TWO-FOR-ONE YARD DOGS ROAD SHOW IN OC WEEKLY

I can't explain the Yard Dogs Road Show. Take one part circus act, one part vaudeville and another part David Bowie and you're in the ballpark, yet still not quite there.

Instead of me rambling here, why not just read the story I wrote about them?




After talking to Broadway, the Yard Dogs Road Show sounded like something I would be in to. I was correct. A dude swallowed a sword, a girl sang a song about pineapples in a pineapple dress and the burlesque girls made me feel funny (in the good kind of way).

I can't recommend this show enough. For reals. I'm not even being paid to say that.

Click here for the feature-length preview and click here to read the review.

AN INTERVIEW WITH PITHY SWEET IN OC WEEKLY

This lil' ditty is about a trio called Pithy Sweet. The boys play a nice version of indie rock and the only thing better than their music is the answers to my questions.

Ok, that might be a bit biased, but you know what I mean.

Click here to see if I ain't lying.

AN INTERVIEW WITH PATRICK MCDONNELL IN VEGETARIAN TIMES

It takes Vegetarian Times a while to post their print content online, so that's why this has taken so long. Anyway, it's an interview I did with "Mutts" creator Patrick McDonnell.

The cartoonist was super nice and easy to speak to. His love of animals and desire to be a compassionate human was evident throughout our conversation and I hope that comes off in this interview.

Click here for the story.

AN INTERVIEW WITH FREE MORAL AGENTS IN OC WEEKLY

Thanks to the magic of the Intranets, this interview with Long Beach's Free Moral Agents literally came from nowhere.

It was 10 p.m. on a Wednesday and I was chatting with OC Weekly music editor Danielle Bacher. She asked what was going on in town and I told her about the Free Moral Agents playing the following night at the Blue Cafe. One thing led to another and within an hour, a story had been written.

Check it out here.

PS Photo by Mary Bell

AN INTERVIEW WITH TKO RECORDS' MARK RAINEY AT OC WEEKLY

I used to think Christmas and punkers didn't mix. Now I'm starting to think I was wrong.

Based on this interview with TKO Records head honcho Mark Rainey and after attending the TKO Records Xmas Party at Alex's Bar, I think Santa would look pretty good in a jean jacket and Dickies.

Don't believe me? Read this.

MARCIA FORD AND THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN SWING BAND AT OC WEEKLY

Marcia Ford and the Hollywood Canteen Swing Band is an 18-piece big band from Long Beach. They play the hits from the golden era of swing and look good doing it.

Click here to find out more about them.

PUNK ROCK KARAOKE AT OC WEEKLY

I like punk rock. I also like karaoke. So naturally I would like a band called Punk Rock Karaoke, right?

Right.

Plus, I hadn't been on stage with a live band in a while and I figured doing so might be another hurdle in the race to beat anxiety. My singing might not have been perfect, but I think I won this battle.

Also, I've been listening to the Descendents' "Bikeage" with a whole new appreciation for that song now that I've sung it live.

Click here to read all about it.