The Lowdown: 12 - 16 - 10

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December 16, 2010

Belardes throwing CD release bash this Friday...

Just in time for holiday break, two fun shows featuring some talented Bako youth are making their way to a church and club near you.

This Friday, December 17th, local singer/songwriter Landen Belardes will be throwing a special all-ages show in celebration of his new CD, “Listen,” inside The Great Room at Olive Drive Church.  Written and recorded by Belardes himself, the 19 year-old has matured musically since his high school days as a member of pop-punk misfits, Dirty Spanglish. No longer writing songs about Jones Soda or Harry Potter movie crushes, Belardes says his new material is a reflection of life moving forward.


Pictured above: Landen Belardes. Photo by Nick Belardes, 2010

“After Dirty Spanglish split, I didn’t wanna quit playing music. Over the last year and half I kept writing, but didn’t feel I had the right material to represent who I am. Several of the songs on the CD have been written over the past couple of years. Some are fairly recent and written while I was recording.”

Recording directly to his laptop computer wherever the mood hit him, Belardes detailed his quest for home acoustic perfection.

“I recorded most of it at home and at my church. I have Pro Tools on my computer so I just dragged it around to wherever I want - going into closets to the kitchen for the right sound. I used everything that I had available to capture the sounds the way I want. I even named my studio Yellow Table Studios after my kitchen table.” Shooting off a lengthy list of musical influences, he narrowed it down to two.


Above: CD artwork for Belardes' "Listen."

“U2 and Wilco were the biggest inspirations for me. Those were artists I’ve grown up listening to and watching for years.”

Those primary influences are apparent throughout “Listen.” From the opening immediacy of “I’ve Flown Back Home,” to the closing title track, Belardes’ debut is an impressive introduction to a promising young career.

Friday’s show starts at 7 p.m., admission is free, and CDs will be available for purchase for $5. Olive Drive Church is located at 5500 Olive Drive. For more information call 661-393-8210, or visit Facebook.com/landenbelardesmusic

Hello Friday’s Holiday Hoopla

On Wednesday night, December 22nd, Bakersfield alterna-pop quartet, Hello Friday, will be hosting their own all-ages shindig at B Ryder’s with Santa Barbara guests, False Puppet.

Not ready to release a CD of their own just yet, band members: Alex Katz, guitar; Grant Whitson, drums; Shelby Sward, vocals; and bassist Harrison “Harry” Katz, plan on giving vacationing students a reason to rock around the Christmas tree.

“We love music and just wanna have fun,” proclaimed Sward. “And if you come to the show, we’ll make sure you have a goodtime too.”

I’m well aware of the attention span of most teens, so to make sure eyes don’t wander or roll, here’s the condensed history of Hello Friday for your Thursday…

Hello Friday, pictured from left: Alex Katz, Grant Whitson, Shelby Sward, Harrison Katz. Photo by Debbie Katz, 2010  

Formed in April of this year, these four energetic Stockdale High students were originally a three-piece named Flakjacket, performing a few shows with other local bands. Bored and on the lookout for a new musical direction, Whitson along with the Katz brothers scouted for a new vocalist. Impressed with Sward’s vocal abilities, they offered her the gig.

“I’ve never sang in any bands before, but I was in a musical called, “All Shook Up,” said Sward. “I remember being with my mom at the supermarket when they called me. I went to the audition, and they asked me to sing a Paramore song, which was really intimidating.”

Putting together enough material for a short set, the band made their debut at the annual Rockin’ Roots festival at Stramler Park this past June. Set-up on a small platform in front of a few thousand eyes and ears, the band took full advantage of an unexpected opportunity.

“We got the stage next to Good Charlotte, so everyone who was waiting to seem them, had to see us first,” laughed Whitson. “We rocked it, of course.”

The upbeat vibe of the band’s original music is complemented by Sward’s voice, which bears a striking resemblance to a young Nancy Griffith, especially on “You Never Know,” a song that has become the band’s signature tune.

“That was the first song I ever wrote. It’s about a guy I had a crush on in the 8th grade. I was being a little nostalgic, everyone has their summer romance. I was alone,” said Sward.

Ah, the joy of youth…

Wednesday’s show starts at 7 p.m., admission is free. B Ryder’s is located at, 7401 White Ln. For more information call 661-397-7304, or visit Myspace.com/hellofridayrocks

The Core Live: Saving Bakersfield from the radio blahs?
(CLICK ON THE PHOTO BELOW TO READ!)


Show me the party! LAST CALL FOR EVENTS!


Calling all clubs, bands, and promoters! If you’re throwing a big New Year’s Eve bash and would like to be included in my celebration round-up, start getting your details together now. Please email your flier or detailed event info to me at mmunoz@bakersfield.com, by the December 17th deadline. Also include a contact phone number, in case I need some verification.

**Tickets are on-sale now for Bakotopia's BIG New Year's Eve Bash!
(Click on flier for more info! Tix available through Vallitix.com or at Fishlips!)


Matt’s Picks: December 17 - 18

Feliz Skavidad with Mento Buru and DJ Mikey at B Ryder’s, 7401 White Lane, 9 p.m., Friday, December 17, $5, 661-397-7304. (CLICK ON FLIER FOR MORE INFO!)



Love Society Rejects at The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 9:30 p.m., Saturday, December 18th, $5, 661-831-1413. Brothers’ Tim and Rick Fluckey haven’t performed together onstage since their last band, Unborn, went caput in 1998. After the group’s demise, Tim (pictured above,) went onto form platinum-selling hard rock band, Adema, while Rick kept on rockin’ as an independent artist. Joining forces outside of the moshpit once again, they’ll be doing a special show as their alter-egos, Love Society Rejects, performing re-worked covers by Radiohead, Weezer, Jane’s Addiction and more. They’ll also be doing some rockin’ blues with some help from fellow musicians: Rob Lopez, guitar; Nick Kisselburg, drums; and Jay Meiselman, blues harp.

Dub Seeds with Vanessa Andrea at Chuy's, 2500 New Stine, 8 p.m., Saturday, December 18th, Free, All-Ages, 6661-833-3469. (CLICK ON FLIER FOR MORE INFO!)


***Don’t forget “Bakotopia Unplugged” open-mic night every Wednesday nights, from 8-11pm at Fishlips, 1517 18th Street! With your hosts: Matt Munoz & Pablo Alaniz!
CLICK FLIER BELOW TO READ MORE!

SEE YOU THERE!

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*Also printed in The Bakersfield Californian, 12-16-10