Ken Larmon is one of the greatest members of our local music scene. With his photo skills, editing wizardry and eye for capturing the perfect rock-star moment, Larmon has built an impressive portfolio of photos from local concerts. He shows up, pays to get in, takes photos and then sends them to the artists (usually for free—although his work should be paid for). On top of photography and teaching, Larmon has been organizing Mid-Autumn, a benefit concert for the Desert Cancer Foundation, to honor his late wife, Malinda Liu. The event returns for a third year at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25, at Coachella Valley Brewing Co. in Thousand Palms. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/kenlarmon.
What was the first concert you attended?
It was either Kenny Rogers or Hank Williams Jr. at Universal Amphitheatre. I don’t know exactly which one was first. My parents took me to both when I was in elementary school, and the memories blend together. Both artists were at the peak of their powers in the early- to mid-1980s.
What was the first album you owned?
The first cassette I remember buying with my own money was Beastie Boys’ License to Ill. Nine-year-old me saw the “Fight for Your Right” video on MTV and had to have it. Lawns were mowed; a bike ride to Wherehouse Music happened; and it was mine.
What bands are you listening to right now?
There are a lot, so I’ll try to keep it short. The Bobby Lees put out a new album a little while ago, and I’m digging that. I got turned on to Cardiel a few years ago, and I think they’re amazing. I have to shout out some of our local bands: June and the Tax Evaders, The Royal Chicano Underground, Salton City Surf Club, Cálmala, Bronca, and Mills the Gawd. There are more, but that’ll do.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
This one is hard. I kind of “get” why most people love the music they love, even if it’s not for me. Jam bands aren’t for me. One time, a friend invited me to see moe., because he had an extra ticket. My friend loved this band. He’d take a month off work to follow moe. on tour, so I went. The band got to the “all the solos” part of their first song, and my mind starts to wander. “I think Spider-Man could take Cyclops in a fight. I need to buy more dog food tomorrow. That’s a cool Neil Young shirt.” I’m so bored and look over to see my friend rocking out. Yeah, all the guys in moe. are really good. They have that bouncy, twirly jam-band feel, and they’re playing all the notes, and, “If a chicken was the size of a kangaroo, would they murder everyone? Or is that just an ostrich?”
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
The Beatles.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
The Toilet Bowl Cleaners, because I have the humor of a 5-year-old. Poop, pee and diarrhea jokes in song? Yes, please.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Active: Pappy and Harriet’s. It’s a short drive, but there isn’t anything like it in the low desert. Defunct: The Showcase Theatre in Corona. I saw so many great shows there from 1994 to 1996.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“There’s battle lines being drawn / Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong / Young people speaking their minds / Are getting so much resistance from behind,” “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield. What’s old is new again, and I’m getting tired of it being new again.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
My first answer isn’t a band; it was a show: 120 Minutes on MTV. That show introduced me to so many bands that I still love today, when I was in middle school and high school. For the band, I have to go with The Skeletones. They were the first band where I learned there is a thing called the local scene. They were playing a free show at Cal-State San Bernardino, and someone heard about it through an older sibling. I’d never heard of them. I was just like, “There are bands from Riverside? They aren’t all aliens from Seattle, New York or L.A.? You can see live music in a place that’s not a sports arena, a stadium or an amphitheater?”
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I’d ask Bob Dylan what his Top 10 middle-of-nowhere truck-stop diners are. He’s been on tour for a long time and probably has a good list.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Matt, put down the gun! You said this was figurative. OK! OK! Fugazi, Repeater.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Ma Likes to Drink” by The Bobby Lees.
