What came first the graffiti or the band?

For anyone who's used the restrooms at Humboldt State University the phrase "Be Brave Bold Robot," should be familiar. That restroom graffiti is also a band in Sacramento. They are playing Saturday at the Sammies (Sacramento+Grammy's) at Cesar Chavez park.

I don't know much about BBBR, but I'm excited to finally seeing them after reading their name so many times while peeing in Founder's Hall.

The show is free and there will many bands including Silver Darling, whom I've heard is amusing, these things will be verified with photos upon my return on Saturday.

Music starts at 3 p.m., hope to see you there.

Upcoming shows to get excited about

Breaking into a new music scene is hard, and I've yet to venture to far out to explore new bands, but as far as getting to see bands who have already earned a space in my heart, Sacramento has some good shows coming through.

June 23: The king of surf rock, Dick Dale is playing at the Press Club, $30 cover. 21+
July 14: Coldplay, lawn seats at the Sleep Train, two for one deal through travel zoo means we only spent $50 after fees, the discount code is TRAVEL.
July 24: No Doubt, the original cast, also at Sleep Train, with The Sounds and Paramore. Tickets are only $15 after fees. Worth a trip down from Humboldt? I think so!

This week I'm planning on checking out a Roller Derby Bout and a Woodland Chamber of Commerce BBQ. Life is grand in the Sacramento Valley.

long time no post

Greetings blogosphere,

I've been out since the Eureka Reporter kicked the bucket, but the mourning period is over and I'm writing again.

I now live in beautiful midtown Sacramento and work at a newspaper in Woodland doing hard news, and an optometrist office in Davis doing optical stuff.

New paper: www.dailydemocrat.com
New town: http://midtowngrid.com/

Reasons why i love living on the grid:

• Walking/biking distance from awesome bars, music venues, fro-yo, pizza, sushi, and friends.
  
• Lots of trees.
• Second Saturday Arts Night
• Tons of nifty thrift and vintage stores

There are more, but I'm loving city life. I miss Humboldt, but I'm excited about what Sacramento has to offer.

Accoridng to urban dictionary.com

1.	rock journalist
	one who meets with punk musicians to interview them for a zine before a concert, rocks out and headbang during the concert, parties with the musicians after the show, then retiring to a quiet room or greyhound bus to write a review and write down the interview transcript word-for-word; one who suffers the worst case of rock hangover than anyone else in the scene. Groupie 1: Hey, why is that girl over there taking notes? Groupie 2: 'Cause she's a ROCK journalist, duh!

News from an unemployed Music Editor

After last nights show at the Van Duzer, I'm now a fan of Zack Gills, look him up.

Another Zack I'm a fan of is Zack Newkirk, the brilliance behind my late section's movie reviews. Since talent like his shouldn't go to waste he put it where all laid off and wanna-be journalists put it, in a blog. So please, go to http://theforgottenreviews.wordpress.com/, before you see a movie, I've almost always regretted seeing movies he's given poor reviews for.

Another group of journalists looking for a voice that I'm a fan of would be all the folks over at http://eurekaruin.wordpress.com/, mostly my former coworkers.

The blog if frequently updated with interesting and relevant posts that warrant a read.

Now, Zack Gills. He opened for Mason Jennings last night, and while Mason Jennings left something to be desired (that something being playing more songs I liked), Gills was a glorious surprise of an opener.

If music was categorized by what the majority of the lyrics were about Gill's music would go into the "Family Section." Not like it's family friendly, his song "Handy Man" is caulked full of grown up innuendos, but it still has a feeling as if it's being sung to a wife. He can't fix the kitchen sink, but if you're in the mood he's your hand man. Only wives or long time partners want their lover to also be able to fix the kitchen sink, when you are newly dating you don't ask them things like that.

He sang a song about his daughter and how she's growing up and it got me so maternal I almost got impregnated. Another song, called Family, is an accurate picture of the "Yule Time Burn," when you come home to be with your relations and you aren't quite relating anymore - and it wears on you.

In addition to singing about family he moved around from instrument to instrument. Playing a grooving boogie on the piano, to acoustic guitar, to the accordion for a rousing round of the "Devil Went Down To Bavaria," sung with German accent and everything.

The set was too short, especially since Mason went on and on, with mostly slow songs and it being dark and quiet, it was hard to stay awake.

Final column in the ER

By Melody Stone, Rock Journalist

I just got off an airplane. My favorite part is landing, feeling the wheels hit the ground, knowing I’ve arrived. At this moment, however, I feel I’ve begun a long flight with no sign of landing, it’s uncomfortable. As you probably already know, The Eureka Reporter is no longer, and my favorite section (this one) will no longer be printed.
For the last 10 months I’ve poured my heart and soul into these pages. It’s been hard, fun, trying, exciting, wonderful, and more.
I set out to be a rock journalist and, after four years of school and freelancing, the ER took a chance on me. I can’t thank Glenn Franco Simmons and Diane Batley enough for taking that risk. Shortly after I started, e launched and I have overseen every e section printed, and this will be the last.
This scene is so wonderful and diverse. I was just down in San Francisco and San Luis Obispo County and I saw a distinct lack of hand-made concert fliers and lack of all-ages, live-music venues. We have Mosgo’s, The Placebo, Big Pete’s, and the options continue with 21+ venues. There’s never a lack of beautiful, raw, inspiring music to be had, from all genres. I tried to find a single election day concert in San Luis Obispo and failed.
Thank you to Strix Vega, The Ian Fays, The Rubberneckers, The Ravens, The Monster Women, the guys from Laden Swallow, Broken Scones, Huckleberry Flint, The Bucky Walters, Sadistic Hallucinations, The Tao Jonsers, Double Threat, Hey Eleanor, and many, many more. Thanks not only for giving me great stories and column fodder, but for being real, for being true, and for doing it for the music.
I’m going to miss a lot of things about this place, my coworkers, most of whom I knew from the Lumberjack, and the rest I became friends with here. I love talking to new people, I love asking questions and getting people’s stories, and I’ll continue to do those things. Thanks to my faithful readers. I can’t tell you the thrill I got from hearing a mention of my column on KSLG or KHUM, or a shout-out from a band during a concert.
I don’t know what comes next, but I will continue blogging about music and covering the scene at www.melody-stone.blogspot.com, and you’ll see me at shows for sure.
Thanks for reading, and here’s my show suggestions for this weekend.
On Sunday, I’ll be at Old Crow Medicine Show at Humboldt State University. On Friday, I’m going to try to get out to the Lil’ Red Lion in Eureka to see Svelte Velvet because I still haven’t seen them, but have heard lots of good things. On Tuesday, I’ll be front and center for Mason Jennings’ show at HSU.

(Melody can be reached through her blog at www.melody-stone.blogspot.com)
(Opinions expressed in columns do not necessarily represent those of The Eureka Reporter or its staff.)

A new hope.

I begrudgingly struggled to get my boots off and walk through the metal detector, on the other side I juggle getting my boots back on and gathering up my laptop, jacket and carry on bag - in the midst of me holding up the line my phone goes off.

I gather everything and reach my phone before it goes to voice mail, it's John O. my coworker. The gravelly voice says he's got bad news and pauses, then says the paper we write is closing.

I spent the rest of the day crying in airports. Now i'm home, kitten on my lap, glass of wine, and i'm gonna watch some lost.

So... anyone know of any openings for a rock journalist? Let me know.

Halloween night to do's

(The 2008 Rutabaga Queen Lotta Paintbuckets, a.k.a. Kati Texas, takes a tour of The Haunted Kinetic Lab of Horrors Tuesday afternoon before opening to the public tonight at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $5.00 for entry, 14 years or older only. Daniel Solomon/The Eureka Reporter)

By MELODY STONE, your friendly neighborhood rock journalist.

Published: Oct 29 2008, 8:19 PM · Updated: Oct 30 2008, 11:35 PM

Category: Arts

Topic: For those prepared to rock...

Halloween originated at a Gaelic/Celtic festival of harvest and slaughter, at which some believed the line between alive and dead was smeared and where people wore masks to pacify evil spirits (according to Wikipedia). Now we slaughter pumpkins, harvest candy and wear itty-bitty trashy outfits despite the dropping temperatures.

In addition to those modern traditions, adults in our culture have taken to going to parties and bars to celebrate the harvest and awakening of the dead. Now don’t be fooled; while every bar has a Halloween event, some are simply “Halloween at insert bar name.” If you just want to ring in the undead at a bar, go right ahead, but if you want a truly amazing Halloween night, here are some fun events around the county.

In keeping with pagan tradition, Pathfinders Bookstore is having a magic fair that takes place all day Halloween and Saturday. Admission is free and activities include learning spells, making mojo bags and psychic readings.

At Jambalaya, KSLG 94.1 FM is hosting a Halloween Ball, with music by groovy local rockers Strix Vega and Portland country-folk band Power of County. And I could say there’s going to be a costume contest, but I’m pretty sure that’s a given for all of these Halloween events.

One unique take on the holiday costuming is Six Rivers Brewery’s Pirate Ball, now in its fifth year. According to the employees at the Costume Boutique in the mall, pirate costumes are on a decline this year, so that could mean people are finally over the pirate fad (we all know ninjas are far superior) or that not as many people are planning on attending the Pirate Ball. Well, the Pine Box Boys will be at the Pirate Ball if that makes a difference.

If you have children, there are options for the little tykes, too. Dow’s Prairie Grange is having a Halloween party with carnival games and a haunted house from 5 to 8 p.m.

North Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters has a Carnival of Chaos Haunted House at 2968 Janes Road in Arcata. That starts at 6:30 p.m. and children under 10 need adult accompaniment.

Probably the largest and most elaborate haunted place in the county is the Haunted Kinetic Lab of Horrors, open Halloween and Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight. Folks, there is a line, and it’s usually long, but it’s always worth it. This is scary and limited to kids 14 and up. That’s $5 to scare yourself silly.

A Halloween tradition takes place in the HSU Studio Theatre with a screening and live cabaret of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” That starts at 8 p.m. and plays both Halloween and Saturday.

Here are some other Halloween options for those of you who just want to dress up and go to a bar and maybe hear a little music.

Halloween 08 - dance party with live DJs - from 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. and it’s +18. The Portuguese Hall. $15/$25

Halloween party with DJ Ray - The Boiler Room

Halloween Costume Bash - The Playroom (Fortuna)

Halloween at the Pearl - Pearl Lounge

Halloween with Greensky Bluegrass - Humboldt Brews

Sadistic Hallucinations (death metal), Madhammer (metal), Alder Camp (Crescent City metal)- Schooner Saloon (Third St., Eureka) - $5

No Go Know - Logger Bar

Moo-Got-2 Halloween Party Madness - Muddy’s Hot Cup - $5 and all ages; this should be an excellent way to spend your Halloween (if you like dancing and happiness).

Speaking of events for the younger-but-not-children demographic, Accurate Productions Inc. is putting on two parties in Arcata, one at the Arcata Community Center at 8 p.m. for high school-age people, and one at the Portuguese Hall at 10 p.m. for the 18-plus crowd. These events are $10 at the door and feature live DJs.

Now you are informed on a smidgen of what’s happening in this county for Halloween. There are more events I didn’t mention, but you’ll have to do your own research on those. Have a safe, happy Halloween!

I'm a little famous

Halloween is Friday! That means a couple things, I need to track down a set of hot rollers, and on Thursday I'm judging a karaoke contest at the Blue Lake Casino.

So please come out and sing so I can judge you, it's around 9 ish. Or just hang out and listen to the contestants. It should be a fun night, I'll be dressed up - provided I find some hot rollers.

Remedy Drive: playing for hope and Invisible Children Inc.

Words by Melody Stone, rock journalist (for the Eureka Reporter)

David Zach, the lead singer and guitarist for Remedy Drive, said in a phone interview, “I would hope that when we come to Eureka next week that for an hour we can put aside our worries about the economy and the war, and we can come together and celebrate the fact that we have a second chance. Not to worry about our failure, not to worry about tomorrow.” That’s what he thinks a rock concert should do.

Zach and his three brothers started Remedy Drive in 1998. Five years ago, they decided to go into music full time. They just released their first album on record label Word Records in August. The album’s called “Daylight is Coming,” and the songs are about hope. While the band members come from a faith-based background, Zach said he shies away from the label “Christian.”

“Our songs are about hope. We’re singing about something more than rock music. I don’t want to deter anyone from enjoying our music by putting a label on it. I want the music to speak for itself,” he said. Zach believes the word “Christian” has too much baggage associated with it these days, and he wants his music to be accessible for all.

Accessibility was something they were thinking about when crafting “Daylight is Coming.” Remedy Drive strove to make the songs catchy and accessible while maintaining their own identity. They wanted to avoid formulaic pop, but still have the CD be something new listeners could enjoy.

Zach describes Remedy Drive as rock with heavy piano influence, and cites The Killers, Muse and U2 as some of his favorite bands.

“I hope that we covered some new territory in this album sonically and lyrically. It’s a step toward a more poppy sound. The songs are shorter and hopefully we are figuring out how to write a catchy song,” said Zach.

The show on Monday isn’t the first Remedy Drive concert in Humboldt County. They’ve been through Humboldt County a few times before, and Zach said the last time they played here they drew a crowd of about 300. He hopes for a turnout of about that size this time. The show is a benefit for the nonprofit group Invisible Children Inc., an organization that raises funds and awareness for Uganda’s child soldiers. Inspired by a documentary of the same name, the organization was set up to allow people to respond to the tragedies depicted in the film.

Opening for Remedy Drive is local indie band Ustace. Tristin Roberts, the lead singer of Ustace, said this will probably be Ustace’s last show. It is also their first show after a long hiatus.

(Melody Stone can be reached at mstone@eurekareporter.com or 707-269-7437.)