Thursday, September 6, 2012

Illusion Of Self, The Repair, & LeMay @ The Blue Lagoon Wednesday 9/26/12

Wednesday 9/26/12

Illusion Of Self
Alternative Rock
San Francisco

Illusion of Self is an alternative rock band formed by Frank Salazar, Miles Deiaco, and Raymond Jones. They blend the vibe and tones of the 60′s and 70′s rock with an aggressive, emotional, feel of the 90’s while remaining modern and progressive. Frank’s vocals capture the audience with his slightly bluesy yet over-driven attack. Miles’ sultry low end on the bass lays a melodic foundation for the intense array of guitar sounds. Raymond’s (Random Mysticks) intricate and hard hitting drum patterns force the audience to listen up and jump around. This 3 piece trio came out of San Francisco and wouldn’t have it any other way. The sound can be defined as classic yet ahead of its time.

The Repair
Alternative
Sacramento

The most memorable music that a listener experiences is music that they can feel in their heart and their soul. The thumping on your chest and the conviction of lyrics leaves a lasting impression on our brains and causes emotions to arise. The Repair started in 2010 as an experiment of new songs written by Walter Bere, lead singer and guitarist. The objective was to create an atmosphere where the listener can close their eyes and be taken to another place, whether it was back to the first feelings of romance, or to the hustle and bustle of a busy city street. In early 2011, the band was formed and geared up for a show in Hollywood at the world famous Whisky a Go Go, where they would begin their journey as a new Rock band from Sacramento, CA. Passion and Intensity are revealed in the tone and vibe of every song they perform. That is the experience that The Repair brings.

LeMay
Alternative
Van Nuys, CA

Lemay emerged in late Autumn of 2010 with an ineffable amount of musical tenacity. Steaming from the dissolution of one band, Harker Russell (vocals & guitar) and Devon Steelman (drums & production) collaborated together to continue the pursuit of making it in the music industry. It didn't take long for a few tracks to legitimize the band; a marriage of melodic creativity ensues with perseverance. Matt Stevenson (lead guitar & self-proclaimed ice-box of energy) joined the group after hearing a few of the songs. Matt added fuel to the Lemay fire and quickly became a fixture. Devo (lead bass) joined the band and completed the mixture. "Green Street" is Lemay's first release, available on iTunes. Not to be underestimated, Lemay's music is something that one must introduce themselves to in order to fully comprehend the innovation of the band's product. Lemay is currently booking shows and tour dates to follow the "Green Street" EP's release, and engaged in intense online marketing efforts. Check out twitter.com/lemayband, reverbnation.com/lemay, vibedeck.com/lemay, youtube.com/lemayband, and the Lemay facebook fan page for more updates! Lemay is poised to take the music world by storm and hopes to touch people all around the world with their music.

923 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

A Thousand Shall Fall, HowDareYou, Vultures At Arms Reach, & Just Breathe @ The Blue Lagoon Wednesday 10/3/12

 Wednesday 10/3/12

Metal
Santa Cruz

Emerging as a duo in the Summer of 2010 with the musical engineering prowess of Kevin Loftus and the guitar styling's of Dhruva Noel, A Thousand Shall Fall was a metal-based recording group with hopes of gaining a few more members and turning it into the real thing. In late August the duo became a formidable trio with the addition of Daniel Johnston, a highly skilled guitarist previously part of various local bands such as Descending Forth and others. With the addition of Dan A.T.S.F. found a direction for their music and added an important piece to their onslaught. In late 2010 Jesse Williams joined on vocals, and in early 2011 Gena Krupa joined the band to finalize the A.T.S.F. lineup. Currently in the process of composing, booking, and recording the band's sound is strongly melodic while simultaneously staying true to the heavy hitting rhythms they've all grown fond of. Keep your eyes and ears open for some upcoming tracks on Myspace other sites and look out for A Thousand Shall Fall coming to a city near you in 2012.

Power Violence
Santa Cruz

Post Metal/Sludge/Atmosphere
Santa Cruz

Punk Rock / Hard Core
Santa Cruz

A product of old friends and former band mates jumping back in the ring together for another round. Felix and Cory from DRY HEAVERS have joined up with Eddy and Rory from CHANCES ARE to form JUST BREATHE! The history behind this group of guys goes much further than these bands, all the way back to kick starting a punk scene where there was none in a small farm town as 13 year old 8th grade punk rockers in King City California... but at the end of the day, who cares! JUST BREATHE is here... deal with it!

923 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Cobra Skulls, Holding Onto Sound, & Tater Famine @ The Blue Lagoon Friday 9/21/12

Friday 9/21/12

Cobra Skulls
Punk Rock
San Francisco

Holding Onto Sound
Progressive Punk Rock
Las Vegas

Tater Famine
American/Folk/Punk
Santa Cruz

Russ Rankin
Rock/Punk/Dissent
Santa Cruz

923 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

FroadZ, Bird Not The Body, & Strawberry Girls @ The Blue Lagoon Wednesday 9/19/12

Wednesday 9/19/12

Post Rock
San Francisco

sometime in 1995, Patrick moved into a house down the street from Jared. shortly thereafter, Patrick called Jared's house and invited him to go ride bikes. then they became friends.
sometime in 2001, Michael and Jared decided to eat toast at Denny's, lamenting recent entrance to high school as well as sharing common fondness for blink-182, the misfits, and general self-deprecation.
sometime in 2010/11, Patrick's old band played at Jared's house in Santa Cruz which prompted Jared to get back in touch with Patrick.
sometime shortly thereafter, Patrick and Jared had some sweet jams in Jared's Santa Cruz garage-room.
sometime shortly thereafter that, Patrick Jared and Michael had some sweet jams in Jared's San Jose basement-hangout.
sometime shortly thereafter that, Patrick Jared and Michael started rehearsing at a sweet practice space in San Francisco (motivational posters hung) and played a word game that led to "froadz".
Patrick and Jared found it hilarious, but Michael was not impressed. Eventually, Michael thought it was funny too.

Math Rock
Monterey

Intrumental
Salinas

Zachary Garren parted ways with his previous band, Dance Gavin Dance, in early 2010. While pursuing his solo project, Good Health, he crossed paths with local drummer, Ben Rosett, who was playing with a local band called The Trees. Ben, who was interested in starting a new project, asked Zac if he wanted to jam to see if anything cool would happen. Fortunately, everything clicked, and Strawberry Girls was formed in April, 2011.
After their first performance as a duo, Ben's friend and previous band-mate, Ian Jennings, excitedly wanted to be a part of the project. Ben and Zac, wanting to take the project to the next level, brought Ian on board to play bass for Strawberry Girls.
During the writing process for their first album, a live demo was released on Bandcamp titled, "Demo 2011", containing 5 raw live studio tracks. Months later, Ben, Zac, and Ian brought these tracks to life, producing the album at their home studio. "Italian Ghosts" was released in August 2011 as their first official EP. Soon after, another demo was released titled, "Do Peace (EP)", comprised of two tracks "Do Peace" and "Fight Club". Those two tracks were recorded live in the home studio, intended to hold their fans over until their next release.
Strawberry Girls have a lot planned for 2012. With their 2nd full length album, French Ghetto, on it's way, they have also taken on the task of remixing and remastering "Italian Ghosts" for a second edition release, as well as currently recording "Acoustic Ghosts", which includes mostly acoustic arrangements of new and old songs played on different instruments. There are also other special projects that may surface eventually. In the midst of all these different musical endeavors, Strawberry Girls has also been releasing various cover songs, filmed live and/or recorded in the studio, and put on YouTube.
You can look forward to Strawberry Girls' upcoming releases in 2012:
• "Italian Ghosts" 2nd Edition [re-mixed/re-mastered]
• "Acoustic Ghosts" [acoustic album featuring old and new tracks]
• "French Ghetto" [sophomore album]
• + more...

923 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Bummer City, Warm Soda, & Natural Child @ The Blue Lagoon When Tuesday 9/18/12

Tuesday 9/18/12

Bummer City
Garage Rock and Roll
Santa Cruz

Warm Soda
Pop
Oakland

Natural Child
Rock & Roll
Nashville

"…YEAH, WELL, NOW THEY SOUND LIKE BOB DYLAN, THE STONES, STOOGES, NEIL YOUNG, WAYLON JENNINGS… WELL, EVEN WILLIE. I GUESS THEY’VE BEEN AT IT FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW. BACK IN SUMMER OF '09, BACK WHEN I MET EM, WEZ AND ZACK WERE EATIN WEED BROWNIES AND THEY REALIZED THEY NEEDED SETH IN THE BAND. WELL, THEY DECIDED THEREFORE AND THEN TO START THE GREATEST ROCK N’ ROLL BAND IN THE WORLD-- NATURAL CHILD. PROBABLY KNOWN AS MUCH FOR WHAT THEY SAY AS WHAT THEY DO, THEY’VE EARNED A REPUTATION OF GIVING AUDIENCES THE STRAIGHT DEAL. WORLDWIDE. THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING BILL WYMAN’S BASS AMP FROM 1970. GOD BLESS EM.”
-Leon Russell

Cool Ghouls
Rock N Roll
Santa Cruz

The Blue Lagoon
923 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Gypsyhawk, Highness, & The Bad Light @ The Blue Lagoon Wednesday 9/12/2012

Wednesday 9/12/2012
Modern Wave of Classic Heavy Metal
Los Angeles

"Gypsyhawk is four metal dudes playing rock and roll and bringing the party every time they get on stage," states guitarist Andrew Packer, and there is perhaps no better way of surmising the spirit and sound of the Pasadena quartet. Revisiting the electrifying sounds of bullshit-free 70s rock, the band are a breath of fresh air compared to the endless onslaught of breakdown obsessed bands cluttering up heavy music. Marinating their wares in whiskey and weed, they hurl out blistering riffs and irresistible hooks and grooves, doing their damnedest to ensure that everyone at their shows is having as much fun as they are. With Revelry & Resilience, their second full-length and Metal Blade debut, this vibe bleeds from the speakers from start to finish, determinedly putting a smile on your face and compelling you to throw your hair around, no matter how much or how little you might have. "It's music for girls to shake their asses to and dudes to bang their heads," states vocalist/bassist Eric Harris. "It's good-time rock and roll, and we don't take ourselves too seriously, but at the same time we're not one-dimensional 'yeah-dude-let's-party-all-the-fucking-time!' guys, and I like to think there's something for everyone in our music."

If one thing is for sure it's that the four guys in Gypsyhawk are not looking for overnight stardom and want to put the work into building something that lasts, and deservedly so. "I really want to take this band as big as it can possibly go but because it's good music that people want to hear, and I want the chance to try different things on the records we make in the future, to really see what we're capable of," says Packer. "We're just going to write the best music that we can and we're gonna write the truest music that we can," Harris adds. "We want to play this music everywhere that will have us, but we're pretty realistic about everything, and we're just having a good fucking time while we can."

Highness
Heavy Psychedelic Forest Riffs
Santa Cruz

Delta Sludge
Santa Cruz

"Kinda like RL Burnside and Electric Wizard"

923 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Monday, September 3, 2012

The Redlight District, Callow, & Ant Lion @ The Blue Lagoon Friday 9/7/12

Friday 9/7/12

Psychedelic Rock and Roll
Santa Cruz
Sex on acid

Indie Rock
San Francisco

A commanding amalgam of ambient indie art rock, driven by emotive vocals, haunting atmospheres, and gritty, poignant guitar.  Red's raw contralto is reminiscent of Vic Chestnutt while Sami creates a dark, primordial landscape with the simultaneous use of keyboard, percussion, and vocals. 
The two met at a house party in San Francisco in the fall of 2006, but didn't begin playing music together until 2009.  Red, who was playing in a jagged rock band at the time, wanted to strip back his approach to song-writing to emphasize the vocals, as he had done when composing score for college theater.  Sami, while dancing in a modern dance company and studying Haitian dance, gradually became more involved in the song-writing process and started playing drums.
Catapulted by a crashing economy, their philosophical and artistic perspectives came together, and a musical project was born.  They've been writing music and touring around the western US ever since.  Their musical influences include Built to Spill, Pink Floyd, The Black Heart Procession, and PJ Harvey.
Their debut album, Orb Weaver, was released in May, 2012 on NxNW Records.
"A raw contralto will get you far in the indie world, particularly if you specialize in songs about heartbreak, death, and the fallout after a bad relationship. Singer Red Moses has it. Whoever did him wrong paved the way for some forceful emo-folk, buoyed by heavy chords and portentous lyrics. Don't let the name fool you." - Rachel Swan, East Bay Express

Ant Lion

923 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Island Of Black And White, The Honeypot, & The Sea People @ The Blue Lagoon Wednesday 9/5/12

Wednesday 9/5/12

Acoustic rock, Funky reggae, Soulful Blues, Folk
El Dorado Hills, CA

Islandofblackandwhite.com
Island of Black and White first appeared on the music scene in CA in 2004. Their music is a sweet, humble yet raw blend of acoustic rock, funky reggae, and soulful blues. It is a mixture like no other. The “duet, sometimes quartet” exerts high energy performances while frequenting local and out of town venues, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, music festivals and various events. The unique sound of Island of Black and White today captures the attention of those young and old: with Chris Haislet on guitar, keyboard, accordion, melodica, flute and vocals, Nawal Alwareeth on drums and vocals. It is apparent for anyone watching, that the band shares an immense love for music. Not only does the band enjoy playing, but their incredible performances engage all who listen; and the energy is shared with the entire crowd.
“Every once in a while a band transcends time because they redefine music and remain relevant throughout the generations. The Island of Black and White (IBW), a Sacramento rock/reggae/funk/folk/blues band, is on their way - destined for greatness. Chris Haislet (vocals, guitar, keyboard, flute, accordion, talk box, melodica . . . etc.) and Nawal Al Wareeth (drums) have such raw sincerity and technical expertise that you must submit to the moment and let their music run through your veins. IBW keeps their fans coming back for more with their improvisational solos and poetic originals. With lyrics like, "We are stronger than we know" and "We must hold on," IBW writes about embracing life and empowers its audience to "Rise above." Do not hesitate to watch this band perform live . . . it will be like hearing The Beatles for the first time.” –Matthew Jaoudi, 2012
“a lifetime of stories crammed into a couple years of experience create the perfect formula that makes up the Caribbean-drenched, edgy and folky sounds of Island of Black and White, El Dorado Hills’ own slice of pure musical originality.”
-Andy Laughlin, Village Life, El Dorado Hills NewsPaper 2011

Crunchy Delicious
Santa Cruz, CA

Socially-Conscious Disco, Indie Erotica
Bay Area, CA

With a sound that could be described as socially conscious disco, or perhaps indie erotica, the Sea People's gritty, punchy, crunchy, and wavy funk-folk-dance-rock soundscapes electrify the limbs of listeners with colorful soul vibes. 
The band was formed at Stanford University in late September 2009 by keyboardist Chris Beachy and guitarist Charlie Glick; very soon the lineup included Dan Bardenstein bangin' at them drums and Ella Cooley up front on the lead vocals. In late January of '09, David Kettler, one of Charlie's friends from Delaware, began to slap basses with Sea People.
The People are people who enjoy playing music, eating cereal and taking medium-length walks on the beach; they are people who enjoy making people dance; they are people who want to see people. They are The Sea People.

923 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Candlelight Tent Vigil Protesting Homeless Sweeps Friday 9/7/12


Please join us in community as we express our sadness and outrage at this campaign of harassment of those who're the most vulnerable.

We will gather at City Hall at 7pm, Friday Sept. 7th

After a brief circle there will be a slow march through town carrying candles and lofting tents above our heads. We'll traverse Pacific Ave, then visit the river levee and then back to City Hall.

There will be dixie cup hooded candles but please bring flashlights and tents if you have them.

This is the first step in a new multi-tiered campaign to address the city's criminalization of outside night sleep.
We welcome you to join us.

The City of Santa Cruz has been using the SCPD & the City Parks Dept. to attack homeless camps.

We are in the 7th week of this campaign that has seen more than 300 citations given, more than 100 camps destroyed and personal belongings trashed and more than 150 arrests.

While the Santa Cruz has closed the Paul Lee Loft shelter it has offered no other solutions to people who are survival camping in the woods, river levee and downtown.

It is illegal to sleep outside in Santa Cruz btwn 11pm - 8am and it is illegal to lay under a blanket... EVEN IF ONE IS AWAKE!!

Where are these folks supposed to sleep safely and legally?

This situation refuses basic human rights and dignity and in many cases, is patently against the law.











Sunday, September 2, 2012

A Thousand Shall Fall, Section 5150, & Grimpire @ The Catalyst Atrium Sunday 9/30/12

Sunday 9/30/12

Metal
Santa Cruz, Ca

Emerging as a duo in the Summer of 2010 with the musical engineering prowess of Kevin Loftus and the guitar styling's of Dhruva Noel, A Thousand Shall Fall was a metal-based recording group with hopes of gaining a few more members and turning it into the real thing. In late August the duo became a formidable trio with the addition of Daniel Johnston, a highly skilled guitarist previously part of various local bands such as Descending Forth and others. With the addition of Dan A.T.S.F. found a direction for their music and added an important piece to their onslaught. In late 2010 Jesse Williams joined on vocals, and in early 2011 Gena Krupa joined the band to finalize the A.T.S.F. lineup. Currently in the process of composing, booking, and recording the band's sound is strongly melodic while simultaneously staying true to the heavy hitting rhythms they've all grown fond of. Keep your eyes and ears open for some upcoming tracks on Myspace other sites and look out for A Thousand Shall Fall coming to a city near you in 2012.

Thrash Metal
San Jose, Ca

5150 formed in 2009 with Dave and Chris coming from the same company both working as mechanical engineers. In 2010 Yakamz was added and we began playing shows throughout San Jose and Santa Cruz. After a brief hiatus recording our demo in May and June of 2010 we thrashed out the bay.
2011 halfway gone in a haze of hangovers 5150 Adopted the name Section 5150 and produced our 1st full length album "Bide Your Time."
Currently planning a West Coast tour. Stay tuned kids and check out our website for tour dates!!!

Death Metal Hobbyists
Santa Cruz


Santa Cruz, CA
Doors: 8:30 pm / Show: 9:00 pm
$8
Tickets Available at the Door
This event is 16 and over