Jacob’s Loc Hits Home
Loudspeaker Showcase hosted by 91X and The Casbah
San Diego, CA
July 15, 2004
Story by Charmaine Frost
Photos by Debbie Braasch
Debbie
and I saw Janie at the merchandise table and made our way there to greet her
and check out Jacob’s Loc’s demos, tee shirts and stickers that she
was selling. Jacob had a hand in designing the tee shirt as well as the stylized
JL initials found on the stickers and demo CDs and CD covers. Jacob stopped
by the merchandise table and Debbie was permitted to capture the moment in this
shot.
The
club’s entrance leads arrivals into an enclosed patio where clubgoers can
mix and mingle over drinks, remain within earshot of the live music inside,
but still be able to carry on conversations. We spotted Tim Pyles, the co-host
of 91X’s Loudspeaker http://www.91x.com/loudspeaker.html show that airs
on Sundays from 6 to 8 PM PDT, and went over to introduce ourselves to him.
He told me there was a very good turnout for this show and I had to agree that
the club seemed to be very near its 200 or so capacity and abuzz inside and
out. I expressed my gratitude for his and 91X’s support of Jacob’s
Loc and other local musicians through the station’s weekly program and
the Loudspeaker Showcases. To me, the fact that co-hosts Tim and Al can create
their radio program’s playlist from music of their choice that has been
submitted by local groups…a number of them unsigned…is a refreshing
change from strict corporate radio formats and playlists that seems to rule
today’s radio airwaves.
When
we arrived at The Casbah in San Diego, we were surprised by the evening’s
unusually steamy-hot weather. But now, as I reflect on that night, the city’s
normally mild weather would not have provided the appropriate environment for
the band’s show. There is nothing mild about Jacob’s Loc’s music.
This is a wonderful time for the band and their
fans. While established, signed bands are secluded backstage at their concerts,
constrained by the obligatory hobnobbing with record execs, corporate sponsors
and interviews with the press, Jacob’s Loc’s band members are free
to roam the crowd of friends, family and fans to socialize before and after
their shows. Aaron caught sight of Debbie and I and chatted with us for a
moment. He was excited about not only playing in his hometown, but in a venue
where groups including Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins have performed.
