Music Scene SD - New Column Out Now!

The latest edition of Bart Mendoza's Music Scene SD column is out now. The column can be found in all print editions from the Local Umbrella family of newspapers, including:

Adams Avenue News / Bay Ho Connection / Bay Park Connection / Boulevard News / Carlsbad Seaside Courier / College Area News / Encinitas Seaside Courier / Hillcrest News / IB Connection / Kensington News / Ken Tal News / Mission Hills News / North Park News / Rolando News / Serra Mesa Connection / South Park News / Tierrasanta Connection

This month includes news about Ariel Levine, Jason Mraz, Sandollar, Whitney Shay, Melissa Alcazar, Wayne Riker, Johnny Vernazza, Ratt, Frank Zappa, Horsefeathers, The Mighty Pine, Josie Day, Bathwater Babies, P.O.D., Marie Haddad, Switchfoot, The Trebels, The Monroes and more!

New Guitar Pick

A new limited edition guitar pick has been issued

New Manual Scan Pin!

In advance of a new Manual Scan record, "Shooting Star," a new promo pin is out this week

San Diego Music Awards Posters

 Each year Bart Mendoza puts together an 11X17 poster celebrating the annual San Diego Music Awards / Lifetime Achievement Award winner - here is a selection from the past few decades:

2000 Barney Kessel

 2003 Jack Tempchin

 

2004 The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers

Chris Hillman - Larry Murray - Kenny Wertz - Ed Douglass - Gary Carr - Bernie Leadon

2007 Nick Reynolds / The Kingston Trio

2008 Mundell Lowe

2009 The Zeros

2010 Iron Butterfly

 

2011 The Penetrators

 

2012 Mike Wofford

2013 Daniel Jackson

2014 Tomcat Courtney

2015 Peter Sprague

2017 Wayne Riker

New Articles

Bart Mendoza gets a nice namecheck in this article on Paul Williams:

"Listening With Paul Williams' Ears" by Daniel Browne
www.medium.com//listening-with-paul-williams-ears-

...and a name check in this article on the Event's new album- Bart contributed liner notes
www.magicpopblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/the-event

Manual Scan's new album gets a great write up in the latest edition of Spain's Magic Pop
www.magicpopblog.wordpress.com/manual-scan

A Bart Mendoza penned article for the Peninsula Beacon, on the recent challenges facing the music industry. Includes interviews with Brian Witkin, CEO of Pacific Records, Sppike Mike Muellenberg of The Spice Pistols and singer-songwriter Lauren Leigh Martin
www.sdnews.com/What-s+next+for+the+San+Diego+music+scene

Music For Gloves - Manual Scan / True Stories raise funds for medical supplies

Music For Gloves is a series of digital EP's put together by independent labels in Spain to raise funds for medical supplies - Manual Scan's version of  The Beatles classic, "For No One," is included in the EP from Bickerton Records, alongside tracks by Los Impossibles, Fleur and The Color Collection - it can be heard here:

musicforgloves.bandcamp.com/BICKERTON

Meanwhile, the EP from SNAP!! Records includes the True Stories song, "Can't Seem To Make You Mine," as well as Alvino & The Dwells song "Chocolate Mint." Alvino & The Dwells includes David Fleminger and Didier Saurez of Manual Scan and ex-Manual Scan bassist Tony Saurez. Other groups on the comp are The Paff Booms, Macarrones and Motosierras

musicforgloves.bandcamp.com/SNAP!

Recent Articles

Here are some recent feature articles penned by Bart Mendoza

An interview with blues singer Michele Lundeen
www.sdnews.com/Michele Lundeen

An interview with guitarist Fred Benedetti
www.sdnews.com/The+Benedetti+Ensemble

A story on the Guitar Legends 3 album from Pacific Records featuring Billy Gibbons, Steve Lukather, Nancy Wilson, Warren Haynes, Charlie Starr, Kenny Aronoff and more. Interview with label CEO Brian Witkin
www.sdnews.com/Guitar-Legends-3

An interview with Eddy Allen of Fashion Jackson
www.sdnews.com/Fashion-Jackson

Dave Gleason San Diego Troubadour Cover Story by Bart Mendoza

The March 2019 issue of the San Diego Troubadour features a cover story on Dave Gleason, penned by Bart Mendoza. Mendoza has contributed to more than 80 issues of the newspaper, this is his twelfth cover story. Online and on newstands March 1 San Diego Troubadour Dave Gleason

Cover photo by Julia Hall McMahon

Demo Session February 25

Bart Mendoza taped ten new acoustic demos with producer Alan Sanderson at Pacific Beat Studios on February 25. Lori Aguilar Wilson* also joined in on guitar for one track.

David May

You're Gonna Miss Me

Plastic Girl

Yesterday's Hero

Empty Space

Cast No Shadows

The First Time

Satellite Eyes

Capital Love

Shooting Star*

Manual Scan Earth Day Balboa Park April 19 - Free!

Manual Scan will take part in the 2020 San Diego Earth Fair Celebrations - an all ages / outdoor show in Balboa Park!

Earth Day is April 19th! San Diego Earth Fair in Balboa Park is Southern CA's largest free event!  THE MOON STAGE at Park Blvd and President's Way - right next to the food court. This is going to be Awesome!! Here is the schedule:

10:15 The Spiritual Motels
11:05 Marie Haddad
11:55 Donna Larsen and Messengers
12:45 The January Berry Band
1:35 Sara Petite
2:25 Manual Scan
3:15 Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres
4:05 Network

Manual Scan - Millions Like Us Pin

Anyone interested in getting a copy of the Manual Scan pin pictured in the Millions Like Us box set from Cherry Red Records, you can find it here:  mcspookypants.storenvy.com/manual-scan

New! Manual Scan Turntable Slipmat

Italian company, Slipmats Royale has issued a special turntable slipmat featuring Manual Scan artwork! Available in felt or cork, the slipmat is part of a series that also features The English Beat, Devo, The Miracle Workers, The Nomads, Grim Reaper and more

www.slipmats.eu/manualscan

 Photo by Laura Pozzati / Courtesy Slipmats Royale

New T-shirt - Plimsouls / Manual Scan

Vintage Tees has released a T-shirt featuring a reproduction of a 1982 Plimsouls / Manual Scan / Joey Harris flyer - available in Grey, Blue and Black  https://shirtvintagetees.com/plimsouls-and-manual-scan

Manual Scan promo clip for San Diego Underground Files Volume 1

Bickerton Records has released a teaser video clip for the upcoming San Diego Underground File Volume 1 album:

San Diego Music Thing January 10

Bart Mendoza is a guest panelist at this year's Springboard West Music Conference taking place in Ocean Beach. Bart spoke on a panel discussing press on January 9 (2:25 p.m.) at the OB Playhouse and will speak on the same panel happening January 10 (10:30 a.m.) at The Holding Company.

San Diego Reader Page for January 16!

The San Diego Reader posted a page on the upcoming album and release show at the Casbah taking place January 16.
The San Diego Reader / Manual Scan January 16

Manual Scan album release show! January 16 at The Casbah

Manual Scan returns with an album release show on January 16 at The Casbah in San Diego! With Mittens and Avenue Army - don't miss it!

True Stories at the Riviera Supper Club January 10 !

New Manual Scan Release !

OB Farmers Market Set

Bart Mendoza took part in an a jam session at the OB Farmer's Holiday Drive on December 11. Other participants included Greg Vaughan (guitar), Annie Rettic (violin), Sppike Mike Muellenberg (bass), Sandra Herrera (vocals), Jeffrey Bloom (drums). Here's what they played.

1) In Your Arms (Mendoza / Morris)
2) Warm This Winter (Hunter / Barkan)
3) Wonderful Christmas Time (McCartney)

True Stories Recording Session

True Stories entered Pacific Beat Studio on December 11 and recorded three songs with producer Alan Sanderson:

After Awhile (Mendoza)
Hope Springs Internal (Fleminger)
Cast No Shadows (Mendoza / Castillo)

The line up consisted of Bart Mendoza (vocals/guitar), David Fleminger (vocals /keyboards), Greg Smith (drums/ vocals) and Scott Mathiasen (bass), with numerous friends in attendance including Sandra Castillo, Lori Aguilar Wilson, Billy Tisch, Sppike Mike Muellenberg etc. No word on when the tracks will be released, but a new album is expected in 2020.

Beatles Fair Set List

True Stories played thier annual Beatles Fair set on December 7 at Queen Bee. The band featured Ron Silva on bass and a set of rarely covered Beatles / Solo tunes + a few related songs. David Fleminger also sat in with event headliner Blac Rabbit on "Don't Let Me Down" and "Come Together," while Bart also played "Bad To Me" and "In Your Arms" on the acoustic stage.


1) Venus & Mars / Rock Show
2) Every Night
3) I've Just Seen A Face
4) Come and Get It
5) Too Many People
6) Only A Northern Song
7) Glass Onion
8) Jealous Guy
9) I'm Only Sleeping
10) That Means A Lot
11) Urban Spaceman
12) I Must Be In Love
13) No Matter What

Manual Scan Demos Collection Due Soon From Bickerton Records!

New Compilation! Power Chords Harmonies and Mistletoe II

A new compilation, Power Chords Harmonies and Mistletoe II, is out now from Spain's SNAP! Records - Available from thier Bandcamp page or on CD, the album features a wonderfully eclectic playlist, with 21 tracks. The album features a True Stories ballad, "Winter Star" and The Shambles live in studio acoustic duo (Bart Mendoza & Kevin Ring) version of "Warm This Winter," recorded for DJ Tim Pyles 91X-FM radio program, The Pyles Sessions. Other artists include The Tourmaliners, The Eddies, The Cherry Bluestorms, Yeh Yeh, Jeremy, Skid Roper, Lolas and many more!

 Snap!! Records Spain / Power Chords Harmonies & Mistletoe

Neil Innes Interview

San Diego Troubadour December 2019

A Conversation with Neil Innes: Oh Hello!

Read Here:

https://sandiegotroubadour.com/neil-innes-oh-hello/

Beatles Fair Interview w/ San Diego Union Tribune 12/03/19

The December 3 edition of the San Diego Union Tribune includes a feature on Beatles Fair 2019 by George Varga. This includes an interview with Bart Mendoza.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/Beatles Fair 2019

True Stories / San Diego Beatles Fair 2019 - December 7

True Stories will be performing a special set of solo Beatles tunes and music from related bands at the 2019 San Diego Beatles Fair! For this show the band will feature Bart Mendoza, David Fleminger, Greg Smith, Billy Tisch and Ron Silva. www.sandiegobeatlesfair.com

Writing Round Up!

Here are some recent articles penned by Bart Mendoza:

San Diego Troubadour:
The Story of Queen Bee Cultural Center / Alma Rodriguez
https://sandiegotroubadour.com/its-all-the-buzz-queen-bees-celebrates-its-10th-anniversary/

North Park News:
Interview with Lisa Domkat of Manzanita Blues
Manzanita Blues

Peninsula Beacon:
Rock Icons show preview with interviews: Jerry Raney / The Beat Farmers, Jack Butler and Jack Pinney / Glory and Richard Livoni / The Blitz Brothers
www.sdnews.com/San-Diego-Rock-Icons-show-coming-to-Winston-s-?instance=most_popular1

Uptown News:
Interview with cellist Sophie Webber
 Cellist celebrates new album at St. Paul’s Cathedral

Peninsula Beacon
Interview with Tim Norton of Moves Collective
Ocean Beach's Moves Collective closes tour at The Holding Company

True Stories - Extra Gig! November 11 at Grand Ole BBQ 1 - 4 p.m.

True Stories will be playing a last minute show at The Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs in El Cajon, CA on Monday November 11, from 1- 4 p.m. - A mix of covers and originals, free & family friendly - the band plays outdoors on the patio stage. www.flinnsprings.grandolebbq.com

Coming soon...

New songs?

Manual Scan debuted two new songs during thier September 27 appearance at The Adams Avenue Street Fair- a new original, "Shooting Star" and a cover of The Angels "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?" Meanwhile on October 16, True Stories debuted a new original, "After Awhile." A recent acoustic demos list from Mendoza included the songs "The World To Me," "Dim Images," Empty Spaces," "You're Gonna Miss Me," "Cast No Shadows," "First Thing," "Plastic Girl" and "She's Like Christmas," amongst other potential new tunes for the bands upcoming album.

Johnnny Valenzuela and Andy Rasmussen / San Diego Troubadour

Bart Mendoza has penned his 11th cover story for the San Diego Troubadour, on Johnnny Valenzuela (The Sleepwalkers) and Andy Rasmussen (Action Andy & The Hi-Tones). available in the November 2019 edition. This issue also includes Bart's article on the story of Alma Rodriguez and Queen Bee's Cultural https://sandiegotroubadour.com/johnny-valenzuela-and-andy-rasmussen-twisted-trails-and-two-fisted-tales/

True Stories at the Rivera Supper Club November 15

True Stories returns to the Rivera Supper Club on November 15, for two sets, with lots of news tunes in the mix - two sets starting at 9 p.m. / 21 and up.

Herb Alpert Interview

Bart Mendoza interviewed Herb Alpert in the September 16 edition of the Peninsula Beacon
Herb Alpert / Peninsula Beacon

Manual Scan at the Adams Avenue Street Fair September 21 - Free!

Here's a poster for this Saturdays Manual Scan show at the Adams Avenue Street Fair: