Author Archives: Vanessa

CORONA: Assuming We Survive wins X103.9’s Localpalooza

Assuming We Survive performs at Localpalooza at M15 on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. (Rob Inderrieden/Freelance Photographer)

Anyone who doubts the thriving music scene of the Inland Empire wasn’t at M15 in Corona for the Localpalooza competition on Saturday, Nov. 2.

I was fortunate enough to be a judge for the second year of the competition, which is put on by San Bernardino-based radio station X103.9, an outlet that has been waving the flag for local music for a very long time.

After 11 energy-filled performances that had fans waving homemade signs, bouncing balloons and partying in the pit, Assuming We Survive took home the crown. The band, whose members live all around the Inland region (Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Riverside, Chino and Upland), will open X103.9’s Merry Meltdown show on Dec. 14 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario with Korn, Stone Temple Pilots, Sick Puppies and Big B. Tickets for the show are on sale via www.axs.com and at the arena’s box office. They are priced from $29.50 to $59.50, before fees.

Assuming We Survive performs at Localpalooza at M15 on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. (Rob Inderrieden/Freelance Photographer)

It’s been a big year for Assuming We Survive. The rock group, which has elements of punk and metal in its sound, released a new EP, “Get Busy Living,” earlier this year and has earned spots on a number of prestigious shows around the region, including a recent stint opening for The Used at Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare attraction in Pomona.

The title track from the new EP was among the highlights in the band’s set, which had the audience chanting “Hey!” in unison and singing along at various points in the set.

Assuming We Survive and Rancho Cucamonga’s As You Were were the only bands in the competition that also performed at the 2012 Localpalooza competition. As You Were also got a lot of crowd reaction, as they blazed through a nu-metal set and fans volleyed homemade balloons–decorated with the band’s logo and name in black magic marker–in the crowd.

Other highlights of the evening included a set by Riverside’s El Robo, which is making truly original music and is a band to watch in the Inland scene, and The Rebel Noise, a new band out of Palm Springs.

The other burgeoning talents that performed included Pandemic Unleashed, Slivir, The Red Level, T4P, The Action Potential, Slowfall and Star Off Machine.

Congratulations to all of the bands for making it into the competition. I look forward to hearing more from you in the coming months.

Check out the photo gallery from Localpalooza over at the iGuide.

Here’s a look at Assuming We Survive at Warped Tour 2013.

PE LIVE: Noa James performs tribute to family

Noa James performs for PE Live. (Matthew Schoenmann/Freeance Photographer)

One of the reasons Noa James is such a prolific and successful artist in the Inland scene is his honesty and genuine rhymes.

When he stopped by to perform for PE Live recently, James performed “Brezell Allen,” a song about his grandfather off the release “Intelligent Elegant Elephant: Humble Power.”

Watch Noa James perform “Brezell Allen.”

You can also watch the PE Live interview with Noa James about his work, the Inland music community and more.

Visit www.facebook.com/NoaJamesMusic, http://noajames.bandcamp.com and www.noajames.com for details, music and more.

Subscribe to PE Live’s weekly newsletter to get PE Live directly in your inbox at http://subscribe.pe.com/pelive.

LAKE ELSINORE: Dia de Los Muertos celebration features local music

Sal and Isela will perform at Lake Elsinore’s Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Nov. 1. (2012/File Photo)

Lake Elsinore’s Dia de Los Muertos celebration happens Friday, Nov. 1, in downtown.

The festivities will take place on Graham Street between Main and Spring streets from 5 to 10 p.m.

The event includes performances by Gravity X Dancers, Folklorico Dancers, Andres Valenzuela, Alejandro Campos, Friend of the Devil, Sal and Isela and the Whiskey Dick Rebellion. The entertainment will be on a stage at the south end of Graham Street.

There will be free Day of the Dead face painting and hand-crafted community altars are welcome.

MURRIETA: The McKintree Boys rock at the Shamrock Nov. 1

Adam McIntyre of the band, The McKintree Boys, performs during the Get Shamrocked Irish Festival in Murrieta on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (David Bauman/Staff Photographer)

If you enjoy Irish-inspired rock and folk, you might want to head to the Shamrock in Murrieta on Friday, Nov. 1.

It might be your last chance to catch the McKintree Boys this year.

The Riverside/Redlands/San Bernardino-based band puts on a rollicking set, and if you stay until for their final set of the night, you’ll likely hear their newest material.

9 p.m. Friday, 39252 Winchester Road, Ste. 145, Murrieta, 21 and older only.

Visit www.themckintreeboys.com for more information.

The McKintree Boys recently visited PE Live for a session at Hangar 24 Brewery in Redlands. We’ll be back at the brewery (located at 1710 Sessums Drive) on Thursday, Oct. 31 for a special show with The Fingers and again on Wednesday, Nov. 6 with The Dangers and Bob and Lisa.

Watch the PE Live interview with The McKintree Boys.

Watch The McKintree Boys perform “In the Sod.”

POMONA: Riverside’s Go For Gold plays Aladdin Jr II Nov. 2

Go For Gold plays Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Janette Dominguez/Contributed Image)

Together for only a little longer than a year, Riverside’s Go For Gold has been finding the right team to make its pop-punk shine.

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After a rotating cast of members, the group has gelled and released a noteworthy EP, “Mixed Feelings,” and will perform at Aladdin Jr II in Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 2.

“It’s like a Jenga puzzle,” guitarist Nick Mac said.

Mac joined the band eight months ago after he recorded the group’s first demo in his Corona studio.

Mac explained that the group, which also includes bassist Diego Zamudio, guitarist Mark Holguin, drummer Jose Zepeda, keyboardist and turntablist Martin Hernandez and singer Collin Marchese, grew out from friends who would go to local shows together.

“It was a tight-knit group in the Riverside music scene,” Mac said.

Marchese, who lives in Pomona, first found out about the band when he found them on Facebook while he was searching local pop-punk bands.

About four months ago, the band posted that they were looking for a singer and Marchese, who hails from the Bay Area, sent Go For Gold some music he had done with his old band.

Listen to Go For Gold’s new release “Mixed Feelings” on Bandcamp.

After two practices, Marchese was in the band and suddenly had to learn the band’s music before the next show.

“We had to jump right into it,” Marchese said.

He had three weeks to learn the band’s music and write some lyrics for new songs.

He took the music, went to his room and closed the door, singing and freestyling to get the melodies.

“When I sing, I sing loud — my neighbors will hear me,” Marchese said.

With vocals that sound like a cross between Rise Against and Against Me!, it’s Hernandez’ contribution that sets the band apart.

The hooky synth lines run through the band’s music, and Mac said Hernandez’ turntable skills are getting featured more in the material the band is working on now.

Up next for the band is an acoustic EP, which is due out before the end of the year. Mac said the EP will include two songs from “Mixed Feelings” as well as a cover and one of Marchese’s songs from before he joined the band.

Go For Gold plans to follow that up with full-length album in 2014.

For the Win, At the Edge, Anchorless, Shipwreck, Number One Champs and Tea for One will perform at the Pomona show.

5 p.m. Saturday, Aladdin Jr II, 296 W. 2nd St., Pomona, $10, all ages.

Visit http://goforgoldpoppunk.bandcamp.com and www.facebook.com/goforgoldsocal for more information.

MUSIC: Dose of Adolescence releases new video

Dose of Adolescence performs during the Merry Meltdown concert at Citizens Business Bank Arena Sunday in Ontario, CA. December 16, 2012. (2012/File Photo)

Dose of Adolescence has had a big year. After winning X103.9’s Localpalooza last November and opening the station’s Merry Meltdown show at Citizens Business Bank Arena, the Rancho Cucamonga band went on to play the Vans Warped Tour this summer.

Some of the band’s journey with Localpalooza and Merry Meltdown is documented in the new video for “Never Want to Say Goodbye” and you’ll even spot X103.9’s morning host Doug Durocher in the clip.

Take a look at the new video and then watch the Dose boys on PE Live, which we filmed earlier this year. You can even hear an acoustic version of “Never Want to Say Goodbye.”

Watch Dose of Adolescence perform “Sleepless in Southern California” on PE Live.

Watch the Dose of Adolescence interview on PE Live.

CLAREMONT: Big Papa and the TCB to record Hip Kitty show

Big Papa and the TCB perform at The Press-Enterprise for PE Live. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)

Inland jump blues combo Big Papa and the TCB is having a show at the Hip Kitty in Claremont on Friday, Nov. 1, and it will be recorded.

The band has released two live albums previously. The band’s debut, “Nice ‘N’ Greazy,” and “Buckshot Love: Live from the Rhythm Lounge” were both recorded at the Fender Center in Corona.

Go to the show and hear yourself on the CD. The band is recommending making a reservation for a table.

8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, Hip Kitty, 502 W. 1st St., Claremont, 909-447-6700, $5, 21 and older only.

Visit www.hipkittyjazz.com for more on the venue and www.bigpapaandthetcb.com for more on the band.

Get warmed up with the band with our sessions from PE Live earlier this year, featuring the Big Papa 3.

Big Papa and the TCB performs “Drink Drank Drunk.”

Big Papa and the TCB performs “Wait Til Yo Daddy Getz Home.”

Big Papa and the TCB performs “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.”

Watch the PE Live interview with Big Papa and the TCB

RIVERSIDE: Robert Cray, Los Lobos, Rod Piazza play the Fox

Robert Cray will perform at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside on Nov. 7. (Erika Goldring/Contributed Image)

Riverside will have some blues icons in its midst Thursday, Nov. 7

Guitarist Robert Cray tops a bill at the Fox Performing Arts Center that also includes Los Lobos and Riverside’s own Rod Piazza.

Cray, a multi-Grammy winner who has played with legends such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton, is supporting his 2012 release “Nothin But Love.”

Los Lobos, who seem to make Riverside an annual stop in recent years, released “Disconnected in New York City,” a live album celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary, on Oct. 29.

Tickets are available at the Fox Performing Arts Center box office and via Ticketmaster. (Tip: You’ll pay far less in fees going through the box office).

The box office is open Monday -Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. until showtime on days with a show. The box office phone number is 951-779-9800.

7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, $25-$87, plus fees.

Visit www.foxriversidelive.com for more information.

CORONA: M15 hosts Localpalooza battle of the bands Nov. 2

Naive Children performs at X1039’s Localpalooza at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. (2012/File Photo)

Localpalooza isn’t just another battle of the bands; it’s a competition that gives the winner a spotlight on an arena stage.

Nearly a dozen groups will face off at M15 in Corona on Saturday, Nov. 2 and the winner will go on to open KCXX X103.9 FM’s Merry Meltdown concert on Dec. 14 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario with Korn, Stone Temple Pilots, Sick Puppies and more.

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This is the second year that the San Bernardino-based radio station has held the competition. The 2012 winners, Dose of Adolesence, have had a huge year since, even netting some dates on the Vans Warped Tour this summer. I will be one of the judges for the competition again this year.

There has been a change to the lineup for the show. Late Night Revival had to drop off, but The Red Level has stepped in.

Here’s the list of bands facing off (and where they’re from). The only returning competitors are Assuming We Survive and As You Were.

Click on the links to get to know a little bit more about the bands.

Assuming We Survive, Rancho Cucamonga
As You Were, Rancho Cucamonga
El Robo, Riverside
Pandemic Unleashed, Riverside
Slivir, Mira Loma
SlowFall, Corona
Star Off Machine, Costa Mesa
T4P, Rancho Cucamonga
The Action Potential, Riverside
The Red Level, Lake Elsinore
The Rebel Noise, Palm Springs

5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, M15, 9022 Pulsar Ct. Suite H, Corona, $10, all ages.

Visit www.facebook.com/Localpalooza and www.x1039.com for more information.

RIVERSIDE: Former ‘Voice’ contestants perform at Romano’s

Daniel Rosa hosts a weekly open mic night at Romano’s in Riverside. (2012/ File Photo)

Televised singing competitions and the Inland Empire have a long history together.

And every Wednesday, Daniel Rosa, who was a contestant on “The Voice,” has been hosting an open mic night at Romano’s Concert Lounge in Riverside.

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, Rosa will be joined by Erin Willett, who was a contestant on season two of “The Voice,” for a special Halloween show.

There’s also a costume contest.

9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5225 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, free, 21 and older only.