In Memory of Chaz Ferrare

Written and Photographed by Daniel Caponetto

Photographer Daniel Caponetto recalls the night of The Sleeperz album release show, when the cops broke up their guerilla-style bash and ended up The Sanctuary.

Long Beach, California, United States

Based out of Long Beach, The Sleeperz, set the release for their debut full-length album, The End of Daze, on the Fourth of July. The Sleeperz are a youthful group of some of LB’s most talented bunch of musicians with the souls wise enough to carry the psych-rock rhythms of artists beyond their years.

The members include Landon Reed (guitar/vocals), Chaz Beaudoin (lead guitar), Alec Mayne (bass), and Jordan Hermosillo (drums/vocals). Their magnetizing sound feeds off the acid/psych/heavy rock cultures reminiscent of Sabbath, Flag and Segall all the while bolstered with lyrics carrying poignant messages exclaiming “We Want Freedom!” and “Get off your ass, the World is huge!”

The plan was to throw a show guerrilla-style at the skatepark down the street from their home. During the weeks leading up to the Fourth of July these style of shows had been done successfully playing during protests, one at Long Beach City Hall, and an other down at the bottom of the Cherry/Junipero Hill Bomb during the festivities for Go Skate Day; so, it was expected that the party would go on without a hitch. They invited a few of their favorite friends’ bands to fill the set list and had poets and activists involved with an organization, L.B. Strong to Reclaim Independence and protest the corruption in the Long Beach Police Department and Mayor’s Office.

Unfortunately, the LBPD caught wind of the plans for the day and showed up to survey the set up and intimidate the crew from going through with the day’s celebration before anyone had even gotten there. Despite that, we carried on and acted as if nothing was wrong, gathering together to commemorate the lives fallen to police brutality with a message of forward progression away from backwards oppression. As the day progressed and people started showing up the PA system and speakers came out bringing the cops around again notifying us that the amplified spoken word was going to be tolerated, yet if we were to amplify instruments, that would then Not be allowed. ‘Okay” was said and so it went along; however, one thing led to another, the drums started, an older gentleman with a saxophone appeared, jazz guitar picked up, a rapper by the name of Tony Diamonds began freestyling, the bass filled in, and the entire park danced.

Shortly thereafter, Calm Kill began playing their set and things were going well until the police returned yet again, this time with a ticket and orders to shut down. A total and complete bummer, YES, though that did not stop us and that sure was not going to stop The Sleeperz from playing on their own album release date. Plan B was set into action.

Plan B was to bring the party back to the Sanctuary where they would play their set inside the pad but have everyone party in the street outside. As long as the neighbors refrained from complaining about the noise then they could play as loud and as long as they wanted. Fortunately, the Sleeperz Sanctuary is on a corner and the neighbors are extremely chill. For the next few hours they performed their new album and messed around a bit as the crowd pitted on the corner outside, lit off fireworks, and spilled into the street from time to time. The party was an all out bash with everyone vibing together on the same groove and enjoying each other’s presence while bathing in the Sleeperz sound. Smiles of exuberant happiness emanated from every being imitating the very Sleeperz Balloon itself. We rounded out the party back at the skatepark and all in all, the night was raucous. We had pulled off a substantially fun gathering of local activists, musicians, and pit shredders.

Find The Sleeperz debut album, End of Daze, and snag a Sleeperz t-shirt ——> roight heeeahh !!!

To Find See More Of Daniel’s Work, Follow His Instagram @distant_futures