Scene and Heard

The verdict is still out as to what really went down Thursday night at Tejano Saloon X.
Fans were ready, but the artist of the night, Bow Wow, was nowhere to be found.
According to sources the multi-platinum rapper and actor said sayonara to Valley fans and flew the coop.
Which remains a mystery to some folks who had the chance to attend a meet ‘n greet earlier in the day at Overtime Bar & Grill in Weslaco and were psyched about the show later that night.
Calls to Columbia Records were returned, but a statement could not be provided as of press time.
Promoters were left scratching their heads.
Many of you are wondering about refunds…and the only thing we were advised is to hang tight for more information.
This is not going to end well, I’m sure.
Disappointed fans=don’t bother coming back kiddo.

80’s metal fans gear up for “skin, sweat and one big party!”

Catch the Fever Music Festivals announced the official lineup for the 2nd Annual Rocklahoma, July 10-13 in Pryor, Oklahoma.
Organizers and several big name rockers were on hand at a press conference held at the Whiskey A Go-Go in Hollywood yesterday.
The presser, hosted by VH1 Classic, Eddie Trunk, was flanked by Bret Michaels, Vain, Enuff Z Nuff and Ron Keel of KEEL, among several others.
Sam McCaslin, president of Retrospect Records (and home to the Valley’s own Warryor) also announced the labels involvement at the upcoming festival.
In addition to the mainstage which will feature (throughout the four days):Bret Michaels, LA Guns featuring Tracii Guns, Enuf Z Nuff, Vain, House of Lords and Jet Boy, XYZ, Armored Saint, Kingdom Come, Night Ranger, Extreme, Triumph, Pretty Boy Floyd, Every Mother’s Nightmare, Tora Tora, Black N Blue, Trixter, Kix, Warrant featuring Jani Lane and Cinderella, Axe, Beautiful Creatures, Zebra, Lynch Mob and Tesla.
Two side stages adjacent to the main stage feature over twenty-eight regional artists on each stage including WARRYOR.

This is a huge deal in the world of classic 80’s heavy metal and rock ‘n roll as Rocklahoma 2007 was reported as the largest rock festival of its type. People came from all 50 states, every province in Canada, every country in Europe. A total of 32 different countries from throughout the world representing every continent with the exception of Antarctica were present.
Located just four miles north of Pryor, OK, off Highway 69, the Catch the Fever facilities include more than 6,000 assigned and numbered seats, as well as general admission on the lawn for more than 50,000 people.
Basically, it’s considered the Woodstock for 80’s Rock.
And like Bret Michael’s said, “It’s not old times, it’s good times.”

So it goes without saying Warryor is definitely honored and excited to be a part of this huge event.
These guys have been working really hard on new music and spreading their unique brand of straight up rock n roll to different parts of the country.
In less than a week they’ll be jetting off once more to Sin City for a stretch of shows.
Hit up their MySpace to check out the latest on the band or give them a quick shout out.

Also, check out the Rocklahoma site for more details.

…Kiiiiid Rock….
My good pal, Hitman, over at Hot Kiss 106.3 FM just announced that the ‘Bullgod’ himself will be on stage at Dodge Arena, on April 29.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m. They can be purchased online at www.aeglive.com or by phone at (956) 668-7740.
Just this morning I was enjoying Kid Rock’s latest video for the song, “Amen,” off his newest album, Rock N Roll Jesus.
Yeah, so Kid Rock isn’t exactly Bob Dylan, but he’s a great entertainer.
He calls it like it is. Doesn’t apologize for who he is and has produced some pretty catchy material.
I remember the first time I heard, “I am the Bullgod.”
I had only been out of the Army for a few months, trying to regroup, and return to mainstream society (and pop culture).
When I heard Kid it was gritty…a little southern rock blended with a little hip-hop (which was super duper relevant in 1998…um, Limp Bizkit anyone?)
Nonetheless, it was worth the purchase of Devil Without a Cause.
10 years later, after alot of my musical catalog found itself in cardboard boxes, that album still sits proudly with the rest of my favorites.
Well, these days, Rock is still doin’ his thing (and a big supporter of the troops overseas I might add) and still kickin’ a**.
His songs don’t quite measure up to his earlier material but he’s still in the public eye (even on TMZ regularly, thanks to his latest run-in at a Waffle House).

Van Halen tour a ‘Go’…
Despite earlier reports that the tour had been scrapped altogether (everyone thank Eddie Van Halen), it has been released the tour is back on.
Although the band’s troubled guitarist is reportedly “undergoing a battery of comprehensive medical tests to determine a defined diagnosis and recommended medical procedures. They say these dates are rescheduled starting April 24,” tmz.com reported. (what, is being a drunk such a mystery disease?)
Let’s hope the rocker gets the help he needs so that we don’t have any more of these.
Maybe he went further off the deep end when his ex-wife, Valernie Bertinelli aired the couples dirty laundry…
I caught the “One Day at A Time” star on Oprah and saw a very pompous woman. I congratulate her for losing the weight but I think she may have lost her dignity as well.
She made cheating on Eddie sound like she wanted a trophy…like she was sooo proud of acting like a total flooze.
Granted, he was no angel, I just didn’t feel like she learned much from that hellish marriage.
Oh well…maybe I’m just jealous cause she lost 30 pounds.

Publicity whores…
…But I love them. If you haven’t already heard the winners of the, “Of Course They Are” award (as named by People) is Benji Madden (Good Charlotte) and my hero, Paris Hilton.
These two have been “spotted” (more like have jumped in front of the paps) around Los Angeles, hand in hand.
Be still my heart.
Y’all should know I’m loca for Benji and more so for Mizz Hilton.
[Insert Miriam bashing here]
OK, so they’ll probably make it for the next couple of weeks until Paris finds another boy toy, but gosh, can’t I just enjoy this coupling???
What a darling pair.
Not only will she have one smokin’ hot, tatted rocker on her arm, but she’ll score some sweet shwag from Madden’s clothing line.
I wonder if Karl Lagerfeld is single?

In other news…
Congrats to my cyber hero and fellow Hispano…Perez Hilton (Mario Lavandeira) for being named one of People en Espanol’s “15 Most Influential Hispanics.”
For those who might not know, Perez is  Cuban-American.
Love him or hate him…he’s definitely turned heads the last couple of years.
And I don’t think he’s going anywhere.

Enjoy what’s left of this Manic Monday…

South by South West Music and Film Festival is right around the corner, kicking off March 7 with the film portion of the event.
And on March 12 the music begins!!!
Yesterday, officials announced the full list of showcasing artists and I really have to say it’s a pretty diverse batch of musical acts.
From Chiodos to Chingo Bling, to REM and Dolly Parton the week’s worth of artists will be a sight to see.
In a perfect world I would be able to check out Vampire Weekend, N.E.R.D., Ice Cube and The Black Keys to name a few.
My brother, who camps out-outside of any Relapse showcase is excited to see what metal bands squeeze through. We both fondly recall-a then little known band-called, Mastodon, who made quite the impression on us. My bro counted the people inside Emo’s that one year, and included himself and the soundman, it was about, ohhhh, a baker’s dozen.
Whodda thunk they’d be these mega metallers in 2008?
Other names that stuck out on the list, aside from the usual culprits from Austin, were Indie favorites Yo La Tengo, Thurston Moore and Moby.
Of course folks who are actually granted access will have about 1,600 bands and 79 stages to choose from. (That’s aside from the super rockin’ day parties).

Every year a couple of Valley bands get in on the action. This year, only a few I saw made the showcase list: McAllen rapper,Drojo; local blues-man,Guitar Shorty and Brownsville transplants Del Castillo.

Let’s hope local bands take this opportunity to head to the Live Music Capital of the World to street-promote.
Don’t have a showcase? No problem!
Take a stack of demos, heck even some merch if ya got it, and promote, promote, promote!
You never who you’ll run into downtown.
SXSW gets a lot of flack for what is said to have turned into this commercial conglomerate where “if you’re not press, industry folk or the Toadies,” as one guy put it, you’re going to be left out in the cold.
Well, don’t let a little “bracelet” stop you from seizing the opportunity to let people know about your music.
Call it what you want, you can only gain from an experience like that. Maybe your band has never made an impromptu road trip. This is your chance to put yourself out there.

If your band decides to head to Austin give me a holler! Heck, maybe we’ll caravan.
Shoot me an email: mramirez@themonitor.com or catch me on MySpace.com/adriemiriam

And don’t forget
Tickets go on sale today for the Rotting Christ and Immolation show, March 1. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by phone at: (877) 993-8499.
Tickets are also available at Melhart’s Music in McAllen and all Wireless Toyz locations.

And…
Show your support for bands battling it out online for the chance to open up for Flyleaf at Dodge Arena.
Polls open at 5 p.m. today, Two bands will enter, only one will walk away the winner each day.
The Band Smackdown will consist of one-on-one band votes (Listen to both clips and vote for your favorite out of the two)
And there will be a cage battle of all of the bands in a single “vote for your fave”!
The winner will be determined from both vote results as well as the judging panel.
Go here to get in on the action.

Enjoy your Friday…

As I recover from Sunday’s disappointment…it’s time to get back into the game.
So much going on kids!!!
First off, don’t forget to get your tickets to the following shows:

* Bound by the Road Tour featuring: Devil Driver, Napalm Death, 36Crazyfists, Invitro and Walls of Jericho. (March 10, Tickets are $20)
Show has been confirmed for Smoking Aces in Mission…and before you go on and say, “that place is too small,” bar owners said they will gut the entire venue to accomodate a bigger crowd than normal.
Tickets are expected to sell out.

* Emery, Feb. 23 at Cine El Rey. (Advance tickets, $15)

* Aiden, Feb. 25 also at Cine El Rey. (Advance tickets, $12)

* M&M Spring Break Jam, on March 1, featuring: Fat Joe, Gorilla Zoe, Flo Rida, DJ Unk, and Baby D. (Tickets, $20 at South Padre Island Convention Center)
According to sources, tickets to both DontGetEmo shows are selling fast. So get yours today!!! Ticket outlets for all said shows include, Melhart’s, Lionel’s Western Wear and all Wireless Toyz locations. Skip the lines and charge by phone at (877) 993-8499.

This just in…
Q 94.5 “The Rock”station announced, “Band Smackdown,” an online  battle of the bands. The winner earns the opening slot in support of Flyleaf, March 21 at Dodge Arena, along with $1,000 cash.
Voting begins Friday. Bands will compile a score based on a panel of judges and online voting. Vote as often as you can.
For the full details and contest rules click here.
So far, we know that local rock band Driving the Nails is in the running. These guys and gal are really pulling out all the stops in 2008. So they will definitely provide a healthy competition among contestants.
I’ll admit, I’m not a huge fan of BOB style competitions, for various reasons, but who knows maybe this one will be different considering it will be up to the fan vote.
Then maybe we’ll get a fair end result. I can’t wait to see who enters. If you or your band decide to get in on the contest, let me know so I can keep tabs on the competition. Good luck to all!

New at TheMonitor.com
Be sure to check out the newest online video feature, Hot Spots on the Scene. Staff Writer Sandra Gonzalez hits the town capturing the nightlife at local bars, clubs and hangouts.
Here’s where you come in musicians…We need music!
If you’ve got ORIGINAL material and think you have what it takes to be the featured artist, send us an MP3 of your hottest tracks and we’ll take it from there.
It’s definitely an exciting way to get some added exposure and perhaps gain some new fans along the way.
An added bonus, if you play at let’s say, Newman’s, España or any bar with live music, you’re already one step ahead.
Kudos to our first band, BoxWhiskey, out of Edinburg. They were selected as the featured artist for the inagural Hot Spots video.
You could be next!!!
Remember, email me at mramirez@themonitor.com.

I’ll leave you with this…
What’s a Tuesday without a little YouTube action?
Add some heavy metal pros and a fainting pop star and my day is almost complete.
Enjoy.

I’m totally OK with those of you who could give a rats right eye about this…
BUT…I know there are those that do.
Seems like more reports have surfaced about a possible NKOTB reunion and it still makes my heart go pitter patter.
Seriously it’s all I can talk about with my gal pals. I even thought about changing my pen name to Miriam McIntyre.
I seriously need a vacation.

Speaking of pitter patter…
Tuesday’s tele-conference with the Jonas Brothers was sweeeet!
I’m still floating.
I didn’t think I would be able to get my questions in, considering some reporters from other print media were hogging all of the time.
But I did…and from what I can remember…I believe Nick answered my question. (In my mind I wished for Joe to do the honors, but Nick will do).
These guys are so genuine it’s kinda nauseating.
I want them to be scandalous and fame mongers…but they’re the exact opposite.
They spoke about their core family values and about how much they love making music and making fans happy at the same time.
In my sick and twisted mind I want them to curse. Talk smack.
Give me something.
But they’re pleasant and such respectful young men, I shouldn’t want them to fall into the death trap of ‘pop starlets gone wild.’
And for those who care, Nick made it “clear” he and Miley Cyrus AKA Hannah Montana are “just friends” and “never dated.”
But what a cute couple they would make, doncha think?
All joking aside, this trio of brothers are not only easy on the eyes but uber talented. If you haven’t already done so, check out their newest single.
You gotta love my kaleidoscope of musical taste.

But this could be even better news…
Remember this tiny mishap a few months ago? Well, our friends at Don’tGetEmo want to make things right.
You heard it here kids…Chiodos are set to make their triumphant return to the RGV, on March 13, this time at the Pharr Convention Center.
This time there won’t be any reason for cancellation. This stage is well-equipped and ready to rock your pants off.
Here’s the BEST part.
Tickets for the show are only $5!!! Yes, $5.
AND…anyone still holding a ticket from last year’s no-show will finally be able to use those. Click here for more info.

Also on the calendar…
Book ‘em Nano productions proudly presents Chevelle in concert at Graham Central Station in Pharr.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday and are $23. And I believe this is an 18 and over show….I’ll keep you posted on that, though.
I’m a bit hesitant whether this show will draw a crowd or not but ever since the band released their fourth studio album, Vena Sera, they have indeed resurrected onto the airwaves and stage.
They were last seen on tour last year with Evanescence, Finger Eleven, and Strata.
Chevelle’s first single, “Well Enough Alone,” can be heard on the local rock station.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ez-tixx.com or by calling (877) 993-8499. Ticket outlets include: Wireless Toyz locations, Melhart Music, Lionels Western Wear (Weslaco) and the Pharr Convention Center.

Are you ready???
Kanye West just announced he is hitting the road once again in the Ocho!!!
Oh Em Gee!
This was my New Years resolution!!! I vowed wherever he performed stateside-and close enough to get to by car-I would be there!
In his blog all he posted (all he NEEDED to post, anyway) was a Star Wars-esque poster of his upcoming Glow in the Dark tour. By the looks of it he’s taking quite the crew with him on the road for opening support: Rihianna, Lupe Fiasco..N.E.R.D.
I can’t sit still.
No dates have been released yet, but when they do make sure you’re on your toes to snatch those tickets. I guarantee this show will be the event of the year! (unless Prince decides to visit me at my McAllen apartment)

And finally…
Congratulations are in order to Mr. and Mrs. Gwen Stefani who are expecting their second bambino. Now that Kingston James is almost 2 the happy couple thought it was time to add to their glamorous team. All those baby rumors, as reported by the celebrity tabs were true. See…I don’t read for nothing!
Who knows if this bundle of joy will interfere with any plans for a No Doubt reunion now a few years in the works. According to StarPulse the band was set to start recording their new album this year but still no word if all that has gone down just yet.
No Doubt fans have that seven year itch…don’t you care Gwenny Gwen Gwen?
This sh*@ is bananas!!!

I thought this was cute…
Heck, it might be your lucky day for love…
Hot Kiss 106.3 FM is having their first ever Singles Auction to benefit The “Teach The Children” Foundation!  
Register now! 
They will pick a few people and on Feb 13 at The Oxygen Bar in Harlingen, make your bids! The winning bids will have dinner with your winner next door at Khan’s Grill! Register Now!!

Visit this link for details.

This just in…
As we prepare for Borderfest, the folks at Dodge Arena announced the opening act for Alan Jackson.
Kicking things off Feb 28 is country singer/songwriter Rodney Atkins.
You might know his chart-topping songs including, “Honesty (Writer Me A List),” “These Are My People,” and “Cleaning My Gun (Come On In Boy).”

Also coming to the El Valle…
Is Capitol Records recording artist Chris Cagle.
He will be puttin’ on quite the show at this year’s Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes.
Show is March 7, tickets are $20.

As much as I’d like to stay and chat…
I’ve got to prepare for my big conference call with The Jonas Bros. tomorrow afternoon.
Oh sweet Mary! I am beyond excitement.
If anyone has any suggestions for questions I’d be more than happy to listen!!!
I have a few up my sleeve (PG of course)…
I don’t care if you don’t care.
Just let us have our moment.
If you don’t like the boys, turn the dial or change the channel. But these boys are everywhere so it’ll be hard to stay away.
On that same token…be sure to get your tickets to the Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds 3D Concert, which premieres this Friday!!!
Most of us weren’t able to snatch tickets to her live show, so here’s the next best thing!!! The 3D digital movie will be shown in theaters around the Valley.
And yes, you’ll get the nifty 3D glasses with the purchase of your ticket.
I’ll be there… with my new Hannah Montana tee.
And what? POP OFF!

I was awakened this morning by one of the most fabulous text messages of my adult life.
My best friend in Austin  alerted me of a New Kids on the Block reunion tour.
WHAT THE?????
It was just two days ago I was YouTubing down memory lane…jamming out to NKOTB, circa 1989, when Joe McIntyre was my only reason for living.
And then I get this text!?!? It’s not even my birthday!
Well, I get to work and the first thing I do is hit the Net because I know ‘m not the only former teeny bopper who worshipped these Beantown Babes!!!
Well, according to People.com a well-placed source says there was speculation of an NKOTB comeback.
As the mag reported, the New Kids Web site was up and running as of Monday and a few teasers seemed to get the rumor mill swirling.
This was the comeback of comebacks.
Well, according to Danny Wood, a posting on his MySpace page says otherwise.
“I wanted to address the rumors of the NKOTB Reunion Tour,” Danny Wood wrote on his MySpace blog this morning. “There has been no talk of this and you are getting it from the source directly. He added, “You can’t believe everything you read.”
But he allllllso said, ”Never say never!”
I’m confused…
Nearly every celebrity, pop-culture news agency is calling the rumor true, but it’s still too soon to tell for sure.
Showbiz Spy says the “reunion” is more of a resurrection of the New Kids name, perhaps to recruit new members ‘a la Menudo style. Not necessarily a reunion tour.
Don’t they know how successful this would be??? Think about it…most of us who were enamored with this pioneering boy band are now well into our late 20’s, 30’s…and so on. Unlike 1989, we have careers, cars and some type of “allowance” to spend on those concert tickets!!!
The ‘Kids themselves are pushing 40, but still have that boyish charm…
Wood, Jordan Knight and Joe McIntyre are still very much involved in the music biz, while Jonathan Knight leads a normal life as a real estate developer and Donnie Wahlberg, a working actor, respectively.
But let’s not forget back in 2002 when a majority of the guys refused to participate in “Reuniting the Band” on VH1.
The show sought out members from past music groups who had since broken up, for a one-show comeback.
TV crews knocked on doors looking for these once-famed artists. Well, on one show, it was the New Kids’ turn.
I was amped for this one!!! Could you imagine seeing all the guys on one stage??? It was a light-hearted show for the most part…sometimes pretty funny how some artists needed a little extra coaxing to cave in.
For the New Kids, even the coaxing didn’t work…well, except for Jordan and Jon.
Danny, Donnie and Joe would have nothing to do with it.
ESPECIALLY Joe.
It broke my heart…and kinda made me mad. Look, we know you’re  “serious” Broadway star and have an appearance on Dancing With the Stars under your belt…but come on!!!
What’s ONE performance?
It would’ve been my chance to bust out my oversized buttons and dust off all of my NKOTB paraphanelia. My best friend and I were comparing who had what back in the day.
She swears her concert t-shirt feels like paper mache.
I still have the posters, Bop pin-ups and video tapes. And my parents keep reminding me to take them to my new home.
I don’t think I’ve moved them from under my bed since ‘94.
I still know all of the dance moves (no, really I do) and I still think that Donnie was my first brush with a bad boy.
It’s heart-breaking…
My friend and I were prematurely planning our trip to wherever they would perform this time around.
And then I get the news that it all might be one big crock of…you-know-what.
I can say I enjoyed the rumor while it lasted. I guess I will just have to stick to my nostalgia via YouTube.
Now, if only there was a chance Steve Perry would return to Journey?

Hold on to your chonies…
Deadgift Entertainment just announced yet another mindblowing show coming our way this Spring. March 10…(venue TBA)

The Bound by the Road Tour featuring:
Devil Driver
Napalm Death
Walls of Jericho
36 Crazyfists
Invitro

Tickets available via www.ez-tixx.com
$20
This show is expected to sell out!!!!!
And is going to be INSANE!!!!

Stay tuned.

…Which makes the rest of us seem so very normal.
Guten tag kids!
Although I’m still pretty bummed about the passing of Heath Ledger a conversation with vocalist Mike Ski of The AKA’s (Are Everywhere) totally lifted my spirits.
Yeah, I was that bummed out. Yes, I’m that big of a sap.
Anywho, this guy and his, ‘razor sharp wit’ had me rolling.
He’s really excited about their upcoming stop in Mission at Smoking Aces. Let me say this now…that show is going to kick the crap out of you.
The bill includes Wednesday 13 (former frontman for Murderdolls), The Vincent Black Shadow and of course, The AKA’s.
This guy is crazy…Mike Ski, that is.
We went off on this tangent about where hard work will get a band. He says no one likes the guy who got a record deal at 17 and sold a bizillion records, made a bizillion dollars…hell, even traveled in a bus on their first tour. Once all that fades…they end up with a reality show on VH1.
I fished around the idea of who he was talking about…I was like, “LeaveM y Bret Michaels alone!”
He laughed. (Cause he’s a big fan too).
He was talking more about the boy band guys…from O Town in particular. “Get a job at Quiznos! And stop crying,” he said, adding a few colorful words I can’t publish.
I think I laughed for five minutes.
Seriously you can’t miss this show. I can’t miss the opportunity to hang with this dude.
It’s on Superbowl Sunday, but I’m sure they’ll have the game going full force, if you’re a football fan. Cover is $12.

In other show news…
This Sunday fans of industrial metal will be in seventh heaven.
Mag X presents the Los Angeles-based Mankind is Obsolete. The show is going down at Cine El Rey and ladies get in gratis…free…libre.
Sounds like a deal to me.
Guys, however, will have to fork over $5. (Which still isn’t too bad).
These headliners are the same band seen on tour with Beautiful Creatures, Pigface and KMFDM, to name a few.
They’ve built a pretty solid local following but there’s still room for more.
Fans of Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Skinny Puppy will really dig this band.
Show starts at 9 p.m.

More good news…
I’m crossing my fingers on this one…Our friends at Deadgift Entertianment just announced The Warriors live, in the flesh…Friday, March 28.
[Insert applause here].
I’ve spoken with the peeps at Victory in the past and begged them to put a bug in their ear about coming down to the Valley.
Not that it was my doing, but I’m super excited that they made the decision anyway.
These guys are at the forefront of hardcore. They’re fresh, they can trhow down in the studio and I can’t wait to see them live.
Stay posted for more show info.

When you get a chance…
Please check out the fan-filmed Eddie Van Halen solo from Van Halen’s show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Um…yeah. Maybe it’s just me?
Let me know what you think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgwWR1TzJkE

Stay dry kids…