First So-Cal Screening of FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL

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Vannen Watches, Epitaph Records & LB Art Theatre
Present First So-Cal Screening of
FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL 
Plus: Filmmaker Intro/Post Q&A 
Sunday, August 25th @ 11AM at The Art Theatre of Long Beach

 

Vannen Watches, Epitaph Records, and the Art Theatre [2025 E. 4th, Long Beach] are excited to bring FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALLto Southern California for a FREE fan screening on Sunday, August 25th at 11AM at the Art Theatre [2025 E. 4th Street, LBC 90814].

Long before Green Day and Blink-182 inflicted punk-rock’s puncture wound on the map of mainstream music, the Descendents were in a garage concocting the perfect mix of pop, angst, love, and coffee. FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL follows band leader/drummer/square-peg Bill Stevenson and his “caffeinated retardedness” as he pushes his rotating door of bandmates to “achieve ALL,” his philosophy of going for greatness at all costs. Stevenson is a force to be reckoned with, proving that not even a grapefruit-sized brain tumor can keep him down. Featuring interviews with the band, along with Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Mike Watt (Minutemen), Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion) and many more reveal the story of a band – if not THE band – responsible for pop-punk as you know it.

TICKETS: This is will be the FIRST Southern California showing ofFILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL, unfortunately space and tickets are limited, so we’re holding a lottery and picking people at random to attend. Please register by visiting the following link:
http://filmagesun.eventbrite.com

Click on “Register” button and once entered, your name will be added to the lottery list. We’ll pick the lucky attendees at random on August 21st, and all winners will be notified immediately by email. If you are not contacted, or not sure that you were contacted, you can go to VannenWatches.com to see the full list of lottery winners.

Support your community! The filmmakers encourage you to support our great community resource by making a donation to the Art Theatre of Long Beach (a public corporation for the arts), which generously donates its time and space to worthy arts-oriented organizations and causes. While donationsdo not guarantee you’ll be granted entry to FILMAGE, you’ll be a hero by supporting a great institution. Click the PayPal link HERE to contribute to this wonderful neighborhood resource. Or, if you’re one of the lucky ones who’ll be attending the screening, you can make a donation (in cash or via credit) at the theatre. Thanks for your support, and good luck!

Disclaimer: By registering for this lottery it does not guarantee entrance into the screening; you are only registering to be entered into a lottery to win tickets. Winners will be chosen at random. By entering the lottery your info will also be added to our mailing list. If you do not want to be added to our list, please let us know. No purchase necessary, but lottery entries are limited to one per person. Thanks for entering, and good luck!
FILMAGE TICKET LOTTERY: http://filmagesun.eventbrite.com/

FILMAGE WEBSITE: http://www.filmagemovie.com

FILMAGE TRAILERS:
http://vimeo.com/43951523
http://vimeo.com/67954204
http://vimeo.com/23539352

THEATRE DONATIONS
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B2DDXTNXU4M7C

Tony Sly Tribute Album Details

One year ago today, on July 31, 2012, we lost a true original, Tony Sly. While we continue to mourn Tony our friend, we also celebrate Tony the artist through his songs. On October 29th, we will officially release The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute. we can’t express how much it means to us and Tony’s family that each of the artists and bands on this album took the time and effort to contribute such meaningful and interesting interpretations of Tony’s songs. All proceeds from this compilation will go to the Tony Sly Memorial Fund.

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The Vandon Arms – No Loyalty Among Thieves

© 2013 The Vandon Arms

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[rating:8.5/10]

vandon_armsDid you realize there was Celtic style “folk” punk coming outta Des Moines, IA? I sure didn’t. I’m rather pleased and completely taken by surprise with “No Loyalty Among Thieves”, a new release by The Vandon Arms.

The disc offers 13 tracks of mostly original (and original arrangements) of rollicking drunken barroom fare. I’m blasting it in the living right now and it sure is making these beers go down faster.

I’ll say this, the band is not paving new ground. If you wanted to, you could probably call them The Poguing Mollys. Don’t let that dissuade you though, because I don’t believe that paving a new way is their goal. The important part is the fun, and The Vandon Arms has that in spades.

Bottom line is that if you like celtic inspired tunes to drink and be rowdy to, and you’re tired of listening to the same releases that you’ve got laying around, then please do give “No Loyaly Among Thieves” a spin.

–Jerry Actually

For fans of: Pogues, Flogging Molly, The Tossers

The Welch Boys – Bring Back The Fight

© 2013

[rating:9/10]

Welch-Boys-BBTF-coverThe Welch Boys are indeed bringing back the fight. Hand’s down my favorite release so far this year brings back these Boston stalwarts. I haven’t taken much time to write as of late, but I felt I owed it to you to tell you about this. If you haven’t caught on by now, I’m talking about “Bring Back The Fight”, the brand new album from The Welch Boys. Grit, vitriol, and punk rock are all well intact in the new one. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This time around, the tunes bring a whole new level of polish. Not that things were shabby before, but time, and time well spent, bring about the next level of songcraft. It’s fucking here. It’s fucking now. It lets you realize that hardcore punk rock and roll is still alive!

Slight aside, but I’m a little bit concerned that The Welch Boys are so poorly represented here on the left coast, and hopefully my little bit of lip service will help to remedy that. Maybe it’s California where the sun never sets and it never gets cold where folks just don’t appreciate anthems of angst, hardship, and hope? I don’t know. Maybe I have an east coast soul that draws me to the aforementioned. No matter what it is, this is the real deal.

I’ll quit boring you with my gushing. At the end of the of a hard working day, what more do you need than a fist full of beers and a new album to ease you back into the world of the living?

–Jerry Actually

Los Gatos Negros

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I’m listening to some new vinyl. The self-titled from Los Gatos Negros showed up in my mailbox today. Of course, I threw it down on the turntable.

Garage style punk. Can’t quite make out if it’s kids or girls singing half the time, but I don’t care. I like how it sounds. It’s crunchy and fresh. The tracks are short and fun.

I’d tell you more about the band, but well, the album cover is all black, front and back and there is no record jacket. I like the mystery of it. Speaking of mystery it seems like the “B” side is blank. That’s kinda crazy.

At any rate, the “A” side is fun. So if you can track it down, check out the new self-titled album from Los Gatos Negros.

–Jerry Actually

Retox Documentary

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RETOX RELEASE NEW DOCUMENTARY

with guest appearances by Nick Zinner (Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs), Buzz  Osbourne (The Melvins)

YPLL OUT MAY 28th via Epitaph

Band On Tour Now

(April 15th, Los Angeles, CA)  RETOX have released a 60 minute documentary that is available with purchase of their forthcoming record, YPLL  out May 28th. The documentary explores the realities of making  an album, what it’s like to be in a touring band today and  features interviews with Buzz Osborne from The Melvins and Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who also appears on the new record.

The full documentary is currently  available to watch courtesy of alarm-magazine.com, who also named YPLL,  one of their favorites of the week here: http://alarm-magazine.com/?p=63248

“You kind of have to ruin your life to be in a punk band,” states Justin Pearson, currently on tour with new band Retox and renowned for his work with groundbreaking noise outfit THE LOCUST. Retox, along with some high-profile guests, shed light on the hardships and rewards of doing what you love instead of what you’re “supposed to,” discuss days and nights of relentless touring and the intense emotions experienced on stage and making music.

With YPLL, Retox deliver a mission statement in 12 blistering tracks, the vast majority of them clocking in at two minutes or less. It’s the type of rallying battle cry that inspires lingering and dormant primal urges and too-long-suppressed societal dissatisfaction in those who encounter its punk rock lineage and postmodern crash-and-ban.

RETOX  is on tour now.

RETOX Tour Dates:

5/15/2013 The Middle East Upstairs Cambridge MA
5/16/2013 The Acheron Brooklyn NY
5/17/2013 Pianos New York NY
5/18/2013 Philamoca Philadelphia PA
5/19/2013 Golden West Cafe Baltimore MD
5/20/2013 The Milestone Charlotte NC
5/21/2013 Purgatory at the Masquerade Atlanta GA
5/22/2013 Circle Bar New Orleans LA
5/23/2013 Rudyards Houston TX
5/24/2013 The Mohawk Austin TX
5/25/2013 Train Yard Las Cruces NM
5/26/2013 Trunk Space Phoenix AZ
5/27/2013 Punk Rock Bowling Las Vegas NV
5/28/2013 Che Cafe San Diego CA
5/29/2013 Vacation Vinyl Los Angeles CA
5/30/2013 The Smell Los Angeles CA

Bracket – Rare Cuts Vol. 1

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© 2013
[rating:8/10]

bracket_rare_cuts_scaledWell, it’s been a long dang time since I listened to Bracket. Honestly I didn’t know that they were still around. A few weeks ago, outta the blue, I get an email inquiring if I’d review their latest material. Given the horrible job I did back in 2000 reviewing the Fat Wreck Chords release “When All Else Fails” I figure I owe them at least this much.

Bracket, if you aren’t old enough to remember, is a pop-punkish band from the North Bay town of Forestville. Their tracks generally had the sounds familiar to the pop punk genre, but with a bit more of an emo factor, if you will. Rare Cuts Vol. 1 is no different in this regard. That stands well to reason, given that the tracks on the recent effort are all rarities and/or previously unreleased material. Also of note is that this release is the first in a series to be released exclusively through Bandcamp in order to fund two future Bracket projects. So, by all means check out their Bandcamp page and support some DIY rock! http://bracket.bandcamp.com/

For better or worse, Rare Cuts Vol. 1 offers 10 tracks of vintage and/or rare Bracket tracks. You get things like string mixes, live acoustic versions, 4-track demos, alternate mixes and covers. For the discriminating Bracket fan, what more could you want?

If you’re not already a past or present fan, I recommend you start with my introduction to the band, the aforementioned “When All Else Fails” to get you started. After that you can transition into some of these more challenging tracks. Beyond that there’s some good stuff on here. The John Wilkes Isolation Booth (Demo) with its juxtaposed blues breakdown is particularly intriguing.

If you’re curious, hit the Bandcamp link about and help support one of your old, or possibly new, favorite bands. Seriously, what have you got to lose? For your $10 bucks, no matter what, you get the warm all over feeling of having helped a band put out records DIY and what’s more, a Bracket cover of “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio?”! Enjoy.

–Jerry Actually

Getting to Know the Buckaroux Banshees

www.buckarouxbanshees.com

Where are you from and when did you get started?

Formed in St. Paul Minnesota! – 4 guys (We’ve since added a drummer! We were 3 members originally w/ no drummer) who felt a serious void of music (All their other groups had called a hiatus or disbanded i.e. – Grimace – Conquistadores – Streetwise Professors – Corp D… You know, typical obscure Twin Cities Punk Groups..) in their lives so one winter day in 2011 they decided to form “Buckaroux Banshees” – A hybrid of all previous group members projects that would try harder promoting themselves. Create sharper songs. And most importantly play stellar live shows!

Who are you and who does what in the band?

4 piece band!
Matt Graske (Me) Rhythm Gtr
Gregg Schmitt – Lead Gtr
Chad Medellin – Bass
Ryan Blue – Drums
* Everybody writes lyrics and sings them!
We have an awesome eclectic mix of singers in this group and this keeps the songs very interesting. There’s no clear front man. – But we don’t care! We ‘ve been working hard on the music! It’s coming together nicely!

How would you best describe the sound?

Fugazi type “progressive” punk music
We challenge ourselves to not write the same song over again repeatedly.
We take turns singing and changing time signatures
We have a disco song
We have a 3/5 timed song. We need to keep ourselves entertained and couldn’t do it by simple four chord punk music
We also enjoy “classic?” metal very much so
We are a very lead guitar oriented band with guitar inspirations from groups like Iron Maiden / Judas Priest / Black Sabbath

Influences include: Fugazi / Descendents / Superchunk / Judas Priest / Iron Maiden / etc

Dream rock moment (real or not)?

To be able to afford to take 1 month off of work ; pack up the van and tour the whole United States (Do-able right?)
We wanna see some of the world… at least what’s in our own country. We’re young and energetic. We hope to make this a reality

Still got day jobs?

Of Course we do… we’re not fuckin rock stars

Matt Graske – Cooks in various twin cities restauraunts (Carbone’s Pizzeria / Corner Cafe mostly)
Gregg Schmitt – Walmart Tire Lube Express Technician
Chad Medellin – Various Blue Collar jobs (Metal Fabrication / Cleaning Screens for a printing company / Occasional Prostitution Work)
Ryan Blue – Gordy’s Steak House! (A REal beast in the kitchen!)

Any regrets?

Yes We should have formed this band when we were in highschool instead of college!

BandPromoPic

The Big Ska Gamble

(c) 2013 Grandpa’s Casino

[rating: 9/10]

big_ska_gambleHere’s a little slice of magic for you ska fans out there: Seven 7” records. Seven artists. Seven flavors of ska.

A bad ass little box set of vinyl featuring: The Shifters, The Action League, Lockstep, The Georgetown Orbits, Do It With Malice, Stop The Presses, Sammy K & The Los East 3, and Jorge & The Landladies.

If you’re a fan of ska, reggae, calypso, northern soul, and more, do yourself a big ol’ favor and get a hold of one or more of these records. I promise that you won’t be disappointed. (for the record, if you are disappointed afterwards, I’m sorry. Maybe you need to reevaluate your listening ability.) The range on this collection is impressive. I don’t like to pigeonhole bands, but fans, of DHC, Buck-0-Nine, and The Pietasters ought to find some major enjoyment here.

It’s often a challenge to review a compilation. That’s true now. What I’d like to impart is that this is music, this is real. There are bands out there giving their all for you. I think it’d be kind of you to give it a listen.

The takeaway is this. Ska! (and really good ska, at that) So cheers to your ears! Enjoy! Need I say more? ok, I will. In the words of Ryan Lewis, “This is fucking awesome!”

–Jerry Actually

Find out for yourself:
http://www.bigskagamble.com
http://grandpascasino.com