Fresno Famous

The local music scene exists in peaks and valleys. Some days/weeks/months/years are better than others.

Right now, the scene is hard storming up the mountain all guns blazing.

Within the last year we've seen an increase in the amount of local music available (both digital and physical releases) and a growing support from local media. At least two radio stations now have local-themed shows. More than that we've seen a steady stream of touring acts coming through town (thanks to Love the Captive and others). This week was a particulary busy, with at least one solid lineup Every. Single. Night. Tuesday night was especially strong. L.A. punk/bluegrass band Old Man Markley was at one venue. Down the road was a show with the much-buzzed-about local indie rock band Light Thieves. Tokyo Garden had a show. The Babylon had some kind of crazy a 32-piece masked marching band.

And it looks like it's not going to stop.

Here's four shows you'll want on your calendar (the list could be MUCH longer):

* Outernational: Revolution rock in the vein of The Clash. With local Basura.  Aug. 16 at Fulton 55.

* Nashville Pussy: Good ol' fashioned dirty rock and roll. So dirty its website got blocked from your browser. Aug. 17 at Audie's Olympic.

* Rock at the Top: Eight of the top local bands (no hyperbole there) battle it out at Chukchansi for a $10,000 top prize. While I normally think battle-of-the-bands are dumb, this is a killer lineup and a good presentation of the Fresno scene.

* Spanspek Music and Art Festival: A visual and performing arts festival in Orosi. This year's lineup includes Achievment House, Sci-Fi Caper, Pro Wings, Collecto, Basura and Werebear. 

And a plug for my band: We're playing Aug. 18 with Continental, from Granite City, MA.