Blind Like Sam
Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"Bury My Heart" gets track of the day! May 8, 2008 in the Power Pop category
- GarageBand.com
"Summer Daze" gets track of the day! May 5, 2008 in the Alternative Pop category - GarageBand.com
Having resurrected his dream baby last year from a burnout-induced five-year slumber, musician/promoter Scott Hildebrandt is back again with Rose City Rocks, a four-day festival kicking off Wednesday at Old Towne Pub. The free show’s eclectic mix sets the tone for the rest of the fest with its mix of power-poppers, guitar shredders and acoustically oriented singer-songwriters: Blind Like Sam, Unit 287, Black Light Revelation, Lilly Carrico, ErnestLisa and Hans David Rearick.
Originally conceived as a means of promoting a Hildebrandt-produced “Locals Only” compilation CD that was then spinning on several Old Pasadena club jukeboxes, Rose City Rocks evolved throughout the ’90s into a lively showcase of indie artists, most from the greater Pasadena area. In expanding from two days to four, Hildebrandt is inching closer to his ultimate goal of presenting a weeklong art festival. And in keeping admission costs low, Rose City Rocks makes it that much easier for low-budget music hounds to check out area artists hungering for connection with new audiences.
Several bands playing this year should be familiar to habitués of Eastside dives, including Squeegee, Lungbutter, the New Hotness, Olio, Neverwonder, ErnestLisa, 8STOPS7 and Ovideo. The lineup of acts performing on stages at Old Towne Pub, Fred’s Mexican Cafe and Dullahan’s (formerly McMurphy’s) reflects the dynamic state of the northeast LA indie-rock scene: from Blind Like Sam’s propulsive power-pop, Last American Buffalo’s cosmic psych-rock, Big Joe Hurt’s soothing neo-soul, honeybreath’s ambient pop, Ari Shine’s edgy pop-rock, Apples and Onions’ springy reggae/rock mash, singer-songwriter Manda Mosher’s sultry confessions and the DownBeats’ hipster juke-joint jazz to Suki Ewers’ dreamy haze, Eggshell Egoz’s funky beats, Lungbutter’s classic rock riffs, Adrienne Pierce’s salty-sweet whimsy, guitarist Jim Wright’s progressive-jazz Zappa tribute, Ramblin’ James and the Billy Boppers’ rockabilly and Jessica Jay’s and Eric Baines’ radio-ready polish.
Several artists stand out amidst that musical multitude. Thumbs-up recommendations go to Big Joe Hurt and Jim Wright at Fred’s Mexican Cafe Thursday night; Eggshell Egoz at Old Towne Pub Friday night; and Last American Buffalo, Daniel Brummel, the Evangenitals and honeybreath at the Pub late Saturday afternoon and early evening.
Rose City Rocks kicks off Wednesday night at Old Towne Pub, 66 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena; free admission. Call (626) 577-6583 for club details. The festival continues Thursday at Old Towne Pub and Fred’s Mexican Cafe, 119 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 304-9955; and Friday and Saturday at Old Towne Pub and Dullahan’s indoor stage and outdoor courtyard, 72 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, (626) 578-9155. Wristbands ($5 and $7) available each day. Event passes ($15) available by advance purchase only. For online store, full band schedule and more festival details, please visit www.rosecityrocks.com. - Pasadena Weekly
Discography
ALBUM - "Bury My Heart"
All The Yesterdays
Bury My Heart
Awkward Moment
On And On
Reason To Breathe
Lying Here On The Floor
You Think You Thought Of Everything
All For Chuck
On Top Of The World
Summer Daze
Photos
Bio
Blind Like Sam was formed in late 2006. It was a fortuitous meeting between, Matt Toledo and Tony Landrith, who started this musical endeavor. Their decision to create music and a band, that would become known as – Blind Like Sam, would be rooted from their individual experiences both personal and musical. After sitting down and working out a handful of songs that would eventually wind up on the debut album “Bury My Heart” the two quickly produced and posted these song on the internet to entice additional band members. To frame up this structure Chuck Sinner lends his insane sensibilities. Well seasoned in his craft he provides an unwavering sense of timing and mastery.
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