Karling Abbygate – at B Ryder’s – Bakersfield, CA

If there is one fact that stands true about Bakersfield, it is that, this town goes apeshit for a good Rock A Billy show. As was the case last Friday when B Ryders hosted The Rock A billy Road Show featuring "The Iron Outlaws" and "Karling Abbygate".

Danny Garone and Cesreo Garasa  opened up the night with an acoustic set of Iron Outlaws tunes. They had the crowd singing and moving as always. The drinks were flowing. By the end of their set some people were arriving as some were staggering out tossing their keys to their designated driver. The house was packed to capacity and spirits were high as the crowd waited anxiously for the burlesque show that would be occurring between sets.





Suddenly the crowd's attention shifted from drinking and talking over one another to the lovely young lady who made her was to the stage in a black sequins  evening gown. The music started and her hips started to sway back and forth simultaneously . She did a brief, flirty strip tease, that had even the women in the room going nuts.

Up next was Karling Abbygate's set. She played an hour long set that included songs like  "I Need A Man", Johnny Cash's classic "Jackson" and among other's, the ever so fitting, Walk The Streets Of Bakersfield. The visibly druken crowd was on their feet dancing and singing along though the entirety of  Karling's set.


It was a lighthearted fun-filled night for all who made it out!

 

 

-J Moncrief-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

   More photos from the show can be seen HERE

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Punk Rock Academy Fight Song – Wassup Rockers

"Mr. N - What are You? What do you mean, what am I-? Yeah like what are you, you know where are you from? Oh I live in Long Beach but I grew up in  San Gabriel if that's what you mean. No Mr. N what are you, what's your nationality.  Well I'm American. NO, NO, No comes the exasperated response where were you born. Well I was born in Georgia but what does that have to do with anything". And so it plays out like an updated version of the old Abbott and Costello "Who's on First" routine whenever my students find out that I am in fact like most of them -Hispanic or Latino or Chicano or whatever the correct term is.The discovery usually happens when I catch them muttering some profanity in Spanish and respond with a quick " Le hablas a tu mama con esa boca" and their jaws drop in befuddlement. So after a few rounds of playing "what the hell is he?" I relent and finally reveal that my dad is from Mexico and my mom is from Guatemala and that is how I know what they are saying and why I can speak fluent Spanish. This revelation quickly changes things in my students minds-it instantly gives me some kind of credibility because now they know Im like them, but at the same time they know I'm still a little different. I don't look like any other teacher or counselor that they have ever met. I like to surf. I wear a shirt and tie but I don't look like a guy who wears a shirt and tie unless he's at work or in court. Then they ask me the most important question " What kind of music do you like" and upon hearing my answers they get it- "AHHH, Mr. N you're a rocker".

All truth be told I never made a big deal about my background and growing up no one else really did either. I grew up speaking spanish at home since before I can even remember and we took yearly vacations to visit family in Mexico. I know where bumble bee man from the Simpsons really comes from. I remember listening to Dodger games on the Spanish radio station whenever Fernando Valenzuela would pitch. At the same time I was raised protestant, sorry no Virgin Mary icons in my house, I used to root for John Wayne in The Alamo and my mom cooks great Italian food and I cant stand telenovelas. To me being Hispanic has never seemed to be anything at of the ordinary. So my parents are from another country-aren't most peoples? I'm sure as hell not going to say I'm white washed either cause that ones right up there on the bullshit scale with sellout. I prefer to call my self the undercover Hispanic. Anyway it wasn't until high school, when one of my friends on the football team overheard me calling my parents on the pay phone and asking them in Spanish to pick me up from practice, that my Mexican-ness really mattered. Up until that point i'd just been the goofy kid with the weird last name but the fact that I spoke Spanish was like unlocking some kind of secret password that made you a little bit cooler a bit more down. I was still the goofy kid with the weird last name that listened to that crazy music but I also was now the goofy MEXICAN kid- yeah yeah I'm only half but it gets to be a pain having to write Mexican/Guatemalan all the time and then you have to explain where Guatemala is on the map. So for the sake of ease I just go with Mexican (sorry ma). I've always been proud of my heritage even  if I did make my grandpa go out and buy me cornflakes because I wouldn't eat any of the traditional food my grandma cooked when we took those vacations to Mexico. I've also never known why some people think it makes you less Mexican to like things like surfing and Punk rock when you live in southern California.

Which brings me to a scrawny light skinned,  Mexican kid in the Adicts T-shirt at a middle school in North Long Beach and the best question I was ever asked. As I'm walking out of my classroom towards the end of year he says to me out of the blue "Hey Mr. N were you like me when you were a kid". Yeah, I was I tell him. He then responds with a quick nod of his head and a slight "cool" under his breath.

-Daniel N-

 

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Motley Crue – Poison – New York Dolls – at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA

Summer is certainly here, and if there’s any band worthy of throwing a rock and roll party to kick things off the right way, it’s definitely Motley Crue! With a little help from Poison and The New York Dolls, Tuesday night’s sold out show at the Hollywood Bowl ended up being a party for 18,000 fans celebrating decadence, black leather, hair spray and songs that after decades of continuous play never seem to get old.The New York Dolls had the job of opening the night away to a few thousand early bird fans who managed to avoid traffic jams near Highland Ave and the backed up 101 freeway. The boys in drag as they’ve come to be known over the last 35 years played a few new tracks off their 2011’ release “Dancing Backward in High Heels” and of course the hits that made them the influential band that inspired tons of copy cat acts of the 80’s (especially in Hollywood). Vocalist David Johansen often talked to the crowd in between songs in a playful way that would lead you to believe that despite most of the ticket holders still not yet at the concert, he was thoroughly enjoying his time on stage at the half filled bowl. The 45 minute set ended with an amped up version of Jet Boy, the New York City anthem from their first album released back in 1973.

As the sun went to sleep and the full moon rose in the sky above, pop metal poster boys Poison took the stage to a near full amphitheater. Brett Michaels who may be best known for his reality TV work received deafening howls from thousands of middle aged women as he skipped along onstage. Guitarist C.C. Deville quickly made it clear that all up front were in for a face melting guitarmageddon. The response from the crowd was astonishing and quite surprising to me as I was always under the impression that people were either Poison or Crue fans, not both. Though it seems that all were way into the Poisonous offerings and with all feuds aside it was the hugest party in town with no need for petty rivalry to spoil the fun. Behind Poisons drummer lay a bunch of pyrotechnic devices that shot out flames and green smoke through out their performance which added to the spectacle put forth by the band. The highlight of their set though was assuredly their last three songs which were all radio chart toppers back in their day. Every Rose has its Thorn was the first ballad of the night and brought out a sea of illuminated cell phones, but not for long as Talk Dirty To Me and Nothin’ But A Good Time closed out their set in an more up beat kind of way.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With both openers’ sets long over it was now time for hometown heroes Motley Crue to rock the very pumped and sold out venue. Their monstrous stage production had been hidden behind curtains for all of the night until now, and for good reason. Their large stage was now exposed and was very much a sight for all eyes. For starters Tommy Lee’s drums lay at the bottom of a circular track, something that had never been seen before in the world of rock and roll. Stripper poles adorned both corners of the huge platforms that stood behind the amplifiers; there was also a shadow box where go go dancers dazzled while fireworks erupted from what seemed like every inch of the stage at carefully planned moments. Vince, Nikki and Mick rocked straight into Wild Side and never stopped once things got off the ground, literally! Their set had been chosen online by fans, and it’s the fans that got exactly what they wanted as the show was hit after hit after hit with no room at all for any filler.

Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars often strategically weaved between each other around the stage exchanging backup vocals while Vince came down to the crowd and held the mic to the front row choir, this was especially cool during their big choruses. Surprisingly the piano ballad Home Sweet Home found its way early into the set, which brought out the more bic lighters than I have ever seen before in my life (this song is usually reserved towards the end of the set). A rendition of Don’t Go Away Mad (just go away) with guest Cee Lo Brown proved to be a hit as classic song mashed with new radio hit “Fuck You” drove the crowd absolutely wild.

Photo by Marisa Kat

Though the night’s main spectacle was indeed Tommy’s drum solo, which took place as his drums rose some 20 feet above the stage on a track and hung upside down as he banged away to an industrial like beat that sent goose bumps up and down everyone’s spine. Half of his drum solo took place with a fan chosen from the audience strapped in with him as they spun upside down, it was a rock n roll rollercoaster of sorts straight from the mind of Tommy Lee. The night also included a mash up of Gary Glitters Rock N Roll part 2 and Brownsville Stations Smoking in the Boys Room, which has not been played by the band since the 80’s!

As the band continued to treat the audience with hits, go go dancers thrust fire and dazzle into the eyes of all with pyro canons making the show one hell of a freak show set to 666. Nikki then took a moment alone to sit down at the edge of the stage and tell the audience how thankful he was for everyone coming out and celebrating 30 years of Crue with the band in their hometown. The band then closed the night out with a huge bang with help from fireworks galore and a turbo charged version of Kick start My Heart which couldn’t have been a better way to end the night.

Of the many Motley Crue concerts I had been to over the years this was easily the best Vince had sounded, and the most mobile Tommy, Nikki and Mick had been. On the way out of the venue I had overheard some older fans describing to each other that this show was the best Motley had sounded and looked and even played since 1989’s Dr. Feelgood tour back at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood. Indeed it was a special night for the rock and roll history books. If you missed the Hollywood Bowl show, fear not for there is still a San Diego date this summer!

 

 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Music Staff Reporter

 

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Nick 13 – Self Titled

Singer/guitarist of Psychobilly act, Tiger Army, Nick 13 has been in the process of releasing a solo album for years.  Finally, after much (im)patient waiting, his self-titled LP has landed; ten tracks of traditional country tunes the likes of which have been missing from modern music for years (shy, of course, for Willie Nelson).
'Nick 13' takes the country-tinged tunes from Tiger Army ("Cupid's Victim" and "In the Orchard" both are included and have been reworked, beautifully) as the initial seed and bakes them under the Tennessee sun.  The end result is 13's signature lamenting croon and forlorn lyrics paired with fiddles, acoustic guitars and a general need to travel down a dusty highway.

The album highlights include the tone setting, inspirational album opener "Nashville Winter," a nod to the "never die" motto of his other band in "Carry My Body Down" and "Gambler's Life" which is destined to be a staple in country bars.  Its unlikely diehard Tiger Army fans will be able to fully grasp the work captured on this album, but there is always hope.  Sure, they'll have to replace their creepers with cowboy boots, but they can keep their pompadours. 

 

-Captain Morgan-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

 

 

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Screaming Females – Castle Talk

September 2010 marked the release of Screaming Female’s fourth full length album, Castle Talk. Lead by vocal powerhouse and guitar shredder Marissa Paternoster, the trio is gaining mainstream popularity, including appearances on Carson Daly. Their sound is groovy rock n’ roll, full of wailing guitar solos and funky bass lines, with solid and driving drum beats. The lyrics are clever and witty, sung in Marissa’s signature deep tremolo style mixed with powerful screams.
The band emerged from the New Brunswick, N.J. DIY scene, where they began five years ago, playing basements and backyards, small clubs and DIY venues. With lots of hard work, relentless touring, and two self released full lengths, the band began receiving mainstream attention with their third album, Power Moves.
Now Castle Talk is here, with their most impressive songwriting to date. As a whole the album is driving and catchy, full of songs that make you want to dance and sing to. Songs like “I Don’t Mind It” and “A New Kid” are bound to become hits with their driving, catchy riffs and clever lyrics, while songs like “Nothing at All,” and “Sheep” have a heavier feel, played with aggression and passion.

This CD has something for everyone, covering a wide range of musical styles. Marissa plays guitar like she’s the love child of Jimmy Hendrix and Joan Jett; technical and wailing, with a raw and gritty rock n’ roll sound. Her voice is deep and unique, full of feeling and power. The rhythm section compliments her perfectly, with Jarrett laying down beats ranging from punk, rock, reggae, and even disco. Mike’s bass lines are equally as wailing, with a groovy rock feel hinted with blues and jazz. Together Screaming Females created an album that mixes many styles and genres into one tight knit package, while keeping their unique and always recognizable sound.

 

-Mindiana Jones-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

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Stench Radio music play list for the week of June 12, 2011

Top 25  - In no particular order -

Clare Misstake - Batshit Crazy
Black Room Doom - Black Room Doom
Citizen Fish - Meltdown
Trashy & The Kid - Rampant Sex On The Train
Bitchfits - Death Comes Ripping
Motörhead - Doctor Rock
A Pretty Mess - Lost City
Kingdom - The Rage that Guides
The Damned - Noise, Noise, Noise
Shattered Faith - The Verdict
The Lewd - I’m Not Pretty
Fancy Space People - Pleadian Youth
Lower Class Brats - Cat’s Clause
Sylvia Juncosa - Flint and Steel
Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School Of Medicine - The Terror of Tinytown
Mission Of Burma - Einstein`s Day
Chop Tops - My Curse
Pulp - F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E
American Jihad - War At Home
MonitoR - BEAK
March Violets - Turn To The Sky
Die Antwoord - Fish Paste
Honey Bane - Guilty Dub
Toxic Narcotic - Shut The Fuck Up
Buzzcocks - Ever fallen In Love?

The above list are some of the top played songs on Stench Radio.

 

 

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