Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 7/17 – 7/30

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

The Ventura Music Festival’s annual free concert will be held once again at Mission Park with Incendio (high octane Latin guitar) on Thursday, July 18, show starts at 5:30 pm. The festival’s final performances will be held at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center with Joey Alexander Trio on July 19; Ranky Tanky on July 20 and Rastrelli Cello quartet on July 21.

The Ventura Fair opens August 2; this is just a reminder, if you want to take in more than 4 concerts (which are included in the price of admission), you should consider getting a WOW pass before the fair opens which gets you entry everyday saving you beaucoup bucks. See full lineup and ticket information at VenturaCountyFair.org.

Just a head’s up, Spencer Makenzie’s Annual End of Summer Block Party falls over the weekend of August 23 – 25. Don’t miss their free concert which will fall on Saturday with Johnny and the Love Handles, Dave Rae and Mandex.

I am loving all the local punk bands supporting T.S.O.L. at the Ventura Theater on Friday, July 26; just a few of the bands include Stalag 13, Ill Repute, The Grim, and The Robot Uprising.

Tequila and Taco Music Festival returns to town over the weekend of July 20 and 21 at Plaza Park with Bruno and the Hooligans, a tribute to Bruno Mars, along with Instone, Sambada, Adelaide and Upstream. Find out more at TequilaAndTacoMusicFestival.com.

Music Under the Stars series continues on Saturday nights at Olivas Adobe with Sound Effect (sold out) on July 20 and Rodeo Drive on July 27. Know this, all final shows for the rest of the summer are sold out.

Quick Notes: Munch at the Museum this month features Sandi Ellen Anderson on Thursday, July 18 (11:30 am – 1:30 pm); Pyrate Punx has a show at Hong Kong Inn with False Confession, 3 Day Holocaust, Civil Conflict and Trash on Thursday, July 18; Alpine Camp Band plays Leashless Brewing’s Vtown Get Down Festival on Saturday, July 20; Bad Religion sold out for their show at Ventura Theater on Friday, July 19; Ventura’s Psychedelic Summer debuts at Oak and Main on Friday, July 19 (dress up!); Jen Staves returns to Ventura with her Bluzfish Trio on Sunday, July 21 at Plan B Wine Cellers; Actor Jeff Bridges performs his music at Discovery on Wednesday, July 24; The Garage welcomes Tanglers out of Vancouver on Friday, July 26; And the Caverns return to town with a show at Saloon on Friday, July 26.

Many thanks to JD Drury and his crew for pulling off another amazing Surf Rodeo. Of course, I miss them at Pierpont Beach where I could park at home and walk over, but I’m loving the vibe at the Pier.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 2/17 – 3/1

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“It’s the Dude!”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Jeff Bridges at Discovery February 28, 2016

Jeff Bridges at Discovery February 28, 2016

Ventura’s music community is not only comprised of talented artists, but the people who support live music are just as important to the scene.  When we lost Chris Pinger of the band Malice Thoughts, his friends quickly pulled together a fundraiser to help Pinger’s family with the cost of his funeral. The fundraising event will be held at Bombay’s on Saturday, February 20, with a silent auction and other ways to make a donation.  Bands on the bill include his former bandmates in Malice Thoughts, The Kane Gang, Grim, The NaVaNaX, and Civil Conflict.  Chris lost his life while being driven by a drunk driver, a somber reminder to all of us to not drink and drive, to not get in the car with someone else who has been drinking, and to think ahead about alternative ways of getting home safely.

You won’t want to miss an evening of music and conversation with Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges February 28 at Discovery.  Seriously, how can you pass up an evening with “The Dude” and in a bowling alley no less?

Jerry Vivino, the bandleader for the Conan O’Brien Show returns to the Squashed Grapes Saturday, February 20.

Saturday, February 27 at the Garage on the east end of town will play host to one rockin’ punk show featuring The Dickies with Ill Repute and Mothers of Dissension. You should remember the Dickies, “Stuck in a Pagoda with Tricia Toyota” and other quirky punk tunes.

If swing is your thing, then you’ll want to dress up and be a part of the Speakeasy Swing Dance with The Barrelhouse Wailers on Saturday, February 20 at the Ventura Beach Club. The event will kick off with swing dance lessons with Kim Clever and David Frutos at 8 pm and then the band follows 9 to midnight.

Dan Grimm’s song, “Peachy Keen” was played on the “New Girl” show staring Zooey Deschanel this month.

Joy Burnworth who has been playing a number of gigs here in Ventura the past few months including one at Grapes and Hops recently received the fantastic news that she’s the new lead singer for Jefferson Starship starting initially as a first sub for Cathy Richerdson who had apparently quit the band last year.

Congratulations to Ventura County Blues Society’s Delgado Brothers for winning the Memphis challenge.  The band took the top prize this past month beating out 250 other bands from all over the world.  Last year our very own Crooked Eye Tommy made it to the semifinals.

And speaking of Crooked Eye Tommy, the newest episode of Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media is now airing featuring Crooked Eye Tommy. There’s a link to the show on VenturaRocks.com as well as being on the schedule this month on CAPS Media.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing?  Send all information short or long to  Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/15 – 4/28

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Toast the Train!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

150415_JenStavesWe had a blast at the Second Sunday Supper at Plan B Wine Cellars feathering the amazing Jen Staves and the Bluzfish.  Plan B is also hosting the Afternoon Blues Series now through September with Blues lined up on the first Saturday of the month.  The next soiree will be on May 2nd with the Shari Puroto Band.  Bring your chair and toast the train!

You’ll find music both days downtown on Main Street the weekend of the 18th and 19th.   On Saturday, it’s Champagne on Main, the Spring Wine Walk and Street Fair with music from Zeal Levin, Road Brothers, Kalyde and Ross Harper, then on Sunday Paint Ventura with live music from Paulina Logan and The Star Bandits.  And then continuing with the outdoor theme, head down to the Promenade for EcoFest on Saturday, April 25, for live performances from Spencer the Gardener, Dan Grimm, Heather Locke, Trans Van Santos, Afishnsea The Moon, Soul Tree and more.

Surf Rodeo has been rolling out weekly announcements for their music line up (a shrewd maneuver I might add), so far to date they’ll have the Rainbow Girls, Bob Long III, The NaVaNaX, Brothers Fortune, the Iron Outlaws and Raging Arb and the Redheads (who didn’t see that one coming a mile away?).

Darkside of the Hand will be there the following night along with Dead of Night, Die Evil Die and Shady Ladies.

The Mighty Cash Cats will hold their CD release party on Sunday, April 26, at Amigos.  The CD will be available featuring a blend of Country, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Blues, along with the title cut, an original duet “The Ballad of Johnny and June.”

Shawn Jones will be joined by Stephen Inglis at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, April 18.  Confidence is high they’ll have copies of their new CD, Global Guitar Greats, “Common Ground,” available.

Be sure to put this one on your calendar, Ozomatli at Ventura College Athletic Field, Sunday, May 3.  You can get tickets for all Ventura Music Festival events at www.VenturaMusicFestival.org.  (Ill Repute cancelled gig at Garage).

And finally we’re sorry to report the passing of a friend to so many local musicians, Doug Sax.  Sax was a mastering engineer, direct-to-disc pioneer, co-founder of Sheffield Labs, founder of The Mastering Lab; he would have been 79 on April 26.

If you’re missing us on Facebook, we had to convert to a business page.  So if you want to see our listings, you should not only Like our page, but you’ll have to continue to Like posts, and write comments to have them show up on your news feed on a regular basis.  I know!  What a pain!! www.facebook.com/venturarockswebsite.

If you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing?  Send all information short or long to  Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Nardfest 2014

Celebrating 36 years of punk rock music in Ventura County


Nardfest is returning to the Ventura Theater on Saturday, August 16, 2014, for the second summer in a row.  Tickets available at www.VenturaTheater.net/event/544449-nardfest-2-ventura/ and at Salzer’s Records in Ventura.

Here’s the lowdown on the schedule and bands:

3:00pm – Doors
3:30pm – Big Bob’s Wedding. Live on stage!
4:15pm – Boxheads (Tribute to RKL and Rat Pack)
5:00pm – The Last Priority
5:45pm – Circle One
6:30pm – Burning Dog
7:15pm – Agression
8:00pm – False Confession
8:45pm – Stalag 13
9:40pm – In Control
10:35pm – Ill Repute (What Happens Next 30th Anniversary)


The Bands


ILL REPUTE

Hometown favorites Ill Repute are slated to headline this year’s Nardfest. An American hardcore punk band from Oxnard, California, formed in 1981, they are noted for popularizing the “Nardcore” sound in the mid-1980s hardcore punk scene. With countless great albums released on Mystic and Dr. Strange Records, as well as their breakout single “Clean Cut American Kid” featured on Rodney on the Roq III, IR has become widely known as the ambassadors of Nardcore.
They are still performing today with three original founding members, Jim Callahan, John Phaneuf and Tony Cortez. Their drummer Chuck Shultz has been with them for over nine years.
On this special occasion, the band will be performing
 their classic 1984 full length album What Happens Next in its entirety to commemorate the 30th anniversary. This is a must see!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZxNUYAh4q4


IN CONTROL

Reuniting exclusively for Nardfest, In Control took the scene by storm in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Taking their name from the iconic Stalag 13 record of the same name, IC carried the torch as the number one hardcore band to come out of the Nardcore scene, ushering in a new era. Gaining the attention of Indecision Records, the band went on to release a slew of 7” EPs, and more importantly their two juggernaut LPs The Truth Hurts, and Another Year. Multiple national tours and a grinding recording schedule brought the band to a halt in 2004. The band had said everything they wanted to say and it was time to hang it up. Many fans have been waiting for a proper IC reunion. Very pleased to say that day is upon us!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo_T9lZ8maQ


STALAG 13

Stalag 13 is a punk-hardcore straight edge band formed in 1980 in Oxnard, California. In 1983, the band recorded their first demo entitled simply Stalag 13, followed by the next year’s In Control on the label Upstart Records (later reissued by Dr. Strange Records). The group performed various concerts with Circle Jerks, Vandals, and Social Distortion to name a few. Gaining national and even world wide recognition, they have always been revered as one of the big 4 (Ill Repute, Stalag 13, Agression, and Dr. Know) to come out of Ventura County. Following the departure of original singer Ron Baird, new vocalist and scene legend John Crerar (The Missing 23rd, Stop Breathing, T.F.W.) is now fronting the band and has added a whole new spark to the Stalag legacy.


FALSE CONFESSION

False Confession was a hardcore punk band in the early 1980s that emerged in the Oxnard, California area. They were among the founders of the “Nardcore” punk movement. Scotty Morris, the second bassist, played on the 1984 Mystic EP. He went on to form the swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy many years later to great success. Harry, the drummer, later joined Stalag 13 and played on the album In Control. He joined The Cramps as Harry Drumdini in 1994, and recorded several albums with them. Fred, the guitarist, later joined Dr. Know in the mid 80s and played on their first album Plug In Jesus. Israel, Harry, and Fred from the original lineup are currently joined by Ismael Hernandez, formerly from Dr. Know, who is now the lead bassist. They released a 12” LP of their 1983 demo titledOut of the Basement on Queer Pills Records in 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQiZq6eHQG4


AGRESSION

Agression was an American punk band from Silver Strand Beach. One of the founding bands of the Nardcore scene and an early proponent of the skate punk genre, the band fused skate culture with the punk scene in a song about skateboarding (“Intense Energy”) and a Glen E. Friedman photo of Arthur Lake skating a pool on their first and most popular album, Don’t Be Mistaken. Following the deaths of vocalist Mark Hickey and guitarist Henry Knowles, the band had little left to give. Years later many fans still appreciate the music of Agression so much that there has been a resurgence within the band featuring original member Big Bob Clark, and long time drummer Mark Aber Rooney. To top it all off, Big Bob will be getting married on stage in a special ceremony performed by none other than Ill Repute lead vocalist John Phaneuf at this year’s Nardfest!

BURNING DOG

Burning Dog was a punk band from Oxnard, CA. The band’s roots stem back to 1988 when Dave Bush (bass) asked Joe Rivas (guitar/vocals) to play in his then band, Dignity, after the tragic loss of their singer, John Lowry. That band became Burning Dog with the addition of Jon Winsted (guitar/vocals) and Morie Galeai (drums).  In 1995, the band recorded and released a 7” EP on Edge Records calledPsycho Babble Ology followed a year later by a full length, Last Days.  In 2000, the band released a full length record themselves, OK…But This Time with Feeling.  After the “end” of Burning Dog as a band, each member has kept busy playing music. Dave plays bass in a band called Endless Monster (with Karl Alvarez of the Descendents). Jon enlisted other local musicians and formed Tornado Bait. Joe played guitar in 7DayWar and even spent a few years in Ill Repute, and currently plays in Out of Trust. Morie is one of the lead singers in the local Reggae sensation, Dirty Rice, and also plays bass in Out of Trust. On occasion over the last 14 years, Burning Dog has made special appearance reunions when called upon, usually to benefit a friend in need. Burning Dog is excited about the Nardfest show, with Dave flying out from Colorado and Jon driving down from San Luis Obispo (where he is an acclaimed tattoo artist), joining Joe and Morie one “last time”.

CIRCLE ONE

John (“Big John”) Macias of the legendary hardcore band, Circle One, gave his life for punk rock and “The Scene”.  Not only did he give his life, but along with the original line-up of Michael Ituarte, Mike Vallejo, and Bill Ituarte, created some of the baddest and most kickass hardcore music.  They lived the lifestyle and fought the social and political wars that embodied the nation during the Reagan Era. Circle One was very instrumental in getting Ill Repute started as a band. They have had Nardcore ties since the early 80s, performing many legendary shows in the area.
Guitarist, songwriter, and original founding member, Mike Vallejo, has kept the band going with its various line-up changes throughout the band’s 30 years of hardcore punk rock history. He is now recapturing the same force and passionate train-wreck of its beginning stages.
The new line-up marks the return of original songwriter and founding member Michael Ituarte on bass, joined by drummer Nick Manning (Vice Squads), and Jeremy Eagle Perryman on vocals (STD’s), bridging the new by reclaiming old school standards that still feel like a “punch to the face”!

THE LAST PRIORITY

Formed in 1999, The Last Priority brought a new youthful energy to the Nardcore scene.
They were featured on numerous compilation CDs, had three releases on Smash Em Out (The Last Priority EP, Just Us 7″, and the TLP/Cluster Fux 7″ split) as well as their last record,Amerika’s Hijacked, released on Burning Tree Records. The band will be reuniting exclusively for Nardfest, giving their fans reason to celebrate, especially given their previously being banned from the Ventura Theater following the infamous riot in 2002.

BOXHEADS (Tribute to RKL and Rat Pack)

The Boxheads are from Santa Barbara, CA, consisting of ex-members of RKL, Rat Pack, Buck Wild, and Versus The World.  Originally formed in 1983, the band did well playing a lot locally, the members always remaining friends even when they split off into different projects through the years.  The Boxheads were on the back burner for a while, but in 2012 the band reformed with its best lineup ever. This year they will be performing a special set comprised of favorites from RKL and Rat Pack. With the deaths of Jason Sears (RKL vocalist) and Matt Rat (Rat Pack vocalist), this will be a fitting tribute to them, as well as a special treat for the fans.

PUNK ROCK CHRONICLES

Clean Cut American Kids: The Story of Ill Repute is True Underground Network’s first biography in the Punk Rock Chronicles series. The Punk Rock Chronicles aims to highlight various punk rock icons, including the legendary band, Ill Repute. Each biography will be packaged with a DVD documentary to complement the story. True Underground Network has joined forces with Canadian Bacon Films and Firehook Entertainment to create a visually appealing and truly engaging book and documentary.  The book and DVD combo will be released at Nardfest on August 16, 2014. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/thepunkrockchronicles


Ventura Rocks in Ventura Breeze – 10/30/13 – 11/12/13

Jason Mariani, Dave Palmer, Don Heffington, Neal Casal, Dan Grimm, Jesse Siebenberg and Bob Glaub. Photo by Amanda Peacock.

Jason Mariani, Dave Palmer, Don Heffington, Neal Casal, Dan Grimm, Jesse Siebenberg
and Bob Glaub. Photo by Amanda Peacock.

The Music Scene
Around town
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam @VenturaRocks.com
I heard an amazing cut off of Dan Grimm’s upcoming new CD, Average Savage , called “Sweet Relief.”  Dan told me that he just got done recording his third release at Brotheryn Studios in Ojai. It was produced by Jesse Grey aka Jesse Siebenberg and engineered by the Grammy winner Jason Mariani. “It sounds like JJ Cale, Dire Straits, Jackson Brown, Steve Miller, and Paul Simon,” according to Dan. His players are virtual who’s who in the industry from Don Heffington on drums (Bob Dylan, Dwight Yoakam and Lucinda Williams); Neal Casal on guitar (Ryan Adams, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Weir andl Lesh); Jesse Grey Siebenberg’s help on guitars, keys, drums, and other various instruments (Lissie, Supertramp, Kenny Loggins); Dave Palmer on keys (Fleetwood Mac, Fiona Apple, Chris Issac) and Jaime Wyatt on duet vocals best known for the Calico Girls.
Average Savage available soon on iTunes, Spotify, Sound Cloud, Salzers, and of course at all of Dan’s live shows. www.danisgrimm.com

Tony Cortez and Carl Valdez, original members of the legendary Nardcore band Ill Repute, are teaming up again after 20 years to form an “old school punk” band with a hard-edged punkabilly sound. Rounding out the new band are Randy Miller, lead guitar (Global Warming, Mayors of Garratt) and local bassist Mojo who is well known on the local music scene. The band hopes to be gig ready by the end of the year and have already been offered a spot on a local punk compilation album. Cortez and Valdez are also featured in the book and documentary, “Clean Cut American Kids – the story of Ill Repute” by True Underground Network in association with Firehook Entertainment and Canadie Bacon Films.

Author and blues harp master, Jon Gindick is bringing his Blues Harmonica Jam Camp to Ventura. This 5-day camp, usually held in the Mississippi Delta, takes place January 21 – 25 at the Pierpont Inn. Focusing on the joys of jamming, each camp is limited to about 30 students, or campers. Gindick is flying in his core team of harmonica coaches to give each camper the time and attention they need. Campers jam with a great blues band daily. It’s a music-learning vacation. Coach/performers include Cheryl Arena from Boston, Hash Brown from Dallas, TJ Klay from Nashville, Rj Mischo from Arkansas, Ralph Carter from Malibu and Brian Purdy of Florida. In addition to in intensive instruction, a show is planned at Yolie’s Blues Club. Get more information at www.Gindick.com.

And then finally, it’s a travesty that we lost Zoey’s. Their doors official closed October 20. We can all be Friday Morning Quarterbacks and place the blame on the City, or landlords, or poor management, or the economy. But deep down inside, if you have the courage to look, you might agree with local musician and photographer, Chris Jensen. Jensen commented on Ventura Rock’s Facebook page, “I’m feeling guilty as hell because I wasn’t down there at least once a week, every week, experiencing great live music…when was the last time you were there? We are the reason Zoey’s is closing…So sorry Zoey’s.”

What the Hogansons did was quite amazing; they provided national acts in an intimate setting while allowing the best of our local talent to shine. So we need to learn a lesson, and learn it quickly.

What a class act Steve and Polly Hoganson are as they leave us with this thought, “Our hope is that you all continue to enjoy and support live music and the community of musicians here in Ventura County and beyond.”

And I say, “We won’t let you down Steve and Polly.

[PDF of Ventura Breeze issue: http://venturabreeze.com/10.30.13.pdf]