Thursday, September 29, 2016
It's not the apocalypse: it's the California Capital Air Show!
Dateline Thursday, 29th September, 2016, and the sky is written with strange symbols; now a shooting line, now a drifting face; airplanes rise, and fall, and there's the sound of engines in the sky.
Don't worry. It's not the apocalypse, it's not an invasion, and as far as I know, aliens haven't landed yet. It's the preparation for the California Capital Air Show, which happens this weekend, 1st and 2nd October, at Mather Field.
All the info is on the California Capital Air Show website, click here!
We'll be there!
Headliners? U. S. Navy Blue Angels! Fat Albert!
Supports: Hornets and Vipers! Superfortress! Jet car! And many more... including a WWII tribute,
Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. each day. It will cost $10 to park, but there's plenty of parking space, and you can also buy a parking pass and your tickets online to save time on the day. Children under six years of age go free.
See you there!
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
British English, American English, music and localiz/sation
I've spent many years working with language, with translations, and also dealing with the differences between British and American English in my daily life. But this week? It's the music... making me notice, making me think.
- I like music by Shaman's Harvest, but I probably won't mention them to you, or you won't know who I'm talking about, because I pronounce Shaman the British way ("Shay-man" not "Shaa-man")
- I will probably never, ever sing along to A Day To Remember's new song, Naivety, because... I just cannot pronounce the word that way. To my ears, it's totally wrong. Wondering if they are considering a localized version for sale in the UK and other anglophone markets? The US version either won't work, or it WILL work just-because of the strange-sounding pronounciation to non-US ears...
- But--the other way around--the most endearing thing I have heard on the radio recently, is Oli Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon telling me that there's "nuffink you can do". Now THAT'S proper English like how I talk it.
It's not only the written word that needs translating, or rewriting, or adjusting, for another market. It's not only politicians, presenters and business(wo)men whose speech must be interpreted. The way a song, or a band name, is heard and understood can have an effect on music appreciation, and sales, too.
I Survived Houston Open Air!!! (and other such quotes... here's what we DID see, and the refund info)
Storm clouds above the festival |
Saturday afternoon crowd, Houston Open Air |
Slayer, Houston Open Air 2016 |
We want to thank all of you for your support and patience over the past few days. As a result of the weather/safety related delays and cancellations from last weekend’s event, we are offering all buyers the following refund:
- Saturday Only Ticket— 50% refund of your ticket price.
- Sunday Only Ticket—100% refund of your ticket price.
- Two-day Ticket — 75% refund of your ticket price (I.e. 50% refund of the Saturday portion of the ticket price and 100% refund of the Sunday portion of the ticket price.
- The above refunds apply to all GA and VIP tickets at each applicable price level.
For those of you who purchased via Front Gate Tickets via internet or phone, please email info@frontgatetickets. com or call 888-512-7469 to request your refund. All refunds must be requested by Thursday, December 1st, 2016.
If you purchased tickets via a third party such as Groupon, Songkick, or Street Team, please contact that company directly.
Al Jourgensen, Ministry, Houston Open Air |
The Cult, Houston Open Air |
Alter Bridge, Houston Open Air |
Josh Todd, Buckcherry, Houston Open Air |
(I've been to many other festivals organized by Danny Wimmer Presents, and without exception, they are well planned, well organized, and well scheduled. The evacuations from this festival happened in a very well-behaved way... it just took a long time, as people had to walk a long way from the stages to their vehicles-of-safety. The evacuations didn't just affect the audience. They effected all the staff working... for example, setting up and soundchecking. Weather happens...)
Evacuating the venue, in a very orderly manner |
"Yes, it's his own hair" |
Front row, Houston Open Air |
Now, I'm setting sights on Aftershock, here in Sacramento: looking forwards to seeing some of the bands missed this weekend, including Ghost and Avatar. Sevendust and Gemini Syndrome have a date here, at the Ace of Spades. So let's move on and forwards...
Here are the photo galleries (a few more will be added soon, come back and check):
People of Houston Open Air: photo gallery click here
Slayer: photo gallery click here
The Cult: photo gallery click here
Alter Bridge: photo gallery click here
Buckcherry: photo gallery click here
Ministry: photo gallery click here
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Big weekend on its way... wheels up, and yes, there will be F.E.A.R.
Midnight tonight, UK time, Marillion's latest album, the 18th studio album, Fuck Everyone and Run (aka F.E.A.R) will be officially released. Already seeing reviews stating that it's likely the band's best-ever--here's an interview with Steve Hogarth from the UK's TeamRock... and timed just-right for everyone to listen to before the band begins their North America tour in San Francisco on 21st October, at the Regency Ballroom. (Yes, it's the evening before Aftershock festival in Sacramento. Yes, we can do both. Yes, I WILL be at both. We can sleep when we are dead, OK???)
I'll be putting my digital release of F.E.A.R. onto my player for listening to on the flight tomorrow, because I'm heading down to Houston for this weekend's Houston Open Air festival! Alice in Chains, Slayer, Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, The Cult, Anthrax, Gemini Syndrome... and Dinosaur Pile Up. Among many, many others... a few of whom will also be appearing at Aftershock in October, so expect to see a lot of review/preview posts here on Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos between this weekend and then! (Can't believe it's already three years since Avenged Sevenfold were last at Aftershock... they are appearing at both Houston Open Air and Aftershock in 2016! And I *think* there are a few tickets left, for both, but you'd better get a move on.)
Avenged Sevenfold, Aftesrshock 2013 |
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Kungs, City of Trees, and this city is missing something huge this year
Kungs -- aka Brunel Valentin, from Aix-en-Provence in France--delivered an excellent DJ set at City of Trees this weekend, albeit underlit... we just absorbed the music, and danced in the dark... for certain Sacramentans, this could have gone on all weekend...
(It took me back in time to the two TBD Festivals that were held in West Sacramento. Different venue, rather a different audience, but all loving this kind of music.It reminded me once again how big and diverse the music market is here in Sacramento. This city can, and should, support multiple music events... TBD Fest has left a huge hole, and I'm not going to rehash the reasons why it hasn't happened again. I just hope that someone, someday, has the courage and the financial know-how and integrity to fill that hole again... because dancing in the dark to one excellent DJ set is just not enough for late summer in Sacramento. IMHO.)
Merci encore une fois, Kungs... Hear from Kungs on Souncloud , check Kungs Facebook, and go dance some more!
City of Trees: The Struts, Phantogram and Panic! at the Disco photogalleries
Luke Spiller, The Struts, City of Trees 2016 |
The Struts continue to tour throughout the USA until late this year, and their album Everybody Wants is out now! These guys are to see... don't miss an opportunity!
Sarah Barthel, Phantogram, City of Trees 2016 |
Panic! at the Disco, City of Trees 2016 |
Here are the full galleries:
Panic! at the Disco
Phantagram
The Struts
If you want to share any of these images on social media, there is a share button on each picture, please use it :-)
Monday, September 12, 2016
A new playlist... old, new, borrowed and a little blue...
A few songs that I'm listening to right now... they are all in the YouTube playlist below, :
Zakk Wylde featuring Corey Taylor: Sleeping Dogs
Dinosaur Pile-Up: 11:11
He Whose Ox Is Gored: Oathbreaker
Marillion: Somewhere Else
Highly Suspect: My Name Is Human
The Struts: Kiss This
Art of Dying: Torn Down
Gemini Syndrome: Say Goodnight
Jan Gabarek: Ramy
Stone Sour featuring Lzzy Hale: Gimme Shelter
See what you think...
Sunday, September 11, 2016
City of Trees: new location, alternative-rock lineup, and lots and lots of happy faces
Panic! At The Disco fans, City of Trees festival |
Brendon Urie, Panic! at the Disco |
Happy at City of Trees |
Weezer, City of Trees |
The Struts, City of Trees |
Phantogram, City of Trees |
Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness, City of Trees |
Were you at the festival? Maybe your photo is in the Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos photogallery: there are many more pictures, click here!!!
More photos of the performers comiing soon... links will be added and posted on Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos, so bookmark this site or follow @alisontoonphotographer on instagram, @alisontoon on Twitter.
People of City of Trees 2016, you rock!!! |
Friday, September 9, 2016
Festivals, festivals, festivals... City of Trees tomorrow, and who's this I see on a poster for Hofday???
Tomorrow is City of Trees at Bonney Field! The set times and stages have been announced: click here for details. Parking is free, and I think there are still a few tickets available... headliners Panic! At the Disco, Weezer, Phantogram.... and many, many more! See the full lineup here and all the festival details on the website... and I'll see you there!

Hofday will be happening on the river's edge at River Walk Park, Sacramento, on September 24th. More info on the party/festival website here... music, food, games everything to celebrate this city!
Also on 24th (and 25th) of September, for those who are prepared to travel a little further afield: Houston Open Air has announced set times for two days and three stages of metal and hard rock... one or two tickets still available there too and you know we have an airport in Sac, right? It's going to be the biggest rock experience in Texas (and everthing's super big there of course), with more than 35 bands and lots, lots more. A portion of the proceeds from the festival will be donated to the Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund... click on that link for more info. Such a good thing to do, festival organizers... kudos!!!
And then... and then... it's not so long now.... AFTERSHOCK!!!! Tool is coming to Sacramento!!! I hope you bought your tickets already!!! It's going to be fun. <--- that's an example of a British understatement.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Old Sacramento and Gold Rush Days, the place to be this Labor Day Weekend!
Sheriff, Gold Rush Days, Old Sacramento |
Friends, Gold Rush Days, Old Sacramento |
Outside the Saloon, Gold Rush Days, Old Sacramento |
Pony Express, Gold Rush Days, Old Sacramento |
Gold Rush Days continue tomorrow, Monday 5th September!
Many more pictures here in the photo gallery:http://www.alisontoon.com/-/galleries/life/gold-rush-days
Ready for the fire!!! |
Friday, September 2, 2016
Next weekend: City of Trees!!!
Radio 94.7 and Budweiser-sponsored City of Trees 2016 is next weekend at Bonney Field!!! Did you get your tickets yet? If not, here's where you find them: click here!
Thursday, September 1, 2016
... and sometimes, it's all in a name... He Whose Ox Is Gored
Sometimes, but by no means always, I'm drawn to music by hearing it; a song on the radio, a random tune pulled up by Pandora, a snippet in a TV show, and of course, live bands. Sometimes, the artwork can quite simply entice me to take a listen--that's exactly what started me listening to Marillion, walking into a record store, many-many years ago, and leaving with an unheard-yet album, just-because of the sleeve. (It's also what would have me picking up and picking out Gemini Syndrome's albums even if I hadn't heard the music, yet.)
But sometimes, the name of the band just begs a listen. You win some, you lose some... for example, I couldn't resist checking out We Butter The Bread With Butter because, for crying out loud, whoever names a band like that??? (See the review for the answer.)
And so today: I couldn't resist checking out, He Whose Ox Is Gored. The name conjours up Vikings and rampage and ancients and myths and legend and darkness and primitive-yet-possessive man... and what do you know, that's exactly how the music sounds. An alchemic mix of sludge, metal, prog, trance, synth, drone, psychedelic, stoned, Viking-from-Seattle... vocals taking backstage to the instruments yet deeply entrenched and as a whole, rather beautiful. In a heavy-yet-dreamily-hypnotic-way.
Check out He Whose Ox Is Gored's music on their website. You can find their album, The Camel, The Lion, The Child as digital downloads on Amazon and iTunes as well as on the band's website. More info about the band on Facebook, too.
This album deserves to be on vinyl... just saying.
He Whose Ox Is Gored have a few dates left on their current tour--catch them if you can!
Art Of Dying's new EP, Nevermore, out tomorrow! Watch out for them on tour, too!
Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos are often invited to review new music; here's one new release that is very much worth the listen.
Art Of Dying have just begun a forty-plus-show headlining tour of North America, and tomorrow sees the release of their EP, Nevermore. With six songs, each one with the theme of overcoming adversity, the Canadian rockers from Vancouver, British Columbia, have radio hit material in plenty. Hard rock, with a sharp edge, strong vocals and some really nice harmonies...
Check out the official video for Torn Down:
Art Of Dying are Jonny Hetherington (vocals), Tavis Stanley (guitar), Cale Gondier (bass), and Cody Watkins (drums). Find more information on their Facebook and website, including all the tour dates (San Francisco is the closest date to Sacramento, September 16th at the DNA Lounge)
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