The Lowdown 5 - 5 - 11

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May 5, 2011

EXCLUSIVE! Foo Fighters spend quality time in Bako!

When you’re the hottest band in the country, with both a single and album at the top of the Billboard charts, you pretty much have your pick of major cities and plush venues to prepare for your highly anticipated world tour.

So if you’re Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, where do you go? Bakersfield, California, and more specifically, the Rabobank Arena.


Above: Foo Fighters

Straight off the best reviews of their career and a No. 1 debut for their latest album, “Wasting Light,” the band has set up camp at the Rabobank to rehearse and go over logistics for the tour, which has no scheduled stops in Bakersfield as of yet. The guys wanted to keep their time in Bakersfield a secret, but word is out - with a vengeance - and several sources who work closely with the Foo Fighters have confimed the band has been rehearsing here since at least Monday and possibly as early as Friday. They are expected to wrap rehearsals next Wednesday, according to the sources, who requested anonymity.


Above: Bakersfield Rabobank Arena

Why did the Foo Fighters choose Bakersfield? The reason is simple, according to our sources: affordability and proximity to home. Band members Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Nate Mendel reportedly are commuting from Los Angeles semi-regularly and are looking to do some local honky- tonk jamming. Don't be surprised if a few members show up for a rendition of “Streets of Bakersfield” at some lucky venue. After all, guitarist Pat Smear can be seen playing a red, white and blue Buck Owens- style acoustic guitar in an “MTV Unplugged” Nirvana concert, with Grohl on drums. Rumor also has it that Smear is hoping to score an official Owens' guitar for his collection.


Above Nirvava's '93 MTV Unplugged special, from left: Kurt Cobain and Pat Smear. Courtesy photo

The band definitely seems to have an affinity for our town ‹ this isn't the first time they¹ve been here. Fans may remember the band's last local concert in 2003 at the venue, when it was still called Centennial Garden.

That show was followed by a secret 2005 music video shoot for the single ³All My Life,² inside the arena, which masqueraded as the Los Angeles Forum.


Above: Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl. Courtesy photo

Currently experiencing the most successful run of their 16-year career, the group's album, “Wasting Light,” is considered to be the band's opus. Produced by Butch Vig, Nirvana's “Nevermind” producer, the critically acclaimed release also features a guest spot by former Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic on bass.


Above: Foo Fighters "Wasting Light" available now

Foo Fighters kick off their 2011 world tour with a show on May 14 at the UK's One Big Weekend festival, according to the band¹s official website, foofighters.com.

The Californian’s attempts to reach the band for an interview have been unsuccessful, but if any of the guys in the band are reading this, by all means give us a ring.

Eli Young Band anthemic dilemma!

Three musical worlds will collide in Bako over the next few days.

Let’s start with tonight’s concert by the pride of Denton, Texas – The Eli Young Band at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace. Well aware of today’s Cinco de Mayo festivities, bassist Jon Jones says to count them in.

“It’s probably a bad idea, but yeah,” he laughed. “Tequila makes people act strange, so if we’re drinking it, you’re gonna know.”

Since appearing at Buck’s last September, the group was waiting for the ink to dry on a new label, and still riding high on the strength of their last single, “Guinevere.” Now, with another hit on their hands with “Crazy Girl,” and a new 5-song digital only Ep released on Tuesday, the quartet is anxiously moving into the next phase of their career.

“This is by far the fastest moving single we’ve had, so we’re trying to get the ball rolling,” said Jones. “Our fans have really gravitated to this song and hopefully to the rest of the new record.”


Above: The Eli Young Band

Formed as a party band while attending North Texas University in 2000, the friends built a grassroots following performing for campus beer busts and frat houses, then touring with country starlet, Miranda Lambert, they’ve been busy carving their niche in the new country music market ever since. But it’s not all shiny boots and buckle bunnies for these wild-eyed Texas boys. Last December, the group had a meltdown in front of a stadium full of Kansas City Chiefs football fans when singer Mike Eli forgot the words to “The Star Spangled Banner.” It was a career blooper that would soon also dog pop singer Christina Aguilera a month later at the Super Bowl XLV. Jones recalls the sea of boos and online flogging they endured afterwards.

“It was brutal, but we made it. You’re nervous in a completely different way doing the anthem. I think we’ll probably start singing at high school games and work our way back up again.” There’s always more tequila, fellas.

Tickets for the May 5th, Thursday night show are $11.50 to $17.50. Showtime is 7 p.m. Buck Owen Crystal Palace is located at 2800 Buck Owens Blvd.  For information call 661-328-7560, or visit: Vallitix.com.

Papa Roach to rock Stramler Friday!

One band mindful og the perils of taking on our national song in front of a crowd of rabidly patriotic fans is radio rockers, Papa Roach, who make their return to Bakersfield with a big outdoor show Friday night at Stramler Park.

“That’s a difficult song to sing,” said Papa Roach lead vocalist, Jacoby Shaddix, via telephone from a recent tour stop in Boise. “It’s all about the range. If you start your cue too high, by the time you get to the last part of the song, you’re (expletive.) I was asked to do it for a Sacramento Kings game once, and I said no. If I blow it, the media will be all over it, and you know how they like doing that.”

Whatever made him think that?

Sticking to the safety of his rock domain, Shaddix and crew are most known for their ’99 monster hit, “Last Resort.” Looking back at that early stage of their career, Shaddix recalls a little too much partying.

“It was a rocket ship ride for all of us. We were young and ripping everything up, we didn’t know how to handle it.”


Above: Papa Roach, Jacoby Shaddix in center. Photo by Papa Roach

Fearful of the sophomore slump, the Vacaville quartet chose an extreme makeover going from sneaker wearing, skate rock hoodlums to eyeliner blazing, leather wearing rock gods.

“We started out in an era of no image. Part of the creative process of our band was to evolve the image, in the creative process with our music. The way we connect with our fans is still the same, along with our passion and convictions to our performances. Since ‘Last Resort,’ we’ve had a slew of rock hits. We’ve been pretty blessed.”

One of the few rock bands to score slots on both the Vans Warped and Ozzfest tours, Papa Roach continues to infest airwaves with their latest record, “Time For Annihilation.” Shaddix says Bako fans won’t be disappointed with Friday’s live assault either.

“It’s full on knock down, drag out, savage rock and roll. We’re one of the most energetic rock bands on the planet right now. Straight up, man.”

Also appearing are Finger Eleven, The Councilmen, Andreas Fault and Dirt Head. Tickets are $29.75. Pre-party begins at 4 p.m., gates at 6 p.m. For more information, visit timgardeapresents.com. 

Also at...


Bakersfield celebrates Cinco de Mayo THURSDAY, MAY 5TH!
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The 25th Annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival happens this weekend at CSUB - May 6th & 7th! Read about my favorite memory - meeting legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie!
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Los Angeles-based Grateful Dead tribute band, Cubensis, perform Friday, May 6th at Fishlips in downtown! One of the few band's with the blessing of Jerry Garcia!
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COMING SOON! MARK YOUR CALENDERS!
THE BIGGEST CINCO DE MAYO BASH IN BAKO RETURNS!
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Find more hot local events at our new calendar!
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*Also printed in The Bakersfield Californian, 5-5-11

***Don’t forget “Bakotopia Unplugged” open-mic night every Wednesday nights, from 8-11pm at Fishlips, 1517 18th Street! With your host, Matt Munoz.
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