Science Fiction Theatre, a rock band based out of Rancho Cucamonga, was formed in 2004 and performs regularly at The Wire. Matt Jimenez sings and plays lead guitar. / photo by Rhiannon Mim

by Victoria Allende
photography by Rhiannon Mim

The Wire Music and Art Venue in Upland is a dream-come-true for owners Donavan and Rachel Foy. The Wire is a small, well-kept venue that is almost hidden among the row of shops on Second Street, in downtown Upland. When the red double doors are closed, it is unclear what is on the other side. But once the overhead spotlights turn on and shine above the front entrance, the venue comes to life. Behind those secretive double doors, beautiful wood floors pave the path from the entrance to the stage.

While The Wire appears small, it is the perfect setting for an intimate performance. As bands hit the stage, the lights dim and the music fills the all-ages venue. It is the perfect spot for new and local bands to showcase their talents to family and friends.

The Foys wanted to own a place where local bands could play. Rachel recalls driving around looking for the perfect place for their business.

“We found this place and it ended up being the right place for us,” Rachel says.

After a few obstacles, the Foys began construction on the venue in May 2006 and opened the doors to The Wire Music and Art Venue in August 2006. The couple, who work year-round, have yet to take a real vacation since the venue’s opening. “This is our main job, and more,” Rachel explains.

As the drummer for the band, The Ready Aim Fire, Donavan is the perfect person to own The Wire. His experience as a musician allows him to relate to the lifestyle and needs of local bands, which is their priority.

“We are here for the local bands,” Rachel says.

Their hard work is paying off.

Robert Thiel, a member of the band Screaming Remedy, has played at the venue twice.
“It’s very nice,” Thiel says. “It’s very comfortable playing here.”

He also enjoys working with the Foys.

“They’ve been great. They are very nice,” Thiel says.

The Wire is not only a venue for local bands to perform, but also a place to record music as well. Bands who are interested in recording a live performance of their show have the opportunity to receive an edited copy of their performance. The Foys have invested in the necessary editing equipment, such as ProTools LE7, to give bands the best recorded sound and editing quality. The Wire also specializes in providing bands with the opportunity to get in the recording studio. The Foys pride themselves on offering affordable pricing to bands who want to use their recording facilities, unlike many other pricey studios.

The Wire doesn’t stop at just having the best recording equipment and sound system, it also has an experienced staff. The Wire is a musician-friendly environment. All of the employees who work at The Wire are either in their own bands or are musicians.

Tristan Porter has been an employee at The Wire since November 2006. He has performed at the venue a few different times with various bands he has been a part of, including Harrison Ford and Deeragon Attack. He appreciates the atmosphere the Foys have created.
“They are doing a lot of great things for the younger crowd,” Porter says. “A lot of towns don’t have a good place for bands to play at. I grew up playing at coffee shops and warehouses. This blows all the other places I played at out of the water.”

Fellow artist Brian Hess enjoys performing at The Wire with his band Singlefaze.

“We’ve played there three different times,” Hess says. “Our experience has always been wonderful.” He is especially pleased with the venue’s great staff, particularly Donavan.
In addition to their great staff, Hess enjoys the sound quality that the venue provides during performances.

“The stage sound is incredible,” Hess explains. “They have a lot of good things going for them.” Hess and his band plan to return to perform at The Wire in the future.

What does the future hold for the Foys and The Wire? Donavan and his band have been working on their album. “They are going to be releasing their first full-length album in June,” Rachel says. “They recorded it all at the venue.”

Aside from the album release, the couple plan to keep working hard to achieve all their goals. With a devoted, hardworking pair like the Foys, anything seems possible.

photo by Rhiannon Mim

Every month The Wire features art on an empty brick wall in the entrance of the building. The owners decided that they could help local artists while filling up an empty wall. David Ward, an art student at Cal Poly Pomona, hung two of his paintings for the April gallery. / photo by Rhiannon Mim

photo by Rhiannon Mim

photo by Rhiannon Mim

photo by Rhiannon Mim

photo by Rhiannon Mim

Rachel and Donavan Foy, owners of The Wire. / photo by Rhiannon Mim

photo by Rhiannon Mim

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Woodworker Sam Maloof and actress Rene Russo smile from Bill Neill’s computer screen. Russo narrated Neill’s documentary, “Maloof.” / photo by Sheila DelCastillo

by Victoria Allende
photography by Sheila DelCastillo

Relaxing in the shade of his gazebo, Bill Neill drinks in the beauty of his garden. From the specially crafted barbecue to the tree house he built for his grandchildren, Neill’s home is filled with unique personality. Living in a historical home, located just a few blocks from the University of La Verne, Neill blends in with the close-knit community as another friendly neighbor.

But Neill is not your typical neighbor. He is a five-time Emmy nominee and successful documentary filmmaker. His most recent accomplishment is “Maloof,” an hour-long documentary on the life of world-renowned wood-worker, Sam Maloof. Maloof, who is 92 years old, creates unique, high-quality, furniture. At an auction held at Anderson Ranch Arts and Craft Center, one of his rocking chairs was sold for $180,000. Maloof has been designated by the California Legislature as one of California’s living treasures. His fans include actress Rene Russo and former President Jimmy Carter, who calls Maloof “the finest woodworker in the world.”

A few years ago, while visiting Maloof’s Rancho Cucamonga home, Neill met Russo. “I was there for his birthday, and Rene Russo came with a gift,” Neill recalls.

When Neill asked Russo if she would be willing to appear in the documentary as a host and voice-over, she happily agreed. “I’d do anything for Sam,” she says.

A 1962 graduate of what was then known as La Verne College, Neill returned to the University of La Verne in the mid-1970s to earn his master’s degree in educational technologies.

After many years of working in various television teaching positions, Neill accepted a job at KOCE TV in Huntington Beach. He worked as the producer/director of the television station for 11 years. He produced films on subjects that included astronomy, cultural anthropology and the arts.

Years after his graduation from La Verne, Neill returned to the college, this time to teach in the Communications Department. He was station manager for LVTV from 1988 until 1991. This time around his wife, Charlotte, joined him. She worked as assistant to the dean from 1989 until her retirement in June 2007.

ULV Communications Professor Mike Laponis reflects fondly upon Neill’s time at LVTV. He credits Neill’s experience at KOCE TV with helping LVTV become a better station.

“He did a very good job,” Laponis says. “He was a real professional.”

Although it has been several years since his departure from the university, Neill keeps his feet firmly planted in the ULV community.

“I’ve designated myself to be an archivist for the University of La Verne,” Neill says. He explains that whenever he sees something is occurring or changing on campus, like the demolition of the old gym, he goes over with his camera and documents what’s going on. Neill has such a passion for the university that he named his production company Lordsburg Productions, after the university’s original name.

Neill would like to produce a documentary on ULV President Stephen Morgan, and another on former ULV athletic coach Roland Ortmayer, who was Neill’s basketball coach when he attended the university. Ortmayer was the type of coach who encouraged his athletes to attend class over practice—not something commonly seen in school sports today. He’s also thinking about doing a documentary on a book called “Wine and War,” which is about the wine industry during World War II.

“[It’s] how the wine industry survived during the war.” He would like to first make a documentary about it, and then perhaps produce a theatrical feature.

In the meantime, Neill enjoys his days in his beautiful home with his family. “I love to come outside with my coffee when it’s raining and walk up and down my porch.”

Whichever project Neill decides to take on next, it is sure to be a success. This happy grandfather, father, teacher, filmmaker and Emmy nominee shows no sign of slowing down.

photo by Sheila DelCastillo

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