Dancing in the Street: A Celebration of Soul Music September 14 with Bart Mendoza & Steve Thorn + The Amandas!

On September 4, City Colleges World Cultures  Fall 2016 program presents, Dancing In The Street: A Celebration of Soul Music. Hosted by Bart Mendoza with Steve Thorn, there will be a short presentation before getting to the heart of the event - a set of classic soul tunes from the Amandas! Don't miss this FREE / ALL AGES event! This is a special matinee event 12:45 pm

The Shambles covered "She's Electric"

The Shambles rarity "She's Electric", a cover of the Oasis classic, has turned up on Youtube. The song was originally recorded in 1997 for a proposed tribute album from Flavour records in Japan. It ended up being released in 2003 as a bonus track on the Spanish edition of the Shambles "Chelsea Smiles (and more)" album. From the albums liner notes:

11)  She's Electric* (Gallagher) this Oasis song was recorded for a flurry of tribute albums circa 1997. Amongst other tunes considered at the same time for various projects, U2's "Angel Of Harlem", the Beatles "Fixing A Hole", The Cure's "Friday I'm In Love", Graham Gouldman's "Upstairs Downstairs" and a few others. Naturally odds are a few of those will turn up eventually…

Bart Mendoza & Friends set list August 21 2016 / Rebecca's Coffeehouse

Here's the song list from Bart Mendoza's set at Rebecca's Coffeehouse on August 21. The first 9 songs are originals. Mike Mullenberg joined in on bass for songs 6-11, Scott Mathiasen joined in on lead guitar for songs 10-11. This was the first time songs 4 and 5 were played live:

1) All Sorts
2) Blindspot
3) The Patron Saints of Could've Been
4) Skywriting
5) Tilting
6) In Your Arms  (with Sppike Mike Mullenberg)
7) Problems Of Her Own (with Sppike Mike Mullenberg)
8) Bleeding (with Sppike Mike Mullenberg)
9) You Still Take My Breath Away (with Sppike Mike Mullenberg)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) Eleanor Rigby (with Sppike Mike Mullenberg & Scott Mathiasen)
11) Ticket To Ride (with Sppike Mike Mullenberg & Scott Mathiasen)

The Shambles "Clouds All Day" featured in Cinema Spartan!

On the albums 20th Anniversary, website Cinema Spartan's Barry Benintende has penned a look back at the Shambles Clouds All Day, with both Kevin Ring and Bart Mendoza interviewed.

Cinema Spartan - Clouds All Day

Manual Scan 40th Anniversary Show September 24 - FREE! All Ages!

Manual Scan will perform a special 40th Anniversary Show on September 24 as part of the Adams Avenue Street Fair! This show will feature special guests and surprise songs. 7 p.m. on the Casbah Stage, outdoors, at 33rd & Adams Avenue. The day will feature a lot of other great garage, mod, R&B and powerpop bands on September 24 including The Little Richards, The Bassics, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, The Baja Bugs and more

Manual Scan / Adams Avenue Street Fair Info

 

True Stories and The Shambles in Goldmine Magazine's "Vinyl Round Up"!

True Stories and The Shambles latest EP's show up in Goldmine Magazine's "Vinyl Round Up" this month! Both get great reviews alongside The Flamin' Groovies (who feature former Shamble, Victor Penalosa), The Cherry Bluestorms and Squire!

The Shambles & True Stories in Goldmine's "Vinyl Round Up"

Bart Mendoza on Facebook

Music fans may want to check out Bart Mendoza's Facebook page, constantly updated with links to news on cool music, especially the Beatles, musician obituaries, San Diego music happenings and more... plus of course lots of stuff on the bands covered in this blog!

Bart Mendoza on Facebook

Elements & Friends at Artwalk / August 2016

Dave is still out of town, so Elements will have a few friends sitting in for a special show at

 Artwalk / Liberty Station - more details soon!

Artwalk at Liberty Station Info

New Sounds 2016 Aug 4 with Bart Mendoza, The Stanleys, Jeremy Morris, Scott Samuels

News Sounds 2016 takes place August 4 at the Chico Club in La Mesa. Four bands will take the stage with:
Scott Samuels & the Bonafides
The Stanleys (direct from Australia)
Jeremy Morris (from Michigan) with Todd Borsch and Dave Dietrich. Jeremy and Todd are 2/3 of the Lemon Clocks!
Bart Mendoza with Greg Smith and Sppike Mullenberg

The Chico Club

Manual Scan postpones Tonight In San Diego taping

Manual Scan's taping of Tonight In San Diego has been rescheduled for later this summer. Details soon

Bart Mendoza on 91X Sunday May 15 9 p.m.

Bart Mendoza will be a guest on 91X's Loudspeaker program on Sunday May 15 at 9 p.m.
Listen Live to 91X

May 11 - Beyond Belief: A Tribute to Elvis Costello / Greenfield Middle School / True Stories / Mr. Holland's Opus

Greenfield Middle School in El Cajon, CA has been selected by the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to be the recipient of $5,000 worth of musical instruments, thanks to funds raised via the sale of a tribute CD to rock musician Elvis Costello, released on SpyderPop Records. The instruments will be officially presented to the school on Wednesday, May 11 at 2:30pm in Greenfield’s music room (located at 1495 Greenfield Dr., El Cajon, CA 92021).

www.mhopus.org

The 50-song, three-CD collection, titled Beyond Belief: A Tribute to Elvis Costello was released in early 2015, and features musicians from around the world will pay tribute to the words and music of Costello. The collection was co-produced by longtime Costello fans Olivia Frain and John M. Borack,

100% of all proceeds from the sale of Beyond Belief have been donated to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a non-profit organization that keeps music alive in schools by donating musical instruments to under-funded music programs, giving youngsters the benefits of music education, helping them to be better students and inspiring creativity and expression through playing music.

In July 2015, a check for $5,000 was distributed to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation by the producers of Beyond Belief and SpyderPop Records, and after going through the application process with the Foundation, the Greenfield Middle School music program was chosen as the recipient of instruments for the school’s band program.

Scheduled to assist in distributing the instruments on May 11 are Beyond Belief co-producer John M. Borack; SpyderPop Records Marketing Director Victor Erwin; and San Diego-area musicians and Beyond Belief contributors Bart Mendoza and Danny Cress, who recorded the song, "Blue Chair," for the compilation.

Beyond Belief has been released digitally as well as via a limited run of CD's.  More information can be found at spyderpop records and www.facebook.com/costellotribute.

For more information on The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, visit www.mhopus.org

Other artists on the compilation include Matthew Sweet, Bill Lloyd, The Rubinoos, Sparklejets U.K., Walter Clevenger, The Tickets, Nelson Bragg and more...

 

Elements debut

Elements is a new band, featuring Bart Mendoza, David Fleminger, Mike Mullenberg and Greg Smith. They made their debut at San Diego's Artwalk May 1.

New project! The Elements - FREE outdoor festival dates: May 1 and June 4

In addition to recording and performing with Manual Scan and True Stories, Bart Mendoza has assembled a new project - the Elements - to play at festivals through out the summer of 2016, with two dates announced so far:

May 1 Artwalk - Little Italy / San Diego 

11 a.m. India & Fir Stage

June 4 Art Around Adams - Normal Heights / San Diego

1 p.m. Blindspot Records Stage / Smitty's Garage 

 Artwalk Info 

Manual Scan top appear on Tonight In San Diego / Taping May 30

"On May 30, Manual Scan will film a rare appearance on San Diego's late night variety talk show, Tonight In San Diego, with an interview and several songs set to be performed. Hosted by Jesse Egan, with co-host Keith Foster, the show will include other guests TBA. Tonight In San Diego takes place in the Spreckels Theatre's Raw Space, with an entrance on First Avenue - same place Conan films when in town." You can be a part of the studio audience by clicking below:

 

Tickets and Info for Tonight in San Diego  

FREE! The Music of Paul Weller at Bar Pink April 23 with True Stories, The Bassics, Normandie Wilson and more

Blindspot Records and Bar Pink in North Park / San Diego present:

 The Music of Paul Weller 

  at Bar Pink /  April 23 

with True Stories, The Bassics, Normandie Wilson, Ariel Levine, The Shifty Eyed Dogs, Jim Ryan of the Cardiac Kidz and more...

9:30 p.m. 21 and up. FREE! 

Bar Pink in San Diego
Here are The Bassics performing "I Got By In Time" at a High School assembly in 2013

Gregory Page - "That's You" (2011) with cameos

Gregory Page's "That's You" is a terrific song / short film from the troubadour - the video features cameos from Bart Mendoza as well as Sky Ladd (piano), "Java" Joe Flammini (saxophone), Chris Klich (oboe), Josh Hermsmeier (drums). Java Joe is the legendary club owner - neither he nor Bart are on the actual recording, just acting the role of "guitarist" and "saxophonist" for the film..

Scott Wilson - Coffeehouse 101 (2006) with cameos

In fact, Scott Wilson's 2006 video for his song, "Coffeehouse 101," is all cameos - 50 San Diego musicians sing a line or two from the song, in various settings. Amongst those on screen are Bart Mendoza, Mark DeCerbo, Robin Henkel and Gregory Page. 

San Diego Film Awards April 3 at the Music Box

Bart Mendoza will be a guest presenter at the 2016 San Diego Film Awards on April 3. The show will also be broadcast this year on Channel 4 San Diego on April 23, 2016 at 6PM.

2016 San Diego Film Awards Info 

Manual Scan 1990 - The Soundtrack to "A Girl To Kill For"

Manual Scan's song, "Nothing Can Be Everything" can be heard in the background of 1990 suspense drama, A Girl To Kill For, from MGM/UA. Shown in theaters at the time, the movie has been a staple of late night TV around the world. The song is in a coffee shop scene. Other artists on the soundtrack include The Seeds. Here's a completeists look at the various releases of the film.

         The British version of the video cassette:

The Brazilian version of the video cassette:

The U.S. Version of the video cassette / movie poster / laserdisc:

Comics creator / stand up comic Jeromy Cox interviewed by Bart Mendoza

Bart Mendoza interviewed comics creator Jeromy Cox (Vampyrates, Zombie Love) in a recent edition of San Diego newspaper, the Peninsula Beacon. Cox has worked on a wide range of titles including Spider-man and Detective Comics and is now also doing stand up comedy, including a set at Winston's in Ocean Beach on April 1. Here he is, on the left, with Vampyrates co-creator Kevin Ring.

Jeromy Cox Interview with the Peninsula Beacon

True Stories Tribute to Ringo! March 26

Beatles Fair 2016 will feature a special Ringo Starr Tribute from True Stories ! Taking place March 26 at Queen Bee in North Park, San Diego - for this special one-off show the band will be comprised of Nico Peters, Martin Martiarena, Danny Cress, David Fleminger and Bart Mendoza.

KUSI-TV Good Morning San Diego March 25 Beatles Fair Preview with Bart Mendoza - 9 a.m.

Bart Mendoza will be part of the team representing San Diego Beatles Fair on KUSI-TV's morning show, Good Morning San Diego, on March 25. The segment will be on in the 9 a.m. hour. 

KUSI-TV

Bart Mendoza / Dave Humphries on air Mountain Country 107.9FM KRLY Thursday March 17 7 p.m.

"Beatlemania comes to 2016 and to Alpine as we celebrate the life of Beatle producer George Martn (The "5th" Beatle) with San Diego's most famous Beatle afficiando's singer/songwriter Dave Humphries and Music Producer / Musician, Bart Mendoza. Plus our "Wait! What? Awkward .." Panel will tells us which band rules for eternity, John, George, Paul and Ringo, or Mick, Keith, Charlie and Ronnie (AKA The Rolling Stones) and the best beer in Santee? Butchers Brewing will tell us if that's so as owner Rey Knight is in da house."

Only on Mountain Country 107.9FM KRLY - 
Thursday March 17 at 7 p.m.  - Live!
Listen from any device by clicking this link:
Listen Live to Mountain Country-107.9 FM

Shindig #54 includes reviews of Manual Scan, True Stories, The Shambles and more!

The latest issue of Shindig Magazine (#54) features separate top rated reviews of the latest releases by Manual Scan ("The Pyles Sessions"*****) and True Stories ("Pop" *****) and The Shambles ("Radio Daze" *****). It's the usual great issue with articles on Bowie, The Long Ryders, The Band (Robbie Robertson), The Coral, The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, Masters Apprentice, Holy Modal Rounders, McGough & McGear, The Velvet Underground, Frank Zappa, Alice Coltrane, Javier Escovedo, Ronnie Spector and a lot more. On Newsstands in Europe February 25 in the U.S. early March. Also available online

Shindig Magazine

Comics Fest Panel Feb. 15 with Bart Mendoza, Mary Fleener, William Stout, Scott Shaw, Batton Lash and Mark Habegger

Bart Mendoza will be a speaker on a panel at this year's Comic Fest on Monday 2/15, alongside noted artists Mary Fleener, Mark Habegger, Batton Lash, Scott Shaw! and William Stout:
"Zap! Pow! Rock! Comic Art as Album Art (Garden Salon II)
A distinguished panel of creators discuss the greatest album covers inspired by comics! From Underground Comix to Manga and beyond, we will take a look at classic artwork from such masters as Jack Davis, R. Crumb, and Frank Frazetta."

Comic Fest Info

Sound Affects Fanzine #1-9

Here are some of the fanzines Bart Mendoza and friends released during the late 1980's and early 1990's. Puzzles, music history, art features, comics including one by Daniel Clowes, interviews and chats with the Jigsaw Seen, Marshmallow Overcoat, Squeeze, The Godfathers, The Romantics, 27 Various, The Hoods, Ray Brandes, The Cavedogs, Buzzcocks, Shoes, The Odd Numbers and many more. Two of them came with cassette compilations that included rare tracks from Ed Ball of The Times, Anthony Meynell of Squire, Manual Scan, The Tell Tale Hearts, The Crawdaddys, Mod Fun, The Birminghams, The Event, The Nephews, The Mondays and many more. Track listings below.

  

Volume 1 was released in the mid eighties and was free with the fanzine. Both had photography by Nathan Halverson.

The Big Express - I Got A Line On You

Mod Fun - Just Out of Reach

The Edsey's - I've Decided

Blue Up - Everything Is

The Trebels - I Want To Be Your Driver

Manual Scan - It's Alright With Me

The Birminghams - Tired Of working

The Nephews - I'm That Way Too

Tea Club - This Boys Always Been True

The Deadbeats - All Aboard

The Tracers - Under Your Love

The Crawdaddys- Chicago

The Event - You're On My Mind

The Funseekers - Stars Fell On Itasca

39 Steps - A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You

The Celler Dwellers - Please Don't Cry

The Phantom Five- Telegraph Hill

The Tell Tale Hearts - I Get Up In The Morning

Ed Ball (Times) - Big Painting (Acoustic / Live on KUSF)

Anthony Meynell (Squire) - No Time Tomorrow (Acoustic / Live on KUSF)

The Club Zu All Stars - Gloria

Polecats For Peace - Turn Another Page

  Volume 2 was released in 1989

The Tell Tale Hearts- Nothin You Can Do

The Mondays - Don't Fear The Reaper

The Rumble - Boys Come Out To Play

Third Eye - Lovely Lonely

The Birminghams - City Light

39 Steps - Out Of Time

Mod Fun - 99^th Floor

The Trebles - Pretty Thing

Birdy Num Nums - Feels Like Winter Inside

The Big Express - 99 1/2 Won't Do

Cybermen - Someday Will Come

The Dig - Mr. Nobody

Manual Scan -The Bird

The Tea Club- Blue Monday

The Tracers - Somebody Free Me

Mike Sinnochi - The Way I Feel Inside

Riot Act Vintage 1999 Photo, poster and the posters appearance in the film, Bring It On, with Kirsten Dunst

An end of tour photo from the Riot Act's tour of Spain, this is on April 10, 1999. The band at La Abuela Vuela  a venue in Burgos, with Bart Mendoza (Manual Scan / The Shambles), Peter Miesner (The Crawdaddy's / The Tell Tale Hearts), Ray Brandes (Tell Tale Hearts / Sidewalk Scene), Victor Penalosa (The Melanies / Flamin' Groovies), Hector Penalosa (The Zeros / Flying Color) , Angel Carrasco Garcia (Snap!! Records) and more

 Here is the tour poster

Here is the same poster in Kirsten Dunst's room, in the movie Bring It On

Rare Manual Scan memorabilia!

A rare promotional wrist watch featuring Manual Scan / The Shambles issued circa 1990 to promote the "(She's Used To Playing With) Fire" single and second pressing of Manual Scan's Days & Maybe's EP.

Manual Scan Days & Maybe's Outtake Photo

An outtake from Manual Scan's Days & Maybes sessions

Upcoming Shows

From Facebook, here's a list of upcoming events for Bart Mendoza - more TBA:

02/13/16 Comic Fest at the Town & Country Hotel with True Stories, Digital Lizards of Doom etc
03/26/16 Beatle Fair 2016 at Queen Bee with True Stories, Denny Laine, Baja Bugs, Cody Lovaas
04/23/16 Tribute to Paul Weller at Bar Pink with True Stories, The Bassics, Normandie Wilson etc
05/01/16 Artwalk / Little Italy
06/04/16 Art Around Adams Festival with True Stories, Cherry Bluestorms, Alvino & The Dwells etc
06/19/16 San Diego County Fair
06/ TBA Sounds Like San Diego – A Tribute to San Diego’s Hits with True Stories
08/21/16 Rebecca’s Coffeehouse

Pins

A collection of pins related to various Bart Mendoza related bands and shows, including Manual Scan, The Shambles and True Stories

Manual Scan set list 1984 San Francisco

From Myspace: "Manual Scan set list Kabuki Theatre San Francisco 1984 , opening for General Public"- The band at the time consisted of Bart Mendoza, Kevin Ring, Ron Friedman and David Anderson. They played two nights at this venue with General Public on November 1 and November 2, so this is from one of those two shows. Manual Scan played a second gig the night of the November 2, heading to Sacramento for a late night set at Club Can't Tell, straight from the Kabuki Theatre aka The Japan Center Theatre. General Public was the post English Beat band formed by Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger, which at the time of these shows also included Horace Panter of the Specials on bass and two former members of Dexy's Midnight Runners, Andy "Stoker" Growcott on drums and Mickey Billingham, as well as Kevin White on guitar.

Manual Scan courtesy of Ron Friedman

Beatles Fair 2016 update!

Here is an updated poster for Beatles Fair 2016. In addition to former Wings / Moody Blues member Denny Laine, on hand will be True Stories: A Tribute to Ringo Starr with Bart Mendoza (Manual Scan / The Shambles), Normandie Wilson and David Fleminger (Manual Scan, The Amandas, Alvino & The Dwells), The Baja Bugs with Hector Penalosa (The Zeros) and Ron Silva (The Crawdaddys, The Nashville Ramblers) The Dave Humphries Band with Wolfgang Grasekamp and The Rollers, plus, just added, opening up the show will be singer-songwriter Cody Lovass! More details including info on the Street Fair coming soon, but tickets are on sale now!

New Vinyl at Record City for January 16 Manual Scan instore!

If you are in the San Diego area, you can pick up a copy of all four of the new releases on vinyl at Record City, 3757 6th Avenue 92103, in San Diego / Hillcrest. The band will perform an instore on January 16 at 1 pm - All Ages - Free!