Get down at the Spring Metal Meltdown Fest

Eddie April 30, 2015 No Comments

Spring Meltdown Metal Fest 2015 is at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 at Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor, 71 S. Wells Ave., 384-1652. Tickets are $20 for Friday, $30 for Saturday, and $45 for a VIP package. Advance tickets available at www.inticketing.com/events/SpringMeltdown2015/. For more info on the festival, visit www.facebook.com/BornDeadProductions.

It’s festival season again, and with it comes the veritable onslaught of multi-band bills with abbreviated sets and a flurry of activity for those working the event. Josh Lease of Tahoe-based Born Dead Productions, along with his partners in crime, have put together this year’s ninth annual Spring Metal Meltdown Fest, taking place May 1 and 2 at Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor in Reno.

Friday night will feature 17 bands beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday will feature a barbecue from noon to 1 p.m., which is when the first of 26 bands will kick off.

“We will have 25-minute set changes between sets,” said Lease. “I’ve held events similar to this a few times in Jub Jub’s before and it works out really well. Our Born Dead crew really help a lot as well by having a ton of experience running smaller tours to really large festivals.”

The festival includes a bevy of regional, national and local metal acts focusing on the extreme and thrash side of things. From Ghoul to Warbringer, Purification by Fire—Lease’s own band—to Conducting From The Grave, Embryonic Devourment to Blasphemous Creation, Awaiting the Apocalypse to Solitary Priapism, and Oden Sun to Symbolik, there’s something for every metalhead.

Because thrash veterans like Warbringer get larger guarantees, most of the opening acts have an understanding that there will be little money to go around after covering operating expenses like sound, lights, security, and all the necessary hospitality demanded—and deserved?—by the bigger acts.

“I take care of the bands that have been consistently promoting my shows and not griping,” said Lease. “Of course, touring bands that have driven are the first bands to be reimbursed. All of the bands that play with me know the deal.”

Lease’s main focus is Purification By Fire, an extreme metal band based in Grass Valley. He will also play in Idekay, which broke up in 2011, but will reunite for this show and another in South Lake Tahoe at Whiskey Dick’s Saloon.

“Purification By Fire just got done tracking drums for our yet-to-be-released new album, and we’re recording in Nevada City,” said Lease. “The song topics and lyrics are all over the map with some about fantasy, some about [history], and some just being gruesome. We do have one song called ’Dinner With The Donners.’ That talks about the history of the area, that’s pretty cool.”

And while there are only 450 tickets available for the two-day event, Lease aspires to a much larger event.

“I’m hoping that this year’s event actually grabs the attention of the industry folk or perhaps an investor or two to really take this thing to a whole new level for 2016,” he said. “Ideally, I’d love to turn Spring Meltdown Metal Festival into a European-style, open-air festival with camping. Since I’m an adrenaline junkie myself, it would be cool to add a big-air snowboarding event or rail jam someday down the road with some BMX jumps or maybe even some freestyle motocross in there.”

(RN&R)

Eight Gigs: The Tipsy Hustlers

Eddie April 23, 2015 No Comments

Sat., April 25, 9 p.m., Old Ironsides, $6

If you’re in the need of some high-energy funk and rock music with a heavy dollop of soul, Old Ironsides should be your destination this Saturday night. Tipsy Hustlers are led by the multitalented Ken Rudulph on vocals and guitar alongside longtime friend and bassist John Mullick. They will be joined by their former band’s guitarist, Vince Mellone from the defunct Mama’s Gravy, and have big plans for the night’s set list. This is also a CD re-release show for Pressure which was released in 2013, but now includes new songs and special remixes. Also on the bill are Back Alley Buzzards and Clouds Roll By. 1901 10th Street, www.facebook.com/TheTipsyHustlers.

(SN&R)

Onscreen equality

Eddie April 23, 2015 No Comments

April 30-May 1, Davis Feminist Film Festival

It’s no secret that women have suffered at the hands of the male species for centuries. Sexism still exists in countless settings and while many do their best to learn the nuances of what makes equality possible, education is key. This film festival, now in its 10th year and currently run by the UC Davis Women’s Resources and Research Center, offers a focus on art from women and people of color. Selections include the documentary In the Turn about a 10-year-old Canadian transgender girl. There’ll also be experimental genre flicks and traditional narrative films. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30, and Friday, May 1; $5-15 suggested donation. Veterans Memorial Center Theater, 203 East 14th Street in Davis; http://femfilmfest.ucdavis.edu.

(SN&R)

Eight Gigs: Imbibed by the Quasar

Eddie April 23, 2015 No Comments

Sun., April 26, 8:30 p.m., On the Y, $5

Booking veteran Tanaka Leal is putting on some high-quality metal shows around the Sacramento area. For the price of a coffee at Starbucks, you can catch some crazy death metal from Imbibed By The Quasar, which may just have the coolest band name ever. If you’re into frenetic, fast-paced death metal with some cool synthesizer workouts, these five lads will take you on a nauseating journey through time and space. If you’ve always wanted to know what it would feel like to be excreted and splattered into the stratosphere aurally, you best come out to this one. Also on the bill are Perfect Nightmare and Bloodgeon. 670 Fulton Ave, www.facebook.com/imbibedofficial.

(SN&R)

A ballet rom-com

Eddie April 16, 2015 No Comments

The Placer Theatre Ballet has been practicing its choreography and honing its stage skills to perform the lighthearted Coppélia, aided by the wonderful music of composer Léo Delibes. Unlike other cities that do not spend time nor money on their set pieces or wardrobe, this crew will be adorned in some of the most lavish costumes seen in quite some time. Additionally, the young cast will showcase some of the greatest talents in the Sacramento Valley and beyond. The event will help the nonprofit ballet company, which opens its doors for so many talented young folks who would otherwise remain unknown. If you’re into theatrical dance or would someday like to get your child involved, there has never been a better opportunity to see his or her reaction to a live production. Perhaps a rising star is living right under your own roof. Coppélia; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18; noon and 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19; $16-$24. Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom; www.placertheatreballet.org.

(SN&R)

Eight Gigs: Delhi 2 Dublin

Eddie April 16, 2015 No Comments

Sun., April 19, 8 p.m., Center for the Arts, $22-$24

What a difference a little time can make. Delhi 2 Dublin played to less than a handful of folks in Sacramento just a few years ago and has already ascended to headlining status at the gorgeous Center For The Arts. The Vancouver-based group caught attention through high-energy shows and blending such disparate genres as reggae, Celtic fare and global rhythms that make any pair of feet restless. After seven releases and incessant touring, the hard work of official members Tarun Nayar (tabla, electronics), Sanjay Seran (vocals) and Ravi Binning (dhol, dholak) has paid off and then some. Expect a diverse crowd with ages all over the map. 314 West Main Street in Grass Valley, www.delhi2dublin.com.
(SN&R)

Find your sonic boo

Eddie April 16, 2015 No Comments

WEgo Concerts

Having trouble finding a friend who likes world music? Always going to death metal shows by your lonesome? There’s an app for that thanks to the folks at Wëgo Concerts. It works like this: Connect to the service via Facebook, which will then comb through your iTunes library and link you to other users with similar tastes. Whether you’re looking to meet a future partner or wish to find a lifelong, platonic friend who also likes ambient trance music concerts, the options are limitless. www.wegoconcerts.com.
(SN&R)

Jeffrey Harris and Dylan Phillip, rappers

Eddie April 16, 2015 No Comments

Check out Capital City Music online at www.capitalcitymusic.biz. It can also be found at www.facebook.com/OfficialCapitalCityMusic or at https://soundcloud.com/capitalcitymusic.

Rappers and entrepreneurs Jeffrey Harris—stage name Hennessy—and Dylan Phillip are the two founders of Sacramento’s newest hip-hop collective, Capital City Music. Together, they’ve found that the best way to build credibility for themselves and the artists they serve has been through visibility, both online and on the streets. Both believe every local artist deserves a shot, a chance to be heard and a place among the music community. With their website recently launched, they’re looking to start getting artists involved. They took some time to talk about their organization, what they do to help new artists and how it all got started.

Let’s talk about the organization’s name. Where did it come from?

Jeffrey Harris: The name Capital City Music comes from the most lucrative and influential state in the U.S., California. It’s simple enough to be a no-brainer, but a broad enough idea to hopefully reach every capital city.

When did the idea come about and how did you two meet?

Dylan Phillip: The idea was started originally in late 2013 shortly after meeting each other at the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony concert. We later shared the stage for a benefit show at Harlow’s raising money for kids with cancer. It was then that we began collaborating on songs and ideas to help others in our region and help catapult our city’s youth to a larger audience.

Give us some background on what you’ve accomplished.

Harris: Previous to our upcoming, official company launch, we had established a strong local following and foundation by hitting the streets and doing lots of self-promotion before going public with our new website.

Big picture goals?

Harris: Our long-term goal is to provide a platform for artists setting up in every capital city across the United States. The goal is never charging an artist a dollar out of their pocket while still helping them obtain necessary tools and knowledge they can use to succeed in this field.

What services do you offer?

Harris: You can find local artists from California’s capital and their music being promoted daily on our website and SoundCloud. Posting songs of the day using the hashtag #CapcitySOD will allow our audience to vote at the end of the month on Twitter for their favorite song. That song, in turn, is played and promoted for another day and we, ultimately, will award the selected artist a five-minute interview and feature them as our #CapcityATM, artist of the month. Nevertheless, our main focus at the moment is our #CapcityFOY, freshman of the year, competition where one rap/hip-hop act and one rock act will be awarded an entire year of promotion. Also, as a bonus any music he/she releases during that year will be promoted through various social media outlets and more.

Middle Tennessee Music Group? What’s the connection there?

Phillip: Middle Tennessee Music Group is a major music blog in the state of Tennessee. Some of the founders are helping us get our first Cap City Music chapter extension in Tennessee, so we are already in full stride of making connections out of state. We’ve been working hard to make this a big deal and already having other media outlets wanting to get involved with our ideas just gives us even more encouragement to turn them into a reality.

How many artists have used Capital City Music for services?

Harris: As of right now, we have not launched or gone public, but we have had over 50 music submissions from local artists, producers and bands.

Any obstacles or haters?

Harris: Of course. Obtaining the capital and sponsors to provide these awards and services as well as the time out of our solo careers has been the biggest thus far. Still no hate or opposing opinions. We have yet to receive any. It’s really quite hard to argue with (or be mad at) what we are doing. We are 100 percent unbiased and welcome everyone.

Was this idea modeled after something you saw elsewhere?

Harris: Yeah. Watching the Bay Area host a similar formula and foundation, the Bay Area Freshman 10 Awards, for the region’s talents sparked the idea and we just took it from there.

Why is this important?

Phillip: We feel it’s necessary to bring positive reinforcement and awareness to the community about our future generation’s talent. We’re doing something not even the pioneers and forefathers before us have done for the area’s music scene. Now that we are the ones younger artists are looking up to, we feel it is our duty to create a non-biased democratic competition by releasing analysis and statistics from the Freshman of the Year results, which leaves no room for criticism or hard feelings.

(SN&R)

Shana Morrison brings veteran band to Folsom

Eddie April 9, 2015 No Comments

Shana Morrison and her band Caledonia are set to play at Powerhouse Pub on Sunday.

Marin County-based Shana Morrison has proved that talent runs deep in her family. Like her father, the great blues and jazz vocalist Van Morrison, she makes music on her own terms and earns a nice living doing so.

While she may never achieve the kind of acclaim her old man has, she’s managed to tour internationally, release several well-received records and continually grow the fan base of her bluesy pop rock music.

“It used to bother me (being billed as the daughter of Van Morrison), and I was very annoyed by it,” she said in a recent phone interview. “However, over the years I have learned it is a nice tag to have since I love his music and still sing with him whenever called upon. Also, I think everybody in the musical scene I grew up in had parents who were also quite famous, so it was normal to have that problem.”

Morrison, who plays Folsom’s Powerhouse Pub on April 12, still works alongside Van and just finished a tour cycle with him that ended in late 2014. “Last year I toured with my dad and we played Paris, Barcelona, Montreux, and played many other dates overseas,” she explained. “Over the last three years, I would open his show, sing backup for him during his set, and and also joined him for a couple of duets.”

She’s also featured prominently on his recently released record, “Duets: Re-working The Catalogue,” which also includes appearances by Steve Winwood, Natalie Cole, Mark Knopfler, Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples and others. Shana said his idea was “not to pick Top 10 hits but rather deeper cuts” that would work well for their two, juxtaposing voices.

When talking about her music, Morrison is quick to share the spotlight with her band members, dubbed Caledonia (which is also her middle name). She’s effusive about drummer Dawn Richardson, who also played in San Francisco’s 4 Non-Blondes. “I think singing and drumming are very similar activities since they’re both very aerobic,” she said. “We have an excellent drummer, and I truly believe drummers are the very foundation of the band.”

The band is rounded out by Ricc Sandoval, who handles guitar and background vocals duties; Jason Crosby, who helms the keyboards and violin, and assumes additional backing vocals; and longtime bassist Paul Olguin. All of the members of the band have recorded and toured with Morrison for more than a decade, and Olguin has been by her side for 16 years.

Their closeness comes across in what some might call an unusual practice regimen. “Just by looking at each other, we know what to do these days,” Morrison said. “We’ve got it down after all these years, and now we have an annual rehearsal where I introduce new songs.”

Over the years, Morrison, who grew up in Marin and graduated from Pepperdine University with a business degree in 1993, has not been as prolific as some of her fans would have hoped.

Since releasing her debut release simply titled “Caledonia” in 1999 – a collection of homemade recordings – she has released four full-length releases. Her latest release was 2010’s “Joyride.”

Morrison, however, says the long lapses in between records are intentional.

“My albums come less frequently since I use the money made from previous releases to help finance the next one,” she explained. “I like to play songs out over three to four years and let the audience choose what ones work and (the) ones that don’t. It’s a lot of extra work to do things this way, but financially it makes more sense as well.”

Folsom is familiar territory for Morrison, who said she is looking forward to the Sunday afternoon gig.

“We have been playing Folsom for quite a while now, off and on for over 10 years,” she said. “Sunday afternoon is always a great time for a nice show with dancing. My shows always have good crowds here.”

Shana Morrison & Caledonia

What: A 21-and-over show featuring Marin County-based musician Shana Morrison, daughter of Van Morrison

When: 3 p.m. April 12 Sunday

Where: Powerhouse Pub (614 Sutter St., Folsom)

Cost: $10 Information: (916) 355-8586, www.powerhousepub.com

(Sacramento Bee)

Eight Gigs: Antemasque

Eddie April 9, 2015 No Comments

Tues., April 14, 7 p.m., Ace of Spades, $20

Antemasque’s self-titled debut came out quietly late last year but gained popularity after the band started touring. While the band features former members of At the Drive-In and the Mars Volta (Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala), their music is always changing at a pace too rapid for their own fans to keep up. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea did play on and help record their album, but he’s not a member. Instead, the group is rounded out by Dave Elitch on drums and Marfred Rodríguez-López on bass. Fans of Omar and Cedric’s previous bands will love the catchy “4AM,” hooks in songs like “50,000 Kilowatts,” and the sheer power of “Providence.” 1417 R Street, http://antemasque.com.

(SN&R)