Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Michael Althouse

Free Concert showcases local bands

2011-07-21T23:07:15Z

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, coming of age in the late 70s. Although I was closer to San Jose than San Francisco, the musical energy many associate with the area and the time saturated both. It was a time of super groups, huge venues, big hair and… transition. But one never knew if our friends’ club band would become the next ‘overnight’ sensation. Alas, none of my friends enjoyed that sort of success, though many do enjoy making a living from their passion still to this day. Since moving to the Sacramento area eight years ago, I cannot count all the people I have met who knew or grew up with one or more members of Tesla, one band of more than a handful that did make it big. But the music business is not the same as it was 25 or 30 years ago, and perhaps that is a good thing as the focus of the music seems to have returned to what it should be about, the music.

My concert attendance is nothing like it used to be in my youth. When I once could be found at one performance or another virtually every week, I now catch only a few each year. If not for some friendships forged with the members of two local bands, it would be even less frequent. One band, Stepchild, is well established in the area and after many years of hard work, they appear to be on the verge of ‘overnight’ success. The other band is a new power trio formed just more than two years ago. Both bands will be playing a free show at Shenanigan’s, 705 J Street, tomorrow night. The Absolutes will open for headliner, Stepchild, preceded by two other local bands (Mudface and Blownload) at 8 p.m. in KRXQ 98 Rock's showcase, Local Licks. According to 98 Rock’s Mark Gilmore, host of Local Licks, The Absolutes were chosen to open for Stepchild because they had the highest ticket sales of all other bands competing for the spot.

The Absolutes wrote songs and rehearsed for more than a year before their first gig on July 1st, 2010 at the Boardwalk in Orangevale. This is not a cover band and if I had not known it was their first gig, I would have though this was a well-seasoned band. Even though every song was heard for the first time by most the audience, the music exhibited an engaging element that is difficult to describe. According to Johnny Love, lead guitarist and vocalist, “a lot of people might find our music strange, but for us it’s more of a personal thing.” Love says that each band member brings with him a wide variety of musical tastes and the dynamic formed by the group drives its creative energy.

The band formed through the diverse network of Sacramento area musicians. Bassist Larry Mcallef knew drummer Christian Harlan from playing together briefly about 12 years ago. Love and Mcallef have been playing together on and off for the past 16 years. And if that is not enough, Love also played in a band with Stepchild drummer Brian Kelly years ago as well. As Love tells it, “Larry and I were just plunking around in the garage working on two songs. It had been a while since either of us were in a band so we decided to start a new project.” Harlin explains that was when he received a call from Mcallef and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

But this is a history with a future. Although the road is long and the chances of superstardom might be dim, this is a band with a difference. As Love explains, “I’d be happy just to do what I do now. It would be nice to make some money, but even if we don’t, I like to play.” Harlin adds, “If we could get a CD together and be considered as an alternative opener for promoters billing for bigger bands when they come to the area, that would be cool.” Perhaps Harlin is already realizing his aspirations as Love captures what tomorrow night’s opening for Stepchild means to him, “It’s a great honor, they’re a great local success. Their music has a definite following and it exposes our music to more people.”

But in the end, it comes down to the creative process for these three musicians. “We seemed to have a good feel for each other and right away we had a great personal dynamic,” Love said, “It really fuels the dynamics of the band.” With influences from such bands as Primus, Faith No More and Frank Zappa, just to name a few, this band is difficult to pin down into a particular genre. On the band’s page at Reverb Nation, their bio reads in part, “Part of the joy of The Absolutes is that we defy classification. High energy, clever wit, and our own style is what we are about, we don't sound like this band or that band, we sound like us.”

And that is the sound that music is and always should be about.

Easyriders Bike Show Tour

2011-01-16T20:35:34Z

This is not a news story. It is not even opinion so much as it is a few words to accompany the photos attached to them. If the old saying has any truth, each shot is worth 1,000 words.

The Easyriders Bike Show Tour traditionally makes its annual Sacramento pilgrimage this time of year and unlike last year, the weather did not present any hindrance to the literally thousands of motorcyclists who parked their bikes on J Street and on every other street around the Sacramento Convention Center. Although the show caters to all motorcycle enthusiasts, the vast majority of those in attendance hold allegiance to one brand in particular – Harley Davidson.

As one might expect, the majority of the megabuck customs displayed inside the convention center reflect that allegiance. Those who know the culture, know; and those who do not, do not, but regardless of one’s level of acquaintance with this lifestyle, it is perfectly clear to anyone who happened to be downtown on January 15th and 16th that there is a huge commitment of both time and money to our “hobby.”

Although I am admittedly a Harley aficionado, it does not mean my entire life revolves around them. But at the same time, other aspects of my life neatly dovetail into what can be viewed as a serendipitous opportunity to express my art in terms of my passion. I do not create the custom painted and chrome plated works that were on display yesterday and today, but I can and do create the words and pictures that document them. Yesterday was one big Kodak moment and a few of the results of that moment can be viewed here.

Art has no bounds…

Michael Althouse on "Ask Officer Michelle - Stolen Vehicles Towed After Recovery"

2010-09-24T17:38:17Z

If this was the Sacramento PD's strategy, then that might be a good rationalization for it. But Officer Michelle clearly states that their policy is to notify the registered owner upon recovery before the vehicle is towed and impounded. Based upon my experience and that of others, this would appear to be in direct conflict with reality. One might counter that we are not talking about a large sample of vehicle theft victims - that the numbers accounted for by me and the others who have commented here do not represent a large enough percentage to draw that conclusion. But when looked at from the other side, isn't it telling that not one story of a successful vehicle recovery sans impounding has been told? Not one. Curious, no?

Michael Althouse on "It's Not About the Boobies"

2010-09-08T06:15:46Z

This is not about casting judgement on either the student or the school (administration), it's about the difference between argumentation (a major component of any critical thinking curriculum) and force. In the big picture, the details of this whole affair do not amount to much, but it is a microcosm of any number of situations that do amount to much. Regardless of the student's intent or attitude, there was an opportunity for the school administration to take the intellectual high road and actually show this student how discourse in civilized society is supposed to work. The suspension could have been imposed anywhere within the interaction, but there was only one place to show this student the fallacy contained within his question. And that opportunity is now lost.

Michael Althouse on "It's Not About the Boobies"

2010-09-06T21:42:50Z

I'm aware of this case. It points out quite clearly that the First Amendment protection we enjoy while in a public space is not extended in its entirety to the schools. I'd say that this case would constitute a gray area, as evidenced by some schools allowing the slogan while others do not. But that is not what this column is about anyway.

Michael Althouse on "Ask Officer Michelle - Stolen Vehicles Towed After Recovery"

2010-09-06T20:34:30Z

I have never heard of a stolen vehicle recovery in which the registered owner was contacted prior to the vehicle being towed. But I know more than a handful of people who have told the same story that "tistay" wrote about. And it's not just the Sacramento PD... it happened to me in Reno. The police recovered my stolen truck and, after holding it for evidence for several days, would not release it to me until I payed the tow company that they had bring it to them.

It's Not About the Boobies

2010-09-06T20:14:42Z

A local high school student, Hunter Cooper, 15, is getting more than his allotted 15 minutes of fame. It happens sometimes when the planets align just so and the event, the social climate and decisions made by certain authorities combine into the perfect public relations storm. And Cooper has found himself in the eye of it. His claim to fame? He wore a rubber bracelet to school emblazoned with a slogan deemed offensive by administrators at Rocklin High School in Rocklin, Calif. The bracelet is part of Keep A Breast foundation’s breast cancer awareness campaign. The slogan, “i [heart] boobies,” is aimed at raising awareness among young people and if the current media bonfire is any indication, it has done that and more. The uproar in this case, however, has less to do with a school’s right to limit certain freedoms of expression and more to do with the reasoning behind the disciplinary action taken against Cooper by school administrators.

According to a Sacramento Bee story that ran today, Cooper complied with his physical education teacher’s demand that he take the bracelet off, but when the teacher asked him to turn it over, Cooper started to ask questions regarding his teacher’s reasoning. He was told the slogan was demeaning to women and that there had been complaints. According to the Bee, Cooper responded, “If girls feel that way, then why are so many wearing the bracelets as well?” The response he received was a one-day suspension for being defiant. Other news sources tell essentially the same story, including quotes from Rocklin High School Principal Mike Garrison that establish the school’s rationale for the policy and the authority behind it. Schools do, in fact, have a great deal of authority regarding disruptive or offensive expression that would otherwise be protected under the First Amendment. This is not about that; this is about the so-called defiance.

Cooper raised a legitimate question – one in that could have easily been answered in a dialogue that would have taught him far more than blind adherence to authority. Granted, this case could well have occurred in such a way that Cooper’s attitude was in fact defiant, that he was not legitimately seeking clarity and he was inviting a confrontation, but as reported none of that is apparent. Cooper is, by most standards, still a kid. But he is at an age when he is beginning to think critically and that should be encouraged. The answer to his question is simple and if it had been provided in a mature manner, he would have learned how thinking critically is applied in one of a lifetime's worth of real-time situations. They could have pointed out his glaring logical fallacy; that just because some women do not find it offensive, that does not make it inoffensive to all women. They might have followed up by citing case law that gives schools authority to limit certain First Amendment rights – or at least the rationale behind those limitations. If Cooper then refused to remove the bracelet (which, by all accounts he already had), they could have concluded the lesson for the day and issued the appropriate disciplinary action. To a young adult, the answer, “Because I said so,” should no longer be sufficient. They should be asking “why.”

Cooper engaged in a losing argument, but the way in which it transpired he could never know it. Indeed, he never got to lose his argument; it ended by force before it began. And force should only and always be a last resort. The school played its trump card way before it was necessary and lost out on an educational experience that could not easily be simulated in the classroom. In the classroom of life the consequences are real - the very foundation of our nation was represented by this single exchange. At some point kids need to be treated as real, thinking adults and when adults in authority squash their questions in an egotistical application of power, what does that teach them? Cooper may well have been motivated by an opportunity to be defiant – to exert his power justified by the righteousness of his cause. Or he may have legitimately wanted to know why he was told to remove what he believed to be nothing more than a sign of support. Either way, the school missed a golden opportunity to do what it is supposed to do – teach.

Michael Althouse on "Riding into the Sun"

2010-08-09T16:01:24Z

I went as a fan and only a fan this time. I didn't even bring my camera.

Michael Althouse on "Riding into the Sun"

2010-08-07T22:36:20Z

I became a fan of the Scorpions after the release of the Lovedrive album (1979) and I have been a fan ever since. I saw them perform in large venues (including the 1983 US Festival) and every time they were tight, professional and delivered - which is something I can't say about the 1983 US headliner, Van Halen. The only disappointment was that they could not possibly play everything I have come to know and love over their long career. RATT, on the other hand, should go back to the cellar. Pearcy's voice barely made it through a relatively short set and by the time they played their their signature song, Round and Round, he was all but done for. Some old rock and roll bands need to just quietly fade away...

The Saga of Steve Miller and the Photonazis

2010-07-18T10:04:15Z

Anyone want to buy some Steve Miller pictures?

No?

Sure? There are some great shots, and they’re only a few hours old.

Still no?

I didn’t think so, but apparently Steve Miller or someone within his organization, his promoter or someone within the hierarchy at the concert venue, Raley Field in West Sacramento, thinks there is some kind of demand for pictures from his concert Saturday night. How do I know? The following concert review-turned-rant should explain. But first, I promised a concert review, so here it is.

It was a good show. Miller played many of his hits, spewed some political opinion and made a lengthy solicitation for donations to his pet charity. All in all, his show lived up to my (lofty) musical expectations and went well beyond what I expected in those other two aspects. I didn’t pay $75 (including service fees and parking) to be solicited, no matter how worthy the cause. But at least Miller delivered when it came to the music. It was a good show.

Okay, now that the review is out of the way, here is the rant. Although Miller’s show probably deserves more words than the highly abbreviated review above, it is lucky that I was able to write anything at all. I almost had to leave before the show began - you see, I was carrying contraband. I didn’t sneak in any alcohol or outside food nor did I try to bring in any drugs, although judging from the odor wafting through the air I must have been in the minority. I was not armed and I was not fighting. I had a camera. Not just any camera, but a so-called “professional” camera. Nowhere on any of the numerous signs listing the items not allowed was the fact that cameras, professional or otherwise, were not allowed. The security guard who checked my camera bag for all those other banned items didn’t say anything and, furthermore, if you include cell phone cameras, virtually everyone had a camera and was taking pictures.

When Miller took the stage, I pulled my Canon 30D out of my bag and squeezed off four shots before an oversized security guard stopped me. He wanted to know where my photo pass was. I didn’t have one. I didn’t think I needed one. I wasn’t working for anyone; I was shooting because I take pictures. My camera is a notch above a consumer model, but it’s not exactly a professional model either. Regardless, after explaining how no one said anything about this policy to me, how it is written nowhere and if I had known I certainly could have obtained a photo pass, the guard told me that if I took my camera out of my bag again he would take it. I put my camera away, but I was not about to leave it at that. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell you what the next three or four songs were because I was pissed off and trying to figure out who was going to answer for this.

My opportunity came when another patron found himself in the same predicament. He was shown to supervisor and I made my way over there to plead my case as well. This particular photographer had his press-pass with him (mine is no longer current and I didn’t have it with me anyway), but he too was informed that he needed the necessary photo pass to use his “professional” camera. I didn’t see what he was shooting with but it was a DSLR, not a point-and-shoot like most everyone else had. When I explained my situation to the supervisor, she informed me that, though not publicized, the lens I was using was not allowed and that I would have to leave. Leave? Things went from bad to worse; then I realized that their concern was the size of my lens. I told her I had a smaller lens and would be happy to switch it out. Bingo. But I did have to check in my “large, professional” lens with guest services.

Reluctantly (not because I thought I would need it, but because I was not too keen on leaving my lens with anyone) I handed my lens over to guest services. But I safely retrieved it after the show and the people working in guest services understood my frustration, though they had no control over whatever policy was in effect. It would appear that the score is now photonazis-1, Mike-0, but appearances can be deceiving. The lens I gave up was a 28-135mm zoom with an aperture range of 3.5 to 5.6. It’s a good lens, but not particularly effective in low light – and the sun was just setting. The “smaller” lens I put on was an 85mm with an aperture of 1.8. It was, in fact, a shorter lens, but in terms of the size of the glass – the determining factor in how much light is let into the camera - this lens is much, much bigger. And it was the lens I planned to switch to once the sun went down. Score change: Photonazis-1, Mike-2.

Now I was free to take pictures at will; the jumbo-sized security guard was informed and left me alone. And I got some good shots – several hundred, in fact. Once edited and compiled, there will likely be a good deal more than a handful that are worth keeping – but not worth anything more. There is no market for Steve Miller concert pictures. Furthermore, a Google search will turn up more than any die-hard Steve Miller fan’s heart could desire. Forgetting about egotistical paranoia for a moment, I’ll concede that Steve Miller has a right to limit or restrict photography, recording or any other use of his likeness, name or image and that the “professional lens” policy is a legitimate way to control such use, but not arbitrarily and not without notification. The policy, as my “small” lens use proves, involves a complex array of parameters not understood by those enforcing it and regarding the total lack of informing the audience of this policy, there is no defense.

I went ahead and edited a few shots for publication here. They are copyrighted – if anyone, especially Steve Miller, wants to use any of them, it will require my permission. For Steve Miller, that permission is available – at a price.

Michael Althouse on "Political Cues"

2010-06-10T23:12:26Z

Indeed.

Michael Althouse on "Political Cues"

2010-06-09T15:18:20Z

If what you say is true, then we should have seen Props 16 and 17 both pass - they did not. Enough voters saw through the corporate manipulation of the initiative process (which is the exact opposite of its original intent) to reject these measure designed to benefit specific interests but disguised as measures to "give power to the people." Although it is true that the gazillionaires won their respective races in the Republican primary, they are now in a precarious position of trying to justify their personal expenditures to the entire state in the general election - an historically untenable position in California. Because political advertising is largely reliant on 30-second advertisments, arguments are most effectively made with an appeal to pathos, although they are usually portrayed as logical appeals and made by those who exploit their (presummed) credibilty. But even the most uninformed voter who is truly undecided grows weary of the relentless attacks and can't help but notice that something is just not right. PG&E outspent opponents to Prop 16 by at least two orders of magnitude - the measure ran virtually unopposed, yet it still went down in defeat. Those voters must have received their cues from somewhere - perhaps they came from PG&E itself.

Political Cues

2010-06-08T20:09:22Z

Today is “mini” Super Tuesday – Election Day. And in California that means it is time to vote in the primaries to determine who will represent each party in the general election next November. It also means that we will determine the outcome of a number of initiatives that we, the people, supposedly put on the ballot in an effort to do what the legislature cannot or will not. Of course, there is very little of the “people” involved in the initiative process anymore. For some time it has been an instrument of special interests to get custom tailored laws on the books that are portrayed as benefiting the general good, but in reality specifically target a much narrower interest. Among the most egregious to date is Proposition 16, euphemistically named “The Peoples Right to Vote.” Almost entirely funded by PG&E, if passed this measure would solidify a near monopoly the utility has in the state.

My purpose here isn’t to weigh in as for or against this or any other proposition (for the record, I will be voting against it), but rather to address the argument that those who do not take the time to get informed should not vote. The predicted turnout for this election is characteristically low with estimates as dismal as only one third of those registered taking the time to cast a ballot. I am also not going through an exercise that argues the much-trumpeted call that those who do not vote have no right to complain. Comedian George Carlin turned this argument upside down, but I would argue that every citizen who is affected by the laws of our land has the right to complain – it is, in fact, a constitutional right. But I do believe that voting, even if “uninformed,” is a sacred responsibility and that the daunting amount of propaganda should not be a deterrent – there are many avenues to getting informed.

Most people voting do not research the issues as thoroughly as I do. Most people take their cues from other sources and I would hope that those sources are at least a little deeper than the 30-second spots that those with a vested interest provide us with relentless fervor. There are other cues that can be much more reliable reflections of how a voter would vote if he or she had taken the considerable time it takes to be “informed.” The most common is one’s political affiliation, though with the disarray and inconsistency the two major parties display in their platforms – or perhaps more in their actions versus their rhetoric – this is not as reliable a cue as it perhaps once was. This is nowhere better evidenced by the growing trend of voters registering “decline to state.”

But there are other cues that voters can and do utilize that reflect their ideology without having to go through the tedium of researching the issues directly. They include columnists, analysts, peers and friends. I have had many a political discussions recently with a number of friends who know that I make it my business to stay on top of the issues and that I can see through the deluge of propaganda. I have no idea if I have influenced their vote and I never advocate for a particular decision, but I can answer questions with a balanced perspective. If I am asked, I will indicate how I intend to vote, but that question rarely comes up – those friends are seeking information, not advice. And I am interested in their views as well because I do not come up with my perspective out of thin air – I cannot see a given issue from all possible perspectives.

The bottom line is that I reject the idea that those who are not informed should not vote. Essentially I reject the idea that they are not informed – most are far more than they realize. Stephen Colbert ridiculed President Bush at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner for relying on his gut to make decisions, and while making decisions such as waging war should be far more informed than a gut feeling, a feeling is more than sufficient for casting a ballot. Even relying only on the advertising can be sufficient to form an opinion if one pays attention to what is not included and listens to opposing arguments. But perhaps the best way is to bounce ideas off those whom we already respect – our friends. That can be the most accurate cue available.

Michael Althouse on "Hagar/Heart Rock Sacramento"

2010-06-01T18:31:45Z

I'm not so sure a Hagar/Wilsons duet (triet?) is such a great idea. Although Hagar and the Wilson sisters hail from basically the same era, they do so with a decidedly different focus musically. The pairing of the two bands is genius (I saw the Outlaws open for Iron Maiden once - bad idea), but there are vast stylistic differences between the two that I think are best left alone. Having said that, I certainly wouldn't head for the restrooms if they were to take the the stage together. Regarding Heart's guitar player, yes he was good, but so have the other five or six lead guitars that have played for the Wilson sisters over the years. Every member of Heart has changed over many times except Ann and Nancy Wilson - they are the heart of Heart. I mentioned the keyboardist only because she was one of the three band members that performed that particular rendition of "Alone," one without an electric guitar, bass or drums - it was stirring to say the least, which is saying something considering "Alone" is not exactly my favorite Heart song. You might have noticed that I didn't mention Sammy Hagar's band members either. When I saw him in 1980, Bill Church ("The electric Church") was on bass, Gary Pihl was lead guitar and Denny Carmassi was on drums. For many years that concert was the benchmark by which all others were measured - in some respects it still is. But even with that talent sharing the stage with him, Hagar was the show. Sunday night, this much had not changed. @ Casey - Thanks, it was good to see you there. All of you over at Sac Press are doing a great job.

Hagar/Heart Rock Sacramento

2010-06-01T06:37:10Z

I started going to rock concerts in the late 70s. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, virtually every major tour made a stop at one of several large, local venues. Many of those bands have long since disbanded and, unfortunately, many of those musicians have since passed away. However, some have proved resilient and are still performing with the same intensity and passion they did more than 30 years ago.

Two of those bands, Heart and Sammy Hagar, graced the stage at Raley Field in West Sacramento Sunday night for a benefit concert culminating Hope Productions Foundation’s Walk ‘n Rock event. Although both groups have undergone personnel changes throughout the years, both have maintained a presence in the industry for the long haul. Neither are resurrections from some bygone era; both are still active and judging from the near capacity crowd Sunday night, both enjoy long-term fan loyalty.

Prior to headliner Sammy Hagar, Heart, featuring sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, took the stage. The opening number, “Fire,” demonstrated the Wilson sisters’ versatility with lead singer Ann Wilson on the flute and younger sister Nancy on guitar. The next four songs (“Heartless,” “Never,” “Straight On” and “These Dreams”) were an anthology of Heart hits highlighting the band’s breadth and laser-like precision. From Heart's soon to be released album, “Red Velvet Car,” the band debuted two tracks, including the title track, before performing a version of “Alone” featuring only Nancy Wilson on acoustic guitar, keyboardist Debbie Shair and lead vocals from Ann Wilson. The set was rounded out with the powerful 1970s classics “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You,” and closed with “Barracuda.” A two-song encore consisted of a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “What Is and What Should Never Be” followed by the band’s 1985 hit, “What About Love.”

Although I am a journalist and a writer and I have “reviewed” various performances in the past, I am not in even the remotest sense a music critic or reviewer. I am a fan and have been for many years. My impression of both bands’ performance is from that entirely personal perspective. The music quality is derived from two distinct but intersecting points of view: That of the music itself and the performance of it live. The Wilson sisters are consummate musicians and songwriters and the performance showcased their talents as both, but it is easy to write about the instruments played, the intricacy of the music and the mixing of the sounds. More difficult to relate is the connection made with the audience. This band knows why they do what they do and their appreciation is evident in the energy they bring to the live performance – even after more than 30 years. It is a not something that can be faked and the Wilson sisters made their audience feel like their performance was a personal effort to reach each and every individual who attended.

If it was possible to duplicate or surpass that audience connection and energy, Sammy Hagar was the man to do it. His 13-song set took him and his band right up to the 11 p.m. Raley Field curfew leaving no time for an encore. A video montage preceded the band’s opening song, “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” which went right into “I Can’t Drive 55.” Hagar engaged his audience at every turn, encouraging those in attendance to sing along. The band followed with “Why Can’t This Be Love” and “Three Lock Box” before breaking into a Led Zeppelin medley that hinged on the hit “Whole Lotta Love.” At this point Hagar took a moment to recognize the purpose of the benefit and thank those in attendance for supporting Hope Foundations Productions, then fittingly performed the Van Halen mega-hit, “Right Now,” with its message, an overtone of hope. Changing gears, Hagar launched into a string of three hits (“Space Station #5,” “Rock Candy” and Bad Motor Scooter”) from his first band, Montrose. Rounding out the set, Hagar performed “Best of Both Worlds,” “Heavy Metal,” “Mas Tequila” and concluded with a soulful version of the 1988 Van Halen hit “Finish What Ya Started.”

While Heart entertained with high energy and a complex musical repertoire, Sammy Hagar’s ability to intimately and personally connect with thousands of fans in a single moment is unsurpassed. Although musically his set consisted of more basic, perhaps more typically album oriented rock of the 70s and 80s, Hagar’s passion for performing live remains undiminished since first seeing him live almost 30 years ago. A Sammy Hagar concert is and always has been more than just about the music. It is an event, an indelible experience that one will not soon forget. I remember that first Hagar concert in 1980 like it was yesterday and his performance Sunday night proves that old rock stars need not fade away - they can shine well into the night, even if the night has an 11 p.m. curfew.

Michael Althouse on "Bikers come thundering into Sacramento Convention Center"

2010-01-20T02:58:46Z

Josh, May I call you Josh? Great. I took the liberty to go back over your comment history and it appears as though you have never posted a positive comment. It begs the question, why do you waste your time reading what you have variously termed, "retarded," "horribly written" and "boring" (twice) stories? Surely you have something better to do with your time. Coming in at a little less than 800 words, it should take the average reader no more than a few minutes to read this story and, like any good news story, the gist of the event can be found within the first two or three sentences. Those who are interested, i.e. those who are into motorcycles, interested in civic events or are looking for economic indicators, might find themselves compelled to read further. I am flattered, however, that you took the time to read my “too long” and “really boring” story - even more so that you bothered to comment on it. Those precious few minutes of your time are now forever mine. Thank you, Michael Althouse

Bikers come thundering into Sacramento Convention Center

2010-01-19T07:00:27Z

Hundreds of motorcycles lined both sides of J Street in front of the Convention Center on Saturday while their owners attended the annual Sacramento stop of the Easyriders Bike Show Tour.

Although the rain Sunday reduced the number of bikes parked on the streets, attendance at the two-day event was as good as or better than last year, said event manager Kari Roben.

Inside the Convention Center, the main floor was full of exhibitors and vendors displaying custom motorcycles and related goods and services, including accessories, apparel and custom fabrication.

Sacramento was the second stop on a five-city tour that started in Pomona on Jan. 9. “This is our second biggest show,” Roben said. “Only the last show, the invitational in Columbus, is bigger.”

Roben said that the Sacramento show owes its success to a large number of subscribers to Easyriders magazine, local support from Harley Davidson of Sacramento and other vendors, and the fact that the city is centrally located.

“Sixty to 75 percent of our vendors return year after year,” she said.

In addition to vendors and row after row of custom motorcycles, there was live music and entertainment. And clowns roamed the exhibit floor, entertaining young and old alike.

Woodland resident Meagan Murphy, also known as "Denim Jean," created balloon animals for all who happened by the booth of Anne Nix, owner of Sacramento-based Anne’s Badass Boutique (or Anne’s Incredible Bodywear, depending on her clientele).

“This is my 12th or 13th year,” Nix said. “I’ve been doing biker shows all over the U.S. for 16 years.”

She said the economy has significantly affected her business and that she was not sure how much business the show would generate. Other vendors, though, were more optimistic.

James Dean, owner of Rebel Design, a local custom motorcycle paint and fabrication venture, said, “This is the best show I can do all year.”

Dean said he receives “eight to ten jobs out of the show.” But another local vendor, Mike Armtrout, owner of custom-parts manufacturer Bigger Pimps, from Grass Valley, said he was there “mostly for exposure.”

Many national vendors also were exhibiting.

Representing Iowa-based J&P Cycles, Patrick Garvin said the show was “at least as good as or a little better than last year.”

A large motorcycle parts and accessories vendor, J&P Cycles distributed free catalogs for Harley Davidson, vintage and metric motorcycles.

John and Christi Huddleson were exhibiting for the first time at the bike show, traveling to Sacramento and Pomona from their home in San Diego.

The Huddlesons' business, Patch World, generates its income entirely at motorcycle events, John Huddleson said.

“These shows have been better than expected,” he said. “If I had known, I would continue (with the entire tour).”

Some booths had a more philanthropic bent.

“Spurz,” who declined to give his real name, is the state founder of Bikers Against Child Abuse. He said that although one goal of his booth is to raise donations, “our primary purpose is to raise awareness.”

Calvin Jefferson, also known as "Redbone," has been riding motorcycles for 35 years.

“I’ve been coming for the last five years and this is better than last year,” he said, adding that it’s still not as well attended as years prior, “probably because of the economy.”

Robert and Maggie Sanchez were attending their first Easyriders event with their granddaughter Alexia, 2, who was enchanted by Denim Jean. Sanchez has attended the similar Street Vibrations show in Reno but enjoyed Sacramento's version better because it's more family-oriented.

Although the show focuses mostly on V-twin powered street motorcycles such as the venerable Harley Davidson, there was something for every enthusiast.

The show attracted attendees from outside the Sacramento area as well.

Dorain and Christine Sallee traveled from Santa Rosa to view the exhibits and visit the various vendors.

“Last year there seemed to be more Harley stuff,” Dorain Sallee said, adding that he rides a Honda Gold Wing.

A large variety of custom motorcycles were exhibited, some worth more than $100,000.

Lane Shipp, Matt Toro and Andy Clark were checking out their favorite motorcycles Sunday.

“I’d like to see more bikes and less booths,” Shipp said. “I like the simple ones. Less is more.”

In reference to the image of the "outlaw biker," many attendees said that it has faded.

“A lot of that stigma has gone away," said longtime motorcyclist Jim Warnken of Livermore. "It’s not like it used to be.”

Christine Sallee added, “Bikers get a bad rap. It’s not deserved.”

The next stop on the Easyriders Bike Show Tour is in Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 23-24.

For more information, visit the Easyriders Events website

Photo captions for images 1-8

Rebel Designs owner james Dean talks to a potential customer in his booth at the Sacramento stop of the Easyriders Bike Show Tour

Mike Armtrout, owner of Grass Valley's Bagger Pimp exhibited at the show to increase his company's exposure

Two year Alexia proudly wears her balloon hat crafted by 'Denim Jean' the clown.

Dorain and Christine Sallee of Santa Rosa talk to one of the vendors exhibiting at the show

Christi and John Huddleson exhibiting for the first time at the Sacramento event. Their company, Patch World, exhibits at 30 different shows per year

Lance Shipp, Matt Toro and Andy Clark made their way from Placer County to look at the custom motorcycles

Ron Mitchell and Jim Warnken from Livermore eye a bright blue custom fabricated motorcycle

Clown 'Denim Jean,' also known as Meagan Murphy, from Woodland, entertains bike show attendees