Adams Ave. Root Festival 2010

I probably should have posted this BEFORE the event so that if you didn't know about it you might have gone too, but I didn't. Sorry. 

This years annual two day event included over 40 live bands, food, arts and crafts, farmers market, beer garden and fun for the whole family. The live music features folk, traditional roots, bluegrass, rockabilly, and much more. It's a great way to keep the "real" music alive and introduce younger generations to where it all comes from.

Some of this years highlights include John Doe (from X, I love him), The Watson Twins, Sara Watkins, Gregory Page, Candy Kane, Steve Poltz, and many others.

Here is a video I shot (amateur) of Sara Watkins, LOVE that fiddle!

The National

I just have to plug one of my most favorite bands The National, not only because their music is AWESOME, but they are also coming to San Diego on May 23, 2010!!!

If you haven't seen them before now is the time, they don't tour very often. We caught them at Street Scene in 08 and it was one of the best shows I saw all year. This time they are playing at Spreckles Theater downtown, not my favorite venue in town, but at least it has cool ambiance. Should be a great show!



Tickets available through Ticketmaster.

Vickie's Birthday Party

We had so much fun at my cousin's 40th birthday party last weekend. They have a fabulous house out in east county which is perfect for hosting such events. Their yard includes an awesome swimming pool and jacuzzi, basketball court, horseshoes, a mini putting green, billiards, not to mention a great place for the band to play and plenty of space for dancing. Even if the weather was less than perfect, a great time was had by all.

The live entertainment of the day was local sensation and sure to keep going places, Da Bears, a great local, young and extremely talented band. Keep an eye out for these guys.

Did I mention how FANTASTIC Vickie is??? She is truly a wonderful woman, mother, daughter, friend and cousin, and I will always love her! I hope you had a great birthday and thanks again for letting us help you celebrate the big 40 with you!



The audio didn't turn out great, but the video is still funny and a little incriminating!

NOT George of the Jungle

Mark in Zion, swinging from a rope and jumping into the water. Sounds easy......



And here is how it is supposed to be done......



He's going to kill me!!!

Spend six minutes to watch this....

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did, it makes you think.....

WSP @ San Diego Civic Theater

The long awaited, much anticipated concert of my summer finally arrive. Of course, once again, I was blown away by the local performance by my favorite band, Widespread Panic.

Tom came from New York to see the show, we met up with Phoebe, and others, great to see so many familiar faces again. It's not at all like the Grateful Dead scene of yesterday, but there are some similarities that I can't quite put my finger on. Could it be that other "Deadheads" grew up and became "Spreadheads"? Whatever it is, they are all good people, some of the coolest that I have ever met.

Another familiar, but not surprising, face in the crowd was Bill Walton, he was kind of hard to miss. We weren't allowed to use flash on our cameras, but Tom, who took over camera duties, got some great video and pictures throughout the night. See the whole album here.



The permanent addition of Jimmy Herring to the band has really made an impact over the last couple of years, the guys really seem to be coming together. Jimmy is by far one of the best guitarist ever. I love that unique personal contribution that only Jimmy can provide.



I've got a fun filled week planned ahead, with parties and more concerts so, stay tuned, or check back, or whatever is the "thing" to say.

Electric Apricot

I've been trying to catch up on my Netflix account, and I finally got to "Electric Apricot". If you are at all into "jam bands" it is a must see, and if you are not, you won't get it, so don't bother. Think Spinal Tap for jam bands.

Les Claypool (front-man for Primus) plays a drummer named "Lapdog" who is a UCLA student making a documentary about his band The Electric Apricot, and how they get to the fictitious "Festeroo Music Festival". With guest appearances by Bob Weir, Warren Haynes and Mike Gordon, there are some witty and hilarious scenes.

Check out the trailer...

Portishead-The Rip

I am a fairly new fan of the English band Portishead. This is their video for The Rip off of their latest album Third, the first in over ten years. I really liked their first album Dummy, but that's all I have heard so far. Even of you have never heard the them, the animated music video is worth a look, it is mesmerizing.....

More Panic

I’m sitting here watching the local CBS evening news, and I can’t believe it when I see John Bell from Widespread Panic being interviewed. They even showed a clip of the band at the New Orleans Jazz Festival this weekend.

They interviewed John about his involvement in the rebuilding of New Orleans. Apparently he met his wife there and they like to vacation there when they can. The band’s affection for the city prompted them to get involved with the same charity that Brad Pitt is all about.

The band is making some amazing music these days. I try to keep up by checking out Panicstream.com, love it. They just released their summer tour schedule, there is a San Diego date, June but for some reason they are playing at the San Diego Civic Theater. With all of the fantastic outdoor venues around here, I was a little disappointed, but at least it will be a new place to see a concert, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.

A couple of weeks ago at their show in Raleigh, NC they had a guest musician join them for a few songs. Even if you don’t care for WSP, but you can appreciate a damn good musician, you will be blown away by Ann Marie Calhoun on the fiddle, check out this video, she rocks!

"Tickle The Truth" by WSP Live NYE 2007

Tickle The Truth

She complains you look different
Yeah but I’m keeping my name
Your not drinking the usual
I get drunk all the same
She said you smell like LA
Yeah but check out my new frames
Oh these cool shades make you look bitchin

She split from our table
And mumbled remember to tip
I had a twenty I’m ready
But I said I might skip
Some people act funny
When your just trying to be hip
Spent a little time outside the kitchen

Magnificent miles
Trying out this new walk
And people are watching
Like stepping on chalk
The learning curves behind
Like a memory stall
But in all it's an innocent mission

She rang me last night
Said that wasn't you was it?
I said all colors are money
Fit for deposit
Half naked right now,
I've got soup in the closet
Sometimes with words I’m just fishin

Should I come over?
It sounds like you need me
I said hey that's funny
You sound like my TV
Just try this thing once
It'll make life so easy
And even puppies come under suspicion

Then a lover came knocking
And I open the door
With an apple in my hand
She said what’s that for
It's the past and the future
But I shouldn't say more
That's just my radio hissing

Well I know you too well
And I know you're no villain
I said don't look now
Cause I’m ripping off Dylan
What you see is a little crusty
The real things the filling
A sound byte from above a beautician

All the jokers in this world
They're swarming like bees
Catch one to the head
Make you fall to your knees
Lenny Bruce was a profit
Of the 1960's
Two shows of tonight’s inquisition

And drifted and dreaming
Lost in a bed
Body’s ups and down
Are just food for the head
It's front page and french-fries
And the funny pages instead
We tickle the truth into submission

And all it’s an innocent mission
Just tickle the truth into submission
And tickle the truth into submission

WSP United Palace Theater, NY

I still can't decide which show I liked best, Friday or Saturday night. I guess I really don't have to make that decision, they were both special in their own way. I've seen Panic 8 or 9 times now (?) and I have never had a bad show. In fact, each show gets better and better.

The United Palace Theater was designed to impress. As soon as you walk in the spectacular entrance you are in awe. Read a great review here.



Even though there was not a bad seat in the house, Friday night we had orchestra seats so we managed to get up to the 4th row for a most excellent view.



SET 1: Holden Oversoul > Better Off, Climb To Safety, Papa Johnny Road, Sleeping Man, Sleepy Monkey > Free Somehow > Pleas > Love Tractor

Imagine our delight to see Warren Haynes on the stage in the second set. He absolutely blew us away, the energy in that theater was intense. Here is a snipet of video that Tom shot with my camera.



SET 2: Space Wrangler > Radio Child > Jam > Jack, Wondering > Second Skin > Drums > Surprise Valley* > Protein Drink* > Sewing Machine*

ENCORE: This Part Of Town > Walk On The Flood

* with Warren Haynes on guitar

You can actually listen the concert on Panicstream.com, it's easy, just click here.

Saturday's first set went on forever. I couldn't believe that they played "Hatfield", the song about San Diego. They have played that song just about every time I have seen them, I thought for sure they wouldn't play it in NY, it's like they knew I was there.



SET 1: Big Wooly Mammoth > North, Angels on High > Little Lilly > Rock > Hatfield, Hope In A Hopeless World, Conrad

SET 2: From The Cradle > Bowlegged Woman, Papa's Home > Three Candles > Airplane > Drums > Papa's Home > Henry Parsons Died

ENCORE: Let's Get The Show On The Road > Blackout Blues

They made my night with "Airplane", but every song rocked. I don't know how John Bell remembers the lyrics to all these songs, he is a professional. They played several songs from their new album "Free Somehow" all pretty cool but still unfamiliar. That's OK, somebody promised to send me a copy, it should be arriving soon.

It's going to be hard to top this show in the future, everything worked out just perfectly and had a good groove, good energy. I love it when that happens!

New Age Fairytale

My friend Chuck turned me on to this really cool short film, do check it out, so cool.

3rd Annual Now Film Festival -Wk 19 Finalist - City Paradise

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Panic in New York!

I was up at the crack of dawn this morning to order my tickets for the Widespread Panic shows April 4th & 5th in New York, and I am happy to report I was successfull!

I was pleasantly surprised to have scored orchestra seats for the first night, and upper lodge for the second night. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house. The maximum capacity at the United Palace Theater is 3,293, and from what I have read, the acoustics are pretty good.

I was a little conflicted when I heard that Ratdog is also playing in NY April 3, 4 & 5th. I tried to figure out a way to see them both, but it just won't work. For some reason they are only touring the East coast this Spring, but it looks like they will be in California in July for the High Sierra Festival, I hope to catch them there.

Not only will I be seeing my favorite band, but I will also get to hang out with my concert soulmate Tom. I haven't seen him since October when he moved back to NY. It will be a good time. I just wish I had more time to hang out, there is so much to see and do in my second favorite city.

Doesn't this look like fun? I can't wait!

Radiohead "Weird Fishes"

The whole album is great, but I can't get this song out of my head!

Grateful Dead-Hard to Handle, 1971

If you are one of those people that never got into the Grateful Dead, please check this out. If you are not taping your foot, your finger or at least bobbing your head, something is wrong with you! This is classic.

Primus on You Tube

As you can probably tell I am just learning how to post video on my blog. All of this is still pretty foreign and new to me, but bear with me, I think it's going to get interesting!

I ran across this video in my old pictures. I thought it was something I actually shot on my camera at the Vegoose concert in Las Vegas on Halloween 2005. But when I asked my friend Tom about it, he reminded me that he in fact took the footage on his camera, so I can't take the credit. Figures. He eventually gave me permission and I at least learned how to upload a video on my newly created You Tube account. Someday I will post something that I shoot myself!

Anyway, this is footage of one of my favorite bands Primus. Yes, that is a giant duck on stage, and yes, that is the legendary Les Claypool jamming the bass.

Wake Up!