Friday, December 19, 2014

2014 : Epilogue

To round out the year we've got a couple of treats for you.

Friday December 26th
Sassafras Saloon, 1233 N. Vine St. Hollywood 90038
10:30-close, Free!
Woody Aplanalp (guitar) & Juan Perez (bass) of Aloe Blacc's will be sitting in with Rich Berardi (drums) and I respectively.

Saturday, December 27th
O'Brien's Pub, 2941 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90405
9:30-close. Free. 21+. Full Band.

New Year's Eve
Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Rd. 92268
Free & all ages. 7:30pm-close
Dinner reservations are closed, but there you can still order the full menu from the bar.
And there will be plenty of room in the pool hall and on the dance floor.
Champagne toast at midnight.

New Year's Eve at P&H 2014. Photos by Katie Stratton...





Tuesday, December 16, 2014

PCB 15 Year Anniversary Month : Saturday at Mrs. Fish in Downtown Los Angeles

Saturday, December 20th
Mrs. Fish, 448 South Hill St. 90013
8-10pm. Free
After us will be the band Tulips.

This is a brand new swanky spot downtown.
They have a giant aquarium.

We are playing early enough there should be no problem getting in.
Bring your snorkel gear.

word to the booty monster

PCB 15 year anniversary note...
In the summer of 1999, I had graduated college and I had a little leeway from my beyond forgiving parents before it was time for me to get a job.
During college, I'd read 10 hours a day. I'd play basketball the other 3. It was an idyllic situation. Every Thursday, I worked it out that I could spend an hour or 2 writing songs. Previous to this and since then, there were no parameters on my so-called art. I would and will write all the goddamn time.
My thinking was, I really wanted to take in that knowledge and graduate from UCLA for whatever that is/was worth. So, those boundaries were self-imposed.
Anyway, I would use all the words I learned from reading all those books with a dictionary sitting beside me and my little soul mate, Candy the toy poodle, sleeping on my lap as my study partner, and write a song.
Every Thursday at 4pm. They were very erudite. And pretty dang good. But a little forced.
So like I was saying, I had been writing all these songs. Everyone kept asking me what I was gonna do with my life.
I finagled a little 3-4 month window where I was working part-time trying to figure it out.
In secret during the Summer of 1999, I played every open mic night in LA pretty much. Several nights a week.
After a couple weeks, I started to know everyone.
And I started to realize that I was only there for myself. Because everyone else was.
And I had the most terrible stage fright. It was crippling. Slowly I got over it. Still working on that.
I dove in head first. Into the shallow end of the swimming pool.
In those couple months, I met this dude name "Eric Swan-in." That's how he spelled his name when he scrawled his # illegibly on a napkin. He said if I ever needed a bass player, he would love to be in my band.
Band? I never had a band, but I needed one.
Then we met a drummer, Jon "Beachfoot" Weil. And in December of 1999, we got our first show as the PCB on a Sunday night at Canter's Kibitz Room.
Long story short, me & Dutch have played about 1200 shows together.
It's been a couple years since he was 'in the band' because he's been working on other projects, but last week he joined us on the guitar up in one of our favorite dives in Bakersfield.
Why don't we just call it the 15 year anniversary month of the PCB for all of December?
Let's do that.
Wow! We made it. In so many ways. Artistically. As friends. As brothers. Musicians. Arch-nemeses. Co-conspirators. Enablers. Lovers. Alive. We done way better than like 99% of bands. And we're still here to make fun of each other and steal each other's songs. So. Like I said we kinda made it. Not like Jay-Z or even Ryan Adams.
But we have so many great friends that we have met over these last 15 years to share it all with. Jonny Niemann your 10 year anniversary is coming up.

The celebration continues at Mrs. Fish on Saturday.

paulchesne.com

Thursday, December 11, 2014

I played at the Hollywood Bowl : Bakersfield on Saturday (Dutch is coming, look out!)

So I played the Hollywood Bowl the other day.
The show went from 3pm until 5:03pm. At one point a guy walked through with his 2 dogs.
Otherwise, it was just me and Stephen Albanese who was filming and taking stills...
Click here to check out a little video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQLcBUNGQMo


Also, Dutch will be joining us for a trip to scenic Bakersfield!
Saturday, December 13th
Texas 28, 1517 Eighteenth St. Bakersfield, CA 93301
9pm-close
$5

Next LA show will be 12/20 at a new bar in downtown called Mrs. Fish.
It is "pretty swank" in a rock n' roll kinda way.

12/27 O'Brien's!

New Year's Eve at Pappy & Harriet's dinner reservations are now full. But they have the full menu available at the bar and in the pool room. So don't be scared. Come fill up that dance floor and rock in to 2015.

paulchesne.com


Sunday, December 7, 2014

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The Lucky 13: For The Coachella Valley Independent

In  anticipation of our New Year's Eve show at Pappy & Harriet's, I did a little interview for the Coachella Valley Independent.

The Los Angeles-based Paul Chesne Band is a regular at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace. After playing there at the Campout with Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker in September, the Paul Chesne Band will return to Pappy’s for New Year’s Eve. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/paulchesneband or www.paulchesne.com; to make reservations for the Pappy’s New Year’s Eve bash, get details at pappyandharriets.com. Paul Chesne was kind enough to answer The Lucky 13.
What was the first concert you attended?
The Jacksons’ Victory Tour at Dodger Stadium, in December 1984. I was wearing the Thriller jacket and a sequined glove.
What was the first album you owned?
The first cassette I got was Air Supply’s Greatest Hits. My older sister made fun of me, but it was the only (tape) I had, so I listened to it over and over. I don’t think I’ve listened to it since. The first two CDs I got were Paul Simon’s Graceland and The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Black Sabbath, Kip Boardman, Nancy Sinatra, Ramsay Midwood, and First Aid Kit.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
The Foo Fighters. They are doing everything right. I love what I’ve seen of Sonic Highways; we had talked about doing something similar on a smaller scale among my circle of musicians, but Dave Grohl trumped us. I just don’t get their music. It’s rock ’n’ roll; it’s smart, and I should love it, but I just don’t.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
I’d love to have seen Elvis in Vegas. That would’ve probably been righteously and offensively decadent. Plus, he had a killer band with James Burton, Jerry Scheff and the Sweet Inspirations. As a bonus, (I’d have loved) to have been invited to one of the legendary spontaneous late-night gospel sessions they had. I remember several years ago listening to some of that stuff when I had eaten some psychedelics, and feeling close to God or something.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Barbra Streisand.
What’s your favorite music venue?
I love Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, and I like the Greek Theatre (in Los Angeles).
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
Right now, I have this obscure country song by Linda Martell stuck in my head, “Color Him Father.”
What band or artist changed your life? How?
When Dwight Yoakam parted ways with his band a little more than 10 years ago, he hired a bunch of guys out of the local L.A. scene. Those guys, like Mitch Marine, Dave Roe and Josh Grange, ended up being a huge part of directly changing my musical career by helping me record my first real album, and have played live with me countless times. I have met tons of amazing people through them. I owe them a lot. Also: the rock ’n’ roll band The Vacation, which was signed to American Recordings by Rick Rubin for a while. I went to see them play probably at least 50 times. I learned a ton from watching their lead singer, Ben Tegel, taunt an audience. The rest of the band has been in my band at some point for a number of years. Many of my players have played with them.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I’d ask Debbie Harry, in 1978: “Can we have sex?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Dropkick Me Jesus,” by Bobby Bare.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
James Brown, Live at the Apollo 1962.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Offshore Bank Accounts,” by Paul Chesne.
Coachella Valley Independent.

Monday, November 10, 2014

PC3 Celebrate the Desert party Friday in Joshua Tree & Acoustic Big Red Sunday In Venice

Make your reservations now for New Year's Eve with the PCB at Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace.


This year marks the 20th anniversary of the passage of the California Desert Conservation Act by the US congress and signed into law by President Clinton which ensures the preservation of Death Valley and Joshua Tree along with the Mojave desert.

To honor this lovely occasion PC3 are playing 
Friday November 14th
Joshua Tree Welcome Center 6554 Park Boulevard, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
5-8pm
This event is free and open to the public.
Come celebrate the desert with us! One of my most favorite and beautiful places on the planet Earth.

Also, Big Red Sunday November 16th
Acoustic for Lacey Kay Cowden's Album Release with Matt Ellis
560 Rose Ave. 90291
3-7pm
$10 suggested donation. That comes with food cooked by one of LA's top chefs, Brian Dunsmoor, libations by El Segundo Brewery, 2 punch bowls full of booze like a high school party, and music by the aforementioned local heoes.
I go on at 4pm.




paulchesne.com

Friday, November 7, 2014

Mojave Rattle Skaters Roller Derby Bout in Joshua Tree Saturday

Saturday November 8th we're playing the Mojave Rattle Skaters roller derby team season closer at
Brehm Sports Park 56620 Little League Dr. Yucca Valley, CA
6:30pm
$5 at the door.

And then we play the after party at...
Kokopelli's Kantina at 10pm
57154 29 Palms HwyYucca Valley, CA 92284



paulchesne.com

Monday, October 27, 2014

Halloween Party in Hollywood on Friday


Friday October 31st
THE STUDIO'S 6th Annual Halloween Party Midnight In The Garden of Saints & Sinners

Beer & Vodka Bar -Sponsored by Tito's Handmade Vodka
Wicked Kitchen Food Truck
The Paul Chesne Band
SnapYourself Photobooth
Costume Contest - with prizes!

 
6442 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90038
9pm-2am
Tickets are $25.
You can buy them here in advance or at the door (credit card only).


Friday, October 24, 2014

PCB plays the Beatles at O'Brien's Saturday night & Hollywood Party on Halloween

The Beatles first came to the US in 1964.
To commemorate this occasion someone is paying us big bucks to do a private party next week. We've been working hard on a whole bunch of Beatles tunes.
So we figure what the hell, we might as well play a bunch of them at O'Brien's for you for free tomorrow! 

Saturday October 25th
O'Brien's Pub, 2941 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90405
9:30-close. Free. 21+. Full Band.

Also, on Halloween we are playing an awesome party in Hollywood.
They shut down this whole studio and parking lot and have over the top decorations. I'm talking movie set quality. And once you pay for the ticket, booze and food is free. We did this party a couple years ago and the costumes are wild and the food was fantastic. They set up a top not notch photo booth.
And we play some spooky tunes for ya.
All the proceeds go to SoCal Bulldog Rescue.

Here are the details:
Friday October 31st
THE STUDIO'S 6th Annual Halloween Party Midnight In The Garden of Saints & Sinners

Beer & Vodka Bar -Sponsored by Tito's Handmade Vodka
Wicked Kitchen Food Truck
The Paul Chesne Band
SnapYourself Photobooth
Costume Contest - with prizes!

 
6442 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90038
9pm-2am
Tickets are $25 at the door (credit card only).


paulchesne.com

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

So, I'm the asshole


So, I'm the asshole.
This person was at our show on Sunday.
And I saw him with a pencil there taking notes on the band before us.
Someone got a peek at what he was writing and it was critiques of each band member and the songs.
After careful consideration, we decided that he was a big time talent buyer.
My impulse was to rebel. And yell swear words.
But we just did our thing as best we could at this beautiful winery up there in the mountains around Paso Robles. Kind of in the middle of nowhere. A scenic nowhere nonetheless.
After we were done playing, we conspired to distract him and try to see his notes on us.
I got my camera phone ready. We worked up a whole ruse involving our friend's children and many other lies.
As soon as we started talking to him we realized he was like 12 years old.
Then he told us the notes he was taking were for a class at school. About live music. He was doing his homework which was to go see live music. This is the reason why our country is going to shit.
Him & his parents said there were no notes they could write about us except that they wholeheartedly enjoyed it. And we were really good.
So, I'm the asshole. (I think this will be the title of my autobiography.)


Also, on Saturday we're playing at Pacific Palisades Highlands Plaza from 11am-2pm.
514 Palisades Dr. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Thursday, October 16, 2014

PC3 in Paso Robles This Weekend : The Pour House Saturday : Sculpterra Winery Sunday

PC3 this weekend...

Saturday October 18th at 8pm
Paso Pour House
, 525 Pine St. 93446
We go all night.


Sunday October 19th at 1:30pm 
Songwriters at play at Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Lynne Rd. Paso Robles, CA
Free and all ages. We just do a short 20 minute set.

Last weekend we played a surprise party for our friend in the back of a tire shop.
That was unique.


Friday, October 10, 2014

Basement Tavern Saturday & Halloween party in Hollywood

Saturday October 11th,
Basement Tavern from 9pm-close
2640 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90405
Full Band.
21+
Free!


Other upcoming shows of note:
Super rad party in Hollywood Friday October 31st...
6442 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90038
All proceeds go to:
Southern California Bulldog Rescue Group

Tickets are $20 until 10/22 then go up to $25 and can be purchased here.

11/14 at the Joshua Tree Welcome Center to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the CA Desert Protection Act.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Sat in with Don Randi

In my life I have had the honor of sharing the stage and playing for some of the legends of all time.
Dave Roe who I saw play bass for Johnny Cash live 4 times and who was in Johnny's band for 13 years played several shows with the PCB & and on a couple of our records.
Willie Chambers of the Chambers Brothers I hold on a par with his peers like Sam Cooke & Aretha Franklin. He is a dear friend and we have shared the stage dozens of times. A living legend.
A couple years ago Mick Taylor, who was a driving force behind the Rolling Stones' best records, showed up at Pappy & Harriet's with a borrowed guitar explicitly to sit in with us for a song or 2. 2 hours later we were all quite inebriated and he was still just jamming along with everything. It was magic. We've had our share of hall of famers in the crowd like Green Day coming to see us at the Kibitz Room 3 weeks in row.
Anthony from the Red Hot Chili Peppers came to several shows. To be fair, I think Anthony was only there because he wanted to fuck my girlfriend. But he did say we were his second favorite band in LA. In case you care, his favorite band in LA at that time was comprised of virtuosic 12 year olds.
And I must also say that some of my close knit family of band mates have been in some of my favorite bands of all time like The Vacation and continue to tour with people like Sheryl Crow and Dwight Yoakam and Leonard Cohen and Jack White.
Anyway tonight a magical and auspicious thing happened again. I went out to the Valley. By myself on a Saturday. I have never done that in and of itself in all my 38 years of living in LA. But it was to see pianist Don Randi and his band Quest at the club he owns, The Baked Potato. He accosted me between sets requesting that I sit in with them. I found some charts for him and his amazing band and I sat in with them for a song. If you don't know who Don Randi is here is a primer:

He played on Good Vibrations, God Only Knows, Help Me Rhonda, These Boots Were Made For Walking, Elvis '68 Comeback Special, with The Mamas & The Papas, Dean Martin, Lou Rawls and on several hundred other culture defining hits as a member of the legendary group of session musicians called the Wrecking Crew.
And so with that another dream came true.

Last night at the Whaler

This drunk chick requested Suspicious Minds about 18 times at our show last night. Sometimes, I tell these people to fuck off. That we don’t do requests. And sometimes we don’t do requests. But the atmosphere was beach party fun times. And I was in a particularly giving mood. So I played it after about the 4th time she requested it. She loudly sang along and danced jubilantly. Undaunted, she continued to request it 14 more times. She apparently didn't remember that we had just played it.
A few minutes later, her friend requested I play an Elvis song. I was like well I just did Suspicious Minds!
From the beginning, she and her friend kept on requesting I do some Paul Simon. Anything by Paul Simon. The chick's name was Kathy. I played fucking “Kathy's Song.” And she yelled oh this is MY song. She blissfully sang along with a big smile on her face.
10 minutes later we took a break and she requested Paul Simon. I said, not only did I play Paul Simon, but I played the one song with your name in it! She said oh yeah, but can you do one more Paul Simon please. So I butchered Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard.
But they still wouldn't stop with the Elvis requests. Everyone was dancing. Girls were grinding up against each other. It was borderline pornographic.
So for the last song we closed with That's Alright Mama. After we were done, the Paul Simon Kathy girl came up to me and thanked me for playing Paul Simon, but angry that we didn't play any Elvis.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Paul Chesne Band's Fan Box