The monkey’s paw

As happens in any town, people come and go without fanfare. Perhaps it’s the romantic in me, but this always makes me sad. So it is with public note that I bid adieu to Brad Nabors, who came to my attention via his band the Bitchin’ Collegiates and more recently was one of the fine members of Cowboy. On to study theology and perhaps attain a doctorate in religious studies down in Berkeley the young scholar goes. I get a sneaking suspicion that he’ll be back. …

Attended the Silver Dollar Fair this weekend, and while I did not see Slingblade working any of the rides, the whole affair still reminds me of the film Something Wicked This Way Comes. Perhaps I’m just sore that the dollar my wife got me to lay out so that she could shake a monkey’s hand disappeared so quickly. “But señor, your monkey barely touched my wife’s hand. Perhaps she could have another touch of your fine monkey?” “Bug off.” I stood on the side offering people the opportunity to shake my hand for two bits, but the monkey wasn’t happy I was muscling in on his territory and had his organ grinder stare me down. …

Two fellows stopped by recently to let me know that they added some additional players to their duo and are now in fact a band. “Great, what’s the name of the group?” “We don’t have one yet.” “Must be hard to advertise gigs?” “We haven’t had any yet.” You gotta love the ambitiousness of the youth, but in the future I need a name or what the hell am I going to write about in my column? …

A recent name change to add to your scorecard: Arnica Synch is now Magnetic North, or something like that. Four guys, four solid players. Dan Greenfield steps out of the past (Uncle Roscoe) to showcase his guitar noodlings, Kelly Bauman recreates a—dare I say it?—Pitchfork Tuning soundscape, Conrad Nystrom (Cowboy) and Casey Dietz lay down some heavy back beats to anchor the whole shebang. If you are a betting person, I’d put a Jackson down on this band and let it roll.

Also a big hats-off to many new bands that I have caught recently that really rock my world: Anti-Crisis (the scariest band in Chico), Royal Crown, The Americas and many others that I will inform you about in the upcoming weeks. Till then stay crazy and have a great summer.