Author Archives: Vanessa

DEVORE: See photos of Megadeth at Battle of San Bernardino

Dave Mustaine celebrated his birthday with at least 30,000 fans out at San Manuel Amphitheater on Friday, Sept. 13 as Megadeth performed at the Battle of San Bernardino.

Click to see our photo gallery of Megadeth at the Battle of San Bernardino or click on the photo below.

Megadeth performs on stage during the Battle for San Bernardino at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on September 13, 2013. (Paul A. Hebert/Freelance Photographer)

Thanks to freelance photographer Paul A. Hebert for capturing such amazing images. See all of the galleries from below. Read a little bit more about The Battle of San Bernardino on the Audio File blog.

PHOTO GALLERY: Iron Maiden at San Manuel Amphitheater

PHOTO GALLERY: Megadeth at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Anthrax at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Testament and Sabaton at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Overkill and Warbringer at San Manuel Amphitheater

DEVORE: See photos of Iron Maiden at Battle of San Bernardino

Were you there as Bruce Dickinson yelled “Scream for me San Bernardino” at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on Friday night?

If you were, or if you’re just n Iron Maiden fan, we’ve got photos from the Battle of San Bernardino.

Click the link to access the photo gallery of Iron Maiden or click on the photo of Steve Harris rocking out below.

Steve Harris, of Iron Maiden, performs at the Battle of San Bernardino on Sept. 13, 2013. (Paul A. Hebert/Freelance Photographer)

PHOTO GALLERY: Iron Maiden at San Manuel Amphitheater

PHOTO GALLERY: Megadeth at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Anthrax at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Testament and Sabaton at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Overkill and Warbringer at San Manuel Amphitheater

DEVORE: Iron Maiden wins the Battle of San Bernardino

Iron Maiden performs on stage during the Battle for San Bernardino at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on September 13, 2013. (Paul A. Hebert/Freelance Photographer)

The Battle of San Bernardino is going to go down in history.

The Iron Maiden-led day of music at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on Friday, Sept. 13 isn’t just a footnote for the Maiden die-hards, either (although the night ended the band’s 7-date 2013 U.S. run of the “Maiden England” tour that began in 2012). With the tens of thousands of fans who thrusted their fists in the air and banged their heads, not only to the esteemed headliners, but also to supporting acts Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Sabaton, Overkill and Warbringer, the Battle of San Bernardino laid the groundwork for Maiden to take on the touring festival circuit, should the band choose to do so.

Arguably, what made the show so successful is the simple fact that Iron Maiden is a dynamic band. When you consider that they’ve been meting faces around the world for nearly 40 years, it’s even more impressive than other bands who have hit 50 years and don’t have the endurance test of a “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” in their sets, either.

PHOTO GALLERY: Iron Maiden at San Manuel Amphitheater

That boundless energy and performance is what keeps the fans coming back. I met people at Friday’s show who have seen upwards of 20, 30, and even 80 Iron Maiden concerts. The only person I met going to their first Iron Maiden show was a 13-year-old who was attending his first concert.

The fierce loyalty and passion that its fans from around the world display are unparalleled. Even fans who had seen the Maiden England tour last summer in Irvine (or who at least sported shirts from the 2012 tour) were out there again.

From the stage, Bruce Dickinson often implored the crowd to “Scream for me San Bernardino!” with thundering success.

While he addressed that the show was inspired by the “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” tour, the stage banter is kept to a minimum with the band.

Some of the highlights included the crowd pleaser “2 Minutes to Midnight,” as well as the beloved songs “The Trooper” and “The Number of the Beast,” the latter complete with a red-eyed animatronic demon at the back of the stage.

Iron Maiden performs on stage during the Battle for San Bernardino at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on September 13, 2013. (Paul A. Hebert/Freelance Photographer)

Maiden’s mascot, Eddie the Head, made an appearance during “Run to the Hills,” towering over the band and lumbering around on stage in his cavalry uniform brandishing a bloody sword that he threatened guitarist Janick Gers with on stage.

The pyrotechnics and the constantly evolving stage (nobody does backgrounds like Iron Maiden, they move so swiftly and give nearly every song its own special feel) are a mere bonus. The fans are there for the religion that is Iron Maiden.

That being said, the Battle of San Bernardino wouldn’t have been won without the support of its other units.

PHOTO GALLERY: Megadeth at the Battle of San Bernardino

Megadeth played a blistering set after sundown on the main stage. Leader Dave Mustaine, a Fallbrook resident, celebrated his birthday at the show, too. With a stage full of huge screens, the band played some material off new disc “Super Collider,” but the biggest fan response came from staples such as “Sweating Bullets,” “Symphony of Destruction” and “Peace Sells.”

Megadeth has been touring with Iron Maiden on this run of “Maiden England.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Anthrax at the Battle of San Bernardino

One of the other Big 4 of American thrash metal, Anthrax, was also on the bill. It was the first show back for drummer Charlie Benante, who had been out of commission while healing from carpal tunnel surgery.

Singer Joey Belladonna’s vocals were spot-on as the band tore through classics like “Caught in a Mosh” and also honored fallen metal heroes Ronnie James Dio and Dimebag Darrell. They also covered AC/DC’s “TNT.”

I also loved Testament’s set. The crowd was really into it. Earlier in the afternoon, Overkill and Warbringer played on a special stage set up among the concession and T-shirt booths, too. I’m sorry I missed them, but the pictures from their sets look like it was packed.

Did you go to the show? What bands did you love? Should Iron Maiden make this a touring festival?

Check out all of our photos from the show. Shout out to Paul A. Hebert for capturing such amazing images.

PHOTO GALLERY: Iron Maiden at San Manuel Amphitheater

PHOTO GALLERY: Megadeth at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Anthrax at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Testament and Sabaton at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Overkill and Warbringer at San Manuel Amphitheater

DEVORE: Meet the Iron Maiden faithful

Iron Maiden fans Robert Romero, Alfredo Moscoso, unknown, Sal Lopez, Sal Lopez Jr., Daniel Villalpando and Mark Zeitler

Iron Maiden fans are nothing if not loyal.

The person I met who traveled the furthest for today’s show (so far) is Mark Zeitler, of Baltimore. He has seen Iron Maiden 83 times. That’s right, 83 times.

His first time seeing them was in 1983 at the Baltimore Civic Center on the “Piece of Mind” tour.

“It’s a hobby,” Zeitler said. “I don’t hunt; I don’t fish.”

He sees Iron Maiden.

He already caught the Raleigh, N.C. show on this tour and has seen them overseas at Donnington and Sonisphere.

However, San Bernardino is the furthest west he has traveled to see the band.

I also just met a group who are all members of the Iron Maiden fan club, after I saw Alfredo Moscoso, a Los Angeles transplant originally from Peru, bringing the energy during Testament’s set.

(Note: If you were at the show and you couldn’t stop watching the shirtless man wearing khaki shorts who was the most kinetic person in the place, that’s him.)

As Testament ripped through their set, Moscoso would not stop. He air drummed, he jumped, he beat on his chest with his fists. He was the most metal person in the place and attracted an audience of his own as he shimmied and banged his head.

He said his energy is all natural, no drugs. He has stuck with water and beer.

Sitting with him was friend Robert Romero, of Los Angeles, who has seen Iron Maiden 30 times and has traveled to Peru, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany to see them.

He was excited to see Megadeth because he’s never seen them.

Other members of their group joined them after the set, including Sal Lopez and Sal Lopez Jr., of Riverside and Daniel Villalpando, of Colton.

The senior Sal surprised his son, who just turned 13, with tickets on Friday morning. It was Sal Jr.’s first concert.

Villalpando had also taken his son to his first Maiden concert, but he didn’t want to come this time. He wants to see Slayer and Slipknot more now.

If you haven’t seen them yet check out our Photos of Anthrax and photos of Overkill and Warbringer at the Battle of San Bernardino.

DEVORE: Overkill, Warbringer perform at Battle of San Bernardino

Warbringer performs on the concourse at the Battle of San Bernardino on Sept. 13, 2013. (Paul A. Hebert/Freelance Photographer)

The music has already started at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore for the Battle of San Bernardino.

With all of the bands playing today, capped by Iron Maiden, there was a second stage erected in the concourse over near the main entrance.

Over there, fans crowded in and rocked out to Warbringer and Overkill before the main seating bowl was opened.

IRON MAIDEN: Live coverage from the Battle of San Bernardino

Iron Maiden Performs at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on Sept. 13, 2013. (Paul A. Hebert/Freelance Photographer)

Love metal? Follow along as we cover the Battle of San Bernardino with Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament and more.

I’ll be tweeting as long as I can get a signal from out here at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore. With the large crowd expected, it could be tough to get a signal.

The show is over, but we now have photos. Check them out!

PHOTO GALLERY: Iron Maiden at San Manuel Amphitheater

PHOTO GALLERY: Megadeth at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Anthrax at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Testament and Sabaton at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Overkill and Warbringer at San Manuel Amphitheater

If you’re on Twitter, you can follow me at @vanessafranko. The hashtag for the show is #BattleofSB.

Tweets by @vanessafranko

MUSIC: Father John Misty features S.S. Coachella in new video

Father John Misty’s new video includes footage from the S.S. Coachella. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)

One of my favorite performers at the 2013 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was from the charismatic Father John Misty.

In addition to performing the two weekends out in Indio (two sets that showed off his razor-sharp wit as well as his sun-soaked California country tunes), he was also on the lineup of the S.S. Coachella’s inaugural voyage on the Celebrity Silhouette last December.

Now, his new video for “I’m Writing a Novel” features footage of Father John Misty driving, on stage and yes, aboard the S.S. Coachella. You can even spot the ship docked and scenes from aboard the ship, including his sashay and pirouettes in various spots on the ship.

Speaking of the S.S. Coachella, it appears it’s not happening for 2013. For the cruise’s inaugural year, Goldenvoice announced the lineup and details mid-summer of 2012. There hasn’t been any movement on that front and the S.S. Coachella website still has the activities and lineup of 2012 posted.

Pour one out for the 2013 edition of the S.S. Coachella and for those lucky enough to go, remember the good times with Father John Misty’s rendition of R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly.” Warning: There’s some NSFW language at the end.

DEVORE: Set times for Iron Maiden’s Battle of San Bernardino

Iron Maiden will perform at San Manuel Amphitheater on Friday, Sept. 13. (John McMurtrie/Contributed Image)

UPDATE: The show’s over. If you went, check out our photo galleries below:

PHOTO GALLERY: Iron Maiden at San Manuel Amphitheater

PHOTO GALLERY: Megadeth at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Anthrax at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Testament and Sabaton at the Battle of San Bernardino

PHOTO GALLERY: Overkill and Warbringer at San Manuel Amphitheater

Are you heading out to San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore today for Iron Maiden’s Battle of San Bernardino?

We have the set times here. Note that if you want to see all of the bands, Live Nation is recommending that you get there early.

Parking lots and the box office open at 10 a.m. and gates open at 1 p.m. Also, you might get to try Iron Maiden’s beer at the fest.

And if you haven’t seen it yet, check out my interview with Maiden’s drummer Nicko McBrain, in which he talks about a memorable trip to San Bernardino. (Also, thank you to Anthrax for sharing the link to the story and making metal dominate PE.com.)

Here are the set times:

2:15 p.m. Warbringer, Concourse Stage

3 p.m. Overkill, Concourse Stage

4:20 p.m. Sabaton, Main Stage

5:15 p.m. Testament, Main Stage

6:20 p.m. Anthrax, Main Stage

7:35 p.m. Megadeth, Main Stage

9 p.m. Iron Maiden, Main Stage

I’m excited for the show. I haven’t seen Maiden since the last time they played Devore and I last caught Anthrax and Megadeth back at Big 4. There were still some lawn tickets left via Live Nation if you can to make it out.

SAN BERNARDINO: Iron Maiden brings beer and music to Devore

TROOPER is the new ale from Iron Maiden and Robinsons Brewing. (Contributed Image)

When you think Iron Maiden just can’t get any more metal, the band goes and gets its own beer.

In my interview with Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain about the Battle of San Bernardino, one of the things that came up was the band’s beer, TROOPER Ale (all caps required on TROOPER, kind of like ABBA).

The name comes from the Maiden classic, “The Trooper.” Lead singer Bruce Dickinson helmed the craft ale on the Maiden front and worked with Robinsons Brewery.

“Although we’ve got our name and Bruce designed the beer with Robinsons Brewery, it’s a stand alone good drop,” McBrain said.

He stressed that the beer is a real ale, not a lager and that it’s brewed to be opened and enjoyed at room temperature rather than cold. McBrain said he even has a bottle or two after the show.

“Really,it’s a beautiful darker-tasting beer,” he said.

Rumor is that you just might be able to try it for yourself if you’re going to the Battle of San Bernardino at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on Friday, Sept. 13.

Here’s a video about Iron Maiden and the beer.

PIONEERTOWN: Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven Campout hosts familiar faces

Katey Sagal and Davey Faragher perform with The Forest Rangers at the 2013 Stagecoach Country Music Festival. Faragher, a Redlands native, will perform with his band Jack… at the Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven Campout this weekend. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)

The ninth annual Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven Campout at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace this weekend is not only a celebration of the two bands, but the entire Cracker/Camper family, with many tentacles reaching to the Inland Empire.

In addition to members of both bands growing up in the area, many of the other performers have Inland ties as well, including The Dangers and country rock band Jack…, which includes former Cracker member Davey Faragher, who grew up in Redlands.

Jack … will perform Saturday, Sept. 14.

Faragher’s musical experience spans decades and dozens of musicians. Among the artists Faragher has worked with in the studio are Buddy Guy, Dusty Springfield and Sheryl Crow.

He’s also been part of the band that does the music for popular show “Sons of Anarchy,” and that outfit, The Forest Rangers, had a warm reception at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in the spring.

“I grew up in a musical family so I don’t have a memory that isn’t musical,” Faragher said in an interview at the Stagecoach. “My older brothers had bands in the living room for as long as I can remember and I just grew into that.”

The siblings had their own band, The Faragher Brothers, and released a few albums.

Then, as Faragher worked as a session musician, he met the members of Camper Van Beethoven when he was doing background vocals for them. Lead singer David Lowery is also from Redlands.

“I met them in Los Angeles. I didn’t even meet them in Redlands,” Faragher said, laughing.

Davey Faragher performs at the 2013 Stagecoach Country Music Festival. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)

As Camper dissolved, Cracker began with Lowery and another Redlands native, Johnny Hickman, in Virginia. Faragher also joined the group for the first two albums, including the massively popular “Kerosene Hat,” which led Cracker help define alternative music.

After leaving Cracker, Faragher went on to work with other artists before ending up in Elvis Costello’s group The Imposters 12 years ago.

“He’s great. I’ve never met anyone who is as enthusiastic about music. He lives and breathes it all the time. It’s hard to keep up. He’s a force of nature,” Faragher said.

His fellow members in Jack… are Pete Thomas and Val McCallum, are also fellow Imposters. They each take on fake names for the country rock group, too.

Tonight’s lineup includes the Hickman-Dalton Gang, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers and Cracker Duo.

Friday’s lineup for the Campout includes Gram Rabbit and Cracker Van Beethoven on the outdoor stage and The Dangers, Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants and the Victor Krummenacher Band indoors.

Saturday’s lineup includes Jack… and Cracker on the outdoor stage and Jonathan Segel, Leland Sundries and Frank Funaro on the indoor stage.

Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven Campout, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown, $27 for single-day passes.

Visit www.pitchatent.com and www.pappyandharriets.com for more information.