Watch this impressive video about Shasta County from the EDC.
REALLY nice production. I guess our secret is out now…
When DEVO came to Redding in December 1982
Wow, was it thirty years ago? Looking through an old box in the closet, I ran across these photographs I took at the Redding Civic when DEVO came to town in 1982.
Are we not men? We are DEVO!
Sure, it looks like the singer is wearing a flower pot hat, but DEVO fans know them as “Energy Domes.” I was a fan back then, but not enough to have bought a ticket. A friend gave me the ticket. Her 15 year old daughter won the seats from a radio promotion, and mom really didn’t want to go. Front row! Hence, the good shots. The show was much better than I expected.
This was the era of the “It’s a Beautiful World” single, which was a show highlight.
It’s a beautiful world we live in,
A sweet romantic place,
Beautiful people everywhere,
The way they show they care
Makes me want to say,It’s a wonderful time to be here,
It’s nice to be alive,
Wonderful people everywhere,
The way they comb their hair(Chorus)
It’s a beautiful world (three times)
For you (three times)
Everything I’d heard by DEVO was sort-of deliberately sterile sounding, I think. Art music. Almost a parody of itself. Certainly a sarcastic reflection of pop culture.
The funny thing about pop culture is that even self-parody acknowledgement of its own banality becomes more pop culture, perhaps even the best of it.
What I wouldn’t have guessed was how hard they rocked. Obviously, having risen through the punk clubscene, they’d learned to move an audience. This wasn’t studio music played live. They engaged the crowd, playing it hard with abandon. Up front, and hearing mostly the stage monitors, I was impressed. A tight rock band.
Devo singer Mark Mothersbaugh has gone on to become an accomplished artist in both film scores and visual arts. An extremely impressive list of accomplishments by any measure.
They still play as a band too. The DEVO webiste had recent video from a SF show at the Fillmore.
Amazing.
I like the final image in my series. You can tell this was taken some time ago. Outstretched arms aren’t holding up cell phones recording the moment. They were just in the moment.
All photos by Skip Murphy, 1982. Below, I wanted to post one of their many online videos, but it was so hard to pick one. This one was recorded just few days ago, 1-13-12 @The Fillmore. Impressive longevity for any band!
Spectacular view of Redding from Space
Okay, it’s the whole hemisphere, but Redding is there. Image courtesy of NASA. Thanks, NASA.
Taken on January 4th 2012, so this year’s early light snowpack is well evident. A wonderful and thought provoking image.
All the real estate there is, until we get to Mars.
You can find this full 64MP image of Earth in large format glory at the link. Well worth the the view. It’s Really Redding.
State of the City of Redding California
The image above sums up much of the State of the City luncheon yesterday, both spoken and unspoken. Our area has been hit hard by an economic wave. The figure at the flag faces skyward. Stretching out her arm as if to implore the heavens, as solemn citizens in the foreground stand. Left, our mayor Missy McArthur and other officials set a positive tone, emphasizing the extensive public work projects that have continued despite the economy. Tough times have befallen Redding before. It won’t last, but we will.
Redding’s 15th Annual Beer and Wine Festival
We attended this year’s 15th Annual Redding Beer and Wine Festival at the Promenade, and I took a few shots, er, photographs.
It would be hard to pick a favorite food or drink vendor. Some standouts include Gaia’s Woodside Grill, Market Street Steakhouse, Bricks Smokehouse, Grilla Bites, CR Gibbs, and seen pouring here, Shameless O’Leery’s.
We tried some terrific home brew from the Shasta SOB (Society of Brewers) club. And of course there was so much fine wine. It was a great opportunity to try out vintners like Matson and wineries from the Manton wine country. We had some great tastings at the Mosely Family Cellar booth.
Lots of fun, and some great opportunities to to try some different things. As always, it was good to see family and friends. See you next year!
Moss no mas
Yesterday we learned that Moss Lumber would be closing it’s doors for the last time. The current economic downturn has been extremely rough on all the trades, but none so much as building. The Redding store with its teepee burner out front is a local landmark.
David Benda wrote a blogpost about it that was of interest. There’s a lot of this sort of thing going around, but it still hits very hard. We sincerely wish the best to the Moss family and their crew.
“Carmageddon” effects felt as far north as Redding
These images taken today show literally dozens of cars packing Redding’s major downtown arterial streets like salmon in a stream, clearly reflecting the tense situation in the Golden state. The well publicized closure of the 405 Freeway in LA is having ripple effects across the entire state. “Just crossing town takes 4, sometimes 5 minutes,” exclaimed one clearly frustrated driver. Cross town trips that might ordinarily take 3 minutes if you hit the lights right were dragging into what seemed like a several minute eternity. Then there was parking. “I was unable to park directly in front the business I was patronizing like I usually do,” said one exasperated shopper. “I had to park several spaces away. Unimaginable.”
Carpocalypse now. It’s Really Redding.
Paddle boarding on the Sacramento River in Redding
Our local river is deceptively unforgiving. Yesterday from the Sundial, seeing these two with no life jackets on sent chills. Tourists maybe? I haven’t seen anyone do this here before. Perhaps paddle boarding on the river will be an extreme sport that gains some followers, but people please! The river is calm and serene, until abruptly it isn’t. Then, its deathly cold grasp drags your body where it wants. Not where you want. Even with a life jacket, I hope your affairs are in order.
Common sense is unfortunately rare. But do have a care for your family, and for the first responders charged with your rescue. Or recovery.
I hope I’m wrong, but I predict dark clouds on the horizon for this sport, on this body of water. It’s Really Redding.
Car collides with boat on Keswick Dam Road
May Day images in Redding 2011
This season has proven to be an extraordinary Spring, with an abundance of wildflowers, water in creeks, and birds in the trees. It was a wet end to Winter, but a magic May Day ensues.
Popped my head over the bridge, and spotted these two enjoying the sun by the river.
That reminded me of this image from Redding long ago.
