Celebrating 50 Years Of MC5 At The Ford Amphitheater - Kicking Out The Jams!

I've seen my friend Brother Wayne Kramer perform a lot of times, but never with his band, Motor City 5, better known as MC5. Until this past Friday night, when Kramer and his cronies performed the Kick Out The Jams album in its entirety for a Jail Guitar Doors benefit at the Ford Amphitheater - and it was something else!

Friday night L.A. traffic found us getting there just as Jason Heath and The Greedy Souls were opening the evening's night of rock and roll with a message. Heath and his band are also great friends of mine, so it was a treat to get to see them rock the Ford stage, with its beautiful outdoor setting and stars shining above.

JHTGS opened with "In Love With My Gun" and "Fair Fight" - both pretty topical at the moment. There was a full band along for this ride, complete with horns and female backup singers sounding great. They tore through "Dead Stars" and "Postcards From The Hanging" from their most recent album, But There's Nowhere To Go. I wrote the bio for that album, but haven't had the chance to see its songs performed live in quite a while, so this was awesome to see our pals up there giving it their all.

"Thunderstruck" is one of my favorites (and I recently learned it's about Matthew Shepard, the young guy man who was beaten to death almost exactly 20 years ago), and it sounded better than ever, as did "Turn On (The Radio)" featuring Jason Federici on keys, and everyone else ruling hard for the song that Heath said "Is about rock and roll changing the world. I don't know if it can, but we're gonna try". After that throwdown, I think they're on to something. Heath also reminded everyone that the evening was a benefit for the wonderful Jail Guitar Doors organization (founded by Billy Bragg in the UK, headed up by Wayne and Margaret Kramer here in the U.S.), and I thought of Franc Foster who died earlier this year.

I met Foster through one of these JGD shows, and became friends after writing about his travels from inmate to musical mentor to other prisoners. Foster's presence here on this night was sorely missed. When Heath and Co. played "Nowhere To Go" it got me thinking about how I really don't know where else to go in this crazy world. Where is cool to live? And if you find it, how long will we be able to survive with climate change about to make life on this planet extinct? Deep thoughts, but I snapped back in time to hear "Devil Ain't Talkin'", complete with horns, which I think always elevate everything. I love Jason Heath and The Greedy Souls and you should take any chance you get to see them jam together. Right on.

We went to mingle with some friends and missed half of Starcrawler, but heard it muffled from a distance. A photographer we know told us that she'll never shoot this band again because the singer kicked her camera into her face and she had to go to the hospital, so we weren't in any hurry to see some jerks.

We got back to our seats in time to see the female lead vocalist (Arrow de Wilde) spit up (fake) blood and smash another photographer's camera (she's darn lucky it wasn't Paul's). The punkish rock was o.k., but it seemed to me if it were really good, they wouldn't need such antics. Why be so destructive to people that are helping to promote you? It was a turn off. The crowd - leaning on the older side, as Kramer himself is now 70, and it IS the 50th anniversary of MC5 - was taken aback when de Wilde shouted, "Oh, C'mon, turn up your fucking hearing aids!" You heard an audible gasp, and I don't think this band won any new fans after that. And, it must be said, the crowd never sat down ONCE when MC5 took the stage - so there.

I gather that de Wilde is going for a female Iggy Pop type thing, but it came off as truly disturbed. When she staggered off to the side of the stage, looking all frantic and lost, I genuinely almost left my seat to go help her. She looked so fucked up it was almost scary, but I'm glad I didn't go to her aid, as I most likely would have been left covered with fake blood, which she spread over everyone as she ran out into the crowd and back off stage. The remaining musicians kept playing without her, with the guitarist playing off into the wings. Then they were done and we all kind of shrugged, and looked forward to the mighty MC5 (in this incarnation) taking the stage!

Kramer is the lone original Detroit guy left in the band, that now features Seattle guys (like Soundgarden's Kim Thayil and Pearl Jam's Matt Cameron), and Zen Guerilla frontman Marcus Durant singing lead. Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty, and Faith No More's bassist Billy Gould round the band out, making it a supergroup of expert rockers. Margaret Kramer made a speech on behalf of Jail Guitar Doors, and then it was time to ... KICK OUT THE JAMS!!

Wayne Kramer led the band on stage RUNNING to the mic stand, and they all tore into "Rambling Rose", and the entire crowd leaped to its collective feet - and stayed there until the last note was smashed. They went straight into "Kick Out The Jams" and everyone's phones were out trying to capture the energy, which was impossible unless you were there. People were going NUTS for this jam that was celebrating its 50th year of being kicked out. It was EXCITING in there, believe me. Especially when Kramer ripped out a guitar solo on his iconic star spangled axe. Phew!

"Come Together" was just as rocking, and "Motor City's Burning" showed that Durant is a very pale black man, tearing up his harmonica while giving the song its very Motown vibey soul. Bluesy and awesome, it was a real standout. Brother Wayne next did band intros, and shouted out everyone on stage, and said, "I'm so happy to be here tonight with you in L.A.!", and we were all so happy about it too. "Rama Lama" showed off everyone at their best, and even featured some ass shaking from Kramer, as well as a guitar battle between him and Thayil. SO good.

That this guy is now 70 is proof that rock and roll keeps one young at heart, and Kramer was pulling Townshend-like arm windmills on "Borderline" and cranking out more electric solos on "I Want You Right Now", which was awesome. "Starship" got very acid rocky, and it was clear that this one was written in the groovy late 60's.  They ended the song all pointing up, as if to ask the aliens to please take us now. To have mercy on us.

Not a person had yet sat down - in Los Angeles - and wouldn't for the remainder of the show. I've been at a LOT of shows in L.A. lately, and this never happens if there are seats. The once in a lifetime experience that this was (and that I kept hearing people say that) amped up the electricity in the venue, and people were going to be rocking for its entirety. RAD.

Kramer acknowledged his band mates that made this music together 50 years ago, then strapped on an acoustic guitar for "Shakin' Street", which ruled. The guy behind me said, "If they play 'Future/Now' I'll shit my pants!" - which they next DID play, and I was nervous to look behind me to see if he had actually shat himself, but I could hear that he was very happy by his shouts. Good for him!

"Please welcome our good friend, Duff McKagan!" shouted Kramer, and welcome the GNR legend we did. He joined the and for "Call Me Animal" and they just beat that song to a pulp. While they were all simply shredding, a trio of horn players walked on to the stage, and once again brought the energy even higher. Kramer introduced them at song's end as "The Parolee Horns!", and then introduced another special guest, Greg Dulli from The Afghan Whigs! Awesome.  Dulli TORE through a fast paced "Let Me Try" and "Skunk", and the place went wild. The guys on stage were getting a full cardio workout, and the audience was doing their best to keep up. Phew!

After that frenzy, Kramer took a moment to speak his mind. "I know our country's going through tough times. There's a rapist on the Supreme Court, there's a rapist in the White House ... but it is our right to exercise our power  - and we do that when we VOTE!" A "VOTE!" chant started up, as everyone was SO fed up at the SCOTUS news of the day, and Kramer continued, "We can save this world, but we gotta get to WORK. We're gonna let those bums in Washington know, WE'RE LOOKING AT YOU!" and they blazed through "Looking At You" just to show 'em.

Everyone came back up for a raucous run-through of "Sister Anne" for the final hard rocking All Star jam. Thayil's fingers were flying, and everyone was giving it their absolute all. The crowd ate it up and shouted for more, but there's a curfew. Kramer shouted, "Thank you all! You are terrific! See you next year, same time, same station ... GO VOTE!!!"

The musicians had a group bow together, and left the stage. They left everyone else standing there shaking their heads in amazement at what they had just seen. LOVING it. There was a little backstage soirée, and I got to catch up with my Justice Tour Alumni (a tour we did with Tom Morello a decade ago!) friends, all of whom I love so much. In dark times like these, it is reassuring that there are people who still believe in good, and still try to do something that matters in this world. Like bring music to inmates in order to create a better life for themselves. Like doing benefit shows just for the good in it. Like urging people to vote with their voices that people might listen to. Like simply caring. And if you can do all of that while rocking faces off - even better.

Thanks and LOVE to all the Jail Guitar Doors friends and family who made this momentous night possible. As for those jams? They done kicked 'em OUT!

 MC50th is touring now!

*Photos by Paul Gronner Photography

Jail Guitar Doors Show Rocks Out The Ford Ampitheater

In 2007, Billy Bragg founded the Jail Guitar Doors organization in England, named after The Clash song about Wayne Kramer of the MC5, who served time for cocaine offenses, but Bragg didn't know it was about Kramer. In 2009, Bragg and Kramer met up for a show at Sing Sing prison, and Kramer both told him he was the song's namesake, and decided to start up Jail Guitar Doors USA. They give guitars to inmates, who then learn and have a skill to use - even if just to make themselves feel good and express themselves - when they get out of lock-up. After many shows in many prisons, their good work is clear to see, and we saw it up close and awesome in their benefit show Friday night at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles.

It was a hot night, perfect to rock out under the stars, and rock out we did! Comedian Jay Mohr was the host of the evening. It's obvious that he's a big music fan, but he started out his schtick talking about how musicians should just shut up and play their hits, going into a long bit about Eddie Vedder being ridiculous for talking about politics and playing venues without advertising. It seemed odd that he'd go off on that, when all the musicians playing this night are major activists, and activism was the cause of the evening. But I guess THESE musicians are cool by Mohr. Anyway.

Mohr introduced Brother Wayne Kramer and Billy Bragg, who told us that Jail Guitar Doors is now active in 40 prisons nationally, and there are 42 on the waiting list. And on this very day, they just found out that they will receive an Annenberg Grant - amazing! Though as Kramer said, hardened inmates are a tougher sell to get people to give to than baby seal pups in the Arctic, but these are human beings, and they are changing for the better through music. Like we all do.

Then they brought out a JGD alumni, Franc Foster & His Melting Pot, who started with JGD a year ago, and "Look at me now!" His enthusiasm was infectious, and when he said, "This one is called 'Nightmover', and if it makes you wanna dance, don't be afraid," many in the house complied. His other guitar player had a thing with baby powder that he kept shaking all over the stage, to the extent that you could smell it a few rows back. He looked like he was having fun sliding around in it, but the Ford workers cleaning it up every time did not seem thrilled. He didn't care, all smiles and powder. The Melting Pot is Foster's program to teach music to the homeless on Skid Row. What a difference a year can make, indeed.

After the powder got swept up, Jason Heath and The Greedy Souls took the stage. Heath dissed Obama in his opening statements and the power went out on his guitar. Someone in the audience yelled, "They're watching!" which cracked everyone up, and these days, seemed probable. They played "God's Name In Vain", which asks the good question, "What have we done in God's name?" Think about it.

Brother Wayne returned with his famous star spangled guitar to join the Lexington Arts Ensemble in a jazzy guitar and sax duel/conversation that was jamming at its best, and then played the song that started it all, "Jail Guitar Doors".

It was a great end to the first part of the program, and the intermission gave us time for perusing the cool stuff at the booths by Jail Guitar Doors and KPFK. It's such a relief to know that there are still good people doing good things! Phew.

Dave Alvin kicked off the second half, looking smooth in his cowboy hat, and playing his "4th Of July", with Kramer backing him up, aptly, on that patriotic guitar.

They were then joined by Dave's brother, Phil Alvin, who said, "If any guitar belongs in prison, it's this one!", making everyone laugh before they launched into The Blasters' "Marie Marie", 50's Chuck Berry style rocking, which made many of the older generation in the audience (the vast majority) completely thrilled, up and dancing in the aisles. It was simply great.

As was the next act, Tom Morello, The Nightwatchman. He took the stage to happy shouts before he played a note, and then said he'd been thinking earlier on "What do Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr, Gandhi and Wayne Kramer have in common? They've all been in jail, and got out to change the world."

Much as Morello continues to try and do, with his "One Man Revolution", which was his first song (backed up by Carl Restivo, Dave Gibbs and Eric Gardner, his Freedom Fighter Orchestra), complete with amp feedback solo. His "Fuck, YEAH!" at song's end was echoed by us all. But THEN - Morello brought the house not down, but UP - on their feet as he incinerated the poor place with his now-famous version of "The Ghost of Tom Joad". I've seen this one played live many times now, and I still get chills every single time. I mean ... Watch!

Yikes. People sprang to their feet and caused such a ruckus that another song (unplanned) was demanded, and the entire joint stood and sang along to the Na-na-na-na chorus on his "Road I Must Travel".

The place went crazy, and as Mohr came out he joked, "You'll get 'em next time," admitting that he'd never want to follow Tom Morello. But he did. I'm a person who really doesn't find mainstream comedians that funny as it's usually so smart assy and mean spirited, but I especially didn't laugh when, in telling a bit about Christopher Walken, he said, "And then he looked over his shoulders like he was telling a black joke at work ..." Really? Talking/perpetuating "Black jokes" at an audience full of activists and KPFK listeners, with African American people on stage and in the seats? He then went on to say about something else how men should think things through 1,800 times before they say them. He didn't take his own advice on that one, and I found it to be the one damper on the evening. I'm sure he must be cool if Brother Wayne is his friend, but it left me unamused. I guess I don't get the joke?

But then Jackson Browne came out and also said, "Among the dreams and aspirations in my life, I never did want to follow Tom Morello." High praise, Tom! But he did a beautiful job of following, with a new song, played gorgeously with just him and the piano, called "Standing In The Breach." He said it started out being about the terrible earthquake in Haiti, and then became about the disaster of poverty, and how we can't seem to do anything about that. I've been thinking of that a lot myself lately, seeing giant Russian billionaire yachts anchored off of Venice for our homeless to look out at. How can anyone feel right about that kind of excess when there are children in our own city that don't have enough to simply eat?! I don't get it, Man. The theater was so quiet,  just Browne's voice, the piano and crickets in the trees harmonizing. We're such a far cry from where the world could be ... The song touched me, and from the sound of the place at its end, everyone else too.

Kramer joined Browne for "Casino Nation" and then the Lexington Arts Ensemble returned to rip through "the feel good hit of the Summer ... many Summers ago," "Running on Empty". His fans for life in the place were ecstatic, dancing as they time-traveled themselves back to their own past Summers. It's wonderful to look around and see so many people so happy, just because of music, proving again how healing, transformative (even if just your mood!) and inspirational it can be.

When Billy Bragg took his solo turn on stage, he said it can be hard to connect with young people in prison who may have never heard of him, or even Joe Strummer, but he can always count on the songs of Bob Marley. He played "Redemption Song", solo acoustic, in a very British version that held the fans rapt. He next gave us his pretty true"No One Knows Nothing Anymore." Bragg then explained that "the real enemy of all of us is not capitalism or conservatism, it's CYNICISM. Our OWN cynicism, that nothing can change. This must be overcome, and the only antidote to it is ACTIVISM. I have faith in this audience to change the world!" He should too, as this was a fired up bunch he was playing to. He dedicated his lovely, "I Keep Faith" to this very audience ("in every single one of you!"), in a song statement that was not only extra hopeful, but completely NECESSARY. KEEP. FAITH. Amen.

The wonderful Jill Sobule was the penultimate treat, joined by Kramer. She said that her favorite gigs ever have been "with Wayne - in prisons!" She played her gorgeous - and funny - "Mexican Wrestler" that begins with the lyric ... Sometimes I wish that I was an angel, a fallen angel that visits your dreams ... but she really needn't wish any longer, because with her voice, she already is an angel. LOVE her. Everyone did. Even more so because the next line goes ... Sometimes I wish that I was a Mexican wrestler in a red vinyl mask, and I might grab you and body slam you and maybe cause you physical harm ... Classic.

Then it was time for the All Star Jam, which of course, HAD to be the mighty MC5's "Kick Out The Jams"! Morello took a second to tell us all that Kramer had recently become a father, "And I've never seen him happier!" It was true, as Kramer - as well as the entire cast of rockers - all had best time ever smiles plastered across their faces.

These friends and comrades proudly displayed how much fun they all have playing together, and the JDG grads seemed to be having the best time of all - complete with more powder!  "Right now it's time to .... Right now it's time to" Kramer repeated until the crowd all shouted back, "KICK OUT THE JAMS, MOTHERFUCKER!" And they sure did.

The barn burner finale was one big jumping rock out, precisely as billed. There was even an extended trombone solo that rocked! It's almost surreal to be at these shows, where any ONE of the artists playing would leave behind a stoked audience, but to get them ALL on stage together is something truly special. You could tell they thought so too. And they "Done kicked 'em OUT!"

Bows were taken, and the fans roared. It was a great night of rock and roll, but more importantly, it was a great night of doing something, caring about something, together. These nights DO help you to keep the faith. Cynicism, be damned! Please check out Jail Guitar Doors, and help if you can. Help with ANYTHING if you can. And you can. I have faith. In every single one of you.





PS - You get that I'm not a photographer, right? Just visual aids.  Love, CJG

Venice Family Clinic Surf and Skate Silent Auction Fun

Last night was the Surf and Skate Silent Auction at the Robert Berman Gallery in Santa Monica. It seemed like the whole surf and skate community of the state turned out, as packed as it was in there for the party. Hot. Awesome.

A sister/brother event to the Venice Art Walk, the Surf and Skate Auction also benefits the Venice Family Clinic, so everyone was on board - pun intended.

Some of the very best art around can be found on skate decks, as we all know, but the artists involved in this auction took it a step further in many cases, building up and off the decks, or making cool things out of the decks. I wanted pretty much every piece in the show ... some more than others.

It was a lot to take in, especially when there were so many great people to see and catch up with. Many of the artists were present and mingling, sharing stories of surf and skate and art.

In other words, a perfect Southern California evening, considering wine and IPAs were also flowing freely.

The sunset outside threatened to overshadow the art inside, but it faded soon enough.

There were designs by Tesla engineering students. There were surfboards painted by father/son artists Ed and Andy Moses.

There was a non-surf-able board made out of concrete by Laddie John Dill.

Husband/wife artists Neil Carver and Jennifer Wolf had their board creations hung side by side, beautifully.

Venice artist Sephira Salazar had her cool chalk and photo board hung right up there with the Hosois and Hawks.

Tanja Skala made a first aid kit out of a board, which made me laugh and think about all the cuts and scrapes I helped tend to when we had a half pipe in my backyard growing up. Clever.

Some boards lit up, and some were so deconstructed you could barely tell that they had been boards to begin with. Love it.

There was political commentary, humor, sexiness, and even plants flowing off the board by Big Red Sun.

Pro skaters, surfers, and legends from both worlds talked shop and clinked bottles, anticipating their next sessions together. Happily.

The centerpiece (and poster) for the event was the classic Endless Summer design by John Van Hamersveld, who I hung out and chatted with, so that he could know that his pink and orange poster adorned the bedroom wall of my Minnesota youth, and kept me going through the dark winters, knowing I'd someday be living out here. He gets told that a lot.

As people hustled to place their bids before the auction closed, there was already talk about next year's auction. Having seen how great it is for this work and these communities to come together (for GOOD!) to show off their creativity, everyone wanted to be a part of it next time. A true success, especially for the families that will be helped by the care given at the Venice Family Clinic.

The excellent time had at the fantastic auction was only improved upon by a respite at Paco's Tacos, followed by the badassness of Jason Heath and The Greedy Souls at the Cinema Bar.

As it begins to wind down, we can be happy that here, we really do get to inhabit an Endless Summer ...