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For
most internet readers, the selection for Utah based websites that focus
on entertainment is mighty thin. I should know, I'm typing on one
right now. But recently that pool of information just got filled a
little more. --- Big
Shiny Robot has taken local geek related news and made it more
accessible than ever before. Offering everything from previews on Utah
publications, all the way to DVD reviews and info on major industry
rumblings to boot. I got a chance to chat with creators Lucas and
Bryan on the creation of the site, the attention it's gotten since,
their thoughts on comics today, and a few other topics that came to
mind.Lucas (Sketched) and Bryan (not avaliable...
When
I started the vacation, I wasn't really sure what I was going to do,
but I knew I wanted to cover a show for fun. --- And
right as I decided I was going to do it, there in my inbox sits a
flyer for a show over at Kilby Court for Saturday. And what a
great choice I made. The band Pilot This Plane Down having
their CD Release party, with Bird Eater (filling in for Gaza), Loom,
and Form Of Rocket! I got a chance to take over 200 photos of
the show, as well as chat with all the bands after what I can only
describe as one of the best shows this year.Bird
Eater (Jon, Chris, Tino
& Kel)http://www.myspace.com/birdeatermusic Gavin: Hey guys, first off, tell
us who you are and a little about yourselves.Jon:
Bird Eater is a grungy death metal project with a little country
thrown in. Not for the twang of it...
So
my friend Tony tells me "dude, save your vacation, we'll go to
L.A. in the summer." And so I did, and May sweeps rolls
around and I say "alright, sweeps is almost over, when do you
wanna go?" And his says "I dunno." So
after the long process of finding out how painfully expensive it
would be just to spend a couple of days on the west cost, I decided
to screw those plans and stuck around here to relax and do other
stuff. My "staycation" as every media outlet coined
it (and then made packages for it) started Wednesday evening.
But strangely enough it gave me time to head out and do more
stuff!--- Friday night I made my way out to Area 51 to
celebrate with Alan and his staff for the club's 10th Anniversary! It
was pretty fun seeing faces from the past and new ones who had just
discovered the place. All meshing together to Ministry!
By the time you read this, the celebration will officially be over.
But what a landmark for the club. You can check out those
photos here.And
then Saturday night I stopped by Kilby Court to check out the Pilot
This Plane Down show, bookmarking their CD release! Along with
Bird Eater, Loom, and Form Of Rocket (who played an encore song at
the end, much to the pleasing of the crowd). Interviews with
those bands will be going up on Tuesday. Very awesome show I
might add.And then on Sunday I sat in at The
Geek Show Podcast
at Brewvies to take pictures
and watch them record their show (which will be up on Monday) live.
With beer fueling the conversation! One of the last episodes
the show will have for a while with all the current panelists,
including Marcus and the recently added Leigh George Kade! Ah,
a sight to behold... for us local geeks.So all in all, I've
just been doing more than normal. I was actually also going to
be on UtahFM tomorrow with Brooke from Noon-3PM to chat about the
scene and play lots of local music, but those plans were cooled off
for the time being as she had to unexpectedly dart off to California
herself for a cool opportunity over the weekend.
Most
writers tell you that in order to become successful, you have to pack
up and dwell in New York City for years just to get a little
recognition. But try telling that to Sara Zarr. Getting rave reviews
for her books from local papers all the way to the New York Times, not
to mention a movie deal on one of her books, she's proved to be a
literally force without having to leave Utah to do it. Now with a City Weekly Artys
nod and a third book on the way, it doesn't look like she'll be
stopping anytime soon. I got a chance to chat with Sara about her
books, how she got into writing, her thoughts on other local writers,
and some other random topics that came to mind. --- Sara Zarrhttp://www.sarazarr.com/Gavin: Hello Sara, thanks for chatting with me. First thing, tell us a little about yourself.Sara:
Hi, thanks for having me! I grew up in San Francisco, on the north side
of Golden Gate Park, back in the seventies when working class families
could still afford to live there.
This
past Friday I got back into the swing of things by heading over to
the still open Urban Lounge. --- After a fine tour of
the polished up floor, the new non-smoking rules and the recently
cleaned up bathroom, it was about time for the show to begin.
And I was not disappointed at all. The night consisted of the
jugband-rock of Red Top Wolverine Show, the old-school punk sound of
The HasBeens, and the punk-blues stylings of Pink Lightnin’!
I grabbed some pictures during the show and got interviews with all
three bands.Red Top Wolverine (James,
Frisco, Jailbait and
Brad)http://www.myspace.com/redtopwolverineshowGavin:
Hey guys, first off, tell us who you are and a little about
yourselves.Brad: I am a caring and insightful, but
ultimately bitter and sarcastic person. I play guitar and sing.
First,
let's kick this entry off with a fresh look at what I'm now dubbing
The 337 Memorial Wall.--- Sorry I couldn't get the picture
before the tagging and vandalism to the most recent edition, but most
of it still remains in tact and looks very awesome. For those
of you just catching up, the wall is about all that remains of the
original 337 Project after demolition, and continues to get a
facelife from random artists. Quite nice to see something new
pop up every couple of weeks.Got tons of feedback about the
interview with Marcus from a lot of people in person, on various
forums, and via MySpace.
(Not to mention a tip of the hat from Bill Frost!) The man has
a lot of local fans. Admittedly, I probably sounded like a
giggling idiot to the guy, because he literally had a one-liner every
other minute while we were walking around. Watching him
interact with people who totally didn't know him was a sight to see
in itself. Very kind and good hearted man who was more than
happy to say hello to fans. For those who didn't catch it in
the interview, there are MORE pictures from our day at The Gateway. And also he's officially confirmed that he'll be filming a DVD
special at The Egyptian in Ogden on September 9th, with a special
guest appearance by Wolf from American Gladiators.
...Seriously, Wolf!!! Go get your tickets. I may chat up
the fun story about my day out with Marcus down the road, but more on
that later.Coming up in the blog this week we take a look at
this month's Gallery Stroll. Surprisingly, not that big of a
stroll as a couple of the galleries weren't participating, and the
list of events was literally cut in half from the norm. But I
still found a dual show over at Cafe Niche and Dexterity Salon that
will go up on Monday. And then on Wednesday we're back into the
concert fold as I popped into Urban Lounge for this past Friday's
show with Red Top Wolverine, The HasBeens, and Pink Lightnin!
Crowd was a little skimpy as they're admittedly still recovering from
all the rumors of it being closed for good, but I can assure you from
the loud music all the way to the newly cleaned up and restored men's
room that it is open! Want proof? Here's a blurry
snapshot.I'll be updating the calendar this week.
Somewhere
else in the magical land of television, a local comic turned
worldwide celebrity over the summer.--- West Jordan's own
Marcus went into the show Last Comic Standing and made it all the way
from being one of many at a Tempe audition to one of the final two on
stage at the end. Sadly, it was not to be as Marcus became the
self-proclaimed Second-To-Last Comic Standing.
