A sincere congrats to the organizers of last night's Long Beach Loop, who provided a nearly seamless night of fun, drinks and adventure for fans of music and Jäger alike. Ten dollars got you a wrist band and a lei from Jägermeister; the wrist band got you admission all night on the Big Red Bus ("I feel like I'm on vacation!" said one rider) as well as the door cover at the Pike, the Prospector and Alex's Bar; the tag from the Jäger lei got you one ice cold shot of Jäger. While I didn't make it to Alex's for Valley Arena (enjoying too much beer and coversation in the dining room at the Prospector) or dios malos (same again), what I did catch--the always lovely Year Zero at the Pike, Greater California turning in what sounded like a Yo La Tengo cover (???) at the Prospector, and later Free Moral Agents melting the minds of everyone in attendance at the Prospector--was unquestionably one of the best nights out I've ever had in these parts. Bravo to all bands, bartenders, bus drivers and bar owners who participated in the event. Let's have another one again soon!

Tonight, Wed. Aug. 27, 2008, Mad Juana is playing at Alex's Bar with the Harbortown Saints and it is a show not to be missed.

Mad Juana is a fabulous new band out of New York City fronted by Sam Yaffia (Hanoi Rocks & New York Dolls) and his wife Carmen Guy. Musically think Squirrel Nut Zippers on a mad gypsy tear through New Orleans on speed. Excellent, I tell you, excellent.

This is a show not to be missed.

Mad Juana, Harbortown Saints, and the Lost Captains at
Alex's Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90804

Jackie: So, tell me about Sunday night...what was the band like?

Alex: Dude...

Jen: Why did you like them? What was interesting?

(silence)

Jackie: We're forcing you to blog

Alex: I hate being forced to blog....Fucking, they are kick ass garage rock 101.

Jackie: Who the Beat Killers?

Alex: Like Love meets the Sonics meets....just solid musicianship. The rhythm section was fucking great. Oh the Beat Killers....kickass garage rock and roll. What's his face, the lead singer from the Red Onions fronting it. He kept saying to the crowd "What you paid $5 to sit down?" His vocal assault on the audience was awesome. Totally called them out for sitting down. He had a good lyric too, ah, what was it....I wish they had some music recorded.

Sun 08.10.08 - Video captured by Jen Hanen at Alex's Bar with her Nokia N95 during the finale of Los Mysteriosos' last song of their set, "El Matador". Sorry that the video is a wee bit dark, but there is very little light and the wonder mobile phone can only do so much. ;o)

Great show. Los Mysteriosos and Manic Hispanic both played excellent sets and had the house in the palm of their respective hands/guitars.

Here you are an adult now. But what song from your teen years informs your musical taste now? The song that every so often you sing to yourself much to the bewilderment of the folks around you?

That song for me is Channel 3's "Manzanar". I first heard it in when I was 15, now more than a bit later, I still sing it.

Channel 3 is playing at Alex's tonight with Shattered Faith and the Krum Bums for Punk Rock Social Club.

Come on down to the show tonight, find me (Ms. Jen), and tell me what my favorite song is from my teen years and I will make sure you are on the guest list for tomorrow night's Manic Hispanic show. First come, first served. The second and third person to find me will win fun schwag.