The Misguided Follies of Kyle

Top 10 things I liked about 2011

2011-12-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

My favorite parts of this past year.

10. Occupy Wall Street

9. I bought a scooter and am now in a very serious relationship with it.

8. I got paid to drive to the following place: San Francisco, Portland, Chicago and New York.

7. At one show I got to see Wire In The Walls, Moostache, AND Genius And The Thieves! (In San Francisco!)

6. I got a car... for free! Seriously, how did that happen?

5. Was introduced into the world of owning a smart phone.

4. Recorded a record with some of my favorite musicians.

3. Started working at a PR firm that I really like.

2. Moved to LA with Scotty Cantino.

1. Grew a mustache... TWICE!

Honorable mention: Francisco The Man and Yellow Red Sparks playing at The Silverlake Lounge on my birthday. RAD.

The Library

2011-11-11T18:50:00.001-08:00

Have you ever sat in front of a blank screen, waiting to write something profound but it doesn't happen? Nothing comes out... nothing inspires you... and you feel slightly stupid because of it?

Well that's never happened to me.

So here it is, my profound thought for the day.

The number 1 most stolen book from public libraries is the Bible.

Let that sink in for a moment. Is that beautiful or completely shameful? Who steals a bible?

"Thou shall not steal." Right? I mean it says it in the book you're stealing. Then again... if you're stealing a bible then you're probably going to read it. Once you read that commandment you might want to donate that book back to your local library.

Or maybe the Devil is stealing them so people can't read them! And they are forced to go out and BUY one, thus perpetuating a demand and pumping life into this completely topsy turvy capitalist economic system of ours. The Devil must be pro-american too... just like God.

The end.

Los Angeles

2011-09-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

So after years of always saying I would NEVER move to Los Angeles I did... Yup. I am now an official resident of the most populated city in California. Roughly 3,792,621... plus me. (By the way, while looking that last number up I found out my hometown of Anaheim is number 10. Which means that all the cities I've lived in are in the top 10! Booya!) My home base is now a sparsely furnished apartment in Silver Lake, right off of Sunset and near a bunch of interesting cafes, bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Despite it's reputation of being a hipster hangout the entire area got a little less cool since I took up an address here. I am pretty happy I can walk to not one but both The Silverlake Lounge, AND The Satellite. Not to mention I got the hook up at The Music Box and maybe if I ask nicely, Ocean Way Recording Studios.

So how did I get here? Well about 6 months ago I started working in Hollywood at a place called Bandago. It's a company that rents tour ready vehicles to touring artists. You may be wondering "Kyle, which artists... Come on tell me which ones?!?!" Well, I'll tell you. They've rented to some of my favorite bands... Rx Bandits, Saves The Day, Beirut, and bands I don't love so much like Sum 41, Peter, Bjorn, and John, and a slew of other bands I know nothing about but are probably very decent. This job allowed me to drive all over this fine country of ours in vans that are equipped with outlets to charge laptops, cell phones, provide wireless internet access, play CDs, iPods and iPhones, and still store all your band gear. Because of this awesome job I was able to visit places like New York city, Chicago, Salt Lake city, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, and even North Platte Nebraska.

So wait... why did I move here? Well, cause when you work in LA but live elsewhere you have two somewhat crappy options... Drive (I'd rather cut off my right foot) or take the train (at least I can sleep at the same time.) I did the whole train thing for a while... 4 months or so. After some time it became clear that if I was going to be making a living in LA and living in Anaheim I wouldn't really feel like I was actually living at all. It just took too much time out of the day. Not like I have a wife and kids to consider. So I packed up my bag and moved into Garrett Sadlers living room where every night I hand pumped an air mattress up till it was about to pop and dreamt of my own apartment. At the same time I was doing that and saving money up, my future roommate Scotty Cantino was feverishly looking for a new home. I lucked out because his watchful Craigslist eye found a very decent, exceptionally located 2 bedroom in Silver Lake. After a non-confrontational price negotiation with our landlord we landed this sweet pad for less than asking, and an installation of blinds for the windows. Yep, we're just that good. So we've been here for a month now... since August 15th and the place looks like two guys are still moving in. It's on its way though to becoming the coolest apartment that has ever occupied this address.

Since then I have actually been offered a new job working for a PR firm in Hollywood called Wagstaff Worldwide. I took this opportunity despite still enjoying my current position at Bandago. You may wonder "Why Kyle? WHY?!" Well, for many reasons but I won't bore you with them here. I'll just say that I think it will be a growing experience personally and professionally and in the long run a very positive decision.

So after many years of working my damn ass off in Anaheim I have moved up only to work my damn ass off in Los Angeles, but I'm glad to do it. So many thanks to my friends and my family for helping me even if you didn't always agree with what I was doing. Too many people to list but I've got you written down in my heart and I love all of you.

More updates to come, probably about music and not so much my boring life updates. But if you're having trouble falling asleep feel free to read this over again.

Tales Of Moron

2011-06-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

I need to get this blog up and running again. For reals. I will.

Tales From The OC Music Awards

2010-03-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Academy Awards aired Sunday March 7th, and the red carpet was abuzz with celebrities, media, and high fashion. The most talented people in the industry gathered to pat each other on the back and say "job well done babe!"

But seriously... who cares! We had our own awards show the night earlier!!! And our red carpet was abuzz with some of Orange County's most talented musicians, industry professional, and friends. Oh yeah, a lot of interesting fashion as well.

The OCMA really kicked off on January 5th with the start of the season's showcase series. The first of which was at Detroit Bar featuring Kiev, Melanoid, Yellow Red Sparks, The Union Line, and Make Moon. Through out the next 2 months 7 showcases, split between the Live Band Showcases and the Live Acoustic Showcases took up every one of my Tuesday evenings. This year was a GREAT year for the showcases. Record attendance numbers, energetic and passionate performances, and some of the best venues in Orange County playing host made these showcases a success! Creating the buzz leading up to last Saturdays Awards at The Grove of Anaheim. The bands playing the showcases were actually playing for a nomination spot in the Best Live Band, and Best live Acoustic categories at the OCMA. Of course plenty of acts didn't make it to the finals showcases, so I just wanted to quickly choose a couple performances that I thought were worth highlighting.

Make Moon: The last band to play the first night of the OCMA Showcase series, and as usual they put on an epic performance. When watching Make Moon you can sometimes feel as if you are being transported sonically to a different place and time. It's psychedelic fun for the whole family, if your whole family does acid.

Barrett Johnson: The first night of the Acoustic Showcase series and Barrett Johnson captured everyone's ears and probably most of their hearts with his touching portraits of love, life, loss, and redemption. Needless to say, I cry when I listen to Barrett Johnson, but isn't music supposed to hit you that hard? The answer is YES.

Handsome G: I've seen Handsome G many times before and their set at The Continental Room was the perfect start to such an amazing night. Their blend of rock, pop, country, and fun makes them stand out on a bill usually soaked in take-yourself-too-seriously-indie bands.

Kurt Hunter: The talent Kurt Hunter possesses is amazing. I am convinced that Kurt could write just about any song for any occasion or mood. His vocal range is great and his presence on stage is charming. His set at the Gypsy Den only made me want to see him on a bigger stage.

Moostache: Opening up at this years only all ages venue until the finals you could see Moostache was in control from the start. To look around and see kids getting excited for a local band with such energetic performances and humor, but also sincerity makes me excited for the future, and excited for Moostache's future.

Parker Macy Blues: To see Parker Macy for the first time is somewhat of an experience. The soul, depth, and conviction with which Parker plays with can catch you off guard, especially since you wouldn't expect someone so young to play so powerfully. It's one thing to sound big when you're in a band with all those instruments, it's much more impressive when you can achieve the same thing when it's just you and your guitar taking on the world alone, and Parker Macy Blues does just that.

The New Limb: There is always a lot of talk going on about The New Limb, and it's well deserved! People love them! In the past few months I've started to see them more than just a really good indie band. I see them as a really good experimental band. Their sound has become this great balance between indie rock, pop, and experimental. That element I've often felt was there, but lately it seems they have started to embrace it a little more. You could see it in their set at The Gypsy Den on the last night of the Showcase series (not including the finals.) Hey, New Limb... EMBRACE THE EXPERIMENTAL! WE LOVE IT!

All these showcase led up to the last 2 final shows. The Live Acoustic finals included Stacy Clark, I Hate You Just Kidding, Mike Vitale, Marc B Music, and Billy Kernkamp. Kernkamp played an amazing set at the downtown Santa Ana venue, The Yost Theater. This earned him 4 days recording time at Red Bull Studios, 2,500 bucks from Fender, and a spot to play the OCMA at The Grove! The Live Band Showcase was equally exciting with performances from some of my favorite Orange County bands, including The Steelwells, BLOK, The Union Line, The Colourist, and Dusty Rhodes and The River Band! Dusty Rhodes won the title of best live band, as well as 4 days recording time at Red Bull Studios, 2,500 bucks from Fender and of course a slot to play the OCMA! Both Dusty Rhodes and Billy Kernkamp deserved their respective achievements but to me, the showcases and the awards aren't about the winning aspect or competition. It does something much more valuable. It brings people, music, and musicians together. It provides the opportunity for everyone to get to know each other a little bit better and makes the entire music scene in Orange County a little more cohesive and accepting. I think that is the real value in something like this.

But finally I'll get to the actual awards themselves!

The OC Music Awards in all manners and respects takes itself seriously as an awards presentation, event, show, whatever you wanna call it. but the mood of it all is more of a party. It's laid back, packed full of the best entertainment in Orange County, dare I say the entire west coast, and a ridiculous amount of fun! Live performances included BLOK, Melanoid, The Steelwells, Dusty Rhodes and The River Band, The Dirty Heads, Lit, and Billy Kernkamp! The nights all around winners were Dusty Rhodes, taking home 3 awards Best Live, Best Rock and Best Country/Americana. Most of the winners were artists that have not yet experienced great commercial success, but are pushing the creative envelope forward. Bands like BLOK, winning for Best Hip Hop, The New Limb, winning for Best Indie, and The Steelwells winning for Best Song - "El Capitan" and Best New Artist! Artists like Atreyu, Thrice, and The Adolescents took home some big awards as well. Atreyu for Best Metal, The Adolescents for Best Punk and Thrice with the notable Best Album for "Beggars."

In execution the OC Music Awards were spectacular. The performances were amazing, the artists enthusiasm and sense of unity felt within The Grove was inspiring. It was a great night for Orange County music, with much of the credit going to Luke Allen and Ashley Eckenweiler. This little team has managed to up the ante since they started working together on the OCMA last year. Check out the complete list of winners below and check out all the bands nominated at www.ocmusicawards.com.

Best album – Beggars, Thrice
Best song – “El Capitan,” the Steelwells
Best new artist – The Steelwells
Best rock – Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
Best country/Americana – Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
Best live band – Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
Best acoustic – Billy Kernkamp
Best folk – Yellow Red Sparks
Best punk – The Adolescents
Best indie – The New Limb
Best alternative – Stereofix
Best metal – Ateryu
Best hip-hop – Blok
Best pop – Stacy Clark
Best electronic – Electric Valentine
Best blues – Roman Alexander and the Robbery
Best surf – The Growlers
Best jazz – Translucent Ham Sandwich Band
Best world – The Dirty Heads
Best Latin – Boogaloo Assassins
People’s Choice Award – Duress
Lifetime Achievement Award – Jim Washburn

The Cute, Polite, and Pleasent Mob!

2010-03-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of indie bands in the Orange County music scene at the moment, and to stand out from the newest, coolest, hippest thing since last weeks show at Avalon is respectable if not down right amazing at this point. One band among the ranks of musicians playing here that I can almost guarantee will impress you, or at the very least get your attention during their live set is Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob. With the energy of a toddler drinking red bull, and the playfulness of... well, a toddler drinking red bull Kollar and Mob display true showmanship with a dancing line of tambourine ready back up vocalists, floating harmonies, and the sweetest of melodies!

Kollar and Mob have a fiercely entertaining live performance, but now they also have an equally pleasurable 6 song EP called "She Changes Face." From the bluesy rock n' roll of "409 Blues," to softly composed indie efforts like one of my favorites "To The Night" this EP won't get old anytime soon. It has moments where I feel like I'm listening to Chuck Berry like when it gets wild on "409 Blues" but then relaxes on songs like "Carry The Light" and the listener can hear the vocals of Matt Kollar and Elizabeth Messick dance around each other. The two voices remind me of a couple of my favorite artists, one of which being Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley ("To The Night" sounds like it could have been on the first Rilo record) and Tom Waits... pre swallowing hot coals and drinking broken glass.

All this adds up to a great record, and a band that in my opinion sticks out when compared to their peers. The next chance you get go see Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob, and get their new CD "She Changes Face." You'll be happy you did!

Opialet, New EP by We Are The Pilots

2009-11-20T10:25:00.000-08:00

Here are some videos of how we "record" an EP. We're getting pretty excited!

We are weird.

Under The Bridge

2009-09-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

I went to a show. It was under a bridge. No electricity, two small lights, and like 5 acoustic acts. I wish I had taken a proper camera with me.

I didn't. These are from my phone. Enjoy.

ps - I want to play the next show like this.

Dear Honeypie...

2009-09-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Honeypie,

I am writing to tell you that you are awesome! Your insanely catchy sing-a-long songs make everything better! Heartbroken? You can ease the pain! Bad day at work? You can make me forget that crap! Car got broken into? Well you might even be able to make that seem alright too... The point is you're a great band! Band? Well kind of, right? I mean, I understand that the project started without the intention of making it into a full band (you started with just two people!) but things could change. Trisha Smith and Darian Zahedi, you are the mother and father of Honeypie. Darian, your a damn talented songwriter. Trisha, listeners can hear your sweet personality pouring out of your vocals and mixing in with the music on every single track. Songs that sound this good are magical. Magical in the way that hundreds of musicians start bands and get together to write songs, record them, and play them, but don't ever write something as fun as Honeypie's music! That is the magical part! You two have found a good match and the match is the both of you!

   This brings me to the point of this letter. So why is Honeypie not a band!? Don't get mad at me, hear me out. I mean, I know Honeypie is a band on paper, in the studio, and according to TV shows like One Tree Hill since the music has been featured in the past. I also know that a live band was formed and played some shows BUT then decided to call it quits. Seriously I like the music too much to just accept that I won't be able to hear it played live! Darian, you weren't part of the live version of Honeypie. Why? I'm sure you're busy, and I really like Mack Winston and The Reflections, but Honeypie is a big pot of musical gold! You know that, I know you do! Maybe a live version of the band needs you! Trisha, I know you gotta be into the idea of having a live outlet for these great songs! So lets make it happen guys. We can do this. It just takes some time management, a few phone calls to some starving musicians down to do what they do best, play music, and maybe some practice. DONE. Then I can happily pay the cover charge to the Detroit Bar and take my place among all the others waiting to see and hear this band live. Until that day comes I'll probably keep bothering you two. And I am annoying!

With love,
     Kyle Deven

Handsome G And Other Handsome Fools All This Month!

2009-09-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

Orange County, known for its weather, beaches, abundance of theme parks, and lame-ass rich kid stereotypes, BUT it should be known for its plethora of venues (mostly 21+) that host ridiculously awesome residency shows! Detroit Bar, La Cave, eVocal (bless its soul), The Continental Room, and The Gypsy Lounge all host residencies. A few months ago The New Limb made my entire month of June worth living by delivering a fun and fantastic show every Monday at Detroit Bar. The Union Line took their controlled chaos to The Gypsy Lounge every Thursday the same month. Just last month Billy Kernkamp brought his form of love (cause he's the nicest singer song writer I've ever met) and song to The Gypsy Lounge as well. Dawes just finished up a double residency for the month of August with one at the Detroit Bar and the other at The Echo in LA. The list goes on and on and on with bands like The Living Suns, The Steelwells, and Handsome G all doing weekly or monthly shows at their given venue, or venues.
The latter of those bands, Handsome G did a residency at the start of summer at La Cave, which was the first time I had ever had the pleasure of seeing this friendly group of kids and I loved their live performance. Its fun, energetic, tight, danceable, and did I mention FUN? Likewise their sound reflects their performances with a lot of rock and roll! They make me wanna drink and beer and clap my hands, dance my ass right off and I will do just that because Handsome G and all their fun is playing another residency this month! They actually have already played one out of their four shows at The Gypsy Lounge! That means the next three Thursdays we need to mobilize and descend upon Lake Forest like a plague of crazed indie rock fans thirsty for alcohol, cigarettes and music that helps us make bad decisions, like calling out of work the next day.
Handsome G is made up of lead guitarist Jay Akins, bassist Ali Zakka, drummer Danielle Robitshek, and guitarist/lead singer Andrew Corradini. I can't say enough about this band as human beings... they are one of those rare groups that surpass the description of nice and go straight to down right kind. This only adds to their appeal as a band. This personality trait bleeds into their performance and music which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. As if Handsome G and the promise of a great time watching them isn't enough reason to break up with your loved one just to make it to a show this month the opening acts ain't so bad either. Last week Dancers of Delphi and folk artist Cory Case opened for the residency on its first night. Tomorrow night Matt Grundy and lead singer and guitarist for one of my favorite local bands ever, Satisfaction, Michael Rosas will be warming up the crowd. The following weeks will bring bands like Lemon Sun, Wake Up Lucid, the lovable Billy Kerncamp, and that band I play bass for... We Are The Pilots. All the shows will be something of a treat so don't be surprised if you see me at all the remaining FREE Handsome G residency shows at The Gypsy Lounge this month. I am looking forward to it, and you should be too!

The Gypsy Lounge

23600 Rockfield #3A
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-206-9990

Bring My Children Home

2009-07-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Rx Bandits have come out with a new album called "Mandala." This entire album makes me feel a cleansing relief of hope for music, and in some odd way life itself. I am under no delusion that this album will in fact save the world, but I am at peace when any of the 12 tracks are floating through the air and into my head. It is an assault on society, love, and moral questions of war and leadership, not just in the United States, but the ideas of it in general. Like all the other Rx Bandits albums since Progress the band has developed a self consciousness that few too people achieve in their lifetimes let alone as a collective group or band. Socrates said that "the unexamined life is not worth living" and bands like Rx Bandits do what in my opinion all great art should do. It holds up a mirror to the society they are trying to reach and beg them to look and ask if they can love what they see. Should we love what we see? This band wants us to examine our lives, and find the standards of life, and love we need to survive. Examine what is truely important to us, and what dirves us to do what we all do. Is it love? All too often I don't think it is.
Another thing great art does is avoids giving answers. Art that gives answers to the questions it asks is propaganda, and it can be for either side. Despite past albums to seemingly provide answers to the questions they asked, "Mandala" wants you to think. The Rx Bandits have taken control of their musical endevours and are using them to give us something tangible. Something worth the thought and effort. This band reflects its own self examination. They create to recreate. They aren't the ska band they started out as, and they're not even the same band that created "... And The Battle Begun" a few years ago. You can hear in their musical experimentation that they are not content finding a formula and working within that space. Everything has been a progression and it has led to "Mandala." This album is fascinating and an achievement that I hope many will get the chance to experience. Find your way too it soon. Absorb it. Think about it.

2009-06-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

Look! It's us in the OC Register! :)

The New Limb Do Detroit Bar In June

2009-06-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

A special treat has been going on this entire month of June. Every Monday in Costa Mesa at Detroit Bar, The New Limb has been playing a free show along with Stacy Clark and special guests. They have played three fantastic shows already and are playing their 4th show of the month June 22nd. This would have been the last show but there is a 5th Monday in this month and Detroit Bar has asked them to stay on and play the 29th as well! Special events and guests have marked all of the shows every Monday. The first week I got to play bass for them on a cover of “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix; The second week the band Honeypie accompanied them onstage as guest vocalists on an amazing cover of The Band’s “The Weight.” Birthdays last weeks show special. Drummer Adam Chavez was one of three birthday boys that night, along with Albert Ching of OC Weekly and Luke Allen of the Orange County Music Awards. A few shakers, a couple sings-a-longs, a bunch of balloons, and one delicious cake later, the night ended and I personally chalked it up as one of the best shows I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing. Nights like that are one of the things that set The New Limb apart from other local indie bands that frequent the same venues and bars.
I got to sit down with the band which is made up of Dan Perez, Lauren Salamone, and brothers Joey, and Adam Chavez to talk to them about their first ever residency, and other fun crap!

Kyle Deven: “You four are doing a Monday residency at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa for the month of June. The first three shows you played great sets with covers that included guest musicians from We Are The Pilots and Honeypie, and a birthday celebration! Are there more special things planned for the rest of the month?”

Lauren Salamone: “…We’re gonna try and go all out in any way we can. The only thing we have set in stone is we have this song called ‘Phil and Marie’ that we’ve never performed. We’ve only recorded because it needs a cello in it, and it’s just not the easiest song to perform, but we have a cellist and a violinist that are going to play with us hopefully on that night. We’ve also been talking about doing a pretty long set that night.”

Dan Perez: “It’s going by fast!”

Joey Chavez: “We’ve put a lot of effort into it so I think that’s why it’s feeling like it’s going by fast. We do stuff for it all week long and then Monday comes and then we’re done, and then it’s like ‘well lets get ready for the next one!’”

KD: “You guys have done a lot of stuff not just for one show individually but for all the shows! You bake cookies all the time and you decorated your merch table with a theme…”

Adam Chavez: “With the bananas because we have the ‘Banana EP’ that we just came out with and…”

DP: “The videos! I think the videos might be the best thing. We’re doing a different one every week.”

KD: “You recorded the ‘Banana EP’ for this residency, how did that all come about? Why bananas?”

DP: “We had the idea just to do like an EP, just something new to get out there… we wanted something special at Detroit Bar. Lets just record a couple of acoustic songs and sell it for a buck. We’re sick of cutting paper out for our first EP ‘Allude To The Sounds’ cause we cut and glue those by hand so I was trying to think of something that would be like different and cool to wrap it.”

LS: “And more green!”

DP: It’s easier to wrap and easier to cut…”

JC: “It smells worse though!”

AC: “And stickier in the CD player.”

DP: “But I was thinking ‘banana leaves, my mom buys those to make food all the time…’ and then we just kinda called it the ‘Banana EP’ just cause we were gonna wrap it in banana leaves.”

LS: “The EP is a fun EP! Only one song, “Tiger Head” will be on our full length, and all the other songs we were kinda like ‘well what do we wanna do?’ It was really open, and I don’t think any of us had any idea what the final product was going to be. We just kinda kept playing around in the studio with different stuff. I love how it just came about! It just kinda happened!”

JC: “I was expecting it to be way crappier than it turned out.”

DP: “ME TOO! I thought it was going to be a stupid little acoustic cover EP.”

LS: “Yeah me too! But we just started going all out. The cycle wasn’t supposed to be just a piano song it was suppose to be all of us, but we wanted to base it around the piano. So I tried to record just to start off, but I’m not really good at playing to a click so I was going off the click and messing around and they said ‘oh that’s way better, lets do that! Why don’t you just play it the whole song!?’ So we did that!”

DP: “She seriously did it in 2 takes!”

KD: “Your live shows can be as visually stimulating as your music. When it comes to the live shows what is it the four of you are trying to convey?”

AC: “I dunno, none of it makes sense! None of our stuff makes any sense!”

The entire group bursts into laughter!

AC: “Our music video and our background videos everybody’s like ‘what does it mean?’ Well nothing! Just enjoy it! Just look at it!”

JC: “I feel like we are a unit and our personalities gel well, and so I feel like there are common themes and kind of overarching over all of us and how we are together and what we think and the kind of music that we write stylistically and in the videos we try to portray that. The first video we did for the Detroit Bar shows was the Bike video. We are people that convey, or live lifestyles that are kinda carefree and so that video conveyed that part of us. We can be crazy sometimes and…”

AC: “Or weird like the space video, it’s a really random cut and really eerie. I feel like that definitely comes out in our music sometimes.”

JC: “It’s in us somewhere, so it shows who we are. Some how in some way.”

KD: “So you mentioned that you wanted to do an EP for the Detroit Bar shows because the album wasn’t going to be ready. This means there is an album coming, what is going on with that!?”

AC: “We’re budgeting!”

DP: “It’s our first full length… EVER."

JC: “We’re trying to make it the best quality for a good price.”

DP: “I’m the devil’s advocate for keeping it affordable. That’s my role in the album process.”

AC: “I know all the technical crap, and Joey just floats around. Joey just dances!”

LS: “Our goal is the end of the year. I think October would be an awesome time to release it! The album, maybe title is ‘Sounds The People Hear.’”

DP: “’SOUNDS PEOPLE CAN HEAR!’ That’s why our EP is called ‘Allude To The Sounds.’”

JC: “We planned in advance!”

DP: “We want to have a track called ‘Sounds People Can Hear’ and it will kinda be like a noise transition track. Then we’re going to have a track towards the end called ‘Sounds People Can Make!’ and it’s just going to be us in the studio just making weird noises.”

Dan and Lauren rub their hands together in demonstration making a sound that would be hard to identify without the visual.

DP: “We talked about this!”

AC: “Joey’s not sold on that idea.”

JC: “We’ll see.”

DP: “NO we’re doing it!”

KD: “So for the album, are most of the songs already written?”

JC: “For sure most of them are written! I wanna sneak one in there at least, maybe two.”

DP: “’Sounds People Can Hear.’ It’s gonna put us in debt.”

AC: “It’ll be cool.”

So with their Detroit Bar residency coming to an end we’ll all need to find something else to do on Monday night next month! I’m looking forward to seeing the last couple shows! If you haven’t seen The New Limb you should stop reading this and go to their myspace right now to look up shows! Or just come to the Detroit Bar on Mondays for the rest of the month! Everyone will be there. This band can’t be stopped, they’ve been planning too far in advance for anything to get in their way.

The Past Month Never Happened

2009-06-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

So for no apparent reason other than I've been busy I haven't posted a new post on this blog for over an entire month. Here are something things that will be coming up though!

The New Limb Do Detroit Bar Every Monday In June

Handsome G Take Tuesday Nights At La Cave

Argyle Smile Like Mimosas And Their New EP

We Are The Pilots Go To San Francisco

Plus other things I don't want to talk about. Booya!

We Are The Pilots Snuck Into OC Weekly!

2009-04-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

Yup... We Are The Pilots was featured in this weeks OC Weekly! Check it out here...

OC Weeky By Albert Ching.

The New Limb & The Union Line Go To The OCMA's Finals

2009-03-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last night Tyler and I set out on a journey to the Yost Theater in Santa Ana, CA for the Orange County Music Awards Best Live Band Finals. It was an epic evening of music, hugs, delay pedals, and accessorizing hipsters. Everything I would expect from downtown Santa Ana. I should have worn my brown (fake) leather vest! Damn it.

5 Orange County bands played last night. The Venus Infers, The New Limb, The Jakes, The Union Line, and The Living Suns. The neon lights of the marquee listed some of the best-known local OC bands, but one name is relatively new to the collection. The New Limb released "Allude to the Sounds EP" in May 2008. Since then they have started to gain more and more recognition with OC show goers every time they sing a note. Their live performance comes off as creative, and fun, but most importantly natural. They're not up there acting cool; they just are cool. They're not acting super friendly after the show; they just really are super friendly! Both of these characteristics plus the actual musical talent of the 4 lovely Costa Mesa roommates makes for a killer combo. The New Limb is Joey Chavez, (vocals and guitar) Dan Perez, (back up vocals and lead guitar) Lauren Salamone, (back up vocals, keys) and Adam Chavez (back up vocals, drums). These 4 pack their "Allude to the Sounds EP" with inventive and hunting melodies accompanied by equally impressive harmonies. There musical vision does not get lost in transition from recording to live performance as proved to all in attendance at the Yost last night. They did a great job entertaining the crowd by creating an atmosphere of sounds as diverse as the lightest of guitar and key harmonies to the heavy crunch of Dan's guitar solos. The New Limb performed in front of a homemade art-house style video of lights, shapes, and mirrors. All of this produced an amazing performance from which I'm sure lots of new faces will be seen at one of the many future performances of The New Limb coming up this month and next. So do yourself a favor and catch this lovely foursome real soon!

Last night was not just one bands show because The Union Line really made the night a collective party. This was my first time seeing The Union Line, a band I have heard so much about, and I can only describe my feelings during their set as a collection of joy and amazement. They took control of the stage with little struggle and kept it tightly in their grip till the house music came back on. It is no surprise to me that at the nights end this outfit of young men won the title of Best Live Band in Orange County. With songs as infectious as "Mama Don't Care" it is nearly impossible to sit still while controlled mayhem is unleashed in front of you by a ragtag looking team of musicians. By all accounts the sound of The Union Line will testify that these guys know what they are doing, and they are taking music seriously. Yet, on stage, they're witty and casual conversations between songs, for example claiming that they are from Orange County, Florida, say to me that they aren't taking it too seriously. They aren't over thinking it. This is a confidence that eludes even the most successful bands. Maybe this is what allows them to let loose and go nuts on stage, changing instruments and dancing around like they are being attacked by hundreds of bees. Whatever it is, whatever they are doing, it is working and I hope they continue doing it for a long long time. You will defiantly be seeing me at their future shows. Congratulations to them for winning Best Live Band in Orange County!

Argyle Smile Video?

2009-03-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

Do you remember me going on and on about how great they are and how great their video is? Well I was right... check it out.

Every Song from Alex Lamb on Vimeo.
Director: Alex Lamb Director of Photography: Max Well

Maggie Morris And Her Wonderful Album Make My Days Better

2009-03-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

On January 10th 2009 Maggie Morris played a show in Portland Oregon. I was not there. I was far away in Anaheim. From my southern California suburban "home" I wondered if the people at the show, where Maggie played her very adorable set, realized how incredible, productive, and talented she is. If they saw her play I am guessing they realize now if they didn't already. With that performance Maggie Morris released her second album "Seven Miles Wide" with the help of Boy Gorilla Records. I've never met anyone from BGR, but if they love "Seven Miles Wide" as much as I do then I can only assume they are probably some of the coolest kids I'll never meet.

Maggie has made a fantastic album. She is also a fantastic person that I had the pleasure getting to know over the course of a year or so. She lives, works, plays shows, goes to school, consumes alcohol, bikes everywhere, records amazing records almost all on her own, and spends most of her time in San Francisco. This is where I first met Maggie, and then saw her perform, and then immediately became a devoted fan for life. Listening to "Seven Miles Wide" is like walking around the panhandle on a nice day with some ice cream and then catching all the Muni buses you would need to get back to your apartment. In my case it would have been the 6 outbound.

The point is that Maggie Morris will kick your ass and then you will fall in love with her at the same time. Get her new album from Boy Gorilla Records right now. It's better than the newest Jenny Lewis album. That's for damn real.

Argyle Smile Has An Awesome Music Video.

2009-03-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

That's right. The band Argyle Smile, which is one of my favorite things since I bought some girl scout cookies last week, made a pretty epically awesome music video. Upon seeing it I instantly fell even more in love with Jared and Dana, whom make up the entire band if you didn't already know that. Someday I will post the video as soon as it is posted online.

The makers of this great music video are a couple if geniuses named Alex Lamb, and Max Well. A pair of fiercely talented gentlemen with wonderfully kind personalities to boot. I won't say much about the music video other than that it's awesome and if you like dominoes you are in luck.

Tyler and I played an acoustic set to open up at the video premier show. It was damn fun playing some real mellow versions of pilots songs. Sam Well, also in We Are The Pilots, played a great solo set on his M1 Korg keyboard! Doing the song from Tetris! Always a good idea. Then there was plenty of free food and drinks for everyone and their children... as long as your children were over 21. Met a few interesting people including an ex-playboy bunny? That part of the night was topped off with an argyle-pilots jam session that started with a cover of Blink 182, and ended with The Pixies "Where is My Mind?"

The second part of the night then started at a house, and for some it ended there too. This part is not for the blog. Sorry, but if you weren't there then you can only wish you were for now. And I bet you wish you were.

In conclusion you should check out Argyle Smile's myspace page by either clicking on their name, or finding it in the links section of this damn page. Go to their shows with me!

PEACE!

KUCI Performace and Interview

2009-03-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

I am in a band called We Are The Pilots and last month we did our first live radio performance and interview on KUCI's Press Pass Music. The photos are by Judy Alexander. PPM is a GREAT show so check it out! You can stream it live online by clicking on the KUCI link. PPM is on every Thursday from noon to 2pm. DJ Ash only plays Orange County music. This is pretty much my favorite radio show now and source for new GOOD music! The local scene here in Orange County is so damn good! I'll be blogging about all the bands I love so much in the future I'm sure.

Oh my god! Look! It's a video of Tyler and Davy playing New Scars live on the Radio.

First Post

2009-03-07T15:18:00.001-08:00

This is the first post on my blog that at the moment doesn't have any sense of direction. Maybe over some time a point of view and organization will materialize, but until then I'll be posting whatever the hell I want to!