Wicked Season

Story and pictures by Joseph Martinez

   Who wants a double scoop of HARD ROCK! That’s what you get when you go see Wicked Season. They played this pass weekend at the Tonic bar . From Billy Idol to heavy sounds from Metallica; they will slip an older “Foghat” tune at times.  Powerful and LOUD is the norm for this band.  You are guaranteed to have a great time if you are a hard core rocker.

 I catch many different groups and enjoy many styles of music. This one is on my list. Something I notice was the GREAT lights and the Wonderful audio quality. Crisp and clear all night long.  Bare footed was lead singer “Matthew Gates” singing familiars tunes we all love to snap our heads to. This was their debut show for 2013 season.  

When I spoke to Matt about the band he said first off there are six members to the band. I Look and saw only 4 persons, including himself as the singer. He insisted strongly that the Audio man and the Light guy are an important part of the group. I must agree with that point.  There are too many bands out there with muddy sounding audio and weak lighting or none at all.  The lighting was controlled by a lap top computer and programed in sync with each song.  This adds dimension to the event to make it more complete show.

It was evidenced that the band members knew their craft well.

• Lead vocals    Matthew Gates
• Guitar            James Garza (back up vocals)
• Bass               Alexander Jimenez
• Drums           Sam Tobar 
• Audio             Joey Tabres (back up vocals)
• Lights             Jeanko  Lara
• Stage hand,sercurity,marketing   Rob Martin

Not new to music, some of the band members’  have been at the same venues with likes such as Seether, Blackstone Cherry, Saving Abel, and Hinder.

With Energy packed original songs and covered songs. This will surely guide then on the road of success for… WICKED SEASON!

KEEP ROCKING   MY FRIENDS,     Joseph Martinez

River City Attractions, San Antonio TX.

 See them at Papawoodys  on May the 11^th.

For more..  Check out their Wicked web site for  events , bios and Much More!

https://wickedseason.com/Home_Page.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wicked-Season/555374217830414?fref=ts

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Dick Dale        King of The Surf Guitar

Story and pictures by Joseph Martinez / River City Attractions

It was a pleasure and honor to listen to a living legend of rock and roll Dick Dale. www.dickdale.com  

At Sam’s Burger joint just off Broadway on Grayson Street. Dick played his unusual stringed left handed guitar with ease. During the evening he did a little bit of drumming and played the bass in a very different and strange way.  (Look the pictures to see what I mean)

The audience was a mix bag. From teenagers, to guys in there 50’s it was standing room only. This was not a week end performance it happens during the middle of the week. Dick fans are a die-hard group.

The performance mostly was original songs but Dick did covered other songs he liked as well. One was from a friend of his. The Man in Black.. “Johnny Cash”.

Of course he closed his show with that famous song, “Miserlou” the song feature on “Pulp Fiction”. A Quentin Tarantino’s film that brought his career back to the lime light.

The show ran about an hour. I wish it ran a little longer but all good things must come to an end.

A young teenager with gig bag in tow was standing next to his father all night long. I follow him after the show ended. He was waiting to meet Dick in person. Open and friendly; he gladly signed the guitar for the young man. I bet that’ made his day.

To see a father take his son to listen the originator of surfer music is like seeing your kid riding a bicycle without training wheels. It’s a step to better understanding and appreciate of music. What a great way to spend the evening.

Check out up coming shows at www.samsburgerjoint.com

Story and pictures by Joseph Martinez / River City Attractions

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Click the link for all the info: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>http://www.rivercityrockfest.com/

Explosive Device & San Antonio LIGHT”S

Story & Photographs by Joseph Martinez

Explosive Device

2 rock bands in one night. How cool is that. At the local night club “Tonic Bar” off the corner Babcock rd. and Eckert rd.

 https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tonic-Bar/120120971338498?fref=ts

           It started with Explosive Device. A hard rocking; well tune band.

I ask why the name Explosive Device?  The answer given…Mankind

 is destructive to one self and some of the songs we play reflect that feeling.

The Singer Barbra Johnson is the newest member to the band.  My first though was, “Man”..  Is this going to be lame or what?  Nope, she is GOOD. You don’t find many girl hard rock singers. I enjoyed the band Big Times.

Russ Dunn: on guitar did a killer version of the star bangle banner. Not a Jimmy Hendrix style but his own style.

RJ Huston: the other guitarist, was bending strings all night long and feeing the music

Darryl Waker: on Bass kept  the rhythm tight.

Scotty Glende: on Drums. I heard him well all night long. The sticks were rolling.  Just like his band mate Darryl. His rhythm was tight and the timing was good.

The band was covering a wide range of songs from Tom Petty to pretty heavy songs like “kryptonite”, “Man in a Box “and a bunch more. Look at the pictures. There you will find a song list that the band played.

With Barbra tight leather pants and swaying hips, she took control. Belting out song after songs.

Not a clone. Not a copy. It’s Barbra Johnson. The audience yelled out Hey! I like the dominatrix look. She said ya! Bring me a whip! She just smiled.

I ask Mark, why do you play. Simple “For the fun of it” he smiled too.

At the end of the set Barbra thank the audience and said we are just the filler, the band you came to see is next.

Barbra, don’t cut Explosive Device short. The band is killer!

I am sure I will see you guys soon. Thank’s

Find them on face book https://www.facebook.com/#!/explosive.device?fref=ts

San Antonio LIGHT”S

A Journey Tribute Band

The audiences thicken as the time for SA Lights went on stage.

Gabe Munoz:  The lead singer and newest member to the band. He has the voice inflections of Steve Perry and did it well. Gabe started to sing all the classic songs from journey. He had attention of every one there particularly the lady’s.

I get a kick out of people reactions to music. This night was no exception. Deep passionate kisses, Woman turning to giggling teeny-bopper swooning to those classic songs.  Guy’s shaking their heads in rhythm to the music.

Ron Bryant: with a cowboy hat on, His guitar playing was right on with every song he played. Just like the originals. He did not miss a beat. Ron was a twitching his head left and right.

Kimmy Barmger: the bass player. Skillful and talented and clean sounds just like Journey played. Tall and slender with long jet black hair.  He just looks like a bass player. Like the bass player from The Eagles.

Criss Villanueeva: on key board He’s a perfect. If you to close your eyes. You would believe it’s the original.

Eric Tobias: On drums deep rich sounds. Keeping faithfully to songs Eric is  Very-very good at his craft.

               Music in all its forms touches the sole and it awakens life. So… Go on  and listen to some live music. You will get hook like I have .

 Find them on face book https://www.facebook.com/#!/salights.journeytribute?fref=ts

Joseph Martinez

River City Attractions San Antonio, Tx

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National Poetry Month 2013

Pictures and story by Joseph Martinez

       All this month, it’s National Poetry Month. It started with an invitation to go  listen to some talented local poets from our city.

At Trinity University’s radio station “KRTU 91.7” I was treated with “Jazz Poetry Lunch Feature” with Kory Cook.  With knowledgeable guest hosts: Jim Lavilla-Havelin and Catherine “Kat” Lee.  She spoke of how  poetry and jazz go hand in hand and the creative methods on how different poets assemble their own spoken words.

Catherine brought a special guest and friend Valerie Thobodeaux , a published and locally  recognized  poet better known as “The Black Butterfly”

Valerie recited a highly charged and sensual poem titled “Out of These Thighs” accompanied by an original jazz percussion recording  provided by  Orlando “T-Bow” Gonzalez. The Black Butterfly commented on the tempo influenced by the background musical tract.

Poems  can be understood at many different levels. The words used by Valerie were about Life and it’s Delight’s.

If you have an opportunity to listen to her poems I am sure you will be charmed like I was.

Check out “KRTU 91.7” at noon or look them up on the web at www.web.krtu.org

For an online calendar of what’s happening  during National Poetry Month check out WWW.NPMSA.COM

You will find listings of the events going on around town.

Events at Our Lady Of The Lake University, local public libraries, Barns and Noble, “Main Plaza” on Solidad  St.,  and there are so much more. It’s best to click on the link above.

Also, want to bring your attention to open “mic” at some of the venues as well .

Give it a shot and enjoy.

Joseph Martinez

River City Attractions San Antonio

Some of the partners in National Poetry Month are:

• Our lady of the lake University
• Via Poety on the move
• Wing Press
• Gemini Ink
• SA HEARTS www.SAHEART.com
• San Antonio Public Library Foundation
• The Twig
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