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Friday July 11th, DESA, The Action Design (formally Tsunami Bomb), Melodrive & Good City Lie Still will be playing @ Banana Joes in Modesto, on the corner of 9th and J st. Spread the word...

Claudia Russell's voice draws you into a song and keeps you there. Whether she is singing folk, country, blues or pop, you know you are going to get a soulful, satisfying musical ride. Claudia Russell is an outstanding singer/songwriter who has shared stages with Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Steve Forbert, Tish Hinojosa, Kris Kristoffersen, Bill Morrisey, Willie Nelson, Darryl Purpose, Peter Rowan, Kevin So, Rosalie Sorrels and Bill Staines, among others. She is most often seen accompanied by her trusty sidekick, Bruce Kaplan, on mandolin, guitar and vocals and Mark Petrella on bass.

When I thought it couldn't be any better, this showed up yesterday on the English Beat website: "Lynval Golding has played his first tour with us now, and the reaction has been fabulous. With him on guitar, and Wayne Lothian on bass, people have been telling us thay have seen the best shows and crowd responses ever. And, now having finished his schooling, Fernando is back on Sax, with a a beautiful toned Selmer Mark7 Sax, just like Saxa used to play. It all sounds delightful.

Legendary British band The English Beat will be performing at Hero's in Modesto on Saturday, December 8 at 9:00. They will be performing original material from The English Beat and General Public. Local bad boy, Jon Valenti will open!

San Francisco's Blame Sally named themselves after a girlfriend who made one of the band members late for a rehearsal one day. Formed in 2000, Blame Sally is four women who contribute songs and arrangements, switch off lead vocals and trade instruments. Individually, Renee Harcourt (guitar, bass, banjo, lead vocals, background vocals), Monica Pasqual (piano, keyboard, accordion, melodica, lead vocals, background vocals), Jeri Jones (guitar, bass, dobro, background vocals), and Pam Delgado (percussion, lead vocals, background vocals) have long displayed stirring singer-songwriter gifts. Together they're a powerhouse unit, presenting outstanding lead vocals and harmonies.

Levator is on tour from Seattle Washington and playing in the nearby town of Merced at Maria's Mexican Kitchen. 8pm/Free/All Ages.

Saturday, April 21st 8 to 11 p.m. Shorty's is located at 1205 Plaza Ave., Suite 11 Escalon, CA It is behind the Burger King as you come into Escalon at the 120 intersection. We are the first live band to perform there.

8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Open to the public

The Mainzer, home of the independent musician in the central valley is bringing you another hot and amazing act from the indie rock persuasion with KIND OF LIKE SPITTING. Also on the bill are the Merced sensations DERIVA! Get your asses up and out to this show if you like great, fresh, and creative rock!