Pour some Vintage Sugar on me

As a fan of music since I was a little girl with my dad playing me tunes stemming from the Beatles to Boston, there are not too many bands that I can really say bring these tunes that I would hear from my childhood too life as the band that I was able to just sit back and listen to tonight.  

I have had many invites through Facebook to come out and see Vintage Sugar, however being that I am a photographer and the girlfriend of a musician that plays in a few band of his own, sometimes the nights out to see other talents are limited.  I was able to get out a night out in November to photograph and enjoy the tunes, in my opinion, one of Tucson's artistic bands,, not to say that there is not much art in Tucson because there is.  If you have ever had the opportunity to see Vintage Sugar then I think you would understand what I mean.

With originals members, Greg Kershaw on guitar, Dani Ponce on Drums, Greg Robinson on Keyboards, Megan Lopez on Lead Vocals and short timer Gary Roberts on Bass, together they are coupled as one unit.  They have a way a unique way of complimenting one another.

Tonight, no photographs, just the simple enjoyment of the music, the moves and the unknown communication each member has with one another.

I was in amazement tonight, in awe of  what I witnessed not just vocally, and musically but intimately.  I mentioned a couple of times that watching Megan was sexy, not in the sense I wanted to be with her sexually, it was just I could feel her vocals and her theatrical movements on stage.

In Tucson, it is rare to see a girl lead vocalist, and when I have I do not or have not gotten the uplifting, gitty fun feeling I got when seeing Megan perform.

Each member is unique and very talented, Robinson with his smooth keyboard licks, Kershaw ripping on the guitar, Ponce hitting those drums like it is natural, Roberts boppin to the beat of his bass and Lopez wailing out tunes from a different perspective is just the the icing on the cake that compliments.

This band brings something to Tucson that no other band has or that I have not seen, from blow up dolls to the sexy yet curious moves on stage there are always dancers on the floor to the end and a crowd wanting more.

I do not just see a performance but feel it and that to me is what music is about and more.  There is a unspoken communication and bond that the band has with each other as well as the crowds they play for.

I would recommend, if you have not already, checking out Vintage Sugar as really words alone cannot describe what you will hear and witness.

They play every Friday at Whiskey Tango on the East Side of town and tonight for New Years at the Skybox which is located North Central side of town (Craycroft/River).

For more information on the band, photos, where they are playing or just who they are, check out there Fan Page on Facebook: VINTAGE SUGAR

The Arizona Music Scene & Musicianship

About a month or so ago I emailed Promising Threat Entertainment about open and available gigs for the Jeff Carlson Band, the shows that were offered were not familiar and in the best interest of the band I was not sure selling tickets of the unknown may not have gone over well so we backed out.  Little did I know one of those dates offered happened to be 11/11/11, not only the day of Metal but also the day of the Chimpz EP release party and day The Jeff Carlson Band could not miss being apart of, The Chimpz are both talented musicians but also our friends, to be able to play and be apart of what they accomplished was both special and honoring.

I contacted Promising Threat Entertainment again and short notice to see if there were still available slots and luckily we were able to get on the bill, last to play but the band was playing and we were all excited and few days before the event we were canceled due to reasons beyond the mine & the bands control, luckily with the push from the bands drummer, also my boyfriend I contacted the Big Fish Pub and gracefully he accepted us back on the bill....AWESOME

This was exciting, we were going to Phoenix.  We got to Phoenix around 7 or so and were able to catch a few of the acts before Jeff Carlson was to hit the stage, the music was amazing the bands were on it, I was feeling good and filled with excitement, there was a lot of people and it was a breath of fresh air that these people were going to see The Jeff Carlson Band, well I was wrong and the excitement I was feeling when we got to Big Fish Pub turned into sadness, anger and disappointment when the place cleared out after the Chimpz set, although in no way a reflection of the Chimpz or Big Fish Pub, but there still 2 more bands to be seen and they were shorted the chance to be heard.

The opportunity to play was not about money but about sharing the music the reason that brought us all together on this day 11/11/11 the day of metal.

As a huge fan of music, a photographer, writer, full time employee and a co-manager/promoter of the Jeff Carlson band I was really disappointed that on a Friday night those that played treated last night more like a job that a night of having fun.  

Where has the musicianship gone? The support? I don't get it and really don't want to and I do not have to!

We did not have to show up earlier than our slot, we did not have to support the other bands but we did and no not because we were playing but because supporting talents of others and sharing how a band gets there art across is truly a rewarding feeling to some.

I want to specially thank The Chimpz for staying around and supporting the Jeff Carlson Band and to Big Fish Pub for allowing the Jeff Carlson band play, we had a great time although the crowd was very thin and are appreciative if I had not said it enough last night to allowing us to play the venue and are looking forward to coming back.

Remember that putting on a good show is not always about the money but about the musicianship and support

Take The Hill

An assault theme, bulletproof vests and gas masks, Take The Hill is taking on Tucson, AZ.  Started in 2009 when Jake Campbell and Phil Humphrey had been writing a song together and decided to use the name of the song for the name of the band as they were striving for a name that was as aggressive as their sound the name fit perfectly.

Troy Veltre joined the band around January 2010 and their singer Mike Miller joined around the end of March 2010 driving from Yuma, AZ for about a month before making Tucson his official home.  Mike Lars joined around the middle of August 2011.

The band considers themselves to be all around metal with a broad spectrum of influences and do not consider themselves to be or fit into one type of music they are progressive, underground metal but radio friendly.  As the bands’ many influences, Nirvana, Korn, Pantera, Johnny Cash and many more their main influence and inspiration comes from one another and the fact that each member can play multiple instruments makes for a well rounded band. 

As a band they are comfortable criticizing as well as helping each other, the band is both strong and solid. Practicing 3 days a week for a few hours like religion the band lives their music.  The goals of Take The Hill is to have fun, play outside of Tucson and to amass a huge following and have sell out shows, the band like their sound plays large and lives large.

Before a show there is always an array of emotions, being nervous, feeling excited, pumped and having fun and when the show is over, so is the rush but there is also a relief and a calm that the band knows they played hard and played great.  Take The Hill hopes those that go to see them get it, what they are about and the music they perform.

 

In closing the bands advice to the readers, those who play an instrument or are even in a band, never stop and don’t quit, listen to everything musically and open your mind.  Remember it’s not how often you play but how much you play, never treat playing like it’s a competition and always rebel against the trend, be different, be yourself.

For more on Take The Hill, please visit any of the following links:

Website:

http://www.take-the-hill.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/takethehill

Myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/tak3thehill

Reverbnation:

http://www.reverbnation.com/takethehill

Who is Freaky - Friki Fest II 2011

In its 2^nd year, The Friki Fest was held at the Rialto Theater in the heart of Tucson’s historic downtown, included Scooters, Skate Ramps, Belly dancers, Fire Spinning dancers and some of the most amazing and most fitting bands that played both on the inside and out door stages.

In my ventures of this event I had the opportunity to interview and get to know a few of the artists, sit and talk to one of the merchants and enjoy all that was going on around me.  One of the artists that I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with, Vicky & The Vengents, California locals with a sound closely related to that of the Ramones as their followers have told them. Before Vicky joined the band it was Matt and Vinnie as the Vengents, then Vicky came along shortly after and the name changed, as Vicky is the only female in the band and the lead voice having her name in the band name made the name stand out.  Ruben, the drummer and new to the band has only played 2 shows, the Friki Fest being his 2^nd.

Vicky & The Vengents did a small West Coast mini tour last year covering just a few states.  Matt plays the guitar and sings back up along with Vicky, lead vocalist, writes the songs for the band, Vinnie, the bass player and a very down to earth individual and to his band mates always takes his playing and the music be played from an 8 to a 10 as he is considered the back bone of the band.  Vicky and The Vengents have mastered a CD, called Cry Now/Smile Later, recorded last Wednesday, September 17, 2011 to be out November 5, 2011, available online for purchase and shortly after will also be available in stores

Tucson Zombie Walk, LLC (non profit organization that raises funds and collects non-perishable food items for the Southern Arizona Community Bank that feeds nearly 250,000 people), also a vendor at the Friki Fest and important part of the Zombie Walk that takes place in October started 6 years ago when Natalia Lopez was doing a search on Zombie Walks and came across a zombie walk forum, Natalia asked the forum if there was such an organization in Tucson, the forum responded with “No, would you like one?” and that was the beginning to Tucson Zombie walk.  

The first year was a zombie prom.  By the second year a bunch of zombies gathered in the parking lot of the Rialto where they had a costume contest and in that contest were several categories, and donations were made to give the winners as prizes.  By the 3^rd year Natalia was left to handle the Zombie walk on her own and so like any new business she started looking for people to help out.  One individual (Rosie Zwaduk) in particular responded with her resume, she mentioned she had no experience with zombies but had the experience with coordination and expressed her enthusiasm on wanting to be apart for this new venture and has continued to help even up till now.  

Natalia Lopez, Rosie Zwaduk, Patrick Reed are on the board of directors for Zombie Walk, LLC as are others, their jobs do not consist of one primary function and all functions tend to overlap one another.  Zombie Walk, LLC is more than just a walk, there is merchandise available (buttons, stickers, t-shirts, etc…) for purchase too by Tucson Zombie Walk, LLCs’ own Natalia Lopez.

Zombie Walk is a flash mob with a purpose, there is a set path the zombies follow and at the end of the walk a performance by Mission Creeps takes place.  

Misson Creeps have been together since 2006 and consist of James Arrr - Vocals, Guitar, and Theremin
Miss Frankie Stein – Bass and Rikki Styxx – Drums.  James and Frankie are also husband and wife and the minds behind The Friki Fest, Frankie was the one that coordinated most of the bands for this event.  Mission Creeps have toured the entire US once, the west coast twice and do one offs from time to time in California.  The name Mission Creeps is derived from a Military Term, mission creep that means a mission headed for disaster, as James put it, “I always wanted a band named Mission Creeps and all my past bands were heading for disaster.”  

Due to all the shows Missions Creeps have played along the way they have made friends with many other musicians and bands, those that they agree to be “The Best” are those that have been asked to be part of the Friki Fest.  These bands are similar to The Mission Creeps but have their own unique sound.  As this being my first Friki Fest I was amazed at how well the show was put together and how it turned out.  I definitely will be at the next one dressed Friki to blend in.

Information on any of the information mentioned in this article can be found at the following websites:

https://www.facebook.com/TucsonZombies

https://www.facebook.com/missioncreeps

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vicky-and-The-Vengents

http://frikiinc.com/

http://www.tucsonzombies.com/

 The focus of this years Zombie Walk, LLC is Zombies In Spaaaaace!!" @ The Joel D Valdez – Main Branch, 101 N Stone Ave., AZ), to be held on October 22, 2011.

Concert to Aid Victims of the Southern AZ Fires

One of the most amazing feelings and accomplishments in life is to be able to help someone when they are in need. On Thursday June 23, 2011 part of our Tucson community pulled together to put on a benefit concert to aid those that have either lost their homes, been evacuated, or have been fighting the horrific fires that have ripped through Arizona and caused mass destruction and devastation to the beautiful Grand Canyon State.

The tagline of the this band should be a good indicator of just what kind of show you’re getting ready to see when you walk into a local bar to see Crash Academy. Like your favorite sweater or comfort food, Crash Academy is the type of band that you appreciate over time. One reason being they are a cover band, so there’s an instant familiarity, and they are one of the very few in town that play mainly Alternative 90’s rock. However, their range stretches from popular classic rock to what’s popular on the radio today.

A local bar, the C-Note, located on the West side of town was gracious enough to open their doors and allow us to use their space to put on the benefit. A Mayflower truck donated by Meridian Moving Systems was stationed outside to hold donations of toys, clothes, Chapstick, canned goods, blankets, non perishable items and anything usable by both the victims and the firefighters fighting the fire.  Local businesses donated many items to be raffled off, and there was food and “artistic” things (such as jewelry) for sale as well to raise funds.

The night was a great success and featured performances by The Brian Dean Trio, Cinder Bridge,
Savage Zoo, The Arizona Bay Outriders and The Dave Owens Band.

So many people joined together for this event and the turnout was phenomenal, being able to donate my time was very liberating and I felt very honored to have been asked to do so.

The Bryan Dean Trio opened the evening and set the tone with a set of their electric wide-spectrum blues.  They call it “wide-spectrum” because it is not straight blues, but includes elements of jazz, funk, country and rock as well.  Bryan Dean, Koko, and Erik Truelove were at the top of their game.  With       a member of the Blues Hall of Fame in the band you can't go wrong with them!

Listening to and photographing Cinder Bridge, a two-piece band, which included the vocals and keyboards of Susan Wenger and the percussion of Ron Amistadi was very intriguing to me. Susan’s voice had the sound of folk mixed in with the vocals of Melissa Etheridge. Ron’s kit was simple, yet with so many sounds were produced with the use of “Hot Rods” (the drumsticks he was using) which made for a lighter sound.

Savage Zoo came next, and unlike the musicians that had played before them was more Rock 'n Roll for the soul, playing the tunes of the Scorpions. They were a perfect middle point to the benefit and provided the energy to keep the rest of the evening alive.

My favorite of the evenings’ events was The Arizona Bay Outriders. They got both the young and old out of their seats to the dance floor, even the owners of the C-Note had a blast 2 stepping a note or two. Chuck Aubrey, the singer of the band, has energy and charisma that lights up a room, but when you add Chuck’s personality to Tom Baile, a lightning-rod on the guitar, the wild antics and playing of Andy “Ando” Miller and Mike Behan, the bass player they form an amazing bond on stage.

The headlining band of the evening, the Dave Owens Band, brought their good looks and hee-haw music to end the night, allowing special guests like Dan Freeman to sing Bob Segers’ Turn The Page and Tom Baile to play as a second guitarist.

The benefit made such an impression that KGUN9 On Your Side showed up at the event to interview, and during the set of Savage Zoo Fox News Channel 11 filmed them playing? WOW, amazing!  The Camera Eye Photography donated their time and services as the event photographer, and Frank Ramos also donated his time as event videographer.  BSceneLive.com set up and hosted a live video webcast. Jane Kramer Dennehy worked tirelessly to resolve the minor details you never expect, but which always show up anyway.
                          
It was all-in-all a really great evening, an awesome idea of three people, Amy Mason, Carolyn “Trouble” Cary and Dave Owens, who were just chatting one day on how they could help both the victims and the firefighters of the Arizona wildfires and the outcome was … truly awesome!

Experience Jimi for those who didn’t…

Written by Courtney Ludwig on Monday, 20 June 2011. Posted in Tucson Music Scene

On a Tuesday evening at the Ava Amphitheater I experienced a show unlike anything I had seen or heard before.

Two drum risers slightly facing each other, center stage set up with drums on each surrounded by an assortment of guitars to be played by some of the most amazing musicians, both young and old.

In heading down to this show and knowing who would be performing I was already familiar with a few of the artists, especially two of the shows youngest, Johnny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.  My step dad and I used to listen to the music of great guitarists, such as Steve Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd and without reading this anywhere I used to think that Johnny Lang was the new Stevie Ray.  Johnny Lang’s playing and more so his singing are very much similar to that of Stevie Ray.

My step dad had as much love for music as I do, and he taught himself to play guitar on a Southern Jumbo, the same guitar that I received after he passed away in June 2010.  My step dad would play a lot not just riffs, but tunes of those artists he looked up to and it seemed like he would spend at least 20 hrs out of a 24 hr day playing his guitar. While he was playing he would be in this hypnotic like state. I actually believe that was his peace and serenity to keep going each day after he was diagnosed with cancer until he passed.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, another young prodigy and a favorite of ours, plays from his heart and soul naturally, and he played the same way if not just that much better on Tuesday night, I was mesmerized and so in awe that I could not stop snapping pictures of him.

I was given the opportunity to take another musicians son (13 yr old Iain Bujak) with me to experience this event and it was perfect as he just had a birthday 3 days before.  Iain, who follows in his father John Bujak’s footsteps has played guitar, but the instrument he has choose to go forward with is the drums and is quite a natural himself. Iain was excited to go with me, but even more excited to see Steve Vai, the “dessert” of the evening.

Those that have seen both John Bujak and Steve Vai play can relate when I say that these two are one in the same with their onstage mannerisms and expressions, both are quite characters and draw an audience.

The entire show was truly awesome, the musicians, their companionship towards one another on stage and how they played in unison with each other blew me away. The feelings the music invoked brought me back to when I was a kid (I still am one at heart) hanging with my step dad and listening to the familiar tunes together, I felt his presence right there alongside of me, also enjoying the show, and that brought one of those half smiles to my face and a warming feeling to my heart.