Bart Mendoza interviews former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman

Here's a vintage interview with former Rolling Stone's bassist Bill Wyman by Bart Mendoza. Subjects covered include touring, photography and more

Bart Mendoza interviews Bill Wyman

Oct 28 Bruce Foxton + Bart Mendoza & True Stories at 4th & B / San Diego

Tickets are now on sale for a very special show featuring Bruce Foxton & From the Jam + Bart Mendoza & True Stories, live at 4th & B in San Diego (345 B St./Downtown). October 28, 8 p.m. 21 and up.

Tickets for Bruce Foxton & Bart Mendoza at 4th & B - San Diego Oct 28 2012

Forty One Sixty: The Songs of the Shambles - video promos

In 2009, Jam Records, in conjunoction with Blindspot Records, issued Forty One Sixty: The Songs of the Shambles. The album features a selection of artists from around the world, performing songs written by Bart Mendoza (and in two cases, Kevin Donaker -Ring). It's a mix of new and previously released recordings. Here are three short video promos, complete with soundtrack from Canadian ska combo The Kingpins, blues rocker Anna Troy and British mod legends Yeh-Yeh, though without the DJ voiceover. 21 additional artists are featured including  the Lolas, Cockeyed Ghost, the Andersons (featuring Robbie Rist), Sugarplum (with Anthony Meynell of Squire), The Happy Losers, Mod Fun, The Eddies with Mark Le Gallez (of the Risk) and Marie Haddad.

The album isn't available digitally. You can find it at the JAM records site

Forty One Sixty: The Songs of the Shambles at JAM Records

Manual Scan - "She's So Fine" 2010 Live Studio Session FM94/9

In 2010 Shambles precursor Manual Scan reconvened for a special live radio session recorded for DJ Tim Pyles show, The Local 94/9. The band included Bart Mendoza, Kevin Donaker-Ring, Tim Blankenship and Morgan Young.

Manual Scan returned to the studio for the first time in 22 years, taping 5 songs broadcast on San Diego’s FM94.9. Recorded at Signature Sound Studios, the production was handled by Grammy winning producer / engineer, Alan Sanderson (Rolling Stones / Weezer / Elvis Costello). The show was first aired on March 20, 2010 and has been repeated since. The band performed three classics and two covers:

1)   Plan of Action (Mendoza)

2)   She’s So Fine (The Easybeats)

3)   American Way (Mendoza)

4)   Nothing Can Be Everything (Mendoza)

5)   The Real Me (The Who)

"She's So Fine" and "Plan of Action" were released via the free CD's that accompanied British modzine Heavy Soul #5 and #6 respectively. "She's So Fine" has shown up on Youtube. A release of the entire session is reportedly in the works.

The Sleazybeats - "Phil Spector's Birthday" video by Bart Mendoza

Recorded on November 22, 1997 by San Diego group, the Sleazybeats, "Phil Spector's Birthday" was penned by singer Sandra Castillo and guitarist Jay Wiseman (The Trebels, The Hoods, Evil Eyes etc). Other members included drummer John Chilson (The Shambles, The Trebels etc) and singer Rachael Gordon. The video was put together by Bart Mendoza for Blindspot Records, using dozens of album and single sleeves, as well as labels, for a collage of songs that Phil Spector was involved in, either performing, writing or producing them. The list includes The Beatles as well as John Lennon and George Harrison plus The Ramones, Dion, Leonard Cohen, The Ronettes, Starsailor, Gene Pitney and many more. "Phil Spector's Birthday" was issued first on the compilation album, Tiger Style, (2000) and later reissued on Staring at the Sun Volume 9 (2011).

The Shambles Complete Discography Updated

The Shambles Discography has been completely revamped and updated. More images coming soon, but it's now complete through December 2011.

The Shambles Complete Discography

Bart Mendoza 1991 Paul McCartney Ashcan Comic

Bart Mendoza has penned several comics related items over the years, including this Paul McCartney Ashcan, done for Revisionary Press in 1991. Available only as a promo item for advance orders of Beatles Experience #2, all copies were signed. The Beatles Comics website has a nice write up and the cover + art

Bart Mendoza at The Beatles Comics website

Bart Mendoza & True Stories perform "Clouds All Day"

Bart Mendoza & True Stories perform the Shambles live favorite "Clouds All Day" at Lestats on August 2 2012, shot by Jeremiah Byerly on a cellphone from the right hand audience theatre seats...

Bart Mendoza interviews Graham Nash

Bart Mendoza interviews Graham Nash for the La Jolla Village News in this vintage article, focusing on Nash's photography.

Bart Mendoza interviews Graham Nash for the La Jolla Village News

Bart Mendoza interviews Peter Case

 Bart Mendoza has interviewed many musicians over the years. Here's a recent conversation with Peter Case (The Plimsouls, The Nerves) about an upcoming solo show in Ocean Beach / San Diego, CA

Bart Mendoza interviews Peter Case for the Beacon Peninsula

Bart Mendoza & True Stories Set List & Video for "Cant Seem To Make You Mine"August 1, 2012

Bart Mendoza & True Stories

with Jeremy Morris and Scott Mathiasen

August  1, 2012

Lestat's Coffeehouse / San Diego

Soundcheck: "I Call Your Name" (Beatles) for guitars, "I Woke Up In Love This Morning" for keys/vocals

In Your Arms

Clouds All Day

Bleeding

Can't Seem To Make You Mine

You Still Take My Breath Away

Problems of Her Own

All Sorts

This Wish

Just To See Your Face Again

What You Mean To Me

Outdoor Miner (Wire)

Runaway (Del Shannon)

Ever Fallen In Love (Buzzcocks)

Where Have All The Good Times Gone (Kinks)

Comets Tomorrow

Blindspot

I Woke Up In Love This Morning (Partridge Family)

Bart also joined Jeremy Morris on vocals for three songs in his set

It's Getting Better

Highway to Heaven

Time Has Come Today (Chambers Brothers)

A video has already been posted by an audience member,  Jeremiah Byerly, featuring the band in full Hammond / Argent mode on Bart's song "Can't Seem to Make You Mine." This is not a cover of the Seeds classic, but a new song from the band, We repost here with permission:

The Shambles and Manual Scan Covered

The Shambles and Manual Scan have had their songs covered by several artists, including ska combo The Kingpins, blues rocker Anna Troy and mod legend Anthony Meynell. Most of the tunes were written by Bart Mendoza,  a few with co-writers. Collaborators on tunes over the years include Maya Morris, Jeppe Riddervold, Frank Drennan, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Mark DeCerbo, Dylan Martinez and Robbie Rist. Here is an updated list of who has recorded what song and where it can be found.

The Shambles and Manual Scan Cover Versions

The Crawdaddys discography updated

The Crawdaddy's discography has been greatly updated, with releases documented from 1979-2005. This only covers the first version of the group with bassist and future founding Shamble Mark Zadarnowski. Singer Ron Silva was also drummer with The Shambles for a short time.

The Crawdaddys Discography

Manual Scan discography updated

Manual Scan's discography has been greatly updated, with releases from 1982-2010 documented. The band included Bart and Kevin of the Shambles.

Manual Scan Discography

New! Wendy Bailey & True Stories "Can't Seem to Make You Mine" video

Bart Mendoza is also performing with the band True Stories and will be recording an album of new songs with them this fall. The bands set list includes songs from throughout his music career, including new tunes and songs from the Shambles, Manual Scan and Rachael Gordon songbooks. The band currently can be seen around Southern California and features Bart Mendoza, David Fleminger, Billy Fritz and Danny Cress. David is a founding member of Manual Scan and is currently in the Comeuppance and The Answers, plus the occasional spot with the Amandas. Danny and Billy are both former members of The Coyote Problem.

Here is an R&B garage rock tune written by Bart , "Can't Seem To Make You Mine," which can be found on the new album, String Theory, by Wendy Bailey & True Stories.

San Diego Music Awards Tickets now on sale!

The 22nd Annual San Diego Music Awards will take place August 13 at beautiful outdoor venue, Humphrey's by the Bay on August 13. Tickets are available now. Shambles guitarist Bart Mendoza is part of the San Diego Music Foundation team that puts together the event, contributing in several capacities. This is the party of the year for anyone who likes San Diego Music.

San Diego Music Awards

The Shambles "Mod Radio UK" video

The Shambles recorded a theme / jingle for Mod Radio UK. Here's a video using vintage clips from San Diego's mod scene circa 1987

Bart Mendoza features archive at the San Diego Reader

Shambles guitarist Bart Mendoza's day job as a music journalist includes work for the San Diego Reader. All of his writing for the weekly paper can be found here, updated as new articles come in

Bart Mendoza articles at the San Diego Reader

Bart Mendoza & True Stories Live Aug 1 2012 at Lestats

Bart Mendoza's new group, True Stories, performs at Lestat's in San Diego on August 1, 2012. The bill includes Michigan powerpop icon Jeremy Morris and blues/pop guitarist Scott Mathiasen. 9 p.m. All Ages.
The band includes David Fleminger (Manual Scan, The Answers etc), Billy Fritz and Danny Cress (The Coyote Problem, The Rarities)

New Shambles album out soon!

Coming this Summer! The Shambles recorded live at the Casbah in San Diego - A dozen tracks taken from various concerts taped in 2004 - out soon via Archive Recordings!

The Shambles meet Jonathan Richman

This is a rare promo pin issued to commemorate a run of eight shows at the Casbah in San Diego by Jonathan Richman, with the Shambles opening...

Manual Scan Live July 21 2012

Shambles precursor Manual Scan played a rare gig earlier this month in Orange County, a benefit for Gary Heffern, vocalist for the Penetrators. Also performing were Cindy Lee Berryhill, Nena Anderson and Peter Case, with Severo (The Smithereens) and Jim Lapesa (The Muffs / Dave Davies). Also in attendance, Frank Drennan (Dead Rock West), Derrick Anderson (The Bangles) and many more...

Fitzgerald's
Huntington Beach, CA
July 21, 2012

American Way
For Those
Leaving Here
Nothing Can Be Everything
And We Still feel The Same
She's So Fine
I Can't Explain
Plan of Action
Feel A Whole Lot Better
Nothing You Can Do
Come See Me
I Can't don't Want to Faster

Bart Mendoza also joined Cindy Lee Berryhill during her set for a version of "She Had Everything"

The Shambles included in new book "Power Pop Prime"

The Shambles are included in the new book, Power Pop Prime Volume 1, from Not Lame Publishing. It includes an interview with Bart Mendoza and the band's song, "Days and Maybes" is included on the accompanying CD! http://popgeek.highwire.com/product/power-pop-prime-volume-one

Manual Scan Setlist of September 9, 2010

Manual Scan
(Bar) Eleven
September 09, 2010


Set 1
Leaving Here
American Way
Shape of Things to Come
All Night Stand
I Can't Explain
For Your Love
Like Wow Wipeout
She's So Fine
I Can Only Give You Everything
The Last Time
But I'm Different Now
Sorry
Biff Bang Pow
Tie Your Mother Down

Set 2
I Can't Don't Want to Faster
Nothing Can Be Everything
Surrender
The Real Me
Slow Down
I Got A Line On You
Ballroom Blitz
I Need You
Smoke on the Water
Feel A Whole Lot Better
Yellow Pills
Nothing You Can Do
Leave My Kitten Alone
For Those
Come See Me
Jungle Beat
Shes Got Everything
New Difference
Plan of Action
Head First

LONG OVERDUE UPDATE - JULY 2010

See The Shambles' official website (http://www.theshambles.net) and add them at myspace and facebook for additional information.

Manual Scan returned to the studio for the first time in 22 years. 5 songs were taped for a special edition of The Pyles Sessions, broadcast on San Diego’s FM94.9and aired on March 20, 2010. Recorded at Signature Sound Studios, production was handled by producer / engineer, Alan Sanderson (Rolling Stones / Weezer). The band performed the following three classics and two covers:

1) Plan of Action
2) She’s So Fine (The Easybeats)
3) American Way
4) Nothing Can Be Everything
5) The Real Me (The Who)

http://www.fm949sd.com/local/index.aspx

The Shambles appearance on the Pyles Sessions, hosted by Tim Pyles and produced by Alan Sanderson (Rolling Stones / Weezer / Elvis Costello) will finally have an official release in 2010 on a promo only, limited edition disc which includes notes from Alan Sanderson, all six session tracks and nine additional bonus cuts from additional Live radio sessions:

1) (She’s Used to Playing With) Fire
2) Desde Ayer
3) Clouds All Day
4) All Sorts
5) Brilliant
6) San Diego Medley


Vampyrates Limited Edition Sketchbook and new merchandise are available for Kevin Donaker-Ring and Jeromy Cox’s Vampyrates comic book. Kevin & Jeromy will be at the San Diego Comic-Con / Bloodfire Comics Booth.
http://www.bloodfire.com


Kevin Donaker-Ring guests with the Jetset, playing lead on the Paul Bevoir tune, “Heaven & Mrs. Winter.” from England’s Cherry Red Records, Swings & Roundabouts: The Very Best of The Jetset"
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/cherryred/artists/jetset.php

Bart Mendoza pens new Pink Floyd comics anthology forward from Bluewater Productions which will likely also be at the Comic-Con 2010
www.bluewaterprod.com.

Blindspot News
New releases from Circa Now, Skid Roper, Dave Humphries and Skelpin. Skelpin recently won first place in the World Music category of the John Lennon Songwriting Awards with a song from this album, “The View.”

Singer-songwriter Marie Haddad has demoed a version of Bart Mendoza’s new song, “Falling,” for possible inclusion on her next album

www.myspace.com/blindspotrecordssd


The Shambles performed Cheap Trick’s classic album, At Budokan, in it’s entirety at Bar Pink in North Park/San Diego, on Saturday May 1, 10 p.m.

The Shambles - Bar Pink / May 1, 2010 setlist:
1) Hello There
2) Come On, Come On
3) Elo Kiddies
4) Lookout
5) Big Eyes
6) Need Your Love (w/ Adam Gimbel)
7) I Want You To Want Me
8) Surrender
9) California Man
10) Downed
11) Oh Caroline
12) Southern Girls
13) Goodnight Now
14) Aint That A Shame
15) Clock Strikes Ten
16) Auf Wiedrsehen



Town Criers, Manual Scan and members of the Penetrators performed at The Casbah on January 30.


The Shambles CD release show at the Casbah on Nov. 29 featured a second set of songs, each with a different guest from the local music community.

The following clips were posted online by Rosey Bystrak:

Clip #1 The Shambles with Steve Poltz, cover The Ramones "Sheena Is A Punk
Rocker"
http://www.youtube.com/user/LosShambles#p/f/0/4k7-nP1PLl4

Clip #2 The Shambles with Gary Hankins (Scarlet Symphony), cover Manual Scan’s
“Nothing Can Be Everything” and The Birds “Leavin Here”
http://www.youtube.com/user/LosShambles#p/f/11/fKuXHrVKlTc

Clip #3 The Shambles with Gregory Page cover The Beatles "I'm Only Sleeping"
http://www.youtube.com/user/LosShambles#p/f/9/EEFivLnaFSI

Clip #4 The Shambles with Lee Harding (Echo Revolution) cover The Kinks "All Day
And All Of The Night"
http://www.youtube.com/user/LosShambles#p/f/7/rCZ4OAx_lFg

Clip #5 The Shambles with Joey Harris (The Beat Farmers / The Mentals ) cover
The Rolling Stones "The Last Time."
http://www.youtube.com/user/LosShambles#p/f/8/wQbuJGXFH3Q

Clip #6 The Shambles with Wendy Bailey perform "Innocence Becomes You." Wendy
also plays guitar on Clip #1 ("Sheena....")
http://www.youtube.com/user/LosShambles#p/f/6/C8ypUexRH7k
Scan's "Nothing Can Be Everything" & The Birds "Leavin Here"


The Shambles / Blindspot Records Youtube Page has posted over five dozens videos including Manual Scan, The Shambles, Mark DeCerbo & Four Eyes, Skeplin, Anna Troy, The Risk, The Trebels, Wendy Bailey, The Nashville Ramblers and more!
www.youtube.com/user/LosShambles

Ray Brandes page has videos from The Mystery Machine, Crawdaddy’s and Tell Tale Hearts
http://www.youtube.com/user/raybrandes

Kenny Howes other band, Hautewerk was featured in Guitar World Magazine in 2009 plus they will have three songs in upcoming edition of Rock Band. The songs are from their 2006 album, Stop Start Again. Hautewerk’s songs will also be heard on various MTV programs.
www.hautewerk.com


Footage of Wendy Bailey & True Stories sessions at Studio West, March 4-5, 2010, soundtracked by Wendy's "I Swear, I Say" - look for Bart in the background of 1 clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKlv7vOeqUg


Video clip of Anna Troy and Bart performing "I Will"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfofJDor0-Y


Bart Mendoza / Java Joes March 12, 2010 setlist:
1) In My Life
2) Clouds All Day
3) From A Window
4) Wouldn’t You Like To Be A Bear
5) There’s a Lot of Different Ways to Get To School
6) All Sorts
7) Carolina On My Mind / You Still Take My Breath Away
8) In Your Arms
9) What You Mean To Me
10) Can't Seem To Make You Mine
11) American Way
12) I Only Want To Be With You
13) Kids Are Alright
14) For Your Love
15) Blindspot / Innocence Becomes You
16) Where Have All The Good Times Gone
17) Everybody Wants To Go to Heaven (w/Dave Howard)
18) You Make Me Feel Good (w/Dave Howard)
19) I’m Looking Through You (w/Dave Howard)
20) Mystery Dance (w/Dave Howard)

a Shambles cartoon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5K2FGJ2HZo

Manual Scan mention:
http://cheunderground.com/blog/?p=3612

November 2009 Updates

A podcast by Bart:
http://www.piratepods.com/index.php


It was announced on FM94.9 that Manual Scan was back in the studio for the first time in 25 years, with Alan Sanderson producing (The Rolling Stones / Weezer / Elvis Costello) on Dec. 23 for a special FM94.9 "Pyles Sessions" broadcast in January 2010.



Manual Scan show on January 30, 2010
Manual Scan will be opening for The Penetrators, alongside The Town Criers (With Ray Brandes and Mark Z) and the Blues Gangsters on January 30, 2010


One of San Diego’s greatest holiday traditions, this annual airing of Rolling Stones seventies/eighties classic is still the best way to top off Christmas Eve. Exile on Kettner Blvd. takes place on December 24, 9 pm-ish, at The Casbah. This year’s line up includes an all-star band: Mario Escovedo (vocals), Joe Camacho, George Vidardi, Joey Guevara, Romy Kaye, Rick Wilkins, Jonny Viau, & Brian Cantrell. Mid-set the band changes gears to sixties Stones classics, with a change of musicians backing Escovedo, including Morgan Smith and Bart Mendoza on lead and rhythm guitar respectively. Special guests for the night include Steve Poltz and El Vez, so this will be quite a night. Free



The Shambles:
11/22 KUSI-TV 9:40 am
11/22 FM94.9 8 p.m.
11/24 CW-6-TV 9:30 am
11/29 FM94.9 8 p.m.
11/29 The Casbah 10 p.m.
12/12 Humphreys Backstage Lounge 8 p.m.

Additional dates of interest:
12/09/09 Bart (solo) / Ocean Beach HolidayToyDrive
12/11/09 Wendy Bailey & True Stories /Macys Horton Plaza
12/12/09 Wendy Bailey & True Stories / Claire De Lune
12/27/09 Wendy Bailey & True Stories / Lestats
01/09/10 Wendy Bailey & True Stories / The Ruby Room
01/30/10 Manual Scan / The Casbah


The November issue of the San Diego Troubadour has a rave review of "Forty One Sixty"



Forty One Sixty CD release show...
Sunday November 29 - FREE!
FM94.9 & The Casbah Present:

The Shambles (w/special guests) / CD Release for the album "Forty One Sixty"
Skelpin / CD Release for "Trip To Skye"
Lualta
The Shamey Jays
Canton Mudders (in the Atari Lounge)
+ Free Mexican Food From Lucha Libre
+ Giveaways
+ Live FM94.9 Broadcast in the Atari Lounge with your host, Tim Pyles!
Music starts at 7:30 pm - The Shambles at 9:30 pm / 21 & up
FREE ADMISSION - FREE FOOD !
2501 Kettner Blvd. San Diego / www.casbahmusic.com

The Shambles' Setlist:

1)I Can’t Don’t Want to Faster
2)More Than This
3)Fire
4)Thin Lines
5)Clouds All Day
6)Innocence Becomes You w/ Wendy Bailey
7)All Day & All of The Night w/ Lee Harding (Echo Revolution)
8)The Last Time w/ Joey Harris (The Beat Farmers, The Mentals)
9)I’m Only Sleeping w/ Gregory Page
10)Nothing Can Be Everything w/ Gary Hankins (Scarlet Symphony)
11)Leavin’ Here w/ Gary Hankins (Scarlet Symphony)
12)Sheena is A Punk Rocker / Steve Poltz


A new Manual Scan / Shambles post has gone up on the Che Underground site:
http://cheunderground.com/blog/?p=2450


new video clips
http://www.youtube.com/user/LosShambles

September 2009 Update

The Shambles official website has been updated (http://www.theshambles.net). Be sure to add them at myspace and facebook for additional information.

Forty One Sixty, The Songs of The Shambles & Manual Scan is now available from JAM Recordings, Kool Kat Music, Not Lame, CDbaby & Itunes.


Two New Promo Compilations feature The Shambles:

Jangle On, is a new compilation being made available to subscribers at Not Lame,
included amongst many others: The Shambles, The Spring Collection and many more.

The second annual Art Around Adams in June 2009 had a PR kit which included a
promo only compilation featuring The Shambles “I Can’t Don’t Want To Faster.”


The Shambles appearance on the Pyles Sessions, hosted by Tim Pyles and produced
by Alan Sanderson (Rolling Stones / Weezer / Elvis Costello) will finally have
an official release in early 2010 on this promo only, limited edition disc.

Details: Includes notes from Alan Sanderson, all six session tracks and nine
additional bonus cuts from additional
Live radio sessions,

1)(She’s Used to Playing With) Fire
2) Desde Ayer
3) Clouds All Day
4) All Sorts
5) Brilliant
6) San Diego Medley

and also contains nine additional bonus cuts from additional live radio sessions.


New York Magazine, Talent in Motion features Blindspot Records
http://timmag.com/Spring09/P14.php3


Recent Blindspot Releases:

Anna Troy - Live / Stereo 360 Sound, (Blindspot 123)
Wendy Bailey - It Ain’t Rocket Surgery (Blindspot ) Re-issue
Irradio – I Am The Horn (Blindspot )
The Bleeding Irish - Ar Doltas EP (Blindspot )
The Shamey Jays – Four of Your Pretty Packages (Blindspot ) A preview EP
The Shamey Jays – Your Pretty Packages (Blindspot ) full length

Upcoming Titles Include:
Skelpin – Title TBD
Mark DeCerbo & Four Eyes – Anthology Vol. 2 (1984 – 2006)
Dave Humphries – title tbd
Marie Haddad – title tbd
Wendy Bailey – title tbd
VA - Staring at the Sun VIII
VA - Staring at the Sun VIIII

Recent Press:
07/17/09 Goldmine Magazine- The Rave On column by John Borack gives The Shambles
album 20 Explosive Hits a rave review! (pg. 21)
05/27/09 Citybeat
05/28/09 The Reader
05/28/09 San Diego Union / Night & Day

Current Live Schedule

August, 8 2009 10:30 PM - North Park Music Thing / Bart
Mendoza & Friends, Dave Humphries, Marie Haddad
, San Diego / North Park, California -




August, 9 2009 02:00 PM - Mission Bay Deli / Dave
Humphries
, San Diego / Mission Bay, California -




August, 9 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe Mendoza
aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California - Free




August, 13 2009 08:00 PM - Hensley’s Flying Elephant /
Skelpin
, Carlsbad, California -




August, 15 2009 07:30 PM - Main Street Station / Anna
Troy
, Guernville, California -




August, 15 2009 09:00 PM - Dreamstreet / The Bleeding
Irish
, San Diego / Ocean Beach, California -




August, 16 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe
Mendoza aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California - Free




August, 18 2009 08:00 PM - The Pannikin / Anna Troy
, San Diego / La Jolla, California -

All Ages


August, 18 2009 09:00 PM - Humphreys Backstage Lounge /
Anna Troy
, San Diego / Shelter Island, California -




August, 20 2009 08:00 PM - Hensley’s Flying Elephant /
Skelpin
, Carlsbad, California -




August, 23 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe
Mendoza aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California -




August, 27 2009 08:00 PM - Hensley’s Flying Elephant /
Skelpin
, Carlsbad, California -




August, 30 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe
Mendoza aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California - Free




September, 4 2009 08:00 PM - Swedenborg Hall / Wendy
Bailey
, San Diego, California -




September, 4 2009 09:00 PM - The Belly Up Tavern / Anna
Troy w/ Johnny Winter
, Solana Beach, California -




September, 6 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe
Mendoza aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California - Free




September, 12 2009 12:00 PM - Artwalk by the Bay / Dave
Humphries
, San Diego, California -




September, 13 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe
Mendoza aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California -




September, 18 2009 06:00 PM - Indy Irish Fest / Skelpin
, Indianapolis, Indiana -




September, 19 2009 08:00 PM - Indy Irish Fest / Skelpin
, Indianapolis, Indiana -




September, 19 2009 09:00 PM - Lestats / Anna Troy w/
Robin Henkel & the Buddy Wuddy Blues Show
Adams Avenue, San Diego / Normal Heighs, California -


Wendy Bailey & True Stories
9/19/2009 O’Connell’s

True Stories Setlist:
1) Harmless
2) I Swear I Say
3) Nothing Left To Say
4) Better Days
5) Cant Seem To Make You Mine
6) Was A Time
7) You Still Take My Breath Away
8) What You Mean To Me
9) Comets Tomorrow
10) I’m The One
11) Mystery Dance *
12) Tow The Line
13) Certain Appeal
14) Temptation Eyes *
15) She Walks Groovy




September, 20 2009 12:00 PM - Swedenborg Hall / Wendy
Bailey
, San Diego, California -




September, 20 2009 12:00 PM - Swedenborg Hall / Wendy
Bailey
, San Diego, -




September, 20 2009 08:00 PM - Indy Irish Fest / Skelpin
, Indianapolis, Indiana -




September, 20 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe
Mendoza aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California -




September, 26 2009 02:00 PM - Adams Avenue Street Fair
- Lestat’s / True Stories (Bart, Wendy, Danny & Billy)
, San Diego / Normal Heights, California - FREE




September, 27 2009 11:00 AM - Adams Avenue Street Fair
/ Wendy Bailey
Adams Avenue, San Diego / Normal Heights, California - FREE




September, 27 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe
Mendoza aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California - Free




October, 1 2009 06:00 PM - AP Stumps / Anna Troy
, San Jose, California -




October, 2 2009 09:00 PM - The Knitting Factory / Wendy
Bailey
, Los Angeles, California -




October, 4 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe
Mendoza aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California - Free




October, 24 2009 08:00 PM - Catalina Festival of World
Music / Skelpin
, Avalon, California -

New Release and More News

Due Sept. 5, 2009 : "Forty One Sixty: The Songs of The Shambles" (JAM/ Blindspot Records 109)
"Forty One Sixty: The Songs of The Shambles" (JAM/ Blindspot Records 109)
Release date September 5 2009
24 worldwide artists perform songs written by The Shambles.

Details: Features artists from Spain, England, Serbia, Canada, Sweden, Australia and the U.S.
Some tracks are previously released. Lots of exclusive songs are included. Two tunes aren't sung in English. One scored a prize*.

Includes appearances from power-pop all star (and actor) Robbie Rist (The Brady Bunch, TMNT, etc), 70’s UK Mod legend Anthony Meynell (Squire), 80’s British indie heroes Yeh Yeh, Risk frontman Mark Le Gallez, Mike Kamoo (Lights On / The Stereotypes), Ray Brandes (The Tell-Tale Hearts), Victor Penalosa (The Quarter After/ The Fuzztones), Earle Mankey (Sparks), Patrick Dennis & Christopher Hoffee (Steve Poltz) and many more.


TRACK LISTING:

1) Static Halo (San Diego) – The American Way (Mendoza)
2) Yeh-Yeh (England) – And We Still Feel The Same (Mendoza)
3) Mark Le Gallez & The Eddies (UK/US) - Don't Know Where To Start (Donaker-Ring)
4) Liebling (Denmark) – Survive* (Riddervold/Mendoza) (2003 EMI Publishing Award)
5) Happy Losers (Spain) – Blurs Somewhere (Mendoza/Morris)
6) The Lola's (Alabama) – I Can't Don't Want To Faster (Mendoza)
7) The Sleepwalkers featuring Action Andy (San Diego) – Days & Maybes (Mendoza)
8 ) The Kingpins (Canada) – Plan of Action (Mendoza)
9) The Anna Troy Band (San Diego) – 31968 (Mendoza)
10) Eva Braun (Serbia) – Blindspot (Mendoza/Morris)
11) The Andersons featuring Robbie Rist (Los Angeles) – Rain or Shine (Mendoza/Morris)
12) Mod Fun (New Jersey) – Nothing Can Be Everything (Mendoza)
13) The Ringles (Illinois) – Innocence Becomes You (Mendoza)
14) Rachael Gordon (San Diego) – Fun at Your House (Mendoza/Morris)
15) Jeremy (Michigan) – I Believe (Mendoza/Morris)
16) Marie Haddad (San Diego)– Where You Are (Mendoza/Morris)
17) The Hipnotes (Michigan) – Change (Donaker-Ring)
18) Sugarplum featuring Anthony Meynell (England) – Confidence & Love (Mendoza)
19) Herb Eimerman (Illinois) – All Sorts (Mendoza/Morris)
20) Afterglow (England) – Of Heart & Soul/For Jamie (Mendoza)
21) The Eddies (Los Angeles) – Jungle Beat (Mendoza) version 1
22) The Truckee Brothers (San Diego) – The Waiting Game (Mendoza)
23) Cockeyed Ghost (Los Angeles) – Brilliant (Mendoza)
24) Mega Super Ultra (Illinois) – Confidence & Love (Mendoza)

A worldwide collection of songs originally recorded by long running American rock group’s Manual Scan and the Shambles. The connection between the two bands is vocalist Bart Mendoza and guitarist Kevin Donaker-Ring, mainstays of both combos, who have now been performing together for over 30 years. While the tunes were originally a rock 'n' roll, garage, mod, power-pop hybrid these recastings are stylistically diverse. Witness San Diego twang and stomp favorites the Sleepwalkers take on "Days and Maybe's", here recast as a Mexican cumbia, or Spanish rockers The Happy Losers energetic romp through “Blurs Somewhere.” Then there's the blistering power-pop of Los Angeles based Cockeyed Ghost, and a terrific "Plan Of Action," updated ska style by Canada's Kingpins. Seventies British mod hero Anthony Meynell (Squire) was a big influence on the band's songwriting, and here Meynell returns the favor with his new group Sugarplum and a brilliant rendition of "Confidence & Love." Meanwhile top pop rockers the Anderson's contribute one of the biggest surprises here, an otherwise unreleased tune from Mendoza's archive. It's a truly eclectic collection. Mendoza penned most of the material here, but long time followers of the band will be thrilled to find additional songs from Donaker-Ring. While a few numbers have been previously released, the majority of the music here is brand new and includes artists from Spain, England, Serbia, Canada, Sweden, Australia as well as the U.S., all adding up to an inspired new take on the music of Manual Scan & The Shambles.

Online purchasers can find the album at JAM Recordings (www.jamrecordings.com), Kool Kat Musik, Not Lame, CDbaby and I-Tunes.


For more information please contact:
JAM Records www.jamrecordings.com
Mendoza mendozab@juno.com
The Shambles www.theshambles.net
The Shambles www.myspace.com/theshambles
www.myspace.com/fortyonesixtysd


4160 Songs of the Shambles now at JAM (online) & M-Theory (retail)!
M-Theory Records in Mission Hills / San Diego (next to the library on
Washington Street) now has advance copies of Forty One Sixty: The songs of The Shambles in stock! Only $9.99 plus, at this location only, you score a free bonus disc , containing an exclusive Shambles track, with purchase!


M-Theory Music
915 W Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103-1806
(619) 220-0485
www.mtheorymusic.com








The Spring Collection, The Shambles reviewed in Goldmine by John Borack

The Spring Collection
The Spring Collection’s new one, titled In Between
(Blindspot Records), is another low-key, below the radar
treat, with leader Joe Mendoza (brother of Bart Mendoza
from longtime mod-pop stalwarts The Shambles) offering
up 13 swell examples of his hyper-melodic style, all
sung in a winning, everyman voice with plenty of
Rickenbacker jangle. Covers of the Everly Brothers, UK
mod gurus Squire and The Jetset, and The Byrds (an
unplugged take of “Mr. Spaceman”) fit in nicely.


The Shambles
An entertaining all-covers record by The Shambles. 20
Explosive Hits (Black Cherry Group) is a ball from start
to finish, cobbling together 22 tracks dating from
1992-2007 that were released as singles or recorded for
various comps and tributes.

It’s certainly a varied record, with nifty versions of
tunes by everyone from The Birds (Ron Wood’s first
group), The Zombies, Oasis and the Monkees to Connie
Francis (a storming, yet sweet, version of “Warm This
Winter”), Sam Phillips, Neil Diamond and the Cardigans.
Any band that can pull off a version of the Mary Tyler
Moore Show theme (dolled up here as a warm, jangly
treat) as well as Ringo Starr’s “Snookeroo” and even
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” — in a medley with “Rhythm of the
Rain,” for corn’s sake — is worthy of attention. Genius
move: taking the Raspberries’ countrified “Might as
Well” and turning it into a nice little power-pop number.


John Borack / Goldmine - Rave On Column



Anna Troy is the cover artist in the July issue of the
San Diego Troubadour !

Dave Humphries is working on his follow up to "...and so
it goes..." with Mike Kamoo once again at the board- he
was featured in The San Diego Reader on July 4 !

New "Blindspot Showcase" series at the House of Blues on July 5.

Skelpin's new album won't be titled "The Singing Bird"
after all- new Title TBA, but the band has just wrapped
the disc, with Alan Sanderson (Weezer/Rolling Stones)
behind the board!

Work on Staring at the Sun VIII has begun.... look for a
Winter release

June 2009 News Updates

Personnel changes:
True Stories lost bassist Joe Poma, but has gained guitarist Wendy Bailey

Orrick has left Manual Scan / The Shambles

Tim Blankenship is now playing with Manual Scan

Kenny Howes has switched to bass for The Shambles



Band photos:
http://cheunderground.com/blog/?p=1874#more-1874

http://cheunderground.com/blog/?p=1911#more-1911




A video posted of Mod Fun playing "Nothing Can Be Everything":

http://www.facebook.com/n/?video/video.php&v=1152629648632&mid=82159fG210
e567cG1b58505G1d

Shambles Live Schedule June 2009

See The Shambles, Side Projects and affiliated bands LIVE - Check back often for updates. See ARCHIVE section and past months' schedules for setlists.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Archive June - August 2, 2009

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


August, 2 2009 08:00 PM - International Pop Overthrow /
The Shambles
, Los Angeles, California -

The Shambles return to IPO!

The Shambles IPO Setlist:
1) Fire
2) I Can't Dont Want To
3) For No One
4) Nadie Te Quiere Ya
5) Clouds All Day
6) Thin Lines
7) Change
8) More Than This
9) Innocence Becomes You
10) Leaving Here
11) Nothing Can Be Everything (w/ Adam Marsland)


Jeremy (With Bart) July 29 2009 IPO Setlist:
Come On Over
Come Clean
It’s Getting Better
Home
Where There’s A Will There’s A Way
Happy Helmut
Chain Reaction
Highway to Heaven
Big House
Pop Rules (w/surf medley)
Star Spangled Banner




July, 17 2009 08:00 PM - TBA / The Bleeding Irish
, Santa Barbara, California -

July, 16 2009 08:00 PM - TBA / The Bleeding Irish
, Los Angeles, California -

July, 15 2009 08:00 PM - TBA / The Bleeding Irish
, Scottsdale, Arizona -


July, 15 2009 08:00 PM - Volume Music Event @ Bondi /
Anna troy
, San Diego, California -


July, 14 2009 08:00 PM - TBA / The Bleeding Irish
, Phoenix, Arizona -

July, 13 2009 09:00 PM - TBA / The Bleeding Irish
, Tuscon, Arizona -

July, 12 2009 08:00 PM - TBA / The Bleeding Irish
, Carlsbad, California -

July, 10 2009 08:00 PM - TBA / The Bleeding Irish
, San Louis Obispo, California -


July, 5 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe Mendoza
aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California -


July, 3 2009 09:00 PM - The Ruby Room / Anna Troy + The
Stone Foxes
, San Diego, California -


June, 30 2009 10:00 PM - The Beauty Bar / Irradio
, San Diego / City Heights, California -


June, 28 2009 08:00 PM - Private Party / Marie Haddad
, Las Vegas, Nevada -


June, 28 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe Mendoza
aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California -



June, 27 2009 12:00 PM - Ocean Beach Chili Cook-Off /
The Shambles
Newport Avenue, San Diego / Ocean Beach, California -

The Shambles' Setlist:

1) Leavin Here
2) Fire
3) Innocence Becomes You
4) More Than This
5) Clouds All Day
6) Nadie Te Quiere Ya
7) Sorry
8) Change
9) Nothing Can Be Everything
10) Thin Lines
11) No Matter What
12) I Can't Don't Want To Faster



June, 25 2009 08:00 PM - House of Blues Las Vegas /
Marie Haddad
, Las Vegas, Nevada -


June, 24 2009 08:00 PM - The Cat Club / Anna Troy
, Hollywood, California -


June, 21 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe Mendoza
aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, California -


June, 20 2009 09:00 PM - Beauty Bar / Anna Troy
, San Diego, California -


June, 18 2009 09:00 PM - The Rocket Room / Irradio
, San Francisco, California -

June, 17 2009 09:00 PM - TBA / Irradio
, Los Angeles, -



June, 14 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe Mendoza
aka The Spring Collection
, Solana Beach, -


June, 13 2009 06:00 PM - Ray at Night / Marie Haddad
, San Diego, California -




June 7, 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe Mendoza
(aka The Spring Collection)
, Solana Beach, California - FREE


June, 6 2009 10:00 PM - Beauty Bar / Irradio
, San Diego, California -



The Shambles / Art Around
June 6 2009 Setlist:

1) Leavin’ Here
2) Fire
3) More Than This
4) Nadie Te Quiere Ya
5) Clouds All Day
6) Thin Lines
7) Change
8) Innocence Becomes You
9) Brilliant
10) I Can’t Don’t Want To
11) She’s Got Everything
12) I Can’t Explain

Latest News and Current Shambles Projects

Thanks to Bart for updates. See the official Shambles website, www.theshambles.net
or www.myspace.com/theshambles or http://www.myspace.com/blindspotrecordssd
for more news and information


May 2009
--------

The Jetset – Do You Wanna Be In The Show? – Twist Records

1.The Eddies - "Colour My World"
2.The Shambles - "Hard To Say Goodbye"
3.Yeh Yeh - "Does it Look Like Rain"
4.Jeremy - "Every Little Moment"
5.Herb Eimerman - "You Should Know By Now"
6.Russ Schneider - "Jetset Theme"
7.Mega Super Ultra - "What A Way To Go"
8.The Che Men - "Wednesday Girl"
9.The Ringles - "What Can I Say"
10.The Spring Collection - "The Other Side Of Joe"
11.Ed James - "Welcome To The Bomb"
12.The Risk - "Judy's Toybox"
13.Rinaldi Sings - "Do You Wanna Be In The Show?"
14.Hanna Trance - "Happy In My Mind"
15.Richard Fairclough - "Mr. Maybe"
16.Tetters Plays Pop - "Vaudeville Park"
17.Cola Jet Set - "The Man Who Lives Upstairs"



The Shambles 6th album "Desde Ayer” JAM/ Blindspot Records 115

1) Una Mujer Por Quien Matar (“A Girl to Kill For” instrumental early mix with live lead guitar)
2) Desde Ayer (FM 94.9 Radio Session)
3) Sin Ti (Acoustic Demo)
4) Un Poco Mejor (Demo)
5) Nadie Te Quiere (Alternate Mix)
6) Sympathy (Demo)
7) Problems of Her Own (Acoustic Demo)
8)Paris Yesterday (The Paul Weller Song) (Demo)
9) What You Mean To Me (Acoustic Demo)
10) More Than This (original mix)
11) Mission: To Mars* - All Sorts
12) The Andrew Beacock Congregation– Give Me One More Sign
13) The Rarities – Happy Birthday
14)The Spring Collection – I Thought That You’d Miss Me




Staring at the Sun VII
17 San Diego artists including The Shambles, Mark DeCerbo & Four Eyes, Anna Troy, Circa Now, The Infants, Simeon Flick, The Grams, Lee Coulter and more



Forty One Sixty
Track listing for Volume 1:
Forty One Sixty
The Songs of The Shambles & Manual Scan

1) Static Halo (San Diego) – The American Way (Mendoza)
2) Yeh-Yeh (England) – And We Still Feel The Same (Mendoza)
3) Mark Le Gallez & The Eddies (UK/US) - Don’t Know Where To Start (Donaker-Ring)
4) Liebling (Denmark) – Survive (Riddervold/Mendoza)
5) Happy Losers (Spain) – Blurs Somewhere (Mendoza/Morris)
6) The Lola’s (Alabama) – I Can’t Don’t Want To Faster (Mendoza)
7) The Sleepwalkers (California) – Days & Maybes (Mendoza)
8) The Kingpins (Canada) – Plan of Action (Mendoza)
9) Anna Troy (San Diego) – 31968 (Mendoza)
10) Eva Braun (Becej, Yugoslovaia) – Blindspot (Mendoza/Morris)
11) The Andersons (Los Angeles) – Rain or Shine (Mendoza/Morris)
12) Mod Fun (New Jersey) – Nothing Can Be Everything (Mendoza)
13) The Ringles (Illinois) – Innocence Becomes You (Mendoza)
14) Rachael Gordon (California) – Sense of Perception (Mendoza/Morris)
15) Jeremy (Michigan) – I Believe (Mendoza/Morris)
16) Marie Haddad (San Diego)– Where You Are (Mendoza/Morris)
17) The Hipnotes (Michigan) – Change (Donaker-Ring)
18) Sugarplum (England) – Confidence & Love (Mendoza)
19) Herb Eimerman (Illinois) – All Sorts (Mendoza/Morris)
20) Afterglow (England) – Of Heart & Soul/For Jamie (Mendoza)
21) The Eddies (Los Angeles) – Jungle Beat (Mendoza)
22) The Truckee Brothers (San Diego) – The Waiting Game (Mendoza)
23) Cockeyed Ghost (Los Angeles) – Brilliant (Mendoza)
24) Mega Super Ultra (Illinois) – Confidence & Love (Mendoza)



The Shambles 5th album "20 Explosive Hits"


The Spring Collection "In Between" (Blindspot 111)


Anna Troy "Wait Another Day" - Blindspot 113


Mark DeCerbo & Four Eyes Anthology (Blindspot 119)


Irradio - "I Am The Horn" (Blindspot 118)


Rachael Gordon's "Rock 'n' Roll Girl" new from Wizzard in Vinyl (Japan)

The Young Idea - "A Tribute To Squire" - from England's Twist Records-
The Shambles perform two tracks, Bart wrote the liner notes

Manual Scan - Plan of Action 7" EP - reissue of the band's 1982 release on
Spain's Munster Records!

Buffalo Springfield tribute album "Five Way Street" with The Shambles version of "Whatever Happened to Saturday Night?" - on Not Lame

Television Personalities tribute "I Would Write A Thousand Words" with the Shambles covering "If I Could Write Poetry." from Canadian label The Beautiful Music.

Music Compilation "Staring at the Sun V" featuring the groups new song "More Than This". This is a freebie from Blindspot Records and The Beach Music Mafia.

Music compilation "San Diego Soundscape" featuring the band's "Change' This is a PR item from The San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau and Insomnia Records.

"Sweet Relief" a three disc compilation from JAM Records to raise funds for Hurricane Katrina Relief. Includes the Shambles track "Wendy Never."

The online only Byrds tribute disc "Tymeless Flight" includes their version of "Feel A Whole Lot Better.


“A MATTER OF TIME: THE BEST OF RAY BRANDES”, Party Line Records

“San Diego Indie Music Fest IV” - Various Artists

Bart contributes bass, vocals, keys, art direction etc. on Dave Humphries latest album,“and so it goes…”(Blindspot 106)


The Eddies have included their versions of Manual Scan’s “Don’t Know Where To Start”
and “Jungle Beat” on their new album, Twice Around the World.

Kenny Howes is due to record a version of The Shambles' song “The Colour Swirl”

Bart also contributes vocals to the next Static Halo album and is set to do the
same on the upcoming album from Podunk Nowhere.

Future Projects:

JAM Records “Sweet Relief 2” to include Shambles and more…
The second volume of “Sweet Relief 2” is set to include contributions from a
worldwide selection of artists including two from San Diego: The Shambles and
Anna Troy.


Confirmed Compilations:
-------------------------
“Remember The Lightning” on Tribute to 20/20 (Twist Records, England)

“State of the Union” on Tribute to The Risk (Twist Records, England)

“Hard To Say Goodbye” on Tribute to The Jetset (Twist Records, England)

“The Bird” (Manual Scan) or “A Girl to Kill For” on Many Moods of Beauty (The
Beautiful Music, Canada) An all instrumental album.

“It’s Late” on Tribute to Ricky Nelson

“Snookeroo” on Tribute to Ringo Starr (Jealousy Records)


Pending Compilations:
-----------------------
“Blow Away” on Tribute to George Harrison (Jealousy Records)

“You Wear It Well” on Tribute to Rod Stewart (Delirium Records)

Tribute to Ed Ball & The Times (The Beautiful Music, Canada)

Shambles Live

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Archive of LIVE SHOWS and Setlists for May 2009

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


May 31, 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe Mendoza
(aka The Spring Collection)
, Solana Beach, California - FREE


May, 30 2009 08:00 PM - The Casbah / The Che
Underground Showcase w/ Manual Scan, The Answers, The
Wallflowers and more
2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, California 92101 -

Manual Scan Setlist:
Casbah May 29 /09

I Can Only Give You Everything
For Those
And We Still Feel The Same
The Shape of Things to Come
She Said Its Late
New Difference
Jungle Beat
Nothing You Can Do
American Way
The Real Me
Like Wow Wipeout
Nothing Can Be Everything
Leaving Here
I Can’t Don’t Want to Faster
She’s So Fine
Come See Me






May 24, 2009 08:00 PM - Surf ’n’ Saddle / Joe Mendoza
(aka The Spring Collection)
, Solana Beach, California - FREE



May, 23 2009 09:00 PM - Brick By Brick / The Shamey
Jays CD release
, San Diego / Bay Park, California -

The Shamey Jays CD release show for "Your Pretty Packages"

Spring Collection

Review from Dagger website - http://www.indiepages.com/dagger/reviews.html
12/10/05 Reviews section:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SPRING COLLECTION- S/T- BLINDSPOT- I’m always amazed at bands
who manage to come up with fresh songs doing the classic Beatles/Beach Boys/Byrds
format of jangly pop. In essence , you could say, yes, it has ! all been done before but
a great song is a great song and a solid batch of 16 songs is a solid batch of 16 songs
and San Diego’s The Spring Collection have done it in glowing fashion. The band is led
by singer/songwriter Joe Mendoza (his brother Bart, also in The Shambles among other
bands, plays bass ) the band has their chops down and Joe seems to come up with a
never-ending supply of chewy hooks for us listeners to sink our buck teeth into.
“On and On”, “Something Happened”, “You’re the One”, “Going Away”, the list goes
on and on. If you like the type of music usually championed on labels like Not lame,
Paisley Pop, Jam, and the like then this will indeed perk your ears up.
(mendozab@juno.com )



excerpt from Eric Sorensen's top cds of 2004 list:
---------------------------------------------------

THE SPRING COLLECTION - The Spring Collection (self-released;
available from Not Lame) Joe Mendoza, with help from brother
Bart (of the Shambles), has released an exceptional disc that
is overflowing with jangly tracks - including a Byrdsian
version of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight." Think Shoes,
Records and Shambles.


excerpt from Eric Sorensen's January 2005 fufkin column:
-----------------------------------------------------------

The Spring Collection - by the Spring Collection. I cannot say
enough about this terrific disc! The album cover and insert
photos picture an assortment of Rickenbacker guitars and an
acoustic 12-string guitar - so this is a clue regarding the
contents. Joe Mendoza, with support from brother Bart Mendoza
(of the Shambles), is the driving force in this band - that,
too, is a clue regarding the contents. This disc jangles from
start to finish - with two tracks that will compete for Song
of the Month honors ("But, I Did" and "Wonderful Tonight" - a
power pop take on Eric Clapton's ballad). America's Finest
City has provided the indie pop community with an album that
truly represents the sunshine pop of Southern California. Long
may you run, Sir Joe and bandmates!

Copyright © Fufkin.com. All Rights Reserved.


from October 7, 2004 issue of www.sdreader.com/
------------------------------------------------------

The Singing Cop

"I've looked down into the audience and seen guys I've arrested!"

Feature by Jay Allen Sanford
Photograph by Sandra Castillo
Published October 7, 2004

'This is what I really want to do; music isn't just a hobby for me,"
says San Diego cop Joe Mendoza. A 13-year sheriff's department
veteran (10 years at the Encinitas station), his debut CD The Spring
Collection was recorded at a local recording studio owned by
Stereotypes drummer Mike Kamoo (who also produced and engineered).

Teen stringsmith Derek Duplessie performs on pedal steel guitar, and
the deputy's brother Bart Mendoza, of the Shambles and Manual Scan,
plays bass and sings backup on the CD. "Bart kind of knew that I
played guitar and sang," says the 39-year-old. "A couple of years
back, he heard me playing some originals at our mom's house, and he
suggested we go into the studio and record. I'd been a closet player
until then. I hadn't played in public...the first one we did
together was a Christmas song."

Now that he's playing solo acoustic sets at clubs like Hennessey's
(in Pacific Beach) and the Surf N' Saddle (in Solana Beach), his
professions have been known to cross. "I've been coaxed into picking
up a guitar a couple of times while on duty. I walk into a bar where
I've played before and, I don't know, the peer pressure is kind of
hard to resist if someone begs me to play a song. A lot of other
officers know what I do; I've played at a few [police department]
picnics. I actually sold five CDs at work [laughs]. I wouldn't bill
myself as 'the Singing Cop' though."

Although Mendoza performs a few covers (Clapton's "Wonderful
Tonight" being the only one on his CD), he prefers doing original
songs. Asked if his music is similar to his brother's
'60s-influenced power pop, he says, "I write love songs, Bart writes
relationship songs." The difference? "My songs are really
straightforward, more country. They're about loves lost and loves
won, standard 'I love you, I hate you, I miss you' kind of songs.

His stuff is a little harder to understand, you know? It's not
always easy to tell what he's singing about."

TOP FIVE DESERT-ISLAND DISCS?
1. The Beatles Rubber Soul and Revolver
2. Matthew Sweet's Girlfriend
3. Don McLean's American Pie ("the whole album, not just the song")
4. The Eagles ("a CD compilation I burned myself")

TOP FIVE FILMS?
1. Three Amigos
2. Pee Wee's Big Adventure
3. The Rutles' "All You Need Is Cash" [TV special]
4. Top Gun
5. Batman: The Movie (1966 -- "I'm a huge fan. I have tons of Batman
memorabilia")

GUITARS USED?
1. Rickenbacker 360 6-string ("my Paul Weller guitar")
2. Rickenbacker 360 12-string ("with wood grain, like Roger
McGuinn's")
3. Rickenbacker 325 v58 6-string ("my John Lennon replica")
4. Rickenbacker 360 v54 12-string ("like George Harrison used in
Hard Day's Night")
5. Taylor 355ce acoustic 6-string ("made in San Diego") and Taylor
315ce acoustic 12-string ("like butter")

WEIRDEST GIG STORY?
"I've looked down into the audience and seen guys I've arrested!
I've had gang members buy me beer. It's bound to happen; I'm playing
in bars -- that's just the atmosphere. On the other hand, sometimes
when I make traffic stops, someone will recognize me from playing a
gig. Then it can get awkward...a lot of times they'll try to play up
that they know who I am because they want me to let them off the
hook for something."

©2004 San Diego Reader. All rights reserved.


from June 2, 2004 issue of North County Times:
--------------------------------------------------

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/06/03/entertainment/6_2_0411_48_10.txt.

Wednesday, June 2, 2004 12:00 PM PDT

Rockin' cop returns to Fiesta del Sol, this time without his badge


By: PATRICIA MORRIS BUCKLEY - For the North County Times
He's a cop by day and a rock star by night ---- he's Joe Mendoza.
No, not a superhero, just one of the acts for Fiesta del Sol.

"The joke is if you work the fiesta five times, you get to play
onstage," said Ken Leighton, the event's promoter. "Sheriff's deputy
Joe Mendoza has actually worked the fiesta five different times in
uniform. This time, he'll be there in a different capacity, with his
band, Spring Collection."

Mendoza is just as surprised by his appearance at the event,
especially since he works out of the Encinitas Sheriff's Station,
which covers Solana Beach.

"It's interesting to play on the beat you work on," said Mendoza, an
Escondido resident. "It's not a fit that people expect. They don't
expect to see cops out there singing. But it's going to be fun
getting out there and doing it."

This split personality is nothing new for him. Both he and his
brother, Bart Mendoza, have played music since early childhood. His
brother, a freelance writer, has a band called Shambles, and he'll
be appearing with Mendoza.

"I've been writing songs since I was in high school," Mendoza said.
"It's mostly an acoustical solo act, and I play anywhere I get a
chance. Mostly it's at local open mike nights. This is my first real
professional experience."

The original songs he'll be performing (plus a cover of Eric
Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight") are rhythm-oriented rock 'n' roll.

"I've always been a huge Beatles fan," he said. "My music is sort of
a blend of the Byrds, the Beatles and '60s pop."

Yet he has a flip side. In fact, if he ever did decide to try a
professional career in music, it would be as a country-western
singer and songwriter.

"If I had to choose between the law and music, it would be a tough
decision," said Mendoza, who has 13 years in with the San Diego
County Sheriff's Department. "Law is the perfect fit for me. I enjoy
interacting with people and being the guy they call for help. That's
my night job.

"The other side of me is an outlet. It feels good to get my feelings
out on paper, so I would be interested in seeing where my music
takes me. But I would still like to be able to do both."

Spring Collection

When: Noon June 6

Where: Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach

Admission: Free

Info: (858) 755-4775

© 1997-2004 North County Times

Mission To Mars

MISSION: TO MARS*

Originally formed to make use of down time with their respective on going groups, Mission: To
Mars* features 5 of San Diego's best known musicians, including Mike Kamoo (Static Halo / The
Melanies) , Dylan Martinez (Static Halo / Broken Dial Radio) , Robert Boynton (If Tomorrow) ,
Hector Penalosa (Zero's / Flying Colour) and Bart Mendoza (The Shambles / Manual Scan). The
band doesn't rest on it's collective laurel's but instead offers up brand new tunes, in which everybody writes
and everybody sings. The group has already played out successfully with the likes of Superdrag and has
contributed to several European compilations. With a sound incorporating rock, melodic pop and even
elements of folk, as well as a few choice covers, Mission: To Mars* offers something for just about
everybody and is the perfect act to close out your Adams Ave. Street Fair Weekend. Look for their debut
release early next year.

Here's an article from The La Jolla Light Jan 2001-
Gregory Page has had to bow out due to time constraints, but the tongue in cheek
rock and roll spirit continues with "new" bassist Hector (Zero's/Flying Colour)
Penalosa…

Mission: To Mars* by F. Chester

Mission: To Mars*, a new local "super" group, will be making it's debut tonight at
Brick By Brick (1130 Buenos Ave. Bay Park 619 275 5483). The group features
members of some of San Diego's best known pop bands, including Mike Kamoo (Static
Halo) Dylan Martinez (Broken Dial Radio) Robert Boynton (If Tomorrow) Bart
Mendoza (The Shambles) as well as local folk legend Gregory Page.
I was lucky enough to be invited (along with a select group of reporters) to attend
a top secret rehearsal session, at an industrial park somewhere in the East County.
Arriving a bit before the hordes of reporters and photographers, I was fortunate enough to
catch Mike (drums) introducing a new song to the rest of the group. Right away I knew
this was going to be a different sort of group. The song I heard wasn't even titled, and
being early I was the only non band member who heard it, but it sounds like a winner,
and that's a phrase you rarely hear associated with a drummers music.
The room quickly filled up- at least the group's managers (they of the satin tour
jackets) had thoughtfully placed name tags, so we could see which media types were in
attendance. Somehow I doubt Rolling Stone will be doing a cover story, but they sure
enjoyed the buffett line. Dylan (lead) made a cursory introduction explaining that these
were all brand new songs, and the band blasted - yes blasted- it's way through the
opening number, a punk edged song called "Eucalyptus Trees". Dylan has a great voice.
Mike was up next singing- yes while playing drums!-a very cool pop tune , something
about "Strawberries", but the batteries on my hand held recorder ran low at this point, so
maybe he's saying "I Buried Paul" for all we know. Either way it's a great song. Gregory
(bass/guitar) stepped up to the mic after switching instruments with Bart (guitar/vocals)
and from the first note of "Playing Dead", I could see what was so special about this
union. Everybody sings, everybody writes. There is no front man. They are all taking the
best of their prospective groups (all still ongoing by the way), and creating something
unique. Best of all this group rocks harder than any of their individual groups.
Their ten song set was over way too quickly, though that's as it should be in the
world of 3 minute pop songs, with a riveting song from Bart "Comet's Tomorrow". Like I
said the batteries were very low, but in the introduction to this song I can make out the
words "Waitresses", "Ray Bradbury" and "NuNu's". The mind boggles.
Now I've been to press junkets before, so maybe it was the no host bar, but the
amassed throng actually wanted more. Amazingly the group came back on and after
swearing us to secrecy, played a set of covers just for fun, that brought smiles to most of
the faces of the assembled critics and friends. I can't give titles, but rest assured there was
a Beatle song (and not sung by Bart!), and they also did something by Guided By Voices
as well as some other big surprises. Nicely done.
Speaking with the band afterword, they told me they intended to play a handful of
gigs throughout the year and record an album next month. They actually have their entire
"carreer mapped out!. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of guys. At this point, I was
jostled by their security as "the champagne in the limo" was getting cold, and the band
escaped into the night. I could only think, this could be the start of something big.
As if that wasn't enough Mission: To Mars* is opening tonight (9 p.m. SHARP)
for Superdrag, one of the best punk pop bands around today. Recently returned to indie
status after a stint on WB, these guys are a killer live act. Their latest opus "In The Valley
Of The Dying Stars" stands amongst the best albums of the year.
No matter what, if you like your rock and roll with a pop edge, this is the show for
you. I'll be right up front


Contact Bart Mendoza
mendozab@juno.com