Modesto, CA
A former Wild West town, Modesto is located on one of the busiest rail corridors in the country, roughly 80 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco. Home to a wide selection of accommodating venues, two major college campuses (CSU Stanislaus and UC Merced) and a wealth of local music organizations, Modesto is not just the crossroads of California but a music hub as well. Grandaddy helped put Modesto music on the map and local bands like Solar Powered People, El Olio Wolof and Built Like Alaska are carrying on that tradition. Annual music events like X-Fest are drawing in 15,000 people to downtown Modesto each summer, and the Modesto Area Music Association recognizes the area's best with the annual MAMA awards event in October. Both Bay Area bands looking for an out of town show and bands en route through California's Central Valley, will discover a very supportive music community in Modesto.
BOOK A GIG: VENUES
FAT CAT MUSIC HOUSE AND LOUNGE
930 11TH STREET
MODESTO, CA 95354
(209) 524-1400
www.fatcatmodesto.com
Large '30s-era showhouse with a great house sound system, The Fat Cat is one of the area's best live music venues, booking both local and touring acts from most genres. To book contact Chris Ricci at chris@chrisriccipresents.com a few months in advance.
QUEEN BEAN COFFEE HOUSE
1126 14TH STREET
MODESTO, CA 95354_
(209) 521-8000
www.queenbeancoffee.com
Located in downtown Modesto, this large house turned eclectic coffee shop features a large patio and Alice in Wonderland decor. All genres are welcome and shows can be booked for any day of the week by contacting Irene at www.myspace.com/queenbeancoffeehouse. Roundabout-style experimental shows are starting to become more frequent at The Queen. Interested bands should contact Tony at www.myspace.com/guiltybystander for more information.
THE PARTISAN
432 MAIN STREET
MERCED, CA 95340
(209) 723-0599
This brand new 150 capacity bar in nearby Merced hosts live indie rock, hip-hop and bluegrass shows every weekend. To book, send a link to RC at thepartisansheart@yahoo.com two months in advance.
THE MUSTANG CLUB
413 7TH STREET
MODESTO, CA 95354
(209) 522-0393
www.myspace.com/themustangclub
21+ gay and lesbian bar with live underground hip-hop, indie rock, pop and electronica. Touring bands should make friends with a local band first before contacting Mustang booker Claude Cardenas at claudecardenasiv@yahoo.com or on MySpace for a show.
MODESTO UNDERGROUND
1601 COFFEE ROAD
MODESTO, CA 95355__
www.myspace.com/themodestounderground
All ages venue at the Calvary Temple Church with live music every Friday. To book, fill out the online form and email it to traviswaugh@gmail.com or send Travis Waugh a press pack to the address above.
OFF THE AIR
www.offtheair.net
Indie music promoter Greg Edwards books one to three shows a month at various locations in the downtown Modesto area under the name Off The Air. Bills are a mix of touring out-of-towners and the best local indie talent. To book contact Greg at greg@offtheair.net at least three months in advance.
X-FEST
www.xfestmodesto.com
The Xclamation Festival, or X-Fest is the Central Valley's largest summer music event, featuring over 40 local and touring bands on multiple stages in downtown Modesto. Booking is done through Sonicbids from January through April. All genres are accepted and national acts should contact Chris Ricci Presents at chris@chrisriccipresents.com.
PROMOTE A GIG: MEDIA
KCSS 91.9 FM
801 W. MONTE VISTA
TURLOCK, CA 95382
(209) 667-3378
www.kcss.net
Stanislaus State student-run college radio station is "The Valley's True Alternative." They play an eclectic variety of independent music from rock to reggae to jazz. Contact music director Rachel Nahabedian at mr@kcss.net for rock submissions and direct all other genre inquiries to md@kcss.net.
CNG RADIO - "CRUISE AND GOOD"
P.O. BOX 579052
MODESTO, CA 95357
www.cruiseandgood.com
Most programming for this online alternative radio station is local, but touring bands can set up an on-air phone interview by emailing cruiseandgood@yahoo.com and have their local show info included on the daily concert calendar by emailing it in two weeks in advance.
MODESTO VIEW MAGAZINE
1500 J STREET
MODESTO, CA 95354
(209) 523-4526
www.modestoview.com
Monthly arts and entertainment publication that serves the greater Modesto area. CD and live reviews are generally local, but the magazine has an event calendar where bands can post their upcoming shows. Info should be emailed to events@modestoview.com.
Helpful Websites
www.modestofamous.com
www.centralvalleymusic.com
www.modestoview.com/mama
GEAR/ REPAIRS
SKIP'S MUSIC
1209 MCHENRY AVENUE
MODESTO, CA 95350
(209) 522-1003
www.skipsmusic.com
Community-oriented Central Valley chain of instrument retail, rental and repair stores. Open M-F 11-8, Sat 10-6 and Sun 12-6. Minor repairs on guitars can usually be done in store same day.
BARKER'S MUSIC
519 MCHENRY AVENUE
MODESTO, CA 95354
(209) 526-0347
www.barkersmusic.com
Sells guitars, amps, keyboards, pro audio gear, drums, organs and DJ equipment. Open M-Th 9-7, F-Sat 9-5:30, closed Sundays. Also have a location in Stockton.
GUITAR CENTER
3440 MCHENRY AVENUE # D20
MODESTO, CA 95350
(209) 525-9800
www.guitarcenter.com
Carries a wide variety of instruments and gear. Open M-F 11-9, Sat 11-7 and Sun 12-6.
|
