Blackalicious, Violent Femmes, Hepcat & The NYE Low-Down

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Sun. Dec. 31, 9pm VooDoo Lounge 14 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.8636 $35/ $40 Flipsyde w/ Insolence & Starving Millionaires 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 to San Jo's VooDoo Lounge for a New Year's Eve party like no other. 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. Also hitting the VooDoo stage is true San Jose local rockers Insolence that blend a unique style of hip-hop, reggae and hard core riffs that easily turns the best amps into a pile of destroyed parts. Hitting the stage first and kicking out witty punk infused rock with heavy reggae dub rhythms and vocals, are the Starving Millionaires hitting with a three-strong blowout full of up-tempo swagger mixed with angst and poured as a straight shot to your skull. This is seriously going to be a raucous, boozed up party, so screw all those ritzy plans you made for dinner and a balloon drop, kick your so call class to the curb and come get loaded at VooDoo...just make sure you've got a ride home.

Wed. Dec. 27, 7pm The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $22 BUY TICKETS

Blackalicious UNDERGROUND WARRIORS: Pure Oaktown underground hip-hop impresarios Blackalicious hit The Fillmore tonight with alt MCs Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel rocking the decks and running the mics like only they can. Blackalicious' latest release, The Craft, sees the duo breaching the same sonic depth and worldwide breadth that has marked every Blackalicious track since these maestros were kicking it in high school with nothing but lyrical ambition. Also, the progenitors of the Bay Area underground hip-hop scene have just released a live DVD, 420 Live in Seattle, that's sure to make the annals in hip-hop history.

Wed. Dec. 27, 9pm Johnny V's 31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.947.8470 No Cover

Cypher Open Mic @ Johnny V's MC KARAOKE: Aspiring MCs now have a place to lay down their lyrical assault other than practicing their thug look in the bathroom mirror. Johnny V's has opened up the stage to newbie flow-masters with The Cypher open mic night featuring Audio Dru, Dj Tarzan and Sideburn Slim on the decks, $3 wells and beers all night, breaks, beats, drums and quite possibly you on the mic. If you're a little nervous about expressing your street self in front of the crowds, don't worry, just refer back to that whole $3 drink thing and see where the beats and booze take your trash talking.

Thu. Dec. 28, 10pm The Caravan 98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.995.6220 No Cover

Commercial Static BETWEEN THE CHANNELS: If there is any judiciousness in the oft tumultuous realm of music with all of its bandwagon trends, minute by minute fads, wannabe cliques, screaming celebs and floppy haired copycats, a band like Commercial Static will soon be topping the charts and returning the sonic reins back where they belong. This intense and irreverent 5-piece hails from good ole San Jose and each member has cut their teeth in other local outfits and snags their sound from a blended mash of '60s pop and '70s rock diffused through the sonic amplifier a speeded up by the aural wash of the '80s. Commercial Static sets up at the Caravan tonight with Kill the Softface.

Thu. Dec. 28, 7:30pm Paramount Theatre 2025 Broadway, Oakland 408.998.TIXS $55 - $75 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 rocking with their unshakeable Deep South soul.

Thu. Dec. 28, 7pm The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $27 BUY TICKETS

Violent Femmes BLISTER IN THE CITY: What can possibly be said about the Violent Femmes that hasn't been said before? Seriously, we could go on about how they changed the alternative rock landscape with their hits like "Blister in the Sun" and "Add it Up" or how they've never sold out from their indie credo, but instead we'll just simply say that without the Violent Femmes, rock would have a very different skyline...plus, Ethan Hawke wouldn't have any vehicle--besides his abysmal wannabe slacker acting--to convey his lovelorn angst and disgust at Winona Ryder in Reality Bites without a little help from these boys from Milwaukee.

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Fri. Dec. 29, 9pm The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 $8 The Forgotten PUNK ROCK VETS: Renowned veterans of the local punk scene and old-school statesmen of the original hardcore wave, The Forgotten rip it up tonight at The Blank Club with a pre-New Year's Eve throwdown that will either act as a primer for tomorrow or be an amped up sonic H-bomb that'll reverb far into the new year. For the past year, The Forgotten have been laying down new studio cuts, so some fresh material may show up in the set list, but ya'll know it'll still kick with the blazing fury of true punk rock laden with style and substance. The Forgotten tear up the stage tonight with another band that's no stranger to the local scene, The Odd Numbers who've played every gritty dive and rocked every stage from here to hell, always preferring to plug in and crank the amps in their hometown digs Downtown. Also at The Blank tonight will be one of the best guitar slingers ever to pick up a six-string, Jonny Manak and the Depressives, open this f*cking rad night of all local noise junkies playing fast, loud, booze soaked and dangerous.

Fri. Dec. 29, 8pm Little Fox 2209 Broadway, Redwood City 650.369.4119 $22

Trailer Park Troubadours DOUBLE-WIDE LOVIN': For Devoted Trailer Park Troubadour fans, or "Flamingoheads," it's likely the Kentucky trailer park Pine View Heights is a landmark as recognizable as Beverly Hills is to celebrity stalkers. Troub lead singer and songwriter Antsy McClain hails from that particular trailer park and uses his life experiences and the smattering of music he heard there to create his unique brand of music: "folkabilly." The five-piece band proudly wears its blue collar roots while embracing, and gently mocking, all things trailer--mostly polyester. But fear not, double-wide jabs are plentiful as well. The Troubs are in Redwood City to celebrate the release of their holiday album, Merry Christmas From the Trailer Park, which includes eclectic tracks like "The Elves' Strike" and "She's Under the Mistletoe Again."

Fri. Dec. 29, 10pm The Caravan 98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.995.6220 No Cover

The Runs & The Razorburns DIRTY SERENDIPITY: The Runs have to feel right at home at The 'Van whether drinking 'til they puke or setting up in the dirty corner and blowing the doors with their raw and brutally honest brand of punk that sounds like a shotgun wedding of early sonic pioneers that couldn't separate the booze from the distortion in their amps. The Runs are straight punk as it's meant to be played, in a bar, drunk, fast, witty and loud as hell. Also hitting the Caravan tonight are The Razorburns from The City who kick a more pop blend of alt-punk and lay down screaming guitar licks and smart melodies that seriously infect that part of your brain that is reserved for damn good music even before you realize you've been bitten.

Fri. Dec. 29, 9pm Angels Ultra Lounge 400 S. First St., San Jose 408.885.9588 Usual Cover

Ndamixx End of the Year Bash PRE-NYE: If you're looking to make a weekend out of this year's NYE--and really, with the whole shebang going off on Sunday, having Monday off and this being a short week, you should be partying straight through to 2007 and Angels is here to help you to reach that goal. Tonight at Angels Ultra Lounge, the Ndamixx Hunnies are back and ready to party for their End of the Year Bash with DJs Jammin J, Leslie Perez from Wild 94.9 and a midnight fashion show, so don't get too blasted before the clock strikes twelve and these girls rock the catwalk.

Sat. Dec. 30, 9pm The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 No Cover

Worker Bee DEFINITELY NOT DRONES: Worker Bee kicks out a deep ambient style of rock that grabs a hold of your inner sonic child and returns your aural senses to those teen years when you sat up all night in your bedroom with the lights off playing the same track over and over again until your ears bled. Four strong instrumentalists, Worker Bee is currently laying down more studio cuts and will, hopefully, one day take the scene over with a full-length offering, but, alas, for now, you'll just have to take our word for it and catch these guys live. Glass Museum, Hans Keller and Doctor Nurse also lend their skills on the Blank stage tonight.

Sat. Dec. 30, 8:30pm The Independent 628 Divisidaro St., San Francisco 415.771.1421 $23

Cracker WITH OR WITHOUT SALT: When the alt rock wave came ashore in the early '90s, Cracker was riding high with such anthems like "Low" and "Teen Angst" that blended their unique rock riffs with touches of bluegrass, country, psychedelia and punk much to the fanfare of slightly subversive suburbanite teens everywhere. Cracker also holds a wholly singular distinction in the music world as having been the only band to open for both the Grateful Dead and the Ramones, a talking point that should gain the admiration of any audiophile. Cracker plays The Independent tonight with longtime alt rocker pals Camper Van Beethoven.

Sat. Dec. 30, 9pm Taste Ultra Lounge 87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose 408.885.1016 No Cover

Customer Appreciation Party @ Taste THE TURNAROUND: All right, so this is like unprecedented I the swanky and hip realm of the ultra lounge, but tonight, Taste is throwing a little something back in appreciation for all that you've given them over the last year. The Customer Appreciation Party hits tonight at Taste Ultra Lounge with no cover all night long, some serious drink specials and DJs Big Boy and Lester Del Rosario on the decks all night long.

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Sun. Dec. 31, Various Times Various Locations San Jose/ San Francisco MORE INFO Metroactive New Year's Eve Guide GET THE LOW-DOWN: There's so much going on this New Year's Eve that if we were to put it all in our newsletter it would probably take until 2007 to download. So, instead of clogging up your server with a laundry list of what's going on this NYE, from swank parties at San Jose's and San Francisco's hottest nightclubs and ultra lounges to sick concerts all over the Bay Area, simply check out the NYE 2006 Guide on Metroactive. Seriously, sit back, grab your favorite beverage and peruse all the hard work our interns did compiling the best online NYE Guide ever at your own leisure. Some of this year's highlights include: Smokin' Hot NYE at Smoke Tiki Lounge, Agenda Lounge three floors of fun package deals, Pablo Francisco at the San Jose Improv, huge parties at Vault, Taste, Studio 8 & Cuccini's, Flipsyde at Voodoo, Les Claypool at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and the Flaming Lips with Gnarls Barkley, Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues at the Bill Graham Civic.

Sun. Dec. 31, 9pm Johnny V's 31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.947.8470 $5

Sik Luv w/ The Reckless Rebels NEW YEAR HOOTENANNY: They've helped you rock in Halloween and Black Wednesday this year, so why not hit the trifecta and ring in the New Year with Bay Area rockabilly rebels Sik Luv at Johnny V's? Sik Luv rips out classic roots based rockabilly at the speed of punk and they're damn good at it. Nana slaps a big upright bass and LoneWolf McCool lays down blazing guitar licks on his classic Gretsch hollow body while they both croon out songs that will get you swaying. Speaking of swaying, this classic hootenanny is at the hillbilly lounge digs of Johnny V's so you know the liquor will be flowing--as a side note to those that are up for the challenge, Johnny V's also reopens on New Year's Day at 6am with San Jo's legendary DJ Harry Who spinning the hits to help stave off your impending hangover. The Reckless Rebels open up before Sik Luv blows the roof off the joint.

Sun. Dec. 31, 5pm MACLA 510 S. First St., San Jose 408.998.2783 $10

Left of Christ, So Help Me God & others ROCK OF ALL-AGES: Hauntingly melodic with highly technical rock/ metal chops, Left of Christ make their debut at Macla this New Year's Eve headlining a phenomenal local bill that includes somewhere in the neighborhood of 11 bands for one low price and, it's all-ages to boot. The band mates in Left of Christ have kicked around several other bands in the San Jo metal scene for years before coalescing in this incarnation and their collective talent is readily heard in each blazing guitar riff and pounding bass line. Also on the bill tonight are So Help Me God, Dance Floor Murder, Capistrano, Til the End, Sympathy Ends, Shades of Eden, Red Fall, Strangers Arms, This Moment and Year of the Swine for what will rightly be the show to end all shows for 2006.

Sun. Dec. 31, 9pm Slim's 333 11th St., San Francisco 415.255.0333 $40 BUY TICKETS

Hepcat NEW YEAR DUB: The premiere West Coast ska outfit Hepcat is back hitting the tour circuit in their dub roots rocksteady style that earned this LA outfit worldwide acclaim when they first hit the scene way back in the alt heavy days of the early '90s. Much to the disappointment to ska fans everywhere--and in reference to the comeback intro--Hepcat took a three-year hiatus in 2000, but, if it's one thing that these So-Cal boys know, above and beyond their amazing reggae style and musicianship, it's perseverance along with how to get thousands of fans screaming and out of their seats. Hepcat hits the stage at Slim's tonight with fellow skasters the Aggrolites and Big Sound.

Mon. Jan.1, 11am Mission Ale House 97 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.292.4058 No Cover

NCAA Bowl Games @ Mission Ale House BCS BLUES REMEDY: All right, even though the BCS is a f*cking load of computerized ranking crap that plays more toward favorites, campaigning and politicking than the actual records, strengths and play of the teams that are subjected to this sham of a ratings system--seriously, Michigan should be playing Ohio State for the National Championship--New Year's Day still is a feast for any college football fan and you can catch all of the games at Mission Ale House while you nurse your inevitable hangover from the night before. Even though now it seems that there's more bowl games than there are teams to play in them, here's some of today's highlights: Tennessee vs. Penn State in the Outback Bowl (could be Paterno's last) @ 8am, Auburn vs. Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl @ 8:30am, Boise St. vs. Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl @ 5pm, Arkansas vs. Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl @ 10am and the Grandaddy of Them All, The Rose Bowl sees a classic match up with Michigan and USC squaring off 2pm in what's sure to be the best game out of the entire BCS mess, so try and shake off your hangover by then.

Tue. Dec. 26, 9pm Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge 99 E. San Fernando St., San Jose 408.998.9998 No Cover

High Society Social @ Fahrenheit TUESDAY TRYOUT: All right, the holidays are over and, if you've survived, it's time to head on down to Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge for their High Society Social that sees the swank doors being thrown open for everyone, no cover and happy hour drink specials all night long. DJ Spindizzy hits the turntables all night long laying down the club hits and, really, it's going to be hard to get back into the work mode after a solid two weeks of partying so let Fahrenheit ease some of the return to the 9-5 tension.

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Wed. Jan. 10, 9pm Voodoo Lounge 14 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.8636 Usual Cover

Jade of Days ALTERNATIVE VISION: Jade of Days play that style of music that, when you hear the first chord drop, pick up the blazing guitar and the driving bass and drums then hear vocalist Dana Kelley's delicate lilting voice over the beat, you think to yourself that this is what every alt band should sound like. Kelley's melodic and emotional vocal chops perfectly compliment the amazing musicianship of guitarist Paul Borges, bassist Nelson Medeiros and drummer Junior Medeiros--the sound is clean, amazingly harmonized and spans musical styles ranging from hard hitting punk inspired choruses to driving rock solos to intelligent alt indie numbers that meld into a sound rarely heard these days. Seriously, Jade of Days is so tight and so good; they should all quit their day jobs.

KRS-One Fri. Jan. 19, 9pm Agenda Lounge 399 S. First St., San Jose 408.287.3991 Usual Cover

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.

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

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