I watched Kirk Hammett's speech on the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, and he thanked his older brother Rich, a man I call "Pops." He was like a father figure to me while I was going to SFSU during a time when my parents were going through a divorce. No doubt, that was an emotional moment for Rich, and I got chills watching it when the camera panned on Rich as he wiped tears from his eyes. I have known their family for ten years now, and I have visited their family home in El Sobrante with Metallica platinum records all over the living room and kitchen.
This was a proud moment for me, because he is the only Filipino American I know that is in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. In my opinion, Metallica is my generation's Beatles, and I can't name anyone who has not heard and loved Enter Sandman or the One.
Friday, April 10, 2009
First Leg of the Del the Funkee Homosapien Tour
We were on our way to San Luis Obispo for our first tour stop at Downtown Brewery, and we picked up Ryan who is going to be Mike Relm's tour manager. Ryan's job is basically making sure all the equipment is set up properly at sound check, contacting the promoters at each venue, and making sure he collects the guaranteed money per show. Since this is my first tour, I am going to try to absorb as much as I can on this tour.
Mike had me in charge on merchandise by the front of the entrance, so I had to take an inventory count of all the merchandise and report back to Mike what sold well and how much money we made. The good thing about having your table by the door is you get to see all the girls that walk in the venue, but the bad thing about it is you don't get to watch the show. I don't really care since I am going to see the same acts for the next 2 months.
Mike is about to go on to do his set, and the projector starts to wig out. I am at the merchandise table having a Malox moment, and I am thinking to myself, "OMG! This is my first tour stop, and Mike can't play his set now!" We had this all figured out during sound check, and the people working there rewired Mike's setup after sound check was done. For the life of me, I still don't know why they did that. For the next 15 minutes, the crew had to go in the middle of the dance floor and rewire everything, which took time off Mike's set before Del got on. Without a hitch, Mike wins the crowd over anyway which is a difficult thing when you are having technical difficulties.
I haven't met Del yet, but he ripped the mic last. I found out that he doesn't like to do sound check, so he will just show up when his set begins and leaves immediately after his set is done. He doesn't hang out backstage.
As far as food in San Luis Obispo, the best trip tip sandwiches are at Firestone because you can't beat garlic butter with trip tip on a French roll. We asked people on Facebook where to eat in San Luis Obispo, and hands down, they all said that Firestone was the spot to eat. While we were waiting in line, Brad was talking about the local celebrities that live around here like Chuck Liddell, and guess who walks right pass us, the Iceman himself with his trademark Mohawk and tats on the scalp. Hey, if this place is good enough for the Iceman, then it good enough for me.
Our next stop was Pamona, and it was an all ages event, and the sound at the Glass House was amazing. The most memorable thing that night was some girl asked me for my autograph, thinking I was one of the performers that night. At first, I didn't want to sign her ticket stub after Mike had just signed it, so Mike made me sign it anyway.
Next stop, San Diego.
Mike had me in charge on merchandise by the front of the entrance, so I had to take an inventory count of all the merchandise and report back to Mike what sold well and how much money we made. The good thing about having your table by the door is you get to see all the girls that walk in the venue, but the bad thing about it is you don't get to watch the show. I don't really care since I am going to see the same acts for the next 2 months.
Mike is about to go on to do his set, and the projector starts to wig out. I am at the merchandise table having a Malox moment, and I am thinking to myself, "OMG! This is my first tour stop, and Mike can't play his set now!" We had this all figured out during sound check, and the people working there rewired Mike's setup after sound check was done. For the life of me, I still don't know why they did that. For the next 15 minutes, the crew had to go in the middle of the dance floor and rewire everything, which took time off Mike's set before Del got on. Without a hitch, Mike wins the crowd over anyway which is a difficult thing when you are having technical difficulties.
I haven't met Del yet, but he ripped the mic last. I found out that he doesn't like to do sound check, so he will just show up when his set begins and leaves immediately after his set is done. He doesn't hang out backstage.
As far as food in San Luis Obispo, the best trip tip sandwiches are at Firestone because you can't beat garlic butter with trip tip on a French roll. We asked people on Facebook where to eat in San Luis Obispo, and hands down, they all said that Firestone was the spot to eat. While we were waiting in line, Brad was talking about the local celebrities that live around here like Chuck Liddell, and guess who walks right pass us, the Iceman himself with his trademark Mohawk and tats on the scalp. Hey, if this place is good enough for the Iceman, then it good enough for me.
Our next stop was Pamona, and it was an all ages event, and the sound at the Glass House was amazing. The most memorable thing that night was some girl asked me for my autograph, thinking I was one of the performers that night. At first, I didn't want to sign her ticket stub after Mike had just signed it, so Mike made me sign it anyway.
Next stop, San Diego.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Didn't We Talk About This Six Months Ago!
I visited my friend Don's crib the other day, because I was seeming to have writer's block for my blog. I needed a kick in the ass to get my creative juices flowing again, so I grabbed a beer from the fridge and we began to talk about my blog. Don begins to be frustrated with me and screams, "Didn't we talk about this six months ago!"
I obviously don't remember every detail of that conversation six months ago. However, I do remember that he told me to start blogging about things that interested me and content that was sticky enough for an audience to be engaged to read about. He grabbed some blank paper and pen and told me take notes, since he was frustrated that I forgot about our prior conversation.
As I was struggling to find who my target audience, Don told me to forget who my target audience is for now and just focus on writing what I feel, my experiences and what I have learned about myself. For me the transition is not that easy, since I still have that corporate mentality where it is all about the bottom line, and I need to take WD40 to remove rust off of my creative self.
As I began taking notes on paper, Don told me that he wished he was in my position because I have the golden opportunity to blog about the experiences that a lot of people don't have the opportunity to explore. He reminded me that I have the inside track on the underground Hip Hop/DJ community since I am friends with Mike Relm. That can go a long way because people are interested in the behind-the-scenes and thought process in his work and other artists like Relm.
I have a rare opportunity to go on tour with Mike Relm and Del tha Funkee Homosapien for two months around the country. I can be like Anthony Bourdain in his show No Reservations and create a video blog about the trends, people and culture of each city we visit. I can interview fans, performers and employees of each venue we visit to get a geniune insight of each city.
This will create an interesting timeline of events and experiences as I transition myself from the high pressure corporate world to doing things I can truly be creative. This reminds me of the movie Jerry Maguire when Tom Cruise wrote his personal mission statement and got fired for it. Well I am taking the goldfish with me on this trip, anybody else wants to join me?
I obviously don't remember every detail of that conversation six months ago. However, I do remember that he told me to start blogging about things that interested me and content that was sticky enough for an audience to be engaged to read about. He grabbed some blank paper and pen and told me take notes, since he was frustrated that I forgot about our prior conversation.
As I was struggling to find who my target audience, Don told me to forget who my target audience is for now and just focus on writing what I feel, my experiences and what I have learned about myself. For me the transition is not that easy, since I still have that corporate mentality where it is all about the bottom line, and I need to take WD40 to remove rust off of my creative self.
As I began taking notes on paper, Don told me that he wished he was in my position because I have the golden opportunity to blog about the experiences that a lot of people don't have the opportunity to explore. He reminded me that I have the inside track on the underground Hip Hop/DJ community since I am friends with Mike Relm. That can go a long way because people are interested in the behind-the-scenes and thought process in his work and other artists like Relm.
I have a rare opportunity to go on tour with Mike Relm and Del tha Funkee Homosapien for two months around the country. I can be like Anthony Bourdain in his show No Reservations and create a video blog about the trends, people and culture of each city we visit. I can interview fans, performers and employees of each venue we visit to get a geniune insight of each city.
This will create an interesting timeline of events and experiences as I transition myself from the high pressure corporate world to doing things I can truly be creative. This reminds me of the movie Jerry Maguire when Tom Cruise wrote his personal mission statement and got fired for it. Well I am taking the goldfish with me on this trip, anybody else wants to join me?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Mike Relm Performs for Astro Gaming
Yesterday, I watched Mike Relm perform his video mashups for an intimate party for Astro Gaming. Astro Gaming specializes in premium gaming equipment for pro players. Check out astrogaming.com to see their specialized gaming equipment.A special thanks to Josh LaTrendresse and his team for hosting the event in their beautiful offices located on 6th Street in San Francisco.
Check out Mike Relm's new video on Youtube entitled Sushi Choo Cam. Relm put a camcorder on a sushi boat to shoot video of DJs including Roni Size and Deadmau5 while they are eating sushi. Pretty inventive stuff.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
What Stays in Vegas...Stays on the Hockey Rink
I just came back from Las Vegas with my best friend Mike Relm. For those who don't know who Mike Relm, he is an amazing turntablist and video DJ who creates mashup videos. (Visit his sight at mikerelm.com and you will see what I mean.)
Mike Relm performed in front of 3,744 fans during a hockey game for the Las Vegas Wranglers against their heated rivals, the Alaska Aces. He doesn't normally play to a hockey audience, but he definitely won over the crowd with his video mashups of Led Zepplin and Peanuts. He had his fans buy tickets to the Wranglers game just to watch him perform.
Since this was the first hockey game I ever watched, the game itself was intense and has converted me into a hockey fan. Watching the Wraglers game felt like watching Fight Club on ice. Even the Wranglers mascot got complaints for throwing popcorn at the Alaskan fans.
I give a special thanks to the Billy Johnson, President & COO of the Las Vegas Wranglers, for his generous hospitality during the game. Billy is a very creative person, and I had one of the most intriguing conversations with him about hockey, Picasso's artwork and former baseball star, Pete Incaviglia.
After the game, Mike and I had burgers at the Crown and Anchor Pub with members from the Blue Man Group. They highly recommend the award winning restaurant to us for a low key experience with great food and an extensive beer selection from around the world.
If you are not counting calories, you have to try their Graveyard Special: the British Burger, a 1/2 pound hamburger with bacon & your choice of Stilton, Cheddar, Swiss or American.
It was also the first time I tried a Scotch egg, a hard boiled egg wrapped in spiced sausage. A Scotch Egg goes great with a tall pint of Guinness.
This Vegas trip was an awesome experience even if I didn't gamble or party all night at posh nightclubs that I normally do in Vegas. Watching my first hockey game with Mike Relm and having a Scotch Egg with members on Blue Man Group was definitely priceless.
Mike Relm performed in front of 3,744 fans during a hockey game for the Las Vegas Wranglers against their heated rivals, the Alaska Aces. He doesn't normally play to a hockey audience, but he definitely won over the crowd with his video mashups of Led Zepplin and Peanuts. He had his fans buy tickets to the Wranglers game just to watch him perform.
Since this was the first hockey game I ever watched, the game itself was intense and has converted me into a hockey fan. Watching the Wraglers game felt like watching Fight Club on ice. Even the Wranglers mascot got complaints for throwing popcorn at the Alaskan fans.
I give a special thanks to the Billy Johnson, President & COO of the Las Vegas Wranglers, for his generous hospitality during the game. Billy is a very creative person, and I had one of the most intriguing conversations with him about hockey, Picasso's artwork and former baseball star, Pete Incaviglia.
After the game, Mike and I had burgers at the Crown and Anchor Pub with members from the Blue Man Group. They highly recommend the award winning restaurant to us for a low key experience with great food and an extensive beer selection from around the world.
If you are not counting calories, you have to try their Graveyard Special: the British Burger, a 1/2 pound hamburger with bacon & your choice of Stilton, Cheddar, Swiss or American.
It was also the first time I tried a Scotch egg, a hard boiled egg wrapped in spiced sausage. A Scotch Egg goes great with a tall pint of Guinness.
This Vegas trip was an awesome experience even if I didn't gamble or party all night at posh nightclubs that I normally do in Vegas. Watching my first hockey game with Mike Relm and having a Scotch Egg with members on Blue Man Group was definitely priceless.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Start of Something New
Everybody has told me that if you have just lost your job, then you start blogging. Hopefully this will be the start of something new. This will be my new medium to express how I see the world from being umemployed.
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