Art Scene Gossip of the week - by N.L. Belardes
N.L. Belardes, the Lords of Bakersfield, and the stigma of ‘blogger’
I have to start with my own gossip this week related to the Lords of Bakersfield. By now you know that I wrote a scathing review of Kimberley Sevcik’s piece from the May 5th edition of Rolling Stone, “Dirty Secrets: A Runaway D.A. and the Death of a Boy Toy”. I felt compelled to defend Bakersfield, Robert Price, and Bakersfield Rock and Roll. I didn’t seem to accomplish much other than gain a lot of readers who seemed too afraid to leave anything by anonymous comments with suggestions that I ‘Watch my back,” or Enrique’s ranting, and a few who told me that it’s good to speak up. Hell, I even made up a few comments myself to try and spark some enthusiasm and controversy. But people are just too afraid. One person told me regarding folks not speaking up said, “Bakersfield people in general are afraid of two things: change, and of what the Lords might do to anyone who speaks up.” I don’t think that’s so far off. I spoke with Dr. John Arthur Maynard, historian of Bakersfield: A Centennial Portrait. He should be all over these Lords stories, but he had his usual air of paranoia that I’m going to end up dead in a ditch along with Robert Price for speaking my mind. I'm not mad at him. He just cares about my well being. He seems to think the city may still be run by some rather dastardly gun slinging Wild West types…
I will give the Californian some kudos for their bravado in allowing a relatively unknown writer like me to be affiliated with their newspaper even if just in the cyber realm. It’s a progressive move on their part, one that is rare but that other newspapers may follow their lead. Seems to be giving me a stigma though as a ‘blogger’ when really I am an artist, a novelist, a writer. Blogging is just one aspect of writing, and I incorporate many styles of writing into my blog. I was told last night something like, “I know not to believe everything you write.” And that’s fine. I don’t believe everything the Californian writes either, whether their sources appear legit or not in news stories. They can’t point the finger at me when Ted Fritts used to own the paper and was responsible for all kinds of inaccurate tales that led to cultural mythmaking. Go read the papers from 1977. I did. Reporter report on facts told in certain ways that lead to untruths as in molestations later overturned lead to, well… well the media adds to the untruths. But not always. Simply as a reader remind yourself to use a Descartian approach. Be skeptical. Reporters report the facts as they and their managers see them. I am a narrative writer, a fictionalist… a novelist. A novelist that blogs. Really depends on your perspective though. To the music and art community I am a much needed ‘show reviewer’ and promoter of sorts; to the newspaper I am a blogger; to my readers I should be thought of as a novelist; I think of myself as an artist/writer. It’s just how you look at things. Doesn’t mean everything I write is an untruth because I didn't go to journalist camp. Is Kerouac’s true-to-life fiction an untruth? Maybe. Is Alice in Wonderland strictly a great untruth? Is fiction untrue? Or is fiction an artform meant to convey human truths, not necessarily journalistic truths? (though there is overlapping, don't you think?)
I think people can for the most part tell the difference when I post straight up narrative versus when I am posting a ‘newsworthy blogger’ piece. If I write a poem and post it online am I then just a blogger who writes poetry? No. I’m not. I’m a poet who blogs because he is aware of the medium at hand. And if I get that stigma in the meantime as a blogger… that’s OK too… I know who I am and what I am all about whether the Californian wants to just call me a blogger or not.
The Theatre Scene
Enrique wrote a funny response to a Danielle Belton piece that stirred up some drama in the drama rama scene regarding 'getting crowds' to attend shows and theatre folk sleeping with each other... Start with Enrique and read more...
I heard that Enrique's review of Robin Hood was read aloud to the cast. How funny is that? Enrique is a kick!
Seven to the Right
Guitarist Tyler has left the band. New songwriter/guitarist, Jason (Not Jason from Ridikule), has stepped in and Seven to the Right promises a brand new sound that will sound even fuller than before. Hell, I enjoyed their show last night at Studio 99 immensely. These guys are an extremely talented group. I will have a full review on them later.
Ridikule
Jason has left Ridikule (don’t get confused with the new Jason in Seven to the Right). These rural rock punkers have gone three-piece…
A note from Chris in the band:
Yes this is new news to alot of people about Jason leaving. Permanant? we don't know yet. Of course we will miss him as our friend and bandmate, but he has to make a living and support his family too. There are no hard feelings involved or any bad blood or any of that good controversial stuff--sorry. We will continue on and rawk our asses off just as hard as ever. Also there is a rumor of me possibly going on tour with Guttermouth for a few dates in June. I'll let you know if that gets confirmed. Look out for a huge festival coming in June. More to come on that as I get the details, but we've got some major local bands to play, you know some of that "B-rated talent" we've got here, HA HA. We have the support of some of the best local bands that Bako has to offer and we earned it by showing respect and support for our fellow bands of all types. It will take support like this to build and maintain a strong music scene for everyone. Ty (Arrival of Fawn)and Josh (American Standard)are on the right track along with many others to make our scene better...
Oh, and these guys have killer T-shirts!
Gigantic
They say they are going to start putting on shows soon. I can’t wait!
Phoenix Band and LA Band in Bakersfield
Just got word that Jenna’s Arrival may be coming back for a visit, and bringing World Wide Spies…I really like the sounds of these bands. Check out their websites...
The Fresno Scene, The Valley Scene
2am Orchestra has a new cd coming out. They said they are sending me a copy. I can’t wait to review. I sent a Fresno Promoter kid a nice letter about a ‘Valley Scene’ he wrote:
Hey NL,
thanx for the add bud.. i read/checked out your website.. its some good stuff... however, i dont picture there being a united valley scene.. theres too much competition... esp between bakersfield/fresno... it would be cool to see a unted scene.. but i dont picture it happening.. good site again!
Competition? Between who and who? I have no idea what he’s talking about. Every Fresno band I met wants a united scene… I don’t see why a Fresno band wouldn’t want to play in Bakersfield. These young punks these days just have no vision… :)
I had a great interview with Aroarah. These girls are hilarious! Still working on that article…look for it to come out soon...
I have to start with my own gossip this week related to the Lords of Bakersfield. By now you know that I wrote a scathing review of Kimberley Sevcik’s piece from the May 5th edition of Rolling Stone, “Dirty Secrets: A Runaway D.A. and the Death of a Boy Toy”. I felt compelled to defend Bakersfield, Robert Price, and Bakersfield Rock and Roll. I didn’t seem to accomplish much other than gain a lot of readers who seemed too afraid to leave anything by anonymous comments with suggestions that I ‘Watch my back,” or Enrique’s ranting, and a few who told me that it’s good to speak up. Hell, I even made up a few comments myself to try and spark some enthusiasm and controversy. But people are just too afraid. One person told me regarding folks not speaking up said, “Bakersfield people in general are afraid of two things: change, and of what the Lords might do to anyone who speaks up.” I don’t think that’s so far off. I spoke with Dr. John Arthur Maynard, historian of Bakersfield: A Centennial Portrait. He should be all over these Lords stories, but he had his usual air of paranoia that I’m going to end up dead in a ditch along with Robert Price for speaking my mind. I'm not mad at him. He just cares about my well being. He seems to think the city may still be run by some rather dastardly gun slinging Wild West types…
I will give the Californian some kudos for their bravado in allowing a relatively unknown writer like me to be affiliated with their newspaper even if just in the cyber realm. It’s a progressive move on their part, one that is rare but that other newspapers may follow their lead. Seems to be giving me a stigma though as a ‘blogger’ when really I am an artist, a novelist, a writer. Blogging is just one aspect of writing, and I incorporate many styles of writing into my blog. I was told last night something like, “I know not to believe everything you write.” And that’s fine. I don’t believe everything the Californian writes either, whether their sources appear legit or not in news stories. They can’t point the finger at me when Ted Fritts used to own the paper and was responsible for all kinds of inaccurate tales that led to cultural mythmaking. Go read the papers from 1977. I did. Reporter report on facts told in certain ways that lead to untruths as in molestations later overturned lead to, well… well the media adds to the untruths. But not always. Simply as a reader remind yourself to use a Descartian approach. Be skeptical. Reporters report the facts as they and their managers see them. I am a narrative writer, a fictionalist… a novelist. A novelist that blogs. Really depends on your perspective though. To the music and art community I am a much needed ‘show reviewer’ and promoter of sorts; to the newspaper I am a blogger; to my readers I should be thought of as a novelist; I think of myself as an artist/writer. It’s just how you look at things. Doesn’t mean everything I write is an untruth because I didn't go to journalist camp. Is Kerouac’s true-to-life fiction an untruth? Maybe. Is Alice in Wonderland strictly a great untruth? Is fiction untrue? Or is fiction an artform meant to convey human truths, not necessarily journalistic truths? (though there is overlapping, don't you think?)
I think people can for the most part tell the difference when I post straight up narrative versus when I am posting a ‘newsworthy blogger’ piece. If I write a poem and post it online am I then just a blogger who writes poetry? No. I’m not. I’m a poet who blogs because he is aware of the medium at hand. And if I get that stigma in the meantime as a blogger… that’s OK too… I know who I am and what I am all about whether the Californian wants to just call me a blogger or not.
The Theatre Scene
Enrique wrote a funny response to a Danielle Belton piece that stirred up some drama in the drama rama scene regarding 'getting crowds' to attend shows and theatre folk sleeping with each other... Start with Enrique and read more...
I heard that Enrique's review of Robin Hood was read aloud to the cast. How funny is that? Enrique is a kick!
Seven to the Right
Guitarist Tyler has left the band. New songwriter/guitarist, Jason (Not Jason from Ridikule), has stepped in and Seven to the Right promises a brand new sound that will sound even fuller than before. Hell, I enjoyed their show last night at Studio 99 immensely. These guys are an extremely talented group. I will have a full review on them later.
Ridikule
Jason has left Ridikule (don’t get confused with the new Jason in Seven to the Right). These rural rock punkers have gone three-piece…
A note from Chris in the band:
Yes this is new news to alot of people about Jason leaving. Permanant? we don't know yet. Of course we will miss him as our friend and bandmate, but he has to make a living and support his family too. There are no hard feelings involved or any bad blood or any of that good controversial stuff--sorry. We will continue on and rawk our asses off just as hard as ever. Also there is a rumor of me possibly going on tour with Guttermouth for a few dates in June. I'll let you know if that gets confirmed. Look out for a huge festival coming in June. More to come on that as I get the details, but we've got some major local bands to play, you know some of that "B-rated talent" we've got here, HA HA. We have the support of some of the best local bands that Bako has to offer and we earned it by showing respect and support for our fellow bands of all types. It will take support like this to build and maintain a strong music scene for everyone. Ty (Arrival of Fawn)and Josh (American Standard)are on the right track along with many others to make our scene better...
Oh, and these guys have killer T-shirts!
Gigantic
They say they are going to start putting on shows soon. I can’t wait!
Phoenix Band and LA Band in Bakersfield
Just got word that Jenna’s Arrival may be coming back for a visit, and bringing World Wide Spies…I really like the sounds of these bands. Check out their websites...
The Fresno Scene, The Valley Scene
2am Orchestra has a new cd coming out. They said they are sending me a copy. I can’t wait to review. I sent a Fresno Promoter kid a nice letter about a ‘Valley Scene’ he wrote:
Hey NL,
thanx for the add bud.. i read/checked out your website.. its some good stuff... however, i dont picture there being a united valley scene.. theres too much competition... esp between bakersfield/fresno... it would be cool to see a unted scene.. but i dont picture it happening.. good site again!
Competition? Between who and who? I have no idea what he’s talking about. Every Fresno band I met wants a united scene… I don’t see why a Fresno band wouldn’t want to play in Bakersfield. These young punks these days just have no vision… :)
I had a great interview with Aroarah. These girls are hilarious! Still working on that article…look for it to come out soon...
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Saturday, April 30, 2005.
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