THE FRESNAN

FresGeek Weekend: Metal, Indie, Rock, Ska, Fresno, You

After you go indie film watching, maybe stay out and enjoy some Fresno music. But what should you check out exactly?

FRIDAY

CROSSROADS: Fresno Metaallll is what's going on tonight with HateFX, Grooveyard, Red Castle Army and Heavy Blackbelts. [Start: 9 Cost: 5]

KUPPAJOES: Coming down from Sac Town is Reggie Ginn. Also joining in the all-ages indie fun is Sing The Body, Vanessa Vasquez and Masquerade. [Doors 7:30 Cover: 6]

STARLINE: Ohhhh, this is a big one with the ever Fresno popular Stone Foxes coming back to town - these guys are a little more popular everytime they return. Catch'em before they are too big for Starline. Fresnans, Strange Vine and Style Like Revelators are awesome and there too. [Doors 8:30 Cost:6]

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: A very cool show! Fresno's shoegazzing masters, The Sleepover Disaster, will play Fresno ambassadors to three out of town bands: Blue Skies For Black Hearts (Portland), The Parties (SF) and the Bye Bye Blackbirds (Oakland). [Start: 9:30 Cost: 5]

THE LUCKY 13: Rocking Highway 99 will be Saints of Insanity, Synezra and Gatja.  [Start: 9:30 Cover: 6]

SATURDAY

>>>Some ska at Lucky 13 with Hooligans.>>>Our favorite punksters, It'll Grow Back will be at Audie's Olympic with bands like Infinite Agression [Time: 9 Cover 6].>>>Shuvelhead and HIPEX is at Starline [Time:9 Cover 6].>>> And one of Fresno's hotest bands, Motel Drive, will be at Milano's:

 

SUNDAY

The Wheels Of Fortune return to Audie's Olympic to give you somewhere cool to go on a Sunday night [Listen to some Wheels at KFSR]. Playing along is Spindrift and Jason Simon (Dead Meadow). [Time: 9 Cost: ?]

WHATCHA GOT?
Remember, don't be shy about telling us what we missed or about pumping up or giving updates on listed shows by leaving a comment!

Released: Today Is Indie Film Day in Fresno... Apparently

The good folks at Fresno Filmworks are giving Fresnans a heads-up about three indie films opening in Fresno today - a very rare and awesome event. All the films look good too. The flicks are:

The Hurt Locker  (playing at Edwards):

Fres-Video: Kopi Pimps Fresno Tweeps For Great Day

It was The Great Fresno Tweetup and Kopi was out making Fresno Tweeps say stuff:

Happening Tonight: Fresno Twitter Hookups and Pop Punks @ Audie's Olympic

Yes. We know all about the big public Tweep Orgy at The Chuck:

 

But after that, The Oly has Fresno pop punkers Scifi Nightmares with the touring pop punkers the Rational Anthem and Turkish Techno:

 

Fresno Talk Radio Needs Somebody That Doesn't Remember When Manchester Center Was Awesome

Is it really that hard for mainstream Fresno radio to have a talk show with a host under 40? Or one that could actually talk about local stuff daily? Maybe. Let's see:

Ray Ray Factor
Mr. Fresno Radio King (he is, just ask him), Ray Appleton. How in the hell has this guy dominated, and we mean DOMINATED, so many years, talking about stuff from only one side of the fence and, at times, being a total asshole to his own callers/listeners? Why does he barely talk about Fresno? (Excluding the Water Wars and when he steals content from the Fresno Bee.) Is it just that only old white people listen to talk radio or is there something we're not getting?

Bubba Christ
Our former Mayor, Alan Bubba Carlos Brown Autry, has a show on 1300 KYNO from 10 to Noon. It's ahhh... it's something. We gotta say it's more entertaining than Appleton's. Problem is, half the show Bubba talks about President Obama being a lair and a Socialist, one quarter he talks about Jesus and the rest is about randomness. Somebody give Bubba a focus or send him to a Christian station where he'll be happier and won't have to worry about being boring.

Front Row Tea Bagger
KMJ's Chris Daniel has the most airtime in Fresno to work with (even more than the King). But even HE can't focus on Fresno very much (aside from talking about teabagging). And, BTW, that one doesn't count as being local, it's a national thing. Anyway, Chris came out of the box with a lot of potential, talking about Fresno, having a little bit of a younger perspective (we're using "younger" extremely loosely). But he's bit on the whole Tea Party thing and hasn't let go... *yawn*. You've got four hours to talk there, Chris, how about some more Fresno?

New "Kid" On The Dial
Well, he isn't new to local radio, he just kinda sounds like it sometimes. We're talking about Fresno Bee columnist Bill McEwen. He has a fairly new show on 1300 KYNO from Noon to 1. This one has promise because he has been consistently talking about Fresno related stuff. Let's hope he doesn't get away from that. And big respect for having our favorite Fresno radio personality and former Bill-Mac co-host, Tony D'Addato, on Fridays to talk sports.

So there is one possible bright spot in Fresno's mainstream talk radio. Too bad there is nobody out there that doesn't need hair plugs.

Focused On Fresno: Parking Jackasses Edition

Spotted in the parking lot behind Sequoia in the Tower: A "Smart Car" using two spaces to park. And here people always think it's the dudes with the big trucks that are the dickheads.

 

*If you spot something blog worthy around Fresno, bust out your camera phone and email your pic to: mike[at]thefresnan[dot]com.

Fres-Video: You Did Say 'No Questions Asked', Right?

So in August, the City of Fresno and Crimestoppers is having a "buy your gun day", where they will give you up to $200 for your weapon. They don't seem to care where ya got it:

Here's an idea: Maybe go to one of these places and buy the cheapest gun there (Can you find a gun for under $200? We have no idea.) and make a little extra cash by having the city buy it from you.

Or just yank the one in your grandpa's closet. You know he'll never miss it and you'll have a couple hundred bucks to take him to Hometown Buffet with.

Indie Tuesday: A Bunch Of Names We Can't Make Sense Of

While Audie's Olympic still has their version of Indie Tuesday (tonight has Nate Grace and DJ Griffin), Starline will be countering with independent hip-hop, featuring: KP with the Fresh Band, Shongenius, Pooh Don 1, Drae-Doe, Kalikid and some extra sauce with DB and the Struggle. Check the info:

Drunk About Town: Fresno Band In The Streets Edition

If you're currently in a school marching band in Fresno and ever wonder "What the hell am I going to do with this instrument knowledge I have?" Well, wonder no more. Here is what will happen to ya: You'll play outside Livingstone's for drunkards (watch out for naughty language kids):

Dudes, these guys are awesome and from the Fresno band, Yesterday's Chonies and we like them lots - even if we try and sorta cap on them in the name of humor while we watch and listen in amazement. Chonies will be at Audie's Olympic September 1st

Water Meters Are Coming, Fresno - We're All Screwed

Enjoy your slip-n-slides and longass showers now because Meter Day will hit your neighborhood soon enough. It may be time to empty your pool and charge skaters to come in.

In the words of the prophet, Pvt. Hudson "That's it, man. Game over, man. Game over..."

Bloggiest Moment of the Week: Indie Bloggers Impress

This week's moment is expanded to two, because, dammit, they both deserve some recognition. They were not just posts about other stuff going on (like this one), they actually created something that wasn't there before and wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for it indie blogging:

MOMENT #1
Dumbdrum.com blogger, Bryan Harley, wasn't satisfied with Google Street View's limitations of mapping only streets their little geeky-picture-taking car can drive down. So, rather than waiting around for Google tricycles?, Bryan took his own shots of, in this case, the Fulton Mall and posted them on a site made for just a thing. So now, courtesy on an indie blogger, you can take a virtual drive down the Fulton Mall and re-ask yourself: "Should the Fulton Mall be reopened for traffic?"

MOMENT #2
Kiel Famellos Schmidt. He's not just an architectural design nerd, he's a blogger too. And, like most of us, he doesn't get paid for blogging. But that didn't stop him from doing a pro-style interview with Diego Velasco of M.W. Steele Group. They are the group that is helping with the Tower District Streetscape Plan and participated in Saturday's meeting on said plan.

BONUS MOMENTS
>>>Where are the best spots to park downtown? >>>Mike Oz adds Kathy Griffin to his growing stash of celeb interviews. >>>Blake Jone's wonders how to get the "Regular Fresnan" pluged in to what's going on. >>>Will Farm Aid come to Fresno?

Keep up the good work, Fresno bloggers. See ya next Saturday night at 1:01 for another Bloggiest Moment.

Fresgeek: Your Totally Not Complete Guide To Music In Fresno This Weekend

After you mourn Jason getting told to get off the stage, then watch some local indie television and Buster Posey being a Grizzlie, head out to enjoy Fresno's music scene. Here is some info to help you along:

FRIDAY

KUPPAJOES: The temps on the patio won't feel that bad while listening to Bako's Vogue In The Movement, Seven And Nine, Fellow, Novice and the Thomas Confession. [Doors: 7 Cover: 7] 

STARLINE: Still searching, Starline, a little help - get this updated.

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: We always love a good CD release party, tonight Robopop will do the releasing with Cheetahsaurus, Beastmaker and DJ JohnnyQ keeping things smooth. [Start: 9 Cost: 6] 

THE LUCKY 13: It's a place where everybody knows rock's name, tonight it's Fail To Breathe, Dissonence and Rok Sawlid. [Start: 9:30 Cost: 6]

ORCHARD PARTY: Who says Rolinda doesn't know how to party? And yes, you're invited too. There will be comedians and Fresno's The Escorts (click for more party info) will be playing. [Time 7 Cost: Free]

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

>>>The Stellar Corpses and stopping by to play Audie's Olympic.>>>It's ladies night out at Tachi Palace.>>>A lot of bands at CYC including: Eskapo.  

Remember, don't be shy about telling us what we missed or pimping-out what you or your boyfriend's band are doing this weekend, by leaving a comment.

What say you? Is it us or is it kinda light this week?

Win A Pass To An Early Screening of: A PERFECT GETAWAY

UPDATE!: This contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone that commented, winners have been contacted. See you there on Tuesday!

We are all kinds of blog-happy to reward you, again, for reading through our Fresno nerdyass posts, by giving away movie passes. This time you can win a pass (good for two) to a special early screening, on Tuesday August 4th, of the film: A PERFECT GETAWAY - IN THEATERS AUGUST 7.

Keeping it simple again, to win the pass, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post about anything, enter your email where it asks, and you're entered. We'll email you later to let you know you're not a loser. If you won last time, it's cool, you can try for this one too.

A PERFECT GETAWAY has been rated R  (Restricted: Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent Or Adult Guardian) for graphic violence, language including sexual references and some drug use.)

Other than this film being RATED R (woohoo, sexual references!), what else is there to know?

Cliff and Cydney (Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich) are an adventurous young couple celebrating their honeymoon by backpacking to one of the most beautiful, and remote, beaches in Hawaii.  Hiking the wild, secluded trails, they believe they’ve found paradise.  But when the pair comes across a group of frightened hikers discussing the horrifying murder of another newlywed couple on the islands, they begin to question whether they should turn back.  

Unsure whether to stay or flee, Cliff and Cydney join up with two other couples, and things begin to go terrifyingly wrong.  Far from civilization or rescue, everyone begins to look like a threat and nobody knows whom to trust.  Paradise becomes hell on earth as a brutal battle for survival begins…

More info on A PERFECT GETAWAY is at: www.iamrogue.com/aperfectgetaway

Side note: Steve Zahn is always awesome and hella underrated:

OH! LOOK OUT! It's the always fun disclaimer:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Only readers who submit a comment on this post are eligible. Winners will be notified by e-mail. Only one entry per person, entries with duplicate IP addresses will be eliminated. No substitutions or transfer of winners. Tickets are not redeemable for cash. Winner releases all sponsors of liability regarding use and enjoyment of the prizes. Tax liabilities and insurance, if any, are sole responsibility of the winner.

Happening Tonight: Fresno Music Options

First, there is the Whiskey Avengers and King Sugar at Audie's O:

 

The Fresnan Presents: Flowing With Famous - 'Ask Paula' Edition

Mr. Fresno Famous, Famous Whitewater, and Fresno's Town Goob are back with another episode of Fresno's first podcast: Flowing With Famous. This episode, we are lucky enough to hang out with Fresno Bee writer Paula Lloyd. We talk about Paula's awesome Monday column, Ask Me, Fresno history, newspaper reporting and many more podcast-y things.

Download it: flowingwithfamous123.mp3

Or play it: