Cathay de Grande Reunion Extravaganza – Burbank, CA

Something that is very different about the Los Angeles scene of today is back in the 80's Punk scene there were a decent amount of clubs to go see bands at. One of the more prolific clubs back then was the Cathay de Grande which was located at the corner of Argyle Street and Selma Avenue in Hollywood, pretty much on the street behind the Fonda Theater aka The Music Box. The place was hated by the media and even labeled as "The most dangerous club in America", but to the regulars, the place was just a good time waiting to happen. The place closed up in the mid 80's with nothing by memories of the friends they met there and the bands they saw way before many became as well known as they are today.

Candace who used to book bands at the Cathay organized a weekend bash with a bunch of bands, many who have played at The Cathay. This reunion was a great time for many of the people who found The Cathay de Grande a sanctuary. The event almost seemed to reflect the actual Cathay with part of the crowd watching the bands (as if they were downstairs at The Cathay) and another part hanging outside in the alley way of the warehouse (as if they were upstairs at the bar of The Cathay) chatting it up with their old friends.


Bands performing: Saturday: DECRY - Billybones - Entropy - The Boners - Defects - Fallujah 71 - Mike Watt & The Missingmen - Carlos Guitarlos  Sunday: Carnage Asada - Circle One - Sorry State - Don't No - "UNGLUICIDAL" - Public Nuisance - Duct Tape Hostage - Carlos Guitarlos

 

Big Wheel Magazine

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Big Jugs – The Iron Outlaws – Alligator Dave – Radio Threat – at The Ventura Theatre – Ventura, CA

The Ventura Theatre is often the center of Ventura's night life. Last Thursday and Friday were no exception. Thursday night crowds of bro's flocked out to see Social Distortion, and on Friday night The Big Jugs graced the stage of the Theatre supported by The Iron Outlaws, Alligator Dave, and Radio Threat.

While the venue may not have sold out like it had the night before, for the infamous Social Distortion, scores of Big Jugs and Iron Outlaws fans filled the venue creating a very nice turn out to say the least.

Opening was Oxnard/Ventura locals, Radio Threat. They played with an upbeat Motorhead inspired tempo and were definitely the most punk influenced band of the night. Not only were they a  great way to start the evening but, they also added the Rock  N Roll element needed for this gig.

Next up was Alligator Dave. He is a comedic musician. At first listen, I wasn't sure about whether I could dig his material. But as I made my way through his high pitched whiny hillbilly voice, and actually listened to his lyrics, he was pretty funny. Mixing bluegrass and hip-hop with cleaver dirty jokes, his silly antics made him a decent pick to open for Big Jugs.  

The Iron Outlaws made their way on stage, to the crowds delight. The Iron Outlaws have been through a few line-up changes. Tonight was a treat with 4 out of 6 original members, Danny Garone on vocals, Aj Lopez on bass, Cesareo Garasa on drums, and Paul Cartwright  on the fiddle. New Outlaw ,Bret Cox, kicked ass on guitar and added to the chemistry of the band. They flowed as if there had never been a break.

They started their set with Soul Scar and kept the crowd moving and singing through the entirety of their 30 minute set. The Iron Outlaws are Cow-Punk to the core with a lyrical content that speaks to the masses including the working man, the scorned lover, and anyone who has experienced life as a whole and tried to push through the trial and tribulations that it has to offer.

Stand out songs in their set included Palace of Depression, Die for Love, and Take it or Leave it. For lovers of bands such as Old Man Markley and Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls, this is "the band" to check out.

Last but not least The Big Jugs hit the stage. The Santa Barbara natives have created a cult like following around California's Central Coast, and why not. Who wouldn't love these motor boatin', moonshine drinkin', crack smokin' son's a bitches. I know I do! As always their set was filled with funny-offensive-debauchar-esk lyrics, 3 shots. and a dude in a chicken costume! The played fan favs including songs such as Slumpbuster, Comin' Down, and The 3 Shot Song. The crowd was filled with laughter and dancing through out their time on stage.

Paul Cartwright lent his fiddle playing for a few songs before the Big Jugs retired. And just when you thought the fun was over, they came back on stage to play a 3 song encore including, Fuck I'm Drunk, Wild Turkey, and Tonight We Drink. It was great night of music, drinking, and friends. Can't wait to do it again!

-J.Moncrief-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

http://www.myspace.com/bigjugsmusic

http://www.myspace.com/theironoutlaws

 

 
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Lucha VaVOOM’s – Lucha is for Lovers – at The Mayan Theater – Los Angeles, CA

Sexo y Violencia – that’s been the tagline for Lucha VaVOOM since its inception in 2003, and what combination would be better for their annual Valentine’s Day extravaganza other than “sex and violence”? Part comedy, part burlesque, and part traditional Lucha Libre wrestling, Lucha VaVOOM is the vaudeville of the 21st Century.

The 3-day show took place at the historic Mayan Theatre, a former picture palace built in the 1920’s, complete with stylized pre-Columbian patterns on the façade. The first part of the show starts outside, with the luchadores and lovely burlesque ladies being delivered to the front of the theater via classic hot-rods. (Thanks to the rain-induced and Presidential-visit inspired traffic I missed that part of the show.)

Walking into the venue, the excitement is palpable from the diverse crowd—there are young punks, grandparents, yuppie couples, and the inevitable groups of rabid fans donning their very own chicken head masks—the common thread being that each and every single person there is anxiously awaiting the start of the show. A DJ off to the side of the venue is spinning salsa tunes whilst scenes from random 60’s B-movies play on the drop-down screens sprinkled throughout The Mayan.

Lights dimming, an introductory video to Lucha VaVOOM starts playing. Blaine Capatch, the main comedic emcee for the evening, takes the stage and introduces the first act. Lucy Fur begins the night, breaking out of her shell, and it’s off to the races.

Throughout the rest of the show, it’s tantalizing tassels, high-flying antics, and tongue-in-cheek commentary. This isn’t a show wherein you just sit back and watch—you are involved in the entertainment, since the luchadores are tossed, and actively jump, into the audience. And since this was the Valentine’s show, there was even a marriage.

No write-up will ever be able to do this delicious spectacle justice. Lucha VaVOOM needs to be experienced, live and in person. (Just ask Drew Carey and Eric Idle, who were also there as spectators that night.) If you aren’t able to make the next live show, you can experience some of the insanity here

To quote Jack Black, "Lucha VaVOOM is the shit." Amen Jack... Amen!

“Like” Lucha on Facebook here
 

-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Staff Photographer

 
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The Objex – Holding Onto Sound – Hooker Spit – at Riley’s Tavern – Bakersfield, CA

Friday night Vegas came to Bakersfield with a vengeance, to kick of a short California mini-tour with the melodic ska-core Vegas natives "Holding Onto Sound" aka H.O.T.S. There was a buzz around town, apparently the word had gotten out for those who missed The Objex's performance last time they came through.

Riley's Tavern has been know in the past as a dance club for hoochies and skeezers. However since the new owners have taken over, there has been some great improvements made. The back room has been transformed into a live music venue complete with a full bar, stage, sound system, all in a lounge type setting. It is quickly turning into "the spot" you wanna go to for downtown gigs.

Opening up the night was one of the only true Punk Rock bands left in Bakersfuck. Hooker Spit came out of hiding after some time of being dormant from the scene to kick ass and support our Vegas friends. As people arrived they rocked the stage in true punk fashion!

Next up was H.O.T.S! This band has been gathering a decent following. They opened up for NOFX on New Years in Vegas, and while I had heard great things about them and checked out their youtube material, I was excited to see what these guys would deliver. I gotta say, they truly added so much value to this line-up. From the time they started until the end, the crowd was blown away as they performed with such vigor and intensity. This is  band brought down the house and would be a tough act for anyone to follow.

Luckily The Objex were up for the challenge!  They wasted no time as they opened up the set with one of their stand out tracks called "Squeeze" from their new album "RSVP for Debauchery". As always Felony Melanie demanded all eyes as the crowd appease her. 

They powered through 45 minutes of hard hitting punk rock, living up to the hype that had been created around town leading up to this gig.

All three bands made new fans and put down the best gig Bakersfield has seen so far in 2012! Cheers to The Objex, Holding Onto Sound, and Hooker Spit for the stellar night of Punk Rock!

 

-J.Moncrief-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 
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Circus of Horrors – at The Aberdeen Music Hall – Aberdeen, UK

Despite performing for 17 years now, the Circus of Horrors still packs out the Aberdeen Music Hall with an excited (and nervous!) crowd. As well as the usual fans who come back for more each year there are also punters who saw the troupe on Britain’s Got Talent.

As well as bringing in new people to see the show, BGT has given CoH excellent comedy ammunition – they take the piss very successfully!

As usual burlesque girls dance around the stage and men with bulging muscles join them, all with plenty of flesh showing. Dr Haze is a charismatic front man, belting out rock songs and leading the show. This tour’s theme is based around a ventriloquist and his dummy, set in 1920’s Berlin. The first half of the show tells the story of the ventriloquist intermingled with various acts.
Anastasia IV does some spectacular aerial displays, made even more amazing by hanging from her hair! Various contortionists strut their stuff all of which is very impressive. Hannibal is as freaky as ever, sword swallowing and being weird! A personal favourite is Denis Remineu who did a very wet act starting in a bath and ending hanging from a net!

In the second half things get even more bizarre with the doll taking on a life of its own. Fluorescent tubes are stuck in dodgy places, balls are thrown about the place, and men jump all over the stage hanging off each other with some fire thrown in for good measure. 

Alongside the gruesome (poking floating ribs and ladies twisting in half) there’s plenty of light relief, including Captain Dan the Dwarf amusing everyone - often with his privates!

A fantastically weird and wonderful show. Definitely a modern day freak show. Highly recommended!

 

 

-Sally Morrison-
Big Wheel Overseas Correspondent

 
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