Fans of both rural blues and singer-songwriter fare will be pleased to know Atlanta, Georgia-based Mouths of Babes have routed a stop in Sacramento on their current set of West Coast dates. After a handful of releases under the Girlyman moniker, singer and mandolin player Tylan “Ty” Greenstein decided to put together a duo with her girlfriend and partner in crime, Ingrid Elizabeth (from Coyote Grace). The result is a wonderful collection of well-executed soul with heaping dollops of celebratory blues and folk styling. This pair of road warriors sound refreshingly new and breathe life into a seemingly overcrowded genre. Although relatively new to the scene—the group formed in 2014 —the members quickly gained traction both within the general populace and the LGBT community in part to the well-timed Faith and Fumes EP (2014). Those who enjoy acoustic music rich in passion and fervor would be wise to check out their midweek show at Harlow’s. And while the two women are babes in their own right, their musical talent and inherent charm onstage is the real lure. Buy tickets now at Harlows.com and follow them at Mouthsofbabesmusic.com.
Enjoy guitar-driven rock? Like playing air guitar, bass and drums? As luck would have it, the Bay Area’s own Points North—Eric Barnett (guitar), Uriah Duffy (bass) and Kevin Aiello (drums)—will play a proper show in the Sacramento Valley, opening for bassist extraordinaire Stu Hamm. The trio released a self-titled album on Magna Carta earlier last year—a wonderful collection of hard rockers, instrumental ballads (see the magnificent “Child’s Play” for reference) and much more. Come early and get a spot to have your doors blown off. 2708 J Street, www.pointsnorthband.com.
Misamore are one of the few Sacramento acts who aren’t actively chasing the all-elusive record deal and, more importantly, aren’t in a hurry to write and record music. And although many of the local bands who are featured on 98 Rock and other like-minded stations seemed rushed and even coerced at times, this is one trio who write music for themselves first and foremost.
Unlike countless short-lived bands unceremoniously lumped into the hard rock diaspora, Misamore’s moves are strategic and very calculated. Even while recording, the three members—Josh Amolsch (guitar and vocals), Mike Dragony (bass) and Ryan Maples (drums)—were not afraid to take their sweet time in the studio. Monolith, their new yet-to-be-released 10-song platter, took a whopping 24 months to record.
Propelled by a mutual desire to create melodic radio-driven rock—a la Alice in Chains, Helmet, Deftones, Sparta and more—each member offers up input equally, making Misamore somewhat of an anomaly in a scene whose chief songwriters rarely want to share songwriting credits. As a result, it’s band-written songs like “Bloody Mary” which are slowly gaining traction and getting airplay in the area.
For a trio that labels itself an outsider in the music community and admittedly gets forgotten when it comes to festivals and the like, this is one act who needs little help from any institution to prove their worth. As such, Misamore already has a game plan in place for 2016 and are trading shows with other bands from other South Bay and Bay Area cities in an effort to get heard and be seen.
Submerge caught up with founding member Josh Amolsch to get the skinny on the little band that seemingly always could.
Why did the album take so long to record and write? It was written well before we went into the studio, yet it took so long because of the cost. First, we didn’t go to a cheap studio or a place with a deal per song. Second, we didn’t hire a producer and wanted a person with great gear already that knew how to use it. Lastly, we went around to many of the area’s top studios and got a vibe for each of the studios and the engineer. We knew it would take a little while and interviewed folks, but, in the end, Velvet Tone studio and Pat Olguin gave us the best vibe. It was like our own rehearsal studio, and we enjoyed it being rough around the edges. It was kind of like an old pair of shoes and it just felt good.
The band formed originally in 2003. Has the lineup always been the same? I started the band in 2003 and had a handful of drummers and bass players. I also moved to Texas in 2006 and came back. Our current bass player is a friend of mine, and I convinced him in 2007 to start playing together. We picked up our drummer Ryan in December 2010 just before our first album, the Horizon EP, came out. It’s been the three of us exclusively since our previous singer quit in 2012. From 2003–2009 we had no singer.
There must still be some tension with you and some of the older members, correct? Honestly, we don’t really have any past member we have a problem with. There’s a couple of ex-members of Misamore that left and we don’t know what happened to them … and there’s one other we won’t mention.
What about unreleased takes that will be available as bonus tracks or B-sides? No. We went in with 10 set ideas and came out with those same 10 ideas. Also, we had a lot of time in between the albums, but did one single in between the two in a different studio called “Preset Numb.”
What local bands do you align yourselves with and/or like? Any band that comes off heavy and are nice you just can’t help like. I like Restrayned and Fall Rise. I wish I could get to know more these days, but I’m busy with my day job. More importantly, we try to not listen to anything going on in the scene for influences and try to be friends with bands who align themselves with us.
So what pays the bills when you’re not siphoning money into the band? I’m a real estate agent for Lyon. They have reps all over town there are many different brokerages and is actually No. 1 in four or five counties. There are thousands of agents around here yet I am in a very small and successful team under Elizabeth Weintraub. We are actually No. 2 for Lyon real estate. Mike, our bass player, works as a warehouse manager for a networking company and drummer Ryan Maples provides transport and assistance for disabled people.
Why don’t we see Misamore out all over town passing out handbills like the early days? When you’re younger, you go to every show. Now we are all very busy focusing on our stuff. Sure, we want to go out there and make new music and it’s always in the back of our heads that we’d like to play the biggest stages, but it’s not something we’re counting on since we don’t get out like many others do. At the end of the day, we just want to write the best music we can make.
Tell us about the personalities of the other members. Surely there must be a reason for this group coming together. What’s great about our band is that everyone understands their role. I never wanted to be a leader and all the members now have creative control. We treat this band as a complete democracy and I like that everyone is on board with talking things out first before doing. We actually talk to each other more than we play, believe it or not. Ryan is younger than us and this is the first band he’s had that plays shows out of town. Mike and I have taught him a lot since we have been in bands for quite a long time. Ryan also trusts we are making the right decisions and has even learned double bass technique after joining us.
If you’re going to be serious, you would ultimately need to secure a proper U.S. agent. Are you actively looking for one? No. Sure, we would love one but we don’t have the time and aren’t actively looking. Also, we have very busy lives and tours take up so much time.
How many shows do you play in a given calendar year? We play anywhere from 10 to 12 shows a year. For the last couple of years, we’ve been shooting for around 75 percent out of town and the rest in town. We’ve played in Santa Cruz at the Catalyst Club inside the Atrium, the Elbo Room in San Francisco, Rooster’s Roadhouse in Alameda and more.
What can you tell us about the opening bands for your CD release show at Blue Lamp? To start, we have our friends in Dimidium who are from San Jose. We just recently played with them and some locals at the District Theater in Gilroy on the band’s 13th annual Festival of Fools. It was great. Blood Party was another band we also met at a show with other friends. Opener Highway XII are from Oakland and they played with us a long time ago.
Misamore has an album release show on Saturday, April 16, 2016 in Sacramento at Blue Lamp, located at 1400 Alhambra Boulevard. The show starts at 5 p.m., and the cover is $10. 21-and-over only.
Fri., Apr. 15, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 8 p.m., $45-$52
If being in a crowd that’s high on life in addition to numerous other not-so-legal substances is not your thing, it would be wise to steer clear of George Clinton’s funk night in the foothills. Those looking to hear music from both Parliament and Funkadelic eras will be delighted to know the 74-year-old bandleader hasn’t lost a step, and his live members are certainly no slouches. Odds are, every child of the ’70s and ’80s has heard “Flash Light” or “Aqua Boogie,” as both songs both got much airplay. 255 South Auburn Street in Grass Valley, www.georgeclinton.com.
The staff at Submerge knows many of you lead a boring life that involves work, sleep and more work. In an attempt to break the disastrous cycle which takes extra years off your life and makes you a recluse by default, all are hereby summoned to Sacramento State’s “Sunday Funday” event. Once more, it serves as an open window to the activities of the college’s faculty and students alike. Check out the many programs most didn’t even know existed and see if any fit into your daily regimen (or lack thereof). And while we’re certainly not insinuating your life is dull and devoid of meaning, missing this fiesta would prove otherwise. Things kick off on Sunday, April 17 at 11 a.m. on the Sac State campus, and there is even free parking at parking structure II. It goes without saying this event is free and there are also activities to keep your kids stimulated. Events include library exhibits, mask making, short films, food trucks, a celebration of both Japanese and Italian cultures, a musical petting zoo, a kazoo parade (!!!) and much more. If you’re still reading this on Sunday, put the paper down in a safe spot and head to the campus with all due speed. For more info, go to CSUS.edu/al.
Although the ‘70s were a wholly decadent time, Pete Townsend and The Who were already indulging in heady compositions long before then. Unlike other records in the group’s storied catalog, their fourth album, the grandiose rock opera Tommy (1969), was an ambitious undertaking for a group who, for the most part, excelled at turning it up to 11 with great effect. Tommy was a massive success and later spawned a film, stage production and even a full-blown orchestral version. The Falcon’s Eye, born from the Department of Theatre and Cinema at Folsom Lake College, will be presenting the five-time Tony Award-winning musical to the public and it will surely be one of the most talked about productions on Harris Center’s already impressive calendar. Curious audiophiles and Broadway-loving show goers alike will find great reward in this local production from a troupe whose track record speaks for itself. Tickets are $20 (or $12 for students) and can be purchased through Harriscenter.net. Come see what that deaf, dumb and blind boy could achieve if given the opportunity. Learn more at Falconseyetheatre.com.
Those who’ve revelled in the spectacle that is Cirque Du Soleil should find ample reward in Circa, born more than 10 years ago in Australia, which incorporates difficult yet compelling circus acts like trapeze and Chinese pole exercises with reckless aplomb. And while the music is not your standard show fare—expect electronica, cheeky ballads and even show tunes—the odd musical choices don’t seem so strange when paired with talented performers and acrobatic feats. Those who get depressed watching others literally fold their bodies in half and contort into forms never imaginable in this lifetime should realize these exhibitionists have worked for countless years to hone their skills. Surfing the Internet and staring blankly at the clock at your mundane job doesn’t count, OK? We love our readers but want to be realistic. Not even our talented editor or our classless freelancers could do what the Aussies can. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime thrill and make plans well in advance as these dates are expected to sell capacity numbers. Odds are most have never seen some of the many tricks they’ll see and, more importantly, everyone has a chance to show their partner a good time that both parties will enjoy. Winner winner … Vegemite sandwich dinner. Go to Mondaviarts.org for tickets.
At this beginner’s workshop, anyone and everyone will be afforded the rare opportunity to learn how to effectively improve his/her chalkboard and hand lettering skills. And while your handwriting may resemble something that a cat just scratched, it’s very possible this class will serve as some mysterious form of redemption. Located in a suite adjacent to Whole Foods in Roseville’s upscale Fountains shopping area, this $75 class aims to teach about all facets of writing including patterns, spacing, faux calligraphy, centering and more. Over the course of two hours, those ready to learn and participate will gain valuable insight about using different surfaces and mediums. All materials will be provided at registration and nobody will leave empty-handed. From metallic pens to artist-grade pens and even paint pens, class participants will soon find this seemingly expensive class fee is not so expensive at all. What are you waiting for? Put this paper down (temporarily, of course) and get yourself signed up. For more info, visit the workshops section of Pigmentandparchment.com.
What started with the listing of a couple of well-known acts at the NorCal Tattoo & Music Festival has turned into three solid days of local, regional and national acts. The event’s biggest draw is Saturday night’s headliner, Death Angel. The Bay Area band will be releasing its eighth studio album on Nuclear Blast records, titled The Evil Divide, in late May and will more than likely be debuting a couple of tunes. For the self-proclaimed metalheads who don’t own any DA albums, start with The Ultra Violence (1987) and Frolic Through The Park (1988).1600 Exposition Boulevard, www.deathangel.us.
Eddie
