Long Wong's in Tempe Introduces Monthly Residencies

Local rock outfit Kinch got a lot attention from their three January residencies in LA, San Diego and Scottsdale. Now the newish Long Wong's at the Firehouse in Tempe is running with the idea.Technically, the promo is called by the more modest-sounding title, "Featured Band of the Month," but it's...

By Martin Cizmar

March 14, 2011

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Local rock outfit Kinch got a lot attention from their three January residencies in LA, San Diego and Scottsdale. Now the newish Long Wong's at the Firehouse in Tempe is running with the idea.

Technically, the promo is called by the more modest-sounding title, "Featured Band of the Month," but it's the same idea. One band headlines a month's worth of Fridays, starting two weeks ago with Loveblisters singer Rob Kroehler's new project Ladylike. There are a variety of bands playing with them, including Hooves and Prague on March 25.

In April, the essential New Long Wong's band, Future Loves Past, will play every Friday. March goes to Banana Gun. June isn't set in stone, but will probably be Japhy's Descent.

Oh, and there's more...

After a year, the bar's manager Jack Maverik is putting together a compilation featuring one song from each of the bands -- maybe something the bands already recorded, maybe something he records himself -- as a little retrospective.

"I think this is cool for a couple reasons. First, it's consistent. You know what you're getting every week and can make your choice on what to do. Second, it's a way to highlight our best bands. They get a little extra money, extra promotion, and it creates a gig that hopefully bands will WANT to play," he says.

I agree -- this is pretty cool.

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