FROM: ROCK CITY NEWS, LOS ANGELES, VOL 18, NO 2
FROM: ROCK CITY NEWS, LOS ANGELES, VOL 17, NO 26
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM IGNEOUSROCK/CANEBOY AND ROCK CITYNEWS,, Sat 12-4 McREDS UPC is the best live progressive jazz rock IÕve seen in a long while. Possibly better known as STORMKRO when they have their lead singer this band is hot..... Knock on WOOD All the head bangers in the S. F. Valley will find their way to Canoga Park Bowl Royal Room on New YearÕs Eve to catch the humorous hard rock antics of the band ÓWOODÓ!!...... Monday 12-6 Y2KÕs B-Day Bash for their drummer Steve Smak @ The Blue Saloon... From Seattle, vocalist/keyÕs Michael Sherer (pronounced sheer) and Shawn (bass) on guitar opened up performing material from AFTER APRIL as a duet debut in the LA area. Michael has informed me that his old drummer from his Seattle band LOVE GONE BLACK will be joining them soon. The duo will be playing again Monday 12-20 @ The Blue Saloon. Michael is looking for a guitar player so Shawn Quinn can get back on bass.... Happy Birthday Steve Smak and thank you Don Dunham(guitar/lead vocals)of the Y2K trio who with Mr. Vic (bass) threw a B-Day party, playing songs from their CD ÓThe Millennium BugÓ such as ÓEverybody Wants YouÓ, ÓLoveÓ, ÓRestless HeartÓ and the title track...... M. I. T. H. who are working on a CD at Finishline Studio rocked the house with songs like ÓConcubineÓ, ÓJonesettaÓ, ÓBloody SongÓ and ÓCheap TransitionÓ. EVERYBODY COME SEE MISSION IN THE HILLS MONDAY 12-27 @ THE BLUE SALOON...... Michael RussoÕs Strawberry Jam included requests from the crowd, some of who jumped up on stage to sing along, heck I even hobbled up on stage to join in on the fun..... Fri Dec 10th @ McREDS, Neil was down with the flu and I had the pleasure of filling in as soundman.....BACK ALLEY opened up with some jazzy soft rock......MICHAEL JACQUES BAND cranked out a heavy set with his classic rock stylings.......Last time I saw Jeff KraftÕs HEAVY WATER play was at WOODLEYSTOCK last August and IÕm happy to say they are twice as good now. Good Job guys......CANNON fired off a great set but I lost my notes and canÕt do them justice. Where are you playing next? Call Me......818 895-8542 HELLCATS delivered a ferocious set of animated rock. These guys are serious and are prepared to scratch and claw their way to the top..... DonÕt worry be happy..... Which reminds me....... A couple of months ago I saw the WORRYBEADS at the GIG on Melrose and thought they were great. Veteran Mark Knight (guitar/vocals) Bruce Nelson (guitar/bkup vocals) took me back to the good southern rock days. John Grimmett (bass) and Tigg Ketler (drums) are the perfect compliment for the WORRYBEADS who are intent on Óbringing real Rock nÕ Roll back to lifeÓ. Sat Dec 11th @ McREDS again....... The SHAMUS TWINS opened up the night playing their feel good pop rock with crisp harmonies..... KENO - GREAT BAND ALERT - KENO!! Great dynamics by a tight power trio with two tremendous vocalists that harmonize, get my highest recommendation yet. IÕm not the only one who thinks they are good as KENO will be opening for Blue Oyster Cult in Feb.(keyclub?)...... I immediately booked KENO for the Jan 7th show 10 pm at PaladinoÕs @ 6101 Reseda, Tarzana $5 cover just N. of Oxnard along with Tommy BolanÕs N.Y.C at 11 and Jeremy SandeenÕs BENIGN at nine..... Talking about BENIGN, with Freddy on lead guitar and Mac on bass and both doing bkup vocals with Louie Fidel on drums and Jeremy playing rhythm and leading the singing with a very intense and powerful not quite punk rock style. The nonstop punchy and energetic lyric delivery was impressive, you might say Jeremy has the gift of gab. He was soaked to the bone when I talked to him after his show and the first thing you notice is his friendly outgoing manner in contrast to his performance and irascible smile that could cheer the most morose sad sack......