First in a series of 8 web-rockumentary episodes chronicling the life of Jamie and Brian Coakley and the making and release of their Long Beach, CA More

First in a series of 8 web-rockumentary episodes chronicling the life of Jamie and Brian Coakley and the making and release of their Long Beach, CA based rock band WAXAPPLES third DIY record. In the spring of 2000, OC alt-rock hero Brian Coakley (The Cadillac Tramps/Rule 62) and his wife, Jamie Sims Coakley, formed a band. Four years and countless hours later, they are finally ready to unveil their very own special variety of rock-n-roll, dubbed WAXAPPLES. "The type of music is definitely rock...only not straight up, but rather with a twist" says Brian about his latest project. "I took what I loved most about rock music; simple song structures, nasty guitar riffs, and a whole hell of a lot of punk rock energy, and mixed it with the possibilities of expression that modern technology affords. The first songs were recorded by myself and my producer at the time, Chris Furhman (Sparklehorse, Brian Eno). I started with drum loops and samples, over-dubbing guitars and bass. I suppose I got a little high with the possibilities, adding in 60's style keyboard parts and a sprinkling of really cool, moody horn lines. When we went to put a band together to try and duplicate what we had recorded, well...it turned out to be a logistical nightmare. There were eight bodies at our first rehearsal. Drums, bass, two guitars, two female back up voices, (one of whom was Jamie) and keyboards. That lasted all of about three weeks, before I realized we had to simplify." And simplify they have. When you see WAXAPPLES now, you might, at first, mistake them for a ska band, or maybe rock-a-billy without the pompadours and cuffed jeans. However, once they start to play, the band is unmistakably rock-n-roll. Their style is a bit 1950's glamor mixed with a twenty first century edge. The band is a streamlined version of their first incarnation featuring James Grissom on drums, Marcus Irvin on bass, Brian on guitar and lead vocals, Matt Kalin on saxophone and Jamie on additional vocals. "In the beginning, I was doing much more traditional back ups then what I do now." Says Jamie. "I used to sing mostly tag lines, which was fine. But, as the band began to take on it's own character, I found myself singing more and more. Now, I double Brian's lead on more than half our songs. I sing lead on one song, "I", and do traditional back ups on the rest." This approach tempts one to make comparisons to "X" or The Pixies, and the gritty, nasty saxophone riffs, (many written for a second guitar rather than a sax), call to mind the 90's Boston alt-rock band Morphine. What sets WAXAPPLES apart from the afore mentioned bands however, is their live show. Brian's ability to leap three feet in the air, spin around and still plays his riffs with precision. His gritty, raw vocals, full of emotion. His captivating stage presence. Each offset and yet complimented by Jamie's bomb blast of energy. Her sometimes sultry and smooth, sometimes punky and raw vocals. The saxophone blares and spits at you. The rhythm section pulses, thumps and vibrates seamlessly and although the band is extraordinarily tight, there is an element of danger. You are on the edge, as sweat pours off Brian's cap, as Jamie prods and teases dangerously close to the head stock of his guitar. They jump and rock and belt out the set with an energy, excitement and sense of enjoyment rarely seen, catching the audience up and bringing them along for the ride. From the first crack of the snare drum, to the final chorus of their set, WAXAPPLES draw you in, shake you up, smack you around and then spit you out. Perhaps you are a bit battered and bruised from the ride, but somehow you feel the better for it. Better for having lived one night a little more fully, for having sampled the raw, fresh rock-n-roll goodness that is WAXAPPLES.
Hide

this is a two part video of walt disney's classic "pirates of the caribbean." i filmed it on the night of july 6th 2006 on the eve of "pirates of the More

this is a two part video of walt disney's classic "pirates of the caribbean." i filmed it on the night of july 6th 2006 on the eve of "pirates of the caribbean dead man's chest" at the vip showing. the ride has been 'plused' to incorporate some new villains such as the vicious cpt. barbossa on board the black pearl bombarding port royal; davy jones, the devil of the deep taunting you as you pass under a ghostly waterfall. the ride also introduces the one and only, cpt. jack sparrow, evading local authorities and scallywags alike in search of the treasure. be on the lookout for the cursed treasure of cortez in the treasure room. the vip party that i attended interviewed a few people from the movie as well as a few people from the ride; they were just a few make-up artists and a few consultants. if you look close on the last part, when you are leaving the lower level after the jack sparrow scene for the upper level, in the front seat of the boat, there is an older gentlemen by the name of xavier atencio, but his friends simply call him x. he wrote the lyrics to the song, yo ho yo ho a pirate's life for me, and also wrote and recited the speech of the skull and crossbones in the beginning of the ride. when the boat passed that mark, alice davis, who is the make-up/costume artist for the ride was also in the boat and patted x. atencio on the back as we went under the skull and crossbones. not a lot of people can say that their legacy will live on for years after they leave this earth like he can. a vast there! it'd be too late to alter course maties. there be plundering pirates lurking in every cove, waiting to board, so sit closer together, and keep your ready hands in board, for that be the best way to repel boarders, and mark well me words maties...dead men tell no tales.i hope that you enjoy watching it as much as i did making it. and feel free to leave comments.
Hide