Two weekends at Vinny’s with the 28’s and Mento Buru
I ventured out to Vinny’s the last two weekends for some great local music. Vinny’s puts on some great shows. And usually all the music blends well together, which I like. If it’s a punk show, it’s a punk show. Hardcore/screamo then its hardcore/screamo. You get the idea. Vinny’s also has a great sound system and usually a great crowd too. In fact the only thing I don’t like about Vinny’s is the smoke. Spending a few hours in a room full of smoke makes it very hard to breathe. Plus, I hate going home smelling like an ashtray. Blech!

Last weekend was all about seeing the 28’s. I’ve been hearing a lot about the 28’s lately but I hadn’t got to hear them play yet. The 28’s. I wonder how they came up with their name. It’s short, sweet, catchy kind of like another band that made it to the moon and back, you know that U2 band. 28. Oh to be 28 again. 28 was a major turning point in my life, I would love to go back to 28 and do things differently. Does the 28’s refer to the band member’s ages? Perhaps it’s their lucky number. Whatever it is, I like it. Just like I like their music. Everything I’ve been hearing about the 28’s music was right on. They are a tight, fast-paced punk band of the purest kind. Clay Pigeon sings punk lyrics from deep down in his heart with bass player and B.U.M.S. blogger extraordinaire singing backup to round out their sound. The only thing I can’t figure out is how Clay gets his Mohawk to stand up like that. Keep an eye out for the 28’s they’re going places. Read what NL and JR had to say about the 28's show last weekend.

Last night at Vinny’s things were a little more funky rather than punk. Bakersfield legends Mento Buru were in the house and they shook the Vinny’s crowd up. Latin Ska-King Matt Munoz had all the ladies on the dance floor as well as a few band members from other bands performing that night. Mento Buru is a bottomless pit of talented musicians and songs. Their music always puts me in a ‘feel good’ mood that makes me want to get up and shake it. Mento Buru is a Bakersfield treasure worth discovering if you haven’t already dug their brand of Latin Ska music.

There was also a special treat last night from Long Beach at Vinny’s. Blues/funk/jazz band Zen Robbi were in the house albeit minus their bass player, however, that didn’t stop them from performing a great set of music. I was so impressed with their music and the lead singer’s vocals that I bought a CD. I hope they will venture back to Bakersfield again.  posted by Matildakay at 11:31 PM