A labor of love

Joseph Timmons' love of music powers an online magazine covering songs not heard in the Top 40

click to enlarge A labor of love
PHOTO BY JOE PAYNE
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Joseph Timmons created Xombiewoof magazine because he wanted to see more coverage of the music he enjoyed.

Music has expanded into genres so multitudinous that no single publication can hope to cover them all. Unfortunately, this means many music lovers must scratch deeper to find magazines that feature what they’re interested in.

One local by the name of Joseph Timmons took matters into his own hands and created an online publication called Xombiewoof magazine. The inspiration for the name came from a Frank Zappa song, and it’s underground artists like Zappa whom Timmons enjoys covering.

“I first started Xombiewoof as a blog a year ago,” Timmons said. “I am a musician myself, a drummer, and I love all forms of music.”

Timmons is open to covering all kinds of music in his magazine, but has focused mostly on rock’n’roll, especially hard rock and heavy metal. The former drummer for the band Stormbringer, Timmons covers up-and-comers as well as favorites in the metal scene.

“I remember in the ’80s when I was playing in the metal bands and had hair, it was about the music,” he said. “I’m trying to bring this stuff to light. There have been artists who are no longer with us, ones who are coming up; there is a wealth of artists out there.”


As the editor in chief of a small online magazine, Timmons tries to keep his reporting up-to-date and interesting. He receives albums every day from artists hoping for a review. He posts on his website music reviews and reviews of equipment and instruments.

A labor of love
CHECK OUT THE SITE: Xombiewoof magazine is available online at xombiewoof.com as well as the magazine’s blog at xombiewoof.blogspot.com. You can also find video interviews on youtube.com and profiles on facebook.com and twitter.com. More information: [email protected] or 598-9342.

“The good thing about having my website and blog online [is that it] gives me the flexibility to update stuff daily and to get the news out there to my readers,” he said. “Oddly enough, even though I am a small online publication, a lot of my readers are in Russia, Germany, and England.”

This provides Timmons with the unique opportunity to interview artists from across the globe—all from the comfort of his home office.

“I would love to get more of a local following and connect with musicians,” he said. “When I first moved here in 1990 there was a great music scene.”

But Timmons doesn’t limit himself to purely writing articles. Xombiewoof also has a Youtube page filled with video interviews. His musician-on-the-street approach to interviewing makes for some interesting encounters among musicians and instrument makers alike.

“When I went to the National Association of Musical Merchants Convention we took a little hand-held camera and I just asked people if they wanted to do some off-the-cuff interviews,” he said. “I try to meet people on a personal level and say, ‘Hey, talk to me—one musician to another.’”
With thousands of clicks per day, Xombiewoof is a growing magazine. Timmons has done much to expand the magazine’s availability, including a phone app, but he hopes to one day have a hard copy publication.

“This started as a labor of love and it still is. I do have a day job,” he said. “But, ultimately, I would love to have a print publication and be a major player.”

As long as people keep clicking, Timmons will keep producing Xombiewoof and providing coverage of the musicians his audience and he enjoy.

“I’ve got stories about musicians doing wonderful things,” he said. “Music is something to inspire, not something to gawk at.”

Music to laugh to

Gale McNeeley and Betty Faas present the concert “Songs and Satire,” featuring performances of favorite songs by Tom Lehrer, and Wayne and Schuster, and originals by McNeeley on July 20 at 4 p.m. at Café Noir, 1555 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. A donation of $10 is suggested. More info: 406-4997.

Park yourself

Concerts in the Park is a free concert series presented by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, PLAY Inc., and Santa Maria Rotary clubs. The Drive in Romeo’s will perform live on July 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, 2637 S. College Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.

Live at the Radisson

The Radisson Hotel presents live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m., including Juan Marquez on July 19 and 20 at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.

Get down at Lucia’s

Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic night featuring wine, poetry, and live music on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the tasting room, 126 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More info: 332-3080.

Wine and music together

The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “Wine Down Wednesdays” featuring live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro, located at 400 E. Clark Ave., Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or [email protected].

Maverick music

The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including country music by The Fourcasters on July 19 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. A “Concert on the Deck” featuring Guy and Friends is July 20 at 3 p.m. The Molly Ringwald Project performs on July 20 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Tales from the Tavern” features a special concert with Paul Thorn and his band on July 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or [email protected].

 

Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at [email protected].

 

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