Wassup 805? Bill Locey here, neither in Studio 805 nor in Camarillo, but still gainfully employed by the Ventura County Star, at least for the next hour or two, kicking at my house, multi-tasking, writing about rock 'n' roll, watching Link TV with the sound off and petting my cat, Nope, who is on my lap and as usual, in the way and doing his fair share as part of the worldwide feline anti-literacy campaign.
Sad to report that my friend - everybody's friend - the Legendary Jimmy Adams died in Kentucky last week on 26 July. He was 62. One of the regulars - actually originators - from back in the Cafe Voltaire days in Ventura in the nifty '90s, Adams helped put Todd Winokur's place on the map as the home base of all the local singer/songwriters. A wonderful songwriter in his own right, Adams wrote the best song about the beach by a guy from Texas, "I Think I'll Go Down to the Ocean," which has been covered by many. One of his songs is the perfect epitaph, "You May Be Gone, But You're Not Forgotten." One of the happiest of all men, Jimmy never had a bad word to say about anybody. Some sort of benefit/tribute concert will probably be happening next weekend somewhere. Stay tuned.
OK, on to the task at hand: If I had a faster car, a richer girlfriend or even one with a job, here's where I'll be lurking in the back this week:
OK, tonight - Friday night, in Hell-A, Beachwood Sparks will play some of that college/indie rock at the Echo and what a dumb name for a cool band - Ha Ha Tonka will be at the Roxy -
they have a new album, "Death of A Decade," just out on Bloodshot Records. The Conejo Valley's favorite band - that would be Urban Dread - they'll play some reggae music at Padri's Martini Bar in Agoura while up here in the 805 where we like it, it's local punk rock night at Billy O's with No Motiv, Strand Quentin and the Whereabouts. Floyd & the Flyboys will be at the Watermark in Ventura while a few steps north, it's that wonderful Preston Smith at Amigo's on Main Street, and Tres Amigos will do something fun around the corner at the Wine Rack. The Rubberneck Lions and a few other bands will be at the Bombay Bar & Grill and veteran blues dude, Doug MacLeod will be at Yolie's across the street from Avenue Von's, also in Ventura.
On Saturday, they may have a gross name but it's a cool band - Brainspoon will be at the Sans Souci, while around the corner, Donna Greene & the Roadside Daddies will be at Amigo's. Rachel Sedacca will play some folk rock at the Sandbox Coffehouse across from Tony's Pizza down on Thompson in Ventura; and once upon a time, she was a Runaway and
now playing the Fair - wow, that would be Joan Jett, who probably still loves rock 'n' roll but would she cheat on a vampire? Can't say. Up Hwy. 33 to Ojai, Bob Jones and the remarkable Randy Rich - one great guitar player - they'll be playing outside at Los Caporales and up the coast to Santa Barbara, Jennifer Terran will do something trippy at the Barn.
On Sunday, the blues returns to Moorpark where Jimmy Thackery and Alastair Greene will rock the High Street Theatre. Thackery, not a Vaughan-a-be, that's for sure, was a funny interview - check it out in this week's Time Out, proof positive, I'm hardly making much of this up. Bloody Mary Morning, simultaneously cause and result, will rock, East Ventura-style at the Bombay and Frank Barajas will do his solo Sunday thing at Tutti's in Ventura.
On Monday, all 50 Sticks of Dynamite will shred explosively at Zoey's in Ventura and playing some frantic punk bluegrass - that would be Old Man Markley at the SLO Brewery, pretty far but they're pretty cool. Their last song is their best song, "For Better For Worse."
And Tuesday? Traditionally the deadest night of the week - tons of stuff this week - why ask why? Old school pop punk with Redd Kross - yup, they're back - they'll be at the Roxy in Hollyweird, no doubt playing tunes of their new one - their zillionth. While up here in the 805 where we still like it, playing a much needed homegame at the Fair and dressing much better than you - that would be Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and also same night - it's a big Fair - Frankie Avalon will also sing some songs that will make you miss Annette Funicello or back when we enjoyed free parking at out own beaches. The Sidewalk Preachers will be at the Tavern and soulful singer, Norah Jones will be at the Santa Barbara County Bowl and he's worth the drive as one of the best singer/songwriters anywhere - that would be Paul Thorn at the SLO Brewery.
On Wednesday, it might be worth it for the overall weirdness - that would be Nicky Minaj at phonehead nirvana at the Nokia Theatre. Urban Dread will do it again - this time at Bogie's in Westlake Village while up here in the 805 where we like it - and we already have way too much traffic - Brion Shearer and Mike Fishell & Friends will miss a Dodger game to do the honors at this week's Green Art People gig down on the Ventura Avenue. And one more time for Paul Thorn - he'll be at the Tales of the Tavern gig in Santa Ynez.
Lucha Vavoom will remind all the little weirdos what they like about wrestling and strippers when they host their tenth anniversary show at the Mayan Theatre in Hell-A and my new favorite band, Shovels and Rope will be at the Hotel Cafe doing a 10 p.m. show - trust me this time. While up here in the 805 where we like it because, well, it's so convenient, Dirty Rice will be at Amigo's in Ventura, Emy Reynolds will be at the Bombay and Jonathan McEuen will do something cool at the Big Buddha Lounge in beautiful downtown Oak View.
