Apr
05
2008

Point Of Ventre #10

The Long Wongs Tribute Show

Saturday, April 5, 2008 - 12:38:39 pm
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music, Point Of Ventre Episode)
On the 4th anniversary of the closing of Long Wongs, Sarah Ventre turned her Point Of Ventre radio show into a tribute to Wongs, and other closed venues of the Tempe scene.

As regularly listeners, we had known about this for about a month or so. Such a good call on Sarah's behalf to think of the idea. I was pretty anxious to get home and hear how everything went, especially since we'd arrange to be one of the callers for the show.

Right from Sarah's intro, it was obvious how much preparation she'd put into this. It was really fantastic from start to finish.

First up on the phone was Sara Cina, why of course. Because what would a tribute show to Wongs be without Sara?! Her commentary was great, and the coolest part is that she actually called in from the dirt lot where Wong's once stood. That was just really fucking cool. I've never met her, but that sort of cool shit is what you come to expect from Sara Cina.

Next up was Curtis from Dead Hot Workshop. Unexpectedly I got a shout of from Curtis, which was, well, just too cool for school. [smile] It sounded like he was calling from London, and if so, Sarah really did get guests calling in from all over the world!

Nico's story about documenting the scene was really cool, and I can't say how much I love that Mill Ave. Inc. will premiere at Valley Art Theatre slap bang in the middle of Mill Avenue. That's just awesome! It's also cool that they're also going to have bands playing after the premiere. If the Blossoms play, that'll be a major coop, since aside from the Tempe Music Festival they barely play locally. It's also really cool that that documentary is coming out, probably within a month. I first saw a clip of it in October last year (Mill Avenue) and it's really cool to see that it's not far off getting aired.

The choice of songs played tonight was also really cool, all live recordings from local bands.

  1. Nada (Long Wongs - Dec 15, 1998) - Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers
  2. Sara Cina
  3. Idiot Summer (Chuy's - Apr 4, 1990) - Gin Blossoms
  4. Curtis Grippe
  5. Burger Christ (Long Wongs - Oct 12, 2000) - Dead Hot Workshop
  6. Nico Holthaus
  7. King Of Last Call (Nita's Hideaway - ) - Steve Larson
  8. Sara Says (Dec 17, 2004 - Yucca Tap Room) - Zubia Brothers
  9. Okie From Miscokie / Where's The Grey (Acoustic Campfire - Nita's Hideaway) - Hans Olsen
  10. Clove Cigarette (Double Live @ Long Wongs) - Stephen Ashbrook
  11. Katie
  12. Halfway (Jan 7, 1999 - The Cajun House) - Gloritone
  13. ??? (Long Wongs - Dec 13, 1999) - Ghetto Cowgirl
  14. Leah Miller-Colins
  15. Cryin' Time (Balboa Cafe) - Jim Beach
  16. Interview with Robin Wilson
  17. Lead Thoughts (Long Wongs - Oct 12, 2000) - Dead Hot Workshop
Particularly cool was the version of Hans Olsen's Where's The Grey, which was on of the few recordings that I didn't have. Another one that was really cool and falls into the "hadn't heard before" category is Sara Says.

When it got to the solo, Katie immediate said that she thought that it was Jesse Valenzuela on lead guitar. Fairly spot on, as when Sarah announced at the end that it was from the Zubia Brothers CD release show, it made sense, because...well, she was actually at the show, and Valenzula indeed joined the Zubias. [smile]

Given that there was quite few bootlegs that I'd offered Sarah for the show, it was really enjoyable that there was good portion of songs that I hadn't heard before.

Last up was Robin Wilson who'd called earlier in the day and recorded an interview with Sarah for the show. I couldn't help but think how gracious Robin is to The Blaze which is really great. I thought it was great that they talked about Robin's shout out to the scene at the Tempe Music Festival last weekend, which I read about in Sarah's Phoenix New Times blog entry.

Point Of Ventre is great week in and week out, but I'd have to say this has been one of the best episodes. The whole thing was such a great tribute to Long Wongs on the 4th anniversary of it's demise. And also was a great reminder that there are still people out there that give a shit about this scene, past, present and future.

The consequences when you're belly are on the list, it's documented. Notarized, I never read it. The fine print and the writing on the walls...
Now Playing: Violet Wild - Got You Where I Want You

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