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Interview: Iron Maiden ready to melt faces in Irvine

August 7th, 2012, 10:14 am by
Almost 37 years into his career as bassist and principle songwriter for Iron Maiden, Steve Harris still gets a kick out of the young, fresh faces he sees that still pop up during the heavy metal band’s massive world tours.

Now out on a 34-date North American leg of its Maiden England Tour, designed to closely mirror the U.K. band’s 1988 outing behind Seventh Son of a Seventh Son in both look and song selections, Harris says during a recent phone interview that it’s pretty scary how so much of the crowd, not yet born when the majority of Maiden’s classic material was recorded, nonetheless sing along to every single word of key tracks from crucially influential albums like The Number of the Beast (1982), Piece of Mind (1983) and the legendary Long Beach recording Live After Death (1985).

“They’ve definitely done their homework,” Harris says, with a slight laugh, of newer Maidenheads.

The Maiden England production, which arrives this week for two shows (Thursday and Friday) at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, boasts cuts culled almost exclusively from the group’s ’80s prime – although given the massive audiences that are annually roused worldwide by vocalist Bruce Dickinson and the rest of the sextet, its heyday is arguably ongoing.

In addition to required elements from Seventh Son (1988), the band’s sets include several pieces from Powerslave (1984) and Somewhere in Time (1986)” and key tracks from the earlier staples – even a couple off the band’s 1980 self-titled debut, when Paul Di’Anno was briefly frontman. (Dickinson, a far more agile and sky-scraping singer, replaced him after 1981’s Killers.)

“We haven’t changed the arrangements or anything like that,” Harris assures. “The songs still stand up as being strong as they are, so we’re not changing them. We got a few different things we didn’t play – quite a few things that we didn’t play – back on the ‘88 tour to mix it up a bit and keep it more interesting for us, and the audience probably.”

Read more with Steve Harris of Iron Maiden on the Soundcheck Blog.

Iron Maiden plays Aug. 9-10 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, in Irvine. Coheed and Cambria are up first at 7:30 each night. Tickets are $40-$160.

Photo: Frontman Bruce Dickinson and Iron Maiden return to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater for two shows this week. By: John McMurtrie

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Slideshow: SOBECA Summer Sounds Series returns to the CAMP

August 6th, 2012, 12:31 pm by

The SOBECA (South On Bristol, Entertainment, Culture, Arts) Summer Sounds Series continued on Sunday, Aug. 5 at the CAMP in Costa Mesa with performances by artists including the Miracals, Act As If, Jackie Tohn, Sonia Rao, Ocha La Rocha, Bryan Titus, Caroline Brooks, Jake Brown and more.

Click here for a photo slideshow of SOBECA performances.

The next event will be happening at both the CAMP and the LAB (located across the street) as each venue will be hosting a special weekend-long music showcase on Aug. 25-26 featuring an extensive lineup of artists. More details will be announced soon.

All of these concerts are free to the public and also include activities and promotions to support local arts charities like Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, Music Saves Lives and more.

Click here for a photo slideshow from the SOBECA Summer Sounds Series on July 1.

Photos by Alexander Avina, for OrangeCounty.com

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Music News: Eat | See | Hear comes to Costa Mesa August 10

August 3rd, 2012, 4:30 pm by

The SoCo Collection and the OC Mart Mix in Costa Mesa have partnered with Eat | See | Hear for the first SoCo Outdoor Cinema event featuring a screening of the award-winning movie “The Artist” on Friday, Aug. 10.

This debut event also includes an art walk, live music, food trucks and more starting at 5:30 p.m. The band, the Ultimate Bearhug, begins at 7 p.m. and the movie follows at 8:30 p.m. in the outdoor courtyard.

Before the movie begins, delicious gourmet dishes and drinks will be for sale from local restaurants, free bites and samples will be available, food trucks will be onsite and the Wafflegato, a dessert made from five shops at the Mix and SoCo will also be available.

Tickets are $5 online pre-sale (www.theocmartmix.com) or $7 at the door. Guests can enter the area through the OC Mart Mix at 3313 Hayland Drive, Costa Mesa.

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Music News: The Downtown Summer Art & Music Festival takes over Santa Ana Saturday

August 3rd, 2012, 12:14 pm by

The First Saturday’s Art Walk in downtown Santa Ana – located at Second Street Promenade on 2nd Street between Broadway and Sycamore – presents the free Summer Art & Music Festival from 5-10 p.m. on Saturday.

The evening includes performances by Badfish, Orangutron, the Moan, Giant Ants, My Machete, Time & Energy, We’re Harmoniums and DJ sets from DJ Ras Sal, DJ Polyester and DJ Cancun Joey.

Arts, crafts, vendors and live entertainment will be centrally located in the Artists Village (2nd Street and Broadway) and the Santiago Arts Colony (Santa Ana Blvd. and Poinsettia).

All of the downtown galleries and restaurants will be open and various food trucks will be onsite as well.

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Music News: No Use for a Name singer Tony Sly dies at 41

August 1st, 2012, 1:16 pm by

Tony Sly, vocalist and guitarist for punk rock outfit No Use for a Name, has died. Various sites posted scant, sad news Wednesday morning that the 41-year-old had passed away, but no cause of death has been given.

Sly’s longtime friend “Fat Mike” Burkett, of NOFX, issued a statement via his label, Fat Wreck Chords:

“It is with great sorrow that we must say goodbye to Tony Sly of No Use For A Name. We received a call earlier today of his passing, and are devastated. We have lost an incredible talent, friend, and father – one of the true greats. Fat Mike had this to say: ‘One of my dearest friends and favorite song writers has gone way too soon. Tony, you will be greatly missed.”

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Music News: Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and more on tap for Rock Vegas at Mandalay Bay

July 25th, 2012, 8:38 am by

If you’ve been waiting to hear about a Southern California stop on the Rob Zombie & Marilyn Manson tour, it’s time to make other plans.

In Sin City.

Before those self-proclaimed Twins of Evil embark on a nationwide trek, they will headline the second night of a newly announced Rockstar Energy Drink-sponsored festival, Rock Vegas, Sept. 28-29 at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

Shinedown and Godsmack cap the first night, along with sets from Staind, Papa Roach, P.O.D., Adelitas Way, Deuce and Redlight King. The Zombie/Manson night also features turns from Corey Taylor’s Slipknot offshoot Stone Sour, Buckcherry, All That Remains, Art of Dying, New Medicine and Otherwise.

Single- and two-day passes go on sale Saturday, July 28, at 10 a.m., with prices starting at $39. VIP packages also will be available.

A reminder that the Who’s two Quadrophenia and More stops, Jan. 28 at Honda Center in Anaheim and Jan. 30 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, go on sale Friday, July 27, at 10 a.m. Prices for either show start at $39.50 and top out at $129.50.

Meanwhile, Bob Dylan & Mark Knopfler‘s previously mentioned Santa Barbara Bowl show on Oct. 22 goes on sale Saturday at 11 a.m., $49-$143.

Garbage‘s gig just got bigger: Demand for the band’s Oct. 2 show at the Wiltern was so high that the show has been moved to the Hollywood Palladium. That means a limited amount of additional tickets, $35, are going on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Also coming to the Palladium: Bassnectar, with Gramatik and Gladkill, Oct. 18, $25-$45, on sale Friday at noon; and rapper A$AP Rocky, Oct. 26, $29.50, on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Find more music news and reviews on the Soundcheck Blog.

Photo by Kelly A. Swift, for the Orange County Register.

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Music News: Friends, fans to remember Christian Dasilva with benefit show featuring the Aquabats

July 19th, 2012, 12:35 pm by

UPDATE: A fund has been set up per Christian Dasilva’s father which will benefit all three of the children. Those wishing to donate can do so by sending checks payable to Tony Dasilva at Pacific Western Bank 1661 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA. 92106.

Sad and tragic news spread quickly on social networking sites Monday afternoon: Christian Dasilva (pictured above, right), known by many as the sound guy at all-ages concert venue Chain Reaction in Anaheim, died after his motorcycle collided with a Lexus sedan on Hamilton Avenue in Huntington Beach, where he lived.

The outpouring of condolences for the 40-year-old’s new and pregnant wife Emma and his two daughters, Caidyn and Chloe, has continued all week. Dasilva, who worked at Chain Reaction for more than a dozen years, manned the sound booth and mixed shows for thousands of artists, many of whom posted about their experiences with him on Facebook.

Here’s one such post, from a member of pop-punk act the Ataris, regulars at Chain over the years: “I just found out the terrible news that our good friend Christian Dasilva passed away yesterday. Completely bummed. What a genuinely good dude. I just want to send my thoughts and prayers out to his family and friends. You were a great friend man. You will be missed. Stay gold brother.”

Former Chain Reaction talent buyer and current Glass House operator Jon Halperin, friends with Dasilva for many years before working with him at Chain beginning in 2000, has quickly helped organize a benefit show to help cover funeral costs. Dubbed “Christian Dasilva Has a Posse,” the charity memorial on Monday will feature O.C. ska and rock act the Aquabats along with local band Starpool. Tickets are $20, with all proceeds going straight to the Dasilva family.

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Music News: SOBECA Summer Sounds Series returns August 5

July 18th, 2012, 9:10 am by

The SOBECA (South On Bristol, Entertainment, Culture, Arts) Summer Sounds Series returns on Aug. 5 with a new line-up of artists including the Miracals, Act As If, Jackie Tohn, Sonia Rao, Ocha La Rocha, Bryan Titus, Caroline Brooks, Jake Brown, Ben Leyland, Jon Sherman & Drydad Flutes, Fountain’s Muse and a Drum Circle.

The event will kick off at noon at the CAMP in Costa Mesa. The SOBECA District, along with support from Planet LA Records and Hubert’s Lemonade, will be spotlighting various local talents during it’s run.

All of these concerts are free to the public and will also include activities and promotions to support local arts charities like Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, Music Saves Lives and more.

The next event will be happening at both the CAMP and the LAB (located across the street) as each venue will be hosting a special weekend-long music showcase on Aug. 25-26 featuring an extensive lineup of artists. More details will be announced soon.

Click here for a photo slideshow from the SOBECA Summer Sounds Series on July 1.

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Music News: S.S. Coachella to set sail for Jamaica, Bahamas with Pulp, Hot Chip, Girl Talk and more

July 18th, 2012, 9:01 am by

Ships ahoy! Coachella is taking to the sea.

As has been rumored since early Tuesday morning, Goldenvoice, the L.A. concert promoter behind the one of the most renowned music festivals in the world, is venturing into the growing market of concert cruises, with two separate runs on their new vessel – one to the Bahamas, the other to Jamaica – set for December.

Reunited British band Pulp, a standout among standouts at Coachella in April, will head up an identical lineup for both trips. Also slated to appear are Hot Chip, Yeasayer, Girl Talk, DJ sets from LCD Soundsystem mastermind James Murphy and the Rapture, Sleigh Bells, Simian Mobile Disco, !!!, Warpaint, El-P, Black Lips, Grimes and more.

The S.S. Coachella is actually a 1,000-foot, 122,000-ton ship dubbed the Celebrity Silhouette, with room for 2,800 passengers, cabana-style alcoves and a small theater that, as organizer Paul Tollett tells the New York Times, is like a “mini-Royal Albert Hall.”

The cruise liner “even has a half-acre of grass,” he adds. “It wouldn’t be Coachella without grass.”

Both voyages depart from Fort Lauderdale – and no, the cost of the cruise doesn’t include your travel to Florida to disembark. The Bahamas outing is a three-day run, leaving Dec. 16, while the Jamaica excursion is a four-day trip, setting sail on Dec. 19.

Patrons willing to bunk four to a cabin are looking at a rate of $500 per person, with payment plans available after putting $250 down. There are nine other price levels, rising as high as $9,000 per person for a “sky suite” complete with veranda. Most stateroom voyages are in the $1,000-$2,000 range.

Reservations become available Saturday, July 21, at 10 a.m. Goldenvoice is strongly urging potential passengers to create a ticket-purchasing account ahead of time. All travelers must be 21 or older and have a valid passport that expires no earlier than June 2013.

Costs are comprehensive, including lodging, food (the ship features several restaurants), activities and entertainment – but, again, you’ll have to get yourself to the Sunshine State. Obviously there will be some hope of rubbing elbows with the talent, either accidentally or deliberately, as extra events are being planned, like a wine tasting with Murphy.

Plus, as Tollett points out to the NYT: “Some sets will be longer than usual. We don’t have a curfew.”

Read more about the rise of concert cruises as a viable complement to traditional live-music fare here.

Find more music news and reviews on the Soundcheck Blog.

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Music News: The Black Keys add second show at Staples Center

July 17th, 2012, 8:32 am by

Demand to see the Black Keys live continues to soar. The duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney — finally a Grammy-winning, chart-impacting force after seven studio albums and a decade of shows — already have a string of October dates in Southern California as part of their first headlining arena tour.

And now they’ve added one more: Oct. 6, the group’s second night at Staples Center, following Oct. 5. Tickets for the new gig, $39.50-$59.50, go on sale Friday, July 20, at 10 a.m. Just a reminder that the Black Keys also play Oct. 2 at Santa Barbara Bowl, Oct. 4 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego and Oct. 8 at Honda Center in Anaheim. Opening act throughout the run: Tegan and Sara.

This just in: The date of Nicki Minaj‘s Nokia Theatre show has just been moved, from Aug. 5 to Aug. 8, due to “an unavoidable scheduling conflict.” The location stays the same. All tickets for the earlier date will be honored. If necessary, refunds are available at point of purchase.

Find more music news and reviews on the Soundcheck Blog.

Photo by David Hall, for the Orange County Register.

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