Instagon's Stockton,CA Debut!! Tomorrow!!

flyer by Marc Schneider

INSTAGON plays tomorrow for the FIRST time ever in Stockton, Ca.   It's cool to be playing at the Plea for Peace Centre..as that is the only really accepted honest venue that we have heard of IN Stockton..   There used to be a place called The Black Water Cafe.. but it is closed now (Garage Jazz Architects played there once..but no Instagon) ,, beyond those 2 venues.. we really have no real insight into Stockton at all.. we hope to really try to make some new friends.. it would be swell to get to come and make the deamon rise there more than just this one time.  The venue is run by a guy named Middagh, who is also part of the band NOVACAIN we are sharing the night with..  so it will be cool to meet him and co-conspire.   We have been told in the past that Novacain is a band that Instagon should play with ..so we are excited to see what they are all about.  Also on the bill are FORREST FRIENDS, who are on tour from Seattle.. also new friends that we have yet to meet.. and then a couple of old friends.. MEDICINE CABINET from Tracy (who actually got this show to happen!).. and BLOOD INTO WATER from San Jose.    This should be a swell night of noise and improvisational weirdness.   A few years ago Instagon played the POO FROG RANCH for their Mayday Celebration and we became friends with YELLOW DOT from Stockton.. they are our only real friends in Stockton and David Molina from Yellow Dot will be part of the Instagon session.. as will Chad E. Williams, Stephen E Elliott, & Ryan Tomesello (of Blood Into Water) .. it should be an interesting Instagon.   See you tomorrow.   -/\-

Instagon 20 Year Anniversary Show - session #623 - photos and Audio!

INSTAGON's official 20th Anniversary show took place on Feb. 2, 2013 at Marilyn's on K in Sacramento,CA.  We were joined for this occasion by local friends EGG, and from SF the LORDS OF OUTLAND once again joined us for our birthday.  It was a fabulous night of chaos and music with new and old friends. The Instagon performance included 17 various individuals as part of the group and included 3 of the original 4 members from Instagon's first invokation. (Lob, Peek, & Chris TM were all present.. only Myke Quest was not)

There are a number of photos from this event in the photo albums on the Instagon Facebook page.. if you have not "liked" our page on FB.. please to there now and do so, and check out the pics. 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Instagon/187238906980

More photos were taken by local Sacramento photographer Ed Goldthorpe. He has posted them up on a flikr account and you can find them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7148421@N03/sets/72157632725872458/

Sacramento music magazine SUBMERGE also had a photographer at the show and included shots from it with a review & short interview with Lob and Leticia Garcia (past player..sessions #611 & 619) by writer Stephanie Rodriguez.
This piece in Submerge can be seen here:
http://submergemag.com/featured/the-mistress-band/7755/

LASTLY..  the SOUNDS.. 

We opened this show with an audience participation percussion "Instacabra"..and then fell into a nearly 15 minute version of Sun Ra's "Space Is The Place" featuring Laurie Amat (of The Residents) on vocals.  It was an exceptional show with lots and lots of friends and players.  You can stream or download the entire show from our page at archives.org.   here is the link... enjoy!!
http://archive.org/details/instagon2013-02-02.flac16 

Instagon #623 - Feb.2,2013, Sacramento,CA - photo by Ed Goldthorpe

This is a first in a series of "catch up" posts that I am gonna make here in the Deamon's Tube..  I am hoping to be back to posting CURRENT happenings by the end of April ..beginning of May.  Thanks for reading.. and enjoy the links. -/\-

Instagon 579 at The Distillery, Sacramento,CA 8-27-2011

INSTAGON
Aug. 27, 2011
The Distillery, Sacramento,CA
session 579
http://www.archive.org/details/instagon2011-08-27.flac16

Megafauna are an awesome band from Austin,TX.  They came thru Sacramento last January and played a show with Garage Jazz Architects.  This time thru we set up a show with Instagon.  The show was really fun for those that were there..but the turnout was not as happy as anyone would have liked. ce la vie.. we still played a strong show.  The night started out with BUK BUK BIGUPS doing a ripping 20 minute solo set of really Dan Deacon inspired performance art... Instagon was next on the stage.. this time around it was all first time players.. with Kim Aparicio from The COMMON MEN on drums, Robert Kuhlmann from chikading! playing guitar for a change.. and Jasynte Harris from Set Theory916 holding down the keys.. Of all 3 of the new players, Kim was probably the most nervous at the start..but she did great and we had a blast!  The show started sorta slow..but quickly built up pace and was pretty hot with Joyride leading the way.. Buzzkill followed, it was not as upbeat as past versions, but still cool..there was a really fun version Orgone Collector ..and I pulled out a riff called "Peaches" from the band The Stranglers for the first time. (its Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers birthday this weekend), and a long rocking version of "Sound of the Night" to close out the set. . Little Black Bats were supposed to play next.. but they did not show up at all for the gig for some still unknown reason.. so Megafauna took the stage and mopped up the night.. Dani's shredding guitar and dreamy vocals made for  great time .. thanks to everyone that DID make it out.  Click on the link above to hear this set from Instagon.

Instagon 579, photo by Kevin Ian

here is a link to a video clip of "Peaches"
http://youtu.be/TrxfiNI8xz0

here is a link to a video clip of "Sound of the Night"
http://youtu.be/Tr-VpiX3b5w

here is a 2nd clip from "Sound of the Night"
http://youtu.be/QHyv6JSSIzw

Instagon 577 at Vega's Nightclub, Old Sacramento

Instagon
Aug. 19, 2011
session #577
Vega's Nightclub, Old Sacramento,CA
http://www.archive.org/details/instagon2011-08-19.flac16

Instagon played a SMOKIN' show to a room of a few friends and lucky peeps who happened to have stumbled upon it this past weekend in Old Sacramento for our friend Rick Vega of Vega's Nightclub.  The session players consisted of long time friend Robert Fisher(Gospel Swamp Blues Band) from Huntington Beach (who happened to be in town with his wife and could play a show), Chad E. Williams, Tony Passarell, D.Ray Grisham, and local drummer Joe Carusi(Fish Cat Fish) playing his 2nd show with Instagon.  This show was pretty amazing all around.. A new riff called "Obliviate" made its debut.. as well as a floppy excursion into The Dead's Shakedown Street (last time played 8-3-03 ses#352...225 show!) ..Brainwashed Love & Jazz for Satan were both pretty outstanding.. and a great version of Pink Floyd's Set The Controls (Robert's request) was also let loose....The night closed with Robert Fisher's traditional rendition of the blues classic "Cocaine (runnin all in my brain)"  which had not happened since session #406 (171 shows) in November 2004. Click on the link above to hear this show. Free streaming and downloads are available

photo of Instagon577 by Tracy Fisher

archives: Players Choice #1 & 2: Cary Pealer & Chad E. Williams

as stated previously.. we will continue on with the aforementioned plan and postings of sessions from the Deamon's Archives. ..for the next series of sessions to be posted we thought it would be nice if we asked the individuals who played the most shows what their choices were? ...seemed like as good as an approach as any other.. i mean we are dealing with over 550 recordings spanning 2 decades and on at least 3 different formats!!  So we bring to you now.. the first 2 in this series of 10 ..the Instagon sessions as chosen by the players who have played the most Instagon sessions! (not counting me - Lob)...
CLICK LINKS BELOW FOR STREAMING AND DOWNLOADING OF THESE LIVE RECORDINGS.

Players Choice #1
for Cary Pealer

Session #243
November 1, 2000 - Club Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA
http://www.archive.org/details/instagon2000-11-01.flac16

Cary Pealer has been a repeating player throughout the history of the Instagon experience.. currently, at the time of this posting, our data shows Cary with 150 sessions with Instagon.. that is over 25% of all Instagon sessions.. and gives him the extreme distinction of being the top session player for Instagon...Cary is a drummer.. he currently lives in Riverside,CA,  He has played drums for a band called Punk As A Doornail for nearly 10 years...and has a new project forthcoming.  When asked what Instagon show stands out in his mind as exceptional and worth being shared with the world before any others.. Cary's choice was this show from a Wednesday night in Costa Mesa,Ca.   Club Mesa was home to a weekly drunken poetry/spoken word open mic type happening on Wednesday nights hosted by Lob (me) .. and so Instagon would make regular appearances..  This occasion was during a featured reading appearance by a good friend whom is no longer with us, Mr Gary Tomlinson (RIP)...who also played the hammer Dulcimer on this recording.. which IS one of the reason it stands out.  Besides Lob, Cary, Gary & his Dulcimer.. Robert Fisher played guitar for this session.. and when asked for HIS choices.. this was ALSO his choice!..(so he got to make another pick...more on that at a later time...)  Both Robert & Cary had the same thing to say.. that it was the only time they had ever gotten to play with someone playing a Dulcimer.. and it was so unique and had such an interesting sound.. it remained a really strong and fun memory.  ..and I really cannot agree with them more.  Check this show out and you can be your own judge.. near the end of this show.. we tried to play the song "Speed"..which normally would not have really been a problem..but something went wrong and we fell into something else.. and the first "Speedwobble" was born.. and this version, the first version, is amazing...and this riff went on to appear many more times in the session sets.

Players Choice #2

for Chad E. Williams

Session #515
September 12, 2009, Flux 53, Oakland,CA

http://www.archive.org/details/instagon2009-09-12.flac16

When Instagon moved to Sacramento area in 2005, Chad was one of the first musicians that was interested in finding out more and how to become involved.. here we are 6 years later and currently Chad has accumulated the 2nd most number of sessions on record with Instagon. He has currently played 73 shows (just under half of what Cary has played!)..and he continues to play regularly (even will be playing with Instagon at the end of next week.) Chad is a staple in the CURRENT revolving roster of players for Instagon ..and has been the "go to" guitarist for the past few years.. He is an amazing guitarist with a flow and tone that strike thru the deamon's grooves and accents the sessions he appears on every time. In 2007, Chad was part of the founding of GARAGE JAZZ ARCHITECTS ..a sort of Instagon side project that has taken on a life of its own!! When asked what HIS choice for an Instagon that he remembers as being powerful.. he responded with a request for this show from Oakland in 2009, session #515.  

In 2009 Instagon appeared on a CD compilation on Edgetone Records called MUDWAGON VOL. 1.  .. this Oakland show was a release party/event for that CD.  There was also a group art show that featured original work by our good friend C.J.BOROSQUE.  Instagon played very late and many were tired...(but we woke them up hehehe)...the ensemble featured Free Fargo on drums (from Vernian Process), Rent Romus on sax and electronics (Lords of Outland), and Chad E. Williams on guitar (Garage Jazz Architects).

The band made it to the stage and sonically took off and right away was breaking new territory.. an new riff was born at this show as well called "The Flux" and it too has continued on to appear on future set lists..the energy was super high...and the musical connections on stage were powerful.  Free mentioned before the show that his drums had been in storage and this was the first time he had played them in over a year!!  It hardly showed at all.  on fire and really using the silent space more than he regularly does ...this show ranks up there and you should take the time to really check it out.

Next Players Choice postings to be from OPUS23 and Dr. Oblivious! We supposed this COULD be taken as some sort of warning.. so there you have it.
-/\-

FIRST RESPONDER'S CHOICE SHOWS

so, as mentioned in the previous blog we have begun a new archive for live shows.. the question was put forth to the fans of our facebook profile for what Instagon performances would they like to have first available.. ..the first 3 responses have been posted, and we would like to give a little back ground on those shows here.

The first three shows that were requested (in order) are:
session #568 - 4-30-2011 @ Poo Frog Ranch, Clipper Mills,CA (requested by Matt Conklin, Sacramento,CA)

session #76 -  3-25-1995 @ Club Sin-a-Matic, Hollywood,CA (requested by Sharon444, North Hollywood,CA)

session #141  - 5-2-1997 @ Impala Cafe, Los Angeles,CA (requested by Dr. Oblivious, Phoenix,AZ)

Poo Frog Ranch
http://www.archive.org/details/instagon2011-04-30.flac16

Show #568 was late at night.. Instagon played the headliner spot of the Saturday night in the 2 day musical event that happened over May Day weekend at the Poo Frog Ranch.   PFR is a place in the mountains outside of Marysville,CA...sorta between Marysville & Grass Valley somehow...They have a nice big piece of land & have built a very cool stage to invite bands to appear on.  Because we played last on Saturday night...and there were issues during the early part of the show with time scheduling.. we played really really late at night.. and it was rather cold for those left in the crowd to hear us...many had already retired to their sleeping bags to await the warmth of the sun.  This was a large ensemble with 2 drummers  (Mark from GJA, & Moe from Set Theory), 4 guitars (Chad from GJA, John Keeling, Stephen Elliot, & Gary Piazza from Redding) and a trumpet! (Nicole from Upwords Movement) ..it was really great to see Gary.. we met him a few years ago when he toured with Greg Ginn's band...the last time he had played with Instagon was for show #500.  We started the set very psychedelic by flowing out of the Invokation into a cool version of Dripfall..  the recording really features the trumpet.. as it was turned up a little louder than everything else it seems.  Over all its a pretty smokin' performance. The stand out track for me on this is the version of "The Sound of The Night" which just tore it up, features lyrics (rare) and Gary Piazza's opening guitar work is outstanding.  (great choice Matt!)

SIN-A-MATIC
http://www.archive.org/details/instagon1995-03-25.flac16
session #76 is probably one of THEE most unique shows and recordings of Instagon..which is saying a lot actually..i mean we ARE talking about Instagon.  This show is a dance show.. a techno dance show.. 40 mins of blistering beats pumped by DJ OSST and pounded on by tribal drums and guitar assaults...it was at a really popular industrial dance club in Hollywood at the time and it was PACKED!  there were probably 300-400 people there that night to boogie to the deamon grooves.  Tribal drums were provided by Sharon 444 and members of the Drums of Pangia, and the guitar work was from Opus23 and the late Rev. Andy Warthog.   This show also featured a dancer girl in a bikini wearing a Nixon halloween mask (Gretchen Del Villa, who has also passed away since then) .. it was a visual and sonic spectacle....we are lucky to have this soundboard recording.. if only personal video was happening in 1995!  This one is like NOTHING else you will hear in the entire Instagon archive.. we promise..
(thanks to Sharon for the request)

IMPALA CAFE 5-2-97
http://www.archive.org/details/instagon1997-05-02.flac16session #141 this is a noise show.. its not a great recording.. but its all the documentation that we have.  Instagon played a number of really great noise and live sound art collage type shows at the Impala Cafe during the time it was open.  Dr. Oblivious is a toy collector.. and so for this show we let him bring toys.. he brought a zube tube, and other fun weird little wind up and electronic noise making toys.  This show also features the only appearance with Instagon of local Orange County filmmaker and straight edge music enthusiast, Evan Jacobs.   (Evan returned the favor later by including a short interview with Lob in one of his films on OC hardcore music!).  This show has some really sharp moments of feedback and super heavy sonic drones laid down by this trio.   An odd choice.. but not so odd when you think about it coming from Dr. O.   (thanks for the pick!)

so these are the first 3 shows, as requested by the Facebook fans of Instagon.
they are now available for free download and streaming..

the next group of shows that are going to be posted will be the PLAYERS CHOICE picks.. and we will ask the 10 individuals who have played in the most Instagon shows over the years what their picks are..  first up Cary Pealer.. next Chad E. Williams.. followed by Opus23..  stay tuned in .. more great moments in the archives are coming soon.   -/\-

Set List - session 557 - Vega's Nightclub, Old Sacramento, CA - 1-29-2011

Instagon #557
1-29-11
Vega's Nightclub
Sacramento, CA

Once again we return to Vega's nightclub in old town Sacramento for a night of good times and grooves for all.  This time around we brought our friend DOOFY DOO out to open up the festivities and seriously he stole the show.. Doofy Doo is a solo project with loops and live beats done by Drew Walker, it was a fantastic show and comes highly recommended to any that like improvisation and fun time grooves.  We also played our first show with another Sacramento instrumental band that we just recently came in contact with called Set Theory916!  They are a large ensemble that plays with a DJ ..it was very funk and groove oriented with serious deep sessions of the JAM!   They were the bomb.. seriously. 

photo by Yvette Lucas

Most of the previous incarnations of Instagon at Vega's have been really large ensembles that were somewhat out of control at times. This show as not like those, and featured a pretty solid 5pc ensemble that rocked hard and played well together. Drew Walker was on the drum kit, John Keeling was on the guitar, Drew brought a friend that had not played nor really heard Instagon before, his named was Barry McDaniel and he was a pretty smokin' guitar player we were really happy to have him along for the ride and will probably invite him out to try the demon out for another excursion sometime in the near future.  

photo by Yvette Lucas

Also joining us for this session was Andrew Wayne of Chopstick. This was Andrews' first time playing with Instagon in over a year, since Dec. 2009!  It was great to have him back and joining us once again for chaos and audio alchemy.

Instagon #557
Jan. 29, 2011

Vega's Nightclub
Old Sacramento, CA

photo by Yvette Lucas

Invokation>
The Little Turtle
Deamon's Tube
Sleepwalking
DUST
Buzzkill
Sound ov thee Night
Space Walk
Echophobic
In The Key of Y
(52:00)


LOB
DREW WALKER
JOHN KEELING
BARRY McDANIEL
ANDREW WAYNE

Instagon 557, photo by Yvette Lucas

Set list - session 555 - Luna's Cafe - 1-10-11

Okay.. so I am gonna try to play catch up so we will be on target for next week.. here is the first post of a couple regarding stuff that has already happened this year..

INSTAGON 555

1-10-2011
Luna's Cafe

Sacramento, CA

Once again back at Luna's Cafe for the NEBRASKA MONDAY Series that is hosted and organized by Ross Hammond.  It had been nearly a years since we played this space last (session #527), & this was Instagon's 14th appearance at Luna's Cafe.
Playing the early spot was a trio called NICE RUG, that was made up of players that have all been part of Instagon in the past (Tony Passarell, Stefano Zeroli, Wayne Sheats). They played some really awesome free jazz with a really low and mellow vibe to it.   Instagon included Jon Bafus on drums, a horn section of Michael Otwell & D.Ray Grisham.. and we invited local guitar hero Victor Contreras from Nagul to hold down the six string duties for the first time.. we had a great time playing.  It was awesome having Victor out to enjoy the fun of garage jazz.

Instagon #555 - photo by Yvette Lucas

Instagon 555
1-10-2011
Luna's Cafe, Sacramento, CA
Nebraska Monday's Series

Invokation>
The Flux,
Brainwashed Love
Triple Nickel [special riff for this show only]
Sleepwalking
Trip 23
Undoing
Cosmic


Lob (lead bass)
Michael Otwell (sax/flute)
D.Ray Grisham (trumpet)
Jon Bafus (drums)
Victor Contreras (guitar)


also NICE RUG
=====================================================
video "Trip 23" from Instagon 555


video footage courtesy of Ross Hammond

Session 554 set list - last show of 2010 - very late posting

OMG.. so so tardy..
just sorta got carried away and forgot to reflect here at the Deamon's Tube.. it happens.. the holiday season usually is this way.. and we apologize for seemingly vanishing.. the illness that was mentioned in the previous posting, also added to this as well.. but no excuses.. here is the late news.

INSTAGON 554
12-16-2010

Fire Escape Bar & Grill
Citrus Heights, CA

Session 554 happened in mid December at the Fire Escape in Citrus Heights.. it was fun night with great bands all around. but the attendance sucked because it was cold and rainey.. and also because the Citrus Heights Police Dept. decided to run a sobriety check point RIGHT IN FRONT of the venue we were playing.. so with flashing red lights chasing everyone away.. it was a drag.. but we played hard anyways.
Instagon featured a core that was the GJA trio.. plus Dan Quillan (Art Lessing), and Steve Coolidge from Volcano School playing his first set with the Deamon. We played a 45min set to open the evening .. it was a good time...because of SICKNESS this show ended up being the last show of 2010.. it was not planned that way.. but that is the way the deamon seems to have wanted it.

photo by Yvette Lucas

INSTAGON 554
12-16-2010
FIRE ESCAPE BAR & GRILL
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA


Invokation>
Red Planet Landing>
My Little Red Planet,
Dripfall,
Buzzkill,
Deamon's Tube,
Sound ov thee Night [new song, first time played]
Spider
Set The Controls*  [Pink Floyd song, last time played 5-8-10 (17 shows)]
(45:00)

LOB - lead bass/vocal*
CHAD E. WILLIAMS - guitar
DAN QUILLAN - guitar
MARK HALVERSON - drums
STEVEN COOLIDGE - keyboards

also Fish Cat Fish, Step Jayne, Art Lessing(solo)

set list - session 545 - August 30, 2010 - The Hub Collective, Sacramento, CA

 

Instagon 545
August 30, 2010
The Hub Collective
Sacramento, CA

This was a Monday night show with a history... Originally the guys from PHYSICAL DEMON (from Seattle,WA) contacted Bobby from LIVER CANCER asking for him to help set up a show with them and AL QAEDA... Bobby doesn't really set up a ton of shows..but he is a great guy and did not want to say no.. so he asked XOME to play too, contacted Andrew from CHOPSTICK to help..and a show was on.. during one of our staff meetings for Norcal Noisefest.. this show came up and Bobby asked if Instagon would be into playing a band set for this show?  and also Chemical Angel was invited to play too.. so now the show had grown .. but it seemed that LIVER CANCER would not be able to play.. and in fact Bobby did not think he would even be in town to see this show due to work related scheduling...and so then the show was turned over totally to Andrew.. who went forward with the plan.. the room was booked.. the show was a go.  On the day of the show word came that AL QAEDA were going to cancel due to one of their members going into labor the night before (babies and noise are not a good mix, and so this was for sure a valid excuse  lol) .. and within minutes of this also CHEMICAL ANGEL canceled due to being called into work at the last minute..  and so SMITE! was called into fill the spot from Chemical Angel.. and we were preparing for perhaps an earlier night that planned.. but wait.. an hour before the show starts a call comes in that the other 2 members of AL QAEDA are on their way and play to play as a duo!! and so the show is ON.  And it went down just like that.  CHOPSTICK opened the show doing a set that was with a guitar and some effects...it was very reminiscent of Audioemetic... followed by a lengthy set from SMITE! ..who played nearly 10 minutes! .. 3rd up was XOME,.. Xome played to the largest audience of the night..  and he was amazing as always and actually broke the sound level at the Hub.. we were asked to turn it down by someone.. PHYSICAL DEMON played next and were very cosmic and dreamy..  AL QAEDA came on next with a 15 minute set of wicked noise and sonic sound sculpturing.
INSTAGON played last.. and we were originally set to be a 5 pc band.. with Shadow from Chemical Angel and a trumpet player too.. but Shadow did not make the gig.. and the trumpet player was too stoned at home and missed it too.. so we were the power trio.. and a power trio it was!

  This time around was the 3rd round playing for Drew Walker.. Drew is the drummer for the local Sac. band THOUSANDS, as well as other projects around the grid.  Drew is an awesome drummer that really has a good ear for fast paced improv. He also has some effects and triggers that he uses occasionally to spice up his sound.

Also on board for this show was John Keeling on the guitar.. this was John's 4th time playing with the Deamon this year.. we like John.. he is a fun player and really fills the holes well when the sonic chaos is brewing..  This was the first show that Instagon had played as a band without any pre-meditated theme or concept since May and so we were ready to let it loose..the show was smokin' from the very start of the Invokation.. the level of intensity in the room was high and every one was really ready to just punch it and let the chaos fly.. it was an rock power trio.. we tore it up for the short time we had to play.. the Jazz for Satan was particularly fun.. as it was not the standard swing rendition but something else completely different with a fresh bluesy approach.  The entire set was really powerful and special for those that out on a Monday night to be touched by the Deamon..

INSTAGON 545
August 30, 2010
The Hub Collective, Sacramento, CA


Invokation>
The Flux>
Hubbin', *
Dripfall
Jazz for Satan,
Echophobic

* new riff, fresh improv
 


INSTAGON 545 was:
LOB - lead bass/vocals
JOHN KEELING - guitar
DREW WALKER - drums

------------------------------------------
flyer art and photos by Andrew Wayne

set list - session 544 - August 13, 2010 - Fire Escape Bar & Grill, Citrus Heights, CA - WEAVE Benefit

Instagon 544
August 13, 2010

Fire Escape Bar & Grill
Citrus Heights, CA
WEAVE Benefit Show

In the early part of the Summer, Instagon was contacted by Brooke from the local rock band Blame Betty and asked if we would be interested in playing a benefit show for the WEAVE organization at Fire Escape Bar & Grill in Citrus Heights.  WEAVE is an organization that helps provide services for battered women, so it was for sure a good cause and something we could support...and we had tried to book previously at Fire Escape with little luck.. so this one seemed like an easy way to support something cool AND benefit our desire to play a new room .. BUT there was a catch.. all of the bands that were asked to play were also asked to ONLY play songs from the 80's or songs that were made popular in the 80's!  It was 80's night!!   At first I thought it would be sorta odd, but then I started to think about it and well Instagon has a number of 80's tunes that ALREADY were in our arsenal of riffs and grooves.. so after the brief hesitation it was agreed that we would appear for this show..  Also on the show were lots of local Sacramento bands like The Common Men, Yes Sir, Breaking Glass, Jimmy Wah, Puke & Spit, Ventura, & Blame Betty. Everyone played great sets of awesome rad 80's songs. 

For this session the band was given a group of songs that we were gonna play and told to familiarize themselves with them as homework. We did not practice or rehearse in any way for this show.. it was pure Instagon.   

 This time around the band was to be  Chad E. Williams & John Keeling on guitars, Leo The Butcher on drums, and Lob on bass.  The gig organizers provided drums and amps for this show, so with a back line already there, we brought our guitars and were ready to play.   There was also a 80's costume contest and theme to the evening.. although none of the band entered the contest.. Lob did come in full 80's regalia. 

The show started with a great set of pop punk classics from the band VENTURA.. followed by INSTAGON. .  The Instagon set started off just a little bit off centered with an Invokation that lasted a few minutes while Lob started the ritual and then crept into a rendition of "Bela Lagosi's Dead" by the band Bauhaus. This was the first time that we had played this song since April 2009.   This was followed by the expected "Rock Lobster"  followed by the "Cambodian Holiday" that we have started to horse around with this year.. and then "Another One Bites the Dust" was on cue.. and the band rocked hard.. Chad E. Williams was on fire for this set shredding leads whenever the opportunity presented itself, and John Keeling was also on fire and adding great texture and mood for the set.
We closed the set with a riff by Metallica .. This last song was added to the set list the morning of the show.. and so no one really had the chance to study it that much.. but Leo held it down and we squeaked through it without too much mayhem.

 

Overall it was a really fun night..  all of the bands were really amazing.. there were surprizingly only 2 songs that were played more than once.. those were "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure, and "Blister in the Sun" by the Violent Femmes. Some of the high points of the night were The Common Men doing Ozzy's "Crazy Train" complete with biting the heads off of beanie baby bats..  and Yes Sir's version of The Cure's "Love Cats" (The Cure seemed to be the big covered band of the night).  Oh. and worth mentioning was the totally WRONG cover of "I Used To Love Her" by Guns n Roses that Puke & Spit played.. I mean it was a benefit for WEAVE.. doh!

Instagon 544

August 13, 2010    (friday)

Fire Escape Bar & Grill, Citrus Heights, CA

WEAVE Benefit Show

Invokation>

Bela,     (riff by Bauhaus)

Rock Lobster,  (riff by the B-52's)
Cambodian Holiday,   (riff by Dead Kennedy's)
Dust,  (riff by Queen)
For Whom the Bell Tolls  (riff by Metallica)

LOB - lead bass,vocals, costumes
CHAD E. WILLIAMS - lead guitar
JOHN KEELING - guitar

LEO THE BUTCHER - drums

 

-------------------------------------------

all photos by Yvette Lucas

poster by Blame Betty crew

set list - session 543 - August 12, 2010 - Luggage Store Gallery, San Francisco,CA

INSTAGON 543

August 12, 2010
OUTSOUND SERIES

Luggage Store Gallery
San Francisco, CA

Once again.. another MIXER SET!!
This was our 5th time back to play in San Francisco for the OUTSOUND SERIES that happens weekly at the Luggage Store Gallery on Market St.  This series is produced by Rent Romus from Edgetone Records and he does a great job of bringing in amazing eclectic jazz and experimental music every single week, and has for years and years now.. He deserves applaud where ever he goes!!
This time we were paired up with a guitarist from Paris,France named Richard Bonnet.  A few week prior to the show Mr.Bonnet contacted me and ask if he could possibly borrow a guitar!  I told him it was not a problem, and we arranged to have a guitar there for him to play.  He brought his own effects pedals and did a very soothing, yet kinda lengthy set of solo guitar work.. the best part of his set was some things he was doing with harmonics and noise towards the end.. he did this  while also running a small Slinky across the strings (which eventually became tangled).

Instagon followed with a rather large grouping for the evening.. this was to be a 7 person mixer set.. it featured Mark Wilson of Conure, Amar Chaudhary from Reconnaissance Fly, Alan Herrick from Nux Vomica, Martin Irigoyen from Vernian Process, Blanahillary from Holy Sisters of GaGaDada, and SF friend and ally Lena Strayhorn!.. it was quite a group.. and we had a very wonderful time.. 

Everyone that came to play brought very interesting approaches to the Mixer Set.. for some it was their first Instagon experience.. for others it was their 2nd mixer set this year!.. and for Alan, it was his first Instagon appearance in 13 years!! 
As mentioned above this was a MIXER SET.. it was the longest Mixer set so far recorded..clocking in at around 35 minutes.  I had a lot of fun playing bass within this set.. 

i told the players we were going for a droney and creepy feeling with this performance and they came ready to bring it. One of the most interesting parts of the performance was the involvment from Blancahillary.. who brought a roll of aluminum foil to the gig, wrapped her self up in it as the show started.. and then clawed he way out and shared parts of the foil with the rest of the ensemble..it was something special for sure.

INSTAGON 543

August 12, 2010

Luggage Store Gallery, San Francisco,CA

(MIXER SET)

The Perplexity of a Shrinking Steering Wheel

LOB - bass guitar, effects & metal

MARK WILSON - electronics

AMAR CHAUDHARY - keyboard & cell  phone apps

ALAN HERRICK - laptop

LENA STRAYHORN - assorted acoustic items

MARTIN IRIGOYEN - guitar

BLANCAHILLARY - guitar,  & performance art

all photos by Yvette Lucas

original hand bill design by Lob

Set List - Session 542 - July 18, 2010 - The Hub Collective, Sacramento, CA

Instagon 542
July 18, 2010
The Hub Collective
Sacramento,CA

This show was something organized by Lob with the Norcal Noisefest Org. in preperation/promotions for the Norcal Noisefest happening in October. This is was the pre fest summer happening.  Instagon appeared first in the line up, so thanks to those that came out early.. the plan was the MIXER SET !..  this time around the players included Stefano Zeroli from INK ON SUIT, Chad E. Willams, and Ryan Tomasello from BLOOD INTO WATER, who drove up from San Jose area to play!

The plan was simple.. to keep it moody and droney.. and so we did.. it was an excellent configuration of the MIXER SET.. and a great warm up for the BIG mixer set we have planned for NFXIV in October.

The rest of the evening was just splendid.. it featured the return to performance of klowd from Sacramento... it was his first time out in over 2 years... and it was great to see him play live again..  also Lucio Menagon, now a resident of NYC was in the room and did a shredding set of solo antics on the guitar .. SMITE! mixed some 80's dance beat into audio goulash ...Peter J Woods brought BIG speakers and leveled high volume violin noise that was squeaky terror...INSURGENT THEATER left us stunned after an hour long 2 person play regarding the rape and torture of the people by the corporate empire...and in the end MUCKY THE DUCKY came to tear it up, and did not let anyone down, we who stayed know what we got to experience.. thanks guys!

INSTAGON  #542

July 18, 2010

The Hub Collective, Sacramento, CA

(mixer set)

"The Sickness ov Losing Friends Over Stupid Stuff On Facebook"
(30:00)

Instagon 542 was:
LOB (mixer contols/bass),
CHAD E. WILLIAMS (guitar),
STEFANO ZEROLI (synths)
RYAN TOMASELLO (laptop)

 

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all photos by Yvette Lucas

Set List - session 541 - July 5th, 2010 - On The Y, Sacramento, CA

INSTAGON #541
July 5, 2010
ON THE Y

Sacramento, CA

this thrash metal show was originally booked to happen at the 16th Cafe ...and so it was originally an all ages show....but after a last moment closure of the 16th Cafe..a new location was found.. but the show was now 21+.. thanks so much to Grant from On The Y for allowing us to have this random monday night metal happening.. the line up was really great if you are into that sorta metal.  Instagon opened this show.. and we were a trio of mayhem featuring Leo The Butcher on the skins and Jim Willig from (WANING) on the guitar.  we tore up nearly an hour of time and had many fine words said to us after we finished.. even were given an extra pitcher of beer for our enjoyment ..   Evangelists are a metal band from Seattle.. they are the ones that originally asked Instagon to play this show..and they were really great....also a duo called COMPETING played ..who are i think the same guys from The Wait but not the whole band.. who i guess couldnt make it.  Virulent Death closed out the show.. they were smokin'   .. it was a swell night of beer and metal.. no fireworks...just rock

INSTAGON #541
July 5, 2010

On The Y, Sacramento, CA

Invokation, 

The Sickness, 

Hand Of Doom**, (Black Sabbath riff)

Forward, 

Cambodian Holiday, (Dead Kennedy's riff)
Deamon's Tube, 

(For Whom The Bell Tolls Tease) (Metallica riff)

Jazz for Satan,
Shut Down> (Germs riff) O

Forward (reprise)>

Shut Down

** last time played 5-15-09 (39 shows)

also played "For Whom The Bell Tolls" as a sound check. 1st time played, no recording exists

Instagon 541 was:
LOB - lead bass
LEO THE BUTCHER - drums
JIM WILLIG - guitar

someone named Randy took this picture.

Set list - session 540 - June 25, 2010 -Terminal, Oakland, CA

Instagon #540
June 25, 2010
TERMINAL
Oakland, CA

this show marks that time of the year when Instagon begins to play NOSIE sets and gives some attention to that paradigm.. and this was the first show of that kind for 2010.. a great line up in a swell space with lots of history for great noise shows.  The plan was a 6 member Instagon MIXER set.. and that is just what happened.  It was one long flowing sound collage that was conducted by Lob via mixer.. and it was very nice and lo-fi driven.. droney and moody.. dark and playful..  that is the best description that can be given for this set   .. players included the one and only Dr. Oblivious, also Stefano Zeroli from INK ON SUIT,  returning offender Free Fargo.. and 2 of his band mates from the VERNIAN PROCESS.. Martin & Bryan.. it was a good time. 

INSTAGON #540
June 25, 2010

TERMINAL, Oakland, CA

" aboard thee early train to unknown locations "

performed by:

LOB, 

MARTIN IRIGOYEN 
BRIAN FIGEUROA,

FREE FARGO, 

STEFANO ZEROLI,

DR. OBLIVIOUS,

set list - session 539 - Wischemann Hall, Sebastopol, CA

Instagon #539
June 19, 2010
Wischemann Hall
Sebastopol, CA

This show was short and sweet, and a lot of fun. It was in a square-dance hall! seriously.. and it had beautiful hardwood floors and a natural echo to the room. We played last in a bill of 5 acts.. all of which were really good, but the show started about an hour later than it listed.. and one of the bands played twice as long as all the others, so as mentioned we did not play very long. The line-up for this ensemble included Cory Thrall from the band TROI. (he is how we got this gig, he asked us to play) also Leo the Butcher was already there playing with Cerebral Roil, and its always fun to play with Leo when we can.. (last time Leo played was the punk rock show in April at the The Stag), Chad E. WIlliams drove out from Sacramento for this gig in a caravan with Lob, and CJ Borosque from Lords of Outland rounded out the group coming up from the Bay area.  The PA system was small.. but we were pretty loud.. the front mix was much louder from the PA than what we were hearing on the stage.. and so the experience for the band was much different than the experience for the crowd it seems.  We also brought a wall of lights and were VERY psychedelic in our presentation.

Instagon #539

June 19, 2010

Wischemann Hall, Sebastopol, CA

Invokation>
Thee Sickness,

Cambodian Holiday   (Dead Kennedy's riff)

Deamon's Tube

Jazz for Satan

(26:00)

LOB- lead bass, vocals

CHAD E. WILLIAMS - lead guitar

LEO THE BUTCHER - drums

CJ BOROSQUE - electronics/turntableisms

CORY THRALL - casio keyboard

also were Cerebral Roil, TROI, Moria Scar, & Prizehog

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photo by Yvette Lucas