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Orange County, as sprawling and giant as it is, lacks a little something in its local music community. We’re not sure what it is, or even how to fix it, but it’s definitely missing some type of glue, some type of camaraderie. Enter: the OC Music Awards.
Started just nine years ago, the OC Music Awards seeks to showcase some of the best and most talented artists in the county: Past winners include Japanese Motors, Free the Robots, TSOL, Venus Infers and the Union Line.
In the months leading up to the big awards show (March 6 at the Grove of Anaheim), the OCMA hosts several free music showcases all across the county. The first showcase, held two weeks ago at Detroit Bar, attracted more than 500 attendees. The next showcase, Tuesday at the District at the Tustin Legacy, will feature acoustic performances from some of our fave locals, including the folky pleasantries of Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob and the refreshing poppy sounds of the adorable Stacy Clark.
OC Music Awards Showcase with Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob; Barrett Johnson; Billy Kernkamp; Stacy Clark; Canvas: Tues., Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m., free. The District at Tustin Legacy, 2437 N. Park Blvd., Tustin, 714.259.9090. All ages.
Let’s clear a few things up: Yes, ATO Records was indeed co-founded and owned by Dave Matthews. Yes, Dave Matthews isn’t, say, the hippest of music choices these days with the cool kids. And yeah, Alberta Cross is signed to ATO Records.
But rest assured: They sound nothing like their boss.
Alberta Cross consists of soulful duo Petter Ericson Stakee (vocals, guitar) and Terry Wolfers (bass). The band, whose name is based on an anagram they refuse to reveal to the general public (some options to consider: Rascal Strobe, Sacral Orb Set, Brace Rat Loss, Scab Real Sort), boasts a country-infused stoner rock, wailful sound so many bands seek to achieve these days. Think the soulful sounds of My Morning Jacket, the Band… maybe some Neil Young if you’re feeling particularly generous.
But even their sound is a conundrum: Alberta Cross may share some similarities with the Appalachian folk rock sound of My Morning Jacket, but they’re a Brooklyn-base band that met and formed in London. Petter spent his childhood on the road, traveling with his musician father, while Wolfers grew up in London.
After spending some time opening for some of the biggest hipster acts out there right now—the Shins, Bats for Lashes and others—they played Lollapalooza, Coachella and Bonnaroo in 2009. And now, conveniently enough, Detroit Bar.
By the way: My Morning Jacket? Also signed to ATO.
Alberta Cross: Tues., Jan. 12, 9 p.m., $10. Detroit Bar, 843 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, 949.642.0600. 21+.
Get excited, kids: The highly anticipated Where’s the Band? Tour features solo acoustic performances by the frontmen of popular groups. The line-up reads like a Who’s Who list for a teenager in the late ‘90s and early 2000s (here’s where that excitement thing kicks in): Dustin Kensrue of the Orange-based Thrice, Matt Pryor of the no longer defunct Get Up Kids, Chris Conley of Saves the Day (they’re still around!) and Anthony Raneri of Bayside.
The four lead vocalists will perform their own individual sets each night, and, the real treat, share the stage with one another for a unique show in an intimate setting.
And if you’re even considering attending, buy your tickets now—shows are already selling out!
Where’s The Band? Tour with Dustin Kensrue from Thrice, Chris Conley from Saves the Day, Matt Pryor from The Get Up Kids and Anthony Raneri from Bayside: Sat., Jan. 9, 7 p.m., $14-$17.50. House of Blues, 1530 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, 714.778.2583. All ages.
Kicking off the 2010 Fox Pomona Theatre schedule is none other than modern-day alt-rock legends Sonic Youth.
Together for more than 28 years now, the band consists of husband and wife duo, Thurston Moore (vocals, guitar) and Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar); Lee Ranaldo (guitar); Steve Shelley (drums) and Mark Ibold (formerly of Pavement, on bass). Though wonder couple Moore and Gordon are both in their 50s, Sonic Youth is one of few bands that has evolved well with age—releasing quality new material consistently as the years go on, redefining rock music with each new album.
Sonic Youth’s noisy indie rock really meets up to their “no wave” label: A short-lived noisy sub genre of punk rock that originated in New York City (where else?) in the mid-1970s that drew from everything from jazz, funk, punk and the blues. But really? Sonic Youth can be best described as punk for adults, laden with pedal effects, avant garde techniques, seemingly endless live guitar freakout sessions and nearly incomprehensible lyrics. From their cameo on Gilmore Girls and cartoon cameo on the Hullabalooza episode of The Simpsons and appearing in Marc Jacobs print advertisements to Daydream Nation topping everyone’s must-own-must-listen lists, Sonic Youth has carved out a nice little place for themselves in music and pop culture history.
Sonic Youth: Fri., Jan. 8, 8 p.m., $30-$32. The Fox Theater Pomona, 301 S. Garey Ave., Pomona, 877.283.6976. All ages.
Who says you have to be a college kid to enjoy a good ol’ booze cruise?
With Star Party Cruises, you can float around gorgeous-by-night-only Long Beach Harbor and Naples for four hours, all the while dancing along to live reggae bands aboard the MV Star.
Reggae has developed an unfair negative connotation these days with the mainstream. You think of reggae, and you think of fraternity-hosted house parties and college freshmen hanging really bad Bob Marley rasta-colored tapestries in their dorm rooms. But reggae first came along in the 1960s as a music genre for the working class, developing from the rocksteady genre. And trust us when we say there’s more than to it than “I Shot the Sheriff.”
So forego watching the ball drop from your living room couch and head down the 405 to Long Beach. Admission includes two flutes of champagne and party favors.
So, seriously, get a babysitter, leave the kids at home: It’s time to relive your college years (at least) one more time for 2010.
New Year’s Eve Reggae Cruise, Star Party Cruises: Thurs., Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m., $45. 140 Marina Dr., Long Beach, 562.799.7000. Reservations are required.
