THE FRESNAN

BANDGEEK!: Burn Your Life Down, Western, Mongrel City, King Sugar, Palm Kids, Abbey Road and Furious

Saturday feels thin again. Not sure what that's about. There's still enough for us to get all Bandgeeeeek-y with though:

FRIDAY

THE CYC: A Pink Teeth DIY mini Fest with Young Turks (Portland), Sloths (Portland), Colony (New York), Burn Your Life Down (Seattle), Stress Relief (Redding), plus locals Grow, Gorilla Stomp, and Cabin Fire:

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: Fresno's Westerns and The Red Coats plus some surprises:

KUPPAJOE'S: Seattle pop-rock from Dylan Jakobsen, plus Midnight Mirage, My Beautiful Surrender, & Mongrel City:

ENGLEMANN CELLARS: Wine, vineyards and King Sugar:

THAI PALMS: Nice lineup for Homegrown Fridays this week with Tommy Marquez, Palm Kids and Iwanaga:

BANDGEEK!: Get All Your Bandness In Friday Because Saturday Is Sorta Shitay

Friday is crazy good. Saturday? Not so much. Decide for yourself, Fresno music lovers. It's BANDGEEEEEEK!:

FRIDAY

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: It would seem that San Francisco's Ambassadors of Gypsy Rock, Diego's Umbrella, is trying to build a relationship with Fresno seeing as they come here often. Fine with us just as long as they don't want to date exclusivley. Also playing is The Low Rollers and local backing for this show by Passion Bucket and Brian Kenny Fresno:

FULTON 55: Santa Cruz soul titans The Inciters. Plus Fresno ska band Pocket Money. Opening is Danielle Rondero (featuring Jay Rossette on guitar) performing a selection of acoustic Amy Winehouse songs:

KUPPAJOE'S: Los Angeles post-alt band The Victor Ship with Fresno's own Dependence and Le Wolves:

STARLINE: We hope the Dollar Store across Fern has enough Aqua Net on their shelves because TUFF is here to put some hair in your metal. Local backing from Death Alley Motor Cult, Nowhere Near and Gutterfish. Info:

FRESNO BREWING COMPANY: Fresno's Mercy Fist playing with The Unbelievable and Cubic Ton. [Free, 7:30, All Ages]

BANDGEEK!: Rock Expos, Cabin Fires, Blue Crowns and Mud Mouths

All the live music info that's fit to post. Let's BANDGEEK!:

FRIDAY

KUPPAJOE'S: Los Angeles grindcore from Silent Planet, plus Visalia death metal from Catharsus, Madera metalcore from Variance, Fresno metalcore from Failed Creation and San Diego/Fresno indie rock from Hotel Books:

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Punk, Rock and Ska will be represented with Gamblers Mark, Blue Crown and Roger Perry:

FULTON 55: In memorium of Dan Tucker and a fundraiser to help the Tucker family with final expenses. Music provided by Levi Tucker, That Guy Kevin, Tyler James, and Blind Bison (John Tucker). [$10, 9pm, 21+]

THAI PALMS: Don't worry about a cover and enjoy JJ Brown, Your Hero Is A Villain (acoustic version) and Slow Motion Heartbreak:

STARLINE: Big EP release party for local rock band Session. Joined by Running The Risk and Mercy Fist. [$8, 9pm, 21+]

THE NEXT BAR: Fresno rock from Palm Kids, 30 Ways Insane and Less Than Human. [$5, 9pm, 21+]

SATURDAY

BLACKBEARD'S: You get a chance to drink beer at Blackbeard's you take it man! The golf "courses" will never be the same we thinks after this. Lot's of stuff happening, most important is the music. Provided by the likes of locals Bully The Kid, Checkered Past, Homebrew, Dislodic, Rise Before The Fall and more. Big-un out of town acts like Katastro, Michale Graves (ex Misfits) and Pacific Dub:

BANDGEEK!: Coast Into Summer, Meet Olivia Mancini's Mates and Clash With Metal's Titans!

Your firework hangover should be cleared out by now. Time to get out there this weekend and enjoy some live music. LET'S BANDGEEK!!!

FRIDAY

KUPPAJOE'S: Fresno Coasts Into Summer with Rookie of the Year (NC), Challenger!, Eryn Woods, Clouds like Mountains, & Get Up & Go:

TOKYO GARDEN: Stopping in Fresno tonight, Olivia Mancini "Olivia writes pop songs. Upbeat, melody-driven, and not interested in being taken too seriously, Olivia-the-music is a lot like Olivia-the-person. Likable." There ya go. Go:

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: Comedy at Audie's? It makes sense when it's Neil Hamburger. Plus Brian Kenney Fresno opens so now we're totally getting it:

FULTON 55: Assless chaps are encouraged at Glam Corbra will be hitting the stage for a FREE event!:

THAI PALMS: Homegrown Fridays returns after a week off with Keep Your Fingers Crossed, 2 Hours Later and Relion:

BANDGEEK!: Strange Vine headlines and no more Ranch-ing in Clovis

Let's figure out what the hell is going on this weekend, shall we? It's BANDGEEEEK!:

FRIDAY

FULTON 55: They don't get much better folks. Maybe Fresno's best band, Strange Vine. That's fine right there. Also, back from entertaining the troops: Poor Man's Poison. Add to that the return of He's My Brother She's My Sister and you've got one hell of a show:

KUPPAJOE'S: Formally called In Oceans Common Crooks come to Fresno. Playing with Love Is, The Body Rampant, Mongrel City and Weary Hands:

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: Hard rock that's not to be messed with: Saviours, Meth Leppard and Handlebarz:

STARLINE: Rock with Lowcrawl, Death Alley Motor Cult, Vanishing Affair and Outside The Wire:

SWIGGS: Hey, not everyday old swiggers swigg swiggys has a show. Interesting one with a dude they call "The Subway Idol" Joe Taylor, coming all the way from New York. Famous Whitewater has told us all about him, so go read up and check out the show. [$10, 9:30, 21+]

BANDGEEK! Black Veils, White Gloves, Crooked Metal, Sad Horses, Fatty Cakes and Old Tires

Let's get some knowledge on what's doing down band-wise this weekend. Let's...BANDGEEEEK!:

FRIDAY

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: Fresno indie-folk-rock band The Long Black Veils headline this local rock show. Stellar support from Third Rail Power Trip and Llama Boy:

FULTON 55: Rising reggae band Sono Vero with Fresno's The White Glove Service and more:

CAFE REVUE: Forget the coffe, go to the back and rock with Lezayr and Mercy Fist:

ARTE AMERICAS: Santa Cruz' Audiafauna and some tasty Dusty Buns:

THAI PALMS: The Homegrown Fridays tradition continues, this week with Silva/Sonstegard, George Anthony and The Remedy:

BANDGEEK!: Via Coma, Session, From Under The Rug, The Violet Lights, Grassroots Festival, Beetles and more

If you're a band (or anything else) it has become well known now that only about 20% of your fans on Facebook actually see your posts. Confirming that Facebook sucks cyber shit.

Well 100% of your fans will see info about you and your show if they read The Fresnan and... BANDGEEK!:

FRIDAY

KUPPAJOE'S: Three-piece rock outfit from Lafayette, Via Coma, is touring on their new album "Figures" and are nice enough to stop in Fresno. They're hanging in Fresno with Atlas, I Do Not Exist and Le Wolves:

FULTON 55: Local rock from Session and The White Glove Service and Sea Of Sound:

FROM UNDER THE RUG: A local publishing company called "From Under The Rug" is having a art & music show to celebrate the book release of The Many Moons All In Orbit, Volume II. The company itself is a collaboration book of local Fresnans who have contributed art, writing, photography and short stories. Bands playing are Mane Horse, Grow, Asian Girls, The Milford Higgins and Cinco:

STARLINE: Rock local with Jabu, Babel and Firecat:

BANDGEEK!: Peter Case, Mercury Bullet, Gaza, Galye and her Bowties, Prince Parties and Red Airplanes

You just really have to love Friday night for the good mix of stuff. Saturday you may need to just dance it out with Prince.

How bout we BANDGEEEEEK!?:

FRIDAY

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: Tonight's big act, Peter Case, is one of those dudes you kinda know, should know, but maybe don't. He's been around a ton of people, influenced a ton. Singer of the LA based The Plimsouls whose song "A Million Miles Away" was a big 80's hit featured in the movie Valley Girl. But he never quite got over the "big-time" hump. Seriously, check out his resume, it's quite extensive. Point is the guy is talented and shouldn't be missed. Peter will go on first at 9:30 followed by Fresno's own The Backstabbers and Third Rail Power Trip. Good stuff, Fresno. [$8, 21+]:

FULTON 55: Stacked up with hard rock from Mercury Bullet, Beta State, Relax Reload:

C.A.F.E. INFOSHOP: Heads up for experiemental grindcore type stuff with Gaza (Salt Lake City, Utah), Cabin Fire (Fresnans), Tide Mouth (Santa Clarita), Grow (Fresno) and Gorrilla Stomp (Fresno):

STARLINE: Breakout hit from Rogue Festival, Gayle And The Bowties, playing with Fresno alt-country band, Back In The Valley:

KUPPAJOE'S: Time to check out Valkyrie Missile, The Current, The Red Airplanes and Mercy Fists:

Bandgeek!: Look. Decide. Go. Listen.

Just so we're all clear, these are things happening music-wise this weekend in Fresno. Yes, there have been better weekends, but there are still some gems if you want to look. That's what this post is here for. It's... BANDGEEK!:

FRIDAY

FULTON 55: Yes his dad can play guitar but Salvador Santana can score with younger women "TAKE THAT, PAPI!" If that isn't enough, THE Patrick Contreras is playing along with Santana tribute band (see what they did there?), Heavy Weather. Definately the show of the night:

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC:

THAI PALMS: The only consistent show North of Shaw is Homerown Fridays. This week it's Jayson Brooks, Screaming Me Me and From The Fallen:

CYC: Frequent Fresno flyers, Maya Over Eyes (San Jose) with Denver's Forty Fathoms and Wyoming's The History Of Hope. Plus locals like We Sunk The Mayflower:

KUPPAJOE'S: It's Kuppa's Summer Kick Off Benefit Show with Saving Temperance, Rachel Belman, SirenSinging and Karlo of The Unbelievable:

SPECTRUM ART GALLERY: Check out Niilo Smeds and Strawberry Jam. Featuring the photography of Gary Christiansen. [$2, 9pm, 21+]

BANDGEEK!: Saturday Is A Fresno Music Nerd's Dream Day

Nothing against the fine shows happening Friday night, but DAMN! foos, Saturday is going to be crazzetz. Enjoy the holiday weekend, Fresnans. Get out there and BANDGEEK!:

FRIDAY

FULTON 55: Come out and support Creative Fresno's Mural Project, proceeds go to bring more murals to Fresno (aka MURALTOWN!) Love the mix of bands on this one (complete with set times):  8:00 Lisa’s Big Night Out, 8:45 Suicide Lounge, 9:30 Lezayr, 10:15 Blake Jones & the Trike Shop and 11:00 Motel Drive:

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: Performing stuff off their newly released CD "Unashamed Portrial" is The Jay Smith Group (Jay Smith-keys/synth, Eva Scow-mandolin, Tyler Cravines-drums, Pat Olvera-bass). Plus The Experience with Eva Scow:

C.A.F.E. INFOSHOP: Reggae ska and punk represented with Iwanaga, Checkered Past and more:

THAI PALMS: Local talent, no cover, North Fresno... 2 out of 3 aint bad. Whatever The Matter, SixHandsMouth and Not Perfect Humans:

THE NEXT BAR: More Fresnan rock with Outside The Wire, Broken G String, Palm Kids and more:

BANDGEEK!: Record Store Day and Another Action Packed Weekend Of Fresno Music

National Record Store Day is Saturday so you know you'll have to hit up Spinners and maybe even Rasputin's this weekend. Also don't forget to hit up some of these shows:

FRIDAY

FULTON 55: New York City's OUTERNATIONAL, whose latest album features collaborations with Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers & Chickenfoot) and nine-time Latin Grammy winning-band, Calle 1. Also playing is Firecat (Fresno) and Chencha Berrinches from Los Angeles.

KUPPAJOE'S: They feel like a Fresno band because they're here all the time, Pitcture Atlantic. It's cool, visit as often as you like, guys, San Jose sucks anyways, right?! Playing with them tonight is Sahab, Golden Youth (Sac) and The Thomas Confession:

TOWER THEATRE: Fresno welcomes THE Ozomalti, plus our own 40 Watt Hype. Also there is the After Party at the Tower Lounge with DJs from the Soulflower Group, only $5 with show ticket - proceeds go to support Arte Américas. Tickets. [$20-$30, 8pm, All Ages]

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: Who cares that it's 420, any day is a good excuse to have Trey Tosh playing Audie's:

BANDGEEK!: A Busy Weekend Like This Just Makes Fresno That Much More Kick Ass

Welcome to our Bandgeek post, friend. Hope you can get your ass out there this weekend and put all this info to use. Now is the time when we Bandgeek:

FRIDAY

THE CYC: We usually try to lead off with our favorite flier of the particular day, this show has our favorite for sure... too killer. Plus it also has The Milford Higgins, Mane Horse, Remember Me In Therapy, Indian Taker, A Place Called Home and Hella Down!:

KUPPAJOE'S: The venue is back from vacation and featuring Culprit, Clouds Like Mountains, Children of Nova and Paragon of Animals. Details:

THE RANCH: Happy to see Religious Appeal come back with another Mixtape Party. This one features very excellent local bands Elmo Marconi, Light Thieves, Fast Car and Achievement House. If you're wondering how a mixtape party works, Religious Appeal breaks it down:

Create a mixed CD/tape of whatever song you'd like (takes are HIGHLY encouraged) and hand over your tape at the door. You'll receive a wristband to redeem for a different mixtape at the end of the night.

Get creative with the mixes! Write down your contact info to let people know who you are. Place your mix in an envelope, old DVD case, cigar box or whatever you'd like. Some favorite submissions from the past:

- a tape wrapped in foil, placed in a bag of fake blood
- a tape with nothing else but Mark Morrison's Return Of The Mack
- A CD/tape combo
- A person's old mix from when they were 14.

More info:

THE LAMP POST: Show featuring Westerns, All Good Things (Where have they been?) and Hocus Opus:

THAI PALMS: Homegrown music from The Dirty Dirties, Drexl and No Halo:

FULTON 55: You may remember '90s rock band Firehose. You may, we kinda think maybe we do. One dude who knows them and knows this is a important show is Famous Whitewater. They're on their way to Coachella, which is cool because we get to remember who they are before they do. There seems to be no flier for this one but tickets and info can be found here. [$20, 9:30, 21+]

JOE'S STEAKHOUSE: They're having a post Grizzlies Opening Night party with drinks, a late night menu and music from The Dirty Stomp. First 50 that come for the show get a Tioga Sequoia pint glass. [9-11pm, Free, All Ages]

C.A.F.E. INFOSHOP: A noisepop band all the way from London: Human Wave Attack. Punk from Petaluma with Puke N Rally. Fresno ska from Iwanaga. Punk from King City with Set Aside. Plus Chico thrash band, Chingado. [7pm, $3, All Ages]

BANDGEEK!: What Does Let's Go Bowling, The Soma Holidays and Bang Tango Have In Common?

Yet another fruitful weekend of music for Fresno. Sure hope you have Saturday morning to recover because Friday is going to be rude. Let's BANDGEEK!:

FRIDAY

FULTON 55: It's not often that one of Fresno's top bands of all time, Let's Go Bowling, plays so this one moves from a show to a EVENT:

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: If you like the Fay Wrays, then you probably like (or will like) The Soma Holidays. That's 'cause The Soma Holidays are kinda the Fay Wray's grandad... or something. It's a big reunion show for the Holidays (we told ya about this, complete with free mp3 downloads) because it's been seven years since they've played together. Keeping the stage warm for them is Achievement House, The Red Coats and straight from Portland (via Fresno and Nashville) is Kat Jones. Good times. [$8, 9pm, 21+]

BABYLON: Diehardz Music presents The Accident Experiment (with Marcos Curiel from P.O.D) Also doing stuff is Down Word, Outside the Wire, Clockwork Hero (Stockton), Kinship, and S.K.O.P.E:

KUPPAJOE: Sacramento alt rock guy, Josiah James. Plus Quiet Science (Merritt Island, FL), Omotola and My Beautiful Surrender. How terribly awesome is this flier?:

THE CYC: The promoter wisely put an early start time for this one as there are a dump load of bands playing: Brotherhood, Limits, Phoenix Emerge, Head Over Heals, Fatty Cakes, Dependence and Lover Boy:

THAI PALMS: Homegrown Fridays returns with a familiar face: This Planet Prelude. Plus I Do Not Exist and No Cause For Alarm:

STARLINE: It was the late 80s (or maybe early 90s) and Bang Tango was a band. That played. Music and stuff. Well God bless them they're still doing it, and frankly...Why the hell not!? Locally supported by Six Day Truce, Hammerdown Sindrum and Tipsy Gipsy:

BANDGEEK!: Fast Cars, Blake Joneses, Wise Cubs, Motel Drives, Six Ounces and Wild Blues

Fulton 55 has two shows with returning (again) Fresno legends. The CYC has goes all weekend long, Starline has Layne Staley as a girl and KFSR could use your donations. ALL in this weeks... BANDGEEK!:

FRIDAY

THE CYC: Wow this all California lineup is kinda huge with... hugeness. Joyce Manor (Torrance), TSOSIS (Elk Grove), Tidemouth (Santa Clarita), New York Taxi (Glendora), Mane Horse (Fresno), Fast Car (Fresno) and Tough Stuff (Garden Grove):

KUPPAJOE: Check it: The Roos, Saving Temperance, Mongrel City, Wise Cub, & Frontier:

AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: Metal up with Fe Talis, 9th Level, Ruthless, and Hymn of Rlyeh:

FULTON 55: So bigtime Fresno rock dudes, Six Ounce Gloves, are still around and don't seem to be going away after all. Speaking of, just when you thought rising Fresno metal band, Mercury Bullet, had gone away too THEY have come back big. "New" Fresno rock band Relax Reload (seems like maybe it's Say Swear), will open it up:
 

STARLINE: Mix it up with locals Dislodic, The Dirty Dirties, Siren Singing and The Long Black Veils:

THE LAMP POST: Like seeing some acts, that normally play the under 21 circuit, playing at the Lamp Post. Restaurnaut, Fatty Cakes, and Control Noodle. [$0, 9pm, 21+]

The Fresnan Presents: Brother Luke and the Dorks - Dorktown Podcast #111

 

Hey Dorktown listeners, long and interesting one with local musician Luke Freeman from Brother Luke and the Comrades. The Dorktown crew gets to drink some beer and hang out with Luke and talk about a buncha cool junk. Stuff like:

• Bubba is not gay and grants wishes.
• Does home-schooling produce assholes? Nope.
• Mikey was bullied... let's all cry about it.
• Bells went to Fresno High?
• The beginnings of Luke's music life.
• Weeknight shows can be rough.
• Grilled cheese sandwiches in Clovis.
• MUSIC BREAK: Brother Luke plays live!
• What is Baja Sauce?
• Dorktown gets sad.
• Portland.
• ValleyWho and Mike Oz.
• The lowdown on Luke's VVV's residency.
• FONZY EYYYS!
• FCC and Master.

There's a healthy amount of swearing so look out.

Click the file below to listen!:
BrotherLukeDorktown111.mp3 [1:18]

Make sure to look in on Luke playing with special guest musicians at Veni Vidi Vici's, Monday nights all through April!

Dorktown is also available on iTunes. Go like Dorktown's Face. Email the show: [email protected].

[Picture of Luke stolen from local stud, Ryan C. Jones]