MARIO ORDUNO,

FOUNDER OF SAN DIEGO’S ART PUNK

VINYL LABEL, ART FAG RECORDINGS

While working at Record City in San Diego, the inspiration hit Mario Orduno to start a record label. Releasing its first record in 2005, Orduno’s Art Fag Recordings has not only struck the vein of San Diego’s wonderfully weird music scene, but facilitated exciting collaborations, limited-edition projects and promoted vinyl at the same time.

Q: How did Art Fag Recordings come about?

A: It was something I’ve always wanted to do. Some friends had done it and I really admired DIY labels from the past like Rough Trade, SST, Dischord and Factory Records. So I just did it. It’s been a great experience and a lot of fun.

Q: What is your main goal for the label?

A: To put out records that people are excited about now and in five to 10 years.

Q: What albums have you released so far?

A: I’ve put out three records and two more are on the way. The first was a collaboration by Kill Me Tomorrow and Dance Disaster Movement, with both bands performing as one. After that, a 12- inch single by The Plot To Blow Up The Eiffel Tower. Next was an EP by The Prayers. This year, I’m about to put out a split 12-inch by Ye Olde Maids (a project from Wes Eisold of Some Girls) and San Diego’s Fantastic Magic. Also coming up is a live LP by The Muslims. I expect those by December.

Q: Do you put everything out on vinyl?

A: Everything on vinyl, yes. Every release so far has been on CD as well but I’m not sure I’ll bother making CDs from here on out. Maybe slip a CD in with the vinyl or offer downloads. People get excited about vinyl – pre-orders are always really big, especially when I do a limited-run color.

Q: How else are you involved in the San Diego music community?

A: My friends and I book shows and parties that are more underground and punk-inspired. And we also have an attempt at a blog called Skull Kontrol. It’s ridiculous but fun to write.

Q: What San Diego bands are you most excited about right now?

A: Christmas Island, The Muslims, Crocodiles, Kill Me Tomorrow and Fantastic Magic are my favorites. That pretty much sums up San Diego to me.

www.myspace.com/artfaglabel

Venue Profile

BAR PINK

SAN DIEGO’S CHURCH OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Opening its doors in July 2007, Bar Pink has quickly risen to the top as one of San Diego’s best, and word is traveling fast to bands up the coast. Boasting a vintagecocktail- lounge-meets-neighborhood-bar atmosphere (with a twist of pink felt pool tables, bubbles and glitter), Bar Pink is the perfect addition to San Diego’s North Park area. A partnership between three couples, including Dang, former booker at local rock ‘n’ roll dive Live Wire, and John Reis, Swami Records owner, former Rocket from the Crypt frontman and current member of The Night Marchers, Bar Pink’s live music programming is no afterthought. “John and I joked about starting the church of rock ‘n’ roll – bringing the music to the masses and providing a place where people didn’t have to pay to see good music,” Dang told Performer. “Fortunately, we’ve been able to do that.”

Capacity: 180

Genres: Rock, jazz, funk, roots, blues, Americana

Programming: 1-2 bands per show

Alumni: The Muslims, The Night Marchers, Wild

Weekend, The Cheap Leis, Mad Juana (featuring

Sami Yaffa of Hanoi Rocks/NY Dolls), Bob

Log III, Extra Golden (Nairobi), Japanther,

The Creepy Creeps, Birds of Avalon, The Sess,

King Khan, Tussle, Two Sheds, Von Iva, Tartufi,

Thee Oh Sees, The Brothers Unconnected

(surviving members of Sun City Girls) and

1970s punkers The Urinals and The Dogs

Stage: 14’x12’ and only 6” off the ground,

keeping performances intimate

Sound: Two powered 1500 watt 3-ways,

16-channel board, two JBL 512 powered

monitors; small enough room to just mic vocals

Booking: Send a MySpace or web link to Dang at booking@barpinkelephant.com well in advance

Fun Fact: Bar Pink’s bathrooms are really clean!

3829 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104 | (619) 564-7194

www.barpinkelephant.com

In the News

Castanets will tour the US this month in support of City of Refuge, their fourth album for Asthmatic Kitty. On tour, Ray Raposa will be joined by Annie Palmer on bass, banjo and vocals and Yoni Kifle on drums, bass and keys, with special guests likely to appear in various towns.

www.myspace.com

/castanets

Lady Dottie and the Diamonds will return home this month from a West Coast tour in support of their new self-titled album on Hi-Speed Soul. After two CMJ showcases, the San Diego blues rockers will resume their weekly hometown slots at U-31 every Monday night, Henry’s Pub every Wednesday and The Harp every Thursday.

www.ladydottieandthe

diamonds.com

San Diego’s The Black Heart Procession, The Locust and Kill Me

Tomorrow have been invited to perform at the UK’s All Tomorrow’s Parties “The Nightmare Before Christmas” next month in Minehead. The event, scheduled for December 5-7, was curated by The Melvins and Mike Patton, and will feature Squarepusher, Isis, Mastadon, Butthole Surfers, Meat Puppets, Martina Topley Bird and nearly 40 others.

www.atpfestival.com

The Silent Comedy set out with fellow San Diego band Transfer this month for another Western adventure.

The tour kicks off on November 13 in Tucson, Ariz. and will make its way up to San Francisco for two back-to-back shows (one without Transfer) and Sacramento,

where it will conclude on November 24 at Old Ironsides.

www.thesilentcomedy.com

As reported in last month’s issue, San Diego Sports Club was sold and is now officially The Ruby Room, under all new management. The venue celebrated its grand opening with performances by

Grand Ole Party, Rafter and The Widows last month. Ruby Room booker, Andy Robillard, has said that changes will be made to the booking as well as the sound system, which will be receiving an upgrade shortly.

www.myspace.com/

therubyroomsd

On November 4, The Album Leaf’s guitarist/keyboardist, Drew Andrews, also of Via Satellite, will release his debut solo album, Only Mirrors, on Minty Fresh with a show at the Casbah. In anticipation of the new album, Andrews

has been on the road, playing a string of

West Coast dates with Magnetic Morning.

www.drewandrews.org