(Heads up! The next Che Underground-sponsored reunion gig is officially on the Casbah roster, with tickets due to go on sale this week. Ray Brandes opens the booth.)
On Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, country-rock pioneers the Town Criers (Ray Brandes, David Klowden, Peter Miesner and Mark Zadarnowski) will reunite for the first time in 20 years as the Ché Underground presents its second musical event at the Casbah in San Diego.
By popular demand, returning to the stage after a blistering set in May, will be legendary San Diego mod band Manual Scan, led by sharp-dressed men Bart Mendoza and Kevin Donaker-Ring and featuring the rhythm section of Tim Blankenship and Morgan Young.
To open the evening, the all-star Blues Gangsters (Kristi Maddocks, Dave Rinck, Dave Ellison, Dave Fleminger and Matt Johnson) will make their San Diego stage debut. It’s a fresh opportunity to watch a new project by members of the Wallflowers, the Rockin’ Dogs, the Answers and Everybody Violet.
DJ duties will be performed by Louis Mello, a k a DJ Dirty Bird.
Don’t miss this opportunity to reconnect with old friends and hear some great music! Tickets ($10 advance/$12 at the door) will be available at the Casbah Web site.
Here’s a little preview of what to expect that night:
The Town Criers perform John D. Loudermilk’s “Break My Mind” at Rio’s in 1988:
Manual Scan performs “New Difference” on Cox Cable in 1984:
And here’s a link to the Blues Gangsters’ album, with samples. Buy it today!
— Ray Brandes
As Blog is my witless, we shall also invoke Penetrators and Unknowns events for 2010! The TCs, Scan and BGs mojo — and your participation! — shall seed the clouds for a typhoon of musical wonder!
Wish I could be there and meet all these, as of now, virtual friends!!
Will you go MATT??
>>Will you go MATT??
Bruce: That’s the question of the week for me! I’d love to … Besides the gig, I’d like to huddle with Noise 292’s SoCal contingent to talk a bit about our hopes to record next summer.
I just have to sort out family and workplace karma — but I’m inclined to say yes! 🙂
Other out-of-towners making the scene?
I’ll be there. I’m excited to see the Town Criers for the first time, to see the Blues Gangsters on stage at the same time (their CD is awesome), and the ever-better Manual Scan. Unfortunately, the same freakin’ night is another SD band reunion on the other side of the county. Helvis and the Helvettes, featuring Sergio and Sergio Castillo of Hair Theatre are playing at the Royal Dive bar in Oceanside. They are a punk band the Sergios started after the demise of Hair Theatre around 1995.
lori and i talked about it. but i don’t think so. but have a ball, ya’ll!
Never had a chance to hear these guys. So I’ll take you up on the invite. I would like to get a chance to say hi in person to you guys too…. (Now whose gonna buy me the first beer?)
Whoopi…
I am really looking forward to this show…Playing live with The Bloues Gangsters should be a beautiful thing, and it will be an honor to be in the company of two classic Che Underground bands that really have stood the test of time--Bart Mendoza , Kevin Ring and Manual Scan; and Ray Brandes with Keith & The Town Criers! Sooo many excellent musicians on one bill that it is scary! I hope people bring their dancing shoes!
The kicker is that I just read that the one and only Louis Mello, aka DJ Dirty Bird, will be spinning some music in between sets…Now, that is what I call a recipe for a good time!
Personally, I hope The Blues Gangsters have a chance to set up a 2nd bassist and an organ so we can deliver you the very soulful version of The Blues Gangsters tune “We Are Washed Clean” 9The song that Angie Bowie selected for her AIDSBEGONE! Fundraiser, CD #2 which is set for release December 22nd @ http://www.angiebowie.net)…
We really want to deliver our hommies a great, soulful, rockin’ set!
Great news to have he Unknowns on board…who cpould have ever forseen this turn of events?