The end of the year and the holidays was a great few days of music. Many local bands were out and about to end 2012 on a good note and start 2013 off with a bang. The Mission Tobacco Lounge (MTL) was one such spot for a show like this. Friday Dec. 29th, Sullen MusiK was alive and well in the IE and the MTL was the place to be.
The night started with Better Daze. This Reggae/Ska/Punk/HipHop/Fuzion started the night off with a set that was tight and flowed nicely between Reggae grooves and harder Punk tracks, pleasing the Reggae fans as well as the more hard-core Punk fans. Being the first on is never easy but Better Daze made it look easy, giving the crowd a great set full of energy and life. The band includes Nicky Cox- Vocals/Guitar, Marco Duarte- Drums/Percussion, Tracy Workman - Nyabinge/Djembe, Anthony Valencia - Lead Guitar, and Ralph Pulga Lucia - Bass/Sax. If you have not seen them check them out. They are hitting it hard and sure to be all over in 2013.
All Else Fails (AEF), travelling from their hometown of Long Beach to Riverside, played their first show at the MTL. What can I say, other than Awesome! This band is for those who are more hard and into metal and hip-hop. I have seen this band countless times and not once have I left disappointed. They come at you hard and in your face and leave you ready to go. Members of the band are: Vic- Lead Vocals, Rich- Drums, Matt- Guitar, and Tony- Bass. Currently AEF is in studio now ready to get their album out soon, possibly as early as late March or April 2013. This band is on my list of must sees if you are looking for a show that pumps you up and rocks you out.
Inhale will blow you away, literally. If you want some true Reggae/Rock with a small dash of punk this is your band. The band is made up of Mike-vocals and trumpet (s), Adam - Guitar, Felix-Bass, Randy-Drummer, and James SP1 Master DJ. Smooth sounds poured from the stage as Inhale closed out the night playing 2 sets for the crowd. If you like more than just the same ol' Reggae/Rock sound, this band is one to check out. Lead vocalist Mike is also trumpet extraordinaire. He can play 2 trumpets at one time (which was a first time that I've seen anybody do live) and go right back into his vocals. This band has been out and about and working it for awhile now, but keep your eyes open for them in 2013 because they will be making noise.
The night had an added surprise of art, performed and illustrated by Joe Ded.. He was out at the show painting an original artwork from start to finish. When I first saw the canvas it was blank and I saw Joe staring at it, arms crossed, and all his tools in place. I asked him what he was going to make and he said he was not sure yet. Then he looked a few minutes more and started sketching. When I checked back an hour later, he had a whimsical fun lady of the night. Joe describes himself this way “Joe Ded is an amazingly visual artist! With eyegasming colors to toe curling characters! Joe Ded likes to find the Beauty and bondage in abnormality.” You can check him out on Facebook at JoeDed. The entire night was a night of music and art and a great way to spend the last Friday of 2012, filled with friends and music. A special thanks to Cristina Shaw and Martin Rodriguez for putting the night on. Also props to Sullen for the music and the art. As always, if you like the scene and you want to keep it alive, come out and support local music and shows.
Written by: Melissa & Wes (Rockwell) Anderson, http://www.ROCKwellUnScene.com
Photography by: Rockwell Anderson Media (Wes & Melissa Anderson)
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