Blues Greats, English Ska, Seattle Indie Rock & Undead Hip-Hop

PICK

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

UPCOMING

Fri. Aug. 11, 6pm Camera 12 201 S. Second St., San Jose www.01sj.org $20		Zero One: Strange Culture MODERN KAFKA: One of the most highly anticipated events at Zero One, Strange Culture is a film in progress by artist and provocateur Lynn Hershman Leeson (Teknolust). The new film focuses on the bizarre nightmare that enveloped professor and artist Steve Kurtz after his wife died and the government arbitrarily decided that Kurtz was some kind of terrorist for his deconstruction of agribusiness. The culturally pertinent Strange Culture stars Tilda Swinton, Peter Coyote and Josh Kornbluth with a soundtrack by the Residents. In our neo-con Big Brother-esque days of wiretaps, domestic spying and watch lists combined with the current near McCarthian witch-hunt mentality, Strange Culture is a work that transcends the disturbing plight of a single man.

Wed. Aug. 9, 9pm The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 $5

No Use For A Name FEELS LIKE HOME: Local 408 punks No Use For A Name take a night from their skateboards and being mainstays on the Van's Warped Tour to kick down a little hometown love. These hardcore punks don't follow trends (reference former punk bands going the black nail polish, eyeliner and floppy haired emo route) and never say die. Even though the lineup of NUFAN has had some defections over the years, original members Tony Sly and Rory Koff still crank the amps for a sonic assault like few others. Venerable Downtown San Jo retro punks, The Odd Numbers open up.

Wed. Aug. 9, Dusk San Pedro Square San Pedro & Santa Clara Sts., San Jose 408.279.1776 Free

Galaxy Quest @ Cinema San Pedro NTE - 3120: One of the best spoofs of the sci-fi genre that sorely needed it, Galaxy Quest hits nearly every mark it set out to and even if you don't like Tim Allen (we'd ask for a show of hands, but probably can't count that high) he's actually tolerable in the Captain's chair and Sigourney Weaver only looked hotter when she was taking down the queen Alien in her skivvies. Plus, Alan Rickman is downright hilarious as the Spock-like First Officer. If you haven't seen Galaxy Quest and are a huge sci-fi fan, don your favorite Starfleet uniform, sit back and see what happens when Hollywood actually makes a good movie that pokes fun at your innermost love.

Wed. Aug. 9, 7:30pm Mountain Winery 14831 Pierce Rd., Saratoga 408.998.TIXS $49.50-$95 BUY TICKETS

B.B. King THE THRILL AIN'T GONE: B.B. King is arguably the best bluesman ever and probably the most important electric guitar slinger of the last half-century, seeing it all in his 80 years. However, for being one of the most recognized blues artists, B.B. King remains remarkably self-effacing, humble and intimate on and off stage. His live performances are legendary and his influence spans every musical genre, seriously every guitar lick played probably has a recognizable King riff in it. Born in the lowlands of the Mississippi Delta, B.B. King defines the blues. He and his legendary guitar Lucille have seen stages all over the world but always keep their Deep South soul.

Thu. Aug. 10, 5:30pm Plaza de Cesar Chavez Market & San Carlos Sts., San Jose 408.279.1775 Free

The English Beat @ Metro's Music in the Park NEW WAVE BRITS: As one of the earliest new wave ska revival groups, The English Beat scored some monster commercial success in the early '80s due to their energetic sound and the fact that a fledgling MTV played "Save it for Later" and "I Confess" relentlessly. The English Beat actually disbanded around '83 with two of the members later forming Fine Young Cannibals--man, the deluge air play of "She Drives Me Crazy" almost sent us to the nuthouse--but has since started doing some touring due to the second revival of ska. Heck, if we're lucky legendary saxophonist Saxa will still be kickin' it.

Thu. Aug. 10, 7:30pm SoFA District S. First St. & San Salvador, San Jose No Phone Free

Kung Fu Vampire @ Music After Dark CREATURE OF THE NIGHT: Hip-hop, jazz, rap, lounge, 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 sickest 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, Bahaus and Mos Def.

Thu. Aug. 10, 10pm Smoke Tiki Lounge 152 Post St., San Jose 408.292.4266 No Cover

Torched Thursdays @ Smoke Tiki Lounge DEEP ISLAND BUZZ: It's only August so summer isn't through with us yet and neither is Smoke Tiki Lounge. The Torched Thursday parties have been going off all summer and if you can get through the door and out to the patio in this madhouse DJ throw down without using a few well-placed elbows consider yourself lucky. Seriously, Smoke's been packing them in since they launched and the Thursday party featuring DJ Dinero, drinking games and some cheap-ass drinks has been the place to be, come on out and get wrecked...er, torched.

Thu. Aug. 10, 10pm Camera 12 201 S. Second St., San Jose www.01sj.org $15

Zero One: Switching EVOLVING ROMANTICISM: The American premiere of Danish director Morten Schjodt's participatory film Switching is creating some buzz at Zero One. The trick to this romantically narrative flick is that it can be radically altered by the viewer's responses to the screened stimuli. The results change every time Switching plays with the director's cut showing at 7pm and the audience cut at 9pm.

Fri. Aug. 11, 7pm Mexican Heritage Plaza 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose 408.998.TIXS $30

Molotov EXPLOSIVE ROCK: The Mexican rap-rockers Molotov blasted the Spanish-English language barrier when they hit in 1995 with their controversial and politically tinged lyrics spun over a heavy bass line. Despite the consternation Molotov's music sometimes caused the establishment, the band always seemed to emerge from the conflict unscathed with their popularity growing exponentially with every performance. Their latest album Con Todo Respeto ("With All Due Respect") can be heard in perpetuity on some Mexican radio stations.

Fri. Aug. 11, 8:30pm The Independent 628 Divisidaro St., San Francisco 415.771.1421 $10 adv./ $12 door

The Mermen BIG WAVE KINGS: Fueled by high-octane surf guitar licks melding with '60s style futuristic psychedelia, The Mermen wholly distinguish themselves from other disciples of the legendary Dick Dale. The Mermen are fearless on stage redefining surf rock with a healthy dose of Sonic Youth style reverb and alt tinged lyrics. Surfers during the day, The Mermen play like they ride so it's serendipitous that this performance accompanies the premiere of the 2006 Maverick's Big Wave Surf Competition flick

Fri. Aug. 11, 10pm Mission Ale House 97 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.292.4058 No Cover

Flashback Fridays @ Mission Ale House THE DAYS BEFORE HYPHY: Thirsting for that retro DJ vibe rather than hearing "My Humps" six times a night at the club? Look no further than Mission Ale House who is bringing the Psycho Cells Crew in on Fridays to drop funk, rock, new wave and B-side beats from before the millennium. DJs Rich, As Is and Cutso man the triple threat vinyl attack with the Mission bartenders pouring up their usual potent slew of liver destroying cocktails.

Fri. Aug. 11, 9:30pm Abyss Nightclub 146 S. Murphy St., Sunnyvale 408.732.2977 $20

49ers vs Bears After Party @ Abyss THEY'RE STILL 0 - 0: Okay, we know it's just preseason and Friday's match up between the San Francisco 49ers and the Monsters of the Midway Chicago Bears means absolutely nothing, still, it's football and we can't help but watch. The game is sure to be abysmal, but the after party at Abyss Nightclub will rock. Big Von from 106 KMEL will be manning the decks and the Abyss is kicking down some drink specials to initiate some fleeting hope for the 49ers new season...or perhaps so we can forget the last three years at the bottom of the NFL barrel.

Sat. Aug. 12, 7pm Greek Theatre UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley 408.998.TIXS $35 BUY TICKETS

Death Cab for Cutie SONGS WITH CHORDS: Indie rockers Death Cab For Cutie hit the Greek Theatre for the second of two shows at the open air UC Berkeley stage. Since moving to Atlantic from the Seattle based indie label Barsuk, Death Cab For Cutie's fan base has exploded seeing them play sell out dates across the globe. Their latest offering, 2005's Plans, presents the band in their best light yet due in no small part than finally landing a solid drummer complimenting the lilting, introspective vocals of front man Ben Gibbard.

Sat. Aug 12, 8pm Bimbo's 365 Club 1025 Columbus, San Francisco 415.474.0365 $18

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys JUMPING FROM 6 TO 6: Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys are one of the purest rockabilly outfits playing today keeping the authentic roots of the sound alive yet blending it with Western swing, bluegrass and a spicy shake from the mariachi side. With their hair stacked high and boots polished, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys have never been tighter. Their new studio release Turntable Matinee, sees Big Sandy tipping his hat to traditional Memphis soul complimenting the Fly-Rite Boy's signature old-fashioned rock and roll.

Sat. Aug. 12, 9:30pm Angels Ultra Lounge 400 S. First St., San Jose 408.885.9588 $10

Fame @ Angels SATURDAY RUNWAY: The Fame party hits Angels again this Saturday night featuring the slick DJ stylings of the well-traveled Eric Cubiche. The Angels go-go dancers will be out in full force for this one with DJs nasty Nick, David Q and Reckid supplying the beats before Cubiche, a young turntable phenom, takes center stage.

Sun. Aug. 13, 7pm The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831.423.1336 $15 BUY TICKETS

Lagwagon LET'S TALK ABOUT FEELINGS: So Cal skate punks, Lagwagon rip by Santa Cruz as part of their current US tour with fellow amp addicts The Lawrence Arms and A Wilhelm Scream. Fresh off a world tour supporting their latest album Resolve--dedicated to late drummer Derrick Plourde--you can bet that Lagwagon still has enough gas left in their short bus tank to rock The Catalyst with their double edged guitar licks and frequent stage dives.

Sun. Aug. 13, Noon Kelly's Mission Rock 817 Terry Francois Blvd., San Francisco 800.965.4827 $20 BUY TICKETS

Second Sunday BASS ASSAULT: Second Sunday is back to once again rouse sleeping bass heads out of their usual Sunday morning blissful dreamland to head down to the waterfront and do it all again. This edition of the legendary all day beat fest sees two of the most prominent house DJs taking their turns on the decks. That's right, outside DJ Dan and Chuck Love will battle it out deep-cut vinyl style while residents Ellen Ferrato and Von fill in the sound gaps with Ben Doren and Mike Ameci throwing down a tag team set. Inside will feature a running slate of spinners including Second Sunday regulars Jeno, Andy Caldwell and M3. The hands manning the decks at this edition are unsurpassed and any house head worth their salt should be out in force.

Sun. Aug. 13, Noon Villa Montalvo 15400 Montalvo Rd., Saratoga 408.961.5858 $50 BUY TICKETS

Bleeding Edge Festival AURAL EXPANSIONISM: Going beyond the cutting edge of music, the Bleeding Edge Festival seeks out what happens in the musical aftermath of experimentation. This progressive brainchild coincides with the Zero One art and tech symposium that has gripped downtown San Jose for the last week. Well, if you wanted to see the musical equivalent of such an undertaking, Bleeding Edge is it. This amalgamated noise legion includes performances by Yo La Tengo, The Mumlers (who you can catch opening for The English Beat at Music in the Park), Tim Hecker doing a collaborative work with Isis, Matmos and a score of other electronic sound expressionists on four stages around Villa Montalvo.

Mon. Aug. 14, 9pm Kuumbwa Jazz Center 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz 831.427.2227 $23

Dirty Dozen Brass Band HORNS A PLENTY: Undisputed heavyweights in the New Orleans jazz scene, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band reflects the legendary jazz tradition of the Big Easy while opening up their sound to include soul, funk, blues and rock. Regularly playing gigs around the country, the Dirty Dozen are currently reworking the 35-year old Marvin Gaye masterpiece What's Going On? to commemorate the iconic Motown release and the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina showing that New Orleans jump jazz is still alive and kickin'.

Tue. Aug. 15, 7:30pm Mountain Winery 14831 Pierce Rd., Saratoga 408.741.0763 $40-$57.50 BUY TICKETS

Buddy Guy GUITAR PIONEER: It must be blues week at the Mountain Winery. Six short days ago blues legend B.B. King graced the stage and tonight another venerable bluesman, king of the Chicago blues, Buddy Guy plugs in. Buddy Guy, just like B.B. influenced him, was the inspiration for such legendary guitarists as Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix. Think Hendrix was the first to play an axe behind his head? No, that honor goes to Buddy Guy along with the strumming with your dentition award...no fooling. Contemporary blues impresario Robert Cray opens up.

coming up

Sat. Sept 16, Noon Great America 4701 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara 408.988.1776 $30 WIN TICKETS

Beach Club @ Boomerang Bay SWIMSUIT SEASON SWAN SONG: This 21+ all day beach party at Boomerang Bay in the Great America theme park features multiple fully-stocked bars, VIP areas and acclaimed DJs including DJ AM, Morse Code, David Savior and others. This is probably the last beach party of the summer that was filled with them, so keep in swimsuit shape just a little while longer kids.

Fri. Aug. 18, 9pm Avalon Nightclub 777 Lawrence Expwy., Santa Clara 408.241.0777 $20

Hot August Booty Nights THIS AIN'T RENO: The immense space of the Avalon Nightclub will be popping off in August with the premiere of Hot August Booty Nights featuring Bay Area club stars DJ Reflecta and DJ Johnny spinning hip-hop, new soul and club hits.

--This week's newsletter by: RO, MSG & TI

METROACTIVE CLUBS PORTAL

CLUB GALLERY

UPCOMING MUSIC EVENTS

MUSIC CALENDAR PICKS

BAY AREA TICKETS