Shane Wetzel has logged many years in the local music scene. Once a member of the Hellions, Wetzel is currently the frontman and guitarist of Subourbon Outlaw. The band has played shows in San Diego and Anaheim, and recently took part in the Battle of the Bands at The Hood Bar and Pizza. (I was a judge, by the way.) Catch Subourbon Outlaw at Schmidy’s Tavern, 72286 Highway 111, in Palm Desert, this Saturday, Sept. 13, on a bill with Whiskey and Knives, Brain Vat and DJ Habanero; the 8 p.m. show costs $5, but women get in for free. Find more information on Subourbon Outlaw at www.facebook.com/subourbonoutlaw. Here are Shane Wetzel’s answers to The Lucky 13.
What was the first concert you attended?
Besides all the house-party shows and desert-generator shows in the ’90s, it would be the Rancid and Voodoo Glow Skulls show, at a local spot called Rhythm and Brews in Indio.
What was the first album you owned?
The first album I purchased was Bad Religion’s Against the Grain.
What bands are you listening to right now?
I typically listen to a handful of bands on rotation and change out (each) month; it also depends on the activity I’m involved in during the day. The most consistent rotation I would say is Social Distortion, Kyuss, Good Riddance, Johhny Cash, Riverboat Gamblers, Descendents, Reverend Horton Heat, and Transplants. Generally, it’s mostly the older stuff on Epitaph, SST, Hellcat and Fat Wreck Chords.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Anything computer-generated, although if I knew how to dance, I would probably get it. Ha ha!
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
The Ramones.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Cheesy ’80s, 2 Pac and Deuce.
What’s your favorite music venue?
The one with alcohol and good bands playing! Or the Nude Bowl! Ha ha!
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“I don’t want to be buried, in a Pet Sematary,” Ramones, “Pet Sematary.”
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Tim Armstrong, because he showed me as a performer that as long as you are YOURSELF, put your heart into it, and are a wolf instead of a sheep, you don’t have to sing perfect pitch to win over an audience.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I would ask Mike Ness of Social Distortion: “Do you compose your songs with the riffs and melodies first, then lyrics, or vice versa?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Dun dun dun, another one bites the dust. … Just kidding. Geez, why so serious? I would play “Tha Crossroads” by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, because that’s what was played at my little brother’s funeral. It would make sense, since it talks about being together again.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Pennywise, Pennywise.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Reach for the Sky,” by Social Distortion. (Scroll down to hear it.)
