After a slow start in January when it came to events, February stepped in and brought the party. It’s the month of Valentine’s Day, and I must admit the Central Valley expressed its love to all the great artists that came through town—from guitar enthusiasts, heavy metal head bangers, hip hop fans, and old school jam lovers.
The events just keep coming. Now that it’s fall and the weather is cooler, more people want to go out and do stuff. September definitely contributed to that momentum. There were shows, and it is football season which means it’s Bulldog time. A lot happening in September! The community really did show up. Here is a recap of what took place.
The rock band, Scorpions, rocked the Fresno audience like a hurricane on Friday, October 7, at Save Mart Center. Kings River Life had the privilege of witnessing it. The German rockers have been at it since the early '70s but achieved their greatest success in the '80s, but on this night, they proved that they’re still going strong.
This past year, ever since events have been taking place since the pandemic lockdown lifted, there hasn’t been too many options for the metalhead crowd in the Central Valley for live entertainment. Then lo and behold, on Tuesday, October 4, at Selland Arena, the prayers of local headbangers was answered when Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, along with Motionless in White and Fit For An Autopsy came to town and tore the stage up. This breed of metal is known for its dark themes and ear pulsing beats, so it was fitting that this show took place in the beginning of October to kickstart the Halloween season.
What do you get when you mix the elements of intelligence, beauty, talent, attitude, drive, ambition, spirituality, and tenacity? The concoction result would be local on-air personality, actress, and now activist, Rebecah Rye. She’s the nighttime voice for 105.1 The Blaze, “Fresno’s Best Rock,” playing headbangin’ metal anthems and the traffic coordinator for the rock station and the hip hop format Q97.1.
You hear the tapping sounds on a ride cymbal, the strums of a guitar, then chiming in is a funky bassline, accompanied by a second riff from a guitar, this continues on and builds up until you hear a guttural and primal scream shouting, “Are you ready?” These are the rhythms and lyrics stitched to the song “Blind,” that belongs to the band, Korn.
It’s July, which means that summer is in full swing! The triple digit heat is amongst us which leaves us scrambling for activities to participate in to keep cool. There are those that’ve been indulging in pool swimming, barbequing, summer blockbuster binging, and the list goes on. Speaking for myself, I’ve occupied my time pursuing all the top concerts in the Central Valley.
This weekend I went to see 35mm, A Musical Exhibition, at the Selma Arts Center, and I had no idea what I was about to see. I could never have imagined the amazing experience that is this show!
The summer is just heating up for Visalia’s country/rock maestro Brandon Pasion and his band (including drummer Pete Buotte, bassist Lenny Sciacca, guitarist Dwayne Janzen, and Travis Brooks on Dobro guitar, banjo, keys, and backup vocals) with the release of their debut EP All I Ever Want.
With a slew of upcoming gigs that stretch out through the sizzling California summer, Fresno’s Erick Tyler rocks it like a veteran with bassist Adam Smith and drummer Gerardo Ortega. And even though he only started performing live last fall, Tyler has already made a name for himself in the Golden State with the release of his EP Stuck in the Middle earlier this spring.
