JULY 9, 2009 - JULY 22, 2009
MICHAEL JACKSON
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1958-2009 1958-2009
GRANT LANGSTON HILLBILLY NOUVEAU NOUVEAU HILLBILLY
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July 9, 2009
BRIAN COBB PHOTOS BY TANYA LEONZO
BAKOTOPIA 2
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E D I TO R ’ S N OT E
STAFF
've been a boxing fan since I was a kid during the glory days of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. But since their demise, professional boxing has been going downhill. Long gone are the larger than life figures of the ring you became a fan of. Thank God for the UFC, where the world’s toughest meet each other in the "Octagon", to prove their skills mano a mano. Back in '07 I was introduced to Bako MMA fighter Brian Cobb, via contributing columnist Jackie Gibson and photographer Roger Hornback. Together they raved about a local fighter making some serious moves in the MMA fighting world. Soon, Brian was featured on the 9-7-07 issue of Bako mag in a fun comic-book hero style layout. We're very proud to be one of the first publications to feature this local talent! Since then, I've been fortunate to work with Cobb on a number of occasions, as he's become a familiar face outside of the ring, running BRyder's bar in SW Bakersfield. Bako readers have also been following his amazing fighting career through PFC fight reports we've published. It was only a matter of time until Cobb would be called up to the big time. For MMA enthusiasts, the UFC is no easy reach. Only the best and most skilled fighters are allowed, and Brian Cobb is one such talent. Check out his story, and add this collector's edition to your prized sports memorabilia collection. Brian Cobb's UFC star is rising fast - let's cheer him on, Bako! Rest easy, Michael Jackson... Peace,
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EDITORIAL Olivia Garcia Publisher ogarcia@bakersfield.com 395-7487 Matt Muñoz Editor/Product Manager mmunoz@bakersfield.com 395-7660 Gene Garaygordobil Managing Editor garaygordobil@bakersfield.com Teresa Adamo Associate Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com
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Rodrigo H., Bakersfield, California
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I got pulled over and the police found a joint in my car. They gave me a ticket. What should I do?
T ru s t w ort h y r e p r e s e n tat ion
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A: Possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable as an infraction. You can only get a fine and not jail time. You could just take the fine and get it over with. The court or D.A. might also offer you a counseling program, which, if you complete it, would result in the dismissal of the charges. Or you could consult with a Public Defender or private attorney to see if your rights were violated during the stop, which could result in the evidence being suppressed and the case dismissed.
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Grant Langston & The Supermodels By Kim Grant, Bakotopia.com contributor hen you’re born and raised in a small town in Alabama, chances are you’re fed on a strict diet of deep fried turkey and country music. So what do you do? Embrace it and strap your bulging belly into a tight pair of Wranglers, or do you get the hell out of dodge to discover your inner vegan and rock n’ roll? Well Grant Langston may not have discovered the joys of tofu and soy, but he knew he loved a good power chord when he heard one, and headed out West to Los Angeles to make his name. Only once there, the darnedest thing happened: he rediscovered his musical roots, this time on his terms. Appearing live at Fishlips, 1517 18th St., on Saturday, July 18, at 9 p.m., Langston shared some insight into musical beginnings. “Growing up where I did I was force-fed a steady diet of very slick Nashville stuff,” says the singer/songwriter. “As a result, I hated country music, or at least I thought I hated it until I heard the real deal.” The ‘real deal’ was Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson and Dwight Yoakum and Merle Haggard - country artists who were busy upsetting the Nashville elite while Langston was still in diapers. The music resonated with Grant, and he set about fusing it with his love of contemporary rock music. “I didn’t want to make music that was formulaic,” he says. “I wanted to step outside that and have lyrics that are sassy and written from a mod-
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Alabama native and regular Bako visitor wants to get better acquainted live at Fishlips, July 18. ern perspective. I wanted to be free to throw in a Led Zep riff if I wanted to, to poke some fun at the genre, but at the same time pay homage to that style.” One live and four studio albums later, he’s found the perfect balance - capturing the rawness of the country records he grew to love and the drive of the rock records he’d become enamored of. “I wanted to make good interesting songs in a genre that I feel is real and I can represent in an honest way,” he says. “With this new album, Stand Up Man, I’ve got the closest to that yet.” He’d tried to make raw studio albums before, him and his long-standing band, The Supermodels, implementing various tricks to capture the energy of their live performances. The band - MI grad guitarist Larry Marciano, former Buckcherry bass player Josh Fleeger and drummer Tony Horkins, who’d played on hit records in his native UK - were not traditional country players, deliberately so. “I didn’t want a bunch of guys who are just running through the country lick they’ve been playing for 25 years,” he says. “They try and do something fresh and I let them run free, reigning them in where it needs to be reigned in.” Inevitably, this four-piece unit got closest to the
raw sound they were after on the live album they released last summer, Live In Bakersfield, where the local following they’d built there over the years came out in droves to be part of the recording: one night, one show, all live. The success of the live album was a lesson learned: with Stand Up Man, he enforced a twotake rule on The Supermodels and the various LA friends and musicians that contributed to the record. Some songs he wrote one day, rehearsed with his band the next and recorded the day after. The result is the first time he’s been able to fully realize his alt-country/Americana dreams. “I told my co-producer, Rich McCulley, that we had to check ourselves at every step of way,” he says. “There will be times when we want to fix something, but we have to leave it be.” Soon they’ll be taking the album out on the road, where Langston believes it belongs. It’s the stuff of roadhouses — music to dance to and drink to. They’re already a leading light in the burgeoning LA alt-country scene, a loose collective of like-minded musicians and venues, and when not on home turf, they’ve been packing them in in England and France and across the United States. “It’s hard to believe we’re getting ready to promote our fifth album,” he reflects. “I get closer and closer to what I’m trying to do with each one - to make an album steeped in its country roots but with a sound and lyrical content that’s equal parts irreverence and homage. This time, I think we nailed it.” www.grantlangston.com
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July 9, 2009
July 9, 2009
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July 9, 2009
The gloved one
is gone Reflecting on the passing of pop icon Michael Jackson (1958-2009) By Greg Goodsell, Bakotopia.com contributor n the waning days of the 20th century, a popular singer would shatter, redefine and transcend all concepts of sexuality, gender, race and class. The world would embrace him, shower him with untold riches, indulge his whims, then turn on him, persecute, ostracize and then ignore him. David Bowie notwithstanding, singer Michael Jackson was the true Man Who Fell to Earth. Obscenely wealthy, with only a passing resemblance to humanity, Jackson flitted between being an angelic ambassador of goodwill to a horrific monster that preyed upon the innocent, sometimes simultaneously. The true tragedy was just prior to his sudden death due to cardiac arrest on June 25, Jackson's albums languished on music store shelves, a casualty of the ever fickle public. The youngest son of the musical family the Jacksons, Michael would delight prepubescent girls with his elfin appeal as the lead singer of the Jackson Five. Jackson's childhood, according to some reports was a very dark one. Under the whip of a demanding father, Jackson would learn about the facts of life from the groupies his elder brothers would pass around after concert dates. His 1972 breakthrough hit “Ben,” a love theme crooned to a rat, allegedly drew upon his own lonely hours with only the household vermin to speak to. Bigger things lay in store. His album, Off the Wall, rocketed off the charts, and his stratospheric follow-up, Thriller, galvanized the music industry. His popularity also shattered the thenapartheid American music market. Rock music radio stations tacitly didn't play “black” artists, but Jackson's overwhelming popularity simply could not be ignored. Jackson's videos for “Beat It,” “Thriller” and “Billie Jean” also pushed through the concept of the music video as art form, miniature movies with drive and narrative comparable to full-length motion pictures. Perhaps the crown jewel in the Prince of Pop's crown was in corralling diverse musician and personalities together for the hit single “We Are the World.” Taking a cue from the British hit “Feed the World,” Jackson gathered singers of every stripe and genre to sing out for African famine relief. A shining example of pop music giving back to the global community, countless other music-related efforts have since concentrated on helping the less fortunate. In spite of this, there was definitely something
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drastically wrong with Michael Jackson. Whereas other singers traded on raw sexuality, Jackson embraced an androgynous innocence. In spite of arranged dates with Brooke Shields and Madonna, there were whispers that the Moonwalker was perhaps gay, or possibly still a virgin. Furthermore, Jackson refused to grow up. Seizing J. M. Barrie's storybook hero Peter Pan as a role model, Jackson christened his sprawling ranch “Neverland,” a perverse personal playground open to all children of the world - in particular young boys with poor families anxious to turn a quick buck. Mutilating his features with countless plastic surgeries and bleaching his skin white, Jackson would mutate into a disturbing approximation of Lon Chaney's Phantom of the Opera. Enormous nostrils, unnaturally large eyes and smooth complexion framed by black hair cascading down in ringlets. Bound and determined to stay in international headlines, in spite of dwindling record sales, Jackson would stage stunts to stay in the public's hearts and minds. Appearing in public wearing a surgical mask, offering large sums of money for the skeleton of John “Elephant Man” Merrick, posing in a hyperbaric chamber, Jackson made sure he titillated tabloids throughout the Eighties and Nineties. Jackson's attempts at notoriety would backfire. Accused of child molestation in 1994, Jackson settled with his accusers out of court. The parade of kiddies continued unabated through Jackson's countless hotel rooms, up until 2003 when new allegations surfaced. In and out of court, Jackson would appear in newspapers as an unshaven space alien. Acquitted of all counts in 2005, Jackson would return to his own children, reportedly sired through artificial insemination with anonymous mothers. Further fueling paparazzi, Jackson would dangle his new born baby son “Blanket” from a fourth floor balcony in Berlin. Any other father caught doing this would be given a one-way ticket to the Stony Lonesome, but not Jackson. Leading up to his death, Jackson was preparing for a series of concert dates in England, prophetically dubbed the “final curtain call.” Collapsing after a series of rehearsals, Jackson was pronounced dead due to heart failure at the much too young age of 50. No one sold as many records as Jackson did. No one crossed as many lines defining race or gender than Jackson did. The scariest, most satanic goth rocker could never hope to be a fraction as horrifying as Jackson was. Michael Jackson was the entertainer the world deserved. His public demanded an unhappy ending, and he gave them one. A true stat.
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July 9, 2009
Memories of
MJ From childhood to adulthood, everyone has a Michael Jackson story to share. By Matt Munoz, Bakotopia Editor & Bakotopians ontroversy and personal life aside, there’s no denying MJ’s worldwide impact in the areas of music, dance, fashion, and comedy. Yes, comedy... Michael Jackson was The Beatles and Elvis of my generation - all wrapped up into one skinny “Bad”-ass. My earliest memory of Michael Jackson was most likely watching Soul Train or American Bandstand. My sisters owned all the Jackson hits on vinyl - from the early Jackson 5 stuff to the ‘70s disco R&B sounds of the “Destiny” LP and beyond. As a kid, I was mostly an observer and not really allowed to go near the stereo, but when I was allowed, it was usually to put on Michael Jackson music. For my 10th birthday, my brother Art took me to the record store (yes, kids that’s what they called them.) My first vinyl LP ever was “Off The Wall.” Damn, that record is DOPE! To this day, it rocks... True story ... My sister Monica named my nephew, the infamous DJ Mikey, after Michael Jackson. I had two very close friends in particular who were "Thee Michael Jackson Fans", in high school Rick and Norma. Rick was as skinny as MJ, same skin color (he was a dark Mexican okay?) Everyone started calling him “Michael.” My friend Norma was one of those lovable, crazed fans who owned anything and everything with MJ’s name or likeness. When the Jackson’s reunion came, everyone rejoiced! I couldn’t afford a ticket to the tour, But I did win a call-in contest on KKXX to be entered to win tix. My entry prize was a copy of the “Victory”
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record, and a twelve pack of Pepsi with fake Jackson family autographs. My friend Norma got to see MJ live that tour at Dodger Stadium, accompanying a group of local cancer patients. That was nice... We all know what the rest of Michael Jackson's bizarre life was like, since the net spares no privacy. Besides texting DJ Mikey, the first person I spoke to after the official announcement of his death was my friend, Norma. She was crying when she picked up the phone after 2 rings. Poor Normsie ... It felt like high school all over again. We asked fans to share their Michael Jackson memories. Here a few of the numerous responses we received at our website: www.bakotopia.com “Strangely I don’t think of MTV, or Neverland when I think of Michael Jackson. I think of being holed up in a hospital in the ‘80s in Truckee, California and having a Walkman and listening to “Thriller.” It got me through some really rough times.” - thenovelist “I was extremely jealous of Michael. When I was break dancing at a young age I always wanted to moonwalk. I understood how he could do it, but didn’t understand how he did it. He almost looked like there was an invisible string pulling him along as he flowed across the floor.” - siestakid “I won the first set of tickets from KKXX to see the Jackson’s “Victory Tour” at Dodger stadium. I gave the tickets to my friend Kelly ‘cause I went to Cheerleader Camp instead ... and I could kick myself because it turned out to be the complete antithesis of who I became in H.S. and as a person.” - Holly Carlyle “I convinced my parents to dress my then 3-year old baby brother in Michael Jackson gear and got
him imitating the King of Pop. My baby bro became the biggest MJ fan ever.” - Chingpea “I remember watching the Thriller video with my sister when we were young as I wore my ‘Beat It’ shirt. That was my favorite shirt I wore that thing to rags. I owe my love of music to MJ.” - MsJosey “Thank You Mike, for all the songs that touched a generation. You are The King Of Pop!” - Phil “Growing up I believed I was going to marry MJ one day! Michael’s name was a regular in my household, since my mom’s cousin was a touring dancer with Michael for many years, so it was always “Where’s Michael and Bruno tonight?” Belvy “I remember having a crush on a guy in eighth grade because he dressed like Michael Jackson. He had the jacket with the zippers, white socks, and the white glove. I dreamt that someday he and I would have little Michael Jackson looking babies!” - Twinkie “DJ Mikey played an awesome mega-mix of Jackson’s greatest at BRyder’s on 6/27. I have never seen so many people pack a dance floor like they did this night! It was unbelievable! You saw everyone trying to imitate his most famous moves, people singing the lyrics as loud as they could. I asked a friend, do you think this many people would’ve been on the dance floor if it was just a regular Saturday night with an MJ song playing in a club? It was obvious that all these people were out there dancing until there was sweat rolling down their faces to pay tribute to a great, talented, and legendary man.” - Palooka5 R.I.P...MJ... BAKOTOPIA 7
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By Matt Munoz, Bakotopia.com ed
hat elements make up a tr rior? Strength, intelligence, skil patience are undoubtedly at the top list. For CSUB wrestling alumni and p sional Bakersfield MMA (mixed ma fighter Brian Cobb (18-5,) those wa qualities are omnipresent. It's been almost two years since topia last sat down with Cobb as he making waves in the MMA world, fre a TKO win over Japan's Kenichiro To Irvine. That win helped his persona record grow through ‘08 and into ‘0 Central Valley PFC (Palace Fighting onship) title holder. Upbeat and polite during our orig Bakotopia cover photoshoot and in Cobb's humble demeanor hasn't b into submission for the sake of his as an official UFC (Ultimate Fighting onship), fighter. Fighting as a lightw understands opportunities like this just handed out to anyone. “When you add up every thing th pened, it's kind of mind-blowing,” s 28, during a Saturday afternoon ins Barbell Club gym in Bakersfield, wh splits regular training sessions alon another local facility, Bakersfield Br Jiu-Jitsu. Recalling being notified ab offer to fight in UFC 95, on February 2009 in London, England, a life-cha decision had to be made in order to the processes for UFC participation light-weight contender. “My agent called me about 36 h before the flight to England,” he rem bered. “He told me one of their figh (Justin Buchholz) scheduled for UFC tracted a staph infection in his elbo couldn’t fight. The UFC knew who I my record, and was looking for a rep ment, and was I interested? The ne hours was a whirlwind of me getting work, running to LA for a physical, a scan, cutting weight, talking to my c and packing - I fought seven days la Making calls to trainers, family a friends, Cobb didn’t have his usual time of weeks or months to study h pool opponent, Terry Etim, who alre made four previous UFC appearanc “I called my MMA coach, Allen, then Matt Baker my Jiu-Jitsu c ask them what I should do over the this day and how to prepare for this said. “I worked out about three tim was on the phone taking care of leg
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A Warrior’s Journey Bakersfield MMA fighter Brian Cobb looks back at his first UFC fight with hopes for future Octagon redemption and glory.
Top left: Brian Cobb and UK fig Terry Etim in the heat of battle UFC 95 in London, England on AP photo.
Left: Showing off some of his w techniques, Cobb’s driving for God, family, friends, and fans. ABOVE: BRIAN COBB / PHOTO BY TANYA LEONZO
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July 9, 2009
pia.com editor
make up a true war-
gence, skill, and ly at the top of the
umni and profes(mixed martial arts,) ,) those warrior-like nt. years since BakoCobb as he was MA world, fresh from Kenichiro Togashi in is personal fighting and into ‘09 as a ce Fighting Champi-
ring our original '07 hoot and interview, or hasn't been put sake of his new rank ate Fighting Champias a lightweight, he es like this aren't ne. ery thing that's hapblowing,” said Cobb, ternoon inside The ersfield, where he ssions along with kersfield Brazilian notified about an on February 21, d, a life-changing e in order to undergo articipation as a
about 36 hours and,” he rememof their fighters uled for UFC 95 conn in his elbow and new who I was and ing for a replaceed? The next 24 f me getting paperphysical, a brain king to my coaches, ven days later.” rs, family and e his usual training s to study his Liverm, who already had appearances. MA coach, Josh my Jiu-Jitsu coach to do over the course of are for this fight,” he ut three times, and g care of legal issues
and UK fighter t of battle during gland on Feb. 21.
me of his workout riving forces are and fans.
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Above: Brian Cobb has come a long way since his days at Bellermine Prep. and paperwork …Then I called my folks.” Still coming to terms with their son’s line of sport, Cobb’s parents are both proud of their son, and equally concerned for his safety. After all, this isn’t high school wrestling with his brother at Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose - Cobb’s old high school. A whirlwind of memories begin to flow from high school, to London, and back as our conversation continues … “My dad is pretty proud now, but my mom wouldn’t watch us wrestle in high school,” he said laughing mildly. “During the first match she ever went to, my older brother got picked up, dropped on his shoulder, broke his collar bone and was screaming. She found out I had become an MMA fighter after she ‘Googled’ my name. She saw my UFC bout, but it was difficult for her.” Back in London and ready to enter the bigtime ranks of potential MMA mega-stardom, nothing could prepare a fighter even at Cobb’s level for the hype leading up to the February bout. If you recall the early days of UFC, it was a different scene altogether. The original U.S. UFC televised brand started out as a Pay-Per-View freak-show of sorts in ‘93, pitting completely different weight classes and disciplines against each other - often ending in bloody injury. Colorful personalities like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Royce Gracie, Greco Roman wrestler Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock, and Pit-Fighter, Tank Abbott - who boasted of learning his technique in bar brawls, made their names in the fighting “Octagon” cage. The Octagon is UFC's version of the boxing ring. After years of pressure from U.S. politicians like John McCain, rules were set in place to help protect fighters, along with proper weight classes. These changes helped turn the original grassroots beginnings of UFC into a worldwide sports franchise, complete with new legends like, Tito Ortiz (another CSUB wrestling alumnus,) and Chuck Liddell, among others. A fan of the UFC, Cobb remembers his
first MMA match after college wrestling in 2004. “The first time you get hit and the sting hits you, you automatically question “Is this what I really wanna be doing?” And then you punch them back and you see that in their eyes. It’s either for you, or it isn’t. It was for me and I enjoyed it.” A media blitz, with a televised weigh-in before his UFC debut is something he never expected to happen so quickly, but like his first punch, he knew this was where he was supposed to be. “I was pretty relaxed about the whole thing, and I knew the weigh-in would be a big production,” he said. “I enjoyed it and tried to take it all in. I didn’t want to waste energy being anxious. By the time I stepped in the cage, I was so relaxed and so confident the thought of me losing never crossed my mind.” Back at home on the night of the fight, Bakersfield fans cheered at the announcement of his name, and the signal that it was time to go. As he’d done numerous fights before, Cobb was used to a couple of minutes of last minute mental prep time during pre-fight announcements. This time, it didn’t happen. “The last three years, I was the main event on every card I was on - they call you to the middle, go over the rules, that sort of production for the fans to let you know this is a title fight,” he explained. “I was there waiting to go in front of the ref, and the next thing you know, he’s like, ‘Ready? Fight!’ I was thrown off guard for a second, and now I gotta get into my game. I didn’t have my coaches there with me - I had the coaches that were supposed to be there with Justin”. Things started out promising for Cobb, who stands at 5' 11,” in the first round as he directly engaged the taller (6' 1”) Etim, carefully striking with a few opening shots. Etim, who rapidly struck Cobb with some visually stinging low kicks to the leg, made the crowd
Brian Cobb on… Royce Gracie: “Crafty” Dan Severn: “Powerful” Tank Abbott: “Insane” Ken Shamrock: “Old” Chuck Liddell: “Creative” Tito Ortiz: “Tough” Joe Rogan (announcer): “Intelligent” Brian Cobb: “Aggressive”
Cobb Quick Cuts: Hometown: San Jose, CA High School: Bellarmine College Prep College: CSUB Fighting styles: Wrestling / Jiu-Jitsu Nickname: The Bandit Training Music: '80s rock & country Favorite Food: Port O' Subs #10 Favorite Movies: Vision Quest & Rocky
gasp each time they connected. “The game plan was to check the leg kick, block it and then counter strike,” he remembered. “I ate about two of them, and I realized I wasn’t going to take anymore. At that point the damage was done. I tried to check him, but my leg was too slow, my strike wasn’t happening, because of the reach - it was the first time I had ever fought someone taller than me. So, I resorted back to what I do best, so you see me crouch and get in that wrestling stance, and I’m waiting for opportunities to take him down.” And he does in the middle of the first round. Left leg visually welting from the swift leg kicks of Etim, Cobb does his best to combat anymore damage. The first round ends giving Cobb a chance to re-think his approach. The second round started much like the first, with more kicks, including one to the head of Cobb that knocked him down. Etim took advantage of the situation by attempting to land more punches. Cobb effectively deflected a few - but just as soon as it looked like Cobb would be making a comeback, the fight was stopped by the referee, much to the dismay of Cobb and many fans. Etim was proclaimed the winner by TKO. “I was really relaxed,” he said looking back at his first time in the UFC. I probably wasted more energy after the fight was over, being really frustrated with not fighting well and losing than I did before being anxious.” Upon returning home, Cobb was already looking forward to his next three UFC bouts, as part of his four bout deal with the organization. In true warrior form, he still keeps it cool as ever. “I feel like I’ve gotten better in the last six months since that fight,” he said. “It’s really been a motivating factor. I’m mad that I lost, but sometimes the best thing for you is a loss. It re-focuses the group and the training. I’m happy with the progress that’s been made since then.” The next UFC event (UFC 100,) is scheduled for July 11, in Las Vegas, Nev. Cobb intends on watching a re-broadcast upon his return from a family camping trip, and looks forward to his return to the Octagon. “I’m hoping to make it to UFC 104 in Los Angeles this October,” said Cobb confidently. Thanking his loving wife Denise, family, and fans for continued support, Cobb wants to remind Bakersfield of his drive to bring a UFC championship back home. “I take this very seriously, and really want people from Bakersfield to know that they’re represented well,” he said. *Bakotopia will continue to follow the career of Brian Cobb and the ever-growing Bakersfield MMA scene in future issues, so stay tuned! For more on Brian Cobb, visit:
www.sherdog.com BAKOTOPIA 9
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JULY 9
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July 9, 2009
Michele Maule Art Opening The Surface Gallery 1703 20th St. 7 p.m. / 323-4090
= Highly recommended
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Sick Puppies & more Jerry's Pizza 1817 Chester Ave 6 p.m. / All Ages / 633-1000
“Reggae Nite” w/ Dub Seeds Camino Real 3500 Truxtun Ave. 8 p.m. / Free / 852-0493
“Cash'd Out” Johnny Cash Tribute Fishlips 1517 18th St. 8 p.m. / $10 / 322-5200
"My Big Fat Oildale Fundraiser" Gaslight Melodrama 12748 Jomani Dr. 7 p.m. / $50 - $25 / 5873377
Karaoke (Every Thurs. & Sun.) The Belvedere 3090 Brundage Ln. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 325-2139
JULY 10
Der Peoples Banda (also Sun.) Sandrini's, 1918 Eye St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / Free
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Bob Wayne & Outlaw Carnies, & The Iron Outlaws Narducci's Café 622 E. 21st St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 3241369
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ONYX (hip-hop) w/ Dirty Politicians & more The Dome 2201 V St. 6 p.m. / $15 Adv.- $17 Door 327-0190 Beat Surrender (DJ Nite!) Sandrini's 1918 Eye St. 10 p.m. / 21+ / Free Destroy The Throne, Citi, What We Have Become, Nyceria, & The Haunting The Gate 2010 "O" street 7 p.m. / $7 / All Ages
JULY 11 Mento Buru - LIVE! “FunkyReggaeCumbia” McMurphy's Irish Bar 14 Monterey St. 9 p.m. / $5 / 21+ 869-1451
XBOX360 “UFC Undisputed '09 Tourn. Gamestor East Hills Mall 12 p.m. / All Ages / 8717900 *Call for registration info The Magic of Rod Saylor Gaslight Melodrama 12748 Jomani Dr. 1 p.m. / $6 / 587-3377 The Tallest Of Men, Seven Ate Nine, il Sogno & TheGrizzlySix & Out Of Frame The Gate 2010 "O" St. 7 p.m. / $7 / All Ages Modern Jazz Trio Mama Hillybeans 426 E. Tehachapi Blvd. Tehachapi, Ca. 7 p.m. / $10 / 822-Bean “France & Rage band reunions” Maria Bonita Restaurant 10701 Hwy. 178 9 p.m. / 21+ / 366-3261
Major League Improv Empty Space Theatre 706 Oak Street 6 p.m. / All Ages / Donations welcome 327-PLAY “Which One's Pink?” Pink Floyd Tribute Fishlips 1517 18th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / $18 www.vallitix.com 322-5200
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JULY 13 Alisa's Karaoke Nation (Every Mon.) Riley's Tavern 1523 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 324-3268
JULY 14 Mac Attack's Karaoke (Every Tues. & Wed.) The Junction 2620 Buck Owens Blvd. 8 p.m. / 21+ / 327-9651 TWITTER.COM/BAKOTOPIA MYSPACE.COM/BAKOTOPIA
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SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, JULY 18 Jerry's Pizza 1817 Chester Ave 6 p.m. / All Ages / $10 633-1000 *COMING TO BAKOTOPIA MAG JULY 23RD!
Der Peoples Banda (also Sun.) Sandrini's 1918 Eye St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / Free “Reggae Nite” w/ Dub Seeds Camino Real 3500 Truxtun Ave. 8 p.m. / Free / 852-0493
JULY 17 “Once Upon a Wolf” BCT Playhouse 2400 S. Chester Ave. 7 p.m. / $10: adults
$8: students & seniors 831-8114
Shane Michael CD Release Show The Gate 2010 "O" street 7 p.m. / $7 / All Ages
Graphite Slam Dunk Trading Company & Modern Jazz trio The Basement 1532 19th St. 9 p.m. / $6 / All Ages
Really Big Midgetz (Also Sat.) The Belvedere 3090 Brundage Ln. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 325-2139
A Static Lullaby, Asking Alexandria, Motionless In White, Tides Of Man, Vanna Jerry's Pizza 1817 Chester Ave 6 p.m. / All Ages / $15 633-1000
POST YOUR EVENTS AT WWW.BAKOTOPIA.COM, BE LISTED HERE IN BAKOTOPIA MAGAZINE! FREE!
JULY 18
Vogue In The Movement - LIVE!
JULY 16
A Pretty Mess Sandrini's 1918 Eye St. 10 p.m. / 21+
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Sandrini Concepts Events Expo KC Museum 3801 Chester Ave. 5-10 p.m. / $10 adults / $5 kids - Info: 322-7074
Silence O' Israel, See The Light, Beyond Falling Skies, Mento Buru &Dj Mikey - LIVE! Upon The Fallen, Out Of Frame BRyder’s The Gate 7401 White Ln. 2010 "O" street 9 p.m / 21+ / 397-7304 7 p.m. / $7 / All Ages Diver Down - LIVE! Major League Improv Chuy's (Rosedale) Empty Space Theatre 7 p.m. / Free / All Ages 706 Oak Street 587-5750 6 p.m. / All Ages / Donations Grant Langston & The Super- welcome 327-PLAY models Fishlips Disco 2000 1517 18th St. Sandrini's 9 p.m. / $5 / 21+ 1918 Eye St. 324-2557 10 p.m. / 21+ “Once Upon a Wolf” BCT Playhouse 2400 S. Chester Ave. 7 p.m. / $10: adults $8: students & seniors 831-8114
DON’T DRINK & DRIVE!
JULY 19 “Once Upon a Wolf” BCT Playhouse 2400 S. Chester Ave. 2 p.m. / $10: adults $8: students & seniors 831-8114
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Tickets available @ Marcela’s Home Store (559) 622-0987
with guests
Kemaya (All-Star Salsa)
@(300 Fox Theatre W. Main St., Visalia) $20 all-ages general admission July 25th / Doors open 7pm / Showtime 8pm BAKOTOPIA 11
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
July 9, 2009
SEEN ON
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Bakotopia.com/seen
See more photos at:
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Ernie (lying on step), Julian ( in flight), and Dario Montez (seated), Bakersfield, CA. PHOTOS BY PAPERTHIN.SILENCE
BAKOTOPIA 12
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
July 9, 2009
Meet the
Ridge Route Romeos By The Ridge Route Romeos Bakotopia.com contributors he Ridge Route Romeos approach to music is pretty simple: Fill the tank with straightahead American rock ‘n’ roll, add a liberal dose of twang and put the hammer down! Originally formed in 2007, the band is the result of a chance meeting in a Bakersfield record store years earlier. One day in 2003 or 2004, Steve Austin and Brian Paxton were hanging out in Bakersfield’s local music institution, World Records, talking with the owner, Pat. Inevitably, the topic of conversation was music, and a mutual affinity for such roots rock bands such as the Blasters, Beat Farmers, Old 97s, and Los Lobos - was revealed. At the time, Steve was living in the Santa Clarita area, playing banjo and acoustic guitar with an oldtimey string band, the Hooverville Rounders (with whom he still performs). Brian was playing guitar
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with Bakersfield roots-rock favorites, the Dusk Devils (with whom he parted ways in 2007). After relocating to Tehachapi a few years later, Steve placed an ad on Bakotopia.com looking for local musicians to play with. As fate would have it, one of the few people to respond was Brian Paxton. Recalling the meeting at World Records a few years earlier, the two decided to get together and jam. With both musicians playing lead and slide guitar, blues harp and sharing lead vocals, it was quickly apparent that these guys were on to something … now all they needed was a rhythm section. Enter bassist John Guy of Tehachapi (by way of Mojave) and drummer Steve-O of Bakersfield (recently transplanted from Utah), both newcomers to the local music scene with impressive musical resumes to their credit. As an added bonus, Steve-O has been singing harmony since his childhood, in church and with assorted bands around the country.
John’s background in rock and heavy metal, combined with Steve-O’s rock-solid meter, made for a rhythm section with all the subtlety of a Mojave meth lab explosion. After the first rehearsal, it was obvious to everyone involved that the pieces were in place and this band was ready to rock! The band decided on the name, “The Ridge Route Romeos,” as a reference to the old Ridge Route, the highway connecting Bakersfield and Los Angeles. “Romeos” is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the band’s composition of middle-aged guys who, according to Austin, “aren’t exactly the physical specimens we were in our younger days. It’s our way of saying we don’t take ourselves too seriously.” One thing they do take seriously, however, is the music, and that’s something you gotta hear! Bakotopia.com/users/TheRidgerouteRomeos LIC#:PP012134
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BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
July 9, 2009
Being a Kid at Heart ... An ongoing reminder to stay positive during these harsh economic times. FILE PHOTO
By AtomicTeaspoon, Bakotopia.com contributor ersonal perspective has given me the opportunity to really question what people mean when they say "I'm a kid at heart." During my early college days, living with my parents, I was relatively carefree. The biggest problems at that point were finals and essays. After college, I landed a job that was far from ideal, but practical. I was out on my own, then married. Then I was divorced. The brevity of the preceding statements may imply their unfavorable nature. You may ask yourselves “How relevant is it that I know your life story?" For one thing, it’s relatively brief. For another thing, it still spans the entire peri-
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od of my adult life. As life inevitably happened, I had a little less conviction each time I heard the notion that someone was a kid at heart. I agreed with the statement before and I still do, at some level. When your friends suggest you go see a movie and you think to yourself, “It’s late, movies cost $10, I’m tired, or any other petty excuse, then being a kid at heart isn’t very genuine.” I currently have a job that is full time, good benefits, all the overtime I want, but the job itself is intellectually vacuous, as most customer service tends to be. Recently, I’ve been offered an opportunity to work at a local recreational facility as an activity coordinator. Working with kids just happens to be my preferred field. Over the last few years, I’ve
been a responsible person, nearly at the risk of smothering my inner child. This job opportunity feels to me like some turn at a crossroads, written in rather large crayon with some letters backwards. My current job resembles a cleanly written, but sterile sign pointing to some greyer horizon. You don’t lose your inner child as you get older. You simply ignore it until it gets as old as you are. Responsibility is still paramount to adulthood. But there has to be something that makes you smile in some childish way under the bills, laundry, car repairs, and shopping. My life may be harder, but I’m going to take the more fun fork in the road. I’ll be damned if I let my inner child grow a beard.
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Dave Koz & Brian Culbertson
Carrie Underwood Wednesday, July 22, 2009
w/special guest Peabo Bryson Friday, July 31, 2009
Journey & Heart Thursday, July 23, 2009
KISS Kelly Clarkson
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Styx & REO Speedwagon
Judas Priest and Whitesnake
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tim McGraw
Black Eyed Peas
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Country Rodeo Finals with Little Texas Saturday, August 1, 2009
Professional Bull Riders Sunday, August 2, 2009
BAKOTOPIA 15