Co-Founder, White Noise

PHOTO by JENNIE WARREN

Inflight At Night was the Web site of record for local music-lovers long before blogs proliferated to the point of insignificance. If you knew where to look, you could probably find Inflight’s Reid Sheldon at every essential show from here to LA. You still can, but Inflight has slowed down, with Sheldon expending most of his energy as co-founder of White Noise, a local label responsible for unleashing Grease-meets-X revivalists Jail Weddings and LA-by-way-of-Brooklyn eclecticists Gangi. White Noise’s recently-released split featuring feral Sunset Beach rockers RTX and Scottish psych-thumpers Primal Scream is available at playwhitenoise.com.

Where did you score your best (and cheapest) record locally?
My friends from North Carolina, Paul and Cheetie, used to play in a band called the Cherry Valence. They were an underground, dual-drummer, rock ‘n’ roll touring machine. A couple years ago, I found a sealed copy of their EP, Revival, for 99 cents at Fingerprints (4612-B E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.433.4996). Nothing terribly valuable and not my best score in Long Beach (those have been at estate sales), but my favorite from any local record store for its sentimental value.

What are you favorite Long Beach albums from the past year?
Sun Araw’s Heavy Deeds; the hop-frog kollectiv/Magic Lantern split 12”; the Valley Arena’s We Died; and while I think they may technically hail from San Pedro, I really dug the Littlest Viking’s Labor & Lust.

What’s your favorite place to catch a show?
If I’m going to see a band that has a decent draw, then it’s definitely Alex’s Bar (2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach 90804. 562.434.8292; alexsbar.com). When that bar is full, there’s a great energy that runs through the place. Otherwise it’s the Prospector (2400 E. Seventh St., Long Beach 90804. 562.438.3839). You can’t beat the intimacy of their small bar; it’s great for seeing bands that aren’t on a lot of people’s radars yet.

What’s your favorite place to grab a pre-show meal?
The Pike Bar and Grill (1836 E. Fourth St., Long Beach 90802. 562.437.4453) for a basket of fish ’n’ chips or lobster tacos.

What’s your favorite Long Beach drink?
A Tecate tall can at Alex’s Bar.

What’s your favorite Long Beach landmark?
Probably the airport. It’s un-crowded, always mellow (even when Obama landed there) and I know if I am running late I will still make my flight because there’s never a line.

Where do you go for the best view?
Driving home in the evening on Ocean Blvd. near Belmont Shore. I love looking out at the port during sunset and seeing the gantry cranes that look like giant metal Brontosauruses.

What long-gone Long Beach thing do you miss most?
Magic Lantern.

Tags: alex's bar, inflight at night, littlest viking, Long Beach, long beach airport, Music, reid sheldon, sun araw, the prospector, valley arena, white noise