SN&R music writers reflect on experimental successes, rooftop shows, and all things #SacramentoProud
Earplugs (mostly) mandatory
Shocking mess: Bad sight lines and abysmal wait lines, awful early afternoon opening acts and major parking problems—many felt duped by this year’s Aftershock Festival. Although successful on a commercial scale, myriad details need to be worked out before the next one.
Still got love: The raucous Sonic Love Affair returned from the dead to open a show for Mudhoney and the Troublemakers in mid-October. It was so loud, many fans’ ears are still ringing.
Rooftop rocking: Locals Buff Clout played a blistering set of frenetic punk and rock-tinged fare to open one of the first WAL rooftop soirees back in May. Although the show was limited to only 50 patrons due to legal capacity constraints, Buff Clout got the party started right playing its guitar-driven experimental rock mix.
Rhyme pays: Local rapper and longtime member of the Cuf, emcee N8 the Gr8 brought his trio out to Harlow’s Restaurant & Nightclub and burned the house down with a spirited set of uplifting hip-hop.
Tribute time: A longtime tradition of great outdoor shows continued at Swabbie’s earlier this Summer with AC/DC tribute Riff/Raff. Mike Barnes, who sings for the group and books shows at the Garden Highway destination, put together one helluva bill that included the Who tribute act Whoville, which drew upward of 500 people to a place known more for its fish tacos and Bud Light offerings than music. Kudos.
Dead Meadow rose to notoriety with the release of Shivering King and Others on Matador Records in 2004, and the rest has been psych-rock history. With a catalog that spans seven studio albums and dates back to 2000, this trio is now a headliner across the country. Led by the guitar and vocal stylings of Jason Simon, the group is propelled by the able rhythm section of Steve Kille (bass and sitar) and Mark Laughlin (drums) to create a wall of stoner and psych rock swell unlike any other on the touring circuit. An analog liquid light show courtesy of Lance Gordon and Mad Alchemy will accompany the music. 1517 21st Street, www.deadmeadow.com.
Those who’ve been patiently following the slow rise of Los Angeles’ Yidhra already know this quartet delivers a heady brew of obnoxious guitar riffs at a pace reserved for the incapacitated. And while their new Cult Of Bathory EP doesn’t drop until early next year, the band has some great pre-order bundles available for the vinyl freaks. Fans of Corrosion of Conformity, Trouble and Saint Vitus will appreciate tracks like “Reign Of Terror” and the eight-minute epic “Iron Mountain.” Opening the show are the Bay Area’s Tvsk and local post-metal outfit Decade of Statues. 1517 21st Street, http://yidhra.bandcamp.com.
Have four quarters burning a hole in your pocket? For those who have two left feet or abysmal dance skills, the cost of these classes can’t be beat. The folks at the The Ballroom of Sacramento will be opening their doors to the public to teach partner dancing. The first class starts at 1 p.m. and focuses on the highly interpretive Latin American dance known as merengue. And while the 2/4 signature rhythms are fast-paced and usually tricky, teacher Andy K. will break everything down step by step. Also on the menu is a beginning waltz course taught by Mark Vangere whose steps will impress your wannabe high-brow friends. Lastly, there is an East Coast Swing class led by Johnny Ochoa for all you hipsters stuck in another time period. Each lesson is 45 minutes in length plus an added 15 minutes to practice what you learned. Anyone 12 and older is encouraged to join this not-so-lazy Sunday soiree, so dress appropriately and bring your most comfortable shoes. After the class is over, you’ll never have to go to a wedding and sit idle for fear of embarrassment on the dance floor. Check out this and other upcoming events at Facebook.com/theballroomofsacramento
Expecting big things: Although many fans and critics alike could argue about who started symphonic metal and when, most can agree the genre has made great strides in both the United States and abroad in the last 10 years.
Just look to Graveshadow, one such band with a growing fan base, not just in Sacramento, but also across the country and overseas. The group recently released its debut full-length record, Nocturnal Resurrection, on the Belgium-based Mausoleum Records and celebrated with quite the raucous crowd.
One might think that a local five-band CD release show on a rainy Sunday night would be destined for failure. But the band brought its A-game and drew upwards of 200 fans. More importantly, it also delivered a ferocious set replete with fan favorites including the infectious “Blink,” “Namesake” and album closer “Blood And Fire.”
Singer Heather Michele held court center stage with one foot often resting on her monitor while the able guitar duo of William Lloyd Walker and Matt Mitchell provided distortion and riffs steeped in progressive and symphonic metal. Bassist Ben Armstrong roamed the stage like a crazed madman playing his five-string bass, which complemented the double-bass drum quandary coming from Roman Anderson. Keyboardist Valerie Hudak was also a formidable force, providing some key headbanging along with, more importantly, impressive keyboard skills.
Geoff Miller, lead vocalist and guitarist of Sacramento’s very own Twilight Drifters, will be celebrating his birthday a day late at one of the city’s longest-running live-music venues, Old Ironsides. Fans of swing, ’50s rock, rockabilly, country and blues will find great reward in their 2013 release Hopped Up! Their wonderful nine-song platter showcases a trio who sounds as if they were birthed in another time period without sounding derivative. Local chanteuse Keri Carr joins the group on vocals. Opening the show are Peter Petty and KB & The Slingtones, along with DJ Dereck. 1901 10th Street, www.facebook.com/thetwilightdrifters.
For metal heads living in the Bay Area in the early to late ’80’s, the thrash scene here was unrivaled. Metal act, Death Angel, was formed in 1981 by a handful of Filipino cousins, and today still includes founding member and guitarist Rob Cavestany. The band had a very successful run of albums (The Ultra Violence and Frolic Through the Park) on Enigma Records and Geffen Records (Act III). However, lady luck was not on the band’s side when original drummer, Andy Galeon, was severely injured after their tour bus crashed en route to a gig in Las Vegas. The crash eventually led to the band’s break-up, as tragedy often does.
Thankfully, the band reunited in 2001 for the legendary Thrash of the Titans heavy metal benefit concert for Testament singer Chuck Billy at San Francisco’s now-defunct Maritime Hall. Alongside a handful of other bands who also joined in the cause, Death Angel learned that very night just how much the metal scene wanted and missed them. Since their Art Of Dying comeback release in 2004, they’ve been active and are now drawing larger numbers at home and abroad than ever before.
All Shook Down caught up with singer Mark Osegueda who had just returned from recording their next album in Florida. He talked about the new problem, the ’80’s thrash metal scene and, of course, the hilariously dubbed “2nd Annual Another Death Angel Christmas Show” happening at Slim’s this weekend.
All Shook Down: Word has it there is a new album looming. What’s up with that?
Mark Osegueda: We just finished recording at Audio Hammer in Sanford, Florida with Jason Suecof again. It’s the third time we’ve used him, and we couldn’t really be happier. This time, all the music was written and lyrics were written with the exception of one song which I purposely saved to write on the spot. Sometimes you can get a great vibe from a studio and draw inspiration from that. That song came out great. We’re looking at an April 2016 release date and songs include “Father Of Lies” and Lost.” I can’t tell you any others just yet, though. It’s got the aggressiveness of the last two records, but our songwriting has improved dramatically. Really, it sounds like Death Angel should.
In light of the recent massacre at The Bataclan in Paris, have you ever thought Death Angel might also be targeted simply because of your moniker?
That’s a tough one. Of course, I don’t want anything to happen to musicians or the fans at our concerts. Live shows should always be a sacred place that should not be messed with. Am I scared? A little, of course. I try not to let it get into my psyche. We’re in a band to record and then play music live. We can’t be preoccupied with what could happen.
What did you end up doing after the band’s breakup following the untimely bus accident?
When we officially called it quits in 1990, I ended up moving to New York to clear my head and get away from everyone and the scene. In 1993, I moved back to San Francisco and managed a vintage clothes store for many years called Wasteland on Haight Street. I slowly started getting back into music and then formed Swarm with Andy [original Death Angel drummer] and Rob. We ended up going on tour with Jerry Cantrell [of Alice In Chains].
Who thought up the idea to have annual Christmas shows? How many have you done to date?
The initial idea came up mid-way through last year. During the ’80’s, we also did a couple of shows around Christmas, and they were always a blast. We do some odd covers by groups like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and more. If The Beatles did it before in Liverpool, we can do it here. We hand-picked the bands. On Friday night, we have Flotsam & Jetsam and Holy Grail, and Saturday we’re keeping it local with our friends Mordred and Ghost Next Door. This is unofficially the second one.
The Big 4 of thrash metal (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax) was always based on popularity rather than influence. As a fan of Death Angel for nearly 30 years, I would consider Death Angel way more important than Anthrax ever was. Where do you think the band stands?
You know, we were definitely growing before we took a big break from 1990 to 2001. I can’t argue that the Big 4 bands were really established and deserved to be there. And while it makes sense, you can’t forget bands like Exodus, and you definitely can’t rewrite history. We’re enjoying a big resurgence in our music and we’re gonna keep coming out with strong albums, like The Dream Calls for Blood (2013) and Relentless Retribution (2010). If there was a Big 8, I would think we might be in the running.
What do the members do for a living in between tours?
Our bassist Damien Sisson is a delivery driver, lead guitarist Rob Cavestany teaches guitar lessons, rhythm guitarist Ted Aguilar does musical instrument repairs, and I bartend on occasion. Our drummer Will Carroll just plays drums and goes to lots of shows. I am also involved with a touring group of big metal musicians called Metal Allegiance. I’ve done a couple of shows with them already in New York and Mexico City. We’re going to Australia next year, and will be doing even more shows since the album came out recently.
Will there ever be a period as exciting as the late 80’s was for thrash metal?
I’m having such an amazing time right now living in the moment and loving everything that has come our way. Of course, you can never duplicate the intensity and camaraderie of the ’80’s thrash scene. It was a magical time when Death Angel would play out and you’d see Cliff Burton (former bassist of Metallica) hanging out and banging his head along to the music. Exodus were the kings of the Bay Area back then.
Death Angel headline the 2nd Annual Another Death Angel Christmas Show with Flotsam & Jetsam and Holy Grail at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18 at Slim’s, and again with Mordred and Ghost Next Door at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19; $24-$48.95; www.slimspresents.com.
Fri., Dec. 18, Center for the Arts, 8 p.m., $27-$30
Fans of Barbara Higbie, Lisa Lynne and Alex De Grassi take note: This show will only happen once around these parts, and it will also feature lesser-known musical artists George Tortorelli, Aryeh Frankfurter and Dr. Alex Kelly. Whether you’re into the flute, cello, harp or the acoustic styling of De Grassi alone, there will be something for everyone. Windham Hill, a respected name in top-shelf new age and seasonal music, presents a delightful package sure to please both the label’s longtime enthusiasts and newcomers. 314 West Main in Grass Valley, www.degrassi.com.
Christmas Jug Band calls itself “the kings of 100 percent acoustic folk-skiffle-swing holiday high jinks,” and the description couldn’t be any more apropos. For those who like to laugh and drink through the holidays, the Palms Playhouse will be party central for one raucous night. This cast of rotating Bay Area musicians does a handful of shows every year that, thankfully, includes the lost and forgotten town of Winters. Song titles include (but are in no way limited to) “Santa Lost a Ho” and the fan favorite “Rudolph the Bald-Headed Reindeer.” Come get your Christmas drink on. 13 Main Street in Winters, www.christmasjugband.com.
Local band The Nickel Slots are back and armed with an ambitious collection of seasonal favorites. The aptly titled Christmas with The Nickel Slots was released in early November and features four songs ranging in genre from pop to country to the more traditional Christmas fare. The collection also includes a song penned by band leader Tony Brusca aptly, yet oddly, titled “A Shot and a Beer for Christmas” that stands up against any odes to drinking or the holidays. Fans of Americana and alternative country have been packing clubs around the greater Sacramento Valley to see this four-piece and they even landed a coveted slot opening for Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band earlier this year at the Sleep Train Arena. As luck would have it, this Sammie award-winning band will be playing a show dubbed Rock Me Naughty 2 at The Powerhouse Pub in Folsom on Dec. 19, 2015, with The Infamous Swanks and Jitterbug Riot in tow. Come hear what some of the area’s hardest working bands are up to and, of course, spread some holiday cheer while knocking back some stiff drinks. Expect a lot of Christmas classics and bring some money to buy their new EP. Check out Thenickelslotsmusic.com to learn more about the band, and RSVP to the show by searching for the Rock Me Naughty 2 event page on Facebook.com.
Eddie
