Tech N9ne, NOFX, Keane, G. Love, The A-List & Your Alibi

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Sat. Jan. 27, 9pm Angels Ultra Lounge 400 S. First St., San Jose 408.885.9588 Invitation Only SUBMIT REQUEST THE A-LIST YOU'VE GOT TO BE IN TO GET IN: Angels Ultra Lounge hosts this one of a kind exclusive event. The A-List Exclusive Party is by invitation only and here's your chance to submit a request to receive an invitation for the full VIP treatment. Glowing ambiance and beautiful people swirled together will create an impressive elegance at Angels this evening. Invitations will be carefully distributed and invitees will be hand selected to experince this lavish event. Being over-looked by an invitation doesn't mean you won't still have an opportunity to get in. Arrive at Angels Ultra Lounge early because only 100 walk ups will be given a second chance. Click here for your chance to get on the A-List. The deadline for invite consideration is Thu. Jan. 25 @ 10pm sharp!

Wed. Jan. 24, 9pm VooDoo Lounge 14 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.8636 $5

Matadon, Mastema & Still Alive LOUD AND LOCAL: Experimental punk is going off at the VooDoo Lounge tonight with local bands Matadon, Still Alive and Mastema. The energy will be slowly building throughout the night as Matadon starts the night out with their amalgamation of psychedelic rock and experimental tunes. Upping the wager, Still Alive will take stage for a mix of melodic, experimental punk and cover songs. To wrap up the performance, once everyone in attendance has been properly liquored up, Mastema will give a ground shaking, gut wrenching performance of their "fierce punk rock sound you've never heard before." For your own safety, you might want to wear a helmet.

Wed. Jan. 24, 9pm Moe's Alley 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz 831.479.1854 $10

Soul Majestic BLEACHED ROOTS: Playing for the hometown crowd, Soul Majestic will be brining the dreads to Moe's Alley. The group, formed around singer songwriter Eric Iverson, often plays festival shows like the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Reggae on the River and more. Most recently, Soul Majestic traveled to Jamaica--don't tell them they don't have roots there--to record an album with influences from the island, mon. With a group of about 7 people, Soul Majestic is known for their harmonious reggae and Santa Cruz sensibilities. Hey, white people can have soul too.

Thu. Jan. 25, 9pm Britannia Arms: Downtown 173 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.278.1400 No Cover

Kill the SoftFace w/ Reflection & Jade of Days FREE THE ALT: Somewhere between the rampant screaming emo that seems to dominate the scene these days and the alternative rock apex of the '90s lies Reflection. Supposedly alt rock died a while ago, but there's no better way to describe the nearly perfect and symbiotic vocal work of Maryanne Garcia and guitarist Laurent Dias with some pop provided by Chris Thomas on bass and the driving drum work of Leonce Dias. Reflection hits that sound that's both emotionally chaotic but too melodically upbeat to wallow in the black eyeliner seas of the post-pop emo revolution. Also plugging in at the Downtown Brit tonight is the power pop indie rock stylings of Kill the Softface that sport a harder edge than Reflection reminiscent of the turning point in modern punk when sounds became a little softer and evolved beyong the three-chord two-minute drill. Rounding out the bill tonight is a band that really needs no introduction; Jade of Days headlines.

Thu. Jan. 25, 7pm The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831.423.1336 $25 BUY TICKETS

Tech N9ne NEW DO - SAME DEAL: Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne has a clean-cut new look--his trademark bright red spikes are gone--but his lyrical style remains poignant and twisted. Easily one of the most prolific rappers in the underground scene, Tech N9ne hits hard on every track. He returns to the Bay Area tonight--his other Nor-Cal show hits the Independent on Monday--in support of his latest album Everready, which includes several tracks produced by Northern California heavyweight Rick Rock, and appearances by E-40 and Brotha Lynch. In a recent interview with SF Station, Tech N9ne pontificated on the Bay's influence in the KC scene, check out Matt Crawford's piece here.

Thu. Jan. 25, 8pm Ruby Skye 420 Mason St., San Francisco 415.693.0777 $5 - $10

Kung Fu Vampire NIGHT MOVES: Hip-hop, jazz, rap, goth, orchestral fusion may sound like we were just spewing out a laundry list of musical styles, but we're actually talking about Kung Fu Vampire, one of the most inspired bands to ever come out of the Bay Area scene. With an on stage presence 10-strong encompassing strings, a keyboardist, a visualist, guitar and beats, KFV drops street poignant lyrics over a beat heavy, but totally smooth and dark loungey sound that kicks like a Frankenstein amalgamation of Dino, Dizzy and Mos Def. This is going to be the last KFV show for about 6 months according to our sources, so hit Ruby Skye to get your fix from this highly skilled creature of the night.

Thu. Jan. 25, 10pm San Jose Bar & Grill 85 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.2397 Usual Cover

Beatz Boutique NEW SCHOOL FIX: San Jose Bar & Grill is slappin' downtown with a new Thursday night jam just in time to grab all the returning SJSU students and get their Spring semester started off on the right foot. The Beatz Boutique fills your groove needs with a blend of soulful house and deep bass that'll make all you students instantly forget that you just dropped $600 on a bunch of used books that you aren't even going to read. Don't worry though, we're sure that SJBG will have some drink specials to help ease the financial pain.

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Fri. Jan. 26, 7pm The Warfield 982 Market St., San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $25 BUY TICKETS G. Love & Special Sauce PHILADELPHONIC: The best thing to come out of the City of Brotherly Love since Rocky Balboa soared out of the dredges of Mickey's gym to whoop Apollo Creed's ass. G. Love and Special Sauce, purveyors of a funky musical brew spiked with ample doses of blues, rap, jazz, surf and alt-rock, have thrown plenty of newbie listeners for a loop. The cool, laid-back blues based sound of G. Love launched these Philly rockers into the spot light in 1994 with the infectious "Cold Beverage" and one of the best relationship songs ever made, "Baby's Got Sauce." Even though G. Love--a.k.a. singer, songwriter, harmonica player, guitarist Garret Dutton--recently hit the solo circuit, Special Sauce still jams together and lays down the coolest sounds around.

Fri. Jan. 26, 10pm The Caravan 98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.995.6220 No Cover

Otto HIGH STAKES DRINKING: Kicking out a hard driving blend of punk-tinged metal, Otto sets up at their official base camp tonight for to let all the inked boozers know that they haven't forgotten about the 'Van. Departing from the lengthy guitar solos and atonal screaming vocal of many other metal outfits, Otto throws down slick driving bass rhythms and blazing guitar riffs coalescing with Tony Cantu's high-energy vocal chops ripping you to the core, making your heart race and inducing those of lesser constitution to crack their skulls off the walls. Otto pretty much knows every drunk in town and, subsequently, every drunk in town knows the Caravan; for the sure to be capacity crowd, it's like winning the liquor lotto.

Fri. Jan. 26, 9pm Taste Ultra Lounge 87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose 408.885.1016 Usual Cover

Red Light Bowl @ Taste PRE-GAME WARM UPS: It's never too early for a pre-game Superbowl party because, obviously, any reason to party is a good reason. Plus, this party isn't on a Sunday night so there's no worry about going to work the next day! DJ Pat Allen will be spinning for Taste's Red Light Bowl and will also be joined by Brotha Reese from KDON 102.5 to play some of the best music in San Jose. For those that are planning on ballin,' reserve VIP bottle and bed service in advance. The Red Light parties are usually huge, so don't be late for beat heavy kick off.

Fri. Jan. 26, 9pm The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 $5

Commercial Static, Whiskey Sunday & Crucial Unicorn SUBVERSIVE TIME: When you come across some little sonic flotsam from these San Jo punks, it immediately rips you back with '80s style hardcore riffs from a double guitar attack, solid work on the driving beats and vocals that make you want to wipe a smirk off someone's face with your fist...that's pretty much Whiskey Sunday in a nutshell. Their sound harkens to a lost era of punk rock, where there were melodies discernable through the loud and fast noise pollution. These venerable local punks team up at the Blank with another local outfit, Commercial Static, who kick a blended mash of pop and punk. Also hitting the stage tonight is Crucial Unicorn--who deliver fast punk licks straight outta Santa Cruz.

Fri. Jan. 26, 10pm 1015 1015 Folsom St., San Francisco 415.431.1200 $25

Alibi @ 1015 CITY OF TRANCE: The main attraction hitting Alibi at 1015 tonight is the German trance duo, Kyau & Albert. The duo will be dropping a longer than average set at Alibi as a stop on their North American tour in support of the release of their new Album Worldwide. But you can't forget the local trance and house DJs that will be showcasing their talents at Alibi. Up and coming DJ Worthy, among others, will be bringing his A-game to 1015 tonight with some of the best house, electronica and techno you can find in the city. It is one BIG night that trance, house and fans of dancing just cannot miss.

Fri. Jan. 26, 9pm Johnny V's 31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.947.8470 $5

Veil Veil Vanish & The Prids CORPSE BANDS: If you're not dressed all in goth and gloomy black, don't even bother hitting Johnny V's tonight where two darkly brooding new wave outfits from the city are setting up and inducing emotional despair. Veil Veil Vanish and The Prids both run the dead-flowered Bahaus gamut of bleak guitars and bleaker vocals with some mod-pop stylings and more musical doom than The Cure. Both haunting and melodic, these new new-wave goth bands will wrap your aural senses in a slightly macabre realm with more beat than the dying hearts and black flowers that creepy kid down the block sent you for your birthday.

Fri. Jan. 26, 9pm C&J's 1550 Lafayette Ave., Santa Clara 408.247.4027 No Cover

Down and Durdy, FTB & Nraevis SUPER CHUNKY: A more appropriate band name has yet to be exploited by any amp junkie before and probably after, Down & Durdy kicks out a chunky, grinding funk-rock sound that forces even the stodgiest of listeners to, well, get down. Hailing from San Jose and ripping it up three strong, Down & Durdy sonically rips you out of your everyday doldrums, slaps a beer in your hand and plants you at a summer time back yard barbecue filled with like minded revelers that snagged a ride on the same musical trip. Hitting C&J's with the grooving ska-funk punk licks of FTB--who shouldn't need any more than that if you've been kicking around the local scene for any length of time--and the alt-driven rock of Nraevis should be more than enough to take the chill out of winter.

Sat. Jan. 27, 9pm The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 $8

Neil Hamburger SAD SACK SCHTICK: Being tagged the "world's worst stand-up comedian" can't be good for one's ego, but probably serves as an undying fount for your schtick and Neil Hamburger gladly wallows in that self-pitying role. Just as likely to garner groans as guffaws, Hamburger runs through stylized variations of "why did the chicken cross the road?" bits to downright hilarious riffs about celeb mishaps while constantly dogging his ex-wife. Hamburger has definitely latched onto something here as evidenced by his turns on the big screen with Tenacious D and appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and onstage at some pretty impressive venues with all of his sad sack, self-depreciating, horrible pacing and all around 4am Vegas lounge act look and mannerisms sparking laughs from sometimes bewildered audiences. Catch "America's Funnyman" tonight at the Blank with fellow comedians coming from the quirkier side of the fence, Mary Van Note and Rachel Warner.

Sat. Jan. 27, 9pm C&J's 1550 Lafayette Ave., Santa Clara 408.247.4027 No Cover

Point 3 ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD: Sometimes on our overly cluttered airwaves, internet music sites and the own flotsam swishing around in our skulls, we forget that there are bands out there that are putting out music that doesn't neatly fit into this genre mad world and can simply be classified for what it is: rock. Right there, in that seemingly limitless classification is where you'll find Point 3--a ripping quartet out of San Jose that gets all anyone ever could out of their instruments, creating a sound that's both driving and melodic with distinct vocals over guitar heavy riffs. Point 3 hits the C&J's stage in Santa Clara tonight with The Lazzarri Experiment and Expose the Flaw.

Sat. Jan. 27, 9pm Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge 99 E. San Fernando St., San Jose 408.998.9998 $10

Euphoria @ Fahrenheit BEAT WARS: Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge offers more than a dance club, they also have DJs creating new music on the spot and some of the world's top flair bartenders putting on a show. Most clubs have DJs who only have to put the music on and do some tentative scratching, but at Fahrenheit the DJs offer up something a little different. DJs Adam Cova and Eddy Santana will be spinning top 40, dance, funk, electro and progressive house, teaming up to mix music live; one will be spinning beats while the other adds the harmony and scratching. It will make for a fun and unique experience at Fahrenheit's Euphoria that can't be missed.

Sat. Jan. 27, 9pm Johnny V's 31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.947.8470 $5

The Fourfits SOUPED UP CLASSICS: Remember that first time that mom let your older sibling babysit you alone, they subsequently threw a rager and you caught a glimpse into your debaucherous future? Well that band that was blaring out of your parents hi-fi probably sounded a hell of a lot like The Fourfits--a straight ahead local rock outfit that could have kicked it with the Ramones, Led Zep and Johnny Cash all at once. Gritty, blues based rock, The Fourfits don't need to put any fluff or frills around their guitar driven brand of rockŠjust reckless abandon, solid musicianship and a desire for simplier times when the phrase "sex, drugs and rock 'n roll" actually meant something. Lucabrazzi and High Road are also cranking the amps tonight.

Sat. Jan. 27, 8pm Berkeley Community Theatre 1930 Allston Way, Berkeley 510.644.8593 $35

Keane IF THE IVORIES FIT: Mellow alternative rock centered on piano pieces instead of guitar riffs is how Keane has made it into the mainstream. Critics often accuse Keane of copying Coldplay because both bands are piano/keyboard focused---and they're both from made up of Limeys--and the bands also knew each other early. It's true that the bands have similar influences and sounds. However, they're different in that Coldplay uses minor chords while Keane uses more upbeat, less melancholy major chords. Hopefully there won't be any last minute cancellations like last year's North America tour date cancellation by singer Tom Chaplin. He blamed the cancellation on a grueling schedule, but some say the cancellation was for Chaplin's drug and alcohol rehabilitation...and, really, isn't that what the rock big leagues are all about?

Sat. Jan. 27, 8pm The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $20 BUY TICKETS

New Monsoon HOMETOWN JAM: San Francisco locals, New Monsoon, are on their way up the West Coast on tour. The group will be playing the Fillmore with Blue Turtle Seduction before they head north. New Monsoon creates music that is a combination of world rhythms and acoustic rock in the genre of Santana and the Allman Brothers. Upbeat, danceable, melodic and rhythmic music are what have gotten New Monsoon booked at Bonnaroo, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival along with many other festivals and legendary venues. The hometown spin on the Fillmore show should take the traditional jam band formula to dizzying levels.

Sat. Jan. 27, 10pm Crash Nightclub 34 Mason St., San Francisco 877.342.7274 Usual Cover

Hard Eight: Ed Hardy Fashion Show CULTURE MEDIUMS: Some of the hottest women in the Bay Area and best DJs unite at the sexiest club in SF for the Ed Hardy Fashion Show. There will be live rock performances as well as famous DJs from MTV spinning house, hip-hop, 80's, mash-ups and more. Live tattoo and piercing by In Your Skin Tattoo will be going on while hot go-go dancers perform for the dance floor. Jeremy Jackson of Baywatch "fame" will be hosting and there will be free clothing giveaways all night. Come see what happens when rock 'n roll and electro unite in a 3-level club with 4 bars.

Sat. Jan. 27, 9pm Slim's 333 11th St., San Francisco 415.255.0333 $15 BUY TICKETS

The Expendables ANYTHING BUT: Bringing their mix of punk, reggae and metal to Slim's, The Expendables will be playing with the Warsaw Poland Brothers and Teraton tonight. The Expendables have played with other well-known bands like Slightly Stoopid and Eek-a-Mouse. The band is one of Santa Cruz's favorite local bands and has won two battle-of-the-bands competitions in the past. Drawing influence from greats like NOFX, Police and Lagwagon, The Expendables will no doubt put on an unforgettable show.

Sun. Jan. 28, 9pm San Jose Bar & Grill 85 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.2397 $4

Brea INDIE SERMONS: Alternative rock invades the San Jose Bar & Grill as Brea takes over tonight. The local band from Morgan Hill has opened for bands like Augustana, Portugal the Man and even for the Rod Zombie and Godsmack tour show at the Sleeptrain Amphitheater. Brea has experience playing many Bay Area venues like Slim's and local clubs like The Blank. Time and time again Brea puts a rock-you-out-of-your-gourd show on for their local and new fans. Go enjoy the band, it's only 4 bucks, plus we have it on good authority that it's Tres Gringos' drink slinger Albert's birthday and the celebratory shots will be hitting every hour on the hour.

Sun. Jan. 28, 8pm The Independent 628 Divisadero St., San Francisco 415.771.1421 $25

Everclear THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME: How Everclear is still in the biz sometimes escapes our comprehension, but, then again, there's a whole slew of things that we don't understand in music. Like how can a group that treads the same lyrical path repeatedly still find an audience? Or, how does a stale three-chord intro that hits a bridge at the exact same point in every song still get airplay? Or, how can a lead singer go on when audience members have thrown shoes at him? Okay, we'll just come right out and say it; how is Everclear still allowed to make music? The answers to these questions and more; tonight at the Independent.

Mon. Jan. 29, 9pm VooDoo Lounge 14 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.8636 Usual Cover

Slow Car Crash CAN'T LOOK AWAY: Hailing from Hollywood, California, rock band Slow Car Crash is hitting San Jose with Burden of Proof on their California tour. Slow Car Crash's amalgamation of rock, soul and Motown make an indie masterpiece that is like heroin to an audience--they're immediately addicted. Singer and songwriter Omarr Escoffie's songs are filled with emotion and melody. Coming all the way from Hollywood, Slow Car Crash is a must see.

Tue. Jan. 30, 9pm Johnny V's 31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.947.8470 $5

Vermillion Lies THE SIDESHOW: Like a less creepy version of Tom Waits when he made the Black Rider, Vermillion Lies dabble in vintage circus sideshow music, the crooked, theatrical weight of which is created by accordions and strings swaying drunkenly over lumbering horns, with occasional toy piano and calliope cameos. Their antics with found objects are kind of fun, too. With a "separated by birth" madcap mythology, it's hard to accept the more straightforward folk songs from these Oakland-based sisters. But what they lack in thematic consistency they make up for with occasional sparks of brilliance in both concept and execution. And sometimes they have burlesque dancers.

Tue. Jan. 30, 9pm Slim's 333 11th St., San Francisco 415.255.0333 $21 BUY TICKETS

NOFX PUNK PROTAGONISTS: Fat Mike and the gang are hitting Slim's tonight for the first of two shows in the City. NOFX has been kicking the punk scene in the ass since '83 and, after some 20 years of political and socially tinged comedic hardcore skate punk, the SF quartet doesn't show any signs of letting up. The band is heading for an Australian tour right after these hometown shows in support of their two '06 releases, Never Trust a Hippy and Wolves in Wolves' Clothing, both of which are filled with killer punk anthems from the left side of the aisle. Strike Anywhere opens for NOFX both nights, but if you want to catch screaming local outfit the Razorburns, tonight's the night to hit Slim's.

coming up

Wed. Feb. 7, 8pm The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $35 BUY TICKETS

The Roots PHILLY BORN: The legendary Roots crew--who are so far above and beyond any hip-hop artist today and not only for their strict dedication to actually playing instruments and never sampling somebody else's work--make their way back to the Bay tonight. The last time we saw the Roots, the highly influential and critically acclaimed jazz blended hip-hoppers were headlining the Dew Action Sports Tour at HP, but now you can catch MC Black Thought, ?uestlove, Hub, Kamal Gray, F. Knuckles and Cpt. Kirk Douglas droppin' riffs, beats and dope rhymes in their natural on-stage digs.

Sun. Feb. 4, 2pm Scores Sports Bar & Grill 417 S. First St., San Jose 408.292.6754 $10

Superbowl Party @ Scores MAKING PLANS: Scores Sports bar and Grill is the first bar Downtown to ge tthe word out that they're ready to cover all of your Superbowl needs. With a low cover charge of $10 that gets you all the food you can possibly stuff into your maw, along with drink specials, more televisions than thos eelectronics mega-stores, DJs spinning after the game and, oh yeah, those Scores' girls pole-dancing; are you seriously going to watch the big game from your couch?

Fri. Feb. 9, 9pm The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 $12

Swingin' Utters OLD SCHOOL SF PUNK: Hell, anytime you get a chance to see the Swingin' Utters live, you've got to clear the calendar and make that show. So, in the interest of communal good times, loud ass folk-punk, beer and the undeniable kick of these pure punk revivalists, we're letting you know way in advance about this show at the Blank. With so many side projects--like Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Filthy Thievin' Bastards and Druglords of the Avenue--continuously in the works, touring and blowing amps across the world, it's rare that the Swingin' Utters get a chance to play together. So, take the above recommendation to heart and we'll see ya on the 9th.

--This week's newsletter by: RO, AL & MC

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