Releasing and Recording
Singer-songwriter
Elijah Behar (
Hindu Kush/
Marquee) has finished his brilliant experimental folk EP
Hollow Body. The Ojai native who now resides in Santa Monica played
Zoey’s last weekend and will be playing a number of dates in the L.A. area. The recording is available at www.elijahb.bandcamp.com and iTunes. The shoegazing
Captions released its first EP,
Think, Thunk, Thought, now available at www.captions.bandcamp.com. Ventura’s
Massenger, featuring
Seth Pettersen, Mike Gleeson (
Glass and Ashes, Lovebird) and
Sasha Green on vocals has released its infectious, garagy pop/surf/psych self-titled debut CD, which is available at www.massenger.bandcamp.com and at live shows — good stuff! Pettersen is also putting the finishing touches on a solo record set for release in July. Semi-melodic punkers
No////Se finished a full-length, self-titled record with fall releases set for Europe on
Yo-Yo Records and the U.S. on
Challenge the Throne/Rotten to the Core.
Sunday Morning Murder Songs, the debut CD by
Aaron Orbit (
Le Meu Le Purr) is generating some buzz. Download it on iTunes to hear what all the fuss is about.
Hiding Inside Victims is hiding inside the studio, working on its first record following a recent Battle of the Bands win. Congratulations to the crustcore ensemble’s singer and former VCReporter music columnist
Chris Mastrovito and his wife, who became parents this month.
Signed
Late last month
Gypsy Death Star signed a deal with
Werewolf Heart Records (could there be a more apt name for its label?), which was started by actor
Ryan Gosling and
Zach Shields, who play together in the band
Dead Man’s Bones. Head Wolf
Tim Anderson says, “We are beyond excited to welcome Gypsy Death Star to our family. We have big plans for them in the near future.” GDS will enter the studio sometime this month.
On the Move
Guitarist
Bruce Kimmell (
Shades of Day, Slim Trio) has relocated to Nashville, also the new home of
Softsilence, who visited Ventura a couple of weeks ago. Ventura diva
Delaney Gibson, who relocated to New York City more than a year ago, recently moved to Austin where her significant other landed a job. Guitarist/vocalist, radio DJ and self-described stationary object at Buffalo Records
Josh Hayes (
Glass and Ashes, Lovebird, No////Se) is leaving our fair city to continue his education in San Francisco. He says he’ll be returning regularly for band stuff and we’re holding him to it. We asked the Magic 8 Ball if he would find happiness in the Bay Area and the answer was “Absolutely!”
Touring
Singer-songwriter
Matt Zeltzer has been well-received in Portland, where he’s been playing a slew of shows before returning to the 805 for a show at
The Tavern on June 9.
New Liberty embarked on a two-week tour of the Southwest last week. After a successful trip to SXSW earlier this year, the band was asked to return to the area. In addition to dates in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and California, they will perform at the Republic of Texas Biker Rally, the fourth largest such rally in the country.
Sparring
Minor discord has erupted in clubland, resulting in a few changes and various unpleasantries. New kid on the block,
The Tavern (formerly Candlelight) has started a blues jam on the same night as Bombay
Bar and Grill‘s blues jam. Presented by the
Ventura County Blues Society, The Tavern blues jam is hosted by
Tommy Marsh, who had been hosting the Bombay jam until very recently. Marsh told VCReporter that while he absolutely loved doing the jam at Bombay, The Tavern basically made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Bombay’s management declined to comment, but it appears that the venue’s feathers weren’t too ruffled. (Hang tough, Bombay.) Meanwhile, over in Midtown things heated up at
Billy O’s last month when the owner decided to play a more prominent role in booking, enlisting the services of Santa Barbara promoters
Electric Sex. Numbskull Productions had been booking the lion’s share of shows there during the past few months, bringing in-demand musical entertainment otherwise unheard of at a neighborhood bar. While Numbskull will continue to produce shows there on an occasional basis, they will be far fewer than fans have become accustomed to.
Bernadette’s is fighting to keep its entertainment permit, as the city is recommending it not be renewed this summer based on noise complaints from neighbors. The Downtown Ventura Organization is working with both parties to help the tiny, beloved pub weather the storm. Show support and stop in for a beer.
Winning (and stuff)
The 805 flexed its biceps at the 14th Annual
Punk Rock Bowling event in Las Vegas last month. Some 20 local teams finished in the top 60 out of 252 teams. Taking second place was
Tina’s Nightmare, while Pindejos (
Dave Hawk , Jimmy Bradman, Missy Gibbs and
Andy Proctor) took home a ninth place trophy and some sweet cash. Other locals representing were
The Pullmen, Stop Breathing — which also performed — and
Ill Repute (13th place).
NoteWorthy is a monthly column dedicated to developments in Ventura County’s music scene. If you have a tip, write to Michel or give her a call.
