THE FRESNAN

What You Missed Last Night: Being on Stage

Too bad you weren't at Starline last night. You could have been up on stage with Elmo Marconi, for the last time.

No More Elmo in Fresno

Tonight is the last show for Fresno's Elmo Marconi and, by proxy, "Hand Castle". Starline will be hosting this indie rock swan song. Also appearing is Circles and Circles, Buffalo Guns and Hella Handsome.

You should totally go because, one day, somebody is going to start a conversation off with "Remember that band Elmo Marconi?" And you can be all "Umm yeah, wasted. We went to their last show, at Starline, last Wednesday night. Dumbass."

A Fresnan Public Service Announcement

Attention fellow Fresnans! There is no ranch dressing left at the Whole Foods salad bar. I took the last of it. So screw you, next guy!

Indie Tuesday: The Return of Beandip

It's been seven months.  Fresno rock has needed these guys.

City Wide Internet Porn is Coming?

Looks like the city of Fresno is trying to be cool like Frisco or, umm, Clovis. Fresno wants citywide WiFi (I wonder if those county island bums would get access too?). One nerd-site says the proposed model doesn't work in other cities.

Regardless of whether it works or not, Fresno is welcoming proposals to build it and the city is requesting 95% indoor [throat clear] penetration [insert Beavis and Butt-head laughter here]. Indoor penetration is good, I like. But once in a while, a little outdoor penetration is nice too. Don't forget that.

Monday Hangover: Cabo Wabo is coming if it kills Sammy

So you know that Cabo Wabo is coming to Granite Park, right? Yeah, I know it feels like it's been coming for ten years now, but I think it may actually be happening... soon. Look at the pic, that's a lot of painting and building to not open something.

When Fresno Wabo does open, it will be as big as the OG Cabo Wabo and not small, like the one in South Lake. That comes straight from Sammy Hagar's mouth. He did a concert in May at Harrah's in Tahoe and somebody tossed up a Fresno Wabo sign. Sammy, in a burned-out-on-the-idea-of-Fresno-Wabo tone, announced to the crowd that Fresno Wabo is coming and it will be big, and that he is trying to get a three- to four-thousand seat amphitheater built next to it.

How 'bout we just get the place opened before we start talking crazy, Sam?

Fresno's Bloggiest Moment of the Week: Sportsbuzz Hits Back

Yo!  It's 1:01 in the morning and that means it's time for what The Fresnan thinks is the Fresno blogoshpere's bloggiest item of the past week:

In case you haven't noticed, there is a new blog in town called Wide World of Fresno Sports.  Creator Ed Stewart started the blog mostly to show the Fresno Bee's "Sportsbuzz" how to really write a sports blog from a Fresno perspective.

Well this week, suddenly, after Wide World has been trying to send it to the Bee, the Sportsbuzz has been upgraded.  Curious timing.  The new version is brighter and has more pics and linkage.  But the writing still has the blandness that dogs journalists when they try blogging.  Apparently, journalism school doesn't have a class on snarkiness.

[Disclosure:  I am a contributor to Wide World of Fresno Sports, but I haven't posted yet.  Proving I suck more than the Sportsbuzz.]

Saturday Fresgeek: Get Super Lucky Tonight

Super.  Lucky.  Catz.  Tonight!

*Don't forget, tonight at 1:01, see what we at the Fresnan deemed Bloggiest Moment of the Week!

A Return to Zapp's

It’s Friday and my guest on “Move on UP” tonight is none other than local musician (and friend) Niilo Smeds. We’ll talk about his recent tour with “Man Man” and what makes him excited in the way of local options. That all takes place at 7pm on 88.1 FM.

After that I’ll get in the Toyota and rush home to pick up my music, some Soulflower Compilations, and a few rows of 45’s I made as decorative as possible for tonight’s jump off over at “Zapp’s Park”. If you’ve never been to Zapp’s you should think about checkin it out. It’s a tiny spot just south of Olive on Blackstone. It share’s the odd distinction of having the ladies room attached to the Chinese food spot next door. So while you wash your hands you usually get a whiff or two of Special Chow Mein, but that’s beside the point.

The spot is well known for attracting an audience ready for live bands. Back in the day I had the pleasure of seeing Fresno favorites like Heavy Weather, Bennett Clark Funk Jam, Mofo, DLF and Papa Bear just to name a few. Even though the place was small it always left a big impact on me. I guess I’ve always had a soft spot for joints that have that juke joint aesthetic, so in 2003 I asked the owners if they’d allow me to throw a party there…and well that was the beginning.

Friday Fresgeek: Clovis Barnyards

Look, I don't like Clovis any more than you do, pal.  But sometimes you've got to bite the bullet and head out there with a big hat or whatever.  If you find yourself in Clov-i tonight, check this show out.

San Diego's The Silent Comedy, Chase Pagan from Arkansas (How many Arkansas acts come though here anyway?) , and our own Robopop.  No big hats required.

If you find Clovis too dangerous on a Friday night, hang out with our own Devoya at Zapps Park.

Have a Fresno Venue Suitable for Tigers Saturday?

Hey Fresno bands and promoters.  Why ya got to be such jerks?  What am I talking about?  The Republic Tigers are in town Saturday and they have no place to play that night.  Their original venue fell though and they've been looking for a new one.  Nobody is coming through.

They've played Letterman guys and they have catchy Postal Service beats combined with whimsical Shins like singing.  So surely there is a spot they can fill on a Saturday in Fresno. This is a band that can bring some people out.  But maybe spots are just too hard to come by in this town.  Nobody seems to want to make room. 

Stop being douchebags Fresno Musician-sphere - that's for bloggers.

Chalk Up Another Title For Fresno

Fresno County is the number one agriculture county in the country with 5.3 billion in production of...ag...stuff.  That's right.  Better recognize, other US counties.  You hear that, Iowa counties?  You too, Kansas.  Suck it, Nebraska.  You FAIL!  Fresno is the bestest.

Too bad we won't win that title next year.  We have no water for growin' stuff.

What You Missed Last Night: Circles and Circles

This is where you were not, last night.  Don't worry, we checked it out for you:

Focused On Fresno #7: Where This Be?

It's time once again for another focused on Fresno picture.  See if you can guess what Fresno County town this was taken in.  Answer after the break.

Indie Tuesday: Circles and Cakes

Is it weird for a band to have an anniversary party after only one year of existence?  Maybe.  But there has been weirder anniversary parties. Really though, given the volatile nature of keeping a band together, one year actually is a reason to stop and party.

Tonight, join Circles and Circles at Starline as they celebrate their relatively lengthy togetherness.  They invited Fresno's Aspen Hollow, Akasha and LA's Ready Aim Fire, to play and eat cake with them.  Seriously.  There will be cake.

Enjoy some show related videos after the break...