JT, Mistah FAB, Ginuwine, Flipsyde, The Rev & Imitation Suede
 PICK WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE UPCOMING
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Wed. Jan. 10, 9pm
VooDoo Lounge
14 S. Second St., San Jose
408.286.8636
$3
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Jade of Days, Currency .357, Take Warning & Flexx Bronco
FOUR BY THREE:
$3 really doesn't buy that much in this crazy world anymore, but tonight at the VooDoo Lounge, $3 will get you four must see bands at a venue that's quickly staking a claim at rock bar stardom. The four on the bill tonight range from the tight and melodic to the garage cut and gritty, so for anyone looking for a respite this hump day hit up VooDoo for Jade of Days--driving, intense rock with gorgeous vocal work by Dana Kelley riding high over solid rock--hitting the stage with the metal laced punk of Currency .357, the throwback hardcore of Take Warning and, from San Francisco, the gritty rock of Flexx Bronco that kicks hard like a sleazed up garage party full of guitars, whiskey and that little something extra that induces listeners to get up and throw something.
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Wed. Jan. 10, 9pm
The Blank Club
44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose
408.292.5265
No Cover
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The Rivals
THE AMAZING FREEBIE:
The Rivals are just brutally honest in their approach to punk rock, complete with an everyman attitude and underlying subversive intensity that has made this band from Gilroy one of the true underground leaders in the new live music scene. When this quartet plugs in and the driving bass lines set the stage for loud and fast guitar licks that perfectly compliment the screaming vocals, it's impossible not to be blown away by the Rivals' sonic barrage. If you've never caught the Rivals before, never witnessed their harnessed musical anarchy, now's the chance you've been waiting for because this show at the Blank ain't gonna cost you a dime and that deal probably isn't going to be around for long with the way these guys are playing. Mudface and Tion get things going before the Rivals destroy some eardrums.
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Wed. Jan. 10, 9pm
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial Way,
Santa Cruz.
831.479.1854
$5-$7
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Warsaw Poland Brothers
THE WALL CAME DOWN:
Completely unscientific yet plausible prediction for the new year: '07 will be the year of the nth wave ska revival. It's been brewing up for a few years now, and it feels like it's just becoming acceptable to don the two-tone again and skank the night away. Case in point: the growing popularity of the Warsaw Poland Brothers, a Tuscon, Ariz., three-piece who have hit on the brilliant idea to meld punk-ska to the carousing, anthemic Irish-drinking-song punk that the Pogues and recently Flogging Molly traffic in. It's a potent mix, and anyone who makes it to this show will agree, the Warsaw Poland Brothers make a compelling case for another two-tone revival.
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Thu. Jan. 11, 7:30pm
HP Pavillion
525 W. Santa Clara St.,
San Jose
408.998.TIXS
$56-$151
BUY TICKETS
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Justin Timberlake
JUNK IN THE TANK:
All right, so Justin Timberlake is a certified superstar no matter which way you cut it and that now poignant turn on SNL with Andy Samberg, and a little gift-wrapped holiday surprise below the belt line, just simply cemented that fact. JT's ambitious second album, Future Sex/ Love Sounds, is the absolute antithesis of a sophomore slump as the former boy band mega-star hits with sly pop sensibilities over rhythmic innovations that push the album into new musical realms that nobody expected and, if SNL was any indication, Timberlake has lost none of his performance edge. In a musical world were pop stars end up more on the cover of Star than in stardom, it's reassuring to know that a guy can croon about phallus filled presents and not get completely raked by the mainstream (or checkout counter sleazy rag) media.
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Thu. Jan. 11, 9pm
Britannia Arms: Downtown
173 W. Santa Clara St.,
San Jose
408.278.1400
No Cover
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My Monster & The Shoguns
FREE INDIE:
This seems to be the week in San Jo for killer bands throwing down intense sets for free, so take advantage of the complimentary noise pollution while you can. Tonight at the Downtown Brit, local indie alt-rock heavies My Monster--who've just come off an absolutely phenomenal string of shows that have simply blown crowds away--tear it up on stage with the big-wave surf infused pop stylings of the Shoguns. My Monster cuts deep with raw emotional power from twin guitar attacks overlaying pounding bass lines while the Shoguns embody the musical blends of classic rock and pop mashed together with a maverick blaze of guitar licks. Together, even if you'd had to kick down some dough, these local outfits are hard to pass up.
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Thu. Jan. 11, 7pm
Toons
52 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose
408.292.7464
No Cover
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Flipsyde
THE REAL DEAL:
Fresh off their tour with the Black Eyed Peas and the Pussycat Dolls, Oakland's style smashing hard rock/ hip-hop blended outfit Flipsyde brings their dub heavy and socially poignant skills back to San Jo for a follow up performance of their raucous NYE party at the VooDoo Lounge, this time kickin' it live at Toons. Flipsyde has mad skills, plain and simple, they can throw down blazing rock riffs over break beats with a flowing style of the best MCs in the biz and top it off with underdog political bitch slap to your head. And, the Oaktown quartet isn't just spitting rhymes over someone else's work.
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Fri. Jan. 12, 9pm
The Blank Club
44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose
408.292.5265
$10
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Sweet & Tender Hooligans
THE BAND IS DEAD:
As a band, you know you've made it by the number of musical imitators that you've spawned over the years and finally with this Los Angeles tribute band, Morrissey and the Smiths are getting their coattail ridden due. Sweet and Tender Hooligans are so uncanny in their doppleganger musical impressions of the mod boys from Manchester that they've slaked the thirst of thousands of Smiths fans, young and old, the world over even performing in the UK to sold-out houses and screaming audiences. Formed in '92, the response to the Sweet and Tender Hooligans has been so overwhelming during their years that the BBC has been following the lads on their tours to film documentaries focusing on their contribution to the ever-increasing popularity of Morrissey and the Smiths.
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Fri. Jan. 12, 9pm
Britannia Arms: Cupertino
1087 De Anza Blvd., San Jose
408.252.7262
$5
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Six Steps to Hell, The Street Whores, Butterface & Terezodu
PUNK ROCK LIVES:
It remains to be seen if the suburban digs of the Coop can handle this show, but it's going to happen with or without city consent, with four bands of punks ready to crank the amps and blow the roof off the Brit. From San Jose comes the 3-strong classic punk power of the Street Whores mixing things up with the hardcore thrash punk of Butterface screaming straight outta Modesto. Also on this four band bill tonight is Six Steps to Hell from who've been tearing up the coast from their homebase in Santa Cruz ripping out classic anarchy laden punk and from So-Cal, Terezodu bringing their commanding metal laced punk chops to the Bay. Punk rock certainly lives at this show of all Cal subversive amp junkies.
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Fri. Jan 12, 9pmm
Vault Ultra Lounge
81 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose
408.298.1112
Usual Cover
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The Spot
AND THE PLACE IS:
Sweeten up your night at the Vault Ultra Lounge with strawberries and champagne as Persian John presents The Spot tonight. There will be no shortage of sexy ladies on the dance floor with the out-of-this-world spinning by DJ SF Momentum. The Vault never fails to meet the high expectations of their attractive patrons and this night will be no different. The Spot certainly will be the spot to be, if you will, cruise down tonight with champagne flowing and bodies glowing as they gyrate to the beat.
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Fri. Jan. 12, 9pm
Johnny V's
31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose
408.947.8470
$5
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The Longboards
MUSICA DEL MAR:
We're not really sure how the waves are off the coast of Spain, but with bands like the Longboards laying down blazing instrumental surf rock, at least the tunes for such a culture are in good hands. Recalling the Endless Summer days of big boards and fast cars, the Longboards rip it out in style on vintage pieces to match their retro cool vintage sounds full of reverb, wild guitar work and solid rhythms. Wicked, high-octane riffs, dynamic bass lines and cymbal crazy work on the kit mark the Longboards sets who seem to be a three-piece channel for the big wave sounds of the King of the Surf Guitar himself, the one and only Dick Dale.
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Fri. Jan. 12, 7pm
Santa Clara Univ. Mission Room
500 El Camino Real,
Santa Clara
408.554.4000
$5
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The New Trust, Shinobu, Pteradon!
FITTING VENUE:
Shows at the Santa Clara University Mission Room are always a treat because even without the best sound in the world, you can be assured that the band is only 10 feet from your face...max. Not to mention that the cover is $5 for six bands and proceeds usually go towards one of the University's clubs devoted to keeping underground music alive. Joining The New Trust, Shinobu, and Pteradon! on the bill will be Anna Karina, Finest Dearest, and the Bulldozer Alarm. The basement venue will be shaking from erratic guitars as well as the musical and political fervor! Sets will probably be reasonably short with so many bands, so make sure to get there early so as not to miss anyone and to have the chance to stop by the on campus pub, The Bronco.
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Fri. Jan. 12, 9pm
Taste Ultra Lounge
87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose
408.885.1016
Usual Cover
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Ladies Night Out
ABOUT TIME:
This Friday, the party at the newly micro-madeover hipster digs of Taste Ultra Lounge takes a fairer sex twist with a swank night dedicated to the ladies. Local fave DJs Leslie Perez and Rich Era take care of the beats and Taste is rolling out a full spread meant to pamper from 9pm to 11pm that includes a male revue show with the Men of Exotica...so, ladies, if you're a little fed up with the sometimes misogynistic nightclub scene in downtown, hit Taste and give the boys back a, um, taste, of their own medicine.
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Fri., Jan. 12, 8pm
Avalon Nightclub
777 Lawrence Expwy.,
Santa Clara
408.241.0777
$40 donation
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Dennis Erectus Benefit
ORIGINAL SHOCKER:
Dennis Erectus began at KOME in 1977, back when DJs were allowed to do pretty much whatever they wanted. There was no Clear Channel and no corporate Satans trying to consolidate everything. He pushed every boundary and pretty much invented what's now called "shock jock" radio; Howard Stern couldn't hold a rock & roll candle to Dennis Erectus in his day. Recently, Erectus had a massive heart attack and has no health insurance. Even if commercial rock doesn't float your boat, Erectus must be appreciated for his warped contributions to the San Jose music landscape. Expect appearances and performances by Greg Kihn, Chris Jackson, Hush, Syndicate of Sound, the Count Five, Lebocat and many more.
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Sat. Jan. 13, 9pm
The Blank Club
44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose
408.292.5265
$7
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Chelsea Smiles
GRIT, GLAM & GARAGE:
The Chelsea Smiles rip out gritty rock 'n roll the way it's supposed to be played, loud and fast with infectious rhythms and hard hitting guitar riffs driving the charismatic lyrical gutter poetry. Amped to the point of exploding and full of throwback rock swagger, there's no question that the Chelsea Smiles--all veterans of some legendary outfits--owe their sounds to the dirty rock pioneers of old, but have somehow souped it up for modern consumption while still recalling the days when attitude, amplifiers, whiskey and distortion first coalesced into rock 'n roll.
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Sat. Jan. 13, 9pm
Johnny V's
31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose
408.947.8470
$5
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Passive Aggressives, Atomic Love Bombs & The Paranoids
SONIC EMISSARIES:
Three bands from San Francisco are cruising down the indie highway to Johnny V's tonight for a unique sampling from the City's sonic flotsam. The Passive Aggressives throw down grungy alternative licks with Primus style bass work that has plenty of kick for those who revel in the harder stuff. They're hitting the stage tonight with the Atomic Love Bombs--who are seriously a band to keep your eye on--laying down a psychedelic garage band soup full of noisy distortion, crackling guitar chords and gritty bass lines. Also hitting Johnny's tonight is the glammed up, goth punk sounds of the Paranoids...oh, yeah, and copious amounts of booze.
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Sat. Jan. 13, 9pm
Vault Ultra Lounge
81 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose
408.298.1112
Usual Cover
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Paparazzi @ Vault
MAKE YA FAMOUS:
The Vault Ultra Lounge goes one step beyond its usually high mark on the swank-o-meter by hitting with the, now monthly, Paparazzi party tonight, but there has yet to be any word what lurid photogs from exactly which libelous celeb rags will be in attendance with shutters flying. However, it is confirmed that DJ Vinyl will be manning the decks in the Main Room with a direct from LA set from George Vibe while the Back Room belongs to the turntable stylings of DJ Mein. Grab your favorite shades, put your hand up to block the camera lens and hit the party...not the photographer.
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Sat. Jan. 13, 8pm
Ruby Skye
420 Mason St., San Francisco
415.693.0777
$15
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Dimitris Mykonos
SOUND ODYSSEY:
World-renowned and a major player in the San Francisco house scene, Dimitris Mykonos rips up the decks tonight at Ruby Skye for his own birthday celebration. DJ Dimitris lays down his signature Euro-house beats, progressive house and trance with a distinct Iberian flavor--what he terms the Mykonos sound--full of elating sensations that has made him a mainstay DJ at the hottest dance clubs and parties in the world and since this is his B-day shindig, you know there going to be a something extra in his set. Other beat scientists lending their skills tonight in honor of Dimitris are Trevor Simpson, DJ Mita and DJ Vahid before the Mediterranean man lays down his one of a kind sound.
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Sun. Jan. 14, 8pm
The Independent
628 Divisadero St.,
San Francisco
415.771.1421
$25
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The Reverend Horton Heat
HALLELUJAH:
Reverend Horton Heat, the original preacher of the sinful ways of liquor, gambling, fast cars and faster women rolls his non-stop touring hootenanny into the Independent tonight for a proper Sunday sermon. These psychobilly boys from Texas sell-out every venue they play, so when The Rev sets up his proselytizing tent and begins the sermon to hell you need to score tickets ASAP. This will most likely be the last Nor-Cal Reverend show until the summer, so if you need that certain greaser fix that you can only find in live sets by this legendary rockabilly trio, crack a six pack, hop in your hot rod with your favorite gal and hit the Independent.
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Sun. Jan. 14, 9pm
Starlight Room
450 Powell St., San Francisco
415.395.8595
Usual Cover
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Float
3-DAY WEEKEND BEATS:
For the past 7 years in the City, the Float party has been kicking it at the at Harry Denton's Starlight Room for every three-day weekend and since Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Float is definitely happening. DJ G Stav will be handling the turntables and dropping beats, with help on the decks from a special mystery DJ that's being kept under wraps, while the drink slingers at the venerable Harry Denton's Starlight Room keep your glasses full so you can keep shaking it on the dance floor.
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Mon. Jan. 15, 7pm
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz
831.427.2227
$21
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Pyeng Threadgill
HEP KITTY COOL:
As many times as you may have heard the Cure's "Close to Me," you haven't lived until you've heard it sung by Pyeng Threadgill,
her diction as perfect as her pitch as she deftly croons Robert Smith's lament ("If only I was sure that my head on the door was a dream ..."). It's one of those Steve and Eydie sing "Black Hole Sun" moments, made all the more satisfying by the fact that the daughter of avant-garde saxman Henry Threadgill and Urban Bush Women choreographer Christina Jones is every bit as cool as the material she covers. The follow-up to her debut album of Robert Johnson songs, Threadgill's Of the Air is a more original affair that moves beyond critics' comparisons to Cassandra Wilson, Nora and Abbey Lincoln. Potentially destined for greatness.
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Tue. Jan. 15, 7:30pm
The Independent
628 Divisadero St.,
San Francisco
415.771.1421
$20
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Johnny Cash's Legendary Tennessee Three
CASH LIVES ON:
Not to be confused with Johnny Cash's original Three, the "Legendary" lineup is nevertheless an impressive one. Drummer WS "Fluke" Holland and guitarist Bob Wootton are the group's longest standing members, joining the Man in Black in 1960 and 1968, respectively, and sticking with him until retirement in 1997. Accompanied by Vicky Wootton on vocals and rhythm guitar, Scarlett Wootton on guitar and vocals and Lisa Horngren on the upright bass, Bob Wootton puts on a fine performance as the voice of Johnny Cash. Red Meat and Elliott Brood also perform.
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Fri. Jan. 19, 9pm
Agenda Lounge
399 S. First St., San Jose
408.287.3991
Usual Cover
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KRS-One
SCIENCE LESSON:
The essence of the hip-hop MC, KRS-One comes to the Agenda Lounge in downtown San Jo to drop a little lyrical science and a whole shit-ton of knowledge on a scene that could use a little lesson. Easily one of the most highly regarded rappers of all time, KRS-One flows with a style and substance that every MC after him as tried to adopt, but none have ever come close to the Teachers socially poignant, often political and always controversial takes on modern society.
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--This week's newsletter by: RO, AL, GS, BF & MC
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