I have finally decided to do something I probably should have quite awhile ago......I am going to throw my own show! Every time I go out to an event I am always thinking what could make it better, second guessing the last song the DJ chose...or how he/she mixed out before the second verse. Every time I go to a show I'm thinking what band would really set it off, or how many hula dancers I could fit on the stage and still have room to perform. I'm weird like that! It's probably all just opinion...or a bunch of snobbish jargon engraved in my head by years of being a DJ and working at Record Stores...but whatever it is, it has helped me to make a choice....in comes "The Grab Bag".The first event will be @The Big Fish Pub in Tempe Arizona on Friday May 16th @10pm, but hopefully "The Grab Bag" fliers will be adorning windshield wipers all over the valley of the sun, and maybe even the nation for years to come. The idea for the event is to help talented bands and artists to cross mingle and perform for fans of different genres of music. The Arizona music scene has always been extremely militant in keeping strong lines between genres. The lines are never blurred....in fact the lines between genres are as apparent and deadly as the lines across the US-Mexico border would be if left in the sweaty little palms of our fearless "Sheriff Joe". There is to be NO CROSSING! A couple bands here and there, and a couple of club nights have broken the trend. Take for example Solstice @Barsmith....a night where Hip Hop Downstairs smoothly glides into deep house and dance up stairs, but Phoenix needs more of that. How many people have nothing but Hip Hop in their iPod or CD changer? Not many. Even the most die hard fans sneak a little Indie Rock, Reggae, or Dance Music in there.
I have been performing for years around the Phoenix area, but not always as a solo act. I usually perform at Hip Hop/Rap themed shows, but my music is not necessarily what alot of people would classify as Rap or even Hip Hop. In fact most of my fans and supporters hate coming to my shows. Somehow when I am going to be taking the stage after the gangsta rap group who just threatened to kill everyone in the front row if they don't get their hands up......the 16 year old emo girls who came out to see Bear the Astronot get a little uncomfortable. I love gangsta rap...as a matter of fact I pretty much grew up on it. I enjoy taking the stage after groups like this, and sharing my points of view, where I came from, and what I think about. I get a thrill out of it.....sometimes it even helps to make me stick out. However, people who like my music often are not drawn to this style, and therefore I don't feel they get as much out of the night as they should. Neither do the artists who I perform with who should be gaining new fans. So I decided to pick the line-up....something I think everyone who comes will enjoy......And I promise 5 large men in red Echo T-Shirts are not going to threaten to shoot or gang-bang you at "The Grab Bag".
The night will be full of thought, positivity, creativity, and good vibes. Underground/Indie Hip Hop and Phoenix based "Orchestra Records" will be blessing us with 3 of the most talented MC's in the Valley....L a.k.a. I, GLAD2MECHA, and Foreknown Apostolic, who are quickly on the rise in the AZ and the Nations Underground Hip Hop movement. These dudes are no joke. Also, Ryan Poulson (RPM Productions) will be blessing listeners with a blend of Reggae/Acoustic/Roots Music that will help to add to the chill and peaceful vibe. The Skacas, an amazing Arizona based band will be Rocking the crowd with an energetic set of Reggae/Ska/Dub/Hip Hop to keep things moving, and of course there will be another thought and laughter provoking set provided by none other than "Bear the Astronot & The Cosmonauts". Sounds like a good night to me.
As always all of the artwork and flier design is handled by my main man Ian Castruita. A Big Thanks To Him For the Great Flier!!
check: http://en-blog.blogspot.com for more on the artist.
Here is some info for you to check out. Tickets for the event are available online....just contact beartheastronot@gmail.com if you want the discounted $5 pre-sale tickets.
Doors open @10pm, show starts @11pm. 2for1 drinks from 10-11pm, with rotating drink specials all night. 21 and up event.
The Big Fish Pub is located at 1954 E. University Dr. Tempe, AZ 85281.
call (480)449-FISH (3474) for info.
www.myspace.com/beartheastronot
www.turntablekachina.com
www.myspace.com/orchestrarecords
www.mypsace.com/ryanpoulson
www.myspace.com/theskacas
www.myspace.com/phunkthouselakai
www.myspace.com/glad2mecha
www.myspace.com/asthewreck
