Show Preview: The 8th Annual Johnny Ramone Tribute – Hollywood Forever Cemetery – Los Angeles, CA – August 19, 2012
July 29, 2012
As the summer months go by we get closer to one of the best times of the year, that very special time where thousands of rock n roll fanatics flock to Hollywood Forever cemetery to pay tribute to one of the worlds greatest guitar players; Johnny Ramone of The Ramones!
Miss Linda Ramone and John Cafiero in association with Hollywood Forever are once again responsible for bringing forth what has come to be the ultimate tribute to Johnny and The Ramones legacy. The festival is a celebration of all things Ramones and a fun way to raise proceeds that benefit the Johnny Ramone Research Fund at USC Westside Prostate Cancer Center. It all takes place just a few weeks from now on August 19th, so get on the ball!
Having attended the fest many times over the years, I can guarantee there isn’t a more fun way to spend a Sunday evening at the cemetery than listening to good music and watching a great movie with thousands of fans all the while raising money for a great cause. Get your black leather jacket out of the closet, if there was ever a time to wear it, that time is definitely Sunday August 19th.
As with every Ramones fest there are very special guests from Johnny’s personal life who will be in attendance and speaking on behalf of the festival. Guests this year include Linda Ramone, John Cafiero and Tommy Ramone (who will be signing copies of Commando, the Johnny Ramone auto bio) Other special guests include Henry Rollins, Priscilla Presley, Billy Zoom, Steve Jones, Rose McGowan, Slim Jim Phantom, PJ Soles and guest DJ Howie Pyro of DGeneration and Intoxica Radio fame.
Johnny would be thrilled to know that his favorite Elvis film King Creole will be screened on the mausoleum as well. With Lisa Marie Presley in attendance this will be one special event like no other as she will present the film. As usual there will be plenty of Ramones themed merch for sale as well as cardboard cut outs and plenty of fun for the most fanatical Ramones fan to the casual ones in attendance. As with years prior, there are generations of fans who come out and we can assume this year will be no different; so bring your parents, or bring your kids and come celebrate the life of a guitar player that changed rock and roll forever and help raise money for a cause that needs your support.
This party starts at 5:30 sharp and goes till about midnight. With admission set at a low $10.00 this event is affordable and some of the best fun you’ll have all summer. Don’t be a cretin and miss out!
Tickets for this event can be found HERE
-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Journalist
Check out more show previews HERE
Send your comments to the editor HERE
Teenage Bottlerocket – The Dopamines – Elway – Tiltwheel – and The Bombpops – at The Shakedown Bar – San Diego, CA
July 27, 2012
On Friday July 27th, Wyoming natives Teenage Bottlerocket rocked the Shakedown Bar in San Diego. They were graced with an outstanding lineup of opening bands to get the show started.
The Bombpops opened the show with amazing energy. The mostly male crowd was instantly drawn to the two female singers/guitarists. But the ladies (and the rest of the band) kept the crowd’s attention with Power Pop riffs and musical tenacity. On a comical note, while I was migrating through the crowd, I overheard two men talking about how incredible the drummer is. They were speaking of The Bombpops’ newest addition, Josh Sleeze, who also plays in the Los Angeles horror punk band Murderland. “She plays really well, ya know, for a chick,” one guy said to the other. They both nodded and looked back at the stage just as Josh was taking off his shirt. Their eyes widened and they started to high five each other but stopped comically, mid-air, as they both realized that despite his shoulder length hair, Josh is indeed a male.
Next up was San Diego’s own Tiltwheel. Although this was not my first time seeing Tiltwheel play, it was the first time that I saw the band and was sober enough to remember (most of) their performance. Do you like Jawbreaker? Do you like Fifteen? Do you like beer? Me too! So you’ll probably like Tiltwheel. The sound of the songs fit the bill of the venue - grinding Power Punk with a slight side of happy. That is, until you listen to lead singer/guitarist Davey’s vocals. The songs may be laced with boozy lyrics on the surface but, there the dark themes separate Tiltwheel from any old ‘bunch of drunk dudes in a band’.
Third was Elway, a 4 piece from Fort Collins, Colorado. As they powered through a good part of their new EP, I was drawn away from my intoxicating conversation with the overly tattooed, overly good looking doorman of the bar. I stood dumbfounded in the middle of the very small, very crowded floor. It’s no wonder Elway was signed to Red Scare; they are the southwest incarnates of the Lawrence Arms who are easily one of my favorite bands. As the band powered through classics from their debut Red Scare album Delusions, the liveliness of the bodies in the bar ebbed and flowed as fists were raised high in the air. It didn’t seem to matter that many people didn’t know the words or the songs. They were giving it their all. As Elway dismounted the stage, I wiped the sweat from my forehead and was left with only one thought. That was an amazing set.
And it only got better! The Dopamines from Cincinnati, Ohio were on. For a band that started as a side project with the focus of just having fun and playing music for music’s sake, something has gone wonderfully right. It only took one song to see that they are not the typical ‘fucking off in the garage with your friends’ kind of band. There is the band, onstage (with touring fill-in Mikey Erg! of The Ergs!), having a great time, possibly a little more than drunk, laughing and smiling AND sounding great. That is, if you could hear the vocals over the entire bar cheering and singing along. There was pogo dancing. There was fist pumping. We all sang and danced out little Punk hearts out in fear that, as many were talking about the in crowd before the show, The Dopamines won't make it back to California again.
Lastly, the band that we were all there to see, Teenage Bottlerocket. With their catchy bass riffs and witty yet lighthearted lyrics, it was as if the ghosts of the Ramones were back from the dead and inhabiting the bodies of 4 guys from Wyoming…with less hair. If you don’t know the words, you will by the second chorus; the songs are just plain fun and the live performance is even better. Bottlerocket played a good portion of their new album, Freak Out!, along with many of the fan favorites from their previous albums. Upon playing a new song “In The Pit”, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. I couldn’t help but note the irony as the center of the room filled with kids (and I use that term loosely) ready to spin, kick, and fight as the band sang:
We'll act like we're 10 and run around this place
In redneck circles like a NASCAR race
It's much fun getting kicked in the face
We're too fucking dumb to quit
IN THE PIT!
But they were having fun, so who am I to judge?
At the end of the show, the crowd was so insistent and relentless, the band came back onstage for an encore… in an 100 person capacity bar. That shit is practically unseen! In fact, Bottlerocket played so long that the bartenders and staff at Shakedown started to close the facility down with everyone still inside.
It was one of those shows that left my jaw on the floor, my shirt covered in sweat, and songs stuck in my head for days.
More photos of the show can be seen HERE
-Kendra Sheetz-
Big Wheel Contributor
Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews
Send your comments to the editor HERE
Joey Ramone – Ya Know?
July 27, 2012
It’s been 11 years since the passing of Punk rock pioneer Joey Ramone, in that time two posthumous albums have been released, the newest being … Ya Know? earlier this year.
... Ya Know? right from the start feels like a record you’ve heard before despite most of the songs surfacing just this year. The reason I say that is because the ever classic Ramones spirit and flavor is found through out most of these tracks... -that my friends is a very good thing as sometimes experimentation can go very wrong, in Joeys case he is able to work on his strengths and offer up only the best use of his pop friendly voice. There are instances where you may be taken by surprise as there are bits of mandolin thrown in on the track Waiting for the Railroad, it’s not overkill and only works to make for a better song in which Joey's voice fits perfect over. There is even a track on the record that would best be described as done in the style of Calypso called Make me Tremble in which Joey absolutely rules vocally. The track Cabin Fever features some electronics, but fear not as Joey doesn’t go techno, the electronics are just there for atmosphere, once again Joey doesn’t disappoint.
This album contains many tracks that also resemble songs you would hear on a Ramones album which of course is what would probably attract most listeners to this album in the first place. Album opener Rock ‘n Roll is the Answer is an anthem that stands up there with the best of his prior bands work, had it come out in the 80‘s there would be a generation of musicians inspired by it. There are also re workings of Ramones tracks Merry Christmas and Life’s a Gas that have a new energy to them done in a way that perhaps would have never been possible unless done on this solo record.
All in all this is one of the best albums you will pick up this year and a great way to remember one of rocks greatest front men ever, the one, the only Joey Ramone. You will get your Ramones fix and more with … Ya Know?.
-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Journalist
Go HERE to see all the latest record reviews
Send your comments to the editor HERE
The Mo Odds – The Dharma Bums – and Revoluions Pride – at Sandrini’s – Bakersfield, CA
July 27, 2012
Friday night, L.A. based Mo Odds were scheduled to headline and perform with supporting acts Revolution's Pride and Dharma Bums in downtown Bakersfield. By the end of the night the audience got a little more than they had expected.
Let's just say, a chaotic blend of Indie-Rock instrumentals turned amatuer strip show with Mo Odd's vocalist prowling around the room in nothing but leopard print tights.
The night's entertainment took a trip through the hills and down the Grapevine to bestow their talents upon Bakersfield, more specifically, Sandrini's Basque and Italian Restaurant. Well-known for their large selection of imported beer and wine, Sandrini's is the local hot spot for music with live shows almost every day of the week.
The up close and personal atmosphere of the building provides an element that arena shows lack, which is an amplifier sitting directly in front of your face and the vibration of drums beneath your feet. As you enter through the doors from the main street there are stairs that take you down into the basement bar that has a pub-style atmosphere. That night, the regular customers were already gathered around the bar waiting for the music to begin.
Revolution's Pride tuned up their guitars around 10 p.m. and started the night off strong with their signature Indie sound. Lead singer Diego Reynosa sang from the heart with a glass in hand as the energy of the band was dispelled into the audience. Their drummer pounded away at the drums with precision. During their set they ventured into a cover of "Bad Man" originally written by '90s underground garage band The Oblivians. The guitarists and bass player supported Reynosa at times with interludes of catchy gang vocals. Situated at the edge of the stage was a suitcase with their recently released 7" vinyl called "No Mixing".
Check Out Revolution's Pride HERE
Before their last song had ended the guitarist and singer of Dharma Bums, the second band to perform, were seated at a table with a pen and paper in hand. They were drawing out their set list and a few minutes later were ready to take the stage.
The crowd dissipated after Revolution's Pride finished, but not for long, as they would soon return to hear Dharma Bums in action. After a slight delay that was caused by a broken guitar string (guitarist Brian Ponce ended up borrowing a hollow-body from the previous band) they opened with "Goin' Up the Country," which lead into a string of other tunes that were laced with singer and guitarist Joe Jimenez's skilled solo work. They had an eclectic mixture of different sounding songs with obvious influence ranging from many different genres of music. Jimenez cites his influence as the roots of Zeppelin, rather than the band itself. That would be the Delta Blues my friends; a healthy mix of Lead Belly and Muddy Waters is the proper diet for any Rock 'n' Roller. Ponce, on the other hand, grew up on the metal end of the spectrum and listened to bands like Slayer.
For their first show in Bakersfield the Dharma Bums knew how to work the crowd. It was apparent that they were stage-ready and had plenty of practice beforehand, in that moment they remained a tight jam band with unpredictable tendencies. The show coincided with the recent release of their EP titled "Slumberland," which, (just as the 7" inch recently pressed by Revolution's Pride) was recorded and produced at the Laundry Room Recording Studio. One of the highlights of their set was during their song Light Bulbs And Straws, a catchy tune that created some decent movement in the crowd and was met with a great applause after the song ended.
Check Out The Dharma Bums HERE
Looking around the bar at Sandrini's there seemed to be a mixed crowd. It was apparent that some were there for music, others to have a drink with their date and then of course the guy that's too wasted to do much else besides fall over unsuspecting guests. But when the time came all eyes were on Mo Odds as they started off with "Olivia," an original track that had a 50's Power-Pop sound, by the time the chorus hit a a modern jump groove had arrived. In the midst of a hollow, out-of-tune guitar sound the vocals could be heard loud and clear. His voice was Rock 'n' Roll. There's really no other way to describe it — imagine Little Richard meets a modern Indie groove. Paul Rodgers of Bad Company would perhaps be another name that comes to mind. The band itself was lively and entertaining at times with a saxophonist brilliantly playing along.
Check Out The Mo Odds HERE
Yet again, their singer stole the show by rolling around on the floor and climbing on chairs while people were dancing. It was all in great fun and the audience seemed to eat it up. While it was a laugh to see him running around in tights with his butt hanging out., Chris' skill and versatility with his vocal range was good enough to be thoroughly entertaining without the act. They broke out into a cover of Little Richard's "Good Golly Miss Molly" that would have made the man himself proud. The talent their singer possess is without doubt the factor that would enable this band to rise above the underground bar scene.
The show ended at 12:45 p.m. People gathered around the bar and others made there way to the exit. Outside were the usual cops prowling the streets on a Friday night in downtown Bakersfield. All in all it was a memorable night filled with exceptional talent and plenty of beer.
More photos of the show can be seen HERE
-Breanna Fields-
Big Wheel Contributor
Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews
Send your comments to the editor HERE
A Pretty Mess – Filthy Poor
July 25, 2012
Seriously, this band rules, and so does this album! If you like catchy street Punk, then I highly recommend picking this up. It's fast, it's raw, and in your face. It can sometimes be tough getting into band with girls singers. They either try to "sing" to much, scream too much, are too high pitched, or whatever, the list goes on. That isn't the case with this album. The vocals are mixed and switched up and it sounds good! The "screaming" actually sounds so much like Brody Dale (The Distillers), and yes that's a compliment. I love how every song sounds different too. One of my favorites on here was "1692". It's catchy little guitar riffs are bound to get stuck in your head. I also liked how the songs' semi-fast paced beat ends up going into a ska beat, and then back to fast. Proof of the songs not sounding the same. My other two favorites were "Lost City" and "Despair", they're so catchy!
Another cool thing about this album, cover songs! There's nothing more rad than hearing bands play covers from Punk legends and being able to pull it off. They do "Bloodstains" from Agent Orange and "Kids of the Blackhole" from The Adolescents. I really liked this album. It's not going to be one of my all time favorites, but its definitely something I will listen to enough to the point where I catch myself humming the songs. Listen to this!
A Pretty Mess Facebook is HERE
-Corrina P.-
Big Wheel Staff Journalist
Go HERE to see all the latest record reviews
Send your comments to the editor HERE
Doggy Style – Punkers Anthem
July 23, 2012
Doggy Style, a band Ive heard many good things about but have never listened to. I wasn't really sure what to think once I put this on the first time. Its not what I expected, but its still pretty good. I usually always compare band to each other to give a feel of who they sound like, but this was tough! This is very skate Punk influenced but I also hear some songs being kind of pop punkish. Some may get this but most wont, but as far as the poppier sound, The Vandals popped into my head. Some of the songs on here were lyrically witty and funny. For example the song "Beat Your Meat". Its such a good song. Very fun and poppy and the lyrics are funny! Another catchy song on here is "Everyday". Its not so much on the funny side (although they do mention beating the meat again) but its a good song about Punk basically being their way of life. Its not just a one day a week thing, be Punk everyday. Punk is not dead!
I really like the lyrics to most of the songs. I'm not one to look at the lyrics right away and follow along, but these were cool. Songs about falling in love with a girl in the pit, slam dancing, etc. Punk songs with Punk lyrics are the best. The song "Suicidal Maniac" was my favorite on here. The song ends with "If it wasn't for Punk we'd be dead. The pressures not real it's in your head. If there is one thing we can agree, it's listen to hardcore it will set you free". Now just how badass is that? It's bands like Doggy Style that are here to ensure us that the scene is still alive.
-Corrina P.-
Big Wheel Staff Journalist
Go HERE to see all the latest record reviews
Send your comments to the editor HERE
Loading ...
