like yesterday that Duluth, Minn.-based Low put out its first release. After nearly 12 years off and on the club circuit, Low has garnered the kind of respect from both the industry and its fan base that other bands would kill for. On The Great Destroyer, Low’s latest LP and the first on Seattle’s legendary Sub Pop Records, the trio changes gears drastically—opting for dense sonic wash and up-tempo rhythms. Fans of earlier albums, such as Trust and the exceptional Things We Lost in the Fire, will be happy that Mimi Parker and Alan Sparhawk’s harmonies are still spot-on. Although the slow-core fan base may be put off by the obvious change at first, upon further inspection it all will make perfect sense. You’d be a fool to miss this show in your very own backyard. Low plays Harlow’s, located at 2708 J Street, with Pedro the Lion at 10 p.m. on Monday. Admission is $12. Visit www.harlows.com for tickets and information.
(SN&R)

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster

Eddie March 17, 2005 0 Comment

Paramount Home Video

If you were one of the 10 people who saw this in the movie theater upon release, you already know that the members of Metallica have softened themselves beyond redemption. Once considered the kings of the Bay Area metal scene and perhaps the biggest metal band in the world, Lars Ulrich and company have reduced themselves to the lowest common denominator. Sure, it’s fascinating to see how much money gets thrown around the Metallica camp. From employing a full-time therapist for a five-figure monthly salary to new bassist Robert Trujillo’s $1 million signing bonus, we learn more than we need to about the Fab Three. Instead of live footage or rarities, Metallica fans have to watch Dave Mustaine’s breakdown during a therapy session. We all know James Hetfield is now clean and sober. Sadly, he was better drunk.

(SN&R)

John Sykes

Eddie March 17, 2005 0 Comment

Bad Boy Live!

John Sykes pretty much wrote Whitesnake’s 1987 self-titled album, along with David Coverdale. Although he was unceremoniously ousted from the group before videos and touring would commence, real Whitesnake fans knew of his enormous talent. Although Blue Murder, Sykes’ first post-Whitesnake group, disbanded after only two proper U.S. releases, he’s made a living with his own Y2K-compliant version of Thin Lizzy. Bad Boy Live!, available only at www.johnsykes.com, features Sykes playing songs from all of the aforementioned groups, in addition to his solo works. Marco Mendoza (Ted Nugent and Whitesnake), Tommy Aldridge (Pat Travers, Ozzy Osbourne and Whitesnake) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) round out the able quartet with a live collection culled from their latest trek to (where else?) Japan. 10 out of 10 studded belts.

(SN&R)