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A few weeks ago, my Music Minded column was about the remarkable music biopic "Control," which revolves around the life of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.
Now it's finally playing closer to home at the new Laemmle Theater in Claremont.
If you're a Joy Division/New Order fan, go see it!
Has anyone checked it out? Thoughts?
In tonight's round of "Next Great American Band," I was sad to see the excellent Tres Bien voted off. I could easily see them as an opening act for Hot Hot Heat or The Hives.
It was Rod Stewart week and a couple of the remaining groups did intriguing versions. Country/bluegrass trio The Clark Brothers' "You're in My Heart" brought judge Sheila E. to tears.
Sixwire totally rocked out on "Hot Legs." All the judges criticized their bass solo. While I'm not a fan of them either, the original song does have one.
Denver & the Mile High Orchestra's swinging "Baby Jane" was perfct for them.
I don't know why the insipid Dot Dot Dot, who recall a second rate Orgy, is still around; same goes for teenage metal band Light of Doom.
DRAMARAMA
When this transplanted New Jersey band hits the Coach House stage, something special usually happens.
Anyone who has witnessed these guys at the old venue can attest. I’ve seen fans invited onstage to perform, amazing electric/acoustic sets, rare covers and marathon concerts lasting until the wee hours of the morning.
Singer/songwriter John Easdale never gives less than 100 percent, while his chief musical foil - Mark “Mr. E Boy” Englert - plays electric guitar like a man possessed. The alt-rock group’s back catalog boasts several gems, including my personal faves: “Cinema Verite” (1985), “Stuck in Wonderamaland” (1989) and “Vinyl” (1991).
Casual modern rock radio listeners should know Dramarama from the modern rock radio staple “Anything Anything (I’ll Give You),” which is reportedly the most played song ever at KROQ-FM (106.7).
“Last Cigarette,” “Haven’t Got a Clue,” “What Are We Gonna Do” and “Work For Food,” from the group’s first incarnation, also logged significant airplay.
Easdale jump started Dramarama again in 2005 for “Everybody Dies,” a solid reunion CD that ranges from blues-tinged numbers (“Try 5 Times”) and compelling folk/rock (“Goodnight America”) to psychedelia (“Physical Poetry,” “Dropping the Curtains). There’s a slight New York Dolls vibe to “Gotta Get Up,” while the infectious title track is augmented by cowbell, plus Englert and Mark Wood’s wailing guitars.
The vocalist says this might be the last Dramarama show for awhile. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
8 p.m. Saturday, the Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, $18 advance, $20 day of show, www.ticketmaster.com, www.thecoachhouse.com, www.myspace.com/johneasdale.
To purchase selected songs or CDs, go to www.itunes.com or www.amazon.com.
Here are a few excerpts from my interview with veteran session guitarist Ray "The Weeper" Fuller, who organized Saturday's benefit show at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.
Q: So George Duke provided your nickname, "The Weeper."
A: We were doing a session together and he said, 'man, you're cryin' all over my record. We'll have to call you 'The Weeper'...He's like family. We have a one on one-type relationship. He cares about children and educating artists and understands the need to give back. He nurtured me (as a musician).
Q: What do you recall about Whitney Houston's “I Will Always Love You,” one of your more commercially successful recording sessions?
A: (While on tour as Houston's guitarist), we flew into Florida and are in this hotel ballrooom. At
4 p.m, David Foster plays this Dolly Parton song from the '70s. The touring band had top session guys. By 5:30 p.m., we were finished recording and on a plane. You just knew you did something special. Whitney had to lobby to keep us on “The Bodyguard” record. The Machine just wanted to use her vocal track.
Q: Tell me about your involvement in that short-lived ABC reality series, “The One.”
A: There were too many (similar shows) on at the time. It was a mess. I served as a teacher behind the scenes who helped the kids get their songs together.
Performers on the Riverside bill include:
George Duke - The crossover jazz keyboardist is best known for his collaborations with Stanley Clarke, Frank Zappa, Jean Luc-Ponty Experience, Anita Baker and cousin Dianne Reeves, which landed him a Jazz Vocal Album Grammy as producer in 2000. He has also produced the 1981 chart topper “Sukiyaki,” by A Taste of Honey, several '80s hits for Jeffrey Osborne and Deniece Williams and countless others, notably Miles Davis, Al Jarreau, Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson. On television, Duke spent nine years as Musical Director for the Soul Train Music Awards.
Brenda Russell - The R&B singer/songwriter/pianist first gained attention with “So Good, So Right,” a top 40 single on the pop charts in 1979. She later made a bigger mark with “Piano in the Dark” (No. 6, 1988). “Get Here,” the title track from the album, was a widespread success for Oleta Adams. Russell co-wrote score to the film “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” More recently, she cowrote the music/lyrics to the successful Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “The Color Purple.”
Euge Groove - A mainstay on smooth jazz radio since 2000, the saxophonist spent time in Tower of Power and did tours with Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Eros Ramazotti and Richard Marx. His signature style is best heard on the No. 1 Expose track “Seasons Change.” Groove's notable session work includes albums by Paula Abdul, Heart, Elton John and Bonnie Raitt.
Trace Adkins has been added to the lineup for Day 2 of the Stagecoach Festival, held next May at Empire Polo Field in Indio. Weekend tickets are on sale now.
I haven't read Ebony Magazine's December cover story on Michael Jackson, but last Sunday's piece in London's Daily Telegraph about the 25th anniversary of “Thriller” was both illuminating and hilarious.
Several principals involved in recording the album and making the lavish title track video (Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton, John Landis, Rick Baker) discuss their experiences.
Among the notable quotes: Jones suggesting “Beat It” have a similar thrust as The Knack's “My Sharona” and cold-calling Eddie Van Halen; Vincent Price feeling short-changed over making just $1,000; Landis being summoned to Jackson's trailer at 3:30 a.m. - to meet Jackie Onassis; crew members watching Jackson wither when someone flashes a photo.
Kevin DuBrow, who led metal band Quiet Riot to major success in the mid-1980s, via the hits "Cum on Feel the Noize" and "Bang Your Head (Metal Health)," has died at age 52. The singer was discovered yesterday at his Las Vegas home. Cause of death is still to be determined. DuBrow released a covers album, "In For the Kill," in 2004.
Casey Calvert, guitarist for popular Dayton, OH screamo band Hawthorne Heights, died last Friday at age 25. He was discovered on the group's tour bus in Washington D.C. Cause of death is TBA; some reports have suggested it could be due to Calvert's being asthmatic.
2006 disc "If Only You Were Lonely" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, while the single "Saying Sorry" reached No. 7 on the Modern Rock Tracks tally.
Southern California dates, including House of Blues Anaheim (Dec. 10) and House of Blues Sunset Strip (Dec. 11), have been cancelled. Refunds available at point of purchase.
TRAVIS
If all you want to do is rock, then four lads from Glasgow are prepared to show you how.
Last spring, Travis – one of the finest bands to emerge from the Northern U.K. in the 1990s – returned with fifth album “The Boy with No Name.” The title was inspired by the birth of singer/guitarist Fran Healy’s son Clay.
Magnificent in scope, it includes bittersweet lyrics, yearning vocals, shimmering melodies and some rockier bits. Essentially, all the elements that first endeared the quartet to fans here and abroad.
There’s a positive vibe to the heavenly “One Night” and romantic “Closer,”
while “Colder” boasts a dense, yet majestic sound featuring harp, harmonica and vocoder. Brawny rocker “Selfish Jean,” inspired by Iggy Pop and Martha and the Vandellas should go down a storm in concert.
This past April, the group (rounded out by bassist Dougie Payne, guitarist Andy Dunlop and drummer Neil Primrose) played the Coachella Festival and did a small venue gig at the El Rey Theatre. SoCal enthusiasts have waited six months for another shot of splendor.
Get ready to “Sing” at the top of your lungs. Highly touted U.K. upstarts Maximo Park open.
Doors at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, House of Blues, Downtown Disney, Anaheim, $38, (714) 778-BLUE.
Check out more from my chat with singer/guitarist Fred Mascherino (formerly of Taking Back Sunday). His new band plays Wednesday at the Glass House in Pomona.
Note: Mascherino answered some TBS questions in the present tense, as if the break is still sinking in.
Q: TBS played the Inland Empire twice this year within a six-month span - first at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino, then Projekt Revolution in Devore over the summer. You should have a lot of fans anxious to see you in Pomona.
A: Yeah, that area’s kind of been like our second home the last few years. We’re there quite a bit.
Q: What can people expect on this tour?
A: Eventually, I’d like to play some of the Taking Back Sunday songs I wrote, but we’re mainly concentrating on the new album. We play just about everything on ‘Bend to Break’ live.
Q: The CD came out a few weeks ago. Are you getting a lot of positive feedback?
A: Yeah. I think it’s crazy some people know all the words already…if you enjoyed the writing I did with Taking Back Sunday and my past bands, I think this record would appeal to you as well. I still feel like I need to get the word out. I have people asking on MySpace whether I really quit TBS. We’re just going to hit the road and start spreading the word. When I finally decided to do the record, it took 1 ½ years from start to finish. To see it finally come out and people really taking a liking to it is a relief.
Q: Since you’d worked with producer Lou Giordano in the past, was it a relaxed experience in the studio?
A: Yeah, I think he’s the most artist friendly producer I’ve ever met. That’s why he’s been able to work with people like Bob Mould and Sunny Day Real Estate…you never feel like you’re compromising your art when you’re recording with him. He wants to see your vision and make that happen. That’s what’s important.
Q: Basically, it’s a solo album in every sense of the word; you played guitar, bass and keyboards.
A: That was my plan…it doesn’t sound like your average solo record though. These days, it seems like solo artists are always playing acoustic guitars, harmonica and shakers. I considered that at one time, but realized that the way that I write and the songs I like to play live are louder music. I like stuff with lots of energy that is rockin’. A lot of this album was written to sound like a band. I also did that because I wanted the fans who have been listening to me the past several years to still enjoy what I was doing. I didn’t see any reason to switch it up.
Q: Had you stockpiled songs that didn’t make it on previous TBS albums?
A: Yeah, when I went into record, I had 45 songs from the past five years. The songs that I wound up using on the album were mainly written in the past two years. They had a similar mood and told the same story about a lot of things I was going through that ultimately led to me going out on my own.
Q: Was it an amicable departure from TBS?
A: I was very upfront about what I was going to do - even awhile before I did it. Although it was still upsetting to everyone involved and doesn’t feel amicable at the moment. We’re going to take some time to lick our wounds.
'Bend to Break' is available on Equal Vision Records.
For more information, log onto thecolorfred.com or equalvision.com
Thursday marks the 10th anniversary of the death of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence. I was a big fan of the band, whose biggest and best album, 'Kick,' dominated radio during my freshman year in college. Sadly, I only got to see the original incarnation twice: first during the '92 tour for the middling 'Welcome to Wherever You Are' (at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar of all places) and in '97 for the solid 'Elegantly Wasted.' A short time later, he commited suicide. I must admit I was upset at the time.
New recruit JD Fortune, discovered on the reality series "INXS: Rock Star," has a smoldering sensuality and is an able substitute. 'Switch,' their 2005 CD together, definitely deserved more attention than it got (check out "Devil's Party" and "Pretty Vegas").
Here are my picks for INXS Mark I's top tracks:
1.The One Thing
2. Don't Change
3. I Send a Message
4. Original Sin
5. This Time
6. What You Need
7. Listen Like Thieves
8. Never tear Us Apart
9. Devil Inside
10. Suicide Blonde
So the Chili Peppers have filed suit against the Showtime network over the title of the series "Californication" (a RHCP album) and character nicknamed Dani California (a big RHCP hit).
When I first read those titles were being used, I figured the band granted permission. Guess not.
Did anyone watch the AMAs on Sunday night?
I thought most of the performances were boring. Fergie was given way too much time. Those female mannequins onstage with will.i.am were too risque for the 8 o'clock hour. That gal from the Pussycat Dolls is overrated. Maroon 5 was bland beyong belief.
Surprisingly, a jolt of energy finally came from Jonas Brothers, of all people. When those teenage girls ran through Nokia Theatre to provide an instant crowd and three panels of broken glass signaled the brothers' arrival, I said, 'now that's an entrance.' One of them even recovered well from stumbling on the glass.
When Sugarland started singing, I figured it was a new song since I didn't recognize it (I interviewed them for Stagecoach Fest last May). Then Beyonce came along to ruin the countryfied version of her tune. Doesn't this woman know how to tone it down? Giving her a lifetime achievement award just shows how meaningless the AMAs are (and people complain about the Grammys).
It was cool to see Duran Duran get two songs: the sleek new single from "Red Carpet Massacre" and a classic voted on by cell phone users or something ("Hungry Like the Wolf"). Singer Simon LeBon really went out his way to shake Slash's hand as the Velvet Revolver guitarist took the stage to present an award with Scott Weiland. Slash seemed to say, 'sorry man, I've got to do this right now.'
Host Jimmy Kimmel wasn't the least bit funny. The writer's strike didn't help.
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke told a British DJ that the band will be touring America to support "In Rainbows" next May. Could that mean a preview appearance at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in April? Stay tuned...
Apparently I was way off in my review of Angels & Airwaves at Bling Fest on Saturday in Rancho Cucamonga.
An organizer for the event put the crowd estimate at 6,000.
If you missed Thursday play the Glass House earlier this week, you can also catch them at 7 p.m. tonight at the El Rey Theatre in L.A. Tickets are $17.50.
The New Jersey screamo band just released a CD+DVD, "Kill the House Lights," on its old label Victory. Live footage from hometown area shows at the Starland Ballroom and Maxwell's in December 2006, plus a documentary on the band's tumultuous history comprise the DVD content. New, unreleased, demos and live tracks make up the CD.
According to Billboard Boxscore, which tracks concert grosses around the world, Rascal Flatts' Sept. 15 show in Devore drew 14,468 people.
I'm surprised - I thought the superstar country band would easily sell out the place.
Here's the lineup for the second night of KROQ's Almost Acoustic Xmas, held at Gibson Amphitheatre on Dec. 8-9:
MUSE
SHINS
SPOON
JIMMY EAT WORLD
MODEST MOUSE
FEIST
SILVERSUN PICKUPS
Ticket prices and on sale info should be announced in the coming weeks.
Last week, I was sad to see another independent record store bite the dust.
This time it was Sounds Like Music, which was located across from the Galleria at Tyler in Riverside. An institution in the city for nearly 20 years (initially under the name Mad Platter), the place was known for its fine assortment of U.K. imports, music t-shirts and more. Manager Don Watson always had the incense burning (when I first started going there, I actually thought employees were smoking something else in the back room).
I remember purchasing my first cassette of Rod Stewart’s “Camouflage” at the first location further up the street near the post office on Hole Ave. in 1984. Then there were plenty of memorable in-store appearances, notably MxPx in 1998.
Josh Homme returns home to the desert for a benefit show next month. His bands Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal will perform at a venue that rarely (if ever) books alternative rock shows – the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert on Dec. 9.
Tickets are $30-$50 and on sale at 9 a.m. Friday through the McCallum box office, mccallum-theatre.com and (760) 340-2787.
Net proceeds go to Coachella Valley organizations including Operation Safe House and Palm Desert High School.
For more info, go to queensofthestoneage.com.
On sale now
Artists 4 Children benefit feat. George Duke, Brenda Russell, Euge Groove, others, Dec. 1, Riverside Municipal Auditorium, $29-$75
Noon Friday
Black Lips, the Glass House, Feb. 9, $10
Noon Tuesday
Sole, the Glass House, Jan. 17, $12
Half of my music column did not run online last Friday. Here's what was left out:
In case you haven't heard, “Long Road Out of Eden,” The Eagles’ first studio effort in nearly three decades, sold 711,000 copies last week. That makes it the year’s second biggest weekly tally (Kanye West’s “Graduation” moved 960,000). Although the CD was available exclusively through Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and the band’s Web site, Billboard revised its chart rules, so it debuted at No. 1.
Is honesty the best policy? According to Internet researcher ComScore Inc., 40 percent of U.S. Radiohead fans who downloaded the new CD “In Rainbows” last month purchased it and paid an average price of $8.05 (there is an option of how much to spend, if anything). In other countries, 36 percent paid with an average of $4.64.
Third Eye Blind, Psychedelic Furs, Berlin, English Beat and Common Sense head up this year’s Orange County New Year’s Eve lineup. Scheduled for the Oaks Blenheim Events Center in San Juan Capistrano, advance tickets are $55 through Thursday. Then the price jumps to $65 until mid-December. For details, go to www.ocnye.com.
Another New Year’s concert option takes place in downtown L.A. with Justice, Peaches, 2 Live Crew, DJ Steve Aoki and Uberzone. Advance tickets are $60 through www.hardnye.com.
In my 11/2 column item about Dropkick Murphys, I mistakenly said the baseball movie “Fever Pitch” starred Adam Sandler, when it was actually Jimmy Fallon.
The lineup for KROQ Acoustic Xmas night #1, Dec. 8 at Gibson Amphitheatre, has been announced:
LINKIN PARK
ANGELS & AIRWAVES
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
BAD RELIGION
PARAMORE
RISE AGAINST
SERJ TANKIAN
No on sale date or ticket price details yet.
Night #2 info is expected to be announced on KROQ Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m.
(Sorry for the delay in posting, but we had problems with the blog template over the weekend.)
Anyway, Friday's show featured the songs of Billy Joel. Two of my faves stood out, as usual. Six Wire did "She's Always a Woman" as a straight country ballad, while the Clark Brothers version of "She's Got a Way" was a real tearjerker.
I was happy to see The Muggs and atrocious Rocket get voted off.
Is anybody/watching taping the show? How do you think it compares to "American Idol"?
On sale now through Ticketmaster:
Carbon/Silicon feat. Mick Jones, the Troubadour, Dec. 3
Gimme Shelter benefit feat. Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs, Pete Yorn, Donavon Frankenreiter, Phantom Planet, Peter Himmelman, the Roxy, Dec. 1
Black Dahlia Murder, the Glass House, Feb. 1
Angels & Airwaves, the alternative rock band led by former Blink-182 singer Tom DeLonge, will perform Nov. 17 at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga. It's part of pro-skate competition Bling Fest. Tickets are $10
Their current single "Everything's Magic" is #14 on the KCXX-FM (103.9) airplay chart.
Log onto blingfest.org for more info on the weekend's skateboarding events.
It's not even 2008 yet, but organizers of Stagecoach - the I.E.'s biggest country music fest - already plan to unveil next May's lineup on Friday.
Go to stagecoachfestival.com for more info.
Speaking of country music, did anyone watch the CMT Awards last night?
I thought The Eagles, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Sugarland and LeAnn Rimes/Reba all turned in great performances.
I love Rimes, but she needs to lighten up on the makeup a bit. And why was 'Idol' contestant Kellie Pickler bawling when she did her song? I turned away from the TV for a second, but it appeared Sara Evans got disgusted when she was introducing a segment and the marching band came in too early.
That Rascal Flatts/Jamie Foxx pairing was dreadfully awkward. Didn't even seem like they rehearsed it. I was surprised to learn Foxx and Gary LeVox used to be roommates.
Last Sunday I was at House of Blues Anaheim to catch The Pogues for the first time ever (I missed their 2006 reunion tour here). I had many questions beforehand. Would erratic frontman Shane MacGowan fall down in a drunken stupor? Forget the words? (the answers: No and couldn't tell).
Taking the stage at 11:10, the eight piece band opened its 95-minute set with "Streams of Whiskey." The mush mouthed MacGowan emerged smoking like a fiend and didn't look too healthy. He let out with an evil cackle before a brisk "If I Should Fall From Grace With God."
"Turkish Song of the Damned" was endearingly sloppy and led into a jig. MacGowan was coherent during the slow and sway worthy "A Pair of Brown Eyes," colored by beautiful accordion and tin whistle. Although the singer was often hard to understand, The Pogues were, for the most part, spot on instrumentally.
Highlights includes "Dirty Old Town" (with banjo), "Sunny SIde of the Street," "Sayonara" and "Greenland Whale Fisheries." I had to leave shortly after midnight, but the group played six songs in two encores, including "Sally MacLennane," "Irish Rover" and the capper, "Fiesta."
Sadly, radio and MTV faves "Summer in Siam," "Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah" and "Fairytale of N.Y." were absent.
Opener Ted Leo & The Pharmacists impressed by blazing through 11 sharp punkified songs in 35 minutes. "I tend to run off at the mouth but I'm not gonna do that tonight," said Leo at the start. Coming across like The Jam meets early Billy Bragg at times, Leo jumped around and sang passionately on "Me & Mia."
A ripping solo elevated "Coleen," while "Bottle of Buckie" was pure pop bliss. Among the other standouts were "Army Bound," propulsive "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone" and energetic "Loyal to My Sorrowful Country." Simply amazing.
Did anybody catch the bands this week at their LA shows?
After the next round of Fox's "Next Great American Band," there are still several truly awful contenders left:
Rocket - So what if they're an all girl band! The singer is too nasally and bland. The originals are uninspired.
The Muggs - Yes, they can jam. But judge Dicko was right: they need another singer.
Franklin Bridge - A mess. Of course they sound like much of what gets played on Power 106 these days, so they'll probably be around a bit.
Dot Dot Dot - They've got the glam rock look down, but little else.
Cliff Wagner & Old #7 - Jokey bluegrass. Enough said.
It was Elton John/Bernie Taupin night and none of the covers really made me think, 'that was interesting.'
Still, these acts brought it:
Tres Bien - A winning cross between The Hives and The Beatles.
Six Wire - Solid country music.
Clark Brothers - Another mesmerizing performance. Yes, it was revealed one of them played fiddle on an awards show with Carrie Underwood. Doesnt mean he and his brothers have a record deal yet.
Light of Doom - The teenage metalheads are fun to watch.
Denver & the Mile High Club - Swingin right along.
Anybody out there watching? Thoughts?
The following are excerpts from my interview with Ben Harper, who performs at the Orpheum Theatre next week.
Q: Your politics were evident on 2006's 'Both Sides of the Gun,' but not so much on ‘Lifeline.’ What was the message behind this CD?
A: I don’t know anything about messages, only because I’m serving creative sincerity...it’s (all) about serving the emotion of the song at the time.
Q: Did recording in France have anything to do with your disgust over our military role in Iraq?
A: Look - I love America, straight up. Because I love America, that’s why I challenge America to be what it claims it is. When people say, ‘how dare you not support the troops,’ I say, ‘I do. That’s why I want them home.' You can’t support a dead troop for an unjust war. I don’t support this political regime, but I support the troops. I’m not one of these blind faith type of guys. Not as if it’s ‘no war for no war’s sake.’ There are wars that had to be fought. This ain’t one of them. Bring ‘em home. It felt great to be able to walk to the studio in (Paris) and not have to pass about 60 strip malls while sitting in traffic for an hour.
Q: What was best and most difficult part of the writing process? What did you feel you could and couldn’t take from the band?
A: It was opened 100 percent. I got to tell you: it was open wide...The introduction was ‘bring all your best musical and lyrical ideas forward'...There was subtle resistance, I think, at times from me. I quickly realized how much better these guys were going to make the record if I completely let go of the reigns – or at least pass them around.
Q: With three CDs in less than two years, do you think you’ll take an extended break after this tour cycle ends in 2008?
A: If I’m serving my own creative pace, then you’ll be seeing another record quick. If I’m having to serve the machine, it’s a different conversation.
Q: Who are some of your non-musical influences these days?
A: The majority of my influences are not musical; they’re conversations. Communication and seeing life in a slightly different way than I think most people do.
Q: You suggested the title of David Lynch's film “Inland Empire,” which your wife Laura Dern starred in. Too bad you couldn't convince him to set the film here as well.
A: He did scouting in the Inland Empire. That’s where he was taken by the imagery. He had already been working with a Polish film company and was deeply connected to them as far as how he was going to set his next movie. A lot of it was in Poland.
Q: How did you like making a cameo appearance in the movie?
A: It was great. I didn’t hold up my hand and request it. I was there to pick up my wife and he said, ‘you look cool; get in here.’
I.E. country singer Heather Myles, a frequent sight at the now-defunct Orange Blossom Festival, will play Lake Alice Trading Company in Downtown Riverside on Wednesday.
The Riverside native specializes in roots, blues and honky tonk music. Her 1998 studio album "Highways & Honky Tonks," was released on Rounder Records and included a guest appearance by Merle Haggard. Dwight Yoakam sang on 2002's "Sweet Talk & Good Lies."
Great local alt-country band Bucksworth opens. Admission for the 9 p.m. show is $5. Lake Alice is at 3616 University Ave., (951) 686-7343.
You can also catch Bucksworth tonight and Saturday at Riverside Plaza, 6 p.m.; The Vault in Redlands, Saturday at 10 p.m.
Davie Allan & The Arrows - not to be confused with Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen - will perform at Red Planet Records in Riverside on Nov. 9.
The veteran surf/fuzz guitar band is best known for its 1967 instrumental hit "Blues Theme," which reached the top 40 and was featured in the Peter Fonda flick "The Wild Angels."
Little Steven Van Zandt has played the band on his "Underground Garage" radio show and signed them to his Wicked Cool Records label.
A Christmas album, "Fuzz for the Holidays" appeared and the song "Quiver" was on the "Coolest Songs in the World, Vol. 1" soundtrack last year.
Jason Lee & the R.I.P. Tides, California Del Reyes and the Hexxers round out the all ages gig. Start time is 8 p.m. Admission is $10.
The store is at 6192 Magnolia Ave. Call (951) 686-9544 for details.
The new Stingers Bar & Nightclub in San Bernardino opened for business yesterday.
Its first concert is Saturday night with tribute band Unauthorized Sublime (paying homage to the late Brad Nowell and Company). Mountain Brew, The Racket, Ghost in the Line and Occupant City are also on the bill.
The concert is being recorded and there will be a drawing for a certified gold Sublime record.
Go to www.stingersbarandnightclub.com or call (909) 872-0761 for more info.
Those who attend Thursday's Ben Harper show at the Orpheum Theatre in L.A. can get into a special after-party for free with their ticket stub.
The Huell Howser "Visiting" episode where he went to the Folk Music Center in Claremont - which Harper owns and his grandparents started - is supposed to be repeated on KCET-TV (28) soon.
Go to www.benharper.net for details on both.
Look for my interview with Ben in the paper on Sunday with an extended Q&A here.