Attack of the Killer Guitars at r. blitzer gallery

As anyone who’s read the chapter on Robbie Schoen in Going Coastal knows, I love guitars that cross the line into true works of art. So, last weekend I headed over to Santa Cruz’s r. blitzer gallery to catch Attack of the Killer Guitars.  (The true title is The Guitar Works Santa Cruz Presents: Attack of the Killer Guitars, but I assume I can be informal here. If you’re curious, the Guitar Works is a repair shop owned by luthier Rick McKee, who built the inner workings of all the guitars featured in the show.) McKee collaborated with local painter Eric Hoffman and sculptor Craig Mitchell (who created custom stands for each guitar) to create axes that more than live up to the tagline “fine art you can shred on.”  Take this beauty known as King Tut:

I also fell hard for the Telelele, a handbuilt ukelele that looks exactly like a petite vintage Fender Telecaster. (I tried including a picture here, but my photo does not do it justice.) There’s also an acoustic decked out in tribute to Roy Rogers, and glittery numbers that would leave any of my fellow glam fanatics slackjawed with envy. If you tire of the guitars (which I can’t imagine), the exhibition is peppered with Mitchell’s assemblages that pay homage to several renowned artists. Attack of the Killer Guitars is now extended through May 24, so make sure to stop by! Located at 2801 Mission Street in Santa Cruz (inside the former Wrigley Building), the gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Phone (831) 458-1217 or visit rblitzergallery.com for information.

RSD 2024: A Familiar Refrain

I went to San Jose early on Saturday, but too many errands meant that I would have to leave that city’s Record Store Day wares to other shoppers. So, my (usually) annual RSD jaunt got a late start when I wandered into Santa Cruz’s Redwood Records in the afternoon. I was sorry to have missed free donuts (again), but enjoyed the small but intriguing selection of the day’s releases. (The big surprise was Joe Pesci’s Little Joe Sure Can Sing!…let’s just say that after reading Hollywood Hi-Fi‘s lengthy review years ago, I never expected to see it in the wild. I didn’t take the bait this time, but will listen to his version of “Got To Get You Into My Life” again to see how it’s aged.) I admit I’m getting increasingly confused by the similar-sounding releases from year to year. (Heaven knows I love Supergrass and Alex Chilton more than most people do, but they also had RSD releases last year and even then I wasn’t sure of what was different from the B-sides and rarities I already had.) Undaunted, I moved on to Streetlight Records down the street. As usual, I couldn’t tell much from the release sheet printout held behind the counter. So, I struck out yet again.  However, since Streetlight will have the leftover RSD releases out on the floor by now, I may have an update once I return to town for the one retail holiday I prefer to RSD, Independent Bookstore Day. In the meantime, I’d love to hear about readers’ RSD purchases…feel free to let me know in the comments!

Chef Greg Karjala feature in new SANTA CRUZ STYLE issue

At Santa Cruz’s beloved Dream Inn, Aquarius Restaurant recently rebranded as Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lodge. Yet, as executive chef Greg Karjala points out, this is far from the most momentous change the locale has undergone over the years. You can find out by reading my new feature in the Winter/Spring 2023-2024 issue of Santa Cruz Style. Learn how the chef was enticed back to Santa Cruz after a stint in Southern locales, his favorite dishes, and much more! In Santa Cruz County, free print copies are available here. The online version appears here.

Rest in peace, Gene Merlino.

I was sorry to hear of singer Gene Merlino’s death on January 8th at the age of 95. The San Francisco-born Merlino found early work in nightclubs and radio (not to mention a vocal group featuring fellow Coastal Book Gal favorite Thurl Ravenscroft), but soon cemented his place in pop culture history. In 1965, he was part of the quartet that recorded the Gilligan’s Island theme song:

Merlino’s singing voice later graced three episodes of The Simpsons:

The most intriguing aspect of Merlino’s career is featured in Jamie Meltzer’s 2003 documentary Off The Charts: The Song-Poem Story. Remember those ads in the backs of magazines from record labels you never heard of, offering to turn readers’ poems into “hit records” for a (hopefully) small fee? Using pseudonyms (most often Gene Marshall), Merlino recorded more than 10,000 of these song-poems by his count. Watching the movie, I was amazed at his ability to nail songs on the first take with little to no rehearsal. His occasional displays of artistic temperament in the film were strangely touching, proving that he always brought his best to every project. The most famous of these is probably 1970’s “Jimmy Carter Says Yes,” which will lodge in your head forevermore:

The radio station WFMU, which has done much to bring these song-poems to light, features a full page of Gene Marshall mp3s here. Here’s to the underrated, unassuming, yet undeniably iconic Gene Merlino!

Song In My Head #118: “What Have I Done To Deserve This?” by Pet Shop Boys

While I may lack the Pet Shop Boys expertise of some of my friends (hi, Jeanette!), I am partial to several of their songs. My favorite is “What Have I Done To Deserve This?,” from their 1987 sophomore release Actually. The duet with Dusty Springfield seemed incongruous upon its release, but topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic due to its brilliant contrasts. Neil Tennant’s deadpan delivery makes Springfield’s vocal that much sweeter, while her soulfulness draws out the careworn quality of Tennant’s lyrics. The melding of insistently plinky synths and smooth horns never fails to intrigue me. There’s a lot to love about the video, too, especially when keyboardist/trombonist Chris Lowe unexpectedly—oh, just watch! 

Dan Rusanowsky wins Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award

Last week, the Hockey Hall of Fame honored San Jose Sharks radio play-by-play announcer Dan Rusanowsky with the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, given for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster. It’s no surprise to me that Rusanowsky would receive the highest honor his profession offers. Especially when I remember my college DJ radio jitters, I’m forever awed by Dan’s poise and professionalism. (This is someone who not only asks players for the proper pronunciations of their names, but spends many pregame hours reciting them.)  In his 32 years with the Sharks, he has missed only 28 broadcasts (27 of those due to his recovery from a life-threatening car accident in the 2000-01 season). I will always cherish his gracious chatting with me at a fan event, and the “Elizabeth—see you on the radio!” autograph he inscribed in my program.

I was sad that the HHOF induction ceremony didn’t broadcast Rusanowsky’s speech, but video exists online. In an ironic twist, the speech video sound quality is barely audible and full of echoes. (I don’t understand why the Sharks don’t have Rusanowsky read the full text of his speech on air; many of us would love to hear it properly.) If a clearer version emerges, I’ll post it here. In the meantime, please enjoy these more casual (and entertaining) glimpses of one of the game’s true greats. Congratulations, Dan!

Tramonti feature in Fall 2023 SANTA CRUZ STYLE

In Santa Cruz’s unassuming but stylish Seabright neighborhood, Tramonti has won diners’ hearts since 2012. In the Fall 2023 issue of Santa Cruz Style, executive chef and co-owner Luca Viara reveals how the restaurant stays unabashedly Italian and quintessentially Santa Cruz at once. You’ll learn why the restaurant eagerly caters to dietary restrictions and unusual requests, and discover Viara’s recommendations from Tramonti’s enticingly large and varied menu. In Santa Cruz County, find free print copies here. The online version is currently under construction, but I will link it here once it appears again.

Song In My Head #117: “Weird Al” Yankovic’s “Dog Eat Dog”

Many listeners know “Weird Al” Yankovic only by his hit song spoofs (including the legendary  “Eat It”). However, I’m partial to what Yankovic calls his “style parodies”—tunes that sound like a certain artist’s work but not based on a particular single. It’s fitting that my favorite example, “Dog Eat Dog,” comes from his most underrated album, 1986’s Polka Party! Yankovic’s overly enthusiastic office worker could have come straight from David Byrne’s movie True Stories, while the song cleverly nods to various Talking Heads classics. Meanwhile, this 2007 fan video made by YouTube user jedbadda is more than worthy:

RSD 2023: Option Fatigue

Those familiar with my annual tales of Record Store Day woe won’t be surprised that I had no real game plan for today’s festivities. I first walked into Santa Cruz’s Redwood Records (the former Metavinyl) shortly after lunch, in order to get a feel for things. I was tempted mightily by Psyche France: Volume 8, but (two years of college French notwithstanding) couldn’t tell much from the track listing. (I was also lured by the open box of donuts next to the record racks, but no one else took one and I wasn’t going to be first. A little girl did try, but quickly got thwarted by her mom.) I browsed the bins for a while (I saw enough Scottish indie to raise my hopes of finding that Spirea X album I’ve suddenly become obsessed with getting, but no luck), then decided to walk down to Streetlight. I was shocked to find no line…my guess is that the better-organized record hounds arrived in the morning, or (like me) were confused by the current “RSD releases are held behind the counter” system implemented a few years ago. I glanced at the inventory list, but was too shy to ask for anything I wasn’t sure I was going to buy. Now I’m reading the Amoeba Records RSD list to make sure I haven’t missed something. I’m intrigued by the Alex Chilton Live in Anvers LP, but I’ve been stung by a few of his live albums before. (The more sentimental side of me also wonders if this final recording might make me sad.) I worry that the Supergrass St. Petersburg EP may duplicate too many CD single B-sides I bought back in the day, and the London Suede Demos set has no mention of the elusive Chris Bell cover I’m now convinced is urban legend. Of course, like any other fan of Hollywood Hi-Fi, I’m curious about the Crispin Hellion Glover album, but am debating whether or not to take the plunge. If you’re patient enough to have read this far, you’re just the kind of person to advise me about this year’s releases! Please tell me all about your RSD haul in the comments…

JC Design Studio feature in Spring 2023 SANTA CRUZ STYLE

In “Making Magic With Metal,” my latest article for Santa Cruz Style, you’ll meet Santa Cruz metalwork artists Jennifer Cherk and Jay Capela. They explain what makes metal the perfect medium to portray gossamer lilies and mobiles that seem to defy gravity. They also reveal what inspired them to open JC Design Studio, and secrets behind some of their most belived pieces. In Santa Cruz County, find free print copies here. The online version seems to be under construction, but I will update as soon as I see one.