Record Store Day: Featuring In Store Performances from Channel 3 and Chuck Ragan – Los Angeles – Bakersfield – San Francisco, CA
April 21, 2012
Independent Record Stores all over the world celebrated Record Store Day. Of course, Big Wheel Magazine staff and contributors were out enjoying the festivities all over California as well. Channel 3 played at Left of the Dial in Seal Beach, Chuck Ragan had a performance at Rasputin Music in Berkeley, and shoppers partied up all day long at Going Underground Records in Bakersfield, CA.
Record Store Day - Channel 3 - at Left of the Dial Records - Los Angeles, CA
The brainchild of Chris Brown (no, not THAT Chris Brown), and founded by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave, and Brian Poehner, Record Store Day celebrated its 5th birthday on April 21st. Each year there is an official ambassador for RSD and Iggy Pop was the chosen one for 2012. (Past ambassadors include Metallica, Josh Homme, and Ozzy Osborne.) With over 700 independent stores in the US participating, we had a lot of locations to choose from, but we went with Left of the Dial Records located in Seal Beach.
Many shops will have in-store appearances, on top of the special album releases made specifically for RSD, and Left of the Dial was no different. The special guests this time? Channel 3!
Left of the Dial is a small place, and I was curious how they were going to pack in the band and the fans around the stacks and stacks of awesome merchandise, but I needn’t have worried. After pushing some stand-up bins to the side and moving out some tables, Mike and the guys set up in the back corner. There weren’t a ton of people at the store when I arrived, but that soon changed as CH3’s start time drew near. The store was incredibly warm, due to the amount of people packed in, but that didn’t deter either the band or the fans.
They started off their set with “I Didn’t Know”. About halfway through the song, Maria Montoya showed up (apparently she was stuck on the freeway for 2 hours—gotta love that Southern California traffic!) and she and the band went into “It’s the Little Things”. In between their older and newer songs, Mike shilled for the neighboring shops (“Pavillions, only $16.99 for a 30 case of Coors Lite! It’s a great deal, you know you want to!” and “Next door, for a limited time, you can get a mani AND a pedi!”) Other songs included “You Make Me Feel Cheap” and “Separate Peace”.
There was no room to pit, but that didn’t stop one girl from showing two young boys how it is done. (Mike’s nephews, if I’m not mistaken.) Channel 3 will be playing at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach on April 27th. They apparently like Coors Lite, so buy them a beer after their set. Go check them out for the full experience and force of their always powerful, and fun, performance.
When the show was over, I stuck around and picked up some vinyl for my collection. Left of the Dial has a great selection of old and rare Punk, so don’t wait until April of next year to get yours.
You can find Channel 3 here:
www.chthree.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/CH3/109090763486
Left of the Dial can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/leftofthedialrecords
http://www.leftofthedialrecords.com/
-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Magazine Reporter
To see more photos of this event click HERE
Record Store Day - Chuck Ragan - at Rasputin Music - Berkeley, CA
On April 21, 2012, Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, California was packed with throngs of people walking on the main drag of the street. And why? It was everybody’s favorite holiday – Record Store Day. (Note: It was also UC Berkeley’s welcome day for incoming freshman, but a person can dream and speculate, can’t they?)
The ‘holiday’ in itself brought together many types of people of different ages, backgrounds, and creeds for one sole purpose: to support their local independent record store.
At Rasputin Music in Berkeley, California, the sound of protective jewel cases clinking together as people paw through the establishment’s CD collection is heard through out the store.
A line of ten or more people develops as the cashiers at the front desk struggle to deal with the high volume of people record store day has brought in.
Rasputin Music, like many record stores across the country during Record Store Day, hosted a handful of performance acts. One of them was acoustic, Punk Folk-master, Chuck Ragan.
Only minutes before his act, fans and intrigued record store day celebrators filtered into the store to hear his performance. Well known for his Florida Punk-outfit, Hot Water Music, Ragan brought new and old fans alike. (Personal note: I heard the statement, ‘I’ve been a fan of his since Hot Water Music,’ more times in one day than any person should.)
Playing from an upper level balcony, Ragan’s gritty, Bruce Springsteen-esque voice thundered throughout the store to the dozens of spectators below. Those wishing to get up close and personal with Chuck Ragan and his band gathered on the upper level, packed tightly against CD racks.
Crowd favorites such as “For Broken Ears,” “Nothing Left to Prove,” and “Let it Rain” were played. The set had a folky, homespun feel with fiddle and stand-up bass instrumentals. (Another side note: the man playing stand-up bass looked like a reincarnation of Greg Norton from Husker Du.)
The set ended, and the crowd forming around the store’s CD racks dispersed to other places in the store, seeing what their local record store had to offer on Record Store Day.
-Erin D.-
Big Wheel Magazine Contributor
To see more photos of this event click HERE
Record Store Day - at Going Underground - Bakersfield, CA
Despite the 90 degree heat wave that hit Saturday, many Central Californian music lovers made it out to local record stores to support the music scene, local business owners, and of course find some great deals on vinyl. Going Underground in Bakersfield hosted a large selection of new and vintage vinyl of all different genres and had some amazing deals.
There was a live performance from a local Punk band and a couple of DJs that provided entertainment for the shoppers as they thumbed through boxes upon boxes of records.
All in all, RSD was a lot of fun in Downtown Bakersfield, I could have hung out at the store all day if they would have had a keg.....On second thought, probably a good thing there wasn't, I would have spent all my money!
http://www.facebook.com/Goingundergroundrecords
Big Wheel Magazine salutes the heroes of the music scene, like Going Underground, that bust their ass running their business because of their passion for music. Cheers to all the unsung heroes of the scene, and HAPPY RECORD STORE DAY!
-J.Moncrief-
Big Wheel Magazine Reporter
To see more photos of this event click HERE
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CicLAvia Bike Event – Los Angeles, CA – April 15, 2012
April 15, 2012
CicLAvia is the bi-annual event where 10 miles of streets around downtown Los Angeles are closed down and are open to bikes, skateboard, rickshaws, walkers or whatever. This event is full on Punk rock fun as you can get wild in the streets of downtown Los Angeles. This is not a ride that is for jocks, this is a ride for all the regular people to go out and enjoy our open spaces. Many of us only see downtown as we are cruising to a show over at The Redwood, 5 Star Bar or over at The Blue Star and this ride was a perfect excuse to see the downtown under the light of day. A little over 100,000 people take part in this event and come from all over Southern California and we even met plenty who came to the ride from other states. A grip of Big Wheel friends and staff took the ride and we brought back a video to give you an overview of the ride and just how fun this is.
Enjoy this video overview of CicLAvia Bike Event in Los Angeles on April 15, 2012
Just like the October 2011 ride that the Big Wheel crew went on (you can read about that one and see the photos HERE), this ride was just as much of a blast. The event is in April and October, go to the event's website to make sure you get the details on the next one: www.ciclavia.org -Get a mob of your friends and join the next one in October, hell, hit us up here at Big Wheel and lets put together and even bigger crew.
-Stevie M.-
Big Wheel Magazine Reporter
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Darkside Party – Featuring DJ Josex – Maverick Cadaverick – The Dark Electro – Bunny Pistol – and CORE Suspension Crew – at Sacred Gyspy Tattoo – Bakersfield, CA
March 31, 2012
"Be decked to wreck, and make this party your runway, or get left at the door!" Those were the instructions for Saturday's Darkside party at Sacred Gypsy Tattoo in Bakersfield, CA. All the freaks were in full effect, as the Darkside crew hosted some of coolest alternative acts in Cali. DJ Josex was spinning throughout the night as he celebrated his 30th birthday along with DJ Maverick Cadaverick of Fresno Goth.
Honestly when Josex is spinning, you don't need any supporting acts to enjoy your night. He is known for keeping the party moving with a great mixture of electronica, 80's alternative, gothic, metal and everywhere in between. However tonight party goers were in for a special treat. Special guest DJ Maverick Cadaverick rocked the night also with a sic collection of the baddest darkest vinyl available.
DJ Josex and Maverick Cadaverick wouldn't be the only ones to keep the energy flowing. New wave, electronica band, Dark Electro, featuring D Nezzy Idy and Mary G, would play an amazing set as well.
During intermissions, the lovely Bunny Pistol entertained the crowd with a Burlesque show. in her first performance, she appeared in a Darth Vadar costume. If you thought Darth Vadar couldn't be sexy, think again! She gave a whole new meaning to "The Force" as she stripped down to little more than a mask and tassels.
At about mid-night the music faded and a drum session started along with tribal humming and chanting. The attention was drawn to the back of the room and a man and woman walked through the crowd in costume holding a skull. The alter was ready as they quickly became the main attraction. A young lady with hooks in her calves, thighs, and back, sat indian style as her hooks were secured to the ropes that had been prepared for her earlier in the evening. Followed by six quills that pierced her skin. She looked into the the crowd with an entranced stare.
As the hooks pierced her flesh, she showed no signs of pain and seemed to fall deeper into a meditative state as the drums grew louder. The cloaked man lit her quills on fire leaving a essence of sage. She was lifted from the ground and the crowd stared in amazement as she hung suspended in the air in an indian style position for over 7 minutes! The look of euphoria hid the intense pain that must be associated with this type of act. As she was lowered, the whole room cheered for this unbelievable spectacle.
The rest of the night was filled with dancing, 3 dollar Mojitos, raffled artwork from Lysa Luna, Noelia Citialin,and various other artist and piercers in town. Not to mention another performance from Bunny Pistol and a few people even left the building with fresh tats from some of the best tattoo artists in town. The Darkside Crew and Sacred Gypsy threw down another kick ass, phantasmagoric party. Can't wait for the next!
www.facebook.com/Josexmusic
-J.Moncrief-
Big Wheel Reporter
More photos of the show can be seen HERE
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The Rubix Room presents: Joy Division Night Featuring – Boy Division – at Ibiza Bar – Huntington Beach, CA – March 24, 2012
March 4, 2012
If you're tired of driving all the way to Los Angeles for 80's music and 80's clubs, rejoice, because on Saturday March 24, 80's dance club The Rubix Room is coming to Ibiza Bar & Nightclub in Huntington Beach. The event will consist of 80's and new wave, however, the event is specifically themed to be Joy Division night. Joy Division cover band Boy Division will be performing,
and DJs Eric Dead, John The Post Man, and Virtigo will be providing the best of the 80's. The Rubix Room will be celebrating DJ Virtigo's birthday.
The Rubix Room, which is an 80's dance club enabled by local disc jockey DJ Virtigo, has been consistently providing 80's events in Orange County for the last two years. DJ Virtigo specializes in new wave, death rock, post punk, industrial, and minimal synth, but has also provided other genres of music in his events. DJ Virtigo said he also spins "Funk, oldies/Motown, rockabilly, psychobilly, classic rock, garage, and 90's house."
DJ Virtigo has not only participated in and performed at local events, but he has also been the creator and mastermind of several renowned gigs in the Orange County area. DJ Virtigo created and ran The Wreck Hall, a weekly free music event that spanned successfully over the last two years and showcased local bands from LA and the OC. He also created Wreck Fest and Grrrl Edition, the latter which was a celebration of women in arts and music. Most of DJ Virtigo's events have provided grounds for bands, live music, vendors, and art, overall providing a vessel for the artistic scene in Orange County to further flourish. Some of the bands that have performed at DJ Virtigo's events range from prominent names like 45 Grave, Radioactive Chicken Heads, and The Tequila Worms. Other bands range from The Vampz, Inazuma, The Fly Traps, Black Mambas, Slash O Matic, Tearist, The Stitched Lips, and Urinal Cakes.
When asked how DJ Virtigo got his name, DJ Virtigo said, "Virtigo was my raver nickname when I was heavily into gabber and jungle, no trance here, when I was an underground in the 90's. The member of a local party crew called me out in a dance battle. He said I gave him vertigo, and that's how I got my name."
The Rubix Room, celebrating DJ Virtigo's birthday at the "gay owned and operated" Ibiza Bar & Nightclub in Huntington Beach, is 21+, free, and takes Saturday March 24. The event starts at 9 p.m.
-Stephanie M.-
Senior Staff Reporter
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Lucha VaVOOM’s – Lucha is for Lovers – at The Mayan Theater – Los Angeles, CA
February 15, 2012
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
More photos of the show can be seen HERE
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Circus of Horrors – at The Aberdeen Music Hall – Aberdeen, UK
February 9, 2012
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
More photos of the show can be seen HERE
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