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The Earwigs Farewell Show


by Johnny Hardcore

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The Earwigs Farewell Show @ Gallagher's in Huntington Beach

Because I have decided to utilize the Facebook a little more lately, I have been kind of keeping a little more in touch with some of my friends from high school. Now you understand I went to the one and only Fountain Valley High School. Aside from being the largest high school west of the Mississippi it also boasted one of the greatest music programs in the state of California. It also had a fantastic guitar class which taught everything from classical flamenco guitar to heavy metal. Taught by our hall of fame teacher, Jean Clower who is a prodigy on the Cello. She inspired many great players and many great bands like Leatherwolf , The Veins, No Crisis and one my personal favorites The Earwigs, All of these within a 2 year period in the early 80's. All of these bands brought their wares to Hollywood and beyond from The OC. And ALL of these bands left their mark in a big way.

Last Saturday you could say a time warp did occur at Gallagher's In Huntington Beach. The very last band to ever grace the stage at The Golden Bear (A gone but not forgotten venue in HB) The Earwigs played the 2nd of three farewell shows. Let's put this into perspective. These guys have played with everyone under the sun. They have bled on just about every stage from the Coo Coo's Nest in Costa Mesa to the pubs of London. Doing it the hard way. But because of Michael Ubaldini's undying love and passion for his craft - it gets done! And it gets done very well. it was just awesome to see him and the boys just tearing up. With Dave Reed on drums, Ashton Rands on guitar and Jerry Adamowitcz on bass it was like the old days, but in a new and vibrant way. Michael tells me that the reunion / farewell shows aren't being done for the "nostalgia" of it all - but more for the "Twisted Kicks" as he calls it. The first of the three shows was done @ TKO Records in Huntington Beach. Ubaldini thought it to be a cool gesture so all the kids that aren't 21 and have re-discovered The Earwigs could see them live. Understand that their debut single on 45rpm vinyl "She's So Na�ve" fetches up to $400 on eBay these days! This is a testament to the body of work The Earwigs blessed us with when kids of today's generation get stoked to her them. But tonight was for the big kids and he laid down his power house version of hillbilly, power pop, rock n roll in predictable no nonsense fashion. Playing over 30 tunes in a 90 minute set that was just ruthless. Songs like U.S. Invasion, Money talks, Chinese Rock, Shake and Shimmy and even the classic, Do You Wanna Be My Girlfriend were unleashed. It was a great celebration of some great songs from a not so distant past. In a way�a lot like a high school reunion.

Now this Saturday afternoon, December 6th, The Earwigs will do their last show. This one is a lot different in the sense it is a benefit for a good friend of the bands, Stan Okane. Stan lost his wife Susan after her long battle with cancer and The Earwigs are on the list to play at his benefit. They are calling it "Songs for Susan" and proceeds will be donated to Stan to help him get back on his feet. The venue chosen for the Songs for Susan benefit will be at Hogue Barmichaels in Newport Beach. www.hogue-barmichaels.com. the first band goes on just after 1pm or so. I strongly hope that y'all get a chance to go see one of the great bands that put THE OC on the map. It's also for a great cause as well. Also - keep an eye out on Antimusic.com for my interview with Michael Ubaldini. We will be discussing his new solo album recorded at Capital Studios and set for release in early 2015 and lots of other tasty tid bits�.Like, what's it like to have Lee Rocker from the Stray Cats as a producer? And lots more. Remember to keep one foot in the gutter and one fist in the gold.

The Earwigs Farewell Show

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