Shootin Lucy – Edge of Collapse EP

The street credibility that comes out of Oakland embodies itself once again on a group of talented people, only this time, not on rappers. Shootin' Lucy is a Punk Rock band from Oakland that has been rising up in the Bay area. Their self-titled demo contains only 6 tracks and is released on their own independent account, and while short, provides good listening music.

With vocals that at times can take the form of Street Punk type of vocals, the rest of the music generally sounds like melodic Punk with Rock 'N' Roll influences. Most of the tracks have steady and slower tempos, and aren't necessarily fast paced aggressive tunes. But while not fast, the band's melodic songs are more than enough to sustain your attention.

Shootin' Lucy plays frequently in the Bay area, so if you can't catch their demo, or your computer is too slow to try and play their music on MySpace, catch up with them the next time they play. If Punk Rock 'N' Roll is your thing, then Shootin' Lucy will soon be your thing too.

Band MySpace:  www.myspace.com/shootinlucy

 

-Stephanie M.-
Senior staff reporter
Big Wheel Online Magazine

 

 

 

Skaville UK interview

Interview by: Dod M
Big Wheel Overseas Correspondent


The Skaville UK story begins in September 2006 when four restless musicians decided to get together, have some fun rehearing, then go into a studio and record some of the songs they had been writing. Those musicians were...Nick Welsh of Bad Manners, Busters Allstars, The Selecter (vocals/bass), Louis Alphonso, the Original guitarist in Bad Manners, Martin Stewart, original Keyboardist in Bad Manners who has no retired, double Grammy Winner Al Fletcher (drums).
Skaville UK are  a very good UK Ska super-group, who play a lot of gigs, have fun and generally drag some of their friends into the frey like  Rhoda Dakar, and Jenny Belle-Star to supply guest vocals..

Nick Welsh (vocals/bass)
Nick has written, played and produced with artists like Bad Manners, Busters Allstars, The Selecter, Selecter Acoustic, Prince Buster, Dave Barker, King Hammond, Laurel Aitken, Judge Dread, Rico Rodriguez, Rhoda Dakar and is the producer of the debut Skaville UK CD "1973". Other projects have included Big 5 a Ska-Punk hybrid with vocalist Jennie Matthias (Belle Stars) as well as co-writing the hit single "This is Ska" with Longsy D.

He also writes music for T.V. (The Osbournes, Malcolm in the Middle), computer games (Smackdown versus Raw 2006, Day of Reckoning 2) and the big screen (Domino, The Magic Roundabout). In 2002 Nick won a Grammy award for his work on the Lee "Scratch" Perry album "Jamaican ET" and was the MD on the live DVD "The Ultimate Alien". He was also a member of the all star acoustic show "3 Men & Black". Nick is a lifelong West Bromwich Albion fan.

Rhoda Daker began her career with the 2-Tone movement, as lead vocalist with all-female band The Bodysnatchers. She went on to guest with The Specials, both live and on record. A later incarnation of Special AKA recorded the "In The Studio" album, from which came the acclaimed 1984 Top Ten single "Free Nelson Mandela"...the song that really woke up the British psyche to the problems occurring in South Africa at the time.
Dod-With the 30th anniversary of two-tone this year, do you have any plans to celebrate it?
Nick Welsh I Have no plans to celebrate it I am with midge ure on this one
 
Rhoda Dakar Well, it's 30 years since my first gig with The Bodysnatchers, 40 since my first public performance and 50 years since I was born.  I just want to know what you're getting me for my birthday.

How much do you think ska has changed in the last 30 years?
N W- Its got shorter
R D- There has been no actual Ska in the last 30 years, or for a good while before that either.

What originally attracted you to Ska/two-tone?
N W- Its anti music stance
R D- Gangsters

You have a new album with Rhoda Dakar coming out, tell us about it?
N W- Its dirty low down rock and roll
R D- It's the music I always thought I'd be playing.

How did the collaboration with Rhoda come about?
N W- Through friendship
R D- Lots of laughs and a common musical history.

Who writes your songs?
N W- My songs are written by me
R D- My lyrics are written by me

What’s your favourite Skaville UK song and why?
N W- The Alternate
R D- The Alternate, because it rocks.

Are you still fans and of who?
N W- T.Rex & Louis Alphonso
R D- My bestest band is Primal Scream.

What’s your coolest band story?
N W- the day we all got locked in a refrigerator
R D- I'm not cool, I don't have those kind of stories.

What do you think about downloading music online?
N W- its ok if your paying for it
R D- I'm with Nick.

What's your outlook on the record industry today?
N W- I'm not in it
R D- A sad state of affairs, but ripe for D.I.Y.

How does music affect you and the world around you?
R D- Can't speak for the world, but I like it.

What makes a good crowd?
N W- Lots of them
R D- Pretty girls.

Any last words?
N W- I am not good at answering questions
R D- I'm over it.

 

The Dollyrots – The Action Design – Ingenue – Max and the Marginalized – at The Knitting Factory – Hollywood, CA

This turned out to be one of those weekends to where you tule around, hanging out with friends here and there, walking the streets, browsing the record racks at a few record stores. The bow tie on the weekend was knowing that a few of us would actually go to a show with a band very known to us, The Dollyrots with the others being a new experience. This is what took us to The Knitting Factory. Props do need to go to the folks at The Knitting Factory, they have always put a focus on making everyone’s experience the best, be it a show in the Alterknit room, The Front room or the Main stage. Many thanks to the staff there.

To our good fortune we found street parking which meant that we could put just that much more in the beer register. We ended up parking right out front of Farrah Fawcett’s star on Hollywood Blvd, which is so freaky because the other night we had just watched the documentary called “Farrah’s Story” about her battle with cancer, sad story to hear the misery of this disease, so we will will just remember her for the fox that is pictured here. We were telling a few people at the show that we parked right out front of her star and in the process we got a few to admit to having the famous Farrah poster on their wall as a kid, one dude even admitted to practicing kissing on the poster. After hearing that admission, once we stopped laughing a guy who was passively listening to our conversation bought the guy a beer for admitting that.

Up first tonight was Max & The Marginalized. This band has a very post Punk sound with a lyrical mix of political / social type messages. Very tight band with enough drum racket (in a good way) to keep the overall garage feel of this band credible. Through out their set they took the audience from all out rock mayhem to slowing it down with some mellow tunes that kept the pace lively. Even though they were first to go out, they had a very strong fan base that showed up on time to see them play. Could these guys be the next Husker Du, you never know. Check them out on MySpace and see what you think: www.myspace.com/maxandthemarginalized  they have a bunch of songs that can be downloaded for free as well.

Blockage was originally slated for this spot on the show and then last minute something came up and they had to drop off the show. Taking their place on the show was Ingenue. This female fronted act struck us with a much heavier sound than the previous band, ala Nirvana / Rock vibe. Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/ingenuemusic

Up next was The Action Design which was formed from the fallout of Tsunami Bomb. With Emily Whitehurst leading the vocal charge, this band is certainly a bit of a departure from Tbomb but the talent structure forges the Indie sound with a taste of 80’s club. From the first song it was very noticeable that these guys are very pro in how they conduct themselves on stage to the overall performance. The on stage performance is a non stop wall of energy that was pure visual and musical entertainment. The Action Design’s music varies in so many great ways that it made it really fun to see them for the first time. They are out on tour with The Dollyrots and are certain to put heat on them night after night. The band has very huge potential, go peep their MySpace at: www.myspace.com/theactiondesign

The intermission while The Dollyrots set up gave everyone ample time to refill their glasses. It had been a while since we had saw The Dollyrots play since they were retreating to their bunker to write another album. Since this would be kicking off their tour we figured that we would get to sample plenty of their new songs from that album which is expected to be released in September on Blackheart Records. There is something about overly catchy songs that suck you, in which explains why we dig on this band.

Their show tonight was a real grab bag of the mainstay songs, “My Best Friend’s Hot”, “Jackie Chan”, “Because I’m Awesome”, “Brand New Key”, mixed with 7 out of the 12 new songs from their upcoming record. During the show there was a real 4 point something earthquake that we found out about the next day. The place was already rocking so hard during the show that not even a real earthquake could upstage The Dollyrots set. A song they did acapella as a spoof was the theme song from Growing Pains, have to say that this song messed a few of us up for day because we found ourselves listening to show tunes for a few days afterwards. Go to this website and see how it will effect your day www.televisiontunes.com  They closed the evening out with some cover songs, The Ronettes, “Be My Baby” followed by a cover of The Misfits, “I Turned Into A Martian”.  The Dollyrots MySpace: www.myspace.com/thedollyrots

So that was the show. The Dollyrots are now out on tour around the country with The Action Design, so go check them out when they land in your town.
 

 

- Big Wheel Online Magazine -

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
                                          Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews

 

 

Music play list for the week ending May 17, 2009

Top 25  - In no particular order -

Vic Damone - On the Street Where You Live
Bad Brains - Right Brigade
Screeching Weasel - Leather Jacket
Total Fury - World Update
Perry Como - Magic Moments
H20 - Still Here
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party
Jack Jones - Wives and Lovers
Brickfight - Pensacola is a Pipe Bomb
Sass Dragons - (Don't do) Heroin
The Hives - Walk Idiot Walk
Bobot Adrenaline - Radio Tikrit
DVDA - America Fuck yea
Too Many Daves - Fat Doodes
Mr. Acker Bilk - Stranger on the Shore
Roger Alan Wade - All Likkered Up
Sammy Davis Jr - I've Gotta Be Me
Velvet Underground - I found a reason
Thin Lizzy - Cowboy Song
Eddy Arnold - Go Away Little Girl
BL'AST- Only Time Will Tell
Middle Class - Out Of Vogue
SOA - Public Defender
Beyond - What Awaits Us
Tony Bennett - Rags to Riches

The above list are some of the top played songs amongst our staff this week.

 

This weeks playlist brought to you by: TKO Records

 If you would like to sponsor our weekly playlist - Contact us

 

 

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Shows and events calendar for Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura, San Diego, San Bernardino, California and states all over the United States and the world. Complete and extended listing covering Punk, Indie, Rock, Psychobilly and more.

Punk Rock Academy Fight Song – “You do what for a living?”

“You do what for a living?”

That’s usually the response I get from most people when I tell them what I do and it’s usually followed by “that’s pretty damn cool”.  Not that my job is that fascinating or unique but rather it’s the fact that somebody like me does the job that I do. So what is this mysterious occupation that elicits so much curiosity? Presidential advisor? Bomb Disposal Technician? Dog Catcher?

Nope. I am a high school counselor. It is my job to mold and guide the minds of teenagers. I also happen to be a heavily tattooed Punk rocker that still rides a skateboard and loves to get in the pit every now and then and works as a high school counselor. My life experiences tend to be just a little bit different than most people in my line of work I know everybody and their moms have tattoos these days and that by itself doesn’t make you a Punk, nor does riding a skateboard. For most people those things are just accessories and a hobby but for me it’s been my life since I was a teenager and it’s not a phase I plan on outgrowing. I just had to figure a way to keep my passion for this lifestyle going well into adulthood. A lot of us grow up, settle down, get “real jobs” and move on to more mature pursuits (yeah right). Some of us keep flying the flag and damning the man in our own different ways. And then a lot of us spend a lot of time trying to figure out a way to do both. Believe me there was a long list of jobs I thought I'd have and counselor was never really on that list.

Throughout high school and college my main job requirements involved my being able to dress however I pleased and not working in an office. I was all about rebellion and the outward appearance of rebellion. The idea that I would some day be some kind of authority figure still boggles my mind but I like to think that I’m trying to teach and inspire these kids that you can be successful on your own terms. I like to call this my SLC Punk theory. At the end of the movie the main character cuts his Mohawk, puts on a suit and decides to go to law school with the idea that sometimes it’s better to try and change something from the inside than fighting from the outside. Here endeth the lesson- I stole that from Sean Connery in the Untouchables

-Daniel N-



 

Classics of Love – UK Plea for Peace Tour – Mike Park and The Hijacks – at Cafe Drummonds – Aberdeen, UK

So to another night of punk rock abandon at Drummonds courtesy of those nice chaps at GFN Promotions. I arrived just as Crashdown were starting their set. I've seen them several times before and just can't take to them. Tonight was no exception. Never ones to let a good tune get in the way of another unnecessary tempo change or an opportunity to show off with some OTT fretwankery, their polite pleas for people to dance fell on deaf ears.



The same didn't apply to The Hijacks. Their high-tempo melodic ska-core got heads bobbing and feet tapping from the off. These guys get better every time I see them. Their three way vocals and infectious hook reminds me vaguely of Against All Authority or someone of that ilk, but like I say the comparison is vague. These guys have their own style and are a joy to watch, bouncing all over the stage and always looking like they're having the time of their lives.

Asian Man head honcho Mike Park was up next giving us a solo acoustic set that included a Billy Bragg cover and material from his former band The Chinkees. Deciding that the amplified sound onstage was too loud, Mike unplugged his guitar and came down from the stage to give us the second half of the set in a more intimate manner as he stood shoulder to shoulder amongst the crowd playing unplugged. A nice touch.

Finally Classics of Love took to the stage and, despite various setbacks (broken guitar, borrowed guitar, broken strings), proceeded to tear Drummonds apart. Jesse Michaels was at pains to let us know that it wasn't HIS show, that it was a band in the true sense of the word. And so it proved to be as Mike Huguenor and Morgan Herrell played their instruments and delivered their backing vocal harmonies to perfection. At times there was a hint of Fugazi, at times a hint of The Briefs and on one track, a huge nod to the hardcore of the Bad Brains. Jesse claimed he was struggling with a cold but there was no indication of that as he dispensed with is guitar and bounced all round the Drummonds stage, even leaping from atop the PA stack at one point. Bags of energy. The short set was based around the material on their current six track EP, the standout on the night for me being Slow Car Crash. Perhaps inevitably, the set closed with a breakneck run through Operation Ivy classic The Crowd that saw a mass outbreak of moshing and even the rare sight of crowd surfing at Drummonds! Of course, after this the crowd was baying for more as they unplugged their guitars but, being such a new band, they didn't have any more songs left to play. I hope they return when they do.

 

Words by Explode

 

Photos: -Dod M.-
Big Wheel Overseas Correspondent

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
                                          Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews

 

 

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