Tom Russell, Q-Tip, B.B. King, Ozomatli & Andre Nickatina
 PICK WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE UPCOMING
 |
Wed. Oct. 10, 9pm
The Independent
628 Divisadero St.,
San Francisco
415.771.1422
$25
|  |
Q-Tip
OPEN YOUR EARS:
After the pioneering socially conscious rap group A Tribe Called Quest called it quits, its most visible member, Q-Tip, put out a jiggy album in 1999 called Amplified that was hated by fans, even though its two singles, "Breathe and Stop" and "Vivrant Thing" still hold up as innovative (if similar) club hits. Q-Tip quickly changed up his style and his name--he went with Kamaal the Abstract for his next (and self-titled) album, which never even saw the light of day. A strange, avant-garde blending of jazz, hip-hop and rock, it was too eclectic for his then-label, Arista. He'll finally release a new album this year. 88 Keys and Percee P also perform.
|
Wed. Oct 10, 9pm
Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th St., San Francisco
415.621.4455
$10
| |
Avengers
1977 REDUX:
The Avengers opened up for the Sex Pistols for the last gig the Pistols ever played. So when that opening band plays in 2007, you should go. The legendary punk band is fronted by Penelope Houston--back when punk was first exploding in the United States, Penelope was one of the first female frontpeople to blast onto the scene. The Avengers weren't even around for that long in the old days, and Penelope went on to do a zillion other things, including a lot of folk music, but the Avengers are back, at least for the time being. If you want to see what it was like in 1977, there's no better option than this.
|
Wed. Oct. 10, 8pm
Stanford Stadium
Stanford University, Palo Alto
1.800.STANFORD
| |
Akron/Family
NYC TLC:
Born in the heartland but irrefutably transformed by years knocking around the New York art-rock scene, Akron/Family is the very definition of a cult band. Some of the group's touchstones clearly bear the mark of its Americana roots, as evidenced by the gentle twang and almost gospel-like uplift of miniaturist folk sketches like "Love Is Simple." But just when you think you've got the band pegged as purveyors of charmingly shambling lo-fi twang, Akron/Family throws in something completely left-field, like the luminescent and chiming experimentalism of songs like "Always There." In those moments, the Americana roots that Akron/Family pays tribute to are extreme edges of traditional music, while retaining a minimalist sensibility incubated in the experimental underground New York scene. It's to the band's credit that it bridges the two extremes so seamlessly, making it one of the most striking acts to emerge this year.
|
 |
Thu. Oct. 11, 9:30pm
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial Way,
Santa Cruz
831.479.1854
$25
| |
The Radiators
CRESCENT CITY ROCK:
Known in New Orleans for playing what is affectionately called Fish Head Music, the Radiators are infamous for doing away with setlists and diving into their repertoire of 1,300 songs at any given time, a practice the band adopted soon after forming in 1978. Moving between blues, jazz, zydeco and soul, the Radiators keep audiences guessing with a musical mix that depends just as much on the spectators as on the band, which keeps that Mardi Gras party atmosphere alive wherever they perform. Aside from live shows, the Radiators' 1987 album, Law of the Fish, is regarded as being among the best albums ever to come out of the Big Easy. The spirit of New Orleans is still alive, and it's ready to rock.
|
Thu. Oct. 11, 8pm
Little Fox
2209 Broadway, Redwood City
650.369.4119
$20-$22
| |
Tom Russell
FOLKING POWERHOUSE:
Few country-folk singers have explored the depths of their inner-selves as profoundly as Tom Russell. His 1999 album, Man From God Knows Where, found Russell tracing the lives of American pioneers as well as his own immigrant ancestors. The result was an artistic concept that spurred a new chapter in the singer's already prosperous 30-year career. His recent 2007 release, Wounded Heart of America, is a testament to Russell's songwriting brilliance--the compilation album features other artists, including Johnny Cash, Iris Dement and Dave Van Ronk, performing Russell's songs. See the legendary American storyteller at Redwood City's Little Fox Theatre.
|
 |
| featuredpick |
Fri. Oct. 12, 8pm
Johnny V's
31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose
408.947.8470
$5
| |
Sammus Theory
NU AND IMPROVED:
If you've got any doubts about the underground rock scene, we've got news for you: it's not all sloppy garage bands and intergalactic space jammers. For proof, look no further than Arizona's Sammus Theory, a hard-rock outfit on a par with any mainstream artist in the nu-metal genre. Citing Tool and Seether as their main influences, Sammus Theory is capable of delivering exhilarating guitar-driven rock & roll fueled by explosive instrumental riffs and angst-ridden vocals. Also appearing this evening at Johnny V's is the hardcore-metal group Domeshots, as well as Sacramento's Breva and Santa Cruz rockers Trigger Renegade.
|
|
| |
Fri. Oct. 12, 9:30pm
Taste Ultra Lounge
87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose
408.885.1016
Usual Cover
| |
Ladies Night Out
MATERIAL GIRLS:
Women are invited to dress to the nines for an evening of luxurious pampering, including mini manicures, makeup and massages. Taste also serves up tasty martinis and hosts men, men, men in a male review show from Men of Exotica. DJs LP and Don Lynch man the decks.
|
Fri. Oct. 12, 10pm
South First Billiards
420 S. First St., San Jose
408.294.7800
Free
| |
Apakalips
STILL HYPHY:
San Jose rap? You better believe it--Oaktown and Frisco aren't the only cities going hyphy. Just look at Apakalips, a young MC with tight-laced rhymes and a refreshingly unconventional hip-hop style. Sampling music from genres that include jazz, funk and world music, Apakalips' hard-driving lyrics complement a unique sound that is full of substance and political awareness. Check out a real San Jo MC for free on Friday at South First Billiards.
|
Fri. Oct. 11, 8pm
Bimbo's 365 Club
1025 Columbus Ave.,
San Francisco
415.474.0365
$15
| |
Rogue Wave
LO-FI FUZZ:
San Francisco expatriates Rogue Wave play some of that good old-time indie rock & roll, which is getting to the age that it's about time for someone to turn out a hackneyed nostalgia song--Lou Barlow, where are you when we need you most? That doesn't take away from Rogue Wave's appeal though--somebody's got to be turning out the melodic lo-fi fuzz and off-key vocals, and it might as well be these guys, whose members include the Desoto Reds vocalist Zach Rogue. References to Spoon, Yo La Tengo and Neutral Milk Hotel abound, and while Rogue Wave isn't doing anything particularly earth-shattering, they do it well. It's shamelessly pure pop for '90s people of a certain disposition, and if the recent resurgence of the bands that inspired Rogue Wave is any indication, those people are just about ready for it.
|
 |
Sat. Oct. 13, 8pm
Britannia Arms Cupertino
1087 De Anza Blvd., Cupertino
408.252.7262
$5
| |
The Devil Himself
HELL ON EARTH:
No, these guys don't don red capes and horns onstage (Mick Jagger already pulled that one), but their music does resemble the fiery inferno of satanic sound that the devil probably listens to on his iPod while going about his daily grind of torturing the souls of the damned. Unless, of course, he's into classical, but that would just be weird. Dual guitars converge to create a thundering maelstrom of heavy metal madness, while screaming vocals and apocalyptic lyrics invoke pain and frustration. Sound grim? Good, because that's what death metal is all about, and this San Jose quartet's got an open casket overflowing with sinister melody. The Devil Himself will rock-eth into the depths below tonight at Britannia Arms.
|
Sat. Oct. 13, 9pm
Vivid Nightclub
8 S. First St., San Jose
408.279.4444
Usual Cover
| |
Sinful
SIN-TASTIC:
Vivid calls this night of debauchery "the most risqué party to ever hit Northern California," and while it would take a lot of club-hopping to disprove this claim, they may well be telling the truth. Tonight's edition of Sinful is the kick-off event for Real Luxgurious Promotions and features a massive go-go dance-off contest, live video mixing and hot music from DJs Boy Wonder, Teddy Rockspin, Devious Dave, KY and P-1.
|
Sat. Oct. 13, 7pm
MACLA
510 S. First St., San Jose
408.998.2783
$5-$10
| |
Hip-Hop Sulha
PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST:
Taking bigger steps toward peace in the Middle East than the Bush administration, while at the same time bringing the South Bay some dope live music, the Hip-Hop Sulha wins our vote for the Nobel Prize--it's almost that brilliant. World-renowned Israeli and Palestinian artists share the stage in an event that sends a clear message of tolerance and social harmony. Highly acclaimed performers include the Phillistines, Arabsummit and the N.O.M.A.D.S., plus the Narcicyst of Euphrates and Sagol 59. And if that's not enough, all proceeds go directly to organizations dedicated to peaceful Arab and Jewish coexistence initiatives through arts and science. Pure genius.
|
Sat. Oct. 13, 9:30pm
South First Billiards
420 S. First St., San Jose
408.294.7800
Free
| |
A Positive View
FEELIN' IRIE:
Being a reggae band hailing from east San Jose, it'd be easy to write off A Positive View if it wasn't for their high-grade quality and feel-good appeal. Reveling in hypnotic dub and roots reggae, the six-member group produces a sound driven by fat bass lines and simple melodies. Feel the irie vibes this Saturday at South First Billiards.
|
 |
 |
Tue. Oct. 16, 8pm
Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel, Santa Cruz
831.421.9200
$30-$35
| |
Solid Blues
BLUES FEST HANGOVER:
Most of the musicians in the Solid Blues tour are worth seeing on their own. Mavis Staples is back and in full effect; her new album, We'll Never Turn Back, was produced by Ry Cooder and prominently features Staples' smoky, earthy voice that's only gotten more expressive with age. Also on the bill are blues harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite, the North Mississippi Allstars and the New Orleans-style Hammond B-3 player Joe Krown.
|
 coming up |
Thu. Nov. 8, 9pm
Mezzanine
444 Jessie St., San Francisco
408.998.TIXS
$25
| |
M.I.A.
COMBAT ROCK:
Much has been written already about the staggering patchwork of global sound on Kala, M.I.A.'s sophomore album. Not since the heyday of Afropop king Fela Kuti--1977's Zombie, maybe--has a record sounded so goddamn international. Maya Arulpragasam was born in London, was in and out of her parents' homeland Sri Lanka, and lived in India, as well. None of that was all that obvious musically on her post-electroclash first album, Arular, but Kala is literally all over the map. Kuti himself would be impressed by her fusing of pan-African influences with the current British rapgirl zeitgeist. But there's something else going on here, too--Kala practically charts a history of alternative rock. Arulpragasam has ripped her pages straight from the Sex Pistols' playbook: she doesn't cover the songs of her heroes on this album so much as rip them to shreds and rebuild them into new classics that are unmistakably and completely hers.
|
--This week's newsletter by: RO, MC, CT, GW, SP PD, JJ, DB & LH
SEARCH UPCOMING MUSIC EVENTS METROACTIVE CLUB GALLERY MUSIC CALENDAR PICKS BAY AREA TICKETS
|
