Orange County Music Blog

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Funnyman Artie Lange was once again on another unscheduled vacation this past week from his day job at the Howard Stern Show. The comedian missed all three shows last week (the gang doesn't work Fridays and last Monday was Columbus Day) and yesterday's show, but did return today.

Cass Bird

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It's a good thing humans invented alliteration, it just makes things so easy to remember. But even with a blog title like Free In-store by A Fine Frenzy at Finger Prints (try saying that five times fast) the band's appearance tonight was a kind of a last minute addition to the record store's ever-sweetening live performance schedule. So don't feel too bad for missing the memo. But regardless, now you know, so you should go.

For those who may not be familiar with the tender pop sounds of this L.A. act, spearheaded by 24-year-old front woman Alison Sudol (note their big 2007 radio hit "Almost Lover"), AFF released the sophomore effort, Bomb in a Birdcage, Tues. Sep. 8 on Virgin Records. And of course, where else would a budding young band want to kick off a tour if not at a long beach record store (hey, if it's good enough for Pete Yorn...). The show starts tonight at 7 p.m.


Fan's of Sudol's soft, ethereal song style should get ready for a slight departure from their delicate debut One Cell in the Sea (2007). Sporting shards of rock-n-roll energy and a range of layered synth sounds, AFF shows a bit more of a wild side on this record (or, as wild as you could expect from such music). But you can definitely expect a wild time at her free Long Beach show tonight as the crowd files in. Hopefully, true fans heard about this last week when the guest list was open to those who pre-ordered Bomb in a Birdcage. If not, I would call the store now. Maybe you'll get lucky. But even if you don't you can still check out a live 18 min. video of the bands live performance recorded for Hulu.com after the JUMP.

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In most cases, waiting 14 years to release a sequel to a legendary album would be considered waiting, uh, too long. But in the case of Raekwon the Chef  (of the Wu-Tang Clan), the choice to wait almost decade and a half to serve us a follow up to his landmark album Only Built for Cuban Linx wasn't a sign of laziness. Far from it. It just means he was being picky about using right ingredients to produce a bomb hip hop dish. Finally, Only Built for Cuban Linx Pt.II hits stores today, Sep. 8.

 When it first hit the streets back in 1995, OBCL was not only Chef's first album, it also broke new ground for the 90s cavalcade of hip hop albums stitched together like dark, gangster novellas instead of a collection of singles. Remember those days, when mainstream hip hop used to release solid ALBUMS that were meant to be listened to from back to front?

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A full meal of punk/hardcore/metal is getting underway right now at Oak Canyon Ranch in Irvine: the second annual Liskfest, headlined by As I Lay Dying, and featuring acts like Death By Stereo (pictured), H20, All Shall Perish, Sleeping Giant and more. Tickets are $30. Lineup and set times after the jump!

Another all-day festival--FYF Fest--takes place today in an obscure city about 30 miles to the north. More information on that here.

 
If London garage-soul band Noisettes ever decided to consider a name change, might I suggest the "Freakish DNA"? It seems to fit them to a "T". Let's start with their front woman, Shingai Shoniwa. C'mon, a beautiful woman who can sing AND play bass? Can you say rare? Then of course there is the stunning intermingling of the band's sonic make up, thanks in part to guitarist Dan Smith and drummer Jamie Morrison. Together the band are a prime example when it comes to adding their own spin on sultry Motown era R&B by injecting a dose of distorted lightning and Shoniwa's signature vocals. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out their myspace HERE.

Today, the band finds itself in the L.A./Long Beach area, first in the studio at KCRW 89.9 FM and later on at Fingerprints record store in Long Beach. Unfortunately their new album isn't on the shelves yet, but really, who cares as long as you can here them live? They are doing a special acoustic performance starting at 7 pm inside the store which will be recorded, and probably sold to you at a later date. Of course if you want to go to the show, I would suggest calling the store ahead of time and getting your name on the RSVP list. This in-store, like almost all the others at Fingerprints, is sure to get crowded.

Just got this email regarding two-for-one tickets on sale only today. Here's the info I was sent.

HALF PRICE TICKETS; Get 2 for the Price of 1 -- Tomorrow!

-- Starting at 12:01 midnight on Wednesday, July 22 for 24 hours:

-- A pair of lawn tickets to participating Live Nation amphitheater shows is available for half-off

-- Available for the following area shows through LiveNation.com:

            The Fray (Verizon Wireless Amphitheater)- July 29

            Crue Fest 2 (San Manuel Amphitheater)- July 31

            Journey (San Manuel Amphitheater)-- August 1

            Rock The Bells 09 (San Manuel Amphitheater)-- August 8

            Toby Keith (San Manuel Amphitheater)-- August 15

            Def Leppard w/special guests Poison & Cheap Trick (VWA--Aug 30; San Manuel Amph--Sep 6)

            Nickelback (Verizon Wireless Amphitheater)-- September 3

            Creed (Verizon Wireless Amphitheater)-- September 30

PS What's Cheap Trick doing opening for Poison and Def Leppard?

Pretty much every city in Orange County has a giant shopping center (some have multiple ones!), so we might as well make good use out of them, right? Case in point, the District Unplugged event that we told you about earlier in the week...it's going on right now at the sprawling District at Tustin Legacy.

Happy 4th of July, duders! We've got the set times for today's "Freedom Creative Arts Fest" at eVocal in Costa Mesa, the venue's second-to-last show. Click on the jump!

Oh yes. For the third year in a row, the Vans Warped Tour is kicking off at the Pomona Fairplex (in, uh, Pomona). It's also the 15th anniversary of the Warped Tour! Hooray.

Performing on this opening gig: Bad Religion, NOFX, Less Than Jake, TSOL, Thrice, the Maine, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Meg & Dia, the Ataris, Underoath, local band Janu and the Whalesharks (who, at a recent gig this month at the Gypsy Lounge, seemed surprised themselves that they were on the bill) and Dear and the Headlights, pictured. Doors open at 11 a.m.; tickets are $33. Set times are...I have no idea. I would like to know myself.

We're going to be out there, among America's ironic t-shirt wearing youth, doing the Twitter thing and throwing up some live blogs. Also look for some photos from our guy Robert Fayette, who I just know is psyched for the fest. For more Warped Tour fun, check out Vickie Chang's story on a recently released Warped Tour documentary. And if you're in the mood for more Vickie (and why wouldn't you be?), don't snooze on her cover story from this week's Weekly on noted session drummer/adventure capitalist Josh Freese. There's a slideshow that goes with it, too!

For the last little bit, non-profit group Global Inheritance has set up shop at hippie-riffic shopping center the Camp in Costa Mesa in the form of TRASHed, putting on shows each Sunday as they "push for social and environmental change."

Today's their last show, as everything planned for June has been scrapped. So they're going out with the bay area's Blank Tapes (pictured), Big Whup, Land 'n Sea and D.A. Humphrey of the Flying Saucers. Things start at 7, and it's $5 or 10 cans of food.

Had he not passed away in 2001 at the age of 49, Joey Ramone would be turning 58 years young today. It's hard to believe that three of the four original Ramones are no longer with us. Yeah, there's always that "as long as the music's here, they're here, maaaann" bullshit, but I don't buy that. The tunes are in fact still here, but it's not the same cranking "Havana Affair" knowing the band that penned some of the best tunes of the 20th century barely made it to see the 21st. Needless to say, the world would be a much better place with the Ramones still doing their thing.

The funny thing is, the Ramones got way more popular after each death (Dee Dee in 2002 and Johnny in 2004). I used to get shit from people in high school when I wore my Ramones t-shirt and this was the 90s. Hell, even my punker friends thought I was lame for liking them. Now it seems like any band who wants some sort of cred wears the iconic Ramones logo shirt. I'm glad they're getting the attention, but bummed it came after they weren't around to enjoy it.

I saw the Ramones once. It was Lollapalooza 97 (the only Lollapalooza I attended) at Irvine Meadows. With a lineup that include Metallica, Devo and the Ramones, I had to be there. The day was long, but worth it for the aforementioned acts. And I shit you not: The Ramones played in the middle of the afternoon. They ran through their greatest hits in what felt like 15 minutes. Then they were done. I thought it was a joke and figured, even though it was a festival, they'd have an encore. Nope. Never had I heard a band play so fast with such an intent to get the fuck off the stage.

They played two more shows after that, then broke up. It was the CJ-era, but I saw the fucking Ramones. Pretty damn cool if you ask me.

But anyway...here's to you Joey Ramone. I'm not one for the afterlife and all that jazz, but on the off chance you're reading this, happy birthday pal. We miss you down here.

Today is the OC Punk Rock Picnic all day at Irvine Lake, a benefit for Finding a Way Foundation, an organization all about "raising awareness and funds for childhood Autism." (Their Web site seems to be down right now.)

They've amassed a pretty impressive lineup, with Snot being just added in the last few days, and OC/LB punk rock vets TSOL and the Adolescents headlining. More local bands fill the undercard, too, with acts like Franki Doll and the Broken Toys and Duress, pictured and featured in the latest Locals Only, also on the bill. Duress are going on at 2 p.m. sharp, so don't dally if you're interested.

Other fun includes a "Moto-X Freestyle show by Bomb Squad." Mmhmm. $20 at the door, $10 for students with ID.