Category Archives: Music

PE LIVE: Watch Brandon Thomas De La Cruz perform ‘White Roses’

Brandon Thomas De La Cruz performs at The Press-Enterprise for a PE Live session. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)

Brandon Thomas De La Cruz performs at The Press-Enterprise for a PE Live session. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)

This week, we reached more than 60 videos of exclusive performances and interviews with Inland musicians on PE Live.

Our latest performer is Brandon Thomas De La Cruz, who just put out the fantastic record “Common Miracles.”

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This performance is of “White Roses,” the lead-off track on the album. You can hear more from him at http://brandonthomasdelacruz.bandcamp.com/.

Let the video play to hear all three of his performances and an interview with yours truly.

You can see all of our PE Live performances at http://x.pe.com/PE_Live

RIVERSIDE FOX: The Rides, Sheila E., among musical acts

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy front man Scotty Morris on the Holmes Amphitheatre stage during Jazz in the Pines. (2011/File Photo)

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy front man Scotty Morris on the Holmes Amphitheatre stage during Jazz in the Pines. (2011/File Photo)

I just posted about the initial fall lineup of the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, which adds artists like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to a lineup with some artists previously announced, like Boz Scaggs on Sept. 14.

Beyond La Sierra University and the Masters of Harmony Christmas concerts (Dec. 7 and 8, respectively) we’ll see five concerts with known recording artists and one ABBA tribute act for the rest of 2013.

All of the tickets will be on sale Friday, July 19 via Ticketmaster and the Fox Box Office, which tends to have fewer fees. Read about the events announced at the Fox for the rest of 2013

Boz Scaggs, Sept. 14

Boz Scaggs has come throught he region a few times over the years (casinos, the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, Thornton Winery in Temecula on Sept. 15), but Sept. 14 marks his Fox debut.

Tickets start at $47 and go up to $99 for VIP, before fees. With the fees, they’re up to $63-$121.20 on Ticketmaster.

Best Boz Scaggs song ever: “Lido Shuffle” (close second: ballad “We’re All Alone”)

The Rides, Sept. 24

Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg make up blues supergroup The Rides, which will release a debut album, “Can’t Get Enough,” on Aug. 27 on 429 Records. The song has some originals, covers and a vintage Stills song. The group started as an homage to the album “Super Session,” which featured Stills and Goldberg. Beth Hart will open the show.

Tickets are $29-$89 before fees via Ticketmaster, $42.45-$72.70 after fees.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sept. 28

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy brings their big band sound back to the Fox in September.  Fun fact: Member Alex “Crazy Legs” Henderson grew up in Riverside.

Tickets are $22-$45 before fees, $34.50-$59.95 after.

Also of note: Big Papa and the TCB, who just did PE Live with us, is opening the show. Always good to see local artists at the Fox, something that I hope continues when Live Nation comes in.

Check out the videos of Big Papa and the TCB on PE Live:

Sheila E., Oct. 26

Sheila E. is one of the great percussionists in music and she’s headed to Riverside. She’s played with artists as diverse as her father, Pete Escovedo, Prince and Diana Ross. Sheila E., like John Bonham, is one of the only artists that you WANT to see perform a drum solo. Also, “The Glamorous Life” is a REALLY great song.

Two others performer with local ties, Jessy J and Lakin, will open the show.

Tickets are $25-$75, before fees, $37.06-$93.30 after.

ABBA Mania, Nov. 23

Somehow, tribute acts are still really big, and apparently big enough to make it into the Fox every few months. Personally, I want to see a Eurovision-style battle with all of the ABBA tributes out there. No matter who was entered, the cast of the “Mamma Mia!” movie would come in last.

Tickets are $20-$57 before fees, $31.45-$73.25 after.

Bill Medley and Darlene Love, Dec. 28
I really want to write a short story called “The Righteous Brother and The Crystal” about this pairing. Both of them have made classic songs that you hear everywhere. EVERYWHERE. For Medley: “Unchained Melody,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, the theme song from “Just the Ten of Us.” For Love: “Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” “He’s a Rebel” and her annual stint performing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” on David Letterman’s final show before Christmas for more than 25 years.

The press release said “Celebrate the Holidays at the Fox” so I don’t know if it will still feature holiday music, even though it’s on Dec. 28, or what. Stay tuned for more. And stay tuned for this:

Thoughts on the lineup? I think Scaggs and Sheila E. will do well with the crowd. I’m also intrigued by The Rides. Plus, Bill Medley and Darlene Love will be there while the Festival of Lights is still going on, so that could be big.

RIVERSIDE: Fox Performing Arts Center announces fall 2013 lineup

The Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside has announced its 2013 fall season. (2012/File Photo)

The Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside has announced its 2013 fall season. (2012/File Photo)

The Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside has announced its lineup for the fall and there are some return guests, like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and new performers to the area, including Bill Medley.

Here are the details of the initial fall lineup:
Sept. 14, Boz Scaggs
Sept. 24, The Rides (Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg) and Beth Hart
Sept. 28, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, with local openers Big Papa and the TCB
Oct. 12 and 13, “Stomp”
Oct. 26, Sheila E. and Jessy J
Nov. 1, Anjelah Johnson
Nov. 8 and 9, “Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story”
Nov. 22, “Million Dollar Quartet”
Nov. 23, ABBA Mania
Dec. 7, La Sierra University “Sounds of the Season”
Dec. 8, Masters of Harmony annual Christmas concert
Dec. 12, “The Addams Family” (musical)
Dec. 20, “Miracle on 34th Street) (film)
Dec. 28, Bill Medley and Darlene Love

The tickets go on sale at noon on Friday, July 19.

Tickets are available at the Fox Performing Arts Center box office at 3801 Mission Inn Ave. and via Ticketmaster.

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.

The Fox kicks off its summer film series of Alfred Hitchcock films tonight, July 19, with “North By Northwest.”

For those of you following the saga of the Fox, the city is in talks with Live Nation to take over the operation of the venue.  Last month, the Riverside City Council extended the contract of current operator Bill Malone for three to six months while the transition happens. The press release announcing the events had Malone’s name on it.

If you want to know what might be ahead for the Fox with new leadership of Live Nation, check out this interactive graphic.

REDLANDS: Voodoo Glow Skulls to play Splash Kingdom

Voodoo Glow Skulls play Splash Kingdom on Sunday, July 21. (Anthony Munoz Photography/Contributed Image)

Voodoo Glow Skulls play Splash Kingdom on Sunday, July 21. (Anthony Munoz Photography/Contributed Image)

Splash Kingdom in Redlands has been not only keeping people cool this summer, but providing entertainment.

This weekend, Assuming We Survive will perform a free show at the park on Saturday, July 20.

Then, on Sunday, July 21, Riverside skacore heroes Voodoo Glow Skulls will headline a show that also includes Divide The Day, The StillWinter, Late Night Revival, Wreckin Katz, Lost Cause, Inside Riot and Willie Psycho.

Also, Adema will be performing at the water park on Aug. 3.

8 p.m. Saturday, Assuming We Survive, Splash Kingdom,1101 California St., Redlands, free, all ages,

4 p.m. Sunday, Voodoo Glow Skulls and more, July 21, $10, all ages.

TEMECULA: The Vault hosts Angry Samoans, new open mic night

The Coltranes will open for the Angry Samoans at The Vault in Temecula. (Contributed Image)

The Coltranes will open for the Angry Samoans at The Vault in Temecula. (Contributed Image)

The Legends of Punk and Ska Series continues at The Vault in Temecula on Friday, July 19 with The Angry Samoans.

The band will be joined by The Coltranes, Ready Steady Go!, DVT and The Walking Toxins.

The Vault is also kicking off its new open mic night (which will run the last Thursday of every month) on July 25.

You can get in for free with a donation of canned food, a clean pair of shoes or item of clothing. Otherwise, it’s a $2 donation to attend.

Email thevaultbooking@live.com for more information.

Angry Samoans, 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, The Vault, 41607 Enterprise Cir. N. Temecula, $12, all ages.

Open Mic Night, 8 p.m. Thursday, $2 or free with donation.

Visit www.thevaultconcerts.com for more information.

MUSIC: Electric Valentine vs. ‘The Stamos’

Electric Valentine just released their new album, "Circuitry." (Electric Valentine/Facebook)

Electric Valentine just released their new album, “Circuitry.” (Electric Valentine/Facebook)

Electropop act Electric Valentine (which started in Riverside and features former residents Chris Qualls and Lauren Baird, who used to be in A Kiss Could Be Deadly) just released their new album “Circuitry” this week and there’s a song named after a special Greek in all of our lives.

That’s right, before John Stamos fever took over with the big news of the Jesse and the Rippers reunion coming to “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” on Friday, Electric Valentine had “The Stamos.”

The video is amazing. Everywhere you look, there’s Stamos. (FYI, the lyrics aren’t family-friendly).

Also, that video made me want to watch this one, John Stamos singing “Forever.”

Back to EV, you might remember Electric Valentine from dancing to them in “Dance Central 2.”

Visit www.electricvalentine.com for more on the band.

They are having an album release dance party at the Silverlake Lounge on Saturday, July 20.  The Silverlake Lounge is located at 2906 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.

UPLAND: Say True celebrates ‘Monument’ release at The Wire

Say True is celebrating the release of new EP "Monument" with a show at The Wire in Upland on July 19. (Contributed Image)

Say True is celebrating the release of new EP “Monument” with a show at The Wire in Upland on July 19. (Contributed Image)

Although The Ready Aim Fire! called it quits nearly a year ago, the demise of the group made way for a new project with big promise.

Say True, which celebrates new release “Monument” with a show at The Wire in Upland on Friday, July 19, sees former members of the group rising with a different sound.

The songs started with Donavan Foy, an Ontario resident and co-owner of The Wire, back when he was the drummer for The Ready Aim Fire!

“It wasn’t a big priority,” he said.

After the group dissolved, Foy started developing the songs that would become “Monument,” with The Ready Aim Fire! leader Dave Trautz. The pair worked on the songs and were really happy with the results.

Friend and fellow musician Mike Jimenez, of Science Fiction Theater, heard the songs and offered to play the drums on the tracks.

RELATED: Watch Science Fiction Theater on PE Live

Trautz, who engineered, mixed and mastered “Monument,” played most of the other instruments.

Although the group features members of The Ready Aim Fire! the sound is very different.

The songs on “Monument” have a similar sonic quality to those of Jimmy Eat World’s finest album, “Clarity.” Foy said the collection of songs became a bit of a concept album about growing up.

“The sound lends itself to nostalgia and reflection,” Foy said.

Listen to the songs off Say True’s “Monument.”

And there’s a bit of nostalgia with the live lineup, too, which features members of The Ready Aim Fire! Foy is the frontman, Trautz is playing bass and Gabe Rodriguez and Brandon Lancaster playing guitar.

“It’s fun to be playing with these guys again,” Foy said.

Another friend, Iron Sharpens Iron’s Seattle Gage-Chavez, is playing drums live with the band.

Say True hopes to play more shows around Southern California for the rest of the year, but Foy plans to do some writing as well.

“By the time we’re sick of playing these new songs we’ll have another batch,” he said.

For Friday’s show, Castle Pines, Upstate, The Letdown and Rob the Future are also on the bill.

RELATED: Watch Castle Pines on PE Live

7 p.m. Friday, The Wire, 247 N. Second Ave., Upland, $10, all ages, www.thewire247.com.

Visit www.saytruemusic.com or http://saytrue.bandcamp.com for more information.

Get the latest in local music news at the Audio File blog at http://blog.pe.com/audio-file and follow Vanessa Franko on Twitter at @vanessafranko.

RIVERSIDE: The Debonaires release new album ‘Movin’

Debonaires

The Debonaires have a new album and they’re celebrating with a release show at the Mission Tobacco Lounge in Riverside on July 20. (Contributed Image)

At long last The Debonaires are releasing their new album.

The band is celebrating with a release show on Saturday, July 20 at Mission Tobacco Lounge in Riverside.

The new album, “Movin’,” features Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers, and Chris Murray, the latter of whom is also performing at the show.

Plus, Quita Penas is on the bill, too.

8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Mission Tobacco Lounge, 3630 University Ave., Riverside, $10, 21 and older only.

Visit www.facebook.com/thedebonaires for more on the show.

Check out some of the band’s music below:

RIVERSIDE: Concert raises funds for pedestrian killed in crash

Tribal Lust and the Horny Natives are playing a benefit in Riverside. ( Eric Amelang/Contributed Image)

Tribal Lust and the Horny Natives are playing a benefit in Riverside. ( Eric Amelang/Contributed Image)

A number of Riverside-based bands are getting together to raise money for the family of Michael “Micky” Manuel, a Riverside resident who was killed early in the morning of Saturday, July 13 when a drunken driver struck him.

The concert will be at Jack’s Bar and Grill in Riverside and will raise money for the funeral expenses.

The Logs, Tribal Lust and the Horny Natives, Judas Beefcake, Blackout Experiment and Lost Cause are bands that have already been announced for the event.

8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Jack’s Bar and Grill, 10323 Cypress Ave., Riverside, donations accepted.

Visit the event page on Facebook for more information.

TEMECULA: The 4019’s open for The Fixx at Wiens

The Forty Nineteens will play in Temecula. (Contributed Image)

The Forty Nineteens will play in Temecula. (Contributed Image)

Temecula-based alt rockers, The 4019’s, (who sometimes spell their name out as The Forty Nineteens) will open for The Fixx at Wiens Family Cellars on Saturday, July 20.

The band is working on a new album for release this year.

6 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Wiens Family Cellars, 35055 Via Del Ponte, Temecula, $45-$95 for individuals. Tables are also available.

Visit www.goldencrownproductions.com for tickets and www.thefortynineteens.com for more on the band.