the false fantastic

Four on the floor

2010-01-27T21:24:00.000-08:00

January 23rd, Luigi's

Holy shit. Rock the Light pretty much rocked my face off.

The Megacools

Roll call sports team style.

Charles!

Al!

Rock the light!

Proof that the light has been rocked.

Von Shredsmore

10 more bows!!

Thanks for 10 years of rocking.

Recreational possibilities

2010-01-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

January 13th, Chris Larsen and Melanie Glover's living room

David Bazan (Pedro the Lion, Headphones) played in my friend's house. It was pretty incredible. If you ever get the chance to see anyone do a completely acoustic show check it out. You really get to see what someone is made of when they don't have a microphone. Even if it is not your type of music, it is hard to hate on David Bazan. It is all so obviously personal and when he sings it feels like it is with his whole being.

It was such an honor to get to be one of the few to see this intimate show. He is playing at the Blue Lamp on March 5th. I highly recommend checking it out, but don't take my word for it.
Here is a song off of his new album Curse Your Branches. This one particularly struck a chord with me.

Pizza, shows, and animals. 2009.

2010-01-07T23:54:00.000-08:00

2009 as witnessed by my camera,
a few of my favorites

March 28, Monterrey Bay

Marine Biology field trip

April 3rd, The Troubadour

T.G.U.K at the Troub!

April 18th Record Store Day, R5

Ancient Suns

June 6th, Keith's

Fi!

July 17th, 300 Room

The Pizzas

Badass youth

August 10th, Press Club Mixed bag Monday

Jay B. kicking out the jams

The English Singles

August 22nd, Luigi's Slice First Annual Pizza Eating Throw Down

Not the champ, but a winner in our hearts.

Matthew Maxwell

Dreamdate

This was the year I finally got into girl bands. It is hard to find the right combination of pop music, girls, and cool without being too cutesy. This band was my gateway drug and one of my girl crushes.

September 3rd, Beatnik Studios

The Thermals

Girl crush number two.

October 2nd, Luigi's

Knock Knock

I have seen Knock Knock countless times and this has to have been my favorite show of theirs. Not only was the sound perfect, but because of an injury Heather was free to dance around. And boy did she. It has been a long time since I have seen such a joy filled performance.

October 8th, Sophia's

Buildings Breeding

It's a shame that these guys are over with now, because I was really digging the style they were transforming into. Download their final EP here. Good stuff.

November 20th, Luigi's

Danny

Kevin Dockter of Buildings Breeding

November 28th, Old Ironsides

Captain Billy’s Whiz-Bang

Joel Goulet of The Four Eyes

December 11th, Luigi's

Jesse Phillips of Ellie Fortune

Candice Phillips

looking like a French film

Hope 2010 brings many more great shows and good times.

The Power of Chris Issak

2010-01-02T23:20:00.000-08:00

by way of the Four Eyes

magic

It was a good year.

2010-01-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

Most years fly past me without much to show in the the way of personal accomplishments and fulfillment. This year I actually forced myself out into the public spectrum and for a second convinced myself that I have something to share the world.

I started a blog, uncomfortably stood at the front of stages and took lots of pictures, preformed four times (something I thought I would never have the nerve to do again), made some posters, and had my art in a show.

For someone who just wants to put their head in the sand, this was quite a feat.

Coming up in 2010:

year in review photo essay
a blog everyday
the actual exchange of money for art

it's 6 am, here is my final project

2009-12-15T05:52:00.001-08:00

a rare occasion

2009-10-06T00:26:00.000-07:00

This is a first and I can't imagine I will be doing it again anytime soon

click to enlarge

I spent an ungodly amount of hours on this flyer. I was being overly ambitious.

Come check me out on Friday October 16th. I didn't have time or the balls to write anything so I'll be playing some hits from the 90s. Should be interesting

Keep it down in the kitchen

2009-07-19T01:22:00.000-07:00

July 11th, D.A.M. House

Going to a house show is always uncomfortable at first but usually ends up being some crazy, sweaty fun. Lighting conditions were not working in my favor for these shots.

The Pizzas

This guy keep shaking his finger as a dance move. Loved it.

A present from mom

The Four Eyes kicked it off with some Billie Jean.

The crowd: Sweaty and happy.

Personal and the Pizzas and the Coconut Coolouts were both fun bands I'd never seen before. Things started to become too humid, so I stuck to the back after The Four Eyes.

Nobody knows Miami like I do

2009-07-19T00:44:00.000-07:00

July 1oth, Luigi's

The Panduhs

This band was really delightful.

Speaking of delightful, Mr. Midtown Monthly

in the flesh

Knock Knock

Maxwell drama

I'm a hermit by nature, so I force myself to go out. Most of the time I'm glad I left the safety of my home and this evening was no exception. I had some good conversations and Knock Knock sounded better than ever! Finally taking some pictures I feel proud of as well.

Huey Lewis brings people together. Conquers stage fright?

2009-07-19T00:22:00.001-07:00

I think all of Black to the Future was surprised to see how many people came out and enjoyed our covers of Huey Lewis and the News songs.

Black to the Future photos by Angela Ayala

We had a great time and it was an honor to open for The Jay and Joel Show and Mom as well.

The balloons were a nice touch.

Last three photos by Danny Ensele

Huge thanks to the family, friends, and co-workers who made the night such a blast. I got free beers, some cash and had a great time. I could get used to this.

My dad lovingly captured our set on his tiny recorder. I uploaded a few here. If you'd like to hear more I might just burn you a disk.

Art in unusual places

2009-07-18T23:41:00.000-07:00

I'm fascinated when I see graffiti covered by various shades of paint all on the same wall. Where are people getting all these different colors of paint and why is it so hard to find one paint color to cover up all the tagging?

It baffles me, but in truth I think the effects are lovely.
For June's 2nd Saturday I walked around looking to take pictures of art and happenings, but instead took pictures of the building around 16th and R. I'm not sure what the deal is with this place, but the walls are constantly changing with new colors appearing often. My mom would call it an eye sore, but I think it is beautiful.

Let the Summer of the Power of Love begin!

2009-07-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

The return of The Jay and Joel Show!
Huey Lewis and the News songs!
Mom!

I'll probably be drowning in nerves. I feel like a wreck already. Stupid stage fright.

I hope you come out. No matter what happens it will be quite a sight.

r.i.p.

2009-06-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

All I could think of yesterday was this statue by Jeff Koons:

and then I went to see UP in 3d and was wishing I was at Disneyland watching Captain Eo.

It's too bad that I will never see my dream of Michael Jackson collaborating on a !!! song come to fruition. What an amazingly talented guy with such a sad story.

Here goes nothing

2009-06-25T00:56:00.001-07:00

Come see me play at the press club 7/6 at 9pm $3

I hope Keith does not get mad at me for this poster. Danny looked at it and couldn't stop laughing and it made me nervous. At this point I'm not sure whether or not a third band is playing.

Ladies and jam parts

2009-06-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

The Summer of the cassingle

The 300 Room was great as usual, as were The English Singles and Knock Knock

Right on

I was trying to get a picture of Charles with his headphones on the sly

Knees will knock

Mike soloing like his life depended on it.

I don't have to explain it to you, you're not my real father.

2009-06-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

Some photos from the Dreamdate/English Singles/SoCow show.

The English Singles

Dreamdate

Love it.

SoCow

I need to work on being more bold. I try not to draw attention to the fact that I'm taking pictures, so I rarely use my flash and don't get in any faces. This leads to blurry photos. I'm just going to say that's my style from now on. I do love an out of focus and blurry picture.

Better late than never?

2009-06-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

The Germs can wait, this is the show to be at.

click to see larger

I'm a little late, but here is a poster I just finished designing. Would anyone actually want to buy a screen printed version of this? I want to make some, it's just going to be a lot of work.

A long time ago at a garage sale I picked up a New Kids on the Block 7 inch. I didn't know either song and boy were my ears in for a treat. The last two days while designing, I haven't been able to get this gem out of my head. I think Danny wants to kill me. You try singing along. Those notes are insanely high!

"All I know is that you make me feel so fancyfree."

-y

Boyfriendz

2009-06-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I received the news that one of my favorite local bands had called it quits. It's rare for me to immediately really like a band, but with Boyfriendz it was instantaneous.
I don't remember much about the first show at the Distillery, except there was this one song that really stood out.
Here is a tiny video from that.

The next time I saw them play at R5 at the first Record Store Day. It was ridiculously hot out and they completely blew me away. I kept looking around amazed that so few were witnessing this greatness.
Boyfriendz really had the right amount of pop catchiness and loud, sometimes messy rock 'n' roll. That Alec Roberts can make a wrong note seem right. I caught every show I could.

Armando was kind enough to give me the album they had recorded, hopefully it can make it's way to being released because it is fantastic.

Here is a possible shirt design that I would like to screen:

And now a song:

Let's hope for another show in the future.

Thanks for all the good tunes Boyfriendz. I'll miss you.

p.s. I'm still praying for a Knightmares reunion.

I'm sick of being your clown

2009-06-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

An awesome time was had at the Bananas/Four eyes/Woodpussy show.

Quickly before I head to work here are some pictures. Danny worked as my photo editor. I might post more later. He seems to be into the blurry rock 'n' roll shots.

Woodpussy

The Four Eyes

Jonathan/Angela/Cody

The Bananas

This Saturday

2009-05-26T04:33:00.000-07:00

This one is for you Matt Maxwell:

*update!

2009-05-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

My newest piece. Just found out there is a new lineup. New poster to follow.

woodpussy, and the bananas will play. no pizzas.

thank you mr. omnichord

2009-05-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

It's official.

I want an omnichord.

Reason 1.)

After watching Devo use one on the show Square Pegs, my interest was piqued.

I want to talk more about it later, but watch Square Pegs.

Reason 2.)
I watched Rivers Cuomo & Friends -Not Alone- Live at Fingerprints

Rivers Cuomo has grown tired of playing songs, so he is getting his fans to play for him, which is kinda of fun, but often awkward and embarrassing to watch. They played a lot of old B-sides and the crown jewel of the whole hootenanny is when a kid with an omnichord plays on Devotion.
Have a listen to it here:

I'm not sure what happened but the rendition made me tear up a little.

That's why I want an omnichord
The end.

fuck you miss.

2009-05-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

For the past few days I've holed myself up in my apartment living off of chocolate milk and popsicles. I've been completely unproductive and watched full seasons of television shows just because they were available for instant watching on netflix (mostly shows from Australia and Canada).

I've watched Summer Heights High twice through. Chris Lilley does a remarkable job playing three different characters (Danny didn't even realize it was all him)The best parts are when the "bad" kid Jonah curses at the teachers because he says, "Fuck you sir, fuck you miss!" It seems so polite.

I've also been watching episode after episode of the Canadian high school drama,
Degrassi: The Next Generation.
*SPOILER ALERT*
It's not great by any means, but there was an episode where a kid's dad gets cancer, followed by one where a kid gets beat up and comes out of the closet, followed by one where a girl's dad is in the army and she cuts herself, followed by an episode where the "fat" girl is insecure and her boyfriend hits her, and the next episode features a girl who sleeps with her friend's boyfriend and gets pregnant and has an abortion. I'm not even to the season finale yet. This show is serious stuff.

I figured if I documented my activities it might put an end to it. I have so much I need to blog and create. I am curious how many other teen crisis topics Degrassi can pull out of its hat though. Oooh I bet a school shooting is on the way.

hold your horses

2009-05-19T01:20:00.000-07:00

To the 4 people reading this, after today (finals) I'm going to be a posting machine. promise.

make your own kind of music

2009-05-14T12:01:00.000-07:00

As I was editing my film of The Constants, my nose started to bleed. Damn you Lost, quit fucking with my head!

Pizza time

There was an awesome intro video starring CJ
"Remember, pizza is for consumption only."

The Constants
The lovely Candice

I'm a sucker for mic sharing.

Damn that Dylan can project his voice!

I'm a fan of blurry photos

This one is for you Faraday.

Back at Cody and Brandi's:

Lulu
and Moses

Tonight!

2009-05-13T14:45:00.001-07:00

7pm!
The Constants!
Followed by the Lost season finale.
at Luigi's on 20th

check them out: http://www.myspace.com/theconstants815
you won't want to miss this.

"I want to go places where people are doing arts."

2009-05-10T16:27:00.000-07:00

2nd Saturday is starting to feel like the State Fair.

These guys:

Nothing says art like roping fake cows. Although if they told me it was a performance art piece I'd go with it.

Men Cycling in place:

Maybe art is becoming so modern that we can't even tell it's art. Edgy

Headed over to 22nd & K to see Bill Hughes and Buddy Holly.

Turns out we just missed seeing dancers from the Sacramento Ballet dance to some Holly tunes. I love Bill's presentation of his poems.

I liked Bill's glasses.

Made our way to Verge.

David M. Stein's Improbable/Unlikely :

Some of these books are real, and some of them are Stein's creation. I need to go back and check out which ones are real. I'm impressed with his ability to design in so many different styles. I would buy most of these books of they were real.

Museum of love- the works of Daniel Johnston

This guy was really feeing the Johnston tape that was playing. I can't blame him.

just lovely

Some of my favorites:

I really love Daniel Johnston. There is something so aching and sincere about his art and music. I think I'm going to obsessively be listening to Johnston for awhile because of this show. If you didn't get a chance to check it out I highly encourage you to go. It will be up through June 21st.

Later in the night while watching public access:

The face made after saying "The Matrix isn't just a movie."

Moses was shocked:

rethinking that milk?

2009-05-09T17:49:00.000-07:00

two posters. One I agonized over and one that took me 5 minutes and is probably better.

details:

Poster #2:

2nd Saturday stuff

2009-05-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

I always get excited about 2nd Saturday events, but I forget how ridiculous and packed everything becomes. Hopefully I can brave the crowd tonight.

The Verge gallery continues to show the other galleries how it's done with this:

I've been wanting to see Daniel Johnston's work in person for quite some time. Man the Verge is on fire.

Also:
Every 2nd Saturday William Hughes sets shop on the corner of K and 22nd displaying his poetry. This month's theme is Buddy Holly.
See you out there.

Victory

2009-05-08T04:49:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was spent being completely soaked while looking for organisms in tide pools. It turns out I won't be a great marine biologist. The hot shot kid in my class said, "This is what real field biology is like you guys. Get used to it." This is what it looked like outside.

Needless to say, the field trip was cut short due to the weather and how much bitching we all did. I was stoked because this meant I might make it back in time for the Knock Knock and Four Eyes show. But as the day kept going on it seemed like we we wouldn't make it in time. I had pretty much given up hope. On the ride home the radio taunted me and played Knock Knock.
We reached campus at 10:30 and I figured it was too late but Cody told us we would make it and sure enough...
Success! Still in my soaking wet clothes, I ran to Luigi's and made in time to grab a beer and catch Knock Knock. Fuck. Yeah.
I grabbed one of those sweet posters, (as seen below) I still don't know who made that beauty.
Best diss of the night: Heather said something about watching language due to children being in the audience. Mike: "oh yeah matt maxwell."

If you lost your stuffed hound dog

2009-05-08T04:44:00.000-07:00

it's on the corner of 19th and N. Just chilling on the fence.

What to do this weekend.

2009-05-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

Go to Luigi's on Saturday to see two of Sacramento's finest bands, Knock Knock and the Four Eyes! It's 5 bucks. That's the best 5 bucks you'll ever spend. I guarantee you'll hear some of the finest between songs banter ever.

See Joel! (minus the knowledge)
See Mike, Heather, and Al! (plus a drummer)

It'll be awesome. I can't go and am very upset. So please go and have enough fun for me too.
Luigi's is at 1050 20th St in Sacramento. Show starts at 8, don't be late.

Also tonight!

Movies on a Big Screen
Found Footage Festival

7 and 9:30 PM

Admission: $10.00

Location: 600 4th St, West Sacramento. That's the corner of 4th & F in WEST Sacramento, just over the river from downtown Sacto. Parking lot is off of F Street between 4th & 5th Streets.

This looks awesome. For more info: http://www.moviesonabigscreen.com/

Knock Knock

2009-04-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

I was going to attempt to design a poster for the Knock Knock show, but of course never got around to it. I spied this beauty of a poster a few days ago at Luigi's and was kind of in awe of the type treatment. Danny argued with me, but I know I could not have done a better job. I'm not sure who designed and screened this but props to them. The type is very sophisticated and frankly I'm jealous. Every piece of information stands out nicely without being just a boring block of text.