Royalush at Billy O’s 1/28/13

Royalush wrapping up their month long residency at Billy O’s on Monday, January 28, 2013.  The guys rocked the joint!  Check out their official website.

 

Zoey’s Love Notes 1/19/13

A VERY special evening of song from some of Zoey’s favorites. Out of love for what they do, these talented artists gathered together on this one night to thank Zoey’s for providing an environment of community, family, collaboration and creativity. A truly magical evening for those in attendance as well as for the artists who shared the stage in support of Zoey’s.

The Gypsy Blues Room 1/10/13

Hi Hat Entertainment’s opening night of The Gypsy Blues Room at Peirano’s on Main Street.  The night was a complete success with amazing musicians.  Looking forward to a long successful run.

Totally Local VC & Surf Brewery Jam at Bombays 1/6/13

Totally Local VC & Surf Brewery pulled it off again with yet another amazing jam session hosted by 50 Sticks of Dynamite at Bombay Bar and Grill.

Ventura Jazz Collective at Amigos 1/3/13

The Ventura Jazz Collective played their first of what we hope is many gigs to come at Amigos.  Band featured Pablo Plasencia on bass, Garrett Miller on drums, Franklin Murphy on keyboards and Patrick Martin on Saxophone.

 

Totally Local VC & Surf Brewery Jam at Amigos 12/02/12

Great time at Amigos on Main Street, Downtown Ventura as Totally Local VC & Surf Brewery host their year end jam.  Musicians and fans alike had a great time!  The Bobby Hart Band led the jam all afternoon.

quid pro quo for VenturaRocks.com?

I was talking with Kat Merrick recently about an event coming up soon for Ventura. She was already talking with the promoters and working on helping to get the word out about the event and making sure they agree in return to place her business, Totally Local VC on their posters. She’s an awesome businesswoman. I love her! She then told them they should do the same for VenturaRocks.com even though she knew we’d be happy to promote it anyways.

VenturaRocks.com Logo

This idea of asking for something in return is a new one for VenturaRocks.com, but it makes sense no?
Does it cost anymore to place our logo on promo for events? No.
Are we keeping our word to never charge the Artists or the Venues to be on our site? Yes
Will it help get the word out about VenturaRocks.com when you do so? Yes.
Is putting VenturaRocks.com on promo a goodwill effort? Yes.
Is there an exchange – logo for free promo? Yes
Will getting the word out that VenturaRocks.com exists help the event? Yes/No.

And that’s something to think about. The more bands, venues, and promoters help spread the word about VenturaRocks.com, the more people will check in and find out what is happening. As a result, we hope to get more people out supporting music in our town. It may not be for your event at hand, they’re reading about the event already, but think in futures.

We believe it’s a Win-Win situation, no?  Or clearly, it’s quid pro quo (something given or received for something else).

I’ve often thought it odd that we get so little thanks from the folks we help promote. The bands and venues are the best at acknowledging us, but rarely do we get any feedback from promoters who stage shows at the Fairgrounds, or the Ventura Theater, or at Mission Park. We see thanks to others, but not for us. That being said, we remind ourselves that we’re not in it for the thanks. We’re not in it for the free tickets. We’re not in it for free stuff at all! We’re in it to help our music-related community.

We want to help boom the music scene in Ventura, and the more people who know about VenturaRocks.com, the better! In fact, even if you’re not an artist, you don’t have a venue, or you’re not a promoter, but you’re a music lover like us, it would be in everyone’s best interested to help spread the word as well.Tell a friend or two about us!

So in the future, we may request our logo be placed on promo posters and items, but even if you say, “NO WAY” you can still trust us to get the word out, that Ventura Rocks!!!

Army of Freshmen CD Release Party at Bombay’s 11/17/12

After 15 years together, The Army of Freshmen have released a new CD, Happy to be Alive.  The band packed Bombay’s and put on a great show!

Spencer the Gardener CD Release Party at Amigos 11/17/12

Spencer’s new CD Breaking My Own Heart is so much fun!  Must add to your collection if you love to dance, smile & party!

Concert Review: Adam Ant

Adam Ant’s performance at the Majestic Ventura Theatre Friday, October 19, 2012.

What a blast!  When I heard Adam Ant would be playing our very own Majestic Ventura Theatre, a rush of nostalga hit me.  I immediate recalled the days of driving with the windows all rolled down blasting KROQ standards like “Stand and Deliver” and “Goodie Two Shoes”….It was the days of big hair and even bigger dance moves.

Adam Ant hadn’t toured the US in 17 years, so it was quite exciting to be able to catch the show. Not only would Adam Ant be rockin’ the standards, but the tour was launched in conjuction with his upcoming album, “Adam Ant is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter.”  Yea, I know.  The word you’re looking for is “Anyways…”  So, yea, that’s the name of the album and he’s sticking to it.

Affectionately entitled, Adam Ant & the Good, the Mad & the Lovely Posse, the band arrived at the Majestic Ventura Theatre towards the tail end of the tour.  The place was packed with many old and just as many newer fans who were made up in “Ant-like” garb and make-up; people in the know call them Ant People.  The anticipation was thick in the air. People were smiling, happily waiting for Adam to take the stage to a sold out crowd. Soon enough, the lights went down, the band took the stage and Adam Ant promptly took his spot immediately commanding the room…and just as quickly, the crowd embraced Adam and all his glory dressed in his familiar pirate-like garb.  The old familiar songs blended extremely well with the newer ones and the joint never stopped rocking.  I loved the dual drummers, and singers in costume changes; it was a feast for the eyes and ears. Time and time again when the band would fire up the next tune, people would smile and look around as they recognized their favorite songs and again, the room would start dancing.  It was a fun night watching a true Brit icon.

I’m very much looking forward to the release of “Adam Ant is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter” which is scheduled to release January 2013.

Set List:

PLASTIC SURGERY
DOG EAT DOG
BEAT MY GUEST
KICK
CAR TROUBLE
ANTS INVASION
DEUTCHER GIRLS
STAND AND DELIVER
ROOM AT THE TOP
KINGS OF THE WILD FRONTIER
WONDERFUL
WHIP IN MY VALISE
VINCE TAYLOR
STRIP
DESPERATE NOT SERIOUS
CLEOPATRA
NEVER TRUST A MAN
ZEROX
ANTMUSIC
GOODY TWO SHOES
VIVE LE ROCK
CHRISTIAN D’OR
LADY/FALL IN

ENCORE

FAT FUN
RED SCAB
PRINCE CHARMING
GET IT ON / 20TH CENTURY BOY