Cameo, Jason Mraz, Paul Oakenfold and an Unholy Alliance
PICK WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE UPCOMING | |
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 Wed, July 19, 9pm
The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $27.50 $10 | Gnarls BarkleySPACE CHEESE: If performing on stage dressed as Darth Vader and Chewbacca doesn't cement you as viable artists and skyrocket your careers, then busting to the top of the charts before your album was even cut certainly will. The highly touted duo of Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo whose single "Crazy" has broken chart records the world over merely through the new simplicity of downloads are definitely the hot ticket this summer. Seriously, the price of admission is infinitesimal considering Gnarls Barkley's combined talents and compared to the visual anticipation for what movie characters these experimental musical futurists will dress as next. We're sort of pulling for Kirk and Khan. |
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 Wed, July 19, 6pm
HP Pavilion 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.287.7070 $39.50 | SlayerUNHOLY ALLIANCE: After a number of years apart, the original four members of Slayer; Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman and newly returned kick ass drummer Dave Lombardo have returned to inflict brain damage on a new generation of speed metal freaks and piss off the establishment. Slayer has always touted a controversial stance forever setting them apart from their black clad musical brethren who sound like memorexed copies of one another competing for the same metal core. Conversely, Slayer relies on what they've always relied on: playing faster, louder and harder than the competition. |
 Thu, July 20, 5pm
Plaza de Cesar Chavez Market and San Carlos Sts., San Jose 408.270.1775 Free | Metro's Music in the Park w/ Shawn MullinsROCK-A-BYE: Shawn Mullins was in the music biz for ten years before he broke into the top ten with "Lullaby"—yeah it's a sappy pop tune, but you go where the flow takes you and being on the Sony/ Columbia label probably explains the saccharine melody. Now, however, Mullins has returned to his Atlanta blues heritage and signed with Vanguard records putting the soul back into his guitar. His new album 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor blends the sounds of Mullins' earlier work with the sensibilities of someone that's already seen the top of the charts and decided that they wanted nothing to do with 'em. |
 Thu, July 20, 6-9pm
Hotel Valencia 355 Santana Row, San Jose 408.551.0010 $20 RSVP/ $25 Door | Social & Business Mixer @ Hotel ValenciaBIZ PROS: A social and business mixer at the swank Hotel Valencia's Cielo Wine Terrace featuring top-shelf tequila tasting, fine art and live jazz from Jesse Charles. The scene will be rife with Silicon Valley movers and shakers so all you young biz pros, get out there and network. |
Thu, July 20, 7:30pm
The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831.423.1336 $35-$37 | 311ALL MIXED UP:The funk-rap-rockers from Nebraska take over the Catalyst with their signature infectious grooves for a 21+ show. |
 Fri, July 21, 6:30pm
SJSU Event Center Seventh and San Carlos Sts., San Jose 408.998.TIXS $27 | Taking Back SundayLOUDER NOW: Born on the waves of the post-pop emo movement of early 2000, Taking Back Sunday scored big with the disillusioned set of youngsters that couldn't quite swallow true angst ridden punk, but wanted to seem subversive anyway. Now that emo has established itself and the scene (is there really an emo scene?) has become inundated with similar bands to the point of exploding, Taking Back Sunday is taking back the reins and steering the sound into harder waters. With Angels and Airwaves, Head Automatica and the Subways. |
 Fri, July 21, 6-10pm
Smoke Tiki Lounge 152 Post St., San Jose 408.292.4266 Free | 880 South880 SOUTH: Hitting local ears with a three-pronged attack of reggae, soul and pure rock n' roll, 880 South blends musical stylings that are truly Californian. The quartet has been playing together for years and 880 South is one of the tightest outfits on the local scene belting out an undeniable groove that's sure to get ya up and moving. The funk maestros play with fellow groovsters the Whiskey Avengers on the tropical confines of Smoke's back patio for the unbelievable cost of, uh, free. |
 Fri, July 21, 10pm
Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge 99 E. San Fernando St., San Jose 408.998.9998 $15 | Chris ClouseChris Clouse is no modern day coffeehouse beatnik folk singer and as his musical prowess grows, so does his following. Playing everything from fiddle to electric guitar and melodiously blending them with house style break drum beats, Clouse gets his hooks into the crowd right from the first chord. This show, Clouse teams with DJ collaborator Zhaldee and when the two are together it sounds like a toned high-five between two seemingly variant musical styles. |
 Fri, July 21, 5pm
Mission Ale House 97 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.292.4058 Free | Sugar Sweet and SoCo LimeARTIFICIAL SWEETNER: With a name like Sugar Sweet you know this '80s cover band has got to be good and grooving to hits like "Hungry Like the Wolf" definitely won't pack on the pounds either. Mission Ale House continues their free happy hour concert action Thursdays and Fridays on the back patio with some of the best deals you can find in San Jo. Stick around afterward for a little taste of the dirty South when the SoCo girls show up and start handing out free shots. |
 Fri, July 21, 9pm
The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $35.50 | Paul OakenfoldPERFECTO: The daddy of Trance and Guinness Book world record holder—seriously—Paul Oakenfold, the master of the mix, is going to tear up the City and leave a ton of bass-heads groaning on Saturday. Anything we could say about Oakenfold would be superfluous. You know who he is and what he can do with a couple of turntables, so if you're looking for the concert of the weekend to impress your friends with; this is it. |
 Sat, July 22, 10am-8pm
Arena Green (Across from the HP Pavilion), San Jose 408.448.2545 $15 | Pacific Art Collective & The Music Matrix: Celebrate San JoseFUNKIN' SOUL: Fans of soulful funk and R&B have reason to rejoice. The Celebrate San Jose summer concert (the first in a series) is featuring a great lineup of R&B artists with Cameo—yup that one, word up—headlining with guests the Ohio Players, Confunkshun, the Bar-Kays and getting help from the local scene with funksters The Hitmen, Juan Escovedo and Sista Key. The Pacific Art Collective will be on hand as well with their stunning slate of local artists displaying their talent with a live art exhibition. All proceeds from The Music Matrix go to benefit the Center for Employment Training and the Salvation Army charities. |
 Sat, July 22, 9pm
Vault Ultra Lounge 81 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.298.1112 $20 | The Vault 2-Year AnniversaryWhat do you get a swank ultra lounge for their 2-year anniversary? Well considering that Vault Ultra Lounge already has everything, we're just going to bring ourselves and try to mooch some free action. The event will feature DJ Vicious in the main room spinning hip-hop, mash-ups and club hits with the beats in the back room administered by DJ As-Is along with the requisite drink specials and scantily clad Go-Go dancer eye candy. |
 Sun, July 23, 11pm
Agenda Lounge 399 S. First St., San Jose 408.380.3042 $10 | Pato BantonTRUE ROOTS: Pato Banton cut his musical teeth in the English reggae and ska scenes by playing with pioneers like UB40, the English Beat and Mad Professor through the '80s. While most other reggae artists have gotten away from the true roots of the reggae sound by playing simplified Kokomo riffs and pontificating solely about ganja, Pato Banton has remained solid blending Jamaican patios, his native English drone and a dose of early hip-hop to create an unmistakable sound with his band Sol Horizon. |
 Sun, July 23, 1-8pm
Los Gatos Lodge 50 Los Gatos Saratoga Rd., Los Gatos 408.505.5678 $10 pre-sale, $25 door | Oasis Pool PartySundays in summer are for lounging by the pool and don't let anyone tell you different. Now, if you're doing it with a battalion of house DJs and cocktails, so much the better. The Oasis Pool Party is going to be one helluva respite from the normal weekend runarounds featuring Blackstone DJ Mark Grant with Kemel, DJ Rated R and many more. The official after party will be back down the hill in downtown San Jose at the Blue Monkey. |
 Mon, July 24, 6pm
Montalvo's Garden Theatre 15400 Montalvo Rd., Saratoga 408.998.TIXS $38-$50 | Jason MrazTHE GEEK SHALL: Singer/ songwriter Jason Mraz, whose infectious stylings tore up the San Diego scene with his unique blend of folk, roots rock, jazz, a little country with the unlikely backdrop of a hip-hop beat charge. Mraz will perform an all ages acoustic set at Villa Montalvo's Garden Theatre in support of his second studio release; Mr. A-Z. |
 Tue, July 25, 8pm
Paramount Theatre 2025 Broadway, Oakland 408.998.TIXS $59.50-$69.50 | Al GreenSMOOTH OPERATOR: Arguably the last great soul singer, Al Green is one of the few artists that really is a household name. His smooth, sexy vocals has made women swoon the world over and given many a man the stereophonic edge when it came to dating. Al Green has since departed from his earlier secular work and now lends his unmatched vocals to gospel. |
Tue, July 25, 7:30pm
Shoreline Amphitheatre 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy., Mountain View 650.967.3000 $24-$125 | Steely DanThe contemporary rock composers Steely Dan are back to touring bringing their signature sound and sardonic wit to Shoreline. |
 Thu-Fri, July 27-28, 9pm
The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831.423.1336 $25 | Social DistortionPRISON BOUND: Social Distortion has been throwing down speeding guitar licks through a booze soaked haze for years and are still some of the hardest living grease bands around. Blending rock, punk, rockabilly and a dash of country, these So-Cal boys have yet to take their foot off the gas pedal. A second Social Distortion show has been added at the Catalyst because the first one sold out in something like 30 Jack fueled and frenzied seconds. |
Sat, August 19, 9pm
The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 $10 | The ShltkickersThe San Jo banjo toting country punks return home for a mid-August hootenanny. |
—This week's newsletter by: RO, CF and AR
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