Author Archives: Vanessa

CORONA: Sale of Fender Center could mean a venue loss

Fans enjoy Fender Benders performance during a Kids Rock Free program in The Rhythm Lounge at Fender Center in Corona. (2011/File Photo)

My colleague Peter Fischetti just broke the news of the sale of the Fender Center of the Performing Arts in Corona, which housed the Fender Museum, to the city of Corona.

Here’s the good news: The Kids Rock Free program, which offers low-cost and free music lessons to kids, will continue.

Here’s the bad news: We’re losing a venue for live music. The Fender Center hosted major talent such as guitarist Steve Miller and Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers, both of whom raised money for the aforementioned Kids Rock Free Program with concerts on the outdoor stage. Those concerts were more of a one-a-year event, but the Rhythm Lounge, which was on the ground floor of the facility, next to the museum, hosted regular entertainment.

Venerable blues band Big Papa and the TCB (who will be featured on tomorrow’s new batch of PE Live videos, coincidentally) recorded their first album, 2007’s “Nice ‘N’ Greazy,” there.

Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, The Legendary Mustangs (a band that features Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione) and local artists such as Castle Pines have also performed at the venue. That doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the performances from the in-house bands made up of the students in Kids Rock Free.

I’m hoping with the Kids Rock Free program moving to the Civic Center in the future and the plans for the current site to be a community center, we can have sorely needed venues for live local music in Corona.

Musicians and fans in the Corona area–did you ever play at the Rhythm Lounge?

Just a note, the Fender Museum is separate from the Fender corporation’s Visitor Center, which is down the freeway a bit at the Fender factory in Corona and opened in 2011.

POMONA: Cromwell to release CD with a Glass House show

Cromwell will release a new CD, “Oceans,” on July 16. (Contributed Image)

Rialto’s Cromwell is finally releasing the follow-up to their fantastic 2010 EP “Daniela” and they’re celebrating with a show at The Glass House in Pomona on Friday, July 12.

The new album, “Oceans,” will technically come out on Tuesday, July 16, but you will be able to get a copy at the show.

Get to the show early to catch a number of other Inland Empire bands worth checking out, including Assuming We Survivem The Anix and The Hollowed.

6:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, The Glass House, 200 W. Second St., Pomona, $10, all ages.

Visit www.facebook.com/cromwellmusic for more information on the show.

SAN BERNARDINO: Agent Orange, D.I. to play Stinger’s July 13

Agent Orange is playing San Bernardino on July 13. (Contributed Image)

If you love sophomoric SoCal punk and bands that are big in Japan, Stinger’s in San Bernardino has a show for you on Saturday.

Classic Cali surf punk outfit Agent Orange headlines a show at the club on Saturday, July 13.

Plus, D.I., Hemet punkers The Walking Toxins and Section 242 are on the bill.

And there’s a special treat in the form of Japanese punk band Kingons

6 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Stinger’s Bar and Nightclub, 194 W. Club Center Drive, San Bernardino, $12 via Ticketweb, 18 and older only.

Visit www.ticketweb.com for tickets and more information.

RIVERSIDE: Rock for the Cure returns to Romano’s

Midnight Satellites will perform at the sixth annual I.E. Rock for a Cure concert. (Contributed Image)

The I.E. Rock for the Cure has been raising money for a good cause ever since I took over the music reporter duties here at The Press-Enterprise.

The sixth annual event, which benefits the American Cancer Society and the Riverside Relay For Life, will take place at Romano’s Concert Lounge in Riverside on Saturday, July 13.

As always, the concert has an impeccable lineup. This year, the music will feature Temecula-based Midnight Satellites, Riverside’s Borrowed Bones and Los Angeles band Future Villains.

The event started as a way for the local music community to get involved and help fight the disease which has touched everyone.

8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Romano’s Concert Lounge, 5225 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, $15 per person, 21 and older only.

Get a taste of what you’ll see with Midnight Satellites’ PE Live performances.

MURRIETA: Brandon Thomas De La Cruz plays The Dial July 12

Brandon Thomas De La Cruz (Contributed Image)

Brandon Thomas De La Cruz is celebrating the release of his stellar second album, “Common Miracles,” with a show at The Dial in Murrieta on Friday, July 12.

I interviewed De La Cruz recently about the album (and he’ll be coming to film an upcoming edition of PE Live with us later this week!) and it was interesting to learn how he crafted them on stage and worked them out in front of audiences.

The Dial, a collective for music and more in Murrieta, recently raised enough fund to stay open. Starting with shows in July, the venue is requiring attendees to purchase a $2 membership, which will make individuals liable for their actions.

The other artists performing include Good Vibes, Neil and Me & The City.

7 p.m. Friday, July 12, The Dial, 41679 Date St., Suite B, Murrieta, all ages. Admission is $5 before the first band and $7 after. Also, attendees will have to pay $2 to become a member of The Dial.

Visit http://brandonthomasdelacruz.bandcamp.com for more on De La Cruz and www.facebook.com/thedialcollective for more on The Dial.

Check out some of De La Cruz’s new songs:

MORENO VALLEY: Bucksworth and more play the Family Music Room

Mark Nemetz, owner of the Family Music Room in Moreno Valley plays the mandolin as he jams with fellow musician Aaron Miller. During the day, Nemetz conducts music lessons for kids and on weekends there is live music. (2009/File Photo)

Tucked away in Moreno Valley is a gem of a venue that is a music school by day and celebrates local and touring music on the weekends.

On Saturday, July 13, the Family Music Room will host a night of roots and rock with notable local bands.

Bucksworth will host the evening as well as perform. Also, The Lunar Strays, Vicky and the Vengents and Aces & Thieves are all on the bill.

Tickets are $5 at the door and kids 12 and younger get in for free.

8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Family Music Room, 22445 Alessandro Blvd. Suite 114, Moreno Valley, $5, all ages.

Visit www.familymusicroom.com for more information.

RIVERSIDE: Downtown Street Jam to return in August with The Aggrolites (update)

The Downtown Street Jam returns to Riverside on Saturday, Aug. 3. (2010/File Photo)

UPDATE 7/25: The location has moved to University Avenue between Lemon and Orange Streets. Read more about the Summer Street Jam location change.

The Downtown Street Jam is coming back from the dead. But unlike a zombie, it would be a mistake to cut the head off it.

Saturday, Aug. 3 is the date for the return and Los Angeles-based band The Aggrolites will headline the show. Plus, there will be support from Riverside ska legends The Debonaires, a special gig from Tribal Lust and the Horny Natives and The Pac Men.

The free concert series started in 2009 and celebrated a number of artists on the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department’s mobile stage, including hometown punk heroes Voodoo Glow Skulls, hard rockers Smile Empty Soul, percussionist Poncho Sanchez and soul singer Brenton Wood over its two year run.

The original concert series brought together the Riverside Downtown Partnership, local downtown bars and restaurants and the city of Riverside to attract people to the area to combat the construction downtown, but the series eventually fizzled.

As the nightlife has grown downtown, hopefully the return of the Downtown Street Jam is just the first of many more events spotlighting local music.

The all ages show will run 2-9 p.m.

Visit the event’s Facebook page and the Riverside Downtown Partnership website for more information.

RIVERSIDE: Rockabilly and burlesque meet at Mission Tobacco Lounge

Sandbox Bullies (Contributed Image)

Who needs the Hootenanny in Orange County when you can have a Hoedown in the I.E.? The Ripperside Hoedown happens Saturday, July 6 at Mission Tobacco Lounge in Riverside with rockabilly bands and live burlesque.

Sandbox Bullies, Crash Cadillacs, The Lake Pipes and Kon Tiki will perform.

9 p.m. Saturday, July 6, Mission Tobacco Lounge, 3630 University Ave., Riverside, $8, 21 and older only.

Visit www.facebook.com/SANDBOXBULLIESsince1998 for more information.

RIVERSIDE: The Logs come back to life

The Logs have reunited and will play Kim’s on Friday, July 5. (Contributed Image)

Punk band The Logs is back together and playing Friday, July 5, at Kim’s Sports Bar and Grill in Riverside.

The other bands performing are from all over the map. Blank Expressions have ties to Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, but The Ill Motion is on tour from New Mexico, Mad Judy is coming down from Northern California and Saint Christopher hails from Nebraska.

8 p.m. Friday, Kim’s Sports Bar and Grill, 2994 Rubidoux Blvd., Riverside, $5 at the door, 21 and older only.

Visit www.reverbnation.com/thelogscalifornia for more on the band.

PE LIVE: Watch Davis Fetter perform ‘I Loved You So’

Davis Fetter performs for PE Live (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)

Davis Fetter, who grew up in Riverside, has always been a great sport about bringing his music to PE Live.

I’m just thrilled he’s starting to get even more recognition in SoCal. Lately, his song “I See Love,” which he also did at our PE Live session, has been topping the playlist on Kat Corbett’s Locals Only show Sunday nights on KROQ 106.7 FM.

Here’s the fantastic song “I Loved You So” that Fetter performed for us. If you keep watching you can see his acoustic version of “I See Love,” too.

Click on the graphic for more information on Fetter and to watch more PE Live videos.