The Fresnan – A Fresno Culture and Travel Blog

Listen Local: Tower Rats at Goldstein’s

August 9, 2026August 9, 2026 The Fresnan Leave a comment

I recently caught the Tower Rats (a Fresno punk, indie rock, post-punk band) at Goldstein’s in the Tower District. It was only my second time seeing them (first being at Porchfest). I was glad I went.

Excellent performance; kept me engaged the whole show, with everyone in the band bringing everything they had.

There seem to be two versions of this band, though. I am not saying that as a bad thing! Just an observation.

I am guessing that the guitarist writes songs and the band plays those. And the singer writes songs, and they play those. I just bring it up because you can tell there is a difference between the two.

Normally I would not think this kind of thing would work, because the songs are slightly different genres. But Tower Rat do, in fact, make it work.

No matter who is writing the songs, they are both dynamic and worth checking out if you haven’t.

Here is a clip I took at the show:

They have some stuff out on Bandcamp too:

-Mike

Stay Out of Berrock Shop During Noon Hour, You Retired Fuck

June 23, 2026June 23, 2026 The Fresnan

Yeah I know every lunch place gets busy at Noon. This is especially true at Berrock Shop.

People on their lunch break from work, mixed with regular people wanting to get fed, makes for a busy place.

Well, I am here to rant at you retired people taking up space at Berrock Shop or anywhere else during lunch hour… KNOCK IT THE FUCK OFF!

You are lucky enough to be retired. You can come out to places at any time of day. STOP CHOOSING TO GET IN WORKING STIFFS WAY DURING NOON HOUR!

And while we are at it, don’t go wandering by a school during drop off time. Parents have already made their kids late to school along with making themselves late to work, stay the hell out the way.

The only exception is Our Lady of Bullard – she can ride by or eat at whatever time she wants.

What I’m Doing This Weekend: Porchfest [Duh]

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 The Fresnan

Yes, what I am doing this weekend is what everyone else is doing on Saturday, it’s Porchfest – it’s one of my favorite Fresno things.

I have not locked in planning my day yet (because I am not that kind of person), but I do know some things, my loose schedule of the day I will try to have:

Jonathan Low-Fi – Canal Market at 11:00.
Brother Luke and the Comrades – South Tower Hitching Post at 11:30.
Sleepover Disaster – The Belmont at 12:00.
Werebear – Planet Punk at 1:30.
The Sunburns – The Big Red Porch at 1:45.
It’ll Grow Back – Planet Punk at 2:30.
123 Death – The Big Red Porch at 3:00.
Bootlegger Folk – Medium Weldon from 4-6.
Talking Ghost – The Big Red Porch at 4:15.
Bill Clifton & the Chicken & Whiskey Band – Tower Live! at 5:00.
From Flowers To Flies – The Belmont at 6:30.
Strange Vine – Goldstein’s at 10 PM.

Think I can pull it off?

Also looking to use the Fresno Trolley at some point:

img_1556 What I'm Doing This Weekend: Porchfest [Duh]

Great coverage of the event can be found at Bandgeeeek and Valley Echos.

A good page on the website to plan your day with is this one.

Shout out to the one stage in the NW region of Tower (Hamilton/Daily block), holding it down for the whole area.

Shout out to the Medium WelDON porch for the best dad-joke stage/porch name.

Starts at 10 in the morning. I am going to ‘Dad you’ here and tell you to drink some water and wear some sunblock. And also, nobody needs to know what is in your water bottle.

P.S. Don’t forget there is something cool to do on Sunday, too, you just have to take the short drive up to Madera, it’s Spring Fling! Classic VW car show.

-Mike

Tornado Warning In Fresno? Yes

April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 The Fresnan

Bro. You don’t get many of these in Fresno. Felt I needed to post about it for the archives.

What I Might Do At FresYes Fest 2026

March 20, 2026March 20, 2026 The Fresnan

It has become a big local event that is now in the same space as the big big big BIG Fresno Fair and a Fresno State football game, it’s FresYes Fest. (Saturday 1-11:00 pm at Tioga and the baseball stadium)

Lucky for FresYes to have some (even if a little hot for March) good weather. There will be everything you can think to have at a festival, here is what I might be looking to do:

Watch every damn band I can. I am most pumped for Strange Vine and Werebear. Sadly Werebear had to cancel but It’ll Grow Back is a fine ass punk replacement. There is a good chance I won’t be around still for Strange Vine’s set – that’s okay as I plan to see them at their album release show at Fulton 55 (April 11th)
Park in the Spiral Garage. I think I will be there early enough that there will be spaces in the garage, but we shall see. Also considering taking the trolley bus in from Tower.
Find shade. It will be impossible to do this while watching bands though, and won’t be easy at other times. The Chuk with be open though and there is shade under the concourse at least.
Drink water. And yeah, beer too. Not much of a Seltzer person but I do want to try the Tioga & Ampersand blueberry seltzer colab.
Eat. I don’t have a particular food truck I am looking out for. The shortest line will be the top ranking factor for me, if I am being honest.

Band info:

img_1200-1 What I Might Do At FresYes Fest 2026

If you see me out there, please give me your drink ticket or a beer, straight up.

-Mikey

P.S. I have chosen sunblock to be the affiliate sponsor of this post. Because you’re going to fuckin’ need a sport face out there.

Another Fresno Sunset

March 7, 2026March 7, 2026 The Fresnan

The colors were so bright from tonight’s sunset in Fresno that you could see them against the walls of the houses, and it almost forced you to look back at what was causing all the brilliant ruckus.