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Local Music

By TUCSON TEX, The BLACKBOARD

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Hola! Summer is over, and it ended on a drag. Blackouts on the East Coast and a gas shortage on the West. Well, at least I got to see some great bands my last month of summer, starting at VINNY’S. MORGAN played first, with a half set without their bass player. One of the other guitarists played bass; it was cool how they kept it together. When I asked why they took this different approach, the guys said, “The first band canceled, our bassist couldn’t get off work, so we ended up doing the other half of the set at the end of the night with him.” Now that is a never-say-no type of band, and their second set kicked ass—even though they were wiped out from playing early that night, and Marcus had shot in right from work. CALLBOX 101 was next, playing a great set and sounding tighter then ever. Next was RUNNING ON FUMES, from Long Beach. They played a great street punk/skate rock sound. They had power and energy without all the poseur punk B.S. that is plaguing the whole punk/underground/unsigned scene. Next up was CACTI WIDDERS (Visalia): this band smoked! Not to say the other bands didn’t, but this band is kickass. The singer/guitarist (J.D.) was like BRIAN SETZER/MIKE NESS/JOHNNY CASH all in one. I know that is a tall order, but that is how I seez’em. The bassist (RYAN HUM) played an upright bass like he was born with it in his hands. The drummer is TOM KNOX—yes, the former pro skater. Hell, the whole band made feel like I need to go out and form a rockabilly band, they were so awesome. Don’t take my word for it; both of these great bands (RUNNING ON FUMES & CACTI WIDDERS) are coming back to VINNY’S on Sept. 6, Saturday, with locals SMALL TOWN HEROES, TED RIVIERA & THE 50 PERCENTERS and a special guest—do not miss this one; you’ll kick yourself if you do. Next I found myself at DUGAN’S listening to the band HUM FREE. This band had a very cool 90’s indie sound: a mix of PIXIES/NINE INCH NAILS/LOCAL H. It was two guitars, drums and vocals. The vibe of the band wasn’t what I expected: thrash metal. They had some great sounds and cool ideas, with music that BAKERSFIELD needs bad. Again at VINNY’S the bill was TED RIVIERA & THE 50 PERCENTERS, MORGAN and CALL BOX 101. All three bands played a great tight set. After them were BARGIN MUSIC (sic), from Orange County, who played in Bakersfield a couple of years ago at the Reggaefest. This band mixed an indie/punk/metal/reggae vibe into a big burrito and served to the crowd. The singer’s stage presence was powerful, moving, and made you feel like he’s the guy in your neighborhood who would share his beer and BBQ with ya. I loved these guys also. Last band of the night was FAT-N-TAN, a band from my home, Arizona. They had a SUBLIME feel if CHEECH (of CHEECH AND CHONG) sang with them. The band also had ODE (from BLACK FLAG) playing bass, but he also play drums on one song. He was bad ass on both, not taking anything away from the drummer (BELA, who played bass on that track with ODE on drums). This band was a non-stopping force all night; I loved it. I want to thank everyone who brought a CD to be reviewed to DOWNTOWN RECORDS (on19th St.) or mailed them (TUCSON TEX 2076 WHITE LANE #168 BAKERSFIELD 93304). I’m sorry they didn’t make it in this month. I’ll make sure they are in next time, so don’t stop sending in your band’s CDs. The more sent, the more we can expose you to readers and get people to know your band. Thanks again, adios amigos, til we read again, tumbleweedpost@emailaccount.com~BB

This article copied from The Blackboard, VOL.3 #9 September 2003.

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