Amoeblog

The Story Of Calvin Weston (and Tony)-1986

Monster Cock Rally @ Mr. T's Bowl 1/7/08

Tony was uptight about loaning out his drum kit. It wasn’t because he thought another drummer would damage his kit. The reason was that he played in a band that opened up for the guitar legend, James Blood Ulmer, back in 1986. Ulmer’s band used to tour without a back line and would borrow the opening band’s equipment.

On that evening, Tony felt his playing was exceptional, or at least he thought. After his set, James Blood Ulmer’s drummer, Calvin Weston asked Tony if he could borrow his kit. Feeling confident, Tony agreed. Calvin liked Tony’s kit, it was set up just the way he liked he liked it and would have to make very little modifications to it.

After James Blood Ulmer’s first song, Tony regretted loaning out his kit. Calvin was amazing and had erased anything he had played before. It wasn't just that Calvin was better than Tony that night, but he showed him up on his own kit.

Currently, Calvin Weston is on tour, playing with the Noise Jazz group, Monster Cock Rally, out of Oakland. They are playing several shows up and down California this week.

Here are some pic’s from their show at Mr. T’s Bowl with Mike Watt’s Missingmen. Damn...now I know what Tony meant.

Posted by Gomez Comes Alive! on January 8, 2008 at 01:53am | Post a Comment

Minutemen Overload

Three Books and A DVD That Covers The History of San Pedro's Finest


This is a two DVD set: the first DVD is the a biography of the band, the second contains various live performances. Many interviews with punk rock luminaries and local San Pedro homies who grew up with them. A touching story about three guys who never thought they would do anything that ended up influencing thousands.



Michael Azerrad's book on the post-punk underground (Pre-Nirvana) has a great chapter on the story of The Minutemen. This is a great read for anyone who is a fan of the band and fan of the influential bands of that era. The title of the book is taken from the first line of The Minutemen song, History Lesson Part 2.


This is Mike Watt in his own words. Lyrics he wrote for the Minutemen, a 1983 tour diary and all the illustrations Raymond Pettibon did for the Minutemen. Introductions by Joe Carducci, Thurston Moore and Richard Metzler:

This book is the story of the making of The Minutemen's classic album, Double Nickels On The Dime. It covers the recording sessions, the concept of the album and it's influence on music after the record was released.

Posted by Gomez Comes Alive! on December 29, 2007 at 11:35pm | Post a Comment

Best Of 2007, Part 8

More Music Picks of 2007
Coolest Guitar Solo of 2007

Hands down, Nels Cline guitar solo on Wilco’s “Impossible Germany.”  I heard the song several times before I knew who the band was, but I recognized Nels’ sound instantly. The solo ranks up there with Richard Thompson’s solo on “The Border” and Television’s “Marquee Moon”

Favorite Amoeba Hollywood In-Store Performances:

Vieux Farka Toure: Best son of a famous father to perform at Amoeba this year.

Paul McCartney:  For the sheer madness of it all.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings:  The best in-store of the year.

Ollin:  The Chicano and Irish group performed Pogues covers for St. Patrick’s Day. They were so good The Pogues took them on tour.

Money Mark:  Money Mark’s back-up singers that night were Petra Haden and Cava. Are you kidding me?  It made all his sweet pop songs sweeter.

Antibalas:  It doesn't matter to me who left in the group, that they aren’t African or didn’t create Afro-Beat, the band still delivers and delivered that night.

Brother Ali:  Ali brought back that 1990’s Ice Cube flow to Amoeba that night.

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Posted by Gomez Comes Alive! on December 26, 2007 at 02:22pm | Post a Comment