7.18.07
Hey. Given the following “bands”, which would you be the most inclined not to end up clawing your eyes out from experiencing hideous auditory pain:
1. Pat Benatar
2. Kool & The Gang
3. John Kay & Steppenwolf
4. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
5. Teena Marie
6. KC & The Sunshine Band
I only ask because this is the “Plethora of Entertainment” lineup coming to my home town’s super spectacularrrr Summer Jubilee where they block off the street and have free, Yes, FREE ENTERTAINMENT hooray hooray break out the beery cowbell, every Saturday from July 7 to August 11. Ugh ugh ugh.
I guess, if you pointed a loaded banana at my head, I would vote for 4, 1, 2, 6, 3, 5 in that order. Or better yet, I’ll just have self-actuating crapola music earplugs installed in my head for when I roll anywhere near Main St.
Boy do I live in a shitty music town suburb.
Added: Ah, I forgot to mention another interesting thing about where I live - it just happens to be the city of residence of Phil Spector. In fact, the Pyrenees Castle is about 3-4 minutes away…
Oren Lavie
Gregg Yeti And The Best Lights
The Republic Tigers
The Transport Assembly
July 19th, 2007 at 8:08 am
At least you have multiple “rock” acts at your festival. In Chattanooga we have Riverbend, a weeklong music fest that hauls everyone from the outlying, rural southeastern Tennessee counties into the big city for a big ol’ achey-breaky time. Every year they throw us non-#3-hat-wearin’ folks an out dated “rock” act that may spark some nostalgic, “huh, they’re still alive…” comments, rarely delivers anything spectacular. That said, the ‘Bend did bring in Pat Benatar a few years ago (same year we also had Cheap Trick, it was like Woodstock) and she did a very decent job. I had heard rumors that she didn’t play any old tunes, opting to only play her new stuff written by he husband. Happily, this wasn’t true. She played old hits mixed with just enough new stuff to make it not feel like a cover band. It wasn’t bad. The drunken 270 lbs, sleeveless dude sweatin’ up a lovely aroma and yellin’, “GET THAT HIPPIE (I don’t work blue) OFF THE (it just demeans everyone) STAGE!” was bad, but Pat did a good job.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
hehe, yes I feel your pain! Yeah, looking back on it, I guess it’s not THAT bad of a lineup. Pat Benatar could be OK - I would rather see Cheap Trick, though. I’m just complaining needlessly because I live 20 minutes east of Silverlake which is a huge indie music hub in Southern California. It is somewhat mindblowing to live in a place that is completely ignorant of all the great independent music that is happening just a hop, skip and jump away.
August 9th, 2007 at 1:58 am
Having just moved from Alhambra, where I lived on 3rd St. for nineteen years, I gotta say it’s a lot better than most of the cities in LA. It may be hard to fathom, especially if one lives there and takes it for granted, but having artists like Kool and J. Jett play for free ain’t terrible. Alhambra’s had it’s share of celebrities (Tom Araya, members of Ozomatli, Armored Saint…Kenny Loggins [seeing if you’re paying attention], and, yes, Phil Spector (saw him shopping at Ralph’s on Atlantic, with a live blonde in tow). Pedrini’s was extremely cool years ago when they had jazz cats on Saturday (Phil Upchurch jammin’ up my block…nice). I like that the city wasn’t in the middle of all the action, and for my take, the people were a lot more down to earth, and authentically “eastside” than the Silverlake crowd. It’s done a good job building itself up, as I’m sure you can attest to, and if you want to check out anything else in LA, it’s not a far drive. Alhambra ain’t nothing to be ashamed of. Now, El Monte…that’s another story!
August 9th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
I will agree with you about Pedrini’s being sorta cool (but it’s gone) and the people ARE more down to earth. However, it’s a deadzone for the type of indie music I listen to. I know, because I tried to start up a small indie scene and it went nowhere. But I’ll agree w/ you that El Monte might be worse, but you could say the same thing about nearly every city around here. And sure, I can just drive to Silverlake or West LA for music. But it would be cool if there was some sort of feeling of community, like if I could go down to Main St. to Penny Lane (which is closing / closed?) or IBrowse and there would be worthwhile bands and people who listened to similar music. As usual, I’m just complaining - don’t listen to me =) I’m sure now I’ll get tons of irate Alhambrites saying “if you don’t like it, then get out”…
P.S. Ozomatli ain’t my cup of tea, but that’s just me…
August 19th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Well said, Palebear.
Agreed. I hoped Ibrowse would’ve at least had some local (good) poets reading, and songwriters perfoming, and the Azul, for crying out loud, could book a local night or two. Penny Lane never did any instores, and no one has bothered to book bands at the Legion Hall. At least Nucleus has some cool exhibits, but you’re right…the indie scene is not supported. I remember someone giving me a ‘zine they were starting years ago, and I think they were putting a comp out…was that you? If so, sorry it didn’t take hold. I thought that was a good idea. Anyway, I wouldn’t worry about the “tons of irate Alhambrites” sending mail…they’re probably not reading this anyway.
Patrick