Author Archives: Shirley Pena

Shirley Pena

About Shirley Pena

A native of Southern California, Shirley Peña began her career as a music journalist almost twenty years ago, writing for her websites "Stars In My Eyes: the Girlhowdy Website" and "La Raza Rock!" and progressed to creating various fan sites on Yahoo, including the first for New Zealand singer/songwriter Tim Finn. From there, she became a free agent, arranging online interviews for Yahoo fan clubs with various music artists (Andy White, John Crawford, Debora Iyall, John Easdale, etc.). She also lent her support in creating and moderating a number of Yahoo fan clubs for various music artists from the 1990s-today. As a music journalist, Shirley Peña has contributed to a number of magazines (both hard copy and online), among them: Goldmine, American Songwriter, Classic Drummer Magazine and UK-based Keyboard Player (where she was a principal journalist). A self-confessed "fanatic" of 1960s "British Invasion" bands, Classic Rock and nostalgic "Old Hollywood ", she also keeps her finger on the pulse of current trends in music, with a keen eye for up and coming artists of special merit. Shirley Peña loves Los Angeles, and is thrilled to join the writing staff of The Los Angeles Beat!

The ‘Roots’ of Rock:an Interview with Vince Dewald (Buxter Hoot ‘n)

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Shirley Pena

The San Francisco ‘roots rockers’ Buxter Hoot’n have a new EP coming out on September 4: “Na Na Na.” The six song track list is as follows: 1. Na Na Na 2. Kids Those Days 3. Fake Heart Attack 4. … Continue reading →

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Creatures of the Night:an Interview with Author Jim Fetters

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Shirley Pena

(All photos, except where indicated, courtesy of Jim Fetters. Copyright 2012)   In  1962, a Los Angeles-based television channel by the name of KCOP 13 premiered a horror show by the name of ‘Jeepers’ Creepers Theatre’, igniting in 12 year … Continue reading →

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Heart Full of Soul:an Interview with Jim McCarty Part 2

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Shirley Pena

I’ve read that Keith Relf was your inspiration for learning to play the acoustic guitar. Is that true? Yes, it’s true. During the Yardbirds, Keith and me used to write songs together, then after I left the band I learned to play … Continue reading →

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Heart Full of Soul:an Interview with Jim McCarty

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Shirley Pena

Jim McCarty, second from left, in 1966. Photo courtesy of Flickr. Born James Stanley “Jim” McCarty  July 25 1943 at Walton Hospital in Liverpool, England, Jim McCarty’s family moved to London when he was two years old. He attended Hampton School in Richmond upon … Continue reading →

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Too High to Die: an Interview With Curt Kirkwood

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Shirley Pena

An introduction by Greg Prato, author of “Too High to Die: Meet the Meat Puppets”: “I decided to write the book because I’ve been consistently listening to the Meat Puppets since the spring of 1992, and they remain one of … Continue reading →

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Call Me: An Interview With Chris Montez

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Shirley Pena

In December 2002, Chris Montez was a rare joy to interview from among the myriad of artists performing on “Oldies” venue shows. Proud of his notable past work (“The More I See You”, “Let’s Dance”, etc.) he set himself apart from most … Continue reading →

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No Room for Rock Stars: an Interview With David Scott

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Shirley Pena

How DAVID SCOTT, a guy from Glasgow Scotland, pursued (and won!) fame and fortune… then ended up winning so much more. “I love hearing great new music and seeing people develop. It’s easy to come off dewy-eyed about that, but … Continue reading →

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Really Free: An Interview With John Otway

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Shirley Pena

John Otway, born October 2 1952 in Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire,England) has built an impressive and devoted “cult” audience since the 1970s.  At 54, he continues to tour extensively year-round, leaving audiences breathless with his amazing stage antics (leaps, jumps, hurtles) that … Continue reading →

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Everybody Ought To Know Amy Allison

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Shirley Pena

“My dad’s work and mine has a unique sense of humor that runs deep: kind of existential and philosophical. There’s like some sort of self-effacing quality. I feel like my family has a real bullshit detector. We’re real. We don’t … Continue reading →

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The Symphony of Science: An Interview With John Boswell

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Shirley Pena

“The sky calls to us If we do not destroy ourselves We will one day venture to the stars A still more glorious dawn awaits Not a sunrise, but a galaxy rise A morning filled with 400 billion suns The … Continue reading →

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