Self Centered
Davis, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
By Anne Ternus-Bellamy
November 4th, 2010
Enterprise staff writer
When Brandon Flood decided to celebrate Davis Auto Care's first anniversary with a community celebration, he ended up getting a little help from his friends.
Actually, make that his customers, though he considers them one and the same.
People who'd been bringing their cars to him for service all year got wind of his plan for a “charity day celebration” and started offering everything from arts and crafts to paragliding demonstrations.
“We all talk all the time, about our businesses and our hobbies, and people started thinking about all of the things they could donate and bring,” Flood said. “It's taken on a life of its own. The whole community just got involved.”
The charity day is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shop at 5000 Chiles Road. All proceeds — from raffles to sales by food and merchandise vendors — will go to the Davis Schools Foundation.
The event will feature arts and crafts, face painting, a bounce house, raffle prizes, safety demonstrations by Davis police and firefighters and CPR training by Concierge Medical Training, Flood said. Live music will be provided by local bands Self Centered and Battalion as well as Bay Area band Genius and the Thieves.
The Davis Police Department is expected to have a K-9 demonstration, Flood said, and the Fire Department will be putting on a demonstration of its own, featuring the vaunted “jaws of life.”
“It's not every day that you get to see the Davis Fire Department cut open a car,” noted Flood, who said he'll provide the old, abandoned cars for firefighters to tear in to.
“There will be a little something for everybody.”
Raffles will feature donated prizes ranging from new tires to brake jobs to CPR lessons. New vendors are joining every day, though Flood would like to find more craft vendors interested in showing off their holiday goods.
When all is said and done, he said, “We'll give DSF a base dollar amount and all proceeds will go to them.
“Hopefully, it will turn out well,” he added. “We're just hoping for good weather.
For more information, contact Flood at (530) 231-8100 or brandon@davisautoshop.com. - The Davis Enterprise
This article was published on 11.11.10.
Amb Pirate is this week’s 15 Minutes feature (see page 71), but I’m pretty sure she’d make me walk the plank if I didn’t mention four pretty cool rock and punk shows going down this weekend at her home venue, Fire Escape Bar and Grill at 7431 Madison Avenue in Citrus Heights. Dang—she must live a busy, crazy promoter life. I, however, am a simple guy, so I’m just going to list these shows in order:
This Thursday, November 11, is a metal all-ages show featuring Pierced From Within, Excruciator (from Oregon), Nuclear Wasteland plus a TBA band (6 p.m., $5, all ages, full bar with ID).
Friday, November 12: Alt-rock bands including South of Sunshine, Secure Sounds and the Luminous Empty (9 p.m., $6, 21 and over).
The big show: Track Fighter with Self Centered and In Deep (9 p.m., $8, 21 and over).
And for a post-Oakland Raiders victory show on Sunday, November 14: Puke and Spit (pictured above; this is their last show ever!), Machine City, Fuel the Change and Queen Alice (6 p.m., only $5, all ages).
Rumor has it if you go to all four shows, you get to ditch work on Monday. - Sacramento News & Review
Volume 126, Number 25 (Thursday July 23rd, 2009)
Local Band Makes Top Cut
By Debra DeAngelo
Express Editor
Some local musicians are poised to make the big time scene - with a little help from their friends, that is. Self Centered, which includes former Winters High School students Ellis White, and Jimi Guerrero, has made it into the final cut in the Rockallotapus contest, sponsored by Sacramento radio station 98.5/KRXQ.
The band, which also includes Blake Grafton, James Grafton and Bryan Klingman, entered the contest by submitting two of their songs. Out of all the entrants, the KRXQ disc jockeys selected the top 15, and now it is up to the public to choose the winner by voting online. The winner will be the opening band for the Judas Priest and Whitesnake concert on Aug. 1 at the Sleep Train amphitheater in Marysville.
To vote for the band, visit KRXQ.net, and register to be part of the "Rock MOB." After registering, there is a survey of all the bands with sound clips and photos, as well as bios for all the bands, and an opportunity to vote for the best one. The deadline to vote is Friday, July 24.
Self Centered has been playing together for eight months, ad has already been to Hollywood to record a couple songs.
Rhythm guitarist and backup vocalist White says the band, which plays alternative music, will return to the recording studio in August and September, and hopes to have a full length CD finished by October. One of the band's songs, "Bleeding My Dreams" is already playing on 98.5 Rock.
The band members range in age from 19-26. Guerrero plays bass, Klingman is the lead guitarist, James Grafton is the drummer and Blake Grafton is the lead vocalist.
While waiting for fame and fortune to visit them, the band is playing whatever gigs they can, most recently Chris' Club in Vallejo.
For more information about Self Centered, or to buy CDs and T-shirts, visit myspace.com/selfcenteredmusic.
And don't forget to vote! - Winters Express
Volume 126, Number 31 (September 3rd, 2009)
Front Page Photo, by Debra DeAngelo
Local youth band Self Centered rocked downtown Main Street until the windows rattled at the 2009 Earthquake Street Festival last week. Letting both the tunes and hair fly are guitarist/vocalist Ellis White (below, left) and guitarist Jimi Guerrero. - Winters Express
Page 37
Another surprise success story, Self Centered came out of nowhere and jumped all the way up to 3rd in the Finals to earn this year’s Bronze Medal. Counter to the predominantly Metal night, Self Centered brought their Punk Alt. Rock styling’s to the stage and immediately whipped the crowd into a screaming, cheering frenzy. Ellis (the guitarist) got so excited he spun his guitar around his neck on the strap, and on the 4th revolution the strap broke, sending his guitar into the stage like a runaway torpedo. For more info about the band see their interview on page 39 in this issue of YMM.
Page 39
In continuation with the Sacramento Your Music Magazine Band Olympicks I headed out to the Boardwalk for the Finals on March 19th and caught up with Self Centered shortly after their performance. I pinned them against a neon lit wall of the venuw and asked many a questions; this is the evidence.
YMM: Alright just to get started what’s your name and what do you play in the band?
Blake: Vocals.
Ellis: I fuck around.
Jimmy: I play lead guitar.
Ron: Bass.
James: Drums.
YMM: You guys just got done with your performance at the Your Music Olympicks, how do you guys fell about it?
Blake: I feel like we rocked it! There was a good mosh pit, some flying guitars, it’s all about having fun. If you get some monotone answers we apologize. All our energy is still inside.
YMM: You guys laid it out on the floor right?
Blake: Exactly!
YMM: So Ellis, looks like you’re performing surgery on that guitar, what happened?
Ellis: Well, I didn’t do too many spins, around four, I just didn’t take proper precautions, and it flew off and broke.
YMM: Not entirely, hopefully.
Blake: We’re trying to save it.
Ellis: I’ll be sad to see it go.
YMM: The band has an LP available to the masses?
Blake: Yes, we came out with an album in October entitles Bleeding My Dreams and it’s available on iTunes and many other sites.
Ron: myspace.com/SelfCenteredMusic of course!
YMM: Any plans going into the summer?
Blake: Some sleep.
Ron/Jimmy: Beer pong!
Blake: Maybe buy a trailer, if we win. Maybe some new equipment (points at Ellis’ guitar). Just a couple shows, one on April 24th at Sierra College, and some new material; Ellis is working on a ballad he’s going to sing and compose.
Ellis: What? A little bit of “It’s Raining Men”?
Blake: Ha! Touché!
YMM: Any tours planned out?
Blake: Well, if there is any band out there to tour with, we are your band! We put on a great show. We can be road buddies!
YMM: Everyone needs a road buddy.
James: We buy beer!
Blake: We don’t fall asleep at the wheel and crash our cars except for Jimmy.
YMM: Man, crashing cars and guitars! Well thanks a lot for your time guys, I’ll let you get back to the show and sell that merch, and good luck fixing the guitar.
Video of interview: http://www.yourmusicmagazine.com/community/videos/75-your-music-olympicks/video/229-Your+Music+Magazine+interview+with+Self+Centered.html - Your Music Magazine
This week marks one year to the date that Self Centered played their first gig and they have only shown Sacramento that they mean business. It's the right concoction of screaming and alternative/punk rock that leaves you with a smile on your face and a song stuck in your head. They may not look like hardcore dudes, but I've always said to never judge a book by its cover. Blake goes from melodic to in your face in 2.5, Ellis can scream so wonderfully it will make you shed a tear, add the antics of Jimi on bass, the newest member James on guitar and the ever popular Jameson on the drums and you are set for a musical ride. Self Centered puts on a great show, and has energy. That is key to not only captivating an audience, but keeping them.
Seeing them at Marilyn's was the second time I have watched them play. Both times I was entertained and impressed. One of my favorite song's of theirs is "Over It" with the lyrics " I drink to help me sleep. Black out so I don't dream. I am over this." I also highly enjoy " Morning Sickness" as I am sure some of us can relate to that feeling. Self Centered has a full length CD available for your listening pleasure and are always eager to meet new friends!
Their next show is scheduled on December 12th at The Red House in Walnut Creek. For more info on these dudes and to check out their music go to myspace.com/selfcenteredmusicand tell em Amb Pirate from Sac Music Rocks sent ya!
Amb Pirate
SMR - Sac Music Rocks
Discography
2009 LP - Bleeding My Dreams
2010 Cover- "CrushCrushCrush" by Paramore
2011 EP - Self Centered EP
2011 Single- Lighting Up The Sky (Hardcore Version)
2011 Cover- "Hangover" by Taio Cruz ft. Flo Rida
After Eleven Sponsored Band Sampler
Track 5 - Morning Sickness
Photos
Bio
The word self centered is typically used in a negative light. That is not the definition behind these 5 guys, who came together as friends in 2008 and have nothing to hide when it comes to their music. They are centered within themselves and are on a one way track to winning over your hearts and souls with the style they have created. The members of Self Centered include Blake on lead vocals and screams, Ellis on guitar and screams, Jimi on guitar, Ron on bass, and James on drums.
Self Centered is influenced by many well known artists such as; Senses Fail, A Day to Remember, Atreyu, Story of The Year, and Green Day. Combining the talents of brothers James and Blake, the writing process seemed to flow and the lyrics all told a story. The hope of the band is that people can relate to what they sing about, and know they aren’t alone. When it came time to record, Self Centered was ready with 10 original songs. They went into Hollywood North Studios in Roseville, California and begin to make history with producer Colby Wedgeworth. The mastering of producer/engineer Jack Trammel at Fat Cat Studios only helped the CD reach its full potential. Less than a year from their first show, and Self Centered released a CD in October 2009.
In 2009 they were finalists in 98 Rock’s Rockallotapuss, and shared the stages with such artists like Shiny Toy Guns and Korn at Halo’s N Horns. In 2010 they placed 3rd in Your Music Magazine and 2nd at the Sierra College Battle of The Bands. You can hear them played on 98 Rock’s Local Licks with Mark Gilmore and they are always looking to play venues and meet fellow bands. They were chosen as 98 Rock’s Local Artist of the Month for August 2010 and they are honored to be featured.
The band reached a huge turning point in January 2011 when they booked their first national tour with platinum selling artist Hawthorne Heights. After being confirmed for the United Scenes of America Tour, Self Centered hit the studio to record their self titled EP. It was released on March 25, 2011, just days before leaving for the tour.
In the fall of 2011, the band said goodbye to founding member Ellis White as well as Ron Lewis, who both left due to personal reasons. Self Centered wishes them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
It didn't take long for ambitious new members to join the lineup. With Levi Kieny on bass and Jake Lugenbeel on guitar, their new lineup was set and the band was ready for a new adventure.
The guys in this band aren’t looking to become the next millionaires. They just want to make music, and have fun doing it. Over the last few years they have made many strides in the local music scene, and have shown to everyone the power behind their passion.
It is evident Self Centered has no desire to hang up the mic anytime soon. The music not only speaks for itself but it also will speak to you. Keep an eye out for upcoming shows and more music from this promising team of talent.
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