Orange County Music Blog

​When you think of the small bar scene clustered in the corner of Fullerton's "SoCo District" (south of Commonwealth) most can agree that it's the only section of downtown where live music truly exists. You've heard plenty about the stages at the Continental Room, Slidebar, Steamers, Stubriks and Santa Fe Cafe. But until now, Commonwealth Lounge hasn't fully committed to opening itself up to the idea of hosting local bands--even though they do host a kick ass jazz ensemble that few people really pay attention to as they chill on trendy furniture sipping Mojitos. Luckily, that's about to change. Tonight, the upscale watering hole is getting a taste of local soul on the opening night of live music Wednesdays. It's about time.

Fostering a vibe strikingly similar to Continental (Latin, soul, funk, hip hop, etc.) the club ushers in a performance by East L.A. three piece Stedapole C.C. Watt, whom you've heard us talking about lately (look forward to more in next week's print edition of the Weekly). Armed with a gut-fueled hybrid of stripped down, eclectic funk and soul, band mates Rodney Gardiner (vocals), Rob Brill (drums) and Jonny Brill (bass) deliver a punchy sense of purpose to their jams that makes it impossible (or at least really hard) to stand still. The music continues this month with Soul Hustlers w/ Solrak (B-Side Players) on Oct. 21, and the Chuck Boogie Trio on Oct. 28. It also features DJ sets by J-Luv, Bobby Soul and DJ Lito. But live acts aren't the only thing Wednesdays at Commonwealth have to offer--check out their specials after the jump.

Teehee, "Train tickets."

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At the end of the month, October 27 to be exact, Train--you know, "Drops of Jupiter," "Meet Virginia" Train--will release their first new studio album in nearly four years, Save Me San Francisco (named after their city of origin).

Just two days before that, Train will play the House of Blues in Anaheim, and that's just one of several shows that Live Nation, in their latest "buy concert tickets! please!" promotion, is offering for 2-for-1 this Wednesday. (We joke about the frequency of these deals, but they're clearly working if they're continuing each week, and there is some real money to be saved here, always a plus.) Also in the offering: our sister paper LA Weekly's LA 101 show with Silversun Pickups, the Dandy Warhols and Matt and Kim at Gibson Amphitheater on November 3; Aimee Mann at the Wiltern on Friday; Our Lady Peace at the HOB Anaheim on October 20.

Full list of OC-eligible shows after the jump.

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Deep Sea Diver, that always-enjoyable Long Beach band headed up by the multi-talented Jessica Dobson, were originally scheduled to play Detroit Bar tonight as part of the Fling's residency--they're still on the flier on Detroit's website, even--but that's no longer happening, per no less a source than the Fling themselves.

​Apparently, last week's initial Big Audio at Long Beach's Basement Lounge didn't involve any sex acts (not in the club, anyway...afterwards, that's a different story) and the folks running the joint is letting the promoters do it again. Promoter Markus D. Manley was kind enough to give us the scoop on what's going down this week, which includes Thursday and Saturday night events.

So instead of boring you with our words, let's let him do the talking. Take it away, Markus.

(Oh, and by the way, the Basement Lounge is an ultra-killer underground club beneath the Broadlind. And better yet, there's no dress code.)

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Chris Ziegler told you all about Kid Congo Powers (center) in last week's Weekly; what with his past in the Cramps and the Bad Seeds and his new album Dracula Boots with his band the Pink Monkey Birds and their experience recording in Kansas and their show tomorrow at Alex's Bar in Long Beach and all of that.

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If your Thursday night plans included watching People Under the Stairs at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, good news! Well, depending on how you look at it. Your night is now free.

Andrew Youssef

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Since reopening this past May with a show from Gogol Bordello, the Fox Theater in downtown Pomona has continually impressed by netting top-flight shows: Wilco, the Flaming Lips, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Band of Horses, Girl Talk, Ween, Cake, Marilyn Manson. After tonight's Paramore (pictured on August 1 opening up for No Doubt at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine) show, though, they've got...not a lot.

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Thursday marks the opening of a new weekly club night at Long Beach's Basement Lounge. Called Big Audio, the kick-off event includes former From First to Last frontman Sonny Moore (aka Srkillex) spinning electro re-mixes, DJ Japson and DJ Jahmontee.

There are drink specials and the first 50 people to RSVP here get in for free.

Before the owners were busted for allegedly running a sex club, the Basement Lounge was the closest thing to Hollywood-style nightclubs that Long Beach had. Velvet ropes, dress codes, men/women way out of your sorry ass league, overpriced drinks...the whole nine. Let's hope Big Audio steers clear of all that mess.

Frankie Alvaro, looking flustered.

My girlfriend is part of the newly formed Long Beach Roller Derby, which meant I really couldn't say no when she asked if I wanted to attend their Friday night fundraiser at Que Sera. Luckily for me, I went, and unlike her work Christmas parties, this wasn't a drag at all. It was really fun.

Not knowing what I was in for, I grabbed a flier near the entrance and discovered the fundraiser was actually part of a new monthly event called Rock Box Long Beach. On this particular evening, DJs Frankie Alvaro, Neko, Saratonin and Soozee were spinning a range of house music to '80s re-mixes to Biggie Smalls hits. Somehow, it all worked.

​Concert promoter Live Nation has a pretty sweet deal on the table. For $49.99, people who purchase something called a "Club Passport" get admission to all shows at a few local venues (including the Anaheim House of Blues) for the remainder of the year. When you consider your average ticket costs $20 and it's the middle of September, this ain't such a bad deal.

Supposedly, if a show is sold out and you are a member, you're in. Of course, there are steps one has to take in order to ensure a spot, so if you are interested, visit www.livenation.com and figure it out for yourself.

Other venues include Avalon (the Los Angeles one, not the Costa Mesa bar), the Hollywood Palladium, the Wiltern and the House of Blues Sunset Strip.

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Thanks to Myspace, I'm up to date with lots of shit. Like when Alex's Bar needs bands, I know about it.

Here's a message I got.

Hey Bands - Want to play Sunday, Sept 27?
Let us know!

You would be playing with The Pristines - http://www.myspace.com/pristines

We are looking at the following set times:

9:30pm
10:15pm
11:45pm

It's a free night.

I was a musician in my former life and played many a Sunday evening at Alex's. In fact, I played lots of Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings, too. But Sundays are the ones that stand out most to me. Not sure why. Take advantage of this offer and you too can have a memory that will last a lifetime.

Sarah Buss

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Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa has distinguished itself for many things, but one element is definitely their monthly Monday night residency, where a Southern California act plays a weekly free show. Last month it was LA's Dawes, before that, Costa Mesa heavy metal outfit Pistolero. Well, none of that's happening this month, but there's a good reason.

My computer ain't working right, which means I have no idea what's going on in the world. But from memory I do know that tonight is karaoke at the Foxfire Restaurant in Anaheim Hills. Should I know that? No. But I do.

I've never been to the Foxfire, but I've heard magical things about the place for more than a decade. Singing "Suspicious Minds" to cougars has been on my list of things to review for this here blog for a while now, but I just haven't made it yet. Soon folks, soon.

Until then, why don't you go and tell me what the word on the street is.

And if you're that one person in all of Orange County who doesn't know about the Foxfire, supposedly it's where sexy women above the age of 35 go to meet young dudes. Or something like that. Like I said, I've never been.

The term "blues jam" sends douchechills down my spine. Typically, a blues jam is a few old white guys who've never met running through haphazard versions of some of the genre's most well-known tunes. This always (and I do mean always) is a problem because, for example, the bass player might know "Back Door Man," but he's always played it the Willie Dixon/Howlin' Wolf way, not the Doors. Or maybe the guitarist absolutely shreds Robert Johnson's "Ramblin' on My Mind," but the rest of the group knows a more Chicago blues take on the song.

As you can tell, blues jams can be a mess. But, like a broken clock, sometimes they can be pretty good. Take last night for example. I was enjoying a white sangria at downtown Long Beach's Sevilla when my friend told me he got a text from another friend who was at the Liquid Lounge. I didn't want to leave Sevilla, but I also didn't want to drink by myself.

​Laguna Beach is in for one helluva show tonight as the Metal Shakespeare Company is bringing its blend of metal and (duh) Shakespeare to the Sandpiper. The group uses Willie's words and fake accents (they're from Portland) for a theatrical rock 'n' roll performance.

I'd tell you more, but I'm sick and this is about all I can muster. Check the website for more info.

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OK, so this is probably the 98th "eVocal is closing!" post we've had on here, but this seems like the real-deal Holyfield last hurrah for the Costa Mesa gallery/music venue. They're clearing out their remaining merchandise for, as that flier above has helpfully informed you, 30 to 75% off. There should be plenty of neat stuff lurking, and there's also going to be music and stuff. So if you missed out on your chance to say goodbye to eVocal on July 4 at the Freedom Creative Arts Fest II, or the last show there July 10, here's your real last, last chance.

Chimay--everyone's favorite beer brewed in a Belgian monastery and served exclusively in branded goblets--has been missing from the Crosby in Santa Ana as of late. But, much like Manny Ramirez or denim jackets, it's ready for a comeback, and will be back at the downtown Santa Ana restaurant/bar/dance party as of tonight. Don't act like you're not psyched! That's some tasty stuff.

Also happening at the Crosby: a new themed night starts tomorrow, "Radio Bemba." Salsa, cumbia and tropical. Should be neat! Resident DJs are Renz, Richard Spirit and Blessaid. Every third Thursday from now on.

Well, if you do, you're SOL (that's shit outta luck for the squares) because the gig's been canceled.

The full name of the event was "The Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" and locally it was scheduled to hit the Honda Center July 12 and the Gibson Amphitheater July 10.

Tickets can be refunded at point of purchase.

Bummer.

We've been following the story of eVocal's untimely closing all this week, and now we have some more information on what looks to be the Costa Mesa all-ages venue's second-to-last show.

Dubbed "Freedom Fest," festivities are planned to go for a full 12 hours--from noon to midnight--with back-to-back local acts playing inside, and acoustic artists playing short sets in between while bands set up. Next door neighbor Avalon is also getting in on the fun, with DJs spinning (with records, not like, on an exercise bike) throughout the day. It's the Fourth of July, it's eVocal's farewell event, and it's also their three years anniversary, so clearly there are many great reasons to come out and hang. As you can see from the flier, Parade of Lights, the Steelwells, Moostache, the New Limb, the Sweet Sweet Things, Cory Case, Parker Macy Blues and a whole bunch more are playing. $7, which, duh, benefits eVocal.

There's one more show left on eVocal's schedule after Independence Day, a July 10 gig with Yellow Red Sparks, Billy Kernkamp, Barrett Johnson and Railroad to Alaska that's still expected to happen.

In the "things that make you go 'hmm'" department: the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana is advertising Outkast as performing at their venue on July 17. (Click on the flier to see a bigger version.) Hmm.

Yes, the same Outkast that gave us "Ms. Jackson," "Hey Ya," "The Whole World," etc. etc. etc. The same Outkast that hasn't toured or performed together as a duo in years. Surprising, then, that they would pick the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, of all places, to make a return, huh? And that it would be in a show where they're second-billed, under their frequent collaborator, Sleepy Brown?

Clearly, it's not going to be an Andre 3000 and Big Boi reunion on July 17 at the Galaxy. I e-mailed Lila Sadeghi, marketing manager at the Galaxy, to try and find out some more info. She wrote back, "Yes it will be Sleepy and I can not name the other member of Outkast that will be doing the performance with Sleepy for the Outkast set." Well, phrased like that, it sounds like it could be anyone involved with Outkast, like, a keyboard player or something. So I wrote back, specifically asking--"You're saying one of the two members of Outkast will be there, though?" She replied: "For 100% sure."

It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means the DJ team known as the Sugarlight Girls are taking over Alex's Bar.

Unlike those lame-ass DJs at your older sister's wedding, these disc jockeys play some shit you actually want to hear. Ya know, indie, garage, soul, '60s, '70s...that stuff.

I used to kinda sorta know Dylan, one of the SGs, way back when. In fact, I'd like to think I'm one of her first regulars. Back when I lived in the South Bay, my friends and I would go check her out at a Hawaiian bar called Hale Hawaii. Even then she was good and it never got old hearing Iggy's "The Passenger" on a monthly basis. Then, our old bands played together a few times. She sang/played guitar in the Tarts while I made a wall of noise in the Heathens.

If you go tonight, tell her Ryan said hi. She'll totally have no idea who you're talking about. It'll be great if you dig uncomfortable moments.

BTW...the Sugarlight Girls also appear every third Wednesday of the month too.

In today's bummer of the week, Costa Mesa all-ages live music venue/clothing store/art galley eVocal is closing imminently.

Confirmed on their MySpace blog last week, eVocal as a venue on 19th St. in west Costa Mesa will no longer exist, but eVocal as an entity will continue on. From the post:

"We're planning to step out the box, do shows at other venues, go on tour to spread the 'Vocalism' word, gain exposure and launch the eVocal brand.  We need to invest in infrastructure, implement systems needed and generate the revenue needed to sustain and model our program.  We can then reinvest in breeding the culture, offer to support other emerging artists and then look to reopen an eVocal 'Zone' such as we've had (gallery / boutique / event space)."

Though it's nice to see that eVocal will still exist in one form or another, it's a huge loss to the Orange County music community--not only is there now one less place for local bands to play, it's also one of the few all-ages venue in the county. The last show they're promoting on thta site (though there might be a couple more in July) is a "farewell festival" on the 4th of July. I've reached out to eVocal owner Brett Walker and hope to have more from him here soon.

We all know what keeps any nightlife oasis going strong: "community", that's right. In that category, Santa Ana's cluster of clubs and haunts do a pretty good job of passing us from one bar to the next. One of the best examples of this continues to be Posse on Broadway, a beats and booze collaboration between The Crosby, Proof, The Gypsy Den, Memphis Cafe and restaurant Lola Gaspar. Offering different club events at each place under the umbrella of unification, this is the first Posse event we've seen in a little while. The occur on the third Friday of every month. Come down and stumble onto DJ Urth from Free the Robots at the Crosby, a crew of MUTE DJs over at Proof (including Marshall Barnes and Adam Salter), and even a sprinkle of singer songwriter sounds at The Gypsy Den courtesy of Mike Baum and Joy Flying. Plus, think of all the free cardio you'll get by walking all over the place. 

Long Beach duo Michele Rene and Bobby Bancalari are performing at Viento y Agua tomorrow. The pair might not be a household name, but believe you me, these two can flat-out play.

The twosome first graced the stage in a group called Marmalade Skies. Some of their tunes were used on the television programs "Felicity" and "Bailey's Mistake." Since that band broke up, they continued to play a blend of folk, pop and jazz that has one foot in tradition while sounding fresh and current.

Rene and Bancalari were Long Beach staples for a while, but haven't performed together as often recently as they used to. So consider this a reunion show of sorts.

Although Bancalari is scheduled to play guitar, he's the baddest mandolin player you've ever heard. Trust me. Let's hope he pulls that out for a song or two.

And while you're there, pick up one of them banana oat smoothies. Those are, as the kids say, "dope."

The show also includes Tiana Star and Susan Brown. 7 p.m. Free. All ages.

Concert promoters LiveNation are offering a pretty good deal for upcoming shows at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (and other venues across the country that, if you are reading the OC Weekly, you probably don't care that much about). The catch is, it's good only today.

Anyone who buys lawn tickets to shows at the mega Irvine venue will pay only $24.99. And to make the deal even sweeter, there are no additional fees. Yeah, you're sitting a mile away, but the lawn's where all the good weed is, so it might feel like you're right up front.

Upcoming shows include New Kids on the Block, Slightly Stoopid and Snoop Dogg, Coldplay, No Doubt, Aerosmith and ZZ Top, Nickelback, Creed, Blink-182 and Dave Matthews Band.

You heard it here first, folks.

Recently--probably at Saturday's show with Clues, the Colourist and Parade of Lights--I noticed that our beloved Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa was no longer serving beer on tap. I thought maybe they were just taken out for the night, or maybe I just didn't notice them, or maybe they were being cleaned or being refreshed or something (is that something that happens? I've never worked at a bar).

Then I noticed it again on Monday at the New Limb/Stacy Clark show, and I decided to ask the bartender on duty. Here is a (rough) transcript of our conversation:

Thursday night is Club Denim at the Juke Joint in Anaheim. The weekly shindig throws in a pinch of rock, a splash of punk and a handful of booze for a fairly debacherous night.

And what's more debacherous than motorcycles and power chords? Nuthin'. So when the Heathens (a band I played bass in many moons ago) hit the stage, fathers everywhere will be keeping a tight grip over their daughters.

Or something like that. I'm not that good at rock 'n' roll hyperbole.

DJs Rowdy and Ren will be spinning tunes as well. If I didn't have a prior engagement that night, I'd so be there. Not on stage, but in the crowd. Since bailing on the Heathens a few years back, I've realized I'm better off stage than on. The ladies, I've heard, heartily disagree.

It's Tuesday and there's nothing to do tonight, so why not get super wasted and sing "Love Shack" as off key as possible?

That's the logic every Tuesday at Alex's Bar in Long Beach. The shindig starts at 10 p.m., which means you'll be a happy drunk because the Lakers are up 3-0 or crying in your beer because all of a sudden the series is looking closer than it did this weekend.

Somehow Costa Mesa's Detroit Bar has become the local spot for any of the 37 dudes in the Wu-Tang Clan to perform solo. Next on the list (after two recent shows by the GZA) is Cappadonna, who might be a member of a contributor, depending on how you define those things. All I know is, he's more of a member than I am and that's good enough for me.

The show is June 13. Tickets are $15. On sale now. 

I got this MySpace message about a venue in Anaheim looking for bands. Seeing how I'm not in a band, it doesn't apply to me. But it might to you. Or maybe your friends. Either way, if this turns out bunk, don't come crying to me. If it's legit, I accept cash and the occasional check.