New John Lennon documentary, "The Guitar The world Almost Forgot," includes Bart Mendoza

A new John Lennon documentary, "The Guitar The World Almost Forgot," includes notable San Diego based musicians, Marc Intravaia, Mark DeCerbo, Chris Leyva and Bart Mendoza amongst others.

The Guitar The World Almost Forgot - Trailer

New Book, Getting Nowhere Fast, includes Manual Scan, The Crawdaddys, The Penetrators, The Gravedigger V...

Manual Scan is featured in a great new book, Getting Nowhere Fast, by author Ray Brandes. The book tells the stories behind some of the key bands in San Diego circa 1976-1986 such as the Unknowns, The Penetrators, The Nashville Ramblers, The Zeros, The Gravedigger V, The Tell Tale Hearts, The Crawdaddys, The Dinettes... Essential!

Purchase "Getting Nowhere Fast!"

The official video promoting the book!

Manual Scan instore at Record City / San Diego January 16

Manual Scan will make an appearance at San Diego music store Record City on January 16 - this will be a full band appearance to celebrate the release of thier new album, The Pyles Sessions - this is a FREE / All Ages event! 1 p.m.

Manual Scan "Tim Pyles Theme" out on 7" Vinyl

Manual Scan's "Tim Pyles Theme" has been released on a 7" EP by Blindspot Records. It also includes tracks from Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra, Pony Death Ride, Super Buffet and Blaise Guld. These will only be available in limited quantities from the bands directly and at the upcoming release show - details TBA.

Beatle Fair 2016 announced with Denny Laine, host Bart Mendoza

Beatle Fair 2016 is coming! March 26 at the Queen Bee Center in North Park / San Diego - a full day and night of Beatles fun - and more!

Hosted by Bart Mendoza :

* Headliner Denny Laine 
-of Wings / The Moody Blues!
* True Stories: A Tribute to Ringo Starr 
- an all star group featuring David Fleminger (Manual Scan), Normandie Wilson and more
* The Baja Bugs 
- San Diego's top Beatles band! With Hector Penalosa (The Zeros) and Ron Silva (The Crawdaddys)
* The Dave Humphries Band
- Superb Beatles and solo era tunes featuring Wolfgang Grasekemp
* The Rollers
- young rockers playing Fab hits!


Plus authors Chuck Gunderson and John Borack

and NEW this year: Ohio Street in front of the venue will be closed off for a A Music and Records Street Fair - vinyl junkies get ready!

More TBA

Bart Mendoza on 91X Sunday December 20 / 7:30 p.m.

From 91X host Tim Pyles:

"Tonight on 91X Loudspeaker via 91X-San Diego we will feature many Holiday songs from local artists and the Special In-Studio Guests will be Manual Scan. The band is set to release the "Pyles Session" we did at Alan Sanderson's studio with a Release Party featuring The Bassics and Alvino & The Dwells at the Casbah San Diego on December 23rd. Andrew Rowley will share tales of his annual Ugly Sweater Crawl and Louis Niles II promises to spoil the latest Star Wars film. I think Lou would make a cool Jedi.And finally Mr. Al Guerra will call in with a weather report from Alpine, California.We ARE Local Music!"

Bart Mendoza Purple Weekend Interviews / Radio 3 El Sotano, Leon, Spain

Bart Mendoza appeared on several radio programs while on tour in Spain. Here is El Sotano on Radio 3, in Leon Spain - he performed 3 songs live in addition to various recordings being played

"Episodio desde León con motivo de la XXVII edición del festival Purple Weekend. Charlamos con sus organizadores, y nos deleitamos con las historias y el acústico de Bart Mendoza , el rey de los Mods de San Diego, y líder de bandas como Manual Scan o The Shambles."

Playlist; The Strollers (Let me come on in), Reigning Sound (Stormy weather), The Loons (Inside out your mind), The Neatbeats (Hi heel sneakers), Limiñanas (Down underground), Biscuit (Goodbye again or), Manual Scan (New differences, Nothing can be everything), The Shambles (Brilliant), Manual Scan (Remember the lightning). 

El Sotano / Radio 3 Purple Weekend Bart Mendoza interview - Leon, Spain

Bart Mendoza takes part in Weezer Tribute December 28 / Under Cover at the Office

December 28 / 9 p.m. "A live tribute to Weezer as part of the monthly Under Cover music series held at the Office in North Park / San Diego." An all star gathering, these are really fun events.

Band:
Daniel Crawford (Blackout Party)
Ben Zinn
Andrew Mauldin (Manchest & Her)
The Hoth (Buck O'Nine)
Jake Najor (Taurus Authority)

Singers:
Aaron Magnan (A Beautiful View)
Bart Mendoza (True Stories)
Timothy Joseph (The Palace Ballroom)
Jeremiah Zimmerman (The Silent Comedy)
Kevin Elliot (Teenage Exorcists)
Adam Gimbel (Geezer)
Birdy Bardot
Garrett Eland (Rat City Riot, The Stranger's Six)
Tony Nguyen (Karaoke Ninja)
Christian Taylor (C.A. Burnett)
Steven Bradford (Get Back Loretta)

DJ Saul Q

Manual Scan album release show December 23 at the Casbah San Diego

Manual Scan wraps up the year with a special show at San Diego's legendary music venue, the Casbah. It's a strong bill also featuring the Bassics and surf trio, Alvino & The Dwells. The event is an album release show for the bands new 10" Vinyl / CD release on SNAP! Records - the CD features two bonus tracks.

Advance Manual Scan Tickets

Bart Mendoza & Friends Flyer Madrid 12/11/15

Here is the flyer for Bart Mendoza Y Sus Amigos (Normandie Wilson and David Fleminger) concert at
Madrid, Spain's top art gallery, La Fiembrera. Held on December 11, all three attended the next days Feria de Discos in the same location.

New vinyl from the Shambles and True Stories!

Spain's Bickerton Records has issued new 7" vinyl EP's - featuring four tracks each - from both the Shambles and True Stories! 

Bickerton Records

Manual Scan album release show at the Casbah December 23

Manual Scan will have an album release show at the Casbah i n San Diego on December 23 

with opener The Bassics and special guests.  

The Casbah

The Rarities - The Patron Saints of Could've Been

In the mid-nineties Bart Mendoza wrote a short play/song cycle about the band, Big Star. While it remains un-issued, one song did escape the vaults - the lead track, "The Patron Saints of Could've Been." From Facebook: Here is a song I wrote back in the nineties for a play about the band Big Star, as recorded by a band I was in circa the mid 2000's, The Rarities. This is a true collaborative effort pieced together and produced by Jeff Berkley, who also turns in stellar lead work, alongside myself (vocals, acoustic guitar), Dylan Martinez (bass), Danny Cress (drums), Derek Duplessie (12-string guitar) and Cathryn Beeks (vocals) with pre-production from Gregory Page. When I get into a band, it's an obsession and Big Star got me through a good portion of the 80's. The images are from the Staring at the Sun compilation album series, where this song was included on Volume 1."

Manual Scan included in new San Diego music history book - Let It Rock!

San Diego State University has released a new book series via thier inhouse publishing company, covering the history of music on campus - it's an impressive accomplishment with five volumes featuring everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to The Police. Volume 3 includes numerous mentions of Manual Scan, who were regulars at school venues The Backdoor and Montezuma Hall.

Purchase Let It Rock

Bart Mendoza interviews Ingrid Croce and Jimmy Rock for the San Diego Troubadour

Here is an indepth interview with Ingrid Croce and Jimmy Rock conducted by Bart Mendoza for the San Diego Troubadour

An Interview with Ingrid Croce and Jimmy Rock

Jetset Tribute Album out Sept. 15 featuring the Shambles

The Jetset tribute album, Do You Want To Be In The Show?, is being re-released by Twist/Detour Records in England on Sept 15. The album includes a track from the Shambles, "Hard To Say Goodbye" as well as extensive liner notes from Bart Mendoza. The band on this recording is Bart Mendoza (piano/guitar/all vocals), Mark Zadarnowski (bass), Mike Kamoo (drums/organ) and Kevin Ring (guitar).

Order the Jetset Tribute Album

Playing John Lennon's long lost J-160

Bart Mendoza was part of a group of very lucky musicians who got a chance to play John Lennon's long lost and very historic Gibson guitar, on which many of the Beatles early hits were written, at a special send off gathering for the instrument in San Diego. He played "Bad to Me" and one of his own compositions, "You Still Take My Breath Away."

Beatles in San Diego 50th Anniversary article

Bart Mendoza penned this article on the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Beatles performing in San Diego the-beatles-dream-from-50-years-ago

New Shambles EP - "Radio Daze - The Pyles Sessions" out Oct. 15 on Spain's Bickerton Records

Pre orders are now being taken for the new Shambles EP, "Radio Daze - The Pyles Sessions" out October 15 on Spain's Bickerton Records! Vinyl or digital only- Tracks are:

"More Than This"

"Brilliant"

"Clouds All Day"

"(She's Used To Playing With) Fire"

Order the new Shambles EP

New True Stories EP due October 15 from Spain's Bickerton Records

Pre-orders are now being taken for the new True Stories EP, "Pop" - vinyl or digital only, out October 15 from Spain's Bickerton Records - The disc features 4 tracks: 

"You Still Take My Breath Away"

"In Your Arms"

"What You Mean To Me"

"Bleeding"

Order True Stories EP

The Riot Act - "This Town" - new video!

A new video has been posted for the The Riot Act - "This Town" featuring all the San Diego music scenes from the film Bring It On including posters from such San Diego acts as the Riot Act, Rocket From The Crypt, Inch, The Chasers, The Loons, Cindy Lee Berryhill and more! The band in the video features Ray Brandes, Hector Penalosa, Victor Penalosa, Peter Meisner and myself , as well as the SDSU campus and a cameo from good friend, Steve Aldana.  Live footage shot in Ponferrada, Spain in 1999. Logo by Rex Edhlund, track produced by Richard Livoni at Blitz Recording Studios and was released as a 7" 45 by Spain's Snap! Records.

Upcoming Releases!

Here are a few upcoming releases:

Fall 2015 - Various Artists - Sounds of the Stratosphere - A 7" Vinyl EP with picture sleeve, splatter vinyl and tracks from Pony Death Ride, Blaise Guld, Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra, Super Buffett and Manual Scan! Blindspot Records

Fall 2015 - Various Artists - Staring at the Sun XII - will feature more than two dozen artists including True Stories song, "Who Will Play Us In The Movie?"

Winter 2015 - True Stories - Pop - a 7" Vinyl 4 track EP. Bickerton Records

Winter 2015 - The Shambles - Radio Daze - a 7" Vinyl 4 track EP. Bickerton Records

Winter 2015 - Manual Scan - Pyles Sessions - a 10" 9 track album. Snap! Records

Bart Mendoza has also penned liner notes for a powerpop anthology series, details tba soon

Bart Mendoza Radio (8/26) and TV 8/28

Bart Mendoza will be a guest on the Gurlz Talk Rawk radio program on Wednesday August 26 at 9 p.m. Then on Friday August 28 he will be a guest on the CW-6 TV's Morning Show, in a segment about the Imperial Avenue Street Festival at 8:15 a.m. www.sandiego6.com

True Stories to perform at Imperial Avenue Street Fest August 29

True Stories will join Rebecca Jade and the Cold Fact, Chunky Sanchez, Missy Anderson and many more at the Second Annual Imperial Avenue Street Fest - We play at Noon  - free, all ages!

True Stories Imperial Avenue Street Fest

Casino Royale to perform at the Lafayette Hotel August 20 - Free

Now a quartet, featuring Normandie Wilson, David Fleminger, Bart Mendoza and Danny Cress, lounge group Casino Royale, will perform two sets at the historic Lafayette Hotel on August 20, starting at 7 p.m. - No cover!

Casino Royale to perform at Panama 66 on August 9

Casino Royale, featuring Normandie Wilson, David Fleminger, Danny Cress and Bart Mendoza, makes a rare appearance at one of the most beautiful venue's in San Diego- Panama 66, located in the Sculpture Garden of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Balboa Park! This is a free, all ages show - Sunday, August 9 from 6 pm to 8 pm - a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the park - Food and drinks, craft beer and music in a family friendly outdoor summertime venue! Free!

Germany's Bear Family Records Box Set to include The Shambles

The Shambles song, "Wouldn't You Like to Be A Bear?" will be featured on the 4-Disc 40th Anniversary Box Set from Bear Family Records - it's a great bear themed line up including Ry Cooder, Chip Taylor, Swamp Dogg, Frankie Miller, The Fuzztones, Ray Campi, The Kennedy's, Deke Dickerson, Johnny Tillotson, Ian Whicomb, Riders in the Sky, Narvel Felts and 60 more on 3 CD's. You also get a DVD and a 308 page hardcover book, which includes a spotlight on the Shambles and the songs lyrics.

Bear Family 40th Anniversary Box Set (click on "Tracks" to get the full song listing)

 

True Stories Fourth of July - 5 to 7 pm Standley Park!

The band will be playing an all request set!

Sounds Like San Diego VII July 11 at The Museum of Making Music Hosted by Bart Mendoza

Blindspot Records / The Museum of Making Music Present 

Sounds Like San Diego VII   - July 11 2015

Celebrating San Diego’s Musical History 1940 -2015

Today’s Artists Performing Yesterdays Hits +

Carlsbad, Calif. –  The seventh edition of Sounds Like San Diego presents another once in a lifetime gathering of musicians, celebrating hit songs written or recorded by San Diegans.

Held once more at the Museum of Making Music, the night is a musical journey through San Diego’s music history. It’s a fast paced show with trivia and stories from host Bart Mendoza in between tunes and the museum to explore before the show. Performers will include:

·         Greg Douglass – guitarist with the Steve Miller Band / Greg Kihn,  co-writer of “Jungle Love”

·         Lester Abrams – Doobie Brothers co-writer of  “Minute by Minute” and “Open Your Eyes”

·         Kimm Rogers – the return of Island Records artist “Will Work for Food” “Right By Your Side”

·         Roni Lee – Runaways co-writer of “I Wanna Be Where The Boys Are”

·         Josh Weinstein – celebrating the music of Tom Waits

·         Jim Ryan – 70’s punk pop pioneer from the Cardiac Kidz “Find Yourself A Way”

Plus interpretations of classic songs from 

·         True Stories – featuring David Fleminger, Danny Cress and Orrick Smith

·         Gayle Skidmore –

·         Tolan Shaw -

·         Normandie Wilson –

·         Diana Death -

·         Scott Mathiasen –

·         Patric Petrie –

·         Marie Haddad -

It’s a unique show! Possible cover choices include songs by Iron Butterfly, Stephen Bishop, Ratt, Jim Croce, The Kingston Trio, Jason Mraz, The Cascades, Juice Newton, Barbara Mandrell, The Nashville Ramblers, Jack Tempchin, The Beat Farmers, The Lyrics, Chris Hillman, Rosie & The Originals, Switchfoot, The Nashville Ramblers, Gary Puckett, Jewel, Mojo Nixon, The Monroes and many more

The Museum of Making Music 5790 Armada Drive Carlsbad CA 92008

Tickets for Sounds Like San Diego VII

Get Wet Fest This Friday July 3 w/ True Stories + The Bassics, Flaggs, Shady Francos and more...

This Friday! The First -  Get Wet Fest - in Imperial Beach - This show is being promoted by the amazing new Mod group, The Bassics! It's all ages with a beer garden and has a great line up! From the Facebook page:

DOORS: 5:00pm

Traffic Bear (members of Big Bad Buffalo ): 5:30pm
Bad Kids: 6:15pm
Fake Tides: 6:35pm
True Stories: 7:15pm
The Cardielles: 8:00pm
Flaggs:8:45
The Schizophonics: 9:30pm
The Bassics: 10:15pm
Shady Francos: 11:00pm

CLOSING: 11:30pm   ALL AGES $8. Event Location:
Boys & Girls Clubs of South County - Odermatt Clubhouse
847 Encina Ave. Imperial Beach, CA 91932

July 15 - A Birthday Tribute to Johnny Thunders with Chinese Rocks at Bar Pink - FREE!

July 15 - A Birthday Tribute to Johnny Thunders with Chinese Rocks at Bar Pink, 3829 30th Street in San Diego / North Park - FREE! Presented by Bar Pink and Blindspot Records. 21 and up.

Bart Mendoza to play final Kona Kai Acoustic Music Series show June 14

The Kona Kai Resorts weekly acoustic music series is hosting a final edition this Sunday - June 14 - the free, all ages show will feature acoustic music from Bart Mendoza, Cassie B, Rhythm Turner, Hugh Gaskins and The Brothers Burns with J Phatts. "The venue is right on the water, with both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a unique location to hear live music"

Manual Scan August 29 / The Irenic with the Bassics and Action Andy!

On August 29 Secret Society Scooter Club is hosting a 32nd Anniversary Party at the Irenic in San Diego with a great bill that includes Manual Scan, The Bassics and Action Andy & The Hi-Tones! Tickets are on sale now for this all ages happening! Beer and drinks available for those over 21. Only $10

 Tickets for Secret Society's 32nd Anniversary Party

Upcoming performances:

Here are some of the dates Bart Mendoza will be playing this summer, either solo or with one of the bands he's in - check back for updates!

Bart Mendoza

06/19 San Diego County Fair
06/29 The Office / Ramones Undercover
08/15 Art Walk NTC

True Stories

06/20 Blindspot Event
07/03 Boys & Girls Club of Chula Vista
07/04 University City 4th of July Picnic
07/11 Museum of Making Music / Sounds Like San Diego
08/29 Imperial Avenue Street Fair

 Manual Scan

08/23   91X Loudspeaker
08/29   The Irenic / San Diego
12/4-7  Spain

The Shambles

06/27 Ocean Beach Street Fair

Casino Royale

08/09 Panama 66 / Balboa Park

True Stories to perform at the North Park Festival of the Arts May 16 / 4 p.m.

Just added! True Stories will perform at the FREE North Park Festival of the Arts on May 16 at the Queen Bee Stage - 4 p.m. It's located on Ray Street - lots of other great artists to check out that day as well, such as Flaggs, The Schizophonics, Swamp Dogg, The Rosalyns, Jesse LaMonaca & The Dime Novels, The Midnight Pine... (we're replacing a band, our name will be included soon - but it's on:-)

North Park Festival of the Arts