Jim Ryan/Mark Pino Duo this Thursday at the Luggage Store!

I'm pleased to announce that Jim Ryan and I will be playing duo music, this Thursday, 5/1, at the Luggage Store Gallery on Market St. in S.F.
We will be playing with Chekere!
Show time: 8PM sharp.
1007 Market St. at 6th St. in in SF! 

The Northgate Group-Oakland CA 4/26/14

Yesterday's proceedings had me in a reflective mood, seeing as that the facility in which we played is located directly across the street from the building that my late friend Jason Batzer lived in. I have to admit to being a bit spooked upon pulling up.
It was great, however, to be able to play with Jim, Richard, and Scott. I love playing standards, and there were a bunch scattered into our two short sets. Summertime will always remind me of Richie Goldberg: when I was his student, he insisted that I learn that one as deeply as possible. Check out Vi Redd's LP, on which there's a great version, with Richie on drums.
We also did some relatively quiet Free Improvisation, and some slow Blues. As is usual with Jazz, I felt absolutely lost a few times, but I'm starting to realize that that feeling is just a part of the overall vibe of the music, and, as such, is fine.

Below: Jim runs down the evening's music with Richard and Scott

Below: my beloved traps, with brushes

I will play with Jim Ryan this Saturday!

We will be playing at 5:30 PM this Saturday, 4/26, at 550 24th St. in Oakland.
The set will feature some standard Jazz tunes, along with some improvisations. We have been rehearsing for a few months now, and I'm really excited about this, and subsequent gigs! 

Infinite Plastic Internal-WHNZ:65:REVOLUA

These recordings were done as I watched the strange goings on in Ukraine this winter, a situation that is far from over.
Many thanks to African at We Have No Zen!, who suggested this work and then helped bring it to fruition.

Cover art by me.
Cover mechanics by African. 

Birdsaw live video cache!

Birdsaw bass player Tom Jordan has posted a bunch of live clips, shot in various locations, up on Youtube!

Watching these clips makes me realize how eccentric this group was, and I mean that, with the hindsight of several years, in the best possible way. Other bands from S.F. took on simple marketing ploys to advance their agenda. I don't think that Birdsaw ever did. We just rehearsed, played when we could, and made the best music that we could. Big thanks to Tom Jordan for putting these clips up. 

zBug Live on KZSU 4/16/14

I had a nice time, and felt like we whipped up some cool maelstrom! Thanks to David, Eddie, Patrick, and Bill! 

Last minute gig announcement!

I will be playing 9-10PM PDT with David Leikam on KZSU 90.1 FM this evening.
www.kzsu.stanford.edu

Ear Spray-Berkeley Arts Festival Building; Berkeley, CA 4/12/14

            "The present redeeming itself through the grace of oblivion"
                             --Theresa Hak Kyung Cha

Last night's Ear Spray gig at Berkeley Arts Festival building had, for me, a tinge of sadness, as I'd bumped into an acquaintance from some years ago who informed me of the death of someone we'd both known. RIP William, buddy, you were a sweet guy.

Within seconds of starting our set, I felt deeply entranced by the Nunn Plate's sound, and I guess I sort of stayed in that mental space for the duration of our performance. Not that that's a bad thing, to me. I felt like I was really improvising with the materials at hand (chimes, roto toms, chain, Nunn Plate, stones, hardwood floor). I'm not sure if my playing was all that interactive, mind you, but for some reason my subjective mood seemed right. I have no idea how that must have sounded to those in the audience.
For me, it was a nice, chaotic, noisy time. What more could one ask for on a Saturday night in Berkeley?

Below: Ear Spray sets up the rigs

Below: Dave Douglas and Matt Davignon, their band was great!

Below: Ear Spray live, photo by Bryan Day, thanks Bryan!

Earspray in Berkeley this Saturday evening!

Earspray is happy to be playing at Berkeley Arts Festival Building this Saturday, 4/12! We will be playing with the Davignon/Douglas/Nishi/Siler Quartet. Both groups play improvised Electro-Acoustic music. Berkeley Arts Festival Building is located at 2133 University Ave., and the show starts at 8PM!

Infinite Plastic Internal-Water's Cave

New IPI digital release!
Many thanks to Andrew Joron for use of his waterphone. 

Making Waves on Market St. SF CA, 1997

Making Waves was a very cool outdoor show that happened on Market St. every June for a number of years in the 1990's. I blame Willie Brown for its demise.
This is me drumming for Sex is a Witch at Civic Center Plaza in June of 1997. 

Birdsaw at CBGB, 2000!

Many thanks to Tom Jordan for posting this old clip! 

Crow Crash Radio-George's Nightclub, San Rafael, CA; 3/31/14

Clearly the theme for 3/31/14 was "Comeback".
Crow Crash Radio began the evening, playing to sheer indifference from a small set of drinkers at George's. Not that we didn't take advantage of the fact: we stretched our tunes to the breaking point, pushing them around like bullies. Hey, if no one's going to pay attention, I feel that it behooves me to put in an extra effort. I'm not going to pander or resent, I'll just go inward and find new stuff within my trip.
Ah, yes, Comeback. As Crow Crash had finished up our hour long set, in time to watch the Giants come back from behind the Diamondbacks to take their 2014 season opener (thanks, Buster), some new drinkers ambled into George's. There had been another band scheduled, but they were MIA. Said drinkers demanded live music, and Crow Crash Radio was happy to oblige. We set back up, and freaked out again. I don't know if this new group got what they wanted musically, but Crow Crash sure had a grand time driving them away!

In the words of Patti Smith, "we shall live again".
RIP Colleen Lookingbill.

Below: Crow Crash Rigs

Below: Brian contemplates the NL game