CRASH ACADEMY .....by John Mares

I walked into Famous Sams on Golf Links and Kolb Friday May 6, 2011 to find a semi-full bar with screams of delight. Unfortunately for me, they were cheering for the Dallas Mavericks dismantling my favorite basketball team, the Los Angeles Lakers. There was still 3 minutes left in the game and I didn’t feel like arguing with any of the local patrons on how great my team has been in previous seasons. I noticed Crash Academy, the band playing tonight, was still setting up their gear on stage. I decide to not watch my Lakers blow their chances of winning a single game in their series with the Mavericks and walked over to the band to introduce myself.

Rob Hill is the rhythm guitarist, Steve Young plays the drums, Raymond Mezler is the bassist and the lead guitarist is Tony Lopez. These guys have been jamming together for over four years. I told the band members that I have only had the opportunity to watch them perform once and it was actually at that same venue almost two years ago on a date with my girlfriend. I have a close friend that actually worked with three of the guys and had always told me how fun their shows are.

After the Mavericks defeated my Lakers, the locals at the bar began to slowly depart. They obviously didn’t know what they were about to miss as Crash Academy began their first set with a favorite song of mine, “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots. They didn’t have anyone on hand to run the sound board for them so their first few songs were a little off tune with some feedback noises. Once they figured the settings, the band got relaxed and continued to play other great songs from Green Day, Harvey Danger, and even The Steve Miller Band. I really enjoyed the Rage Against The Machine riff they added in the middle of “Flag Pole Sitta”…very cool indeed.

All the guys in the band alternated singing the various songs on their set list. Even Steve, the drummer, sang a song or two and had back up vocal duties throughout the evening. I always enjoy watching more than one lead singer in a band. They had a good variety of music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. They even pulled off a Duran Duran song! Not many rock bands cover Duran Duran. I was very impressed with their version of the Foo Fighters “Everlong.” Steve really was banging the skins with a thunderous tempo on this one.

As the night progressed, the songs sounded tighter and the band was really grooving to their music. Raymond also impressed me with his vocal skills on a rockabilly song by the Stray Cats. I am a huge fan of the Stray Cats, so this was a treat for me. Tony was not to be outdone by his band mates and did an excellent job of singing AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.”

If you enjoy a potpourri of various rock genres, look no further. Crash Academy caters to all your listening needs. In between sets, Raymond asked me what I wanted to hear. I told him I would love to hear System of A Down. I stumped them because they don’t play any of their songs but I assured them that they had already played many favorite songs such as the “Whoo hoo” song from Blur which is actually titled “Song 2.” I highly recommend you go catch Crash Academy’s next show at Eclipse on May 20, 2011 on 1601 N. Oracle Rd.

FRANTIC/KEEPING THE PEACE ROCK BARRIO BREWERY

A Plus Ultra Radio Event produced by Main & Mace PR


Barrio Brewery is located in a warehouse district just south of downtown, east of Armory Park, near the Lost Barrio. This brew pub has a very rustic feel to it both inside and out. The owner has just opened up the east end of the brewery with a small bar and modest stage area for local bands to perform. Saturday April 30th was the first show in this new addition of the venue. Plus Ultra Radio owner Rob Base helped make this show happen. Hopefully this is the beginning of many more shows to come. Local bands Keeping The Peace and Frantic were the lucky artist to christen the new stage area. I have had the pleasure of catching both of these bands play at various venues around town in the past year but never together on the same bill.



Keeping The Peace is a local cover band fronted by vocalist/guitarist Louis DeBonis. On drums is Tom Lombardi, lead guitarist is Michael Zimmerman and the bass player is Kevin Caine. They play over four decades of various rock music from great artist such as Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Billy Idol, Stone Temple Pilots, Sublime and The White Stripes. They add a nice variety of flavor for all rock music aficionados’ to enjoy.



Everyone at the show were really grooving to all of their songs. I noticed many people dancing and singing along to all of the classic hits they covered. A good cover band always pleases the local patrons of any bar.



Before Frantic took the stage, I had the honor of interviewing my old friend and lead singer, Robert Herrera aka Bobby. I asked him just a few simple questions about his band:



John Mares: How did you decide on the band’s name “Frantic?”

Robert Herrera: That’s a good story actually. Rob Gonzales and I are huge fans of Tantric. We were both goofing around one day trying to figure a name for our new band. We both found that Frantic rhymes with Tantric…so we laughed and actually kept the name.

John Mares: Funny because you all are named Robert, Rob, Bobby or Bob except the bass player, Rene. You should’ve named it “What about Bob?” or something to that effect… [Laughter] Tell me how long you dudes have been jamming together?

Robert Herrera: This month will be 2 years and a month.

John Mares: When was your CD recorded and released? My peer, Courtney Ludwig, just reviewed your CD and was very pleased with the finished product.

Robert Herrera: Believe it or not, we recorded it all last month at Rene’s house using his laptop computer. The new technology available to record at home is killer. We just recently let people know about our CD at recent shows here in town.

John Mares: I have to admit it sounds amazing! My girlfriend plays it every day in her car on her way to and from work! [Laughter] What style or genre best describes your music Bobby?

Robert Herrera: I feel it’s a good variety of different rock music. We use both electric and acoustic guitars in our music. I would have to lean more towards the Hard Blues Rock genre.

John Mares: I’m stoked to see you guys jam again! Tear it up dude! [Slapping of hands]



For those of you that have not caught Frantic live yet, you are in for a wonderful surprise. They play all originals with the acoustic flavor added to spice your evening. I have to admit that Bobby’s voice is one of the best in town. He has excellent pipes that bellow powerful notes into the crisp guitar overlays. Rob Gonzales is a maestro with his six string instrument. He makes that guitar, as George Harrison put it, gently weep.



Old band mate Mark Bolen from Street Gypsy, now drummer for Graveyard Darlings, was in the crowd. I strolled over to him and asked him what he thought of his old band’s lead singer, Bobby. Bolen replied, “Dude is definitely much better now! He has stepped it up another notch.” I went around asking others opinion on the sound of Frantic and unanimously, everyone had thumbs up.



I don’t usually end my stories with a negative note but the only flaw I found in the show of both bands was the reverb of the sound from the PA and monitors for the vocals. This problem was probably due to the entire metal tin roof siding on the inside of the brewery. The sound guy did the best he could. All in all, everyone, including myself, had a killer time Rockin’ The Barrio.

Really?

Sitting here, with my mind on the brink of a blink!
I have just been thinking way too much, with work, the kids,
chores, and other minor and major thoughts which cross this
little brain of mind.

Actually, I'm ready to go beserk!!! Lose it!!! I'm ready to
bounce from wall to wall! Crush rocks with my bare hands!

Music is blasting in my little head, songs I haven't heard
in many, many... hahaha... many years!!!

Have I gone mad? Have... I... actually lost my mind, on
my own?

Or was I influenced by.... "OZZY", "THE WHO" or "THE B52's"???

How about the fact that I've watched "SCARFACE", "JAWS" or
even that "Jason" character??

Is it possible that my way of thinking is because of what I have seen on the television/theater or heard on the radio?

I must admit that when a certain song comes on the radio
I want to get up and dance my life away, but what about my
everyday life?

Are famous artists responsible for where I am today? Should I blame them for not being the successful "POP STAR" I should be? Seriously! Should I thank the band back in day for where I am where I am today?

To be quite frank, NO!! I am very happy with who I am today,
just nice ol' Sandra! I have nobody to blame for where I am today but ME!!!

YES! I take full responsibility for who "I AM TODAY!"... yeppers that's me!

So, stop the blame! Stop blaming the musicians, actors, writers, politicians, etc...

STOP THE BLAME AND TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR LIFE SO FAR!!



Gotta run... the frogs await!

Lates~

Sandra

Rock Star (Air Style)........

Just got through cranking some killer tunes on my old speakers, POLK AUDIOS, simply the best!!!

Oh, yes! I rocked the neighbors tonight! I was a star, a ROCK STAR in my own living room!! Cranked it as loud as I could!!

I perform just about every air instrument there is, from vocals to guitar to bass to the kick ass drums!!! I felt the blood rushing through my veins, the sweat running down my back, and my thirst for another tune as I exercised my way back to my starting point!

That's right, chop sticks were used on my air drums, a brush was used as a microphone, the broom as my bass!!!

Ahhhh, the feeling of being a ROCK STAR, even a wanna be rock star was... well, still is awesome!

I could hear the crowds roaring my name! Chanting my wannabe songs and I almost imagined the flames flickering in the crowd for ME!!

I've come to the realization that it will never happen but my imagination has gone wild more then a few times, as I know yours has!! I have a few favorite artists and songs, and to be quite honest, it's a whole lotta fun!

When was the last time you whooped out the old broom and cranked out the tunes? Maybe it's time!

Well, gotta run... once again, gonna download some newbies on the iPod for the next round of "ROCK STAR!".

Lates-

Sandra

In with the Old, Out with the New!

Last week during breakfast with Rob, I was asked if I had ever considered being a "Blogger", and to my surprise I had never actually given the idea a single thought much less considered being one. I mean putting my random thoughts on public display?

It's kinda funny how things turned out, because here I sit, after days of pondering, on whether I should blog or not, writing what appears to be my first blog. So, the pressure is on, with something new, "BLOG" and something old,"GOOD OLD, ME!".

As we had our first of many cups coffee, we discussed what music is today. Rob, feels that music isn't what it should be, nor will it ever be what it use to be. I agree, and thank goodness music is not what it use to be, I mean... who wants to be stuck in the past? I don't want to be listening to "The Beatles" or "The Beach Boys" clones day after day, minute after minute!! Do you?

I actually enjoy listening to today's music, there's a good sound right now, it's just a matter of finding it and giving it a chance.

Some of you may think it's watered down or too electric, and maybe it is, but that's what makes OUR GENERATION. When Elvis and Buddy Holly first came on the scene, people freaked out on that "NEW SOUND!", The Beatles also caused stir with their "Hair Don't" and that 'NEW SOUND!", most old farts hated the music, but the youngster went berserk!!

Don't get me wrong, I love the oldies but, I also love the newbies!!

There's a time and place for every song, remember every artist put his heart and soul into that song that you may like or not care much about, so let's not discriminate. Ah, the choices, so many choices.

I encourage you to let us know what you think, send us your thoughts, whether it be newbie or an oldie. It's what makes playing musical chairs soooooooo fun!


Well, gotta run... gonna put some good new tunes on my iPod, any suggestions?

Lates-

Sandra

Music and Relationships

I made a quick out of town trip this weekend which means conversation and of course lots of music on the road. Did I hear any new music that caught my attention? Not really but the drive was rewarded with a few good throw backs that had me reminiscing. Now I know the one thing we all have in common is that we all have a song that takes you back to a certain time, place and more importantly, a person.

It was 5th grade in Chula Vista, CA when my girlfriend asked me what MY favorite song was. She cornered me in the walkway since we spent absolutely no time together and other the walking around the field at lunch time, just passed a note hear and there. None the less she was my girlfriend and approached me with this extremely serious question. My answer will remain a mystery here but I know it, remember it and hopefully she still does as well. I asked her the same question and her answer became one of my all time favorite tracks to this day.

Share your story in the comment section and you'll probably smile while you're writing the way I am now thinking about the past. MUSIC is one of the few things that can take you right back to the lunch dance, family party, friends piled in your car on a weekend night, date, break up and or a persons face. Thanks to the song you can still remember what they were wearing on a certain day, what his/her smile was like and have you thinking about other things (ha ha) as well.

I don't believe song writers to this day understand the magnitude of the songs they write and how much it effects our lives forever. If you could thank one song writer for a certain song they wrote, who would it be? What was the song? If you're a shower performer like me (only place I sound good) you definitely sing that one song more than all others. Share it with us. What is it?

Maybe if you could, without upsetting your significant other or theirs, call that person and tell them what song reminds you of them. Ok, I'll even put it out there. What song reminds you of me? I already know this answer since people always tell me. Even better, post a youtube of the song on facebook and see of they get it. If they don't, they don't, but if they do, instant music conversation. If this does work in your favor and the discussion turns to music, we have done our job. Keep the music conversations alive and we keep the artists, song and era alive as well.

Take a chance and turn it up.

-Rob

Up and coming talent - Who's on the rise?

So my quest continues for awesome new talent across the globe while chasing down underground and worth while non corporate events. This journey starts in San Diego where I discover a band that has taken over the city. They're called So Long Davey and managed by Ryan Fulps. I had a chance to look at the video and quickly had it posted on our site. Earlier this week I added the song into rotation on our podcast that aired on November 23rd. This could be a band that eventually ends up on the VANS Warped tour. We'll see.

Still out west I had the privilege of seeing work from Genesis Canal. She's a young model who is extremely talented and working a lot. Genesis has a gift and you'll agree when you find her on our media page as well. She's part of Model Mayhem network and is experienced in runway and print. Guaranteed super model? We say yes.

Off to the east coast in Bushwick Brooklyn, NY is what has to be the hottest band in New York right now. Fresh off a show at Webster Hall, the WHITE HOUSE BAND is refreshing and exciting. Watching their video totally made me want to see them live. I love the rock/rap trick over heavy guitar riffs, awesome! If their 20011 schedule sends them your way, you need to witness the sound for yourself. Our prediction: Future Platinum Artists.

Now, I know we're not spinning our wheels because we're getting more and more content submitted to our site everyday. But where do you go to find new talent? Do you just listen to radio and support an artist, band, painter, model, actor or business after it is known and loved by the masses? Do you actually seek out the inordinate places and sound that later will be huge or diminished? I ask everyone to support self expression when it's closest to its origin. When a baby is born, its when we give it the most support and attention because how fragile it is. There is no difference when it comes to a persons work and passion. It needs to be supported in the beginning and help with its growth.

If you love music and film, let the people who are doing it know it. These are the people who we will see in the future hopefully birthing the next generation of artists for the world to enjoy.

We believe in you and will help you get "From Here To Fame"

-rob