Cerritos Center Rocks!
by Kat Kramer

I know folks, it's a bit of a long trip- but it sure is worth it! This spring check out the shows at The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. I just enjoyed a hot show - The British Rock Symphony at their beautiful theatre. It's an awesome musical treat starring the legendary Bill Preston, and featuring Darlene Love, Nikki Lanborn and Simon Townshend (brother of Pete Townshend - The Who). It's the first ever Symphonic Rock Tour featuring the music of the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeplin, Pink Floyd and The Who! Many audience members claimed it was "the best show I've ever seen!" Some of the great songs included, "Let It Be," "Ruby Tuesday," "Stairway To Heaven" and "Pinball Wizard."

Check out The British Rock Symphony on co-released by Polygrams point music and see these other excellent live performances: Annie, The Rivals, & Macbeth at Cerritos Center 12700 Center Court Drive. 800-300-4345 or 562-916-8500www.cerritoscenter.com.

The POW! of Powder!
Here is an audio-visual definition of "sound and fury." There are a lot of attractions in the band formerly known as Rhino Party. Now slaying audiences under their new moniker of Powder, the quartet of Ninette, Phil X, Allan Hearn and Cary Kane are building up a tremendous buzz. Like a dose of methamphetamine, they are capable of rearranging your nerve endings. With the outrageous dance steps and costumes of lead singer Ninette, they were guaranteed a lot of attention, but there were some cunning songs in their recent set at The Gig, Hollywood in front of a packed crowd. Members of Powder have played with such artists as Rob Zombie and Pretty Boy Floyd, and they have absorbed musical influences ranging from techno to metal to pop. What results is a rush of pure energy.

NOISE MAKERS
This year's L.A. Music Awards showcases (50 are planned) got off to a rousing start with two shows at The Gig, Hollywood, the first headlined by hard-rockers The Ducks, the second featuring magical singer Larisa Stow.... Rakit, kings of the L.A. industrial rock scene, performed an industry showcase at Cole Stages. The textures of their beat-heavy songs were as mind-altering as the lighting and costumes. This band is ready for the big time.... Playing around town recently were several artists who will reward your ears, including Exploiting Eve, Footlong, and Lenna, as well as some folks who will pound your head, such as Nocturnal Instinct, Mygrain, Mama's Kitchen and Milkweed (who have cleverly titled their Web site www.gotmilkweed.com).

G-MAN'S PICK OF THE WEEK
Instrumental rock first exploded with Dick Dale and surf music. It took two decades until Joe Satriani and Steve Vai made it a viable format again, adding blazing technique and sparkling sonic effects. Now, another guitarist has fused all of these approaches. Tom Chaffee and The Saturnalia have a self-titled album that is a 40-minute head trip of beautiful but rocking tunes. "I like to write contraposed rhythms," Chaffee states. "I create one riff, then play another rhythm against it." You can concentrate on the fretboard pyrotechnics or just groove to his stuff (as Greta Blackburn and her Bitch Kitties Dancers did at a recent Chaffee concert). Order the CD on-line at www.tomchaffee.com.

GEAR HERE
Fender, home of the Telecaster and Stratocaster, also owns the Guild and DeArmond guitar companies. While the list prices of some Guild models are pushing two thousand bucks, the gorgeous DeArmond Starfire they just sent lists for about $750. Based on the quality of the workmanship and the lovely tones from the semi-hollow electric beauty, this is one of the best values on the market today. While its big brother, the Guild Starfire may be a bit more smoothly responsive, this is one terrific machine, adaptable to rock but ideal for jazz and fusion.

LOOK OUT
There are many superb groups performing in this city, and you cannot go wrong seeing Toledo, Cecilia Noel, Jenna Music or Velvet Chain. But one of the most satisfying experiences occurs when catching an act just as they're putting everything together and blossoming into a great attraction. In this category you can add Sister, a 5-piece group that pulls off the neat trick of bridging classic rock with the edginess of alternative sounds.

GO! GO! GO!
Get out and experience some live music. We recommend: The Toledo Show, Monday nights, The Gig/Hollywood; Alana Gentry, Friday, April 14, The Gig/WLA; Jenna Music, Friday, April 21, Priscilla's in Toluca Lake.