U.S. Marine Band’s first duty in SoCal: free concert at Cal State L.A., Oct. 23

'The President's Own' at Luckman Theatre to play Handel, DeLuca, ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ and, of course, 3 by Sousa

The United States Marine Band - known traditionally as “The President’s Own” - will launch the Southern California leg of its 2009 national tour with a free public concert Friday, October 23, 2009 at 7:30 p.m., in the Luckman Theatre at California State University, Los Angeles.

A limit of four tickets are available per request. For details or to reserve tickets, call (323) 343-6600, go to www.luckmanarts.org, or visit the Luckman Box Office at Cal State L.A. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket holders must arrive early and be seated by 7:15 p.m.; at 7:15, “standby” non-ticket holders will be admitted as space allows.

The band’s legendary 17th director, John Philip Sousa, initiated the concert tour tradition in 1891. The band, now directed by Colonel Michael J. Colburn, will offer traditional band repertoire, solos, opera and marches.

For the Cal State L.A. concert, the selections will include a suite from Sergei Prokofief’s Romeo and Juliet, Joseph De Luca’s “Beautiful Colorado” (with a euphonium solo), a baritone rendering of George Frideric Handel’s “Arm, Arm, Ye Brave” from Judas Maccabeaus, and three Sousa compositions - including the national march of the United States, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” There will also be a salute to the U.S. Armed Forces.

The concert is cosponsored by Cal State L.A. and its Department of Music.

“It’s an honor to host ‘The President’s Own,’” said George DeGraffenreid, chair of the Department of Music at Cal State L.A. “The U.S. Marine Band only tours the West Coast every few years. So this is a great opportunity for our students - and for the community - to experience not only a rich tradition, but also a free performance by some world-class musicians. After all, this IS the ‘house band’ for THE White House.”

The Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. president except George Washington. Known as “The President’s Own” since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band’s primary mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Performing for South Lawn arrival ceremonies, State Dinners, dances, solo concerts and other events, the band’s members perform more than 300 times a year at the White House.

According to First Lady Michelle Obama, “The Marine Band has been just a tremendous resource for us. They have such great range. They can play everything from jazz to country, and they’ve made every event at the White House a special one.”

Several of the band’s roughly 60 members hail from California, including oboe / English-horn player Tessa Gross of Santa Monica, cornet/trumpet player Jeffrey Strong of Fresno, euphonium players Matthew Summers of Palo Alto and Ryan McGeorge of San Diego, stage manager Richard Dickerson of Woodland Hills, and stage crewman Louis Hill of Los Angeles. (Clarinetist John Mula of Illinois is a graduate of San Diego State University.) For a list of band members, go to Marine Band members

By early November, the Marine Band will have performed a total of 29 concerts in 31 days on its 2009 tour. This year’s tour route takes the band through Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and southern Nevada. After Cal State L.A., its Southland stops include Pasadena (Oct. 24), Oxnard (Oct. 25), UCLA (Oct. 26), San Diego (Oct. 28) and Imperial (Oct. 29). For a complete tour schedule and other details, visit www.marineband.usmc.mil.

For directions, go to: CSULA campus.

Concert parking will be free at upper level of Parking Structure C.

For more information, go to: Luckman Fine Arts Complex website.

Who: “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will perform at the Luckman Theatre on the Cal State L.A. campus, as part of its 2009 national concert tour.

What: Advance tickets are available (a maximum of 4 tickets per request). Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket holders must arrive early and be seated by 7:15 p.m.; at that time, “standby” non-ticket holders will be admitted as space allows.

When: Friday, October 23, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Luckman Theatre, on the Cal State L.A. campus. The University is near the junction of the 10 and 710 freeways.

(Map and directions)

Info: Free to the public. For tickets, visit or call the Luckman Box Office at (323) 343-6600.

Cal State L.A. Official Website

U.S. Marine Band Official Website

Friday, February 1, 2008

Doors: 8:30 PM

Roses On Her Grave www.myspace.com/rosesonhergrave

The Stranger's Six www.myspace.com/thestrangerssix

A Third Wish Granted www.myspace.com/a3wg

Monday, February 4, 2008

Doors: 8:30 PM

Indie 103.1 Presents...Check One Two Mondays

FREE w/ RSVP @ www.myspace.com/mondayscheckonetwo

$3 Dewar's All Night!

The Icarus Line www.myspace.com/theicarusline

"If rock 'n' roll had nothing to do with music and everything to do with attitude, the Icarus Line would be the greatest fucking band. Oh wait, rock 'n' roll does have everything to with attitude, and the Icarus Line are the greatest fu@!*ng band."? - Pitchforkmedia.com

Ungdomskulen www.myspace.com/ungdomskulen

Ungdomskulen (youthschool in English) is a Norwegian rock band. Their sound is founded on bass, drums and guitar. Taken individually, the drum beats seem inspired by the city, the bass is syncopated and sonic, and the jazz-like guitar sounds as if it's possessed by rock demons. And finally, there's a light but authoritative male vocal on top.

Sub Rosa www.myspace.com/subrosa

Idyllists www.myspace.com/idyllists

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Private Vice/Scion Event

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Doors: 8:30 PM

Halestorm www.myspace.com/halestorm

The Kings Royal www.myspace.com/thekingsroyal

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Doors: 8:30 PM

Hell Ya!/Girl School & KROQ Presents...

The Vacation www.myspace.com/thevacation

Katy Perry www.myspace.com/katyperry

The Santa Barbara, CA-born Perry is currently wrapping up work on her debut full-length album, which she recorded with an array of noted producers and collaborators, including Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette), Dr. Luke (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne), Butch Walker (Pink, The Donnas), and Greg Wells (Natasha Bedingfield, Rufus Wainwright). The full length album is due from Capitol Records in spring 2008.

Troy This www.myspace.com/troythis

"He's the bastard child of urbanism & digitalism, a mixture of electro soul & amusing pop rock. His music awakes a lot of memories from the "Tape" days & his sex-dosed vocals & original music virtually resurrects moments only Janet Jackson could pull off successfully, making the cheesy fashionable again. There's even a demo titled "Slap Kiss Beautiful Later" that could easily be mistaken for a "Michael Jackson & Darren Hayes" early unreleased duet session! But don't get carried away with the comparisons here as it's just merely a point out to a style or an era, 'Troy This' music has that ambiance that makes you feel familiar." - OHHCRAPP.net
LMFAO www.myspace.com/lmfaouno
Hyper Crush www.myspace.com/hypercrush

For the latest bands, dates and information, go to:

Viper Room Official Website

San Diego, California based rock band Transfer has, lucky for us, caught our attention here at Band Weblogs. The boys have managed to write and record one of THE BEST songs that I've heard this year. That song is called "You Are The Wolf". Of course their other tracks are spectacularly superb, like "Bring A Knife" and their new single, "Sinking, Sailing". The vocals, musicianship and songwriting that Transfer brings to the table along with mouthwatering chords and changes within songs, is tight, polished and top notch. - Jenny May

Transfer was gracious enough to take the time out between recording and preparing for a UK tour for an interview with BandWeblogs.com.

Compiled by: Dave Tommo

Dave Tommo: I hear you're recording at present. How's it going and what distractions are there in L.A.?

Transfer (Jason Cardenas): Ahhh.. the bright lights, the scantily clad celebrities, the seemingly endless supply of party drugs. We actually keep our noses to the grindstone in the studio. So far, the recording process has been pretty spectacular for us... we have the chance to work with a solid producer at a good studio, so we're definitely taking full advantage. Lucky for us, we have a lot of friends in LA so after the work day we can always knock off and party at a buddy's house (saves money that way).

How did Transfer come to be?

We all met through our mutual friend, Merlin Olsen. Apparently we had in common a love of leather bound books, the smell of rich mahogany, and making sweet music. Three years later, here we are.

What influenced your latest album/EP (Faded Signal/Sunken Eyes)?

I think the new Sunken Eyes EP has a much more aggressive sound than Faded Signal. I think the influence comes mainly from within on this one. Spending a lot of time together as a band, being cooped up in a van driving up and down the coast, eating rats on tour... I think it all added to writing some grittier tunes.

Where does the name Transfer come from?

It was actually the name of one of the first songs every written as Transfer. We felt that the title summed up the feeling at the time - we were in a very transitional period, both musically and personally. Of course, in hindsight we would have named the band something else... the name doesn't really lend itself to a google search.

What's the favorite drink(s) on the road?

Pre-show: Pabst Blue Ribbon
After-show: Jack and Coke
After-after-show: Absinthe

How do you entertain yourselves when traveling from gig to gig?

We have various methods of entertainment while traveling in our vansion - attempting to build perches out of gear and sleeping bags, drawing spot-on caricatures of bands we play with, drawing penises on the foreheads of passed out mates... lots of drawing. We're very artistic, I guess.

What do you do when not on tour or playing music?

We go back to our pods, re-insert our feeding tubes, and hibernate until the next tour.

Where is the best place to gig?

We primarily gig the West Coast and Southwest in the US. For me, the best gigs are at sweaty dive bars that have open bar tabs for the bands. You set up your gear on the ground, play way too loud, and get really drunk. The band plays for drinks and the money at the door...that's fu**in' rock n'roll.

What is your recording procedure in the studio?

We usually have a real clear-cut idea of the material we're recording and how we will record it... we're very big on pre-production to save time and cost in the studio. We dial in tones starting with the drums, then lay down the basic tracks focusing on drums and bass. Then comes the magic...layers upon layers of sounds. We believe in laying down way too many tracks, then whittling this down during mix. This can be a real pain in the ass, but it's definitely worth it.

Who is your favorite monkey?

Dr. Zaius, of course. That cold-hearted monkey son-of-a-bitch.

What musicians inspired you to form a band?

Too many to list in this interview... our musical inspirations run the spectrum of genres. Anything honest inspires us. Unfortunately a lot of new music today sounds pretty fake. Give us the real shit, man!

Can you tell us some of the guitar effects that you use?

Lotsa reverb, my man...big hall reverb! I usually use a combination of effects at any given time, reverb, slap back delay, backwards echo, tremolo, midgets beat-boxing... we try to run the effects gamut!!

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Music that gets the most plays in the vansion: The Besnard Lakes, Band of Horses, Tapes n' Tapes, Led Zeppelin, The Shins, Wilco, Black Sabbath, M. Ward, ABBA.

How do you come up with your video concepts?

We haven't delved that deeply into videos really... At this point, we're fortunate to have some really talented friends who put together video ideas and setup of the shoots. We just roll along with the ideas. Recently, we've been coming up with some different video concepts we want to put together, but nothing that has come to fruition just yet.

I love the song "You Are the Wolf". How do you conjure up such a sound?

Ahh yess, conjuring sound... we channeled the ancient spirits for that track!! Again, lotsa reverb. That was one of those songs that just about wrote itself...We jammed it out during some off time while touring in Washington. It's one of those rare songs that was written very quickly, and hasn't really changed at all from the original conception.

Do you get spooked out when you listen back to music that you've just recorded?

I think spooked may be the wrong word... analytical maybe? Hopeful? Embarrassed? I dunno...

Have you ever had a spiritual occurrence in the studio while recording?

Our drummer Cooper was once possessed by the spirit of Keith Moon while recording...He didn't really play the drums at all, he just passed out and defecated himself. He claims he was possessed. Not sure if I buy it, though.

Transfer band members are:

Jason Cardenas (guitar/vocals)
Matt Molarius (vocals/guitar)
Jeremy Chambers (bass)
Mike Cooper (drums)

Transfer will be on tour in the UK with Leeds band Vib Gyor from October 18th - October 27th, 2007.

For more information go to:

Transfer Official Website
Transfer on Myspace

I've known about the California based band pretty much since they came out around seven years ago, but I was never a big fan of theirs or the name Linkin Park for some reason (apparently named after Lincoln Park in Santa Monica, CA) and their sound tends to be heavily produced with a lot of effects on the vocals, but lately I'm beginning to hear more to them than just the name of the band and the effects.

The other day I watched a Camp Freddy video with Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington - now that's a good name - sitting in with them and singing a cover of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell". That for me was the turning point. That Chester Bennington has a wicked voice and it was really good to hear him singing without all the effects. Now I'm suddenly interested in Linkin Park.

Linkin Park's latest single, "What I've Done" is set for release on CD in May and it has already been well received by many. "What I've Done" is off of Linkin Park's new album Minutes to Midnight out May 14th 2007 worldwide (May 15th North America) and after hearing the song and from what I've seen in the new video for "What I've Done", it seems like they're beginning to change direction a bit with their sound, growing up I guess, and I'm looking forward to hearing the other tracks off of Minutes to Midnight.

Watch the Linkin Park video for "What I've Done"

*Dates could change! Go to Linkin Park's Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

Apr 28 2007 Kesselhaus Berlin, Berlin
May 3 2007 Astoria London, London and South East
May 6 2007 Bamboozle Festival E. Rutherford, NJ
May 24 2007 Forum (headlining) Copenhagen
May 25 2007 Globe (headlining) Stockholm
May 27 2007 Colorline Arena (headlining) Hamburg
May 28 2007 Pinkpop Landgraaf
May 30 2007 Bercy (headlining) Paris
Jun 1 2007 Rock AM Ring Nurburgring
Jun 2 2007 Rock IM Park Nuernberg
Jun 5 2007 New Arena (headlining) St. Petersburg
Jun 8 2007 Alive 2007 Festival Lisbon
Jun 9 2007 Download Festival Donnington
Jun 11 2007 Hallenstadion (headlining) Zurich
Jun 12 2007 Sazka Arena (headlining) Prague
Jun 13 2007 Stadion Slaski – LP as Special Guest on Pearl Jam date Chorzow
Jun 15 2007 Heineken Festival Venice
Jun 16 2007 Novarock Nickersdorf

Linkin Park Official Website

Linkin Park on Myspace

By: Jenny May

The glammed-up punks from Glascow and the Scanners will hit SXSW and several cities in Southern California in support of their newest material.

In the U.K. throughout 2006, The Hedrons were the focus of many a press feature and gained plenty of airplay, including Radio 1 and XFM. The band was first tipped in NME who said of them "An all-girl four- piece who sound like Patti Smith meets Penetration with a dash of early Blondie and a smidging of The Runaways... you have to hear this band!"

Off the back of this attention and all their touring, The Hedrons were confirmed to perform at several UK summer festivals including: T in the Park and Guilfest. Their latest single, "Heatseeker," was released in January 2007 and achieved top five Indie Chart success.

Scanners, who have opened from everyone from The Bravery to Electric Six, are sure to wow the crowds in America with their catchy, yet darkly-atmospheric sound. Their lead singer, Sarah Daly, has already been called "a Siouxsie Sioux incarnate for the Blogosphere."

Exolution Entertainment is proud to present both bands to American audiences this month.

The Headrons/Scanners March tour dates:
3/15 – Mugshots (SXSW Party) – Austin, TX
3/15 – Red 7 Patio (SXSW Showcase) – Austin, TX
3/16 – Lava Lounge (SXSW Party) – Austin, TX
3/16 – Uncle Flirty’s (SXSW Party) – Austin, TX
3/20 – The Key Club – Los Angeles, CA
3/21 – Ground Zero @ USC – Los Angeles, CA
3/21 – The Gig – Los Angeles, CA
3/22 – Epicentre – San Diego, CA
3/23 – Squid Joe’s - Carlsbad, CA
3/24 – Venue TBA – Las Vegas, NV
3/25 – Fitzgerald’s – Huntington Beach, CA
3/26 – Spaceland – Silver Lake, CA
3/27 – Cal Poly Pomona (on campus) – Pomona, CA
3/27 – Fitzgerald’s – Huntington Beach, CA
3/28 – Spaceland (Club NME Presents) – Silver Lake, CA
3/31 – The Grove Theater – Anaheim, CA (Scanners only)
4/03 – Cinespace – Los Angeles, CA (Scanners only)
Hedrons: "Self-assured and deliciously energizing" -- Mojo

Scanners: "Like all the Kim Gordon songs in Sonic Youth, but played by Motorhead; brilliant" -- NME

http://www.thehedrons.com
http://www.scannersmusic.com

- Gorgeous PR