Singer Don Dokken is known for being a complicated guy. As frontman of Dokken, which started in 1976, he’s seen many bandmates come and go. Drummer Mick Brown, fortunately, lasted the majority of that time. The band rose to fame and fortune with guitarist George Lynch and bassist Jeff Pilson, but those two pivotal members are no longer part of the equation. If you’ve been dying to hear Dokken classics “Breaking the Chains,” “Alone Again” and “In My Dreams,” your thirst for quality glam and hard rock will be quenched. Restrayned, Roswell and Force of Habit open the show; so come early and support your locals. 1417 R Street, www.dokkencentral.com.
Italy’s Ufomammut has produced some of the greatest atmospheric doom metal in years. Since starting the band 16 years ago, this trio has paid tribute to its most obvious influence, early Pink Floyd, and incorporated an ethereal heaviness not readily found in the genre. Ecate is Ufomammut’s latest six-song release and features many tracks that are much too long for any commercial station. The new album strikes many internal chords on tracks like the pummeling “Plouton” and the ambient track “Revelation,” which recalls moments of Jean-Michel Jarre during his Oxygene era. Uffomammut’s joined this night by Usnea, Lycus and Church—are all headliners in their own right. 2030 P Street, www.ufomammut.com.
Mordred and The Ghost Next Door at Bottom of the Hill
Many San Francisco venues have the advantage of being centrally located or near areas with lots of foot traffic. Other venues, like Bottom of the Hill (located at 17th & Texas Streets), are located off the grid and only draw folks to the area that already made plans well in advance.
Talent buyer Ramona Downey, who has done a splendid job of booking local, regional, national, and international talent for years, hit yet another home run Friday night when she booked the Bay Area’s once dormant Mordred to play a warm-up date before its European tour.
Not only was the turnout solid, a veritable who’s who of the local scene from the much missed Omni (now defunct venue in Oakland) and The Stone (also closed but once located in San Francisco on Broadway amid a bevy of strip clubs) days was in attendance.
Berkeley’s The Ghost Next Door played main support and dished out a heaping serving of experimental and slightly progressive rock and metal as the night’s support act.
The band recently released its self-titled album on Mausoleum Records, a Belgium-based label who’ve put out records by the likes of Voivod, Warhead, Ostrogoth, Hirax, and Hawkwind.
The band’s setlist included tracks from the new album including the plodding “Eleven O’Clock Blues” which is fast becoming the band’s hit on YouTube. Although the band’s sound shows hard rock leanings that point toward Alice In Chains or even Gruntruck, it has much more going on live and is far darker in scope. Also of worthy mention and soon to be a fan favorite as evidenced by crowd reaction, was a new song called “Behind The Mask” marked by subtle and then abrupt mood shifts.
Drummer Paula Sisson and bassist Seanam Gridley worked wonders together against the formidable guitar onslaught of Aaron Ashgari and bandleader / singer Gary Wendt (previously of thrash legends Sacrilege B.C. and Release).
After a brief set change, Mordred exploded onto the stage just around 11:30 p.m. and hit its hungry fans hard with “State Of Mind,” the lead track from its long out-of-print Fool’s Game record released in 1989. From then on, nearly everyone cleared out of the back patio area to hear classics many haven’t heard in 30 years.
For the uninitiated, Mordred came onto the scene in 1984. And while the group started out as a much different beast playing heavy metal, band member changes ensued and its eventual sound — a rap, funk, and metal hybrid — got the band signed to Noise Records. Consequently, the band landed a coveted support slot playing overseas supporting Ice T & Body Count and became a headliner abroad seemingly overnight.
Singer Scott Holderby, who once mirrored a young Mike Patton during his early Mr. Bungle and Faith No More days, looked and sounded great though missing his long, trademark mane and opting for a clean-faced, black clothes mafioso-style ensemble.
Art Liboon’s bass was most deafening at the start of the set and made songs like “Spectacle Of Fear”and “Killing Time” sound immense but, at times, quite nerve-racking in the main room. Unfortunately, he would later encounter some technical issues which the band would eventually find out was a fried cord.
Jeff Gomes (of Fungo Mungo and M.I.R.V. fame), who replaced previous drummer Gannon Hall awhile back, was ferocious on his custom Montineri drum kit and often led the band into the next song with a hard-hitting groove. Although he played the original songs like “Everyday’s A Holiday” a lot harder and was certainly more cymbal heavy than his predecessor, his style worked alarmingly well with the band against the backdrop of guitarists Danny White and James Sanguinetti.
Other highlights included “The Vagrant” from the hard-to-find Vision EP featuring the highly talented DJ Aaron “Pause” Vaughn on the 1’s and 2’s and older fare like “Sever And Splice” which featured some nice guitar handy work by Sanguinetti.
Unlike some of the current indie and rock scenes, the Bay Area thrash scene during the late ’80s was a tight-knit community. Judging by the many smiles on members and ex-members of Mordred, Forbidden, and Death Angel in attendance (as well as many lesser known local bands of note), this Friday evening couldn’t have been any better and a friendly reminder what a special time it was to be making music back then.
Seeing drunken thirty and forty-somethings slam dancing with shit-eating grins was a laugh and a half. Many ended up in the pit after being randomly shoved in, only adding to the fun.
Europe, you’re in for a big treat come early August. Buy your tickets now.
Critic’s Notebook:
— Thalmus Pace, Mordred’s longtime roadie and friend, was the star and obvious MVP of the night. He stood side stage during the band’s 100+ minute set holding bottles of Blue Moon beer and a constantly lit joint. But instead of delivering it to the band in between songs (as customary), Pace dodged between members like a true professional, delivering herb and libations to DJ Pause while many stood in awe at his ability to criss-cross the stage without running into anyone.
— Bottom of the Hill still has one of the greatest auras of any Bay Area venue and always has a smart, friendly staff who engage and still talk to customers. Even if you only visit once a year, it’s a special place that always recalls good times. From the doorman to the bar staff, any club owner would kill to have these folks in their crew.
— Parking in this area is always easy unlike other Bay Area clubs. Should you see something that piques your interest, this is one place where you won’t have to circle the block of the club for 30 or more minutes. Once more, they serve up some great pub grub so you don’t need to leave during the show if you’re hungry. Order early, as it can close down if orders are slow.
If you’re of South American descent or, more specifically, from the Brazilian culture, you’re likely aware that there aren’t many options to find Brazilian goods around here, and you’re probably used to traveling to San Francisco or the East Bay to find traditional Brazilian foods. There is something much closer in the Sacramento Valley these days thanks to Odair Da Silva, a.k.a. Junior, who runs a store appropriately called Brazilian Portuguese Online Grocery Store, located in Elk Grove. The store’s goods are available by appointment only and it’s open every day except Monday. His store, which is licensed and certified by the city and state, is run out of his ultraclean garage and has been doing business since opening in November 2014. He took a few minutes to talk about his store, his transition in moving from Brazil to Elk Grove and the guidance of faith in his life.
Why did you come to Elk Grove, of all the cities in California?
I got invited for a discipleship program called a Master’s Commission for Harvest Church [in Elk Grove]. The school paid for me to come every day and I was attending school for eight hours a day for one-and-a-half years, starting in 2002. It’s technically a nondenominational church but considers itself an Assembly Of God.
How else has faith impacted your life?
I’ve lived in the United States for 14 years now. Believe it or not, I met my wife at Burger King at Stockton Boulevard. I prayed to get married for many years and one day I was driving to Carl’s Jr. and a voice inside my heart said I should go to Burger King. When I walked inside, I looked to my left and saw four girls. I was shaking and nervous so I drove immediately home. As luck would have it, the very next Sunday, [one of those girls] sat in front of me in church. I asked her on a date and then asked her to marry me on the second date. As of May 17, we will celebrate 11 years together. We have have a young boy (9 years old) and a little girl (6 years old).
How do you keep in touch with your Brazilian roots?
I go every five years because of my family’s growth and size. We now have two kids and it costs more to travel. I miss my brother, mom and my dad, but I use FaceTime every day for 20 minutes or more to keep in touch.
What do you like about California and its culture?
There are so many things I love about being here. The mix of people and the different friendships I’ve made here have really made a big difference in my life. I’ve made friends with [people from] many cultures including Mexicans, Haitians, Chinese, Japanese, Africans, Fijians and countless others. I also enjoy all the wonderful styles of food and will eat virtually anything.
You must get lots of repeat customers, since you’re a big people person.
We definitely have lots of repeat customers and the word has been spreading through our website, social media—Facebook has helped me a lot—and, of course, simple word of mouth. At present, I do not cater events or make hot food, but I sell coxinhas [Brazilian chicken croquettes] and many other Brazilian frozen foods that can be prepared at home quickly. Thankfully, my customers that make appointments and travel here from all over the Sacramento Valley and beyond love my stuff. We have customers coming that aren’t Brazilian as well. I have Chinese customers that love our pure guava juice. Americans usually come here since I get some of the best pure acai and caju juice [juice from cashew fruits] from my distributor and can keep the prices affordable. I sell only the freshest foods and am very aware of my customer’s expectations and mine since I have seen many businesses sell expired or near-expired foods.
Was it hard to get the store set up to be a legitimate business?
The process was very easy. You have to ask the city for all the requirements to make sure you’re obeying food-code laws and more. After that, you need to file a handful of paperwork and pay a small annual fee of $150. The city is very thorough and take your fingerprints along with running background checks to make sure people doing business are not criminals.
When do you plan to open the food truck?
Just recently, my dreams of having a food truck were shattered when the Chicago-based company I gave $50,000 went suddenly bankrupt. The company was then sold off and the guy who I trusted disappeared. I have had lawyers look into it but he has gone underground and cannot be found.
There are plans to open a proper brick-and-mortar store, correct?
Of course. My plan is to start a new business that is half restaurant and half store. I haven’t got a solid date yet since the plans are still in the works and so is the location. I hope to sell half Brazilian and half Portuguese food fare like octopus and codfish at the restaurant since my grandfather is from Portugal. It will happen. These things take time, you know?
Whatever your opinion on the Vietnam War and its aftermath, it’s good to honor the men and women who fought over there. In a war where success was measured by death toll rather than foreign diplomacy, the battle between South and North Vietnam took many of California’s youth. The Vietnam Veterans of America Charter 500 have not forgotten any of this. All 5,823 soldiers, either killed or missing in action, will be remembered starting at 7 a.m., Sunday, May 24. Free; California State Capitol Park, 13th and L streets; www.norcaltrav.com/vva500.htm.
This Memorial Day show takes place after you’ve likely returned from multiple hours of cursing in hellish traffic. Hubris is a black-metal band from Buffalo, New York, that released a ferocious self-titled album in 2012. It has a new album on the way but will be touring the states to bring nauseating riffs to the ears of any willing participants. Like any good East Coast black-metal band, the band members’ true identities are hidden by nearly unpronounceable names like Hellskald, Melkorpse, Lichfiend and Deragore. This all-ages soiree features Murrum, Valley of Thorns, Cataclysmic Assault and Electrocuted By The Third Rail. 3512 Stockton Boulevard, www.facebook.com/thetruehubris.
Sat., May 23, 8 p.m., Back 9 Sports Bar & Grill, $13-$15
Founding member and bandleader Bill Manspeaker (a.k.a. Moronic Dicktator) probably never expected his comedy rock band would be around for 34 years. The band was called Green Jellö before the litigious losers at Kraft Foods stepped in and made them drop the “O” for fear it would tarnish the Jell-O brand name. What started as basically a joke recording in Manspeaker’s bedroom turned into an official DIY release, the “Let It Be” 7-inch single. Come see a crazy band donning ridiculous costumes. If you don’t smile at this one, you’re probably already dead. Also on the bill are Sour Diesel, Korean Fire Drill, California Riot Act and ATALA. 7925 Arcadia Drive in Citrus Heights, www.facebook.com/greenjellosuxx.
Unlike most of the sludge bands that feature indiscernible vocals and often choose feedback over harmony, Miami’s Torche has proven that melody-fueled optimism can be coupled with heavy riffage without losing any ferocity. Restarter is the band’s first for boundary-breaking Relapse Records, and on it the band dials back a tiny bit on the pop its been polishing on the last couple of albums and adds a bit more downtuned heaviness. Even so, beginning with the very heavy and groovy “Annihilation Affair,” which sounds reminiscent of the more melodic moments of doom-metalers Pallbearer and Yob, the band shows it hasn’t completely abandoned its pop sensibilities. “Loose Men” almost sounds like a rock single, with its catchy guitar returns and Queens of the Stone Age-esquer groove. And “Undone” could be dropped into a Mastodon set without fans being any wiser. Is Restarter the band’s best album yet? That’s debatable. In 2008, nothing touched Meanderthal, and the album still stands tall. But Restarter is superb as well; one of the best releases of 2015 so far.
Jello Biafra fronted the Dead Kennedys and released some of the most ferocious, vitriol-fueled punk ever. He plays the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma this Friday.
Unlike much of the punk rock diaspora that didn’t have the education or wherewithal to tackle topics like politics, organized religion and everything in between, Biafra was an anomaly. His current band features some impressive Sonoma County brethren including guitarist Ralph Spight and bassist Larry Boothroyd, both of punk trio, Victims Family. Dead Kennedys’ sound, a blend of surf, rock, punk, avant-garde songs arrangements, is still alive in well but resides with Biafra rather than the members who now make a mockery of the moniker. His band today gets much more respect for remaining loyal to its mission of steering clear of corporate-sponsorship.
Dubbed by Jello himself now as “the world’s greediest karaoke band” band, today’s Dead Kennedys have seemingly done everything wrong since breaking up the original band. Jello, on the other hand, has been doing everything right. From his on-the-spot spoken word to his Lard project to appearances with Nomeansno, The Melvins, D.O.A. , and countless others, it would seem he can do no wrong. His band plays the DK classics along with material from their own records and are a sight and sound for sore eyes and ears. Come see for yourself.
Jello Biafra And The Guantanamo School Of Medicine play with The Vibrating Antennas and Acrylics at the Phoenix Theatre. Doors open at 7pm doors, 8pm start. Tickets are $16 advance and $18 at the door. All ages are welcome. 201 Washington St. Petaluma. 707.762.3565.
Eddie
