Fresno Famous

Blakes Jones is a community minded musician. So, when he sets up shows (like this one, which served as a bon voyage/birthday party), there's always this family reunion sort of vibe. It's less a formal concert let's say and more like a bunch of friends gathered in the backyard to hang out and play some tunes. As a musician, it's a nice thing to be a part of.

Dale Stewart Band: If this is what happens when punk rockers get too old to thrash around like monsters, then I've got a sweet thing coming. This isn't Capital Punishment-era harcore, but then what it? At that, Dale and his band (which includes Joceylin on bass) still have some bite to them. This is proto-punk done by people how know how to write (and play) good, short, politically minded tunes. This was the band's first show in almost a year. It is a shame.

Poplord: Poplord plays happy music. They come off with a Cheap-Trick kind of exhuberance and spot-on harmonies that make it impossible not to smile. It's like watching kitten videos on Youtube. If you are a fan of pop music (and I don't mean the voiced-coded stuff that pass for pop these days) you need to see this band.

Our set: We played two songs under the moniker Josh and Jamie, which is essentially the musical outcome of the Rogue show we did in March. This was the second in a series of gigs we're doing in advance of the Fresno Grand Opry on Saturday. You can also see us on Great Day Friday morning.

Blake Jones and the Trike Shop: Blake has made it a habit of inviting specials guest to play his birthday shows. So in between playing favorites (Forestiere Gardens, Clever Things) the band had Lisa Kao come on stage to do a Talking Heads number, while Ron "Doc" Morse helped them out on a Hank William's tune (which they will be performing san Doc at the Fresno Grand Opry).

The Escorts: I left before these guys come on. Apologies.