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.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, January 31, 2011
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
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
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