ELECTRIC EARL

Bio

I live in a part of Los Angeles known as Silverlake (also spelledSilver Lake). That's a few miles east of Hollywood. From my window I can see the downtown skyline. Here'sa Webcam view that's on my official site ElectricEarl.com.

I moved here from Baton Rouge in late 1990. From all I'd heard about the lifestyle in L.A., I expectedthat I'd hate living here. I'd come strictly because of the music industry. But in fact, I love L.A. Andalthough I never had much success as a musician, I've long been involved in the music scene as avideographer, photographer and Website designer. And, of course, L.A. is the best place in the world to bea music fan!

->BIO continued on my Website!

Favorite Music

current listening:
Jonneine Zapata - Cast the Demons Out Jonneine Zapata - homemade compilation of live tracks found online Ruby Friedman - homemade compilation of demos and live tracks found online Kevin Fennell - Boppin' Sparky and the Sparkle-Billies Mayor of the Sunset Strip soundtrack

all-time favorite records:
Martha Argerich - Tchaikovsky's Piano ConcertoNo. 1 Beatles - Revolver Bee Gees - Odessa Dido - No Angel Donovan - Sunshine Superman The Graces (featuring Gia Ciambotti ) - PerfectView Françoise Hardy - 36 Grands Succes [1962-64 hits] Ofra Haza - Desert Wind Homer & Jethro - Live at the Country Club Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band (first album) Carolyne Mas - Hold On Iggy Pop - Soldier Elvis Presley - The Sun Sessions Véronique Sanson - De l'autre côté de mon rêve Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks... Shakira - ¿Donde estan los ladrones? Siouxsie & the Banshees - Juju Igor Stravinski - The Firebird Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings and Food Tom Waits - Rain Dogs Yardbirds - Over Under Sideways Down [American version]

concerts/live events I've seen in the past year:
(in reverse-chronological order)
Lisa Finnie at Barnsdall Art Park - 9/16/2009 Jack Tempchin at The Joint, with guests Keith Allison and Carlos Guitarlos - 9/14/2009 Jonneine Zapata [ PHOTOS! ], Soulsavers, Red Ghost at The Troubadour - 9/10/2009 Santa Monica Pier 100th anniversary celebration, featuring Dick Dale [ PHOTOS! ], The Big Bamboo Steel Band and fireworks! [ PHOTOS! ] - 9/9/2009 Emily Wells at The Echo - 9/9/2009 Michael-Ann at Bigfoot Lodge - 9/6/2009 Ray Campi at The Airliner [ PHOTOS! ] - 9/5/2009 Patti Smith at Santa Monica Pier [ PHOTOS! ] - 9/3/2009 Rosie Flores , Patti Booker and Jann Browneat Redwood Bar [ PHOTOS! ] - 8/28/2009 "Summer Nights On the Boulevard" in Atwater Village, featuring various bands - 8/27/2009 Sylvain Sylvain [ PHOTOS! ], Angus Khan, United Snakes at the Knitting Factory - 8/20/2009 Hockey at The Troubadour ["secret" show] - 8/20/2009 Lisa Finnie at Barnsdall Art Park - 8/19/2009 Ruby Friedman [ PHOTOS! ], Dead Rock West [ PHOTOS! ], Lonesome Heroes and Dust Bowl Cavaliers at The Echo - 8/16/2009 Jonneine Zapata [ PHOTOS! ], Sabrosa Purr [ PHOTOS! ], and and Mary Magdalan [ PHOTOS! ] at The Echo - 8/13/2009 Chris and Thomas at Pershing Square [ PHOTO! ] - 8/8/2009 Dave Alvin , Paul Thorn at Santa Monica Pier [ PHOTOS! ] - 8/6/2009 Lisa Finnie at Barnsdall Art Park [ PHOTO! ] - 8/5/2009 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at Joe's GreatAmerican Bar & Grill - featuring Quenby West & the West Wayland Band , David Serby , and The Vaquetones [ PHOTOS! ] - 8/3/2009 Chris Miller Band [ PHOTO! ], Dick & Jane at The Echo - 8/2/2009 "Summer Nights On the Boulevard" in Atwater Village, featuring Seth Freeman and other bands -7/23/2009 Syd Straw , Rich Mahan , The Unlawful Kings and The Preacher's Son at The Echo [ PHOTOS! ] - 7/19/2009 Jim Lauderdale (with Susan Marshall ) at MacArthur Park [ PHOTOS! ] - 7/18/2009 Gina Villalobos , Effects of Cable Television , Stampead and CaveCountry at Echoplex [ PHOTOS! ] - 7/12/2009 Joan Baez at Santa Monica Pier [ PHOTO! ] - 7/9/2009 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at El Cid - featuringGeorge Highfill , Mark "Pocket" Goldberg (with Debra Dodkin on percussion), Steven Casper , The Ridge Route Romeos , and Michael-Ann [ PHOTOS! ] - 7/7/2009 Dan Janisch , Blind Pony , Grizzly Owls , and Smith & Wesson at The Echo [ PHOTOS! ] - 7/5/2009 Pre-July 4th block party in Pasadena featuring DanJanisch , Old Californio , Dave Gleason , Whispering Pines, and Patrick [ PHOTOS! ] - 7/3/2009 Simon Stokes , 50 Cent Haircut , Hang Jones , and American Primitive at The Echo [ PHOTOS! ] - 6/28/2009 Nicole Gordon , Dave Gleason (backed by Old Californio ), Steven Casper , and The Black Tongued Bells at The Echo [ PHOTOS! ] - 6/21/2009 Mike Stinson , Elliot Randall , Bird & Moon , and Dogweed at The Echo [ PHOTOS! ] - 6/14/2009 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at El Cid - featuringGroovy Rednecks , The Cheatin' Kind , Brokedown Cadillac , Shaun Kama and Kings of the Wild Frontier , and The Black Tongued Bells ; also Russell Scott sat in with the Barn Dance Band[ PHOTOS! ] - 6/2/2009 My Imaginary Friends/Dime Box Band/Austin Hartley-Leonard at Echoplex - 4/26/2009 [ PHOTOS OF REDHEADS! ] Wreck N Sow /50¢ Haircut/ Psychedelic Cowboys at The Echo [ PHOTOS! ] - 4/19/2009 Ruby Friedman at the Viper Room [ PHOTOS! ] - 4/13/2009 Dave Gleason / Mike Stinson at Redwood Bar & Grill - 4/12/2009 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at El Cid - featuringSara Petite , The Texacali Drifters , Ted Russell Kamp , and Carlos Guitarlos [ PHOTOS! ] - 4/7/2009 Charlotte's birthday party [ PHOTOS! ] - 3/21/2009 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at El Cid - featuringLisa Finnie , Laura Jo DeWitt & Todd Eckart , and The Hightoppers [ PHOTOS! ] - 3/3/2009 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at El Cid - featuring Quenby West & the West Wayland Band , The Vaquetones , Deirdre Hughes - 2/3/2009 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance 21st anniversary show at ElCid - featuring Mike Stinson , Groovy Rednecks , David Serby , Russell Scott and His Red Hots , Rick Shea , Patty Booker , Kathy Robertson, Ray Campi , Lightnin' Willy & the Poor Boys , George Highfill, The Big Manny Band , Stonehoney , Jeanne Jolly , Steven Casper , and Maureena and the Maniac Cadillac Band [ PHOTOS! ] - 1/20/2009 Theresa Andersson at Amoeba Music (recordstore) [ PHOTOS! ] - 1/17/2009 Glasvegas at Amoeba Music (record store) [ PHOTOS! ] - 1/15/2009 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at El Cid - featuring The Cheatin' Kind , Sara Petite , The Running Kind , The Ridge Route Romeos , and surprise guest Russell Scott [ PHOTOS! ] - 12/2/2008 ELECTRIC EARL/Norm Sancho at Kulak's Woodshed [ PHOTOS! ] - 11/28/2008 Kaiser Chiefs / Hockey at Music Box @ Fonda Theatre - 11/11/2008 Natacha Atlas /George Sarah at El ReyTheatre [ PHOTOS! ] - 11/9/2008 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at El Cid - featuring The Big Manny Band (Manny from the Blazers), Maureena and the Maniac Cadillac Band , Stevi Marie and Jackson Road , Stonehoney , Jeanne Jolly , and Amy Farris [ PHOTOS! ] - 11/4/2008 (election day!) Jack Tempchin with Rob Burke and Younee at Hotel Café [ PHOTOS! ] - 11/2/2008 Roky Erickson /The Black Angels atEl Rey Theatre - 10/31/2008 The Kooks /The Whigs at Hollywood Palladium -10/28/2008 David Serby / Dave Gleason with Old Californio /The Gentlemen Farmers/ Madame Pamita at Echoplex [ PHOTOS! ] - 10/26/2008 "Seeing Things: Ghost Polaroids" opening reception at DRKRM.GALLERY [ PHOTOS! ] - 10/25/2008 Pilar Díaz (ex-Los Abandoned)/ Uli & the Gringos at siteLA [ PHOTOS! ] - 10/23/2008 Dorinda 's 40th birthday party [ PHOTOS! ] - 10/19/2008 Patti Smith at Orpheum Theatre - 10/18/2008 Listening party for the forthcoming Aterciopelados album Rio, with live performance byMonareta at Zune - 10/13/2008 Gretchen Bonaduce & Ankhesenamen atFranklin Village Street Fair [ PHOTOS! ] - 10/12/2008 NSAI show at Hallenbeck's featuring ELECTRIC EARL, Nicole Gordon , Eddie Cunningham , Marty Axelrod, Cary Park , Paul Marshall, Robin Pitigliano and Gary Estes - 10/9/2008 Jackson Browne at Amoeba Music (record store) - 10/7/2008 Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at El Cid - featuringSkip Heller , David Serby , The Dusk Devils [ PHOTOS! ] - 10/7/2008 Chris Laterzo /"Banjo" Fred Stamer/ Dime Box Band at The Echo - 10/5/2008 Rusted Root/Pete & J. at Ram's Head Live (Baltimore) - 10/1/2008 Les Paul and trio at Iridium Jazz Club (NYC) [ PHOTOS! ] - 9/29/2006 Carl Filipiac at wine and arts festival in Mt. Washington, MD - 9/28/2008 The Hives /Eagles of Death Metal/Willowz at MayanTheater - 9/25/2008 Kingsizemaybe /NB at TAIX - 9/20/2008 Jim Dawson reading from Los Angeles's Angel Flight at Skylight Books - 9/20/2008 Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson at Amoeba Music(record store) - 9/19/2008

coming up:
MON Sept 21: Jack Tempchin at The Joint TUE Sept 22: Standells, Keith Allison, etc. at Amoeba Music (record store) WED Sept 30: Datarock at El Rey Theatre MON Oct 5: Jonneine Zapata at Silverlake Lounge MON Oct 5: Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at Joe's Great American Bar & Grill - featuring Ray Campi,Maureena, Rod & the Tonemasters, Sideshow Preachers, Cattie Ness, Stan Silver FRI Oct 9: Song Sirens at Genghis Cohen MON Oct 12: Jonneine Zapata at Silverlake Lounge MON Oct 19: Jonneine Zapata at Silverlake Lounge MON Oct 26: Jonneine Zapata at Silverlake Lounge SAT Oct 31: Halloween MON Nov 2: Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at Joe's Great American Bar & Grill - guests TBA MON Dec 7: Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance at Joe's Great American Bar & Grill - guests TBA

all-time favorite concerts/live events:
(in reverse-chronological order)
Martha Argerich at Walt Disney Concert Hall -11/8/2007
Neil Young with Waddy Wachtel at The Joint[ PHOTO! ] - 5/16/2005
Keith Richards with Waddy Wachtel and TerryReid at The Joint - 5/3/2004
Patti Smith at the Roxy - 8/9/2001
Shakira at Arrowhead Pond - 4/20/2000 [2nd USconcert]
Shakira at San Diego Sports Arena - 4/19/2000 [1st USconcert]
Richard Thompson at KPFK-FM studio ("Folkscene") - 6/6/99
The Residents at House of Blues - 4/24/99
Garbage at McAllister Auditorium (New Orleans) - 11/14/98
The Cramps at The Palace 10/28/97
Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood at House of Blues - 4/19/95
Collins Kids/Dave+Deke Combo at The Palomino [ PHOTOS! ] - 12/4/93
Paul McCartney at Hollywood Bowl - 4/16/93
Johnny Carson's farewell show (featuring guests Bette Midler and Robin Williams) at NBC studios inBurbank - 5/21/92
Ofra Haza at Wadsworth Auditorium - 3/27/92
Santana at Bullring By the Sea (Tijuana) - 3/21/92
Sun Ra at Festival Musique Actuelle (Victoriaville, Ontario) - Sept/Oct 1987 [two performances]
Siouxsie & the Banshees at Ole Man River's (New Orleans) [ PHOTOS! ] - 10/20/81
Dead Boys at The New Place (Metairie/New Orleans) [ PHOTOS! ] - 5/23/80
Pretenders at Ole Man River's (New Orleans) - 4/5/80
Iggy Pop /Normals at Ole Man River's (NewOrleans) [ PHOTOS! ] - 2/17/80 & 2/18/80
B-52's/Normals at Ole Man River's (New Orleans) - 9/9/79
Blondie/Rockpile at Center for Performing Arts (New Orleans) - 8/3/79 [two shows]
Police/Normals at The Kingfish (Baton Rouge) - 5/9/79
Robert Gordon & Chris Spedding at The Kingfish (Baton Rouge) - 5/8/79
Ramones/Normals at The Kingfish (Baton Rouge) - 1/25/79
Bruce Springsteen at LSU Assembly Center - 12/5/78
Talking Heads/Muchos Plus at Ole Man River's (New Orleans) - 10/4/78
Talking Heads/Bas Clas at The Kingfish (Baton Rouge) - 10/3/78
Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks at Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans) - 9/15/78
Rolling Stones/Van Halen/Doobie Brothers at Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans) - 7/13/78
Sex Pistols at The Kingfish (Baton Rouge) - 1/9/78
Tuts Washington/Al 'Father' Jackson at private Mardi Gras party (New Orleans) - 1976
Chuck Berry at Celebration of Life festival (Louisiana) - 1971
The Kinks/Elton John at Fillmore West - November 1970
Herman's Hermits/The Who/Blues Magoos at Baltimore Civic Center - 1967
Ray Charles/Stevie Wonder at Baltimore Civic Center - 7/23/67
Rolling Stones/McCoys/Standells at Baltimore Civic Center - 1966
Rolling Stones/Patti LaBelle/Blossoms at Baltimore Civic Center - 11/13/65
Marty Robbins/Hank Snow/Kitty Wells at Baltimore Civic Center - 1962 (?)

gone but not forgotten:
I've always placed a high premium on attending live events. If I can't afford a CD today, I can alwaystrack it down years from now. But if I miss a concert, it's gone forever. I can't tell you how many timesI didn't feel like leaving the house, but went anyway and was soooo glad that I did. I'm especiallygrateful for all the greats I've seen who are no longer with us:
Forrest J. Ackerman [Famous Monsters of Filmland], Hasil Adkins, Lee Allen [Little Richard band],Steve Allen, Chet Atkins, Gene Autry, Stiv Bators [Dead Boys], Delaney Bramlett [Delaney & Bonnie], HaddaBrooks, Charles Brown, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Paul Butterfield, Johnny Carson, June Carter, RayCharles, Celia Cruz, Desmond Dekker, Bo Diddley, Divine, Lee Dorsey, Buddy Ebsen [Beverly Hillbillies],President Eisenhower, John Entwhistle [The Who], John Fahey, Pete Farndon [Pretenders], President Ford,Lester Flatt [Flatt & Scruggs], Rory Gallagher, Barry Goldwater, Bill Graham [Fillmore owner], BiancaHalstead [Betty Blowtorch], Doug Harvey [Montréal Canadiens], Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Ted Hawkins, OfraHaza, Lee Hazelwood, Gregory Hines, Bob Hite [Canned Heat], James Honeyman-Scott [Pretenders], John LeeHooker, J.B. Hutto, Lux Interior [Cramps], Waylon Jennings, Kelly Johnson [Girlschool], Brian Jones[Rolling Stones], Grandpa Jones, Ernie K-Doe, Albert King, Coretta Scott King, Earl King, Arthur Lee[Love], Rose Maddox, Janis Martin, John McGeogh [Siouxsie & the Banshees], Ed McMahon, Country DickMontana [Beat Farmers], Monty Montana, Keith Moon [The Who], Odetta, Benjamin Orr [The Cars], BonnieOwens, Buck Owens, Korla Pandit, Pappy [Pappy & Harriet], Les Paul, John Phillips [Mamas & Papas], JacquesPlante [Montréal Canadiens], Billy Preston, Carl Radle [Eric Clapton band], Dee Dee Ramone [The Ramones],Joey Ramone [The Ramones], Johnny Ramone [The Ramones], President Reagan, Marty Robbins, Ginger Rogers,Wally Schirra [astronaut], Eddie Shore [Boston Bruins], Red Skelton, Hank Snow, Susan Sontag, Ruby Starr,Joe Strummer [Clash], Sun Ra, Koko Taylor, Mary Travers [Peter, Paul & Mary], Johnny Unitas [BaltimoreColts], Sid Vicious [Sex Pistols], Tuts Washington, Muddy Waters, Wilburn Brothers, Carl Wilson [BeachBoys], Dennis Wilson [Beach Boys], Justin Wilson, Ricky Wilson [B-52s], Jonathan Winters, JimmyWitherspoon, Gump Worsley [New York Rangers], and Zal Yanovsky [Lovin' Spoonful].
Ones that got away: My mother was going to take me to see the Beatles, but the show sold out beforeshe could get tickets. I passed up a chance to see the Yardbirds because they were on a bill with twoother bands that I didn't like. When I was a little kid, I was all set to go see the Three Stooges inperson, but for some reason that fell through. I had a few chances to see Frank Sinatra, but the ticketswere always overpriced.

I don't like:
Rap/hip-hop - If the "artist" can't sing, play an instrument or write music, why do they have arecord deal? Most rap recordings would sound better without the vocal track. Any kind of music where every song has the same beat. I can't listen to disco, salsa, reggae, polka,etc. for more than a few songs in a row. (Exception: The Ramones) Nashville - The best country music comes from California and Texas. Co-writing - It's the Nashville equivalent of speed dating, and just as shallow. No great lyric hasever been written by a committee. If Beethoven could write nine symphonies by himself, and if Tolstoycould write War and Peace without help, why does it take more than one Nashville tunesmith to comeup with a 3-minute song?

Movies

movies seen in the past year:
(in reverse-chronological order)
Angel On My Shoulder Attack From Space Billy the Kid vs. Dracula Breakfast at Tiffany's Coraline [3D] Frost/Nixon Waltz With Bashir Moog: A Documentary Film Vicky Cristina Barcelona Happy-Go-Lucky Slumdog Millionaire Bolt [seen in 3D at El Capitan theatre, with live Disney stage show [ PHOTOS! ] Changeling Rachel Getting Married Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

all-time favorites:
City Lights Betrayal [the one based on the Pinter play] The Searchers The Phantom of Liberty Rock 'n Roll High School Freaks 28 Up [and sequels] Pecker [Mom is an extra!] U2 3D [I'm not a huge fan of their music, but in 3D on the big IMAX screen this is the bestconcert film ever made.]

Television

Sixty Minutes History Detectives news major sports events The Bachelor(ette) vintage Britcoms such as No Honestly, Ever Decreasing Circles, Rising Damp, Butterflies, Solo, Agony,etc. Amos 'n' Andy

Radio

KPCC-FM public radio (news/talk) " Breakfast With the Beatles " (Sunday at8:00am on KLOS-FM) "Rhapsody In Black" (Wednesday 10:30pm on KPFK-FM ) "The Dylan Hours" (Sunday 5:00pm on KCSN-FM) " Folkscene " (Sunday 7:00pm on KPFK-FM ) KLOS-FM classic rock (except godawful Mark & Brian)

Books/Reading

My reading is really eclectic. It depends largely on what I find at thrift stores and yard sales,supplemented by gifts from friends and relatives. (Come to think of it, much of my wardrobe is the sameway.) I rarely buy a new book because, quite frankly, I think that $20-$30 is a lot to pay for what isessentially a pad of paper.

currently reading:
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens The Book of Daniel by E.L. Doctorow

books I've read during the past year:
(in reverse-chronological order)
Close Range (short stories) by Annie Proulx O Pioneers! by Willa Cather Are You Experienced? The Inside Story of the Jimi Hendrix Experience by Noel Redding Heaven and Hell by Aldous Huxley The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley Breakfast at Tiffany's (and 3 short stories) by Truman Capote All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now (official biography) by Barry Miles Revolution: The Making of the Beatles' White Album by David Quantick Another Brick In the Wall: The Stories Behind Every Pink Floyd Song by Cliff Jones Ozzy Talking: Ozzy Osbourne In His Own Words by Harry Shaw Photoshop 7 for Windows & Macintosh by Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (also CliffsNotes) Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Years of Great Recordings John, Paul, George & Ringo: The Definitive Illustrated Chronicle of the Beatles, 1960-1970 byTim Hill Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama The Rolling Stone Interviews 1967-1980: Talking with the Legends of Rock & Roll Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream by Barbara Ehrenreich Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Lalo: My Life and Music by Lalo Guerrero and Sherilyn Meece Mentes Why Do Men Have Nipples? (Hundreds of Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your ThirdMartini) by Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg, M.D. Rolling Stones: Images of the World Tour 1989-1990 The New Manual of Photography by John Hedgecoe Harmful To Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children From Sex by Judith Levine Canon PowerShot G10 Camera User Guide A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee I Love Led Zeppelin by Ellen Forney [comic strips] Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping by Judith Levine Dangerous Curves: The Art of the Guitar by Darcy Kuronen, forward by Lenny Kaye

all-time favorite books:
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez The Complete Poems by Anne Sexton [read twice] The Beatles: The Biography by Bob Spitz Piaf by Simone Berteaut [read twice] The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe One Day In the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

periodicals:
LA Weekly Los Angeles Times Entertainment Weekly Westways (AAA magazine) also news articles found online