RELAX BAR, Hollywood

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009

It was quite a long day for me. Meeting after meeting and lots of preparing for tonight's show. We found out yesterday evening at rehearsal that our lead guitarist, SEEDY SPITZ was not going to make tonight's show so we had to gather songs we could play as a 4-piece, which wasn't hard but was a pain in the ass!

Anyway, XPLOSTEVO came by the 6122 office to pick my ass up and we headed to Hollywood. We found "free" parking up the street from the club so we were happy. We were met by my brother LEO and his lovely wife, ANNE where we greeted each other and made some plans to get very lit tonight! HAHAHA...

As we entered the club, I was met by my old friend and former FLIPSIDE writer/reviewer and current RAZORCAKE reviewer, DON OF THE DEAD with his camera in hand. He told me that he's been writing for PROFANE and that he'd reviewed us for their upcoming issues so I was pretty stoked on that. I went outside to the patio to let XL and DON in so they could set up their gear and relax but as I was doing so I ran into my old high school buddy and THE CORRUPTORS bassist, REF SANCHEZ. We talk for a brief moment and he let me know that a band had cancelled and that we could take their spot, which was way earlier than the spot we were given.

We took the stage at 10:30pm to a pretty packed room. The entire crowd was mostly members of TURBOJUGEND LOS ANGELES so I felt at home with hardcore fans of one of my favorite bands. I spoke with BIG HUREO, one of their members and we joked around a bit before I hit the stage (or lack thereof). We played for about 30 minutes hitting on our more hardcore songs and some newer melodic ones. The crowd reaction was very positive and they cheered the entire time. We had lots of fun up there and the crowd could tell.

Stealing a photo op from XL once again

After we finished our set we hung outside with some people who hadn't come out to see us in years, which was nice to hear. A lot of older fans were really excited to see us and we made a few new ones. I spoke with a recent D.C. transplant who really enjoyed us. LISA HOUSTON and I got along famously as we spoke about music and Budweiser. It's very cool when you meet a female who ONLY drinks the good stuff!! HAHAHAHA...

Out in the crowd posing for a picture with our newest supporter, Lisa

We all went back in to support our friend's from the north, THE CORRUPTORS. The opened with a QUIET RIOT into and then went into their set. I hadn't had the chance to see them live before so I was quite excited to witness the sound of Northern Punk Rock 'n Roll and I was not disappointed! REF and the boys blew through their set and thoroughly enticed the crowd leaving all if us wanting more! I was really jazzed since we're playing with them again tonight.

A little after midnight XPLO was ready to hit the road and make the trek back home so we did after a few fond farewells.

The night was a complete success as I was expecting a disastrous evening so I was quite surprised and very happy at the end of the night. I even got my fill of free beer, which is always the icing on the drunken cake!!!

I'd like to apologize to FITZ OF DEPRESSION for not sticking around to see them but Friday night's are always tiring evenings to party all night especially when you have a big show the next night. So my apologies to you all!

We will not be shamed... (Carbomb Video Shoot)

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009

For two weeks we've been preparing ourselves to film a video for our LAZLO FOR LIFE CD's single, "Carbomb". XL and I had come up with a concept that we wanted to do. A parody of a popular video done back in the late-80's. Producer/Director DAVE WALD got on board a few weeks ago and loved the idea so we started emailing our ideas back and forth and decided that Saturday, April 4th would be the date to commence filming.

Dave Wald and crew member Jason setting up a shot.

I had my business partner/graphic art designer, SAL COCHINO design our set pieces needed to make this video a truly sick and funny piece of cinema art. Sal did not let me down. His pieces were exactly what I had visioned!! I even had my good friend, illustrator/artist, NOUAR help out with painting the face on Jack's head and she did a fantastic job!

Crew member, Randy acting as Jack for a scene.

Around noon Dave and his crew (Randy, Jason and Jayce, who we started calling Chachi by the end of the shoot) arrived on set at FUTURE FLIX STUDIO in Chatsworth to set up lights and rigs and whatnot. BOB PETERSON (formerly of; BLOUNT and HOLLYWOOD HATE) arrived to be a main character as did our friends; MARTIN TRAMMEL, RYAN KINDER, and EDGAR MORLET. RONDA HARDIN came in as a last minute favor to do make up and hair for me and the cast members and actually ended up playing a character herself when one of our original cast members didn't show up.

Edgar (Burger King), Ryan (Wendy), Martin (Colnel Sanders), Bob (Ronald), Ronda (Jack).

At 1pm we began shooting. XPLO was up first to do his scenes and then XL went in and did his. I did a couple of "passes" of my scenes and then it was time to get the cast into costume and film their scenes. I have to say, Ronda did a phenomenal job with make-up because everyone on set was in awe of each other's make-up and costumes. Everyone looked exactly as the characters we'd wanted in this video! It was, for lack of a better term, awesome!

XploStevo is doing a SWEET job rockin' for the camera.

XL trying to be the rockin' DUDE he wants to be!

Dave Wald giving Gizz and XL some direction before a scene.

There was a lot of scenes filmed but I think my favorite is a fight scene that Randy and Dave choreography for us and it came out great. When 6pm came and it was a wrap for the cast members as they left one by one. We continued to film other scenes with Ryan, Edgar and myself until around 9pm. We took a dinner break to Denny's where the crew along with Edgar and myself ate and discussed music and the remaining scenes to be shot.

Martin as Cholo Sanders.

At 10:30pm it was back to work on my final shots, which took longer than expected because we were trying to get the perfect angles and lighting. Dave and his crew did a great job of setting up the lights, getting the camera in position and all the other tasks that were asked of them.

After 13 hours of filming we'd finally wrapped production and headed into the studio's office to watch some of the footage. I can't believe how good the shots came out. I'm really excited to see the final edited version in a few days!

SWEET DUDES: Xplo and XL after their scene's were done.

We will be having a Video Release Party as soon as we get the video back so stay tuned for all the info. It's going to be fun!!

Thanks to Dave for setting everything up and the cast and crew that took time out of their Saturday family/drinking time to spend mucking about for the camera with DLP! All of you guys definitely rule!!!!

Martin, Ronda, Bob and Ryan in the studio parking lot taking a break before shooting.

Ronda getting my hair done for the video while I cool off and do my beard.

THE WAREHOUSE, Santa Ana

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2009

I woke up today at 2pm with a bit of a headache. Maybe from all the screaming and singing last night! I got up and got ready for today show.

XL picked me up around 3:30pm and we headed to The Warehouse in Orange County. We haven't played in OC for a while now so we were both really excited to actually play for a crowd we rarely play for. As we got to the venue we were told the event was already chaotic as some bands had backout last minute. Their lost became our gain as we were bumped to the Main Stage where we originally were set to play. Our set time was right on time. 5:30pm start time but we were told we could play a longer set if we wanted. We didn't want to overstay our welcome so we played all the songs we prepared to play for the show.

Seedy joined us on stage and we really brought it once again! I was a little worried before we played since everyone in the band seemed to enjoy themselves last night and was a bit tired today but that wasn't the case. I can't remember who played before us but they were a little rusty. We set up on the Main Stage as a younger band took on the second stage. When our set time arrived we barrelled into our set nonstop play 11 songs in about 3o minutes.

After our set XL and I spoke about how weird it was that the kids slammed for UP AGAINST IT and I'LL THROW YOU AWAY, two of our more poppier songs. I swear, I'll never get it! We played a bunch of our harder songs but the crowd just stood there and watched while the oldsters yelled and hollered for more! It was another great set and the crowd's response really let us know.

While I was out and about talking the legions of punk rock kids asking for free stuff, I gave away a few CD's. A couple of adoring female fans were so grateful that they bought me a slice of pizza as payback for the CD. I thought that was the coolest thing and so did the rest of the guys!

The boys and I stuck around for Circle One's set, which immediately after ours. We celebrated at our mock-merch booth with a few drinks while talking to whoever came up to us. There was a few older guys there who'd seen us many years ago and were surprised we were still together and that we'd never actually broken-up. All in all, it was a great evening and we thank July for getting us on the bill and hooking us up! We truly enjoyed ourselves!!

XL and I left soon after Mad Parade's set was over, which was around 9pm OC time.

Dead Lazlo's Place LIVE at The Warehouse