John Lennon: Why We Listen - documentary with Peter Bolland, Michael Tiernan, Sven Erik Seaholm and Bart Mendoza

John Lennon: Why We Listen, a documentary by Carla Sweet can be found on Youtube. The video can features commentary from four San Diego based musicians: Peter Bolland, Michael Tiernan, Sven Erik Seaholm and Bart Mendoza, who first shows up in context at 4:15, but can also be seen rehearsing vocals with Mark DeCerbo outside of Dizzy's at the beginning of the film

New Video from True Stories - "Problems of Her Own"

There is a new video of True Stories recording "Problems of Her Own" from their new EP, Comets Tomorrow. It uses home movie footage with the production work of Alan Sanderson for Audio. Recorded at Analog Chew in Santee, CA.

True Stories "Problems of Her Own" Video

The Shambles in New Lester Bangs documentary, A Box Full of Rocks

The new documentary about Lester Bangs, A Box Full of Rocks opens with the sounds of The Shambles backing  Jon Kanis on the 1995 track, "It Is and it Isn't." First heard on Staring at the Sun Volume 2, the song was also included on the Shambles album, Reviving Spark, released in Japan in 1996. Info on the documentary and more on Lester Bangs can be found here:                             

Lester Bangs Documentary & Archives at Grossmont College

Staring at the Sun XI - Free CD Release Show at the Casbah / San Diego October 22 !

Bart Mendoza's Blindspot Records will release Staring at the Sun XI on October 22. There will be a free show that night at the Casbah featuring The Phantoms, Mad Traffic, Gayle Skidmore, Tolan Shaw, Patric Petrie, Social Club plus Gary & Gary. Hosted by Blindspot Records President Bart Mendoza and FM94.9's Tim Pyles, in addition to FREE admission attendees get a FREE 2 CD set, featuring 43 San Diego performers! The album features exclusive art from acclaimed artist Batton Lash, featuring his characters, Wolff & Byrd. Plus! Zine fans can pick up a FREE copy of classic pop culture xerox zine, Psychoholics Unanimous! Staring at the Sun is brought to you by the fine folks at Blindspot Records, with support from The Casbah, Tim Pyles at FM949 and everyone at Rock and Roll San Diego

New Manual Scan album - All Night Scan - vinyl and digital only!

Texas based Cheap Rewards Records has released a new Manual Scan compilation, All Night Scan- here are the details:

100 Blue Vinyl / 400 Black Vinyl LP

Digital Download

Full color sleeve and inner sleeve

Remastered

Cheap Rewards Records

Manual Scan All Night Scan Promo Video

1)      Nothing you Can Do – from Plan of Action EP

2)      American Way –  from Plan of Action EP / First time on a Manual Scan album.

3)      31968 – from Phase III compilation EP

4)      And We Still Feel The Same – from One LP

5)      Anymore – from Plan of Action EP

6)      New Difference – from Plan of Action EP / Original mix, first time on a Manual Scan album

7)      Jungle Beat – from Plan of Action EP

8)      She Said It’s Late – extended version from unreleased In the Crowd flexi disc

9)      Nothing Can be Everything – from One LP

10)   Ever Any Reason - from One LP

11)   I Can’t Don’t Want To Faster – demo

12)   For Those – from One LP

13)   Plan of Action – from the 2010 Pyles Sessions for FM94.9 / previously unreleased

14)   Come See Me – from the Lost Sessions EP

15)   Confidence and Love – from One LP

16)   New Song – from American Heart & Soul compilation

17)   All Night Stand – from Lost Sessions EP

18)   The Bird – from One LP

19)   Woman (live) –  first time on vinyl

Blindspot Records Presents Psychoholics Unanimous #67

Bart Mendoza's Blindspot Records & Media will be helping with the return of pop culture fanzine, Psychoholics Unaninmous. Copies of #67 will be available - free!- at the Staring at the Sun CD release show held at the Casbah in San Diego on October 22.

True Stories at the Adams Avenue Street Fair September 28 - Free / All Ages!

True Stories will be joined by special guests Johnny "V" Vernazza and Mark DeCerbo at the 32nd Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair. The band performs at 4:15 p.m. on a day that includes the Standells with Johnny Echols of Love, The Creepy Creeps, Roy Rapid and many more. Here's a video of Johnny Vernazza performing with Van Morrison on TV's "The Midnight Special" in 1976.

Bart Mendoza commentary in new San Diego music documentary

One of the "extras" on the new San Diego music documentary, There Is Nothing Out Here, is commentary from Bart Mendoza and director Craig Rian. Released September 2013.

There Is Nothing Out Here Website

True Stories Set Lists: June 2 @ Rebecca's June 20 CD Release @ The Soda Bar

True Stories CD release show at the Soda Bar on June 20 drew a nice crowd, with the reunion of Static Halo particularly well received. The band played the new EP all the way through and was joined by Wayne Riker on guitar for a tune while opener Adam Marsland and closer Scott Mathiasen joined in for a set of fifties rock 'n' roll covers. 

1) Cant Seem to Make You Mine / 1

2) Better Days / 1

3) Problems of Her Own / 1

4) Bleeding / 1

5) In Your Arms / 1

6) This Wish / 3

7) Hearts On Sleeve / 2

8) Comet's Tomorrow / 1

9) Lucifer Sam

10) A Short Spiral / 1

      

11) I Can't Don't Want To (with guest Wayne Riker)

12) Hi Heeled Sneakers

13) Dizzie Ms. Lizzie (with Adam Marsland and Scott Mathiasen)

14) Bad Boy (with Adam Marsland and Scott Mathiasen)

15) Leave My Kitten Alone (with Adam Marsland and Scott Mathiasen)

 Across the Pond was an acoustic team up of Dave Humphries, Bart Mendoza and David Fleminger, performing together and solo. New to David and Bart's repertoire were versions of "I Remember When I Loved Her" (The Zombies), "Summertime" (The Zombies), "This Diamond Ring" (Gary Lewis) and with Dave, a pair of Marvin, Welch & Farrar songs, "Marmaduke" and "Lady of the Morning". Also different - David played guitar instead of his usual piano on songs such as "You Still Take My Breath Away."

New! The Shambles "Live at the Casbah"

New! Sort of. The Shambles Live at the Casbah features 11 tracks from the band recorded live at the famous San Diego music venue in 2004. The album contains material from four shows and is a limited edition from Archive Records. The recording features Bart Mendoza, Kevin Donaker ring, Mark Zadarnowski, Mike Kamoo and Todd Woolsey. Here are the front and back covers.

True Stories = CD Compilations this Fall!

True Stories will be included on several upcoming compilation albums, including Staring at the Sun XI ("Hearts On Sleeve") and Elvis Costello tribute album, Beyond Belief ("Blue Chair")

Facebook Page For Elvis Costello: Beyond Belief

True Stories debut EP - this June!

True Stories, featuring Bart Mendoza, David Fleminger, Danny Cress and Billy Fritz, will release their debut EP this June. Comet's Tomorrow will feature six tracks recorded with Grammy award winning producer and engineer Alan Sanderson at Analog Chew Studio in Santee, California.

Comet's Tomorrow

1) Problems of Her Own (Mendoza/DeCerbo)
2) Bleeding (Mendoza)
3) In Your Arms (Mendoza/Morris)
4) Hearts On Sleeve (Mendoza)
5) Comet's Tomorrow (Mendoza/Morris)

Manual Scan on upcoming 20/20 Tribute Album!

Manual Scan will be providing the title track for the upcoming 20/20 Tribute album, Remember the Lightning. Also involved are Wednesday Week, Robbie Rist, Popdudes, The Eddies, The Spring Collection and more! More details tba...

03 09 13 True Stories at Blindspot Records Party

True Stories performed at the Second Annual Blindspot Records Party. Taking place in a private home, other artists performing at the event included Patric Petrie, Mark DeCerbo, Dave Humphries, Liz Abbott and Kent Johnson, plus the Comeuppance featuring True Stories/Manual Scan multi-instrumentalist. Initially performers played a brief set each, two to five songs. Following Patric Petrie's closing set there was a jam session that lasted approximately an hour an a half, with guests joining in a sing-a-long. The event was recorded including the jam session.

True Stories performed:

Bleeding
You Still take My Breath Away
In Your Arms
Blindspot
Have You Seen Her Face (Byrds)

Bart, Mark DeCerbo and Liz Abbott joined Dave Humphries during his set for:

Things We Said Today (Beatles)
Bluebird (Wings)

Jam Session:

A few of the songs played included:
Nowhere Man (Bart, Mark, David, Dave)
I Call Your Name (Bart, David, Mark Dave)
I'll Be Back (Bart, Mark, David, Liz, Dave)


One After 909 (Bart, David, Mark, Dave)
Feel A Whole Lot Better (Bart, David, Kent, Mark)
Where Have All The Good Times Gone (Bart, David, Kent, Mark)
Sunny Afternoon (Bart, David, Kent, Mark)
The Letter (Bart, David, Kent, Mark)

Set List for Sounds Like San Diego Feb. 1 at the Museum of Making Music

The Fifth Edition of Sounds Like San Diego took place on February 1 at the Museum of Making Music, with current San Diego artists performing the songs of San Diego past hit makers. The night was hosted by Bart Mendoza, who delivered information about San Diego's music history and the songs being performed between artists. The use of a backline was key to the smooth running of the show. The bands selected their own songs from a master list with Jack Tempchin and Joey Harris performing their own classics. The show sold out. A big plus of the night was that audience members also had free access to the Museum of Music itself - amongst the highlights are Hal Blaine's drum kit! And there was free pizza and beer. A really fun night!

Here's the shows set list:

1)            Neon Cough - Stone Temple Pilots / Big Bang Baby

2)            Neon Cough -  Rosie & The Originals / Angel Baby

3)            Scott Mathiasen & The Shifty Eyed Dogs – Tom Waits / Ol’ 55

4)            Scott Mathiasen & The Shifty Eyed Dogs – The Crawdaddy’s / You’re Gonna Need My Love  Someday

5)            Scott Mathiasen & The Shifty Eyed Dogs -  John Stewart / Daydream Believer

6)            The Comeuppance – Smoky Rogers / My Chickashay Gal

7)            The Comeuppance – The Unknowns / Dream Sequence

8)            Marie Haddad – The Monroes / What Do All The People Know

9)            Marie Haddad with True Stories – Juice Newton / Loves Been A Little Bit Hard On Me

10)          True Stories – Chris Hillman (The Byrds) / Have You Seen Her Face?

11)          True Stories –  Iron Butterfly / In A Gadda Da Vida

INTERMISSION

12)          Joey Harris – The Speedsters / When You Call Me

13)          Joey Harris – Beat Farmers / The Girl I Almost Married

14)          Banda Patrizia with Patric Petrie & Tim Foley – The Cascades / Rhythm of the Rain

15)          Banda Patrizia, with Patric Petrie & Tim Foley  – Jim Croce / I’ll Just Have To Say I Love You In A Song

16)          Banda Patrizia, with Patric Petrie & Tim Foley  – The Kingston Trio / Scotch & Soda

17)          Kelsea Rae Little – Blink 182 / All The Small Things

18)          Kelsea Rae Little – Jewel / You Were Meant For Me

19)          Jack Tempchin - (co-write with Chris Hillman) Desert Rose Band / You Can Go Home

20)          Jack Tempchin - (co-write with Tom Waits) Tijuana

21)          Jack Tempchin – Slow Dancin’

22)          Jack Tempchin – Peaceful Easy Feeling

April 4 Bart Mendoza & True Stories at the Riviera Supper Club

The next gig from True Stories will be April 4 at the Riviera Supper Club - the band considers this one of their favorite haunts, so their shows at the Riviera are always special, and sometimes of epic proportion. Here they often play covers and old favorites they don't usually get to perform at their usual, mostly originals, gigs.

The Shambles / True Stories Online Lyrics and Tablature Updated!

The chords and lyrics to another dozen songs written by Bart Mendoza  are now available online at:

Bart Mendoza Lyrics and Tablature For The Shambles, Manual Scan, True Stories and Rachael Gordon

New Books Power Pop Prime Volume 1 & 2 Feature The Shambles

Volume 1 of the Power Pop Prime book series from Bruce Brodeen is now out - it includes a free CD which features  The Shambles song "Days and Maybes" as well as an essay on the band (and a nice shout out from Adam Marsland of Cockeyed Ghost)

Meanwhile, Volume 2 of the series includes a free CD that features The Shambles song "Nothing Can Be Everything," and includes an essay on The Shambles "Clouds All Day" album as one of the Top 100 Powerpop albums of the 1990's.
 
Power Pop Prime Volume 1

Power Pop Prime Volume 2

June 9 The Fleshtones / Bart Mendoza & True Stories at the Casbah

On June 9, Bart Mendoza & True Stories will play two sets opening for The Fleshtones at the Casbah in San Diego! Tickets are on sale now. Bart last opened for the Fleshtones in 1987!

Tickets for the Fleshtones / Bart Mendoza & True Stories at The Casbah

New T-Shirts from Manual Scan and The Shambles

New clothing company, The Style Council.com has T-shirts available from Manual Scan and The Shambles, as well as Blindspot Records.

The Style Council.com Manual Scan & The Shambles T-Shirts

New Manual Scan Vinyl Collection from Cheap Rewards Records

Texas based Cheap Rewards Records will be issuing a special 19 song  Manual Scan collection this summer - on vinyl! Manual Scan was the precursor of the Shambles, circa the 1980's.

Cheap Rewards Records

June 1 Art Around Adams with Blindspot Records Stage

The 10th Annual Art Around Adams Music & Arts Festival will take place in San Diego on June 1, 2013. The free, all ages event will take place from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. Blindspot Records, the label helmed by Bart Mendoza will once again host the main stage, located at Smitty's Garage, 3441 Adams Avenue. The label will also host several side stages. This promises to be the biggest event yet, with dozens of musical performers tba.

Art Around Adams Website

April 27 Bart Mendoza and True Stories at Artwalk in Little Italy

 Bart Mendoza and True Stories will be amongst the performers at the annual Mission Federal Artwalk in Little Italy / San Diego on April 27 -28. The band performs at 11:15 a.m. on April 27, it's free and all ages. More info can be found here: Mission Federal Artwalk Performers

True Stories Riviera Set List 11/9/12 Riviera Supper Club

A 35 song set from True Stories at the Riviera, including ten originals - one new original added to the set list as well as six new covers...Guest guitar this night from Kevin Donaker-Ring...

Riviera Set List 11/9/12

In Your Arms

Clouds All Day

She’s Got Everything

High Heeled Sneakers

All Sorts

Innocence Becomes You

What More Can I Do

Mystery Dance

Fire

More Than This

Sick of Myself *

I Want You Back

Blindspot

A Short Spiral *

Putty

Feel A Whole Lot Better

Nothing Can Be Everything

I Can’t Don’t Want To

For Your Love

Where Have All The Good Times Gone

Cinnamon Girl *

Heart Full of Soul *

Slow Down

Happy Birthday

Temptation Eyes

I Got A Line On You

The Last Time

Marie's The Name

Bad Boy *

Route 66

Chains *

The Letter

Runaway

Hanky Panky *