Keep The Scene Alive!

One day the history books will be written concerning the influence of America’s contribution on the music of the late 20th century. When that bestseller hit’s the 99-cent bin, Chico, California will have its place beside other known melodious epicenters. Seattle’s ‘grunge,’ The Bay Area’s ‘psychedelia,’ Memphis’ ‘blues’ and Austin’s ‘twang’ will share center stage with Chico’s ‘not yet labeled’ contribution. To the uninitiated, Chico’s rich heritage of music might not be so obvious. But within those who deal with the music world on a daily basis, Chico is already a whispered rumor of diverse talents. We are the Shangri-la of the Sacramento Valley. Travel down to New Orleans and go to the legendary club called Tippitina’s and you will have seen weathered and true originals such as (the late) Professor Long-hair, Dr. John and the Neville Brothers. And although Chico has yet to establish long-lasting clubs, some of our talent has been giving it their all for a quarter of a century. Danny West, known for his raucously old time blues shows, is a local icon with a quick wit, ache-heart songs and bright a Hawaiian shirt. Some of the original rockers of the 70’s still pack the house with their bands. Brutillicus Maximus (disco), Incredible Diamonds (50’s classics) , Pub Scouts (Irish Reels) , Spark & Cinder (dance groove) and Steve Cooke Band (original soul) all contain members that are the elders of the Chico music scene.

Our richest period had to be the 80’s and early 90’s. With an explosion heard round the world, Chico produced many bands that infiltrated the country with unique punk and alternative vibrations. The Downsiders, Vomit Launch and 28th Day led the way in the heyday of Voodoo Economics. To this day, Chico diva Barbara Manning still regularly tours round the world singing her sultry moody songs. The beginning of the 90’s gave way to an onslaught of bands whose live performances become a rallying point for the youth community of Chico. Trench, Deathstar, Pitchfork Tuning and Buzzwurm created cacophonic tapestries wherein hundreds of sweat stained rockers shared in public catharsis. Like volcanoes, emotions cannot erupt forever, and much of the Chico rocker landscape is now dormant with only a handful of the faithful like the Imps, Micromagnesia and Cowboy clinging to the hardened lava flow.

A reality of bands is that in order to succeed they must spend most of their year on the road. While the public notion is that a musician leads a glamorous life, the truth is that truck stops and motels become the basis for a day, and friends and family are always too far away. No wonders there are so many sad songs! And yet, two of Chico’s thoroughbred bands, The Mother Hips (California Soul) and Blue Plate Special (Neo-swing) often spend over 200 days a year touring the country and spreading the flames of the music revolution that started in Chico. In fact, the lead singer of the Hips, Tim Bluhm, has a new release on a Chico label called HUFA ( www.hufarecords.com).

A lot of people bandy about the idea of a music “scene” in Chico. And truth be known, a scene is only as unique and innovative as the people who create it. Chico is lucky to have souls willing to gamble their hard-earned dollars on bringing us the best talent around. Fledgling promotion Company North Valley productions has brought big older hippie names like Arlo Guthrie and Richie Havens to our area. The power bookers at the club the Brickworks are keeping it real with big name reggae shows and the likes of Two Live Crew. The nefarious T-bone who books the non-profit theater/rock house the Blue Room is hosting the biggest names in Indy rock like the Murder City Devils and Dismemberment Plan and is one to be commended on spicing up the Butte basin. But scenes depend on three things: Quality musicians, fans who can tell the difference and a media base that gets involved in the intricacies of the music scene. You can see how these three things are interrelated. If the music is no good, the people will not come. If the people rather listen to disco, the bands will move away. If the media is so slanted that it cares not for anything but it’s own, narrow interests, nothing will flourish. So, I encourage each of you dedicated to keeping your “scene” alive to get to know your promoters, writers and keep it real, by keeping them real.

I’m no Nostradamus, but, there is a definite change a’comin’ in the music world, and that change will be an meteoric hit coming from and going to, NorCal. The East Coast has certainly, with the help of Jambands, had much rallying and ballyhoo in the last handful of years! But, I believe, the summer of 00’s will provide the world with an explosion of sound that will reverberate for years to come. I think that part of the success and charm of this coming day is that it is so unpretentious, and with corporate rock deciding what the FM brings, a lack of fatbacks should be well received!

In closing I would like to say that my name is DNA and that I made a choice many years ago to do whatever I had to do to help the music scene in Chico get seen by the world. Yes, I believe that the talent here is that good. Seemingly, my 13 years of contribution in that area is coming to resolution in an event called Nowhere X Nowhere that will take place March 30th- April 2nd ( http://www.nowherexnowhere.com/). I refer to the coming times as the Second Renaissance, a rebirth of music and the arts. I urge you to get involved and enjoy the commonwealth of music that Chico has. Come visit, who knows, you might like it enough to stay!!!!!!