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Bakotopia Goes to the NAMM Show 2007!

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Bakotopia Goes to the NAMM Show 2007!
By: Matt Munoz / Bakotopia
Description: Check out pictures and adventures at this year's music tradeshow in Anaheim, CA!

Topics: NAMM, 2007, Korn, schecter, Dollhut, Sixx, santana, Podcast, Events, art, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Bakotopia, music, Bakotunes, entertainment, Buck Owens, blog, Punk as a doornail
Posted by matt Fri Feb 2, 2007 11:45:19 PST
Viewed 1094 times
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Location: 800 West Katella, Anaheim, CA 92802

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January 19-21, 2007 - NAMM SHOW, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA..

-Listen to music by Punk As A Doornail!
-Exclusive Photos and videos from the show! You gotta see of dis' stuff!

A Two-Part Rock n' Roll Journey...

PART ONE of TWO!

Musicians, instrument manufacturers, scantily clad models, mid-life crisis metal heads, over-the-hill headbangers, overly excited show-off percussionists, guitar happy noodlers, and the music geeks that love them all gathered once again for the annual winter edition of the NAMM Show, January 18th-21st, 2007at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California.

I consider myself quite the resident music geek, so you can bet I was happy to be in my own rock n' roll heaven of marketing and media gathering.

For those of you scratching your head as to what the hell the NAMM show is, I'll break it down for you.

NAMM: National Association of Music Merchants.

According to the official NAMM website..

"Over the past century, NAMM has proudly represented the industry that brings the gift of music into people's lives. What started in May of 1901 as a small, grassroots organization of 52 founding Members has since blossomed into an international association representing nearly 9,000 retailers and manufacturers of musical instruments and products from 85 countries worldwide."

In plain English, NAMM is like a support group for music stores, and holds tradeshows featuring NAMM members.

Who's member of NAMM? Marshall Amps, Schecter Guitars, Coffin Case, Shure, Technics, Peavey, Stockdale Music, and the list goes on and on..

Not just exclusive to the US, NAMM has international members as well. If you have a music store, an instrument you're trying to get the word out about, or you're looking to get yourself hooked up with the latest music making gadgets from around the world, you should be a NAMM member..

Okay, now that you know what NAMM is, let's get to the adventure.

Bakotopians, Tekwiz, Cesareo, Chanclas, and myself headed out on a wonderful journey to Southern California to attend the show on Friday morning.

Mind you, not just anyone can get into the NAMM show. Remember Willie Wonka's golden tickets? Consider a NAMM show badge it's equivalent.

If you got a hook-up, try your best to get in. If you don't got one. You're S outta luck, unless you're a member, or have a friend who is.

When Tekwiz, Cesareo and I showed up, we were all over the place. Cameras, and recorders in hand, among thousands of eclectic looking people all here for one purpose....the hook-up.

If you're a signed major label band, or an indie musician "keeping it real," this is the place to try and score an endorsement deal from one of the many companies looking for their next spokesperson.

If you're not looking for an endorsement deal, you can also press the flesh with many of today's most popular celebrities in popular music, get an autograph, or maybe even a business card so you can score a new gig.

Many companies, especially in the guitar world, require many of their endorsees to make a NAMM show autograph appearance..

KORN, guitarist Dave Navarro, percussionist Sheila E., the Santana band, Motley Crue, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, OK Go, Smashmouth, Mana, WAR, The Randies, Slayer, Static-X, were just a few of this year's many attendees. You can see the obivious "Here again?" look on some of their famous faces, but not on everyone. Tekwiz, Lydia, and I, were pretty fortunate to snap up quite a few photos during our visit, and take a lot of video for all of our beloved Bakotopians to see.

After Friday's show, we all pretty much passed out from walking around the entire convention center for nearly 6 hours non-stop. If you ever plan on walking that much, I recommend baby powder with cornstarch to prevent chaffing..owww!!

On Saturday, the crew and I marched back to the convention center for round two, of our three day NAMM journey.

It was pretty much the same, except we managed to run into many Bakersfield showgoers, including Artie Niesen of Front Porch Music, Marcos Reyes from the band WAR, veteran Bako guitarist Phil Hernandez, The Arvizu Brothers, Joe Torres, and Randy Lovegreen of Stockdale Music who had been hanging with NAMM Show organizers most of the day. We hung out with Randy for a bit outside the arena, next to a 400+ person drum circle! Randy was still glowing from the Electro-Vox party at the House of Blues the night before that had performances by Los Lobos and Twisted Sister..yes, that Twisted Sister. Randy's the man..always down to support local music, especially Bakotopia bands....woop-woop!

Saturday night, we decided to head over to a local watering hole and try to check out some local music. The Dollhut was the closest place, but even though that was the case we still got lost. After 30 min. of saying, "right! No left! The directions said 1/2 mile!," we finally called The Dollhut and asked for directions. Lame...

When we showed up at The Dollhut, I felt like the prodigal son, back after years of neglect. I love this place. The Dollhut is literally the size of your sister's baby dollhouse with a bar in the center, and room enough for a small band. Band stickers adorn the entire place, and the jukebox specializes in punk, metal, and country music. They even have Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap, and a bizarre 20% alcohol line for mixed drinks. According to state law, you can serve this stuff, because it's rice-based like saki, and it's not quite as strong as regular liquor. Mama Roomba's in downtown Bakersfield serves this stuff, so if you're curious, go see Victor at MR's and ask for the mojito it's delish!

There were two punk bands Saturday night at The Dollhut, Wolfgang Bang (don't you love that name?,") and Punk As a Doornail. Both bands were good in their own right, and I spewed forth my share of "That's not punk!," "play some ska," "One more song," at both bands. At one point, I began shooting video and photos of the bands so closely, I was surprised they didn't stop and kick my ass. Punk or not, it was fun, and the locals received me and the mates with warmth..ahhh...

After a long night of punk rock and yelling, we then headed back to the motel, and immediately fell on the beds. I made sure and lit the "extremely strong" scented candle before we passed out, because as you know, if you put four people in a small motel room after a long day of junk food, sodas, and Pabst Blue Ribbon, you're bound to have a night filled with farts, burps, snoring, bad breath, and funk. PHEW!!!

What happened next?????

CLICK THE PHOTO BELOW FOR PART TWO OF BAKOTOPIA'S NAMM SHOW ADVENTURE!! MORE PHOTOS, FAKE BOOBS, BAD HAIR AND STUFF!!

Wanna find out more about the NAMM Show, and how you can attend?
Visit their official website:
www.nammshow.com

When in Anaheim, visit Bakotopia's favorite punk-rock playpen, The Dollhut!
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