fredxmertz: (Default)
Whitaker Block Party is August 4th. I'll be playing bass for Pirate Radio (Eugene, Punk) at Uncle Brad's Secret Stage at 7 pm, then I'll be playing guitar for The Indiscretions (Eugene, Garage Rock) at the G Spot Stage at 9 pm, which will close the electric outdoor portion of music sets for the Block Party,

I've been playing this block party for about ten years now, I've missed a few shows, but there have been other block parties where I've played in multiple acts throughout the day,
including at least one time when I've played in three (3) music acts through out the day, like in 2013, I appeared with Davy Jones Locker Combo, Dwight Dickinson Band, and The Soothesayers.

(EDIT: DEAD LINKS, there were some cool pictures here)


Also coming up is the annual campout at Ten Mile Creek, , or the 'Tenmile Mountain Jam' located near the Oregon Coast town of Yachats. August 10-12, I'll be playing music again, yes, with three different group on saturday, Le Petit Mort, Davy Jones Locker Combo and The Indiscretions.

PIRATE RADIO
recently, Pirate Radio has had some fun shows, we played at Campbell Club, July 18th with Rum Rebellion.

PROTECT OUR SCENE
we had a gig scheduled for tonight (July 24th) but it was cancelled, one of the touring bands had a rape allegation against them, this is becoming more and more common, and of course I'm glad the dialog is open, but when accusations start flying, I still want to hear some of the information before I jump in with both feet and side firmly and squarely with the victim, and I worry that sometimes, the ACCUSED can become a victim, if the information is old, or if the accuser wants to stay anonymous, it appears that there is a lynch mob mentality with some of the 'protect our scene' crowd, and it has potential for abuse, to 'cry wolf' as far as the actual assault, or to 'water down' the impact of future events when people use accusations to assassinate someone's character. my two cents. i will always side with the victim by default, I will usually side with a female accuser, and I will always try to do what is right, but sometimes we get misled.

OPPOSITION RISING ACCUSATION
anyways, the groups playing the show with Pirate Radio were going to be Naked Aggression and Opposition Rising, someone from Opposition Rising was called out, everything got canceled. Then, there was some back-and-forth, someone rushed to defend the accused, someone else said the accusations were made in her name, and she didn't say the things they said, now the water is muddy. The whole show didn't have to be canceled, it could have been a teaching moment. oh well.

As much as I hate for this kind of thing to ever happen at all, I am glad that victims are finding a voice, even at the risk of a few false alarms, we need to clear the air, and we need to be aware and stand up to bullies and rapists.

Work has been weird.  After helping me get my QMHA certification, they scheduled me for a LOT of overtime, since I knew I would take a week off to spend time with my daughter.  Well, they took my hours off the schedule without telling me, then tried to alter my timecard so that I would get no overtime.  I'm pissed.

Thanks for reading!
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(EDIT:  Some edits for spelling and clarity. and the allegations against OPPOSITION RISING prompted Naked Aggression to release the following:

"In light of rape allegations against the singer of Opposition Rising, Naked Aggression is continuing the tour solo. Naked Aggression will be donating all sales from our split 7" & cassette to:

RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network

https://donate.rainn.org/

 

It is incredibly important to support the brave people, in our scene, that come forward about sexual violence committed at the hand of another person. It takes an incredible amount of courage to stand up and speak out while knowing that survivors are often questioned, demeaned, and dehumanized. No one should have to go through this alone. RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, focused on helping survivors, educating the public, and improving public policy. Join us to stand in solidarity with all survivors by helping us raise funds to support this organization.

 

Thanks, Kirsten Patches

"

fredxmertz: (Salty Dog)
An LJ buddy, now a Dreamwidth buddy came to visit. Jon is sight-impaired, so he had his friend Temre drive him down yesterday, she is also a really fun person. I dragged them to my main haunts, The Pint Pot and Old Nick's. I drove them to the top of Skinner Butte for a nice view, obviously Jon is sight-impaired, but the train whistle made it kind of audible where we were.

I've been playing nautical music, and "bawdy sea chanteys" (in the style of Canadian Folk Music Legend Oscar Brand, and yes OK The Sex Pistols!) and combining that music. Partly, these ideas were inspired by my love of Flogging Molly, as well. I first attended 'Seadog Nights' way back in 2009, and mostly had a rough time, trying to wrangle the group, Man Overboard. Somehow I got stuck basically baby-sitting a violent drunk for a while. ew.
They were a challenging group, with oversize egos, and a thirst for alcohol.
I felt ripped off because I had invested time in practicing with these guys and learning THEIR songs and we didn't really get much chance to play
but another LJ pal ("bychoice") cooked some amazing meals on that trip
the area gets hot as balls, there is a river nearby, but its very slow-moving and manky.
Usually, the vendor area is a little cooler, and that's where we'll mostly be, pimping the wieners, but its supposed to be 92 tomorrow and 99 saturday.



I go there to make music, drinking is OK, but its easy to over-do it when everyone wants to share grog with the chantey-man,

do the LARP-ers bother me? Heck no, its meant to be an immersive experience, and I'm, in effect, breaking character, and being 'not period'. Like, I actually DO get heckled, by people who ARE staying in character,, and its difficult for me to kind of, bite my tongue, and nod stupidly, I guess, if something like this is going to RUIN your immersive experience, then maybe ... stop taking your fun so seriously? any who,

Sea dog Nights and Gypsy Carnival was the first event, and they expanded to include an adults only event in September, called Tortuga. Last year a third was added, Port Royal. and it must be driven by the merchants, because its basically an unregulated market, and there are lots of (white) people who go absolutely nucking futs for this shit. As a musician, we just camp with Scot and Maggie and their 'Willie's Wieners' hot dog cart.
so we can get free hot dogs, but we haven't had much luck passing the hat, and again with the alcohol consumption, people go literally overboard...

I'm thinking of going to Port Royal with the Willie's Wieners camp. I may even take a cooler with fruits and cheeses. and I've reached out to Alika from the original Man Overboard, though he's a bit of a recluse lately...

So Le Petit Mort will play at Sea Dog this year. But I think Scot hates the LARPers, at least the kids (they call them 'smalls' and they rove in packs, with foam swords, they try to shake you down, and they are "allowed" to "steal" only flags, as that's an inclusive event that you don't need a fancy expensive costume to participate in.



and maybe again at Tortuga.

Davy Jones Locker Combo will play at Tenmile Mountain Jam in Yachats in August. The campout has been extended by one day, in order to allow a (hopefully) great view of the solar eclipse! So Le Petit Mort will also probably play there, these bands share the same three members....

Tenmile Mountain Jam is famous for great barbecue, lots of fireworks, Rollo does his peculiar brand of mind-melting mashups and bizarre cover tunes, The Harvel Hangover on Sunday morning. He has actually been doing that for 14 years, through the campout's three different locations,


I'm headed down to the Bay Area for Burger Boogaloo


I'm taking my son James, and his buddy Dylan. We'll stay with my brother in Berkeley July 1 and 2, then drive to L.A. July 3rd, which is my sister's birthday.
fredxmertz: (Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth's RATFINK)


Tenmile Mountain Bash Campout/Concert nhappened over last weekend.  Jason Kelly was put in charge of procuring musical talent, and he did a great job, though I might be biased because JK loves him some Mertz.  Friday was mostly jam bands of the Grateful Dead/Pink Floyd variety: these are the tenmile mountain regulars, and though its not my 'cup of tea' by any means, the musicians are local and friendly.  The party was started by Sam's friend, Searose, and used to take place at tenmile creek rd in Yachats, Oregon.  The party has been moved in recent years to a bigger spot, with more camping spaces, more music, bigger stage, etc.
Saturday, my group DAVY JONES LOCKER COMBO played in the afternoon.  We got a great response, but most of the crowd were still not ready or receptive to any band that played for less than 2 hours!  I like to leave 'em wanting more, and we hadn't had a whole lot of practice, but the crowd forced us to play pretty much every song we know, and then improvise a bit.  So I'm not crazy about the whole hippie vibe, but its hard to argue when people are being so friendly, and get SO into the music.  The older guys in the crowd seemed to appreciate our act, and praised us for not playing 20 minute songs in a 3 hour set.  Other Saturday bands included: The Googins, Beast of Eden, Everyday Automaton, The Soothesayers (featuring your truly), and a surprising late night acoustic set by LE PETIT MORT (also featuring your humble narrator, I'm kind of a whore huh?)  I think this was the highest attendance (see?) there has been at Tenmile yet, even without the 'big name' acts of years prior.
My Mom is visiting, at the same time that my daughter is in town for her Eugene Ballet Academy summer intensive.  So, its great having everybody around after a VERY quiet two months at Mertz Manor, but I'm having to sleep on the couch.

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