Alex's Bar shirts back in stock

Edit: These sold out.

 I designed this long sleeve shirt for Alex's Bar in it's early days.
It is now back in print, as well as some of their other classic designs.
Alex's is a great live music venue in Long Beach, CA.
They have been hit hard by the covid shitdowns.
One way you can help by buying some merch, such as this shirt, at their online store.

 

Radio Gaga designs

Here are two designs I did for Radio Gaga. Radio Gaga is a live karaoke band. They play, you sing. All kinds of hits from the 1980s, 90s and beyond.

Check them out on FacebookFacebook. Sing with them every first Saturday of the month, starting in February 2015 at Alex's Bar in Long Beach, CA.

Alex's Bar posters

Here is a pic of three posters hanging up at Alex's Bar. I made the two on the right, and did the brain/glasses illustration for the one on the left.

(snapshot courtesy of Phil)

Alex's Bar Rock'n'Roll Karaoke logo

Here is a logo I designed for the Rock'n'Roll Karaoke nights at the world famous Alex's Bar in Long Beach, CA....

Brain Party Trivia Logo

Here is an illustration I did for Brain Party Trivia...



Brain Party Trivia hosts live group trivia contest nights Wednesday nights at Alex's Bar, Long Beach, CA. Soon to be branching out to other times and locations...
Find them on Facebook.

Mr. Mister Miyagi graphics

I did some more graphics for 80s/New Wave karaoke live band Mr. Mister Miyagi.

These band member images are based on photos provided by the band.

This is a more horizontal version of the logo I did for them previously.

Find Mr. Mister Miyagi on Facebook, their website or among a fine group of live karaoke and tribute bands over at Palindrome Entertainment.

Alex's Bar Tuesday Karaoke logo

I just did a logo for the Tuesday night karaoke at the world famous Alex's Bar in Long Beach (you may know it as Fangtasia from the HBO series True Blood).

Drop in and belt out some tunes, if you're in the neighborhood on any given Tuesday night.


link: Alex's Bar Tuesday Karaoke Night on Facebook

Flyer for 9-26-10 show...(revised)

One of the bands pulled out of this show, so here's the revised flyer:





(The reason you can't click on this is because it is not a thumbnail; it's the full size flyer)

And since noone seemed to get the joke, here is another version:
[click thumbnail to enlarge]

BlowUpBlow videos

Paul Zanzler has assembled 2 videos of our band BlowUpBlow* (2003-2008) compiled from photographs, video and artwork.

One is for It's Time; a song that was often a live show closer/favorite. We did a great recording of at The Compound studio in Long Beach, CA. Unfortunately it was never finally mixed, mastered nor released...



The 2nd video features an audio track that for a song we were laboring over off and on for a long time during the twilight of the band's run. It may sound trebly, but, hey, it was just a practice recording, quite possibly on cassette...Visually, this is a pretty good nostalgic overview slide show. Personally, I felt that we were creating music better than that of each our previous bands.




*If you're new, I was the drummer in this band, and did the artwork for the releases, merch, flyers, etc.

Lake Dolores

Lake Dolores is the musical duo of Eric Dunn and Andy Wenger. They mostly just write and record songs (using a drum machine). But once in a while they will get a live show and I sit in on drums.

I was glad to have at least one full band practice with them for our show next Sunday (4-25-10)

This should be a relieving deviation. Normally my requests for a practice, a CD, or even a mere list of songs I will need to know remain unfulfilled until the night of the show, leaving me to play it by ear. I have their older material on CDs, but which songs will they pick for the set?

The funny thing I realized at the practice session is that the 2 guys who wrote and recorded the songs don't seem to know the material any better than I do!

I may be exaggerating, but in regards to any material recorded in the last couple of years: a typical Lake Dolores song is written and recorded in the same evening session. After that, it's in the can. Since they generally don't gig, they have no need to rehearse or even relearn their own songs. Additionally, the songs aren't written and recorded with the intention of playing live, so it's not guaranteed (for example) to be physically possible to sing and play certain parts in a song simultaneously.

So, although I was armed with a CD of most of the songs for a couple of weeks, as well as the practice...Lake Dolores is not in danger of losing it's loose charm. And with those two guys, it's always a riot.








And in case there is any question:

This is not "my new band." I have been sitting in with these guys on the semi-annual gigs for many years now, concurrently with the other bands I was in.

I still have yet to join/form a new band. But I'm still looking and hoping to...

New Flyer for 4-25-10 Show!

Dust off the drums

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I will be playing drums on a stage in front of people soon.

Jeezus, has it really been 9 months?

The idea was to find a new project to play in; not to stop playing drums. I still have not found/formed/joined a new band. Not being in a band and playing regularly has in several ways contributed to daily anxiety and frustration.

Anyway...

I'll be sitting in on drums with Lake Dolores (Eric Dunn & Andy Wenger).
Here are the details:

Sunday, April 25th

FREE show

LOST CABRAS (3rd)
PROJECT SHEPHERD (2nd)
LAKE DOLORES (1st)

(1st band may start around 9pm?)

@ Alex's Bar
2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA 90804
(N/E corner of Anaheim & Gladys)
Entrance in back
Do NOT park in the Auto Zone parking lot; you will probably get towed
562-434-8292
21 & over

I'm still working on the flyer...

Stuff in the works

Just a few things have come up:

1) A piece of artwork I did a few years ago may finally see the virtual light of day.

I did a piece for Mars Volta keyboardist Ikey Owens' solo project Free Moral Agents (MySpace, Facebook).

Rumor has it that the title (and therefore accompanying artwork) caused a bit of controversy resulting in the project being shelved. But, now it's going to be used for digital/online-release-only album art, if all goes well.

I'll post links on where to get it as soon as it's available.

2) I'm going to play drums with Lake Dolores on Sat. April 25 at Alex's Bar. It's been a long time since I played a show, especially with them. It should be fun.

I will ask (since I'm only what one would call a touring member) repeatedly when we are going to practice and what songs we are going to play. Knowing this band, these questions will probably not be addressed until the night of the show. Hopefully this time will break the stereotype! :-)

We're honored to be opening for (what I consider to be an all-star metal band) Project Shepherd.

More details, and *hopefully* a flyer later...

3) I may be doing some lettering and production work for Paul Sharar's forthcoming graphic novel opus Manning Town. Although my work on this will be subservient, I am a big believer in Paul's talents, and so it's an honor.

Site update

I added a few things to the portfolio: 3 T-Shirt designs, a poster and a logo.

Can I get a "YEE-HAH?"

I'm working on resolving a shopping cart issue. The cart works. The only problem is that it's configured to charge shipping for individual items. When adding more items, the shipping doesn't adjust to combined items; it merely adds to the shipping total, displaying an exorbitant shipping charge.

As of now, I would adjust the shipping charge myself, and refund the difference to the buyer. But as it appears now, I can understand people being likely to abandon the cart without buying.

Any advice is welcome...

The Bolides: Help Find Stolen Equipment!

Here are a couple of things posted on The District Weekly website. First, a bulletin regarding equipment stolen from my bandmate in The Bolides...

Music Blog

HELP THE BOLIDES LOCATE MISSING EQUIPMENT!

by Bryan Gerhart
Wed. July 01

After a killer and possible final show at Alex’s Bar on the night of June 26 (which was this past Friday, for those that don’t like dealing with numbers), Long Beach garage-geeks The Bolides had a less-than-pleasant weekend. Turns out someone made off with two major pieces of singer/guitarist/synthesizerist(?) Dr. Mikro Fiche’s equipment.

Not cool! The next time you’re Craigslisting, at a pawn shop, or hanging in your shady friend’s garage, be on the lookout for the following:

- Roland KC500 Keyboard Combo Amplifier (looks like this)

- "Fender The Twin” With red knobs and a glow-in-the-dark painted meteor on the grill. The wooden tube protector on the back is broken off.

Just remember, stealing from a scientist is a Cardinal Sin. Stealing from a scientist who doubles as the singer and guitarist in a new-wave-garage band? Now that’s just mean.

Contact The Bolides at their Myspace or drop a note here if you have any information.

[Link to original article: http://thedistrictweekly.com/2009/daily/staff-infection/music-blog/help-the-bolides-locate-missing-equipment/ ]

Or let me know, and I'll pass the info to Mike.

Also, here is the farewell article on The Bolides that I linked to in an earlier post...

Features

CLONE COLOGNE

by Alex Roman
Wed. June 24

The Bolides: Goodbye, friends of science and technology (sort of)

PHOTO by DAVID THORNTON

Whether it was laughing hysterically at an impromptu mosh pit that broke out (in 2002!) or wondering how long it would take for their robot to break as people kicked it across the dance floor, each Bolides show was as good as the first time I saw them, when I became an instant fan because of their shared affinity for Jon Spencer and Devo. Now, after hundreds of shows, a record on Dionysius and countless hours of scientific experimentation, they are going away for a bit. The science and Long Beach music communities will mourn solemnly.

The District Weekly: The first time I saw the Bolides, I instantly thought of Jon Spencer and Devo—this kind of melding of old punk, garage rock and the new sounds that kind of naturally derived out of these two genres—is that close to the basic idea of the Bolides?
Dr. Mikro Fiche (guitar, synthesizers and vocals): Indeed, spot on! Early on (1996) I placed an ad in The Recycler—does that date this band or what?—looking to start collaborating and recording ideas. I listed that the project would be as if Pussy Galore evolved into the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in outer space.

How difficult has it been to separate your important scientific research from playing music?
Music definitely clears the head, so we can get back to discovering the perfect Clone Cologne or figuring out which came first, T&A or DNA.

So this isn’t necessarily goodbye, but where are you guys going?
The Bolides are going on an ‘extended sabbatical.’

What memories stick out over the years you guys spent together?
One of the craziest times I remember was when we played at Alex’s Bar and a local punk— whose name is pronounced the same as a recent former president—jumped on stage and called for a huddle. He proceeded to let the band know that he wanted to administer mushrooms to us, right away. I laughed; one of us considered taking him up on the offer.

Are you scared one of your old lab rats may come looking for you after you set them free?
No way! Those rats always left B > I > R <>

THE BOLIDES WITH FUNGUS MUNGUS AND THE SHROOMS, PROJECT SHEPHERD AND BLOB ALEX’S BAR | 2913 E ANAHEIM ST | LONG BEACH 90804 | 562.434.8292 | ALEXSBAR.COM | FRI | $8-10 | CALL FOR TIME

[Link to original article: http://thedistrictweekly.com/2009/print/music/music-features/clone-cologne/ ]

A Band Done

Having played my last show with The Bolides last night, I can say that "I'm not in a band."

...for the first time since (gulp) the '80s.

I didn't start really playing shows until about 1990, but I had been messing around in at least some larval form of a band since the late 1980's.

For the record, The Bolides is officially on an indefinite, extended sabbatical. We agreed on a "never say never" thing, meaning we are free to get together to play whenever we all agree to. So we're not necessarily crying wolf.

Also, as a side note, if the band were to reform without me, they would have my blessings & support as well.

...and so...

Now I'm looking to play drums in a new band, writing new songs with new folks. Possibly angular, prog-influenced yet catchy SONGS. But definitely I'm open to ideas...

Bolides show June 26

I am playing drums with The Bolides next month.
This will be the familiar lineup and material (no new songs or members, despite rumors you may hear).

This will be the last show before the group goes on an indefinite sabbatical...

Friday June 26 - 8pm

BENEFIT SHOW
for the Family of Keri Barron
featuring:

FUNGUS MUNGUS & The SHROOMS
The BOLIDES
PROJECT SHEPHERD*
The BLOB

@ Alex’s Bar
2913 E. Anaheim St.
Long Beach, CA 90804
562-434-8292

$8 - 21 & over
Click here to buy tickets

Alex’s Bar is on the corner of Anaheim & Gladys
Next to the Auto Zone
Entrance in the back
Don’t park in Auto Zone parking lot..

(I deleted the flyers because both of them had the wrong address on 'em)

* New metal band featuring: Tim Owens (aka Tito), Tim Bender (both Ex-Death By Stereo / Ex-One Eye Open), Mike Cody (of Slippers) & Mark Ho !

Barfly

[click thumbnail to enlarge]

Big image of Alex's Bar shirt, True Blood, Fangtasia, HBO

I've mentioned and posted photos of this shirt design I did years ago for Alex's Bar.

I'm bringing it up again because:
a) Alex's Bar has been appearing on TV lately. Scenes from the new HBO vampire series True Blood were filmed there. If you watch the show, then you'll know the vampire bar called Fangtasia. The Fangtasia scenes, with the red walls and curtains, velvet paintings, etc.; those were filmed at Alex's Bar. Pretty Cool.
b) A decent sized image of the shirt design has never been shown online.

...and so, here is the front...(click thumbnail to enlarge)



...and here is the design on the sleeves...(click thumbnail to enlarge)



Sorry, I don't have an image of the back of the shirt on hand at the moment, but it says the name of the bar in a nice-campy-60's-Mexican-horror-movie-kinda-typestyle

Again, these shirts are only available at the bar itself:
Alex's Bar
2913 E. Anaheim St.
Long Beach, CA 90804
(NE corner of Anaheim & Gladys, next to the Auto Zone, entrance in the back)
562-434-8292

The Long Beach Loop

I designed a logo for The Long Beach Loop.
[click thumbnail to enlarge]

The LBL is a monthly event involving 3 bar/venues (Alex's Bar, The Prospector & The Pike) with bands playing every hour and a big, red double decker bus carting folks to and fro (in, of course Long Beach, CA).

For more info, see the official MySpace page for The Long Beach Loop.
There you can find the next Loop event, what bands are playing, how to get tickets, etc. Plus a bunch of photos of people having a blast at previous events.

If you're one of those anti-MySpace folks, you can get info at the Alex's Bar website.