Notes from the smoking patio
Local. Music. Gossip.
By Bart Mendoza , Troy Johnson
(For websites listed here, MS=www.myspace.com)
A few local promoters are starting the revival process for Mt. Helix Nature Theatre, a 2,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre in La Mesa with views of downtown and Tijuana. "We are looking at booking local acts like Scarlett Symphony, Pinback and Jewel [and] national acts like Simon & Garfunkel and Tom Waits," says Heather Adams, spokesperson for Mt. Helix Productions. "We are also working on keeping all aspects of our production nature-friendly, right down to solar-powered lights, huge recycling emphasis and shuttles from the nearby trolley station we are encouraging people to use." www.mthelix productions.com.
The Vision of a Dying World's frontman Jackson Milgaten is becoming quite the local scenemaker. Aside from his own band's success, he started Action Jackson Promotions to put on shows around town. Now he's joined with The Powerchords bassist Craig Barclift to form a record label, Single Screen Records. Named in honor of their day jobs at the Ken Cinema, they plan to release the new Vision album, The Vision of a Dying World and The Grammar Lamb, on June 29 (with a CD-release show at the Tower Bar that night). The second release will be a 7-inch from The Sess on Aug. 10, followed by the band's full-length debut in the fall. They've talked with both Red Feathers and The Paddle Boat about putting out their records, but nothing's been decided. MS/singlescreenrecords.
In related news, Barclift's girlfriend, the eternally talented and terminally shy Kelly Alvarez, has started her own imprint, Sweet Tooth Records. She plans to release a 7-inch by The Atoms in the next few months. MS/sweettoothrecs.
Delta Spirit are nearly done mastering a new batch of songs and plan to release another EP-tentatively titled Wild Trash/White Turkey-in late June or early July. Despite being approached by majors (including a visit to Columbia's offices), the band hasn't made a decision on a label deal. They start a mini-tour with Dr. Dog at The Casbah on July 9. MS/deltaspirit.
Pop band The Modlins have two tracks, "For Goodness' Sake" and "I Might Have Been Wrong," included on Spanish Archer One-a new compilation featuring Southern California bands. MS/themodlins.
The Vultures' just-completed nine-song debut album, Jubilee, won't hit stores till this fall, but on June 19, St. Louis label Collective Records will release a vinyl 7-inch of the single "Let Them Bleed." MS/officialvultures.
P.O.D.'s debut for Columbia Records isn't titled yet, but it will feature a cameo by Suicidal Tendencies singer Mike Muir. One new track that won't be featured is "Beaner Man," their recent collaboration with comedian Carlos Mencia. The song's video-featuring Mencia sporting dreadlocks in homage to P.O.D. singer Sonny Sandoval-has aired on Comedy Central's Mind of Mencia. MS/payableondeath.
British buzz band The Gallows has covered Hot Snakes' "If Credit's What Matters I'll Take Credit" for a new split 7-inch with U.K. rockers November Coming Fire. MS/gallows.
On June 17, Studio West will shoot a pilot episode of Sunset Sessions at Studio West, a TV show loosely patterned after Austin City Limits. No broadcast deals had been struck as of press time. www.studiowest.com.
Reunited ska band Buck-O-Nine will release a new album, Sustain, via Asian Man Records on Aug. 10. The local CD-release show is set for The Casbah on Aug. 18. According to their website, the new album is "kind of a theme album about seven dudes in their 30s that have lives, jobs, kids and responsibilities that go beyond the band but, they still wanna rock." MS/buckonine.
Maquiladora's next album, Saint Cecilia's Drowning: Ritual of Hearts and White Sands Revisited, will be issued by Spanish label Acuarela Discos this fall. The two-disc set includes guest spots by Black Heart Procession's Pall Jenkins and Tobias Nathaniel, as well as former members of '90s favorites Chinchilla. www.maquiladora.cx.
Former Penetrators frontman Gary Heffern reemerges this summer with a pair of solo tracks on tribute albums. His version of Alejandro Escovedo's "Wave" will be released Sept. 18 on The Song of America while "Sanitarium Blues" will be part of a Townes Van Zandt covers album, There's a Hole in Heaven Where Some Sin Slips Through. www.ed petterson.com
Defunct punk band Counterfit just released their final album, Managing the Details of an Undertaking. The combination CD/DVD features footage from the band's farewell tour, as well as their entire last show, taped Dec. 11, 2004 at the East County venue Ground Zero. MS/counterfit
Got tips? E-mail our music editor at troy@sdcitybeat.com.
Published: 06/13/2007
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