Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "harlows"

Idle Warship defies genre categorization at Harlow’s

2012-01-18T06:44:08Z

What do you get when you combine hip hop, rock, pop, rap, electronica, indie and R&B? You get Idle Warship, the collaboration of veteran underground Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli and Res (pronounced reese), a lesser known but well-seasoned R&B/pop vocalist hailing from Philadelphia, Penn.

Touring in support of their recently released album, “Habits of the Heart,” Idle Warship paid a visit to Harlow’s Sunday night and won over the audience of 300 plus members with their unique brand of music that defies categorization due to the influence of so many music genres packaged together in their high energy show.

Many members of the audience were unfamiliar with the Idle Warship concept before the show but were willing to give it a chance based on their familiarity with Kweli’s reputation.

“I’ve been trying to see Talib for almost two years now,” stated Tina Webber, who arrived early in order to obtain a table and a good seat.

“I’ve never heard of Idle Warship before, but I’m very interested to hear the new music and listen to their collaboration together,” said Webber.

Supported by musicians Yuki Hirano on keyboards, John Cave on lead guitar, Brady Watt on bass and Daru Jones on drums, Idle Warship took command of the venue and held the audience captive during an intense set that lasted just over an hour. After a brief break they returned to the stage for a three song encore.

Kweli emphasized at the beginning of the show that he and Res were together as Idle Warship, for the benefit of anyone who mistakenly believed they had paid to see a typical underground rap show.

Kweli and Res electrified the crowd with the song, “Enemy,” the lead track from their album and the first song in the evening’s set. The song was followed by Idle Warship songs featuring their own brand of fusion of funk, rock and hip hop which culminated in a version of the song, “Sweet Dreams,” by the Eurythmics that Idle Warship took and made their own.

The original songs performed by Idle Warship featured a combination of intense rap flows from Kweli, strong vocals from Res, and tight musicianship that was heavily laden with rock guitars from the four-piece band.

A few of the songs Idle Warship performed during the evening were from a 14 track mixtape they released in 2009 called “Party Robot.” That initial Idle Warship effort featured previous collaborations dating back nearly 10 years, along with a few new songs.

“We appreciate those of you who supported our solo careers that allowed us to get to where we are today, but the T-shirts and albums we have for sale tonight are all Idle Warship, and that’s what we are here to represent tonight,” stated Kweli at one point, in between tracks that had the crowd alternatively dancing, waving their hands in the air and bobbing their heads along to the beat.

It took until approximately one-third of the way through the evening’s set before the crowd heard the first exclusively rap track of the evening, “Get By,” from Kweli’s 2002 album entitled, “Quality.” The audience let out an enthusiastic cheer and many members were able to recite the words along with Kweli.

Kweli immediately told the crowd when the rap was over that it was just a sideline and was not intended to distract the audience’s attention away from the Idle Warship music that was the focus of the evening’s show.

More Idle Warship music followed, including “Driving Me Insane” and “Steady,” along with some excellent vocals from Res as she reached back into her catalogue of solo work since becoming a professional artist in the early 2000’s.

All the music stopped when Kweli went a cappella to perform his track, “Distractions,” featured on his soon to be released solo album entitled, “Prisoner of Conscious.” Kweli also indicated that a new Blackstar Album (his collaboration with artist Mos Def) would be forthcoming and further stated that Res is expected to release a solo album in the near future.

Kweli mesmerized the audience with his performance of “Distractions,” which features the socially conscious and politically aware commentary that has been a staple of his career.

Afterward, Kweli introduced the song, “Beautifully Bad,” and commented that it was probably his favorite track on the “Habits of the Heart” album. Kweli’s heartfelt opening verse was matched and exceeded by the exceptional vocals of Res, who demonstrated her talent as a singer and performer on the track that had the feel of a classic rock ballad.

As the set was nearing its conclusion, more of the uniquely intense Idle Warship fusion sound was exhibited as each member of the band rocked out and took their turn with a solo exhibition of their individual talent.

The set ended with Res whipping the crowd into a frenzy by leading the way on the track, “Laser Beams.” The track is demonstrative of the Idle Warship sound that defies simple explanation with the combination of high energy dance and rock with a strong influence of hip hop.

The appreciative crowd let it be known, by steadily cheering and chanting for well over five minutes straight, that they would not be satisfied unless Idle Warship came back to perform an encore.

They crowd was not to be disappointed as the band came back and performed three more Idle Warship songs, ending the evening with the dance track, “Metro” from their “Party Robot” album.

Idle Warship was not the only live band featured at Harlow’s during the evening’s show. The opening act, Butterscotch, also put on an hour long set that started just after 9 p.m.

The band is named after the founder and lead singer/musician, a local talent now based in San Francisco. She is a veteran beatbox competitor who has won international acclaim competing against men and women.

Butterscotch made it to the final four in “America’s Got Talent” in 2007 before being voted off the show. Her rising stardom indicates that she is destined to be a force in the music industry for many years to come.

Butterscotch’s sound is heavily influenced by jazz, funk, hip hop and beat box origins where she established her credentials as an entertainer and crowd pleaser.

Butterscotch spent most of the evening playing lead guitar, singing, rapping and demonstrating her skills as a beatbox artist in a variety of amazing ways. The time she invested at the Natomas Charter School's Performing and Fine Arts Academy and at Sacramento State as a music major (classical piano) showed; her skills as a trained musician were evident.

Backed up by Arlyn Anderson on lead and bass guitar, Joe Berry on the saxophone, Dominic Garcia on percussion along with D.J. Destiny, Butterscotch’s set started out with a funky yet jazzy intro until she lead the band into her newly released single, “Perfect Harmony.”

The audience immediately responded warmly to her sultry vocals backed up by some outstanding playing by Anderson on the bass guitar.

Love is the prevailing theme of most of Butterscotch’s original material, as is evidenced by the songs, “The Very Thought of You,” “Hypnotize Me” and “Under the Sun.”

While performing “City Love,” Butterscotch displayed her talents on the keyboards in addition to the mix of singing, beatboxing and lyrical rap flows.

Butterscotch treated the audience to her own unique version of the oft covered George Gershwin jazz standard, “Summertime.” She combined a funk influence with her unique skills at beatboxing to elicit a huge spontaneous response from the audience.

Butterscotch alternated between singing, beatboxing and rapping during her song, “Obsession,” which was performed with a throwback vibration reminiscent of pioneer female rappers from an earlier era of hip hop, combined with overtones of jazz fusion.

To close out her set, Butterscotch was joined on stage by backup vocalists Carwin Brice and Kristin Bosby, along with rapper Random Abiladeze for the track entitled, “Silver Lining.”

Abiladeze’s verbal skills complemented Butterscotch’s rap flows as the band increased and decreased the tempo of the music matching the alternating delivery of lyrics with D.J. Destiny mixing and scratching. The crowd was up and on their feet grooving and screaming enthusiastically on cue during the call and response. The excitement that was generated was a fitting end to the set for the crowd that was eagerly waiting to hear Idle Warship.

"I loved the energy of the crowd and I am very thankful of the support I received," stated Butterscotch after the show.

Ben Lui attended the show with friend Nick DeMelo and was impressed with Butterscotch’s performance.

“I didn’t know what to expect based on Butterscotch’s look when she took the stage but the music turned me into a fan,” stated Lui during the break between the two sets.

After the show there was universal agreement that the “Idle Warship experience,” as Kweli referred to it several times on stage during the show, was well worth the price of admission.

Mazi Noble and Lauren Wilson came from Chico to attend the show at Harlow’s.

“I’m a huge fan of Talib Kweli,” stated Noble after the event.

“It was without a doubt worth the effort to make the drive from Chico to see the show,” said Wilson.

In keeping with their promise onstage to get to know everybody in the audience, Kweli and Res came out from backstage after the show and signed autographs on the Idle Warship t-shirts and cd’s offered for sale.

“This was one of the best crowds because they kept the energy up,” stated Res after the audience cleared the venue.

“I hope that Sacramento continues to support us by buying our music so that we will be able to return,” said Res.

When asked what he would like to tell the people of Sacramento, Kweli paused thoughtfully, then smiled and simply said, “Thank you.”

Emotion in music

2012-01-10T02:11:26Z

Ricky Berger pours out her heart and soul through her music at Harlow's on November 25, 2011.

12 for '12: Sacramento concerts on tap for the new year

2011-12-30T01:38:10Z

Around this time last year, I came at you with the top ten concerts of 2010 – and oh boy, were there some gems on that list.

2011 was also a fine year for concerts here in Sactown (Davis Music Festival, Dawes, Trampled By Turtles, the Silent Comedy, Blind Pilot, etc.), but right about now, I feel like I might go all Ndamokung Suh on the next “2011 Year in Review” list I happen across. Seriously, at this point we could probably put together a Ten Worst Ten Worst Lists List.

So, here’s a better idea: Let’s look ahead to some 2012 concerts on the books that you can’t afford to miss. Because guess what, our calendar is loaded heading into the New Year.

(Yes, a ton of these shows are at Harlow’s, but it’s still the best venue in town)

And yes, the world is supposed to end on December 21, but this list only gets you through about March, so at least you’ll be able to see all of these shows before the music stops permanently (?).

Concrete Blonde – January 20 at Ace of Spades - Yep, still playing! With X touring with their original lineup as well, call it a mid-‘80s punk rock renaissance! If it will keep the Good Charlottes of the world in hibernation, we’re all for it!

The Wood Brothers – January 31 at Harlow’s - Fans of Davis’ The Devil Makes Three would be highly interested, as would fans of Yonder Mountain String Band. And The Band. And the White Stripes.

Wilco – February 1 at Mondavi Center - Finding the common ground between their avant garde freakouts and beautifully alluring alt rock sensibilities is Wilco’s 2011 gem “The Whole Love.” Jeff Tweedy is the kind of guy who can make the gutter and some needle tracks seem oddly appealing. There has always been a deliberate, twisted and enigmatically narcotic haze hanging over this Chicago outfit’s tunes, and indeed over their entire persona. Abrasively raw one minute and autumn-meadow lovely the next, Wilco is perhaps the greatest think-piece of this generation – and a stop in Davis is equally puzzling, but no less welcome.

MuteMath – February 8 at Ace of Spades - They haven’t nailed it as big as the similarly themed Muse yet…we’re just not quite sure why.

Diego’s Umbrella – February 9 at Harlow’s - They have a song to which the only lyric is “moustache.” If you need me to say more, I’m not going to…except that this Bay Area gypsy Pirate polka funk outfit is a crotch punch of a good time.

G. Love & Special Sauce – February 23 at Harlow’s - For those keeping score at home, that’s three shows in three years at Harlow’s for the hip hop bluesman who hails from Philly, and can rock the rhymes as well as he smooches the harmonica. I think we can officially call this a standard stop for G., who recently stretched his wings by penning a front porch piece of country blues treasure in “Fixin’ to Die,” produced by the Avett Brothers.

Blitzen Trapper – March 5 at Harlow’s - When these guys announced a co-headlining tour with 2011 Americana band d’jour Dawes, it looked liked the t-shirts were already printed up with a Harlow’s date on them. Sadly, that date never happened. Most of the attention last year fell to Dawes, but BT’s new album “American Goldwing” is, well, gold! It’s dirt floor bar country meets electro indie lounge rock, served up hot and grungy and just a tiny bit weird.

311 – March 7 at Ace of Spades - Say what you will about 311 (I’d actually like to say a few things about Nick Hexum that are not fit to print), but they have a now almost ridiculous amount of longevity for a rap/rock/reggae/funk combo. Listen to Fishbone and you’ll understand where 311 came from, but that doesn’t explain how they lasted past the Sublime heyday, the rap rock craze and all the other fads past to stick around this long. Come original? I guess so. Either way, catching them at Ace of Spades ought to be a pretty cozy treat.

Playing for Change Band – March 11 at Three Stages in Folsom - It began as a simple concept: Street musicians all over the world were recorded playing and or singing the same song (“Stand by Me,” “One Love,” “Gimme Shelter,” etc.) in their own style, but at different times, with the results mixed together into a global cornucopia of sonic bliss. Next step in the progression: Stage show!

Umphrey’s McGee – March 18 at Harlow’s - They’ve been tagged as “the next Phish” since about 2004, and in that time have zigzagged the country several times over, but this will be their first ever stop in Sacramento. Simply put, it is hard to find six more talented musicians playing together anywhere in the world. Running the gamut from Pearl Jam to King Crimson to Yes, their 15 minute jams are incendiary, but are wrapped in a songwriting sensibility that belies many of their contemporaries. If there is a truly “can’t miss show” on this list, it is this one. Your brain won’t soon recover. Nor will your hips.

The Bad Plus – April 18-21 at Mondavi Center - A power trio playing jazz, or a jazz trio trying to dip into rock and roll. Who knows, who cares…

Sacramento Music Festival – Labor Day Weekend - Much has been made about the rebranding of the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee/Jazz Festival, in the attempt to help it regain its former glory and make it a more generationally accessible event. Will it work? Who knows, but it should be fun to see the “first ever” installment of the “new” event. So far, it looks like the usual suspects, but we’ll see…

Ringing in the New Year

2011-12-29T16:36:36Z

Looking to celebrate the New Year in style? The Sacramento Press has compiled a list of New Year's Eve events that will start 2012 off with a bang.

Sacramento New Year’s Eve Dinner Gala
Hornblower Yacht
1206 Front Street
Boarding at 6:45 p.m. Cruise is from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
$128 per person. Discounts are available for seniors and children

Get a private viewing of the fireworks on the river aboard the Hornblower Yacht. Hornblower Cruises and Events offers a three-hour cruise that includes a four-course seated dinner, a cocktail bar that includes dinner liqueurs and house champagne. There will be a DJ on board for guests who have their dancing shoes on.

For more information, visit the website or call 446-1185.

Sacramento New Year’s Eve Midnight Cruise
Hornblower Yacht
1206 Front Street
Boarding at 10:45 p.m. Cruise is from 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
$90 per person. Discounts are available for seniors and children

For those looking to ring in the New Year on the river; there is a later two-hour cruise, which also offers a private viewing of the fireworks. Hors d’oeuvres such as a local artisan cheese display and mini crab cakes with spicy remoulade will be served. There will also be free-flowing house champagne and a DJ on board for dancing into the New Year.

For more information, visit the website or call 446-1185.

Sacramento New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular
Corner of J and Front streets
6 pm - 12:30 am
Free

Sacramento 365 and the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau have come together to sponsor the 12th annual Spy Spectacular. Families are encouraged to visit the tent under Waterfront Park for kid-friendly entertainment from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Radio Disney Rockin' Road Crew and SING Inc., Pop Academy will be playing kid-friendly jams.

There is a break at 9:00 for the first fireworks display, which will be set to children’s music. Then, Too Smooth will be playing R&B and Motown hits through the final fireworks display at 12 a.m. Street entertainment will be provided by Robo Party Band and Live Band Karaoke with Kiss N Tell. from 6 p.m. - 11:55 p.m.

Prepaid parking is available in Old Sacramento, and there are hotel packages available.

For more information, visit the website or call 808-7777.

The Roaring '20’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
Crescent Club Speakeasy
1150 Firehouse Alley
9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
$50 online/ $65 at door
21+

The Crescent Club, an underground Prohibition era Speakeasy, is located in Governor Newton Booth’s Historic Mansion, built in 1848. The event is based on the ‘20’s. and guests are urged to dress in gangster and flapper attire and there will be awards for the best costumes.

Guests who are feeling can play poker with an Al Capone look-alike or spin the roulette wheel. Live jazz music will be played by the Crescent Katz and there will be complimentary champagne and appetizers at 12 a.m. Special pricing will be offered on the Prohibition and Boardwalk Empire cocktail menus. Complimentary valet is available.

For more information, visit the website or call 498-9098.

New Year’s Eve and Day 5k and 10k Walks
Pioneer House
415 P St.
Day: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. / Eve: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
$3

The Sacramento Walking Sticks organization is walking straight into the New Year with day and evening walks. The walks go through the city streets and by historic landmarks. Participants are urged to bring flashlights for the night walk.

The Sacramento Walking Sticks membership is not mandatory and neither is the $3 fee. However, all participants must sign an Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability at the beginning of the event and parents or guardians must sign for minors. A start card will be given to participants at registration and they must have it validated at control points and then turn it back in upon completion.

For more information, visit the website or call 961-0937.

Suspects New Year’s Eve
Suspects Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
1000 Front St.
$70/ $99 for Delta King Party Package

Guests are welcomed to dine on New York steak and Scampi style prawns, pan roasted half-chicken, salmon or seared polenta and grilled vegetables while they enjoy a murder/mystery dinner show and then are invited to stay around for the midnight fireworks display in Old Sacramento.

For those who purchase the Delta King Party Package, they can test their luck with Black Jack, Roulette and Craps for prizes or can boogie down on the dance floor to live music. Then it’s time to toast to the New Year with champagne and party favors.

“For more information, visit the website or call 443-3600.

Fox and Goose Public House
1001 R St.
9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
$10
Ages 21+

Fox and Goose Public House is partying with DJ Larry Rodriguez for New Year’s Eve. The live show starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $10 each. While there will not be any drink specials, guests are welcomed to a complimentary glass of champagne.

Bartender Michael Henning said that Fox and Goose has always had a New Year’s Eve celebration since they opened in 1975 and this will be the third consecutive year with DJ Larry Rodriguez.

“Last year was good,” Henning said. “It was busy.”

As for this year, Henning said he is ready to have a good time again.

“I’m looking forward to a fresh start to the new year,” Henning said.

For more information, visit the website or call 443-8825

New Year’s Eve with Utz! and the Shuttlecocks
Harlow’s Restaurant and Nightclub
2708 J St.
10:00 p.m.
$45
Ages 21+

Utz and the Shuttlecocks, a local self-described drunken cover band that has been playing for five years, will be celebrating its last live show on the last day of 2011. Utz will be playing eight new songs but promises to bring the same dance moves and white pants, and an extra fog machine.

For more information, visit the website or call 441-4693.

End of the World Party
Luigi’s Slice and Fungarden
1050 20th St.
8:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
$5
All ages

Luigi’s is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with local bands Lite Brite, Musical Charis, Mondo Deco and The Trees. The bands will be playing in the Fungarden, and pizza slices will be served next door.

For more information, visit the website or call 447-1255.

Black and White Purrball
Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary
6001 Folsom Blvd.
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Free

Happy Tails is holding a Black and White Purrball, where the adoption fees for black and black-and-white cats over 1 year old are waived with a cat food donation.

Happy Tails told The Sacramento Press that these cats are often overlooked, so this gives them special attention. Black and black-and-white cats under a year old can be adopted for $25 at this event.

All felines are tested, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped. Cats over 1 year old can be adopted at their adoption center at 6001 Folsom Blvd. from noon - 6 p.m., and kitten adoptions are held at PetSmart at 1738 Watt Ave. from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more information, visit the website or call 556-1155.

Bows with Booty Jams
Bows and Arrows
1815 19th Street
8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Free

Bows and Arrows, which opened its new location on June 4 of this year, will be blasting jams from the Oh Dang! crew for their New Year’s Eve party. There will be drink specials at the Beer and Wine bar throughout the night.

For more information, visit the website or call 822-5668.

Editorial Note: This article was updated after it was published.

Al Stewart presents pre-Christmas treat to fans at Harlow's

2011-12-27T09:03:36Z

Photographs by Barry Wisdom

There's a wee bit more gray in the thinning hair of Scottish singer-songwriter Al Stewart, but the 66-year-old performer best known for such hits as "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages" presented a note-perfect pre-holiday show to a packed crowd at Sacramento's Harlow's Dec. 18.

His wry sense of humor was on full display – as was his guitar virtuosity – as he shared the stage with fellow guitarist David Nachmanoff.

The long hair from the mid- to late-'70s may be gone, but his voice and nimble fingers seemed to have been frozen in time.

Here are some shots from the Dec. 18 show – frozen in time.

Christmas celebrations, Sacramento-style

2011-12-22T00:43:49Z

As always, Sacramento steps up to the plate with holiday events of all sorts. At Sacramento365.com, we see a lot of events come through the site every day. Though there are myriad options in our Holiday Event section, we've narrowed down the list to 10 to get help you pick your Christmas Eve & Christmas Day festivities.

Christmas Eve Events:
Sure, the night before Christmas should be spent snuggled in bed waiting for Santa Claus, but why not get out and about during the day. Here are some options to keep you entertained around town:

1. Free Admission at Fairytale Town & Sacramento Zoo:
FTT 10am-2pm; Zoo 10am-1:30pm
Treat the kiddies to a day out while both Fairytale Town & the Sacramento Zoo offer free admission to all guests. The Zoo encourages participating in their pajama party, so you needn’t even change

2. Downtown Holiday Ice Rink:
St. Rose of Lima Park, 10am-6pm
Located outdoors near Westfield Downtown Plaza, the Downtown Holiday Ice Rink is the perfect holiday experience for the young and young at heart.

3. It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play:
Capital Stage, 11am
Inspired by the classic American film of the same title, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience.

4. Holiday Film Screenings: It’s a Wonderful Life:
Crest Theatre, 1:30pm, 4:30pm, & 7:30pm
If you can’t make it to Cap Stage’s live performance (see above), you can still catch the original film rendition live on the big screen at the historic Crest Theatre.

5. Theatre of Lights:
Old Sacramento, 6pm & 7:30pm
A symphony of lights, sounds, and visual effects will take the audience back to a time when the beloved poem "The Night Before Christmas" was first introduced in Sacramento in 1857.

Christmas Day Events:
Looking to entertain friends & family in town after your regular traditions are over? Or just looking to get out of the house after so much family time? Sacramento doesn’t disappoint. Here are a few options for

1. Christmas Brunch:
Hyatt Regency, 10am-3pm
Enjoy this holiday season with all of the trimmings. Join for a bountiful buffet brunch featuring breakfast items and traditional holiday favorites.

2. Christmas Day Supper Cruise:
Empress Hornblower, 3:30pm-6:30pm
Join Hornblower for Christmas Day with your family and celebrate the season with a delicious meal, relax and enjoy the holiday. The Cruise includes traditional holiday dishes, festive music, and beautiful views of the Sacramento River.

3. Bah Humbug!:
MiX Downtown, 8:30pm-2am
Get out from under your tree and continue the holiday partying at this special Sunday Circus night. Spend the evening with your "other" family at Mix Downtown!

4. Christmas with Arden Park Roots:
Harlow’s, 9pm
Join reggae/rock/punk band Arden Park Roots for a festive Christmas show.

5. Asylum:
Barcode Nightclub, 9pm-1:30am
Featuring resident DJ Bryan Hawk, Asylum is a night of the best cutting edge goth, industrial, nu-darkwave, EBM dance music.

Find more detail on these events along with many more at Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Disclosure: Rachael Lankford is the Managing Calendar Editor for Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-12-09T18:44:29Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00.

Friday, December 9th - Friday, December 23rd: Sacramento Bellet presents The Nutcracker at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $15.00 - $69.00

Friday, December 9th: Cage The Elephant at Ace of Spades is Sold Out!

Friday, December 9th - Sunday, December 11th: Capital Christian Center presents The Singing Christmas Tree on 9470 Micron Avenue Sacramento. Shows begin at various times. Tickets are $5.00 - $25.00. Thesiningchristmastree.org.

Friday, December 9th: Air Supply at Thunder Valley Resort. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $49.00 - $75.00.

Saturday, Decmber 10th: KNCI Country Christmas with Montgomery Gentry - Craig Campbell - Danny Gokey & Attwat at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $15.00 - $35.00.

Saturday, December 10th - Sunday, December 11th: Sacramento Chorale Society presents Home for The Holidays at Mondavi Center Jackson Hall (SAT 8PM - SUN 2PM) Tickets are $35.00 - $55.00.

Sunday, December 11th - Wednesday, December 21st: Sacramento Master Singers present Glory To The Newborn King at St Francis Church 1066 26th Street. Performances at various times. Tickets are $20.00.

Thursday, December 15th: Jingle Bell Rock with Eddie Money - Lou Gramm - Mickey Thomas at Thunder Valley Resort. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $49.00 - $75.00.

Thursday, December 15th: Mannheim Steamroller at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $30.00 - $75.00.

Special Note: Tesla's Twisted Wires Acoustic Show at Ace of Spades was re-scheduled (from 12/2 & 12/3) to Friday, January 27th & Saturday, January 28th. Tickets are $30.00.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, December 9th

Pat Wilder at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Big Iron at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Pushtonawanda - Be Brave Bold Robot at Marilyn's 9PM/$8

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter - The Soft White Sixties - Damon Wycoff at Blue Lamp 9PM

Crossing The River - In The Know at Lunas 9PM/$6

Jet Black Popes - Wannabe Barnabe at Old Ironsides 9PM

Kepi Ghoulie - Pets - Honyock at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Gabe Xavier Halowwen Party at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM/$15

Roger Carpio & John Drole at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Flirt Fridays with DJ Alazzawi at District 30 9 p.m.

Deadlands - Dedvolt - Art of Chaos - Underground Addicts at Shenanigans 9PM

Smile Empty Soul - Prylosis - FallRise - EgoStall - Misamore - Zen Arcadia at The Boardwalk 7PM

Orgone with Zuhg at Harlows 10PM/$12

Dean-O-Holics Holiday Show Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$6

Audio Dub at Power House Pub 9PM/$10

Saturday, December 10th

Chris 2Me at Marilyns 9PM/$5

New Wave Dance Party at Old Ironsides 9PM

Anthony Cavzos - Alicia Gonzales at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Fair Struggle - California Medication - Adonis DNA - Wings of Innocence at Shennaigans 8PM/$10

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors & Prohibition Costume Party at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Chris Cain at The Torch Club 9PM

Exhale - Thomas & Plecker - Chelsea Hughes at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Charlie Hunter with Bhi Bhiman 7:30PM/$20 Conscious Vibes B-Day Bash with Urban Punk 10PM/$15 at Harlows

DJ Foley at District 30 9PM

Pierced Arrows - Charles Albright - G Green at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM

Tommy Castro at Power House Pub 10PM/$15

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

The Generals - The Royal - Der Spazm at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, December 11th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam 5PM at Torch Club 9PM

Supersuckers - Three Bad Jacks - Avenue Saints at Ace of Spades 6:30PM/$17

Powerhouse of Blues with Max Cabello at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Sin Sunday at Blue Lamp 9PM

Mansions on the Moon at Harlows 8PM/$12

Sunday Night Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Disclosure: I have been covering the local music scene in the Sacramento area for over ten years, and just want people to know what's happening where they live. There is a lot to choose from and a wide variety of local talented musicians. So Get Out & Enjoy!!

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-12-02T19:26:01Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00.

Friday, December 2nd: An Irish Christmas at Three Stahes Folsom Lake. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $75.00-$100.00

Friday, Decmber 2nd - Saturday, December 3rd: Tesla's Twisted Wires Acoustic Tour at Ace of Spades. Doors open at 7PM. Tickets are $30.00.

Friday, December 2nd - Sunday, December 4th: River City Chorale presents Chistmas Concerts at three locations this weekend. FRI & SAT at 7:30PM & SUN 4PM. More info at Rivercitychorale.org.

Friday, December 2nd - Sunday, December 11th: Capital Christian Center presents The Singing Christmas Tree on 9470 Micron Avenue Sacramento. Shows begin at various times. Tickets are $5.00 - $25.00. Thesingingchristmastree.org.

Sunday, December 4th: Camellia Symphony Messiah Sing Along at St Johns Lutheran Church 1701 L Street in Sacramento. Event begins at 5PM. Tickets are $10.00.

Sunday, December 4th: Sacramento Youth Symphony presents Winterfest Concert for Families at Tsakopoulos Library Galleria 828 I Sreet Sacramento at 1PM/Free.

Sunday, December 4th: The California International Marathon take place in downtown Sacramento with a variety of musical performances that include Crazy Ballhead on the steps of the State Capitol. Events begin at 8:30AM.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, December 2nd

Mick Martin & Blues Rockers at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Whiyewash Station - Mandolin Avenue at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Fishnet Fridays with Sizzling Sirens and DJ Larry Rodriquez at Marilyn's 9 p.m.

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Vital Perception - Legions Requiem at Blue Lamp 9PM

MRQ Band - Hot Club de Carmichael at Lunas 9PM/$6

Smirker - The Guverment - South Lot at Old Ironsides 9PM

Stoneberry - Mededora - Andrew Harrison at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Gabe Xavier Halowwen Party at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM/$15

Roger Carpio & John Drole at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Flirt Fridays at District 30 9 p.m.

West Coast Villians at Shenanigans 9PM

Analog Jazz Christmas Show 7PM/$15 & Method Echo 10PM/$10 at Harlows

Stalking Distance at Distillery 10PM

Sherman Baker at Luigis Fungarden 8PM/$6

Red Elvises - Spazmatics at Power House Pub 9PM/$15

Saturday, December 3rd:

The Bell Boys - South Lot at Marilyns 9PM

Lipstick Weekender Dance Party at Old Ironsides 9PM

SouthTerrain at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors & Prohibition Costume Party at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Red Meat - Colonel Jimmy & Blackfish at Distillery 10PM

MoFo Party Band at The Torch Club 9PM

Isaac Howl - Out of Place at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Midnight Players at Harlows 9:30PM/$12

DJ Slick D at District 30 9PM

Best Christmas Ever Band at Luigis Fungarden 8PM

Young Dubliners - Black Eyed Dempsies at Power House Pub 10PM/$15

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

N-Men - Bleedin hearts at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, December 4th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam 5PM at Torch Club 9PM

Powerhouse of Blues with Tom Rigney at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

The Session at Blue Lamp 9PM

Sunday Night Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-11-19T01:52:28Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00.

Saturday, November 19th: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Power Balance Pavilion. Two Shows at 3PM and 8PM. Tickets are $39.00 - $59.00.

Saturday, November 19th - Sunday, November 20th: Sacramento Oepra presents Paglassi with guest The Sacramento Philharmonic at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $28.00 - $100.00.

Through November 19th: Three Stages Folsom presents Monty Pythons Spamalot. Tickets are $45.00 - $79.00.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, November 18th

Shane Dwight at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Adrian Bourgeois - Gillian Underwood - Allyson Seconds at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

West Of Next - Rich Driver -Jay Shane at Marilyn's 9 p.m.

CrookOne TGIF Halloween Pary at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Tears N’ Boners - Rubbish at Blue Lamp 9PM

Jack & White - Reggie Ginn at Lunas 9PM/$6

End of Days - A Single Second - Sans Sobriety at Old Ironsides 9PM

Mandolin Avenue - Sandra Delores - Dogtown Serenaders at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Gabe Xavier Halowwen Party at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM/$15

Roger Carpio & John Drole at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Flirt Fridays at District 30 9 p.m.

Incision - Color the Sound - UVR at Shenanigans 9PM

Fade, Haze - Ill Effect - Tis Dale - Cali Blue at The Boardwalk 7PM

Years of Aggression - Silent Sinner - Seeker - Hemorage at Distillery 10PM

La Bamba, Death Songs, Armando Rivera at Luigis Fungarden 8PM/$6

Years of Aggression - Silent Sinner - Seeker - Hemorage at The Distillery 9PM

Take Pride - Bulltrue - Rise Of Serapis - Heart Of A Warrior - We’re Not Friends Anymore - Behold the Device at Ace of Spades 7PM

Inspector 71 at Power House Pub 9PM/$15

Saturday, November 19th

Brokedown In Bakersfield - The Golden Cadillacs at Marilyns 9PM

March into Paris - The Resurrection Man - The Memorials at Old Ironsides 9PM

Kevin Seconds & Freinds at Fox & Goose 9PM

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Blackeyed Dempsies at Distillery 10PM

Daniel Castro at The Torch Club 9PM

Big Iron - Quinn Hedges at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

DJ Chris Harnett at District 30 9PM

The Walking Dead - Avenue Saints - Bent Left - Okami - Mad Judy at Luigis Fungarden 8PM

Caravanserai at Power House Pub 10PM/$15

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Billy Blackburn at Harlows 10PM/$12

Groovin High - Nagual at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

The Battle of Midway - Fair Struggle - The Sky Command at Ace of Spades 7PM

Sunday, November 20th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam 5PM & Candye Cane at Torch Club 9PM

Powerhouse of Blues with Lidia Pense at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

The Session at Blue Lamp 9PM

Sunday Night Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-11-11T18:42:28Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00.

Friday, November 11th: Hot 8 Brass Band at Mondavi Center, UC Davis. Concert ay 8PM. Tickets are $37.00.

Sunday, November 13th: BB King at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $39.00 - $99.00.

Sunday, November 13th: Peter Noone at Thunder Valley Casino. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $20.00 - $30.00.

Sunday, November 13th: Sacramento Youth Symphony Fall Concert at Rosemont High Scool 9594 Kiefer BLVD Sacramento. Concert at 3PM. Tcikets are $15.00 - $20.00.

Tuesday, November 15th: An Evening with Vikki Lewis at Cosmopolitan Cabaret. Show at 7:30PM. Tickets are $50.00 - $75.00.

Tuesday, November 15th: Lucinda Williams & Buick 6 at The Crest Theatre. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $34.00 - $49.00.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, November 11th

Corrine West & Kelly Joe Phelps 7PM/$15 Led Zeppelin 2 10PM/$12 at Harlows

Final Final Band at Torch Club 9PM/$8

Adrian Bourgeois - Gillian Underwood - Allyson Seconds at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Relic 45 & Howlin Woods at Marilyn's 9 p.m.

CrookOne TGIF Halloween Pary at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

East of Sweden - Genius and the Thieves at Blue Lamp 9PM

Kim Angelis and Josef - Julie the Bruce at Lunas 9PM/$6

The Two Man Gentlemen Band -The FreeBadge Serenaders at Old Ironsides 9PM

The Common Men - Terra Ferno - Diciembre Gris - Der Spazm at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Gabe Xavier Halowwen Party at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM/$15

Roger Carpio & John Drole at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

DK Cokez at District 30 9 p.m.

Walking Tall - Patrick Walsh at Shenanigans 9PM

Zack Wheeler - Jack Darwin - California Child - Akhethar - Some Seek Forgiveness at The Boardwalk 7PM

Pinkkloud - Get Shot!- The Crunchees - Capital Bastard at Distillery 10PM

Dreamdate - Greg Ashley - Moore Bros. - San Kazakgascar at Luigis Fungarden 8PM/$6

Winds of Plague - Chelsea Grin - As Blood Runs Black - For The Fallen Dreams - Upon A Burning Body - In The Midst Of Lionsat at Ace of Spades 7PM

Foreverland at Power House Pub 9PM/$20

Saturday, November 12th:

Ten Mile Tide at Marilyns 9PM

Fascination 80's New Wave Dance Party at Old Ironsides 9PM

Ricky and Del Connection - Crash Thimblesat Fox & Goose 9PM

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Crazy Ballhead - Zoo Human Project - Blaqueliste at Distillery 10PM

Sista Monica at The Torch Club 9PM

Briertone - Picture Atlantic - Cold Eskimo at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

DJ Chris Harnett at District 30 9PM

Decades at Power House Pub 10PM/$20

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Steelin Dan at 7PM/$15 Zuhg at 10:30PM/$10 at Harlows

Mahtie Bush at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Black Veil Brides - Falling In Reverse - Aiden - Drive Aat Ace of Spades 7PM

Sunday, November 13th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam 5PM & Bone MacDonald at Torch Club 9PM

Powerhouse of Blues with Lidia Pense at Power House Pub 3PM

Rich Robinson of Black Crowes at Harlows 8:30PM/$15

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Songwriter's Showcase at Blue Lamp 6PM

Bless the Fall - The Word Alive - Motionless In White - Chunk! No at Ace pf Spades 6:30PM

Sunday Night Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-10-28T18:35:43Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Have a Happy Halloween!!

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Show at 7:30 PM.. Tickets are $32.00 - $48.00.

Friday, October 28th: Sacramento Ballet presents Dracula at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $17.00 - $68.00.

Friday, October 28th: Midnight Star - A Taste of Honey at Thunder Valley Casino. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $20.00 - $30.00.

Saturday, October 29th: Exotic Halloween Ball at Cal Expo. Doors open at 8:30PM. Tickets are $24.00 & $100.00 VIP. More info at http://now100fm.radio.com/2011/09/30/2011-exotic-halloween-ball/

Saturday, October 29th: Nightmare on R Street (15th & R Downtown) Halloween Block Party at Shady Lady, Burgers & Brew, Ace of Spades, R-15.

Saturday, October 29th: Sinners & Saints Halloween Party at Thunder Valley Casino. Doors Open at 9PM. Tickets are $19.00.

Tuesday, November 1st: Foo Fighters - Cage The Elephant at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $27.00 - $59.00.

Tuesday, November 1st: Method Man at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $32.95.

Wednesday, Novmeber 2nd: Mastodon at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $32.95.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, October 28th

Wake The Dead Halloween Bash at Harlows 10PM/$12

The Coalition Halloween Party at Torch Club 9PM/$8

TSLOS - Nice Monster - Musical Charis at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Zach Deputy - Quin Hedges at Marilyn's 9 p.m.

CrookOne TGIF Halloween Pary at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

City of Vain - Riot Radio - Setting Sons - Bastards of Young at Blue Lamp 9PM

Afternoon Teacup Collection at Lunas 9PM/$6

French Cassettes - The Isaac Howl - Black Holes at Old Ironsides 9PM

Blame the Bishop - Glowbox Lemonade at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Gabe Xavier Halloween Party at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM/$15

Roger Carpio & John Drole at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Costume Lingerie and Masquerade Ball with DJ A-1 & Benji Lugo at District 30 9 p.m.

Halloween Show with Misamore - Fallrise - Sixes and Sevens - Hot Pot Studios Fusion Bellydance at Shenanigans 9PM

Throwdown - Havenside - Carnifex - Suffokate - First Blood - Chernobog -And Came Back Brutal at The Boardwalk 7PM

Get Shot! - The Number 13 - The Left Hand - The Crunchees - Stalking Distance at Distillery 10PM

Rocky Horror Picture Show with Live Music at at Luigis Fungarden 8PM/$6

Matt Nathanson - Scars On 45 at Ace of Spades 7PM

Playboy School - Full Melt - Estaban Villa at Beatnik Studios 8PM

Tainted Love All Halloween Eve Weekend Party at Power House Pub 9PM/$20

Saturday, October 29th

Children of the Grave - Smirker at Marilyns 9PM

Isaac Bear - Face 4 Radio - Puzzeltree at Old Ironsides 9PM

Todd Clouser’s A Love Electric - Ross Hammond Trio at Fox & Goose 9PM

Wonderland & Haunted Rooftop Halloween Party at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V Halloween Party at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

4th Annual Halloween Bash at Stoney Inn 9PM

South Lot & Halloween Party at Distillery 10PM

Halloween Howler with KB & the Slingtones - The Revtones - The Vintage Vandals at The Torch Club 9PM

Not For Profit - Pushtonawanda - Honyock at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Arden Park Roots - Dogfood at Shenanigans 9PM

The Pirate Ball at District 30 9PM

Spazmatics Halloween Eve Weekend at Power House Pub 10PM/$20

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Warp 11 Halloween Party at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Alesana - A Skylit Drive - Sleepting with Sirens - Attila at Ace of Spades 7PM

Sunday, October 30th

Jason Webley - Fierce Creatures - Musical Charis - Julie the Bruce at Beatnik Studios 7PM

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam 5PM & The Nibblers Halloween Party at Torch Club 9PM

Powerhouse of Blues at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Kathryn Calder - Anomie Belle at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sunday Night Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Dead Rock Stars Halloween Show with I Scream On Sundae - Diciembre Gris - Ricky Berger - Sureshot - Denver Piledrivers - Crazy Ballhead - Be Brave Bold Robot - Virtue Vices - Blame The Bishop at Old Ironsides 8PM/$7

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-10-21T17:31:51Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $32.00$48.00.

Friday, October 21st: English Beat - The Snobs - Avenue Saints - La Noche Oskura at Ace of Spades. Show at 6:30PM. Tickets are $21.95.

Saturday, october 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 28th: Sacramento Ballet presents Dracula at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $17.00 - $68.00.

Sunday, October 23rd: Lord of the Rings Concert at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 6PM. Tickets are $43.00 - $87.00.

Sunday, October 23rd: Chris Brown - T-Pain - TYGA at Sleeptrain Amphitehatre. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $29.00 - $90.00.

Monday, October 24th: Tech N9ne - Krizz Kaliko - Kutt Calhoun - Jay Rock - Flawless - Americaz Mozt Haunted at Ace of Spdes. Doors Open at 6PM. Tickets are $39.95.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, October 21st

Rubinos at 7PM/$18 & Wonderbread 5 at Harlows 10PM/$12

Delta Wires at Torch Club 9PM/$8

Cold Eskimo - Picture Atlantic - Spirit of St Louis at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Adrian Bourgeois - Christopher Fairman - Smirker at Marilyn's 9 p.m.

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Brown Shoe - Out Of Place - Buttercream Gang at Blue Lamp 9PM

Stoneberry - Family Bandits - Heartroot at Lunas 9PM/$6

Sicfus - Isaac Bear - Corduroy at Old Ironsides 9PM

Gerald Please - Brian Rogers - Bryan Nichols at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Gabe Xavier Park Ultra Lounge 9PM/$15

3rd Friday Reggae with Urbanfire - DJ Wokstar - The Storytellers at Swabbies on the River 6 p.m.

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Rock & Rhyme Live - Zoe Galgiani at District 30 9PM

Afroman - Human Temperament - Good People - Cal Fig - Block Mob - Bonus Traxx - Kevi Kev at The Boardwalk 8PM

Steel Breeze at Power House Pub 10PM/$12

The Bloodtypes - Totally Greenday - Union Hearts - Strange Party at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$6

Saturday, October 22nd

The Ricky James Project - Iconoclast Robots - Zebulon at Marilyns 9PM

Bucho! - In the Know - Crossing the River at Old Ironsides 9PM

The Bell Boys - The Paper Dolls - Gillian Underwood at Fox & Goose 9PM

Zed's Dead - Boggan - Crescendo at Ace of Spades 8PM

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Arts & Leisure - Nacho Business - Dreamdate at Lugis Fungarden 8PM

Chronaexus - Ninth Moon Black - Descendent - Cura Cochino at Distillery 10PM

Midtown Creepers at The Torch Club 9PM

The Crash - Thimbles - Greenhouse/Angela Daviesat at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Mark Gilmore Benefit with Restrayned - Larisa Bryski - Turning Point - Self Centered - First Class Citizen - Andrus-Shively at Shenanigans/7PM

Kingdom Of Giants - June Breaks Bright - Social Syn - Early on the Morrow - The Will The Way - Maleya at The Boardwalk 7PM

DJ Nate D at District 30 9PM

Superlicious at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Petty Theft Tom Petty Tribute & Cherry Bomb John Mellencamp Tribute at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, October 23rd

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Johnny Guitar Knox at Torch Club 9PM

Powerhouse of Blues at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

The Soft Bombs - The Dramantics - Leilujh at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sunday Night Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Impending Doom - Revocation - Nightmare in the Twilight - Awaiting the Apocalypse - Before You Fall at The Boardwalk 6:30PM

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-10-14T14:24:10Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Running through January 2012: Bingo The Winning Musical at Cosmopolitan Cabaret at 10th & K street in Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $32.00- $48.00.

Friday, October 14th: Journey with Foreigner & Night Ranger at Sleeptrain Amphitehatre. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $30.00 - $280.00.

Saturday, october 15th & Sunday, October 16th: Sacramento Philharmonic presents Rachmaninoff featuring pianist Olga Kern. SAT at Sacramento Communit Center Theatre at 8PM. SUN at Three Stages Folsom at 2PM. Tickets are $20.00 - $60.00.

Saturday, October 15th: Midtown Vampire Pub Crawl featuring dancers from the Scaramento Ballet beginsa with Happy Hour and continues to sevral locations in Midtown. Info at www.sacballet.org.

Monday, October 17th: Brian Mckenna's B-Day Show with Adrian Belew Power Trio & Stickman - King Crimson - at Harlows. Show at 7:30PM. Tickets are $25.00 - $48.00.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, October 14th

Musical Charis - Feva in the Funkhouse at Harlows 10PM/$7

Rudy Parris at Torch Club 9PM/$8

Gene Smith - Greenhouse - Lucky Laskowsk at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Flirt Fridays at District 30 9PM

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Robert Wynia from Floater at Marilyns 9:30PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Banner Mountain Boys at Lunas 9PM/$6

Desario - Jem & Scout - 50 Watt Heavy at Old Ironsides 9PM

Zodiac Death Valley -Ritual Waste - Tepid Joy at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Gabe Xavier Park Ultra Lounge 9PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Mr. Rogers - The Well Known Nobody’s - Groovin’ High at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

G.A.B. - Brand Smiff - Jesse James - Kaleigh Boi - Vicious - Von Vatton at The Boardwalk 8PM

Wonderbread 5 at Power House Pub 10PM/$12

Happy Medium - Goodness Gracious Me at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$6

Saturday, October 15th

Halloween Party w/ The Hits at Marilyns 9:30PM/$10

Exhale The Vile - A Thousand Shall Fall at Old Ironsides 9PM

Little Black Bats and friends at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

The Nickel Slots - Bright Faces - Whiskey & Stitches at Distillery 10PM

Terry Hanck at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

The Speed Of Sound In Seawater - Hail The Sun - Asteroid M - Iconoclast Robot at Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Blood Moon Regale After Party at Shenanigans 9PM

Tag! You’re Dead - Our Endless Obsession - Calling All Survivors - Brothers to Arms - Thea Skotia The Boardwalk 7PM

Caravanserai at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Ancient Mariner Iron Maiden Tribute - Electric Funeral Black Sabbath Tribute at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, October 16th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Bone Mc Donald Band at Torch Club 1PM/$20

Powerhouse of Blues at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Reggae Basement with DK Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sunday Nght Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Today the Sacramento Arts & Business Council's Annual Prelude To The Season "Arts & Minds" event which honors many regional area arts organizations, performing arts groups, and companies that support the arts will take place at Double Tree Hotel on Arden Way in Sacramento. I'll be working at the event again this year, and it's a great way to gather, celebrate the arts, and look forward to the coming 2011-2012 seaon of events in the Sacramento regional area.

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-10-07T17:21:46Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Friday, October 7th: Cake at UC Davis Pavilion 8PM (Online Tickets Sold-Out)

Friday, October 7th: 10 Years - Redlight Kine - End of Days at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $18.95

Saturday, October 8th: KAI KLN at Harlows. Show at 9PM. Tickets are $20.

Saturday, October 8th: Sick Puppies - First Class Citizen - ALLINADAY at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $23.95

Monday, October 10th: Panic at The Disco at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $29.95

Tuesday, October 11th: Benise at The Crest Theatre. Show at 7:30PM. Tickets are $39.00 - $95.00.

Thursday, October 13: Uproar Festival with Avenged Sevenfold - Three Days Grace - Seether - Bullet for My Valentine - Escape the Fate - Sevendust at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Concert at 2PM. Tickets are $25.00 - $70.00.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, October 7th

916 Libra B-Day Bash at Harlows 10PM/$10

Monophonics at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Be Brave Bold Robot - Carly DuHain Band - Andrus-Shively at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Fishnet Friday w/ The Sizzling Sirens Burlesque Experience & DJ Larry Rodriguez at Marilyns 9PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays at District 30 9PM

Tamara Little - Richie Lawrence - Katie Thomas at Lunas 9PM/$6

Dry Creek Rounders - Bath Tub Gins - The Wandas Old Ironsides 9PM

Dallas Horse Thieves - Chris Doud - Cheri March at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Gabe Xavier Park Ultra Lounge 9PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Alicia's Love Life Benefit with Kill The Precedent - Black Mackeral - City of Vain at Blue Lamp 9PM

Scott Allen Project - Red Rover - Transparent Fence at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Burn Halo - Hero’s Last Mission - I Wish We Were Robots - Force of Habit at The Boardwalk 8PM

Dane Drewis - The Hits at Power House Pub 10PM/$12

Arden Park Roots at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

The Commen Men at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$6

Saturday, October 8th

Emma Hill - The Family Bandits at Marilyns 9:30PM/$10

FASCINATION: 80’s New Wave Dance club at Old Ironsides 9PM

Hullabaloo! Rock n Roll Shindig with DJ Hailey at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

BitchFest A Benefit for Breast Cancer Awareness Years of Agression - Serpent & Seraph - Casket of Cassandra - Death Under Fire at Distillery 10PM

Cream of Clapton at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

The Bottle Cap Boys - Justin Farren - Rich Driver at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Geronimo - Sour Deisel - Defiant Circle - Represa at Shenanigans 9PM

Official Response - Eazy Dub - Playah K - T-Dub & The Internationals - Higher Learning - Lacedat The Boardwalk 7PM

Departure a Journey Tribute at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$10

Apple Z - Super Huey at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

The Snobs - Quick & Easy Boys - Machine City at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, October 9th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Tony Lucca with Linda Ortega at Torch Club 1PM/$20

Powerhouse of Blues at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Trueline at Swabbies on the River 3PM/$10

Reggae Basement with DK Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sunday Night Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-09-30T20:23:51Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Friday, September 30th: Basia at Harlows. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $35.

Saturday, October 1st: SAMMIES Block Party on 20th Street (Between J&K) in Midtown Sacramento. A Variety of musical guests, food/drinks and more. Free/5-10PM sammies.com

Sunday, October 2nd: Blink 182 - My Chemical Romance - Matt and Kim at Sleep Train Amphitheatre.Concert at 7PM. Tiickets are $38.00 - $84.00.

Sunday, October 2nd: Keith Urban & Jake Owen at Power Balance Pavion. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $35.00 - $81.00.

Sunday. October 2nd: Fourth Annual Sacramento World Music & Dance Festival in Old Sacramento from 10AM - 5PM. Free Event sacwordlfest.com

Through Ocrober 2nd: Broadway Series Presents Shrek The Musical at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Performances at various times. Tickets are $16 - $83.00

Monday, October 3rd: Kris Kristofferson at Three Stages Folsom. Concert at 7:30pm. Tickets are $35.00 - $59.00.

Monday, October 3rd: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit at Harlows. 8PM/$15

Wednesday, October 5th: Badfish A Tribute to Sublime at Ace of Spades 6PM/$15

Concert News: Foo Fighters at Power Balance Pavilion on October 20th has been re-scheduled to November 1st.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, September 30th:

Big Freedia at Harlows 10PM/$10

Katie Jane - Alyssa Cox - Step Jayne - Exquisite Corps at Beantik Studios. 9PM/No Cover

Laurie Morvin at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Sandra Dolores - Gentleman - Caller - Adam Roth Project at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Five Eyed Hand at Marilyns 9PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays at District 30 9PM

Norcal Noisefest at Lunas 9PM/$6

Virtue Vices - Ghost River - John & The Pauls at Old Ironsides 9PM

Jaymee Marty - Doghouse - Foxtrot Mary at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

6th Year Anniversary w/ DJ Scene & DJ Gabe Xavier Park Ultra Lounge 99M/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Musical Charis - Jesse Naomi - ZuhG at Blue Lamp 9PM

Puzzletree - In the Silence at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Royals Die Young - Beyond All Ends - Anima Fracture - Our Endless Obsession at The Boardwalk 8PM

Diego’s Umbrella - BlackEyed Dempseys at Power House Pub 10PM/$12

Dudley and the Do Rights at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Fierce Creatures at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$6

Saturday, October 1st:

HED (PE) - Slaine - Stepchild - White Minorities at Ace of Spades 7PM

Chameleon (Santana Tribute) at Marilyns 9:30PM/$10

Lipstick Weekender at Old Ironsides 9PM

Golden Cadillacs at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Garret Wilkin and The Parrotheads Jimmy Buffet Tribute at Doubletree Hotel on 2001 Point West Way Sacramento 8PM/$12

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Bottom Dwellers - Whiskey River Drifters at Distillery 10PM

Johnny Knox at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

NorCal Noisefest at Sol Collective 3PM/$10

Wife & Son - Churchmouse at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Dean-O-Holics 7PM/$15 - Iconoclast Robot - GDP - Greyspace 10PM/$10 at Harlows

Xstatic at Shenanigans 9PM

Force Multiplied - Jaxx - Self-Proclaimed - Blue Fermata at The Boardwalk 7PM

William Mylar at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$10

Audio Dub at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

The Hell Busters - Warp 11 at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, October 2nd

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues For Life Festival & Benefit at Torch Club 1PM/$20

Powerhouse of Blues at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Mick Martin Blues Festiva at Swabbies on the River 3PM/$10

Big D and the Kids Table - La Noche Oskura - The Young Vintage at Ace of Spades 7PM

Reggae Basement with DK Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sunday Night Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Dan Hicks' Class Act

2011-09-30T03:34:32Z

A little knowledge is good, a lot of knowledge, well, if you are a fan of “Old –Time” Rock and Roll as well as other closely related musical genres as the 200+ fans who packed Harlow’s recently can attest, “The Kollege of Musical Knowledge” as taught by Dan Hicks is an essential requirement for all who have ever turned on a radio, or applied needle to vinyl, or most recently, downloaded a song or two.

“The Kollege,”according to Hicks, was inspired by a 1930s to 40s radio program with the same title, a popular quiz show with music hosted by the swing-era bandleader Kay Kyser.

But instead of asking questions, "Professor Hicks” shares songs and offers tuneful history lessons reaching back into those same decades.

The curriculum, all performed by Hicks’ current troupe of “Hot Licks” and “Lickettes”, covers early blues, jug band music, swing, 1940s pop, cowboy songs and bebop. It continues up through the folk years with some of Hicks' songwriting contemporaries: Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Tom Waits and concludes with a few of Hicks own hits as well.

Professor Hicks has the background, experience and talent to not just teach but also, “demonstrate” an advanced class of “Music Appreciation.”

Dan Hicks, born in 1947, started his musical apprenticeship as a young man growing up in Sonoma County. First influenced by his parent’s love of country music, by the time he started Jr. High he had also developed a taste for jazz, blues, and big band music. He played drums in mostly swing type bands in Jr. High and high school, were Hicks also established an interest in broadcasting and had a rotating spot on a daily 15-minute local radio program called "Time Out for Teens".

Hicks entered San Francisco State College in 1959, eventually earning a degree in Broadcasting. He took up the guitar around '59, becoming part of the San Francisco folk music scene, playing and singing in local coffeehouses.

In the spring of 1965, Hicks became the drummer for an evolving San Francisco folk-rock group called “The Charlatans.” Thanks to the owner of the now famous “Red Dog Saloon” in Virginia City, Nevada, “The Charlatans” also spawned what would become known as the psychedelic rock era brought to San Francisco by club’s like the Avalon, the Fillmore and the Matrix owned by Gary L. Jackson and also made famous by other bands added to the bill such as Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brither and the Holding Co. and Jefferson Airplane.

Dan had other ideas about the kind of music he wanted to make, and began putting together an acoustic combo which included two female backup singers, who were christened "Lickettes". Billed as Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, the group began as an opening act for The Charlatans. However, Dan soon left the Charlatans and focused his energy on the Hot Licks.

In 1969, their efforts resulted in a recording contract with Epic Records.

After some personnel changes, and a deal with Blue Thumb Records, what had then become the "classic" Hot Licks ensemble went on to produce the critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums "Where's The Money?", "Striking It Rich" and "Last Train To Hicksville". But, owing to pressures both internal and external, Dan broke up the Hot Licks in 1973, at the height of the band's popularity.

Dan then began a low-key solo career of acoustic performances. He wrote music for commercials, television, and movies, including the music for a never-released Ralph Bakshi(Fritz the Cat and Mighty Mouse; The New Adventures) animated film. That music was eventually packaged and released in 1978 by Warner Bros. Records as "It Happened One Bite", with cover artwork by Dan.

In the 1980s, he formed The Acoustic Warriors, a male combo with whom he toured. In 1994, they recorded the superb (and now out-of-print) live CD "Shootin' Straight", for the Private Music label.

Dan signed with Surfdog Records in 1998. "Beatin' The Heat", Dan's first studio opus since 1978, featured a return to the Hot Licks name and format - complete with new Lickettes - and was released in August of 2000. It garnered rave reviews, and was chosen by Time.Com as one of the Top Ten CDs of 2000. A live CD ("Alive & Lickin'") soon followed.

In September of 2003, Surfdog released a DVD/CD package featuring much of Dan's 60th Birthday Bash concert, as well as interviews with musicians of note speaking about Dan's influence.

2004 saw the release of "Selected Shorts", a dynamic and critically acclaimed studio CD, featuring contributions from such stars as Jimmy Buffett, Jim Keltner, Gibby Haynes, Van Dyke Parks and Willie Nelson.

Bruce Foreman, who performed on Dan Hicks’ 2009 release, “Tangled Tales,” that also includes guest appearances by the likes of David Grisman and Roy Rogers also fondly referred to Hicks as his “Musical Tour Guide.” “Working with him was a great experience; [I] have always admired Dan and his music. On the twelve string solo on ‘Blues,’ he was giving me playing instructions in my headphones; “Play low, now some jazzy stuff…now go crazy!” … was fun, like having an alter ego that could sing and swing.” Foreman explained during a recent interview.

For those who may have missed Hicks recent appearance in Sacramento or need more of his “Hot Licks,” there are two other performances scheduled nearby in the not too distant future. One is booked for October 22 in the town were essentially his long musical trip began, Virginia City, Nevada at the historic Piper Opera House, and in December Hicks will feature songs from his fabulous Christmas extravaganza album, “Crazy For Christmas” and bring the show "Holidaze In Hicksville" to the “Grass Valley, Center for the Arts.”

Blind Pilot caresses Harlow's crowd

2011-09-29T01:59:00Z

Blind Pilot front man Israel Nebeker remarked mid-way through his band's captiviating Tuesday evening set that the Harlow's crowd was "one of the loudest crowds we've ever played for," which of course was met with raucous approval from the quite sizable (for a Tuesday) masses.

The irony is, despite Nebeker's "don't take this the wrong way" qualifier, that comment was probably not entirely meant as a compliment. Harlow's always seems to bring more than its share of chatter, and always a few folks who think that everyone else in the room cares about their half of a cell phone conversation.

That is exactly why Blind Pilot's encore turned out to be such a rare and beautiful moment, and to some degree, an even sweeter victory.

When Nebeker announced that they would need everyone's help to do their final song unplugged, the crowd began "shhhhhh"-ing itself like an angry librarian with Tourette's as the amps went dark, and Nebeker, bassist Luke Ydstie and banjoist Kati Claborn stepped off the front of the stage and into the crowd, with drummer and co-founder Ryan Dobrowski and trumpeter/ keyboardist Dave Jorgensen staying behind.

It was almost ethereal. Aside from the occasional iPhone camera click, the only sounds emanating from the sizable crowd were from those dutifully singing along with the stirringly gorgeous "3 Rounds and a Sound." The only thing missing was a campfire - but there was plenty of warmth, and even a little heat, produced by Blind Pilot on this Tuesday evening.

Marcus Mumford and Lindol French's love baby (he goes by the name Dan Mangan) opened up the show with some slick and endearing Americana ramble that found a middle ground between the gruff edge of William Elliott Whitmore and the White Buffalo, and the goofy shtick of David Mayfield – when you get the crowd all singing “Robots Need Love Too,” well, there’s not many better ways to spend a Tuesday evening.

After taking the stage and cooing up the crowd with “Keep You Right,” the lead single from their glistening new record “We Are The Tide,” Blind Pilot showed some serious guts and threw out “Go On, Say It” as the second song in their set. Many bands will tell you it’s dangerous to lead your most popular tune too early, but it helped to reinforce what is the inner driving force behind this band.

It’s not really about any one particular song with Blind Pilot. They’re about a mood, a feeling, and a running theme of sensual harmonies and crooning lyrics that seems to wrap their entire catalog into a tidy sonic snow globe.

At times, in the early goings of the set, this meant the Band of Horses treatment (meaning, all the tunes sound pretty much like they do on record when played live), but there’s no denying the care and heart that Blind Pilot puts into each of their songs, and to their whole body of work. At times it seemed like they were ramming their fists against the wall with desire to break loose an amp-busting jam, and just when it seemed like they’d made a crack, they pulled back.

And you can see that that’s exactly how they drew it up.

They really started to hit their stride with “Half Moon,” “Tide’s” leading track, boasting a drum beat that any hip hop DJ in the world would be begging the soundboard guy for a sound sample of. They cut into some bluesy riffs with “The Colored Night” and some bouncy indie pop with “The Story I Heard.”

One thing that must be said about Blind Pilot: They’re sneaky. Almost ninja sneaky. They’ll tuck in some bass lines that sound like something WAR would have messed around with in their garage days, and use homemade vocal harmonies to keeps the wraps on some seriously funky beats and rhythms.

And of course, there’s Jorgensen’s syrupy sweet trumpet blasts – which sound a bit like a certain Sacramento band we all know, assuming they decided to stop taking things so intensely serious.

The story that goes with title track “We Are The Tide” is that it was written while Nebeker was immersed in viewing a blood-red lunar eclipse, but that song is by no means played like a rare and introspective moment in nature. It’s played more like the song that kicks a Friday night party into a gear (a party attended exclusively by people who loathe the Black Eyed Peas) with rumbling double percussion and fistfulls of thrift store soul.

Only concerts tailored with the kind of care and embrace that Blind Pilot uses can make you forget that you have to work the next day, when that’s all you could think about before they took the stage.

Perry Pays Tribute to Holly

2011-09-24T06:50:10Z

Having had a grandfather who was a nightclub owner as well as a record distributer in the 40’s and 50’s had its benefits. One of which was the wonderful collection of music left to some of his children and grandchildren upon his passing. Some of my fondest memories were listening to the tunes from the juke boxes filled with the old 45’s and later on the turntable from such great’s as Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, The Big Bopper and, of course, Buddy Holly. As a young child, I’d dance and sing to them all!

Then in 1971 a friend and I were sitting in her room listening to the radio when a DJ from the now defunct Sacramento radio station, KNDE announced, a song by Don Mclean, “American Pie,” a tribute to -----Holly. My girlfriend laughed shoved me in the shoulder and exclaimed, “This song is about you!” We did not hear Buddy, but I remember being moved by the words. It took a conversation with my older brother to finally clarify what the song meant.

Buddy Holly, AKA’s Charles Hardin Holley, was born on September 7, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas. Following a performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, on February 2, 1959, Holly chartered a small airplane to take him to the next stop on the Winter Dance Party tour. He, Ritchie Valens, “Big Bopper” Richardson and the pilot were killed en route to Moorhead, Minnesota, when their plane crashed soon after taking off from nearby Mason City in the early morning hours of February 3. “The Day the Music Died.”

Sacramento Promoter, Jerry Perry, who is as much of a fan of Buddy Holly as I am, organized a fantastic “Tribute” show in honor of the late performers 75th birthday featuring a remarkable line-up of local artists who paid homage to the iconic work of an artist who many consider to be the first true “singer/songwriter” performer of the rock ‘n’ roll era.

And, what an eclectic group of musicians and styles it was. From individuals to groups, washboards, kazoos, guitars and violins each artist and instrument added a unique interpretation to Holly’s songs that was fun and at the same time, truly worthy.

Patrick Walsh opened the show solo, but strong, with his country rugged voice, fierce acoustic guitar and harmonica blowing, “Valley of Tears.”

The three piece rock band Honyock http://www.myspace.com/honyockband stepped up next bringing a fresh turn to Buddy’s ode,” Love Has Made A Fool Of You,” The members of the band are all younger then Buddy was when he died at 22.

Aaron King delivered a majestic guitar solo, with "Maybe Baby" before The Freebadge Serenaders seized the stage with their banjo, washboard and kazoo, took on 3 Buddy Holly ditties including their version of the juke-joint crowd pleaser, "Oh Boy!"

Ole Cotton Dreary, http://www.myspace.com/olcottondrearyocd, rocked with two of Buddy Holly's better known covers, and his signature, "Peggy Sue."

New band Survival Guide featuring Emily (formerly of Tsunami Bomb), stuck with just two songs, but did each with thoughtful distinctiveness. Between Emily’s beautiful voice and their sparsely arranged toy piano/xylophone version of “Lonesome Tears," as Jerry Perry phrased it sounded “almost hymn-like.”

Ricky Berger, http://www.myspace.com/rickyberger , stepped in as a last-minute fill-in for Gerald Pease. Perry said she arrived at 7 p.m. with her keyboard and glockenspiel to practice ” Everyday” in the dressing room until her moment on stage. She delivered an absolutely charming rendition, which was an obvious crowd favorite!

Mike Blanchard and Vinnie Montoya of the Tattooed Love Dogs took the stage next with Everly Brothers-like harmonies.

Another highlight was when David Houston, http://www.myspace.com/davidhouston ,along with a six piece string section did a beautifully awe-inspiring set featuring Buddy’s classics, “True Love Ways” and “Raining in My Heart!”

Legendary singer, Sal Valentino, http://salvalentino.com of the 1960’s group the Beau Brummels then joined David Houston on stage (minus the strings). The renowned vocalist took on Buddy's “Well Alright” and “Words of Love” as if they were his own, and then closed with an energetic version of “Brown Eyed Handsome Man.”

A fine musician, Kepi Ghoulie, http://www.myspace.com/kepighoulie ,seized the stage with an acoustic guitar and harmonica. Ghouli took time out during performing his fun and spirited set to get the crowd laughing with anecdotes of his adventures playing in Texas at the AAA storage. David Houston also accompanied him on tambourine.

The Keri Carr band — which should probably have been called the Keri Carr All-Star Band considering some of the players she had up there with her, including one of my local country favorites, Richard March, http://www.richardmarch.com — executed a Buddy Holly a la Linda Ronstadt set: “That'll Be the Day,” “It Doesn't Matter Anymore” and “It’s So Easy,” with an enthusiastic and polished flair!

The Denver Pilerdrivers, http://www.myspace.com/denverpiledrivers , tore up the stage and ended the evening with their MC5 like rock versions of Not Fade Away, Midnight Shift and Think It Over.

Like Perry, Holly too loved to showcase good talent, and I could not help but imagine Holly sitting back at one of the tables at Harlow’s, taking in the show, sometimes chuckling at the silly moments, like I did, and raising a thumbs-up at a particularly good sound with a smile on his face.

Jerry Perry’s next Tribute show will be to another Rock Icon, Chuck Berry, in honor of his 85th Birthday in October.

High tide: Blind Pilot soars into Harlow's on Tuesday

2011-09-23T21:10:34Z

The “vision” of any great song is that it practically writes itself.

There is perhaps no more intriguing image than that of a sheer moment of inspiration streamlining itself into a song, from the mind of the writer directly onto a sheet of paper. Or onto a cocktail napkin. Or onto the back of an old airplane ticket while coasting down the driveway at Neil Young’s ranch.

(FYI, that last one was a story told by Eddie Vedder at last year’s Bridge School concert, as he quipped “I’m not saying that I wrote the song quickly – just that Neil has a really long driveway.”)

Such was the inspiration of the title track on Blind Pilot’s euphoric sophomore album, “We Are the Tide,” which Israel Nebeker wrote while gazing at a piercing red lunar eclipse for over an hour, having just disembarked a bus, guitar in one hand, suitcase in the other.

“When I realized that it was the moon affecting my mood so much, I felt fragile and small,” Nebeker has said of the song. “We think of ourselves as so separate from change by nature. We change nature, not the other way around. And that was significant, that like the tide, we are changed.”

As the popularity (and with it, demands and expectations) of Blind Pilot continues to grow, does it become harder to let a song just write itself?

“Sure,” he said in a recent phone interview. “That was a pretty intense song, it just kind of hit me that night. I think it’s harder to let go and let those moments happen, but it still is the only way to come up with great stuff.

“The hardest part right now is just remembering to take a step back and realize that, we’re analyzing things more now than we were before.”

Very little analysis is needed to discover the pristine, captivating beauty in “We Are the Tide,” an album that forced the burgeoning group to kick things into a higher gear, but still aptly displays that which has made them a beloved indie sensation.

Accompanying last week’s release of “We Are the Tide,” Blind Pilot’s coast-to-coast tour brings them to Harlow’s (2708 J St.) on Tuesday, September 27, with Dan Mangan opening. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $12.50.

Click here for more info on Visually Impaired Aviator, and head over to Daytrotter to check out some free downloads from the band’s session from 2009.

The pet project of Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski, Blind Pilot was impossible to ignore when the Portland-based duo’s 2008 debut record “3 Rounds and a Sound” gave the world “Go On, Say It” and other plush ballads that had people arguing whether they’re “indie pop” or “indie folk.”

Who really gives a rip how they’re classified. The two were content to load up their modest concert rig in bicycle trailers and hit the road on a bike tour up and down the Pacific coast (yes, it’s true, they toured on bikes), showing off the combustible creative energy that the two of them have forged as musical BFF’s.

“The way it began when we started this band, I had been writing lots of songs on my own, but wanted to write some new ones specifically for Blind Pilot,” Nebeker said. “The way Ryan and I work is to sit down and just come up with tiny bits of ideas, just a groove or a melody. He’ll start playing drums, I’ll play guitar and just see what happens, and we’ll come back to it later on.”

As “3 Rounds” emerged a tour de force, the band very quickly evolved from a duo into a six-piece, which is has been for the last three years. The group now includes fellow Oregonians Luke Ydstie (upright bass, backing vocals), Kati Claborn (banjo, dulcimer, backing vocals), Ian Krist (vibraphones) and Dave Jorgensen (keyboards, trumpet). The “We Are the Tide” sessions marked the first time the new incarnation of the group was in the studio together.

Too many cooks in the kitchen?

“We always encourage every member to come up with their own parts and add whatever they feel,” Nebeker said. “Ryan and I sort of established a certain sound and then brought in people after that, but because we were trying to include everyone’s ideas, it was getting pretty complicated with so many ideas flying around. For the first few weeks we were just trying out different things. At some point, someone needed to cut off some of the fat and have the vision for some more streamlined songs.”

“It was definitely different than last time, where it was just record a drum track, record a guitar track, record a vocal track and then that’s the song,” he added. “(3 Rounds) was such a D.I.Y., in a purposely lo-fi kinda way, but (the process) was pretty quick compared to this. We wanted it to have a sturdier sound.”

“Sturdy” is perhaps a perfect way to describe “We Are the Tide.” Some albums, especially in Blind Pilot’s genre (whatever that genre may be) will attempt to grab a listener and take them to several different places from song to song. With a captivating connective fortitude tying all ten tracks together, “Tide” has its way of taking you to just one place, and keeping you there.

Perhaps that place is sprawled out in a hammock under an awning to protect you from the occasional Pacific Northwest drizzle, craft brew in hand and Moleskin pad on your lap, waiting for your thoughts about the record to organize themselves – it will take a few listens before that happens.

Israel Nebeker himself may not even be certain that “We Are the Tide” turned out exactly how he intended it.

“I think that’s always there, every album we’ve ever worked on that’s been there,” Nebeker said, referring to the inevitable “what ifs” that ensue any recording process. “Probably because I’m kind of a perfectionist, but that’s what keeps people writing good songs.

“I think (the flaws) are what makes every process special and personal. We tried really had to tried to accomplish something special with this record, but it’s the ways we didn’t achieve that as well as the ways we did that make it special.”

Le Butcherettes

2011-09-23T19:01:38Z

Scanning the Harlow’s crowd an hour or so before Le Butcherettes were slated for the stage, you would have found lead singer Terri Gender Bender leaning against a large pillar, her small foot tapping in rhythm with the hard drumming coming from Diciembre Gris, the second opener.

This small metronome action would have been the only outgoing behavior exhibited by Terri, who, off stage, seems quiet, docile and introverted. When approached by fans or curious bystanders, Terri offered the same genuine smile and sweet responses, a reaction surprisingly different from what you would expect to come from a bawdy woman known for her bloody apron uniform.

That is until Ms. Gender Bender got on stage. Quite quickly, drummer Gabe Serbian, bass player Jonathan Hischke and frontwoman Terri Gender Bender transformed what was a quiet, table-seated night at Harlow’s into a frantic mosh pit and interactive musical rock-out.

"Performing lets me get all the demons out,” Terri said.

Her theatrical, but authentic performance included aggressive thrashing about, numerous acrobatic attempts and playing the “trust fall” game where Terri without hesitation, lunged forward, backward, and upside down onto the crowd multiple times.

This dual persona is exactly what Terri tries to express through her artistic project.

“I want to show this shift — the change from domestic housewife who is silent and sweet and who spends her time cleaning the kitchen to this breaking of all feminine duties, to this raging animal release!” Terri said, breaking into Spanish to better express herself.

Jumping off stage wasn’t Terri’s only public interaction. After running through the crowd, singing and shouting, Terri ran out the front door, straight into oncoming traffic on busy J Street, hailing cars and drawing the crowd out behind her. The first car to stop was the Sacramento Police.

A few dance moves and a mad dash back inside, Terri was back on stage with the crowd short on her heels.Soon enough, Terri’s singing was interrupted as she was asked to come outside.

“Umm, sorry, but the police force wants to have a few words with me. Please hold on,” Terri heavily breathed into the microphone.

Minutes passed, and still Terri remained outside, time enough that concerned band members Serbian and Hischke alarmingly shuffled outside too. Onlookers gawked, traffic stopped, and fans shared their frustration.

“C’mon, its artistic expression!” one female yelled.

Eventually Terri was allowed to return to her guitar. Without any sign of anger, she convinced patrons that we should thank the police.

“They look after us and our health,” she said. And then led a screaming frenzy which morphed into possessed rag-doll dancing and spit spraying, scenes only a little short from “The Exorcist.”

But Le Butcherette’s offered a variety of musical compositions. A few, select pieces started slow, with seductive, stand-alone, eerie vocals. But they didnt last long, blasted unexpectedly by fast drums and loud guitars. The energetic ups and downs only added to the musical intensity put on by the trio.

Long-time admirer, Adrienne Beatty shared, “She’s just so nice and sweet. But up there [on stage], its surprising how empowering she is! You get a sense that this is a strong woman-led band.”

Le Butcherettes strong talent has put them on tour with extremely well-know musicians, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Deftones, Iggy and the Stooges, and currently, The Flaming Lips.

“They all are really, really great people. Its been amazing to tour with them. But maybe my favorite has been Deftones. They were just so nice, offering us coffee and joints,” Terri shared bashfully.

Applause goes out to I’m Dirty Too and Diciembre Gris who played alongside Le Butcherettes evening performance.

Catch Le Butcherettes again when they come back to northern Californian this December. In the meantime, head over to Harlow's to see the next fine bands in line.

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-09-23T18:31:49Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Friday, September 23rd - Saturday, Sepetember 24th: Folsom Live with Eddie Money - Ronnie Milsap - Los Lobos 30 Bands on Ten Stages on Old Town Folsom. Beginning at 5PM. Tickets are $35.00 - $60.00. Go to FolsomLive.com.

Friday, September 23rd: Freestyle Explosion with Lisa Lisa, Expose & More at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $25.00 - $48.80.

Saturday, September 24th: Johhny Mathis at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Concert at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $49.50 - $138.00

Saturday, September 24th: KRS1 at Harlows. Concert at 10PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Sunday, September 25th: Rock Allegiance Tour with Papa Roach - BuckCherry - Puddle of Mudd - P.O.D. - Red - Crossfade - Drive A at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 5PM. Tickets are $39.00.

Tuesday, September 27th - Sunday, October 2nd: Broadway Series presents Shrek The Musical. Shows at various times. Tickets are $55.00 - $79.00.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, September 23rd:

Planet Asia at Harlows 10PM/$22.50

Andre Nickatina at Ace of Spades 7PM/$24

Mercy Me at Torch Club 9PM/$12

French Cassettes - Tibetan Method - Travis Vick - at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Dennis Johnson and The Mississippi Ramblers at Marilyns 9PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Nate D at District 30 9PM

Crossing The River - In The No at Lunas 9PM/$6

The Nuance - Resurrection Men at Old Ironsides 9PM

Sandra Delores - Exdoxi - Mollymawks at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Elliott Estes at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Switchblade Frankie - Toxic Shock Syndrome - Raw Dawg at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

California Bear Gang & G-Macc - Mean Doe Green at The Boardwalk 8PM

Lydia Pense - Cold Blood - Dept of Rock at Power House Pub 10PM/$12

Loose Change at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Nirvana Nevermind 20th Anniversary Show at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$5

Saturday, September 24th

Underoath - Comeback Kid - The Chariot - This Is Hell - Give Em He at Ace of Spades 6PM/$19

Purple Haze - The Ralph Woodsen Experience at Marilyns 9PM/$10

Der Spazm - The Babs Johnson Gang - Mister Loveless at Old Ironsides 9PM

Martin Purtill - Camporia - These Paper - Satellites at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

The Cheatin’ Hearts - Dry County Drinkers - The Campfire Crooners at Distillery 10PM

Daniel Castro at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

Downtown Honyock - Not An Airplane - Danny Crane at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

DJ Foley at District 30 9PM

Midnight Players at Harlows 10PM

Silent Treatment - Suckerpunch at Shenanigans 9PM

Polar Bear Club - Fireworks - Balance & Composure - Victory or Death at The Boardwalk 8PM

Zydeco - Gator Beat - the Bayou Boys at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$10

Simple Creation - Stones Throw at Power House Pub 10PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

March Into Paris - The Resurrection Men - Jet Black Popes at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, September 25th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Tess & Hip Trash at Torch Club 8PM/$5

Powerhouse of Blues at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

River Days of Filmore Revisited at Swabbies on the River 3PM/$10

The Session w/ Lost and Found - Task1ne - M.C. QBall916 at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sunday Night Soul Party with DJ Larry & DJ Hailey Press Club 8PM

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-09-16T19:27:07Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Friday, September 16th: Big & Rich - Gretchen Wilson at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $35.00 - $65.00.

Saturday, September 17th: KSFM 102.5 presents Tamale Festival at Cesar Chavez Park on 10th & J Street in Sacramento will feature music from Royalty & Sol Peligro. 11AM-5PM/$5.

Saturday, September 17th: Rootstock Festival at Sacramento Horseman's Club on 3200 Longview DR. in Sacramento will feature Harley White Jr. Orchestra - Pleasant Valley Boys - Dirty Hand Family Band - Hellbound Glory and more. Begins at Noon. Tickets are $20.00.

Sunday, September 18th: KC & The Sunshine Band at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $35.00 - $65.00.

Wednesday, September 21st: Return to Forever IV with Zappa Plays Zappa at Mondavi Center Jackson Hall. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $55.00 - $95.00.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, September 16th

Cashed Out Johnny Cash Tribute 7PM/$15 & Ivan Neville's Dumptaphunk at Harlows 10PM/$17.50

Purification By Fire - The Kennedy Veil - Lycanthrope - Gary Busey at Ace of Spades 7PM

Shane Dwight at Torch Club 9PM/$12

Four Eyes - Bright Faces - Knock Knock at Blue Lamp 9PM

Jay Shaner - Rich Driver at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Foxtrot Mary - Walking Tall at Marilyns 9PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Momentum & Drummer Justin Barnes at District 30 9PM

Ciro Hurtado at Lunas 9PM/$6

Jilt Jonah - Feral Coda - Campaign at Old Ironsides 9PM

The Julia Set - Erik Hanson - Brianna Lea Pruitt - Girl Named T at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Elliott Estes at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Bad Boy Eddys at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Cheeseballs at Power House Pub 10PM/$12

Keith Porter - The Itals at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

The Left Hand - Danny Secretion - Number Thirteen at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$5

Saturday, September 17th

Overwatch - The Last Nova - Sensory - The Slim Chances - Mezza Luna - Lost Freedom at Ace of Spades 6PM/$10

Pirate & Wench Party at Marilyns 9:30PM/$15 - $20

Feva In Da Funk House - Project - The Sandra Dolores Bandat Old Ironsides 9PM

The Isaac Howl Band - Carly DuHain at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Armed Forces Band - Jam Stain - Sreet Urchinz at Distillery 10PM

The Nibblers at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

Tao Jiriki - Isaac Bear - Black Holes What? at Naked Lounge Downtown 8PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

DJ Foley at District 30 9PM

Midnight Players at Harlows 10PM

Kittie - Chernobog - And Came Back Brutal at The Boardwalk 8PM/$15-$18

Garret Wilkin & The Parrotheads at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$10

Steel Breez at Power House Pub 10PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

The O Street Dub Band - Noche Oscura - The Crash Thimbles at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, September 18th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam beginning at 11AM at Torch Club/$5

Steve Gatz at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

The Butcher, the Bender; Le Butcherettes come to Harlow's

2011-09-12T19:51:50Z

The domestic housewife is modernized, upgraded and vilified through Teri Gender Bender, lead singer of Le Butcherettes. Long, dark tresses do little to hide selected performance attire of black hosiery, floral aprons and bloody makeup. The musical style, just as creative, reflects typical garage punk band elements, and then adds experimental aspects which reflect the “artistic project” explains Bender, that is Le Butcherettes.

Emerging out of Mexico City, this trio has been showcased at esteemed festivals such as Outside Lands and Lollapalooza, and has opened for the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Deftones and currently, The Flaming Lips. Their debut album, “Sin Sin Sin,” released January 2011, has only aided claims that Le Butcherettes is one of the top 30 most important bands to watch by Warp Magazine.

Catch Le Butcherettes at Harlow’s on Wednesday. Tickets can be purchased at The Beat or directly through Harlow's.

Whirring in The Joy Formidable at Harlow's

2011-09-12T09:08:36Z

The band’s name says it all. Joy, an emotion evoked by well being, success, and good fortune or the prospect of having one’s desires. Formidable, a feeling of awe and admiration from grandeur and great strength combines the artistry of the trio formed in 2007 from North Wales -- Ritzy Bryan on guitar and vocals, Rhydian Dafydd on bass guitar, and Matt Thomas on drums.

This is a band that should be seen live. The recorded music, especially the new song “Whirring,” is good. But the trio thrives before live audiences.

Live, the band lives up to its name projecting a soul-filling joy. Whether you are a sweaty youth in the crowded mosh pit or a 40-something professional grooving to the band from the safety of the bar, Joy Formidable delivers. Ritzy Bryan’s guitar riffs, her voice even her facial expressions were all delivered with charismatic intensity. The concert, in the tight confines of Harlow’s, was one Mr. Toad’s wild ride.

This band is ideal for open air performances in front of thousands of people like Outside Lands Music Festival and Lollapalooza. Harlow’s was way too small of a venue to contain The Joy Formidable. To see the band in a more intimate venue is a lucky break for Sacramento. Kudos to Radio 94.7 for arranging the band’s appearance.

The trio has developed a buzz around the song “Whirring,” from the EP “The Big Roar,” with Foo Fighters’ front-man Dave Grohl tweeting that it could be the 2011 song of the year. I thought Grohl’s tweet was over the top until I saw the band. “Whirring” is best enjoyed live -- the band’s full intensity comes through.

The mix of mellow intellectuals chilling at the bar with hard rockers thumping up a storm showed the wide range of people who enjoy this loud, alt rock, shoegazing, band that combines edgy heavy metal with choral pop. The Joy Formidable is steadily developing a larger fan base by incorporating what's cool in other types of music to create their own.

Ritzy Bryan knows how to connect. In her black suede long sleeve frock, icy blond symmetrical coif, and tights with short boots, she jumped, trashed about, and broke through a highly optimistic, bubbly persona with manic depressive anger and rage. Her expressions changed erratically from innocence to jerky runaway robot pushing that velocity into a see-saw of pink clouds. High fives with fans and eye contact engaged concert goers, even those wedged in the crevices of the club.

They played “A Heavy Abacus”,” Greyhounds in the Slips”, “Austere”, “Ostrich”, “The Greatest Light is the greatest shade”, “Cradle”, “Buoy”, and “Whirring”. They also came back for an encore performance with “Magnify” and “I don’t want to see you like this”.

Just so you don’t feel left out, here’s a treat --front row seats to "Whirring" at Harlow’s, and you don’t even have to brave the mosh pit. Once you see this video, we’re convinced you’ll want to see The Joy Formidable live too.

Fans like the Mota family drove all the way from Reno, Nevada because they wanted to see the band again. The first time at Outside Lands, the second at Harlow’s on Saturday night. “I kind of wish I brought my fourteen year old son.” commented Debbie Mota, 47. “He would have rocked with that drummer,” she adds.

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-09-09T18:12:09Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN through 9/11. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.
Beginning September 30th: Bingo The Winning Musical.

Saturday, September 10th: Curtisfest at Curtis Park on 3349 West Curtis Drive in Sacramento will feature Istagon - Garage Jazz Architechts - Mike Justis Band. Begins at 11:00AM/Free.

Saturday, September 10th: Tim Reynolds from Dave Matthews Band at Harlows Concert begins at 7PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Sunday, September 11th: Sixth Annual White Noise witha variety of local musicians at Torch Club on 904 15th Street in Sacramento. Begins at 2PM

Sunday, September 11th: Hall & Oates at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $21.00 - $59.00.

Sunday, September 11th: Def Leppard & Heart at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $32.00 - $85.00.

Sunday, September 11th: Colin Hay at Harlows. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $25.00.

Sunday, September 11th: Queensryche at Ace of Spades. Show at 6:30PM. Tickets are $30.00.

Tuesday, September 13th: Kesha with LMFAO at UC Davis Pavilion. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $39.50.

Thursday, September 15th: Snoop Dogg at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM.

Thursday, September 15th: Bucho! at Harlows. Show at 9PM. Tickets are $15.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, September 9th

Tainted Love at Harlows 10PM/$17

Trench - Force of Habit - serpent at Ace of Spades 7PM

Solsa at Torch Club 9PM/$12

Get Shot - Riot Radio at Blue Lamp 9PM

Casey Lipka - Cavewoman Commons Quartet at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Abrupt - Massacre Time - Rat Damage at Distillery 10PM/$5

Jean Rogar - Clan Dyken - Manodlyne Avenue at Marilyns 9PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays with David Carvalho at District 30 9PM

Dry Creek Rounders - Kevin Seconds at Lunas 9PM/$6

Forever Goldrush - Grubfodg & The Anazing Sweethearts at Old Ironsides 9PM

Hoods - Take Pride - The Kids We Used To Be at The Boardwalk 7PM

Zoo Huamn Project - The Old Screen Door at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Album Premiere Pary for DEV at 6PM DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Kattywompus at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

James McCullen Project at Power House Pub 10PM/$15

Nothin Personal at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, September 10th

Richard March - Bob Woods Band - Dirt Nap Band at Marilyns 9:30PM/$8

Fascination 80's New Wave Dance Party at Old Ironsides 9PM

Hullaballo Rock N Roll Shindig at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Agnostic Front - Mongoloids at Distillery 10PM

Big Mo at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

Exhale - Prairie Wood - Iris Shanks at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

DJ Don Lynch at District 30 9PM

Wesley Avery - Delirious at The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

Steelin Dan at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

Whiskey Dawn at Power House Pub 10PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Mondo Deco -Golden Ghost at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, September 11th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Noisefest beginning at 11AM at Torch Club/$5

Delta Wires at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Spazmatics - Dawn Silva - Cynthia Robinson - Jerry Matini at Swabbies on the River 3PM/$10

Symbolic Jews - Odd Monkier at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

The Joy Formidable at Harlow's

2011-09-08T01:50:01Z

If you're looking for an example of a band in the middle of making it big, look no further than The Joy Formidable.

Formed in North Wales, the now London-based power trio has been riding a monster wave of success this year, touring and playing major U.K. and U.S. festivals – Reading, Coachella, Lollapalooza – and garnering praise from critics and their musical peers alike.

They made such an impression on Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters earlier this year that he took to Twitter to sing their praises: "I would like to personally thank The Joy Formidable for writing the song of the year "Whirring". xxx Dave". The band will open several dates with Foo Fighters in November.

The band has a massive, noisy sound: chunky guitar riffs, overdriven bass, and pounding drums, all laced with the sweet vocals of firecracker front woman Ritzy Bryan. A chance to catch them up close and personal should not be passed.

The Joy Formidable will perform at Harlow's this Saturday at 10 p.m. Tim Reynolds, the ridiculously talented guitarist of the Dave Matthews Band, plays an earlier show the same day at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are a steal at $13.50.

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-09-02T20:27:54Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Friday, September 2nd: Human League & Men Without Hats at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $21.00 - $59.00.

Friday, September 2nd - Sunday, September 4th: 25th Anniversary Sacramento Rainbow Festival includes daily live music line-ups at various nightclubs, a Sunday Street Fair with a variety of events and vendors at 20th & K Street in Sacramento. Event Facebook Page www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168297213241634

Satuday, September 3rd: Taylor Swift at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $27.00 - $82.00 (Sold-Out)

Saturday, September 3rd: Lil Wayne - Lil Wayne with Rick Ross - Keri Hilson - Far East Movement - Lloyd at SleepTrain Ampitheatre. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $28.50 - $108.00.

Saturday, September 3rd - Monday, September 5th: Chalk It Up! Art, Music, Food & Wine, and Family events will take place at Fremont Park in Sacramento. Daily Music Line-Up and Event Info at chalkitup.org.

Wednesday, September 7th: Twilight Concert Series will feature Sal Valentino & Voices at Fairytale Town in William Land Park in Sacramento. Concert at 6PM. Tickets are $10.00.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, September 2nd

Skynnyn Lynnyrd at 7PM and Reminisce DJ Party at Harlows 10PM

Witzend - The Carbonites - Keeping Scor at Ace of Spades 6:30PM

Stacie Eakes & the Superfreakes at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Terra Ferno - Sovern - Machine City at Blue Lamp 9PM

Electropoetic Coffee at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Jilt vs Jonah - The Kelps - Bone Saw Lullaby - Issac Bear at Distillery 10PM/$5

Fishnet Friday The Sizzling Sirens & DJ Larry Rodriguez at Marilyns 9PM

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays with David Carvalho at District 30 9PM

The MRQ Band at Lunas 9PM/$6

Be Brave Robot - The Trouble - Not An Airplane at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM

Montrose - The Scott Allen Project - Pointdexter at The Boardwalk 7PM

The Afterlife - Mammoth Life, Musical Charis, at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Confidential - Gathering of Minds - Bonus at The Boardwalk 7PM

DJ Joe Maz at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Fallrise - Represa - Rachet - Gearsturn at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Rutabega Boogie Band at Power House Pub 10PM

Remedies at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, September 3rd

Batten Down Your Heart - Trial By Fire - Behold The Device at Ace of Spades 6:30 PM

Listick Dance Party at Old Ironsides 9PM

Big Iron - Bleedin Hearts at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Sorrows - Get Shot at Distillery 10PM

The Monophonics at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

Reggie Gin - AJ Johnson at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

E One at District 30 9PM

Sunburn - Valembrosa - Lost Freedom at The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

Rhythm Express at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

Rolling Heads at Power House Pub 10PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Addict Merchants at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, September 4th

Blues Jam with Aaron King & Friends at 4PM and The Coalition 8PM at Torch Club/$5

House of Floyd at Harlows 8PM

Pub Aftershock at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Cinema 7 at Swabbies on the River 3PM/$5

Dubb DJ's Iternational Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

The Naked and Famous at Harlow's

2011-09-02T08:49:39Z

On the last day of August, Harlows was filled with a crowd of stadium-sized intensity. The New Zealand indie rock band defined The Naked and Famous philosophy. Naked in the way that Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers vocal combination brought the crowd to climax then mellowed down to rise again, in roller coaster action.

Auckland’s five-piece delivered exquisite dream pop, oscillating between the calculatedly energetic beat, glitzy rhythms, and airy synthesizers underneath.

Xayalith wearing all black, in a long sleeve top, mini skirt, tights, and short boots was definitely not naked but sexy nonetheless, confident in her barely five-foot tall frame. She was smoking! She faced the drummer in the back to regroup between songs, refresh, and wipe the sweat off her brow, or fall in exhaustion.

Fans waited over an hour to mesh with the electronica lifestyle offered by this up and coming band nominated for the BBC’s Sound of 2011 and topping the New Zealand chart at No.1 in 2010 – the first New Zealand artist in three years to do so.

The show was like air for the 20-somethings whose exchange with the band appeased their needs and vice versa. The “Passive Me Aggressive You” debut album released in September of 2010 definitely caters to the young, whose lyrical obsessions center around love, mistakes, sleep, and parties.

Hollywood has discovered the band and Wednesday’s set featured several songs used in TV shows. “Punching in a Dream” was featured in Vampire Diaries. With its care-free lyrics and upbeat electronic dance discord, that song set the mood for the night at Harlow’s. “The Sun” a tantalizing song, and “Young Blood” were both used in the tv show Gossip Girl.

Also in Wednesday’s set, “The Bells” enchanted. “Eyes” and “DADADA” saw and freed the spirit of youth. Calmed by Xayalith’s vibe was the pairing of an acoustic guitar in the beginning of “No Way” then picked up again into upbeat rhythm running with “Girls Like You.”

An edge of MGMT and Radiohead was present in the repertoire. Powers and Xayalith said they grew up listening to Massive Attack, Bjork, PJ Harvey and Tricky.

But their intensity, like their sound, is really all their own. After six months of constant touring, this band of four dudes in T-shirts and jeans with a hot Asian doll in the middle still had plenty of energy.

“It sure is full in here. We’re coming back.” Powers still trying to catch his breath from the performance.

They did with an encore and the crowd went home sweaty and satisfied.

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-08-26T19:28:49Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Through Sunday, August 28th: Music Circus presents Miss Saigon at Wells Fargo Pavilion on 1419 H Street Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $30.00 - $59.00.

Friday, August 26th: The Fixx - Wang Chung - Naked Eyes at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $21.00 - $59.00.

Saturday, August 25th: Race For The Arts 13th Annaul Walk/Run will feature musical entertainment along the route and at Willian Land Park at Freeport Blvd and Sutterville Road in Sacramento. Race beging at 8:30AM. More info at raceforthearts.com

Sunday, August 28th: Bilal at Harlows on 2708 J Street in Sacramento. Show at 10PM. Tickets are $25.00.

Thursday, September 1st: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature Larisa Bryski & Wille Seltzer at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento. 11:30-1PM.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, August 26th

Sizzling Sirens present Big Top Burlesque at Harlows 10PM/$15

Y&T with End of Days at Ace of Spades 7PM

Aaron King & the Imperials at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Random Abiladeze - Ruby Ibarra - DJ Rated R - Eye-Que at Blue Lamp 9PM

GPCAT (Cat Stevens tribute), Norfolk Jacket at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Infamous Swanks - The Left Hand - Ghost Town Hangman at Distillery 10PM/$5

Todd Morgan and The Emblems - Vandella at Marilyns 9PM/$14

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays with David Carvalho at District 30 9PM

Kolorgize - Family Photo - Katie Knipp at Lunas 9PM/$6

BlackEyed Dempseys at Crawdads 8PM

Machete - White Barons - City of Vain at Old Ironsides 9PM

Montrose - The Scott Allen Project - Pointdexter at The Boardwalk 7PM

The Afterlife - Mammoth Life, Musical Charis, at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Joe Maz at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Fallrise - Represa - Rachet - Gearsturn at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Wonderbread 5 at Power House Pub 10PM/$20

Tragically White at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, August 27th

Island of Black and White - The Guvernment at Marilyns 9:30PM/$8

Quinn Hedges - Chad Wagoner at Old Ironsides 9PM

The Mighty Griffins at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

David Houston - String Theory and friends at Lunas 9PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Megafauna - Instagon - Der Spazm at Distillery 10PM

John Nemeth at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

Picture Atlantic - From Indian Lakes - Ghost & The City at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Nacho Business - Grass Widow G Green at Luigis Fungarden 8PM

E One at District 30 9PM

Lynch Mob - Adonis-DNA - GerAnimO - Wings of Innocence at The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

Skid Roses at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

Spazmatics at Power House Pub 10PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

DOCI - Rat Damage - Setting Sons - Wolves & Thieves - Angelic Upstarts at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, August 28th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Johnny Knox 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Pub Aftershock at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

SuperHuey at Swabbies on the River 3PM/$5

Dubb DJ's Iternational Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Blvd Park Returns to Sacramento

2011-08-25T02:15:59Z

Blvd Park is a former Sacramento band, newly transplanted to Seattle after the end of their “New American Dream Tour” in May. They are coming back to play a special show at Harlow’s Thursday night with Keri Carr Band and Kate Gaffney with Steve Randall. Founding member Brian Ballentine recently spoke to The Sacramento Press about the upcoming show.

What brings you back to Sacramento?

One of our friends down there is getting married. We haven’t been there in a while. It’s been half a year I think.

Have you ever played Harlow’s before?

Yeah, we played Harlow’s about a year ago with Split Lip Rayfield before, I think about two years ago.

What are you expecting from this show?

A couple local people are going to join us: Zack Sapunor, he’s going to play upright bass with us, and then Shea Trumbauer, he’s going to play snare. So we’re going to have like an eight-piece. Mick (“The Deli Lama” Stevenson) will be there probably, so it’s going to be kind of like a reunion show. I haven’t hung out with all my buddies in a while.

How is Seattle?

Seattle’s great. Our band is doing really well out here. We got into all the major clubs out here, and we’re starting to build a really good fan base, and we’re working on our new album. It’s going good. It was a good decision for a career move, for us to get to a bigger city. I think we’re going to be here for a while. No plans on leaving. We thought about going to the East Coast for a while, but I think we’re going to stay here because it makes more sense.

So you guys are working on a new album?

We have it worked out. We’re going (into the studio) in October. We’re just doing all the considerations to see what we need to do to get it taken care of. We found the producer and stuff and the place where we’re going to record.

What sort of an album is it going to be?

This album, it’s a little different from our first album. We’ve aged a lot more now. We can find our sound a lot more now. Much newer songs. Everybody’s writing. I did a lot of the writing for the first album, and now it’ s split pretty much evenly. Tekla Waterfield, Timmy Conroy and Jarrett Mason, he’s writing on it too. So it’s going to be a collective of all of us. That’s what we’re trying to (do to) begin with. No one’s the front man. Everyone’s all part of it, you know? All singer-songwriters, and it’s finally coming out that way. I’m really excited.

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

We’re just excited to get down there. It’s going to be a fun show. Kate Gaffney and Keri Carr are very talented musicians. Have you heard them before?

No, I have not, so I’m really looking forward to it.

Kate Gaffney is playing Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, so she’s got her name out there pretty well. And she’s local too — actually she moved to San Francisco.

I’m excited to jam with (Zack). Our other bass player, he’s staying here. He doesn’t go on tour. When we get to play with Zack, our energy is a little bit different. It’s a little more upbeat. We should be an eight-piece that night. A new mandolin player from Seattle is coming, so we’ll have another member. It should be pretty cool.

Toad had Harlow's Hopping

2011-08-20T01:26:28Z

Years ago when our kids were young, my wife would set their alarm to play Toad the Wet Sprocket’s CD “Fear.” Every morning I was treated to the song “Walk on the Ocean.” Some mornings I would hear just the beginning chorus, and other mornings I’d hear the entire CD. Those were the bad days – not to say the music was bad, but the kids just wouldn’t get their butts out of bed.

Well, the kids are all grown up now and in their 20s. Don’t ask me for their exact age. I’m not wired that way. So it was quite a delight to take a couple of them over to Harlow’s in Sacramento to see Toad the Wet Sprocket on Thursday. Seeing the two of them watching the band that started their day, every day as kids, brought a tear to my eye. I can still hear the CD going off in the morning as if it was just this morning – wait a second, it was this morning – they still live at home! I cried a lot that night.

The evening started out with Garrison Starr, a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. She did a great job warming up most of the crowd, but there was a lot of chatter going on while she performed. She didn’t appreciate the fact that so many people weren’t paying attention and took several jabs at the audience.

After a brief set change, Toad the Wet Sprocket took the stage with barefoot lead singer Glenn Phillips belting out “Something’s Always Wrong.” This caused the standing-room-only crowd to shout and cheer.

Phillips made his political views clear between songs, describing the Tea Party as an accident between two buses. The first bus was full of libertarians, the second full of Tea Partiers. The resulting crash combined the worst elements of both.

“Great, now I’m going to get my ass kicked after the show,” Phillips said after several more Tea Party jokes.

“Finally Fading” was a tune Phillips wrote during the band’s 14-plus-year hiatus. It was nice to see him perform it with the original members, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning and drummer Randy Guss.

Recently Toad re-recorded their original songs, allowing them to distribute and publish their own work, since rights to their original recordings are held by Columbia Records. This has helped them stay true to their original sound. Phillips, despite throat surgery early in his career, sounds exactly like he did at the beginning of his career, over 25 years ago. He doesn’t look like he has aged much since then, either.

Toad is scheduled to release their first new studio album since 1997’s “Coil” sometime next year. They played several songs that are slated to be on the new album. The audience enjoyed the newer music, but it was a completely different atmosphere when they started playing music that the audience was familiar with.

Toad ended the concert with “Walk on the Ocean.” That’s when I woke up. Realizing I must have been dreaming, I reached over to turn off the alarm clock and the music stopped. Once out of bed, I headed to the bathroom and yelled to see if Mom had breakfast ready yet. Ahhh, life is good – waking up to Toad and having a nice hot meal waiting for me. Why leave?

DISCLAIMER: I don’t live with Mom. Yes, I did once. OK, maybe more than once, but I don’t live with her now. I do live with my lovely wife Ruth and too many kids.

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-08-19T18:15:37Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Through Sunday, August 21st: Music Circus presents I Do! I Do! at Wells Fargo Pavilion on 1419 H Street Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $30.00 - $59.00.
Beginning Tuesday, August 23rd - Sunday, August 28hth: Miss Saigon

Friday, August 19th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park (Last Concert of the Summer) will feature Mick Martin & The Blues Rockers - Tess & Hip Trash - Kyle Rowland Band at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Wednesday, August 24th: Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band at Fairytale Town Twilight Concert Series. Gates open at 6PM. Tickets are $10.00.

Thursday, August 25th: Josh Groban at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $77.00 - $97.00.

Thursday, August 25th: Sugarland with Sara Bareilles at Raley Field in West sacramento. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $44.00 - $79.00.

Thursday, August 25th: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature Gillian Underwood at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento. 11:30-1PM.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, August 19th

Reggae By The Pool at Red Lion Hotel on 1401 Arden Way Sacramento. Music is from 5-10PM. $10 Cover/Kids Under 12 Free.

Cheeseballs at Harlows 10PM/$12

Jack Ketch - Awaiting The Apocalypse - A Holy Ghost Revival - To End All Silence - Divine Restoration at Ace of Spades 6PM

Mind X - The Carter Bros at Torch Club 9PM/$10

San Similar - Hans Eberbach at Blue Lamp 9PM

WhiteWash Station & Beni at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Be Brave Bold Robot - Grown Up Noise - Montemar Music - Gimme Back My Moon at Distillery 10PM/$5

The Hard Way - Smirker at Marilyns 9PM/$14

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays with J Money at District 30 9PM

Sister Crayon - Exquisite Corps - Two Sheds at Luigis Fungarden 8PM

Elements Brass Band - Crossing River at Old Ironsides 9PM

Conducting from the Grave - The Contortionist - Scale the Summit - Rings of Saturn - Volumes - Structures - Malevolent at The Boardwalk 7PM

Jilt vs. Jonah - Pets at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Terra Ferno - Picture Me Broken - Some Fear None - Into the Desert at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Superlicious at Power House Pub 10PM/$20

3rd Friday Reggae at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, August 20th

Shemekia Copelan at Marilyns 9:30PM/$8

The #13 - Jupiter - The Verge at Old Ironsides 9PM

MollyMawks at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Penny Harding - Jeff Sears at Lunas 9PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

The Solicitors - NFH - The Community at Distillery 10PM

Terry Hanck at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

The Isaac Howl - Honyock at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Prieta - Lite Brite - Kelps - The Hungry at Luigis Fungarden 8PM

E One at District 30 9PM

Saint Dog - The DRP - Americaz Mozt Haunted, Penny - M-80 - Victory or Death - N2ME - California Bear Gang at The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

Rogue at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

Arden Park Roots at Power House Pub 10PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Black Mackerel - Midnight Chaser - Kill Devil at at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, August 21st

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Johnny Knox 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Loose Change at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

The West Nile Ramblers- Countrytrash - Quarterman Jack - Jenny Lynn and Her Real Gone Daddies - The Fortunate Few - Miss Lonely Hearts at Swabbies on the River Noon/$5

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sactown Rundown - August 18-24

2011-08-17T23:52:31Z

I’ve missed you too, Sactown! All of the letters and emails encouraging and pleading for the return of the Rundown have all been very comforting – as has my own laughter at the sheer ridiculousness of that statement.

Ego-tripping aside, it’s good to be back with the "redheaded cello" version of the Rundown (wait for it…).

This is definitely the time of year when we start to lament the pending end of summer and the compression of the local concert calendar.

We ain’t there yet…

Toad the Wet Sprocket –Parents weren’t sure if the band name was inappropriate or just plain weird when their kids started going nuts over songs like “All I Want” in the early ‘90s. Twenty years later, they still might not be convinced (and neither are we), but you have to tip your cap to bands like them that shimmied through the plateau of ‘90s alternative pop, commandeered by R.E.M. and supported by the Sister Hazels and Edwin McCains, and still had the drive to reunite in the late ‘00s and get things going again. Singer/songwriter Glen Phillips has long been the backing force of the group, and his buddy-buddy relationships with the like of roots performers Nickel Creek and Grant-Lee Philips (no relation) will tell you that the mosaic of his talent goes far beyond the limitations of the “Nirvana’s gone, now what?” of the mid-decade 1990s. 8 p.m. Thursday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $30. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Zoe Keating – Some would call her a one-woman chamber ensemble. Others would call her a delightfully avant garde indie sensation. Some may call her a back alley hipster’s dream, and others (OK, just me) might refer to her as the subdued female version of That1Guy. Whatever you call her, there’s no denying that San Francisco-based Zoe Keating is one of a kind. It’s just her, her cello, some red dreads, a laptop, and a dream, as Keating uses a creatively orchestrated string of loops and effects to turn her vintage crafted cello into a modern sound machine. She’s like the clean-cut virtuoso soloist at the top of her game that was offered a beer and a cigarette by the shady kids making music in their garage, and she never looked back. Keating is as well known for throwing concerts and experimental music smorgasbords in her San Francisco warehouse space as she is for pulling lusciously alluring melodies out of her cello and spinning them to her liking, tradition be damned. 7:30 p.m. Friday. CSA Event Center, 1275 Starboard Dr., West Sacramento. $17. All ages. www.brownpapertickets.com; www.sblentertainment.com.

Sister Crayon with Exquisite Corps and Two Sheds – If there was ever a show without a true headliner, this has to be it; especially considering these three have headlined shows a-plenty in this town over the last few years. Sister Crayon tops the bill, probably because they’ve had the biggest out-of-Sac breakout of any of the three; that, and lead singer Terra Lopez has enough internal firepower and vocal heat to burn the place down after their set, so it’s just as well the other two get to play first. Exquisite Corps is arguably Sactown’s hottest band right now, a refined wrecking ball of classically-laced indie rock, speared by Bryan Valenzuela’s maniacal vocals and Krystyna Taylor’s flying locks of red hair that color-match the finish on the cello she so effortlessly shreds. And let’s not forget Two Sheds, the narco country blues and rock project of vocalist Caitlin Gutenberger and her husband Jon (of Far, Jackpot and Milwaukee), which also gets help from the always locally popular Rusty Miller (Jackpot) and James Finch Jr. Country blues, classical indie and electronic whomp all in the same show? The pizza next door will cook itself. 8:30 p.m. Friday. Luigi’s Fungarden, 1050 K St. (MARRS Building). $10. All ages. Facebook event page.

Poor Man’s Whiskey – OK, even the hardcore bluegrass fans would have to admit that the “pickin’ on” style bluegrass tributes and hillbilly covers of rock and hip hop stars are starting to get really old (anyone remember that “Gin & Juice” bluegrass cover that went around in the earliest days of Napster, that everyone thought was Phish, but was actually the Gourds?). But when San Francisco outfit Poor Man’s Whiskey set out to do a start-to-finish bluegrass/rock tribute to “Dark Side of the Moon” (deliciously dubbed “Dark Side of the Moonshine”), the results were impossible to ignore. All you have to do to avoid pigeonholing this magnanimous outfit as cover jockeys is pop in disc two and have a listen to their foot-stomping originals and bluegrass ditties piled high with electric guitars, drums and Hammond blasts. They can’t help being a bluegrass band, and they will never apologize for being a rock and roll outfit; they also couldn’t help turning a story about driving up to a bar on Highway 1 into one of the most beautiful and epic country blues songs ever written in “Easy Come.” The recent departure of Eli Jebidiah is a big loss, but the inclusion of Sean Lehe (of Izabella) is highly encouraging. Poor Man’s Whiskey are the main attraction and will be playing a riverfront stage at the Whiskey River Music Festival, which also has river rafting trips and camping packages built into it. Music at 6 p.m. Saturday. Nugget Campground, 6045 Rafters Ln., Placerville. www.wildrivertrips.com.

Prieta with t he Snobs and Sexrat – We’ve got your Sunday Funday right here. Here’s all you need to know: Three of Sac’s best rock bands, with the Trees and Horseneck kicking in the jams. It’s free. It’s in the afternoon. It’s the Midtown Cocktail Week closing party. DJ Shaun Slaughter holding it down as well. Go order yourself a Golden Bear pitcher and dig in. 4 p.m. Sunday. The Golden Bear, 2326 K St. Free. 21+. Facebook event page.

Mark Your Calendars – Incubus – Yep, Incubus. Yep, Raley Field. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Is it too much to hope that they'd bring back the funk metal? October 11. Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Dr. $40. www.ticketmaster.com.

If you are planning or promoting a concert in the Sacramento area, or just know of a show you’d like to see featured in the Rundown, shoot me an email.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-08-12T18:02:03Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Through Sunday, August 14th: Music Circus presents Annie Get Your Gun at Wells Fargo Pavilion on 1419 H Street Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $30.00 - $59.00.
Beginning Tuesday, August 16th - Sunday, August 21st: I Do! I Do!

Friday, August 12th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature The Brodys -Automatic Rival - A Single Second at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Friday, August 12th: Huey Lewis and The News at Thunder Valley Casino Outdoor Summer Concerts. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $35.00 - $69.00.

Friday, August 12th: Pat Travers - Rue the Night - Righteous Sire - Blacksheep at The Boardwalk. Show at 8PM.Tickets are $20.00.

Friday, August 12th: Tower of Power Bump City Dance Party to benefit Francis House at The Radisson Hotel on 500 Leisure Lane in Sacramento. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $49.00.

Saturday, August 13th: Red Elvises at Power House Pub in Old Folsom. Show at 10PM. Tickets are $15.00.

Sunday, August 15th: Questlove (The Roots) at Harlows on 2708 J Street Sacramento. Show at 10PM. Tickets are $25.00 ADV

Wednesday, August 17th: Fairytale Town presents Twilight Concert Series at William Land Park 3901 Land Park Drive Sacramento. Concert at 6PM. Tickets are $10.00.

Wednesday, August 17th: Sade and John Legend at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $39.00 - $149.00.

Thursday, August 18th: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature The Nickel Slots at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento from 11:30 - 1PM/Free.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, August 12th:

Reggae By The Pool at Red Lion Hotel on 1401 Arden Way Sacramento. Music is from 5-10PM. $10 Cover/Kids Under 12 Free.

Irsh Palooza with Whiskey & Stitches & Stout Rebellion at 6:30PM/$6 Forever Goldrush with Walking Spanish & Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers at Harlows 10PM/$8

Pop Ficton at Ace of Spades 7PM

Gino Matteo at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Hellbound Glory - The Cheating Hearts - Swill Billies at Blue Lamp 9PM

Anthony Cavazos & Alicia Gonzales at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

A Single Second - All In A Day at Distillery 10PM/$5

Hot Buttered Rum at Marilyns 9PM/$14

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays with DJ Gio at District 30 9PM

Herbie Kritzer - Allyson Seconds at Lunas 9PM/$6

Smithfiled Bargain - RC Essig - David Dondero at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Fashen & DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

2 Or 3 Guys - Mr. Rogers - Those Charming Crooks at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Tainted Love at Power House Pub 10PM/$20

Warp 11 - Tres Hombres at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, August 13th

Jesi Naomi - Street Urchinz - Political Plum at Marilyns 9:30PM/$8

DJ Hailey at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Old 97's with Robert Ellis at Harlows 10PM/$20

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Jackson Griffith - Emily O'Neil at Lunas 9PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Historia Alterna - Sickboys - Silas Wolf at Distillery 10PM

Kaye Bohler at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

Lost Angeles - Arlyn Anderson Project at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

DJ Zhadlee at District 30 9PM

Evaline - Greenlight - The Even Tide - Early States, -Yours For A Nighat The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

The Chill at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

The Charming Band Smiths Tribute at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, August 14th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Johnny Knox 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Kenny Blue Ray at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

AKA Band at Swabbies on the River 4:30PM/$5

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-08-05T15:37:58Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Through Sunday, August 7th: Music Circus presents Camelot at Wells Fargo Pavilion on 1419 H Street Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $30.00 - $59.00.
Beginning Tuesday, August 9th - Sunday, August 14th: Annie Get Your Gun

Friday, August 5th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature Musical Charis - Be Brave Bold Robot - Adrian Bourgeois - San Kazakgascar at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Friday, August 5th: Doobie Brothers Thunder Valley Casino Outdoor Summer Concerts. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $21.00 - $59.00.

Friday, August 5th: Mother Hips at Power House Pub in Old Folsom. Show at 10PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Friday, August 5th & Saturday, August 6th: Northern California Blues Festival with Mick Martin & The Blues Rockers - Kenny Neal - Carolyn Wonderland - Dennis Jones - Jeff Watson Band - Daniel Castro & Terry Hiatt - Bay Area Blues Society’s Caravan of All Stars - The Soulshakers at Auburn Regional Park. For more information go to Norcalbluesfest.com

Saturday, August 6th: Peter Frampton at Thunder Valley Casino Outdoor Summer Concerts. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $21.00 - $59.00.

Saturday, August 6th: Kainani Kahaunaela at Harlows on 2708 J Street Sacramento. Show at 5PM. Tickets are $20.00 ADV

Wednesday, August 10th: Fairytale Town presents Twilight Concert Series at William Land Park 3901 Land Park Drive Sacramento. Concert at 6PM. Tickets are $10.00.

Thursday, August 11th: Warped Tour at SleepTrain Amphitheatre. Concert at Noon. Tickets are $30.00.

Thursday, August 11th: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature KB & The Slingtones at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento from 11:30 - 1PM/Free.

Concert Tickets On Sale This Week:

Watch The Throne Jay-Z & Kanye West at Power Balance Pavilion on Monday, October 17th at Power Balance Pavilion. Tickets are rumored to be on sale Monday (nothing yet on Power Balance Pavilion website).

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, August 5th:

Reggae By The Pool at Red Lion Hotel on 1401 Arden Way Sacramento. Music is from 5-10PM. $10 Cover/Kids Under 12 Free.

Reminisce at Harlows 9PM/$15

Dredg - Fair to Midland - Trophy Fire - Breva at Ace of Spades 6PM

AC Myles at Torch Club 9PM/$8

Tender Box - Early States - Color of Sound at Blue Lamp 9PM

Kevin Seconds & Friends at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Jason Welt - Brian Hanover - Andrew Harrison at Distillery 10PM/$5

Canvas with Chris 2me and Friends at Marilyns 9:30PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays at District 30 9PM

Island of Black and White at Lunas 9PM/$6

Gene Smith & GreenHouse - Mad Planet at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Draw from the Effect - Thea Skotia - Escalon - My Bloodshed Kills at The Boardwalk 9PM/$10

Pointdexter - Simple Creation - Soundcheck at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Amanda Gray at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, August 6th

Lucas Young and The Wilderness at Marilyns 9:30PM/$8

The Green Door & Katie Knipp at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Kill The Precendent with Will Haven - The Snobs - City of Vain at Harlows 10PM/$10

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Jem & Scout - Kids On A Crime Spree at Luigis Fungarden (All Ages) 8PM/$5-$7

Ivory Tower - Essence of October Lunas 9PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Crazy Ballhead - Trunk of Funk - Lumis at Distillery 10PM

Walking Spanish at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

Nate Weldon - Justin Farren - Truth of Mars at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Zeparella at Power House Pub 10PM/$12

DJ Este at District 30 9PM

Steel Savior - For All Ive Done - Silence of the Grimm - Mortal Atrocity - Pythagora at The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

Nothin Personal at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Hypnotic IV - The Razorblades - Denver Pyle Driver at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, August 7th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Groove Session 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Pinkie Rideau at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Set In Stone at Swabbies on the River 4:30PM/$5

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

'80s Reunion concert brings back friends from the past

2011-08-01T07:03:09Z

In the ‘80s, they were called “kings of the local scene,” but Saturday night, five bands with Sacramento roots, performed a dedication show at Harlow’s for family, friends and fans who have been loyal listeners for some 20 years.

Harlow’s hosted “Lord Beaverbrooks and the Fat Fonzies,” a lively reunion concert that included bands such as The Features, Numonix, Tattooed Love Dogs, The Antics and Rhythm School.

These five bands were a part of the music scene at Lord Beaverbrooks, a happening music venue in Sacramento in the ‘80’s, that was able to showcase punk rock, alternative rock and new wave music. That location on 2384 Fair Oaks Blvd has since become Zinfandel Grille.

Loyal followers, who were nostalgic for the music and party scene that Lord Beaverbrooks produced, came in droves.

Harlow’s, located on 2708 J St. hosted a crowd of over 200 people, many of whom were in their 40s and 50s. These were people who you knew used to be the coolest kids in the class. On Saturday they went to see if the local bands they liked in the ‘80s were still cool.

Fan John Gardiner said he went to see his friend Sethyne White, lead singer of Numonix, perform. He pointed out that a lot of people in the crowd were ex-skaters and fans of alternative rock and new wave in the ‘80s.

If the crowd’s reaction to the music was any indication — in a word, yes — these bands are still cool.

The night kicked off with Rhythm School, a band with pop, ska, rock and reggae influences. The Lead singer Sean O’Callaghan crooned, “I got a love that’s like broken railroad tracks,” as his wife Treacy O’Callahan looked on.

Their music was the kind that someone bops their head to. It’s music that was made to make you move.

They were followed by The Antics, who played a brief but pleasing set. Women stood up and started to dance.

Harry Price of Numonix brought a bit of unexpected humor to Harlow’s. He shared that Numonix once a show for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Price recalled when lead singer Anthony Kiedis taunted Numonix mercilessly, calling them “new wave pussies.”

To get even, Price spit in Kiedis’ beer, unbeknownst to Kiedis.

“Now listen to the radio,” Price said. “Look who’s new wave pussy now.”

During her last song, White sang “you can’t get a boner when you’re dead,” swinging a penis-shaped microphone after she was goaded by fans to sing “the boner song.”

Though all the bands were well received, none brought the house down more than The Features. The concert was at its height when lead vocalist Johny Pride and his band took the stage.

In sunglasses and black Vans skate shoes, Pride oozed charisma but was gracious to share the stage when fans — some barefoot — got on onstage to be near the music.

The night ended with a performance by the seasoned band Tattooed Love Dogs. Markedly different from the other bands that performed that night, the music of Tattooed Love Dogs had touches of folk music mixed with rock.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-07-29T15:58:22Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Through Sunday, July 31st: Music Circus presents Anything Goes at Wells Fargo Pavilion on 1419 H Street Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $30.00 - $59.00.
Beginning Tuesday, August 2nd - Sunday, August 7th: Camelot

Through Sunday, July 31st: CA State Fair Concert Series at Cal Expo. Info at www.bigfun.org

Friday, July 29th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature Lite Brite - Mondo Deco - Simpl3Jack - Jem & Scout at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Friday, July 29th: A Perfect Circle at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium 1515 J Street in Sacramento. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $49.50.

Friday, July 29th: The Tubes at Thunder Valley Casino Outdoor Summer Concerts. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $19.00 - $29.00.

Friday, July 29th: E-40 with Keak Da Sneak - Raider Dav - Alias John Brown - Quette Daddie at Ace of Spades 1417 R Street Sacramento. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $27.00.

Friday, July 29th: Pablo Cruise at Power House Pub in Old Folsom. Show at 10PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Saturday, July 30th: Chicago at Thunder Valley Casino Outdoor Summer Concerts. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $19.00 - $29.00.

Wednesday, July 27th: Fairytale Town presents Twilight Concert Series at William Land Park 3901 Land Park Drive Sacramento. Concert at 6PM. Tickets are $10.00.

Thursday, August 4th: Toby Keith & Eric Church at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $29.50 - $90.00.

Thursday, August 4th: Lyrics Born at Harlows on 2708 J Street Sacramento. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $20.00 ADV

Thursday, July 28th: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature Freebadge Serenadres at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento from 11:30 - 1PM/Free.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, July 29th

Reggae By The Pool at Red Lion Hotel on 1401 Arden Way Sacramento. Music is from 5-10PM. $10 Cover/Kids Under 12 Free.

Matt Schofield at Harlows 9PM/$15

Soft Science - Arts & Leisure - Damon Wyckoff - Be Brave Bold Robot at Beatnik Studios 6PM

Quinn Hedges Band - The Bluez Houndz at Torch Club 9PM/$7

Three Bad Jacks - The Avenue Saints - Ghost Town Hangmen at Blue Lamp 9PM

Gillian Underwood at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Give Em Hell - Take Pride - Hugo Stiglitz - Brace for the Unrest at Distillery 10PM/$5

Midlife Confidential at Marilyns 9:30PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays DJ Guzie & DJ Just at District 30 9PM

O Street with Peabody Incident at Harlows 9PM/$8

Family Bandits at Lunas 9PM/$6

The Chic P’s - Jackwagon - Mollymawks at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Scene at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Eulogy - Straight Up Grizzly - Victory or Death - Defend the Outlaw at The Boardwalk 9PM/$10

The Kelps - Honyock - Jaxx - Those Meddling Kids at The Refuge (All Ages) 7PM/$5-$7

Madside & Built By Stereo at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Pato Banton at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, July 30th

Nekromantix - The Brains - The Infamous Swanks - Avenue Saints at Ace of Spades (All Ages) 6PM/$13

ZUHG at Marilyns 9:30PM/$8

Armed Forces Radio - Riot Radio at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Lord Beaverbrooks & Fat Fonzies Reunion at Harlows 7PM/$10

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

The Secretions - Phenomenauts - The Number - The Giddy Ups at Luigis Fungarden (All Ages) 8:30PM/$5-$7

David Houston & String Theory - Bobby Bottachello at Lunas 9PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Big Sandy and his Fly Right Boys at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

Sandra Dolores Band - Secret Agryle - Isaac Howl at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

The Hits at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

Violet Muse Fashion Show at District 30 9PM

Filter - Saliva - Anew Revolution - Heart-Set Self Destruct - Prylosis - White Minorities at The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

The Nibblers at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Prieta - Platboy School at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, July 31st

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Groove Session 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Tess & Hip Trash at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Mumbo Gumbo at Swabbies on the River 4:30PM/$10

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

'80s Reunion Show at Harlow's Saturday

2011-07-27T07:27:13Z

Local bands from the ‘80s including The Features, Numonix, The Antics, Tattooed Love Dogs and Rhythm School are reuniting Saturday night, some after 20 years, at Harlow’s, 2708 J St.

Sporting pointy Beatle boots or Doc Martens, stretch jeans and black blazers, or cut-off T-shirts and mullets, these band members dominated the local music scene in the ‘80s, playing at shows together and at the same popular clubs at the time.

New wave was “a movement, that encompassed everything from power-rock, pop, punk-rock, reggae, ska and rockabilly,” said The Features bandleader Johnny Pride.

Pride is a singer/songwriter who was part of The Features in the ‘80s and later joined a band called Pride In Peril, which released three albums and played in the movie, “The Doors.”

The lineup for Saturday’s show starts at 7 p.m. with The Antics, then Rhythm School and Numonix. The Features are headlining the show and will play around 10 p.m., and Tattooed Love Dogs will continue the show until midnight.

Harry Price, event promoter and bandleader of Numonix, talked to Pride from The Features about putting on a reunion show with local ‘80s bands in the area after playing at a Press Club reunion last summer.

“Several people who owned and operated clubs back in the day are interested in getting aboard and sponsoring this,’’ Pride said about the idea of making the reunion a recurring event.

“We have so much fun doing this, it could become an annual event where a bunch of bands get back together that were friends during mid-late ‘80s and early ‘90s – and just do a great big show together,” Pride said.

This is not just a reunion concert for the band members, it is also a reunion for the fans who will get to come out and relive ‘80s memories along with the bands and reconnect with old friends.

“There’s people coming from Portland, Texas (and) Southern California. It’s going to be a pretty epic event,” said Robert Katen, who works for Dimple Records as the assistant to the CEO, and is friends with the members of The Features and Tattooed Love Dogs.

“It is important because there are a lot of people that lived in those times in Sacramento that are still around, and The Features and the Tattooed Love Dogs were a big part of our lives,” Katen said.

The Features, formed in 1982, released an album, produced by Scott Singer, called “Up Up Side Side” in 1984 that hit the No. 2 spot for Tower Records charts in California, said Pride.

“I’d start singing ‘up-up, side-side-side, foot-foot,’ and everybody started doing this ridiculous little dance. It was just great fun,” Pride said as he recalled the first time he invited the audience to dance up on stage with the band.

“We started doing the little dance too,’’ Pride said. “It just caught on, and you knew as soon as you heard ‘Swing right,’ just to bum-rush the stage and get up there and start dancing.”

Sally Katen works for Sprint and said she is a fan of the Tattooed Love Dogs and The Features.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the reunion of The Features. I mean, some of them don’t live in California anymore, so it is a nice treat to have them back,” she said. “They weren’t your average bands. They had a great following.”

Pride was flown in from Atlanta, Ga. by myhometownbands.com. Music download cards for the website will be given away at the show Saturday.

The Tattooed Love Dogs formed in1988 and still play locally.

Rhythm School’s music style is inspired by reggae/ska, Price said.

Numonix started in 1983, and its music style is neither folk nor heavy metal, said Price. “It ventures a little punky once in a while, and it’s definitely electronic once in a while.”

The band opened for Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1984 or 1985 at a popular nightclub called Lord Beaverbrooks, said Price.

“None of these people have really gotten together in the last 20 years,” Price said about the reunion and added that it was way better than any high school reunion.

“Most of the players are almost 50 years old, or older, and they are still rocking like crazy,” Price said.

Marc Kallweit, who has done photography for Sublime and is also a band member of SexRat and Syncro, will play guitar with Numonix.

Jerry Pompei will lead sing for Numonix with Price. Pompei plays keyboards and harmonica, and was a vocalist for Tight Quarters and Secret Service in the ‘80s.

Vocalist Sethyne White will guest-appear on the show with Numonix. Price and White have played in other groups together and had a hit song called “Spiritual Zoo” that played in the ‘80s on Northern California radio.

Emcee Monty Solorio, will sing “Shout!” with the band. Solorio is part of Tattooed Love Dogs and used to play in “Black Slacks” a band that played ‘50s-style rockabilly music, Price said.

Chris La Mar is Numonix’s keyboard player and also plays bass. La Mar is currently part of the Led Zeppelin tribute band “Led Sac” and has opened for Willie Nelson, Jerry Reed, Toby Keith and others with the group called “Gunshy.”

Maurice Fitzmaurice, who works for NBC Universal is the other keyboardist for Numonix.

The members of the bands have known each other, have played with each other and even swapped band members between bands, Pride said.

The Features’ keyboardist, Curtis Hillier, was in Tattooed Love Dogs for a while and also joined Pride In Peril with Pride after The Features.

Guitarists Waylin Carpenter, Vinnie Pantaleoone and Curtis Blakenship joined The Features after leaving a local ‘80s band called Steel Breeze.

Romeo Void was a big new-wave band in the ‘80s out of San Francisco that had two hit singles. Deborah Iyall was the vocalist, and she will be joining The Features on Saturday for two songs.

Drummer and producer Mike Urbano is from the ‘80s group called Bourgois Tagg, but is more famous for being in the band Smash Mouth, will also make a guest appearance for the show.

“Everything tended to be faster and louder, but also really catchy and melodic,” Pride said about the music style of The Features. “We used to call it aggressive pop with a modern bop.”

Pride said he believes the companies that controlled rock radio in those days “were destroying the potential of music in America” by not giving original content a chance on the air.

“’No Rock ‘N’ Roll radio’ was an anthem for us,” Pride said. “It really is just a diatribe that railed against corporate rock and corporate radio.”

Numonix will play a song by Sly in the Family Stone called “Thank you for letting me be myself (again)” as a toast thanking the audience for showing up.

“If these people didn’t show up, we couldn’t be ourselves again,” Price said about reliving memories onstage through the reunion.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Uh Huh Her sweats it out at Harlow's

2011-07-26T23:40:50Z

In a rare all ages show at Harlow's last night, L.A.'s Uh Huh Her performed for a packed room of excited fans ready to make the most of a typically low-key Monday night.

Taking their name from the 2004 PJ Harvey album of the same title, Uh Huh Her is a sultry electro-pop duo made up of ex-Mellodrone bassist and keyboardist Camila Grey (who has collaborated with Busta Rhymes, Kelly Osbourne and Dr. Dre) and musician and actress, Leisha Hailey, formerly of The Murmurs and most well known from her role as bisexual journalist, Alice Pieszecki, on Showtime's, “The L Word.”

While Hailey's resume could suggest the band is an actor's passing fancy, the pair are seasoned performers and multi-instrumentalists to boot, even swapping their bass and guitar at one point.

The flirty stage banter was effortless as they forged a connection with the enrapt, overwhelmingly female crowd.

"We just came from Vegas," said Hailey with a smile, explaining a brief technical difficulty with her synth, "so you can imagine what my keyboard has been through!"

The music Uh Huh Her has put out so far – their 2010 debut, “Common Reaction,” and 2011's, “Black and Blue” EP – could be described as synth-driven pop with electronic rhythm, made all the more dreamy with Grey's and Hailey's melodic vocals.

Seeing the songs performed Monday with a second guitar and live drums gave them a rawness, turning the performance into more of a rock ‘n' roll show than you might have expected from listening to their recorded material.

The only issue seemed to be that the precision of the keys and vocals were overpowered by the accompanying muscle, not that it mattered to the dancing and now sweaty crowd. If anything, the organic live show enhanced the experience of seeing the twosome play, and they weren't the only ones generating body heat.

"I'm sweating balls up here. Balls, I tell you," said a soaked Grey, wiping the top of her chest with a towel to deafening squeals of delight from the crowd. "I don't know what that means, but it's happening."

Songs from their yet-to-be-released second LP, “Nocturnes,” were also being honed on the road. Originally planned for a 2011 summer release, Hailey said she thinks the new album will be out in October.

After a quick show and encore that lasted a little over an hour, the ladies of UHH sent their fans home exhausted and happy, as they stuck around to sign autographs and take pictures for a long line of fans that snaked along the inside of the club.

"They're hot," said new fan Lisa Burns, who found out about the show – and band – through meetup.com. "I've never heard of them but I'm very impressed!"

Photos by Steven Chea

Uh Huh Her to perform at Harlow's

2011-07-25T01:59:20Z

Taking their name from the 2004 PJ Harvey album of the same title, L.A.-based Uh Huh Her is a sultry electro-pop duo made up of ex-Mellodrone bassist and keyboardist Camila Grey (who has collaborated with Busta Rhymes, Kelly Osbourne and Dr. Dre) and musician and actress Leisha Hailey, formerly of the Murmurs (and who you might recognize from her role as bisexual journalist Alice Pieszecki on Showtime's “The L Word”).

The pair creates lush, layered synth-driven pop, complemented by soothing, ethereal vocals and driven by up-tempo electronic beats.

The band most recently released their dark and moody "Black and Blue" EP in May and is currently preparing to release their second album, "Nocturnes."

Uh Huh Her will perform at Harlow’s on Monday at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-07-22T16:13:13Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Through Sunday, July 24th: Music Circus presents Oliver! at Wells Fargo Pavilion on 1419 H Street Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $30.00 - $59.00.
Beginning Tuesday, July 26th - Sunday, July 31st: Anything Goes

Through Sunday, July 31st: CA State Fair Concert Series at Cal Expo. Info at www.bigfun.org

Friday, July 22nd: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature Prieta - Roman Funerals - Kelps - The Denver Piledrivers at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Friday, July 22nd: George Winston at Crest Theatre 1013 K Street in Sacramento. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $25.00 - $33.00.

Sunday, July 24th: Train at Thunder Valley Casino Outdoor Summer Concerts. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $29.00 - $69.00.

Tuesday, July 26th: Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $21.50 - $98.00.

Wednesday, July 27th: Fairytale Town presents Twilight Concert Series at William Land Park 3901 Land Park Drive Sacramento. Concert at 6PM. Tickets are $10.00.

Thursady, July 28th: Asleep at The Wheel at Harlows on 2708 J Street Sacramento. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $37.00 ADV

Thursday, July 28th: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature Exquisite Corps at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento from 11:30 - 1PM/Free.

Thursday, July 28th: Fiesta en la Calle (weekly through July 28th) at Cesar Chavez Park on 9th & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM-8:30PM./Free

Tickets On Sale This Week:

Cake at Freeborn Hall UC Davis on Thursday, October 6th & Friday, October 7th. Tickets are $TBA. On Sale FRI through Tickets.com.

(Note: Tickets.com should get a clue about how nice it would be for customers if they displayed the cost of a ticket in advance of the on sale date. Not into surpises when it comes to spending my $ these days. Tickets will go FAST...it's been awhile since Cake played a show in the SAC area.)

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, July 22nd:

Reggae By The Pool at Red Lion Hotel on 1401 Arden Way Sacramento. Music is from 5-10PM. $10 Cover/Kids Under 12 Free.

Conscious Vibes Website Pary at Harlows 9PM

Tracorium at Torch Club 9PM/$8

DJ Epik - Man Machine - Kodac Visualz - DJ Fooders at Blue Lamp 9PM

Hot Tar Roofers - Perpetual Drifters at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Superlicious at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Voltera - Beyond the Grove - Slave Unit - Outshined at Distillery 10PM/$5

Thaw Jack Frost at Marilyns 9PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays DJ Audio1 at District 30 9PM

Kevin Never Talks at Lunas 9PM/$6

Iconoclast Robot - Conflict Minerals - James Cavern at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Scene at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Faster Pussycat - Big Boss Graffiti - Venrez - Restrayned at The Boardwalk 9PM/$12-$14

Kevin Lee Florence - Caldendar Kids at The Refuge (All Ages) 7PM/$5-$7

Free Fan Appreciation Show with Stepchild at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Rogue at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, July 23rd

Tyler Rich - Method Echo - Autumn Sky - Fate Under Fire - The Repair - at Ace of Spades (All Ages) 6PM/$15

Greens Hotel LAUNCH with Neon Indian - Little Foxes - D.A.M.B. - Dreaded Diamond - Exquisite Corp - Resa - Jon Droll - Sam I Jam - Taylor Cho - Mike Diamond - My Cousin Vinny 5 p.m

Dane Drewis Band at Marilyns 9:30PM/$5

Rich Driver at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Conscious Vibes Website Party Launch at Harlows 9PM/$10

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

A Lot Like Birds - I The Mighty - Early States - The Mighty - Ben Union at Luigis Fungarden (All Ages) 8:30PM/$5-$7

Justin Farren - Justin McMahonat Lunas 9PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Johnny Knox at The Torch Club 9PM/$12

Broughty Cole - Johnny Rulon - I Bison at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Club 90 - Bump City at Power House Pub 10PM/$15

DJ Don Lynch at District 30 9PM

The Angry Samoans - Boats! - Flip-Offs! - No Beatings from Holly - The Scowndrolls - Judhea at The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

Cinema 7 at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Dubb DJ's at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, July 24th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Groove Session 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Mark Zito & Claud Hay at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Riff Raff at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$8

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Art, Music, & Fashion Collide at Harlow's for the Midtown Gala

2011-07-18T18:18:17Z

Harlow’s night club was converged upon Friday night by artists, musicians, designers, community leaders and culture enthusiasts to help support and celebrate the creative hub of Sacramento known as Midtown.

The 2011 Midtown Business Association Annual Gala included exhibits by various local businesses, performances by local musicians and artists, and a lecture by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Policy, Planning and Development and author of, “The Warhol Economy: How Art, Fashion, and Music Drive New York City.”

Harlow’s was elegantly decorated with round tables on the dance floor topped with black linen, centerpieces of wine glasses holding peacock feathers and donated goodies including business cards, coupons and wine keys.

The patio outside featured local DJ and media company, Visao Media. Alex Trujillo and Erin Best ran projections and played an eclectic mix of electronic music which complemented the diverse and unique scene that was growing outside.

Exhibits were further back and included an exclusive mix of local shops and businesses in the downtown area. Flowers Couture by Susanne displayed some particularly beautiful and intricate hair accessories including many 1920’s vintage style headbands and clips. Bunker’s Attic featured mostly “vintage re-mastered” jewelry – handmade and unique. Exhibitors also included Time Tested Books, one of Midtown’s independent new, used and rare book stores; Maiya Gallery, currently displaying new works by JG Morales Villanueva, Dwight Head, Clifford Kluge and Mark Harm Niemeyer; Krazy Mary’s Boutique, carrying designs by many local designers as well as name brand and vintage styles and last but most certainly not least, Motives, a fully customizable high end mineral based makeup line.

“We empower every woman to look and feel beautiful,” explained Rita Lolenko, a Motives representative. “If you want to feel like a star, come get your makeup done by Motives – makeup for the stars.”

The evening continued with a very special and fascinating lecture by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, Assistant Professor at University of Southern California’s School of Policy, Planning and Development and author of, “The Warhol Economy.” Currid-Halkett spoke eloquently about the art movement, how it is developed, why it happens where it does and what that means for the artists themselves, as well as its effects on the community - socially, culturally and economically.

Currid-Halkett argues that there are three types of “social milieu” that facilitate the cultural economy: Night Life, Industry Events and “in-situ” interactions which are essentially spontaneous interactions that have life changing effects. She cited various regions in New York where areas that were once considered highly undesirable places to live have been transformed over time by a convergence of artists and musicians and are now some of the most exclusive and coveted residential areas in the country. This is an example of how art and music can transform a place, explained Currid Halkett, not just culturally and socially, but economically as well.

Currid-Halkett’s thesis, that place matters, seemed all the more relevant as local Sacramento artists, musicians, and their supporters mingled in the Harlow’s courtyard and enjoyed each other’s performances inside. Huddled around the fire pit were local model Anastasia, subject of a featured painting by Jeff Musser; musician Ashley Maiden of the band Der Spazm, who will be performing Tuesday at the Press Club with French band Human Toys; spoken word artist Jovi Radtke, who will be performing at Chico Pride and Take Back The Night; as well as solo artist and gala performer Reggie Ginn.

All four women are local artists working in different genres who are, nevertheless, out supporting each other. The Sacramento Midtown art scene is a close knit community who appreciate each other for their similarities and their differences. When asked what makes the Midtown art scene unique, Anastasia said it best.

“It’s very much our own. We are influenced by other places, but we take it and put our own twist on it. Sacramento has ingenuity – we’re just a little different out here.”

The Various performers were perhaps the highlight of the entire event. Performers were grouped together in threes on stage, doing what they love. Jeff Musser, a local painter, worked on his picture of Anastasia, a dark, sexy and feminine piece, while local hair stylist Jessica Harrison of Spanish Fly created a classically beautiful look on stage. The two were accompanied by Jake Desrochers, aka Jake D. of the band Lonely Kings. His passionate songs about life and love inspired and set the tone for the continued performances.

Jessica Harrison was replaced on stage by Amithyst, an artist/hair stylist who constructed an elaborate and gravity defying hair style on stage. The model sat stationary while Amithyst fitted her with a handmade wig and sculpted the rest of her hair into an updo reminiscent of Marie Antoinette. Jeweled and painted, the model posed on stage.

Amithyst, a Sacramento native, has been doing hair in Sacramento for 12 years. She describes the fashion, art and music scene as going “nowhere but up. The influential people here are established and poised to make (this city) grow – it’s open for anyone to dominate.”

The next musical performer was Reggie Ginn, local singer-songwriter and musician. Reggie took the stage with nothing but her keyboard, confidently serenading the crowd with her haunting, passionate and soulful voice. Her lyrics and voice transport the listener to another consciousness, one that is simultaneously filled with loss and longing, and peace and honesty. Reggie plays all over town; her next show will be at Naked Lounge on H Street. Keep an eye out for her at the Chalk It Up Festival as well. She is currently working on her third album, “Passion in Perspective,” which will be out in a couple months.

Meanwhile, on stage, Amithyst was replaced by local tattoo artist, Britton McFetridge, owner and operator of the Royal Peacock Tattoo Parlor. McFetridge tattooed a loyal and very pain tolerant customer on stage. The work was beautifully elaborate and intricate, a large dragon which took up the man’s entire back. McFetridge calmly began his work, checking in occasionally with his client, who withstood the process with hardly a grimace.

They were serenaded by the soulful sounds of Andrew Harrison, whose blues, soul and Americana sounds brought a nice variety to the performances. Harrison’s authentic sound is influenced by Albert King, Jackie Wilson and probably most influentially, by Elvis Costello.

Last on stage was Alex Dorame of the Sacramento band, Killdevil, who took the stage with his guitar in hand and approached the microphone for a no holds barred performance. His raspy and powerful voice, accompanied by gritty, heartfelt lyrics, can be described as acoustic street punk, which might make it the most street of all. His music sounds like a confession with songs about drinking, lost love and good friends. Dorame dedicated his last song of the night, “Final Call” to Sacramento.

“This song is about good friends and appreciating them.”

His words seemed to sum up the meaning of the night - a coming together of good friends, appreciators of art and most importantly, a desire to make Sacramento great.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-07-15T19:03:53Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Through Sunday, July 17th: Music Circus presents The Producers at Wells Fargo Pavilion on 1419 H Street Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $30.00 - $59.00.
Beginning Tuesday, July 19th - Sunday, July 24th: Oliver!

Through Sunday, July 31st: CA State Fair Concert Series at Cal Expo. Info at www.bigfun.org

Friday, July 15th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature The Nickel Slots - Whiskey & Stiches - Bright Faces at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10th & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Friday, July 15th: Jazz Attack with Peter White - Gerald Albright - Rick Braun at The Radisson Hotel Grove 500 Liesure Lane Sacramento. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $40.00 - $64.00.

Wednesday, July 20th: Fairytale Town presents Twilight Concert Series at William Land Park 3901 Land Park Drive Sacramento. Concert at 6PM. Tickets are $10.00.

Thursday, July 21st: Hapa at Harlows on 2708 J street in Sacramento. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $25.00.

Thursday, July 21st: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature Iland of Black and White at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento from 11:30 - 1PM/Free.

Thursday, July 21st: Fiesta en la Calle (weekly through July 28th) at Cesar Chavez Park on 9th & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM-8:30PM./Free

Concert Tickets On Sale This Week:

Rockstar Uproar with Avenged Sevenfold - Three Days Grace - Seether at Sleep Train Ampitheatre on Thursday, October 13th. Tickets are $25.00 - $70.00. On Sale FRI

Rascal Flatts with Sara Evans - Justine Moore at SleepTrain Ampitheatre on Thursday, September 15th. Tickets are $37.00 - $90.00. On Sale SAT.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, July 15th

Reggae By The Pool at Red Lion Hotel on 1401 Arden Way Sacramento. Music is from 5-10PM. $10 Cover/Kids Under 12 Free.

Tainted Love at Harlows 10PM/$17

Electric Grease at Torch Club 9PM/$7

The Chop Tops - The Cockfight Kings - Coffin Hunter at Blue Lamp 9PM

The Ryders - Dry Creek Rounders - Trainwreck Revival at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Wonderbread 5 at Power House Pub 10PM/$15

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Boundaries - Drag Me Under - Carry The Torch at Distillery 10PM/$5

The Bell Boys - James Cavern at Marilyns 9PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays DJ David Carvalho at District 30 9PM

Richie Lawrence - Julie The Bruce at Lunas 9PM/$6

Walking Spanish - Honyock at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Yule Logs - Uni & Her Ukelele - Musical Charis at Lugis Fungarden (All Ages) 9PM $5-$7

DJ Trent Mazur at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Valencia - Anarbor - Conditions - Talking's Not Stealing at The Boardwalk 9PM/$12-$14

Heros Last Mission - The Generals - The Reel at The Refuge (All Ages) 7PM/$5-$7

Element of Soul - A Single Second - Sinister Scene - Adam Roth at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Urban Fire at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, July 16th

Sacred City Infest with Havenside and a 10 band line-up at Ace of Spades (All Ages) 3:30PM/$14

Smirker - Strange Tounges at Marilyns 9:30PM/$5

Natural Drift - Kathy Barwick at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Zuhg - Wooster at Harlows 9PM/$10

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Poor Bailey - Whiskerman at Luigis Fungarden (All Ages) 8:30PM/$5-$7

Alex Jenkins - Sound Immersion - V-Neck - Phillip Greenleaf at Lunas 9PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Sista Monica at The Torch Club 9PM/$12

Shannon Curtis - Gillian Underwood at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Atomic Punks at Power House Pub 10PM/$15

1st Annual White Party with DJ White Shadow (Lady Gaga's Tour DJ) at District 30 9PM/$15

First Class Citizen - Silent Treatment - Nam Classic at The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

Marshall Wilkerson at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Klear Channelz - Lenskrafters - MLS at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, July 17th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Bone McDonald & Friends 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Papas Garage at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Road 88 at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$8

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Second Saturday community bike rack installation: see it here

2011-07-08T19:17:46Z

If you're a cyclist in the Sacramento Midtown area, you're aware of the shortage of bicycle racks when it comes to locking up your ride at a restaurant or favorite watering hole. If your destination is the 2700 block of J Street, you'll soon have a new place to secure your faithful metal steed.

Gina Rossi, artist and Midtown resident also known as the "bike rack girl," has taken on a project to create a community bicycle station to house 12 bicycles and incorporate a few of the businesses within the 2700 Block on J street including Mosaic Hair Salon, Harlow's, Red Lotus, Bar West, j27 Gallery and Centro. The bicycle station is sculpture comprised of six different statues. Each statue will hold two bicycles and will consist of new and recycled materials.

Saturday you can watch Rossi add the final touches to the bicycle station. She will be showing her metal sculpture and providing a welding show in front of Bar West and j27 Gallery in the 2700 block of J Street starting at 6 p.m. If everything goes according to plan, the bicycle installation will immediately follow.

If you can’t make the welding show and bicycle station installation, you can watch live streaming video of the event as it happens Saturday here in this article.

Free live streaming by Ustream

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-07-08T16:45:12Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Friday, July 8th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature The Nibblers - Gerald Pease Combo -The Bell Boys with James Cavern and Jesi Naomat at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Friday, July 8th: Bone Thugs N-Harmony with White Minorities at Ace of Spades 1417 R Street Sacramento. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $25.00.

Saturday, July 9th: Tesla at Thundervalley Resort Outdoors 1200 Athens Avenue in Lincoln. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $21.00 - $59.00

Monday, July 11th: American Idols Live at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $45.00 - $65.00.

Tuesday, July 12th - Sunday, July 17th: Music Circus presents The Producers at Wells Fargo Pavilion on 1419 H Street Sacramento. Shows at various times. Tickets are $30.00 - $59.00.

Wednesday, July 13th: Fairytale Town presents Twilight Concert Series at William Land Park 3901 Land Park Drive Sacramento. Concert at 6PM. Tickets are $10.00.

Thursday, July 14th - Sunday, July 31st: CA State Fair Concert Series at Cal Expo. Info at www.bigfun.org

Thursday, June 14th: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature Gerald Pease Combo at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento from 11:30 - 1PM/Free.

Thursday, June 30th: Fiesta en la Calle (weekly through July 28th) at Cesar Chavez Park on 9th & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM-8:30PM./Free

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, July 8th:

Reggae By The Pool at Red Lion Hotel on 1401 Arden Way Sacramento. This week Yami Bolo with Arden Park Roots. Music is from 5-10PM. $10 Cover/Kids Under 12 Free.

Doey Rock at Harlows 10PM/$10

The Nibblers at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Giant Squid - La Fin - DJ Monde at Blue Lamp 9PM

Little Black Bats - 2 or 3 Guys at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Notorious at Power House Pub 10PM/$12

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Virtue & Vices - The Ploymers at Distillery 10PM/$5

Lacy & Mystic Man - 2Me at Marilyns 9PM/$10

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Illest at Dream Ultra Lounge 9PM

DJ David Carvalho at District 30 9PM

For Sayle - The Speak Low - Glorious Flatfoot at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Beyond Veronica - Black Market - Sunday Baby at Old Ironsides 9PM/$5

DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Full Blown Stone - Dogfood - Confidential at The Boardwalk 9PM/$8

Andrus Shivley - Alicyca Angel - Chris Bown at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Sin City at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, July 9th

Fascination 80's New Wave DJ Party at Old Ironsides 9:30PM/$5

Ian Moore & The Lossy Coils - Nathan Dale at Marilyns 9PM/$5

DJ Hailey atFox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

The Geencards at 7PM/$17.50 & The Sizzling Sirens at 10PM/$20 at Harlows

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Delta Wires at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Afro Cuban Funk Band at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Panic City at District 30 9PM

Mezza Luna - Tragic Culture - Under Pendegast at The Boardwalk 7PM/$10

Appelz at Swabbies on the River 9PM/$5

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

The Sleeprockers - ARG - Mahtie Bush at Blue Lamp 9PM

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, July 10th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Dead Winter Carpenters 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Shana Morrison &Roomful of Blues at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-06-24T17:07:27Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Friday, June 24th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature Mumbo Gumbo & Los Blazing Hangovers at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Saturday, June 25th and Sunday, June 26th: Foothills Music Festival at Gibson Ranch Park with Two Tone Steiny, Cream of Clapton, Sacred Fire Band, Renegade, The Bonedivers and more. $20 Day/$35 Two Days

Saturday, June 25th: Pops in The Park Concert Series with Mercy Me at East Potal Park on 1120 Rodeo Way in Sacramento. Concert at 6:00PM/Free.

Saturday, June 25th: Garrett Wilkin & The Parrotheads Cheeseburger in Paradise Summer Kick-Off at 10000 Garden HWY. 3PM - 11PM. Tickets are $15.00.

Sunday, June 26th: Bob Keller's 30th Anniversary Soiree and Clambake with Linda Pense & Coldblood and more bands at The Sacramento Horseman's Club on 3200 Longview Drive in Sacramento. Events begin at Noon. Tickets are 10.00.

Sunday, June 26th: Jackie Greene at Fairytale Town. Concert begins at 8PM. Tickets are $35.00.

Sunday, June 26th: Alison Krauss at Mondavi Center in Davis. Concert at 7PM. Tickets are $59.00 -$125.00.

Thursday, June 30th: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature Kepi Ghoulie Acoustic & DogParty at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento from 11:30 - 1PM/Free.

Thursday, June 30th: Fiesta en la Calle (weekly through July 28th) at Cesar Chavez Park on 9th & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM-8:30PM./Free

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, June 24th

Midnight Players at Harlows 9PM/$10

The Nibblers at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Akil the MC (of Jurassic 5) - J Ross Parrelli - J*Ras at Blue Lamp 9PM

Pushtonawanda - The Inversions - Braden Scot at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Tainted Love at Power House Pub 10PM/$20

Final Friday Arts & Music Showcase with Micah Crandall-Bear & Lisa Alonzo with music from Hot Tar Roofers - Noah Clark at Beatnik Studios 6PM.

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Acoustic Friday with Keloid - Black Mackeral at Distillery 10PM/$6

Ancestree at Marilyns 9PM/$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Illest at Dream Ultra Lounge 9PM

DJ David Carvalho at District 30 9PM

Bright Faces - Kites & Crows - Carly DuHain at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Mr Maurico & DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Art Lessing & The Flower Vato at Luigis Fungarden 8PM/$5

Mystic Roots - Simple Creation at The Boardwalk 7PM/$10

Soundcheck 8 - In Oceans - June Breaks Bright and more at Ace of Spades 5:30PM

Nam Classic - Color the Sound - The Realists at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Amanada Gray at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, June 25th

Cosmonauts - The Kimberly Trip - The Mathletes at Old Ironsides 10PM/$5

Plex at Marilyns 9PM/$5

Honyock and Friends at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Sacramento Moonwalk Competition at Harlows

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Spyder & DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Tracorium at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Spazmatics at Power House Pub 10PM/$20

Rock The Runway Fashion Show at District 30 9PM

Mezza Luna - Peter Murphy at The Boardwalk 7:30PM

Savannah at Swabbies on the River 6PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Kill The Precedent at Blue Lamp 9PM

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, June 26th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Groove Session 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Shana Morrison & Roomful of Blues at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-06-17T15:58:27Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Through Sunday, June 19th: Mary Poppins at Sacramento Community Center Theatre on 1301 L Street in Sacramento. Tickets are $24.00 - $138.00.

Friday, June 17th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature Debora Iyall - Exquisite Corps - The Generals - Breaking Glass at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Saturday, June 18th: Jazz Concert Series with Mindi Abair at The Radsisson Hotel Grove on 500 Leisure Lane in Sacramento. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $45.00 - $59.00.

Saturday, June 18th: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts at Thundrevalley Resort. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $34.00 - $64.00.

Saturday, June 18th: Pops in The Park Concert Series with Swingmasters at Bertha Henschel Park in Sacramento. Concert at 6:00PM/Free.

Wednesday, June 22nd: Tech N9ne at Ace of Spades in Sacramento. Concert at 6PM. Tickets are $35.00.

Thursday, June 23rd: Hot Lunch Concert Series presented by Hot Italian will feature Richard March at Fremont Park on 16th & Q Street in Sacramento from 11:30 - 1PM/Free.

Thursday, June 23rd: Fiesta en la Calla (weekly through July 28th) at Cesar Chavez Park on 9th & J Street in Sacramento. This week Inspector & La Noche Oskura will appear. 5PM-8:30PM./Free

Concert Tickets On Sale This Week:

Foo Fighters with Cage The Elephnat & Mariachi El Bronx at Power Balance Pavilion on Thursady, Octobet 20th. Tickest are $49.00 - $69.00. On Sale FRI 6/17.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, June 17th:

Brody Stewart Band with Joe Getty and The Dead Flowers at Harlows 9PM/$10

Zakiya Hooker at Torch Club 9PM/$10

The Queers - The Apers - The Secretions - The Left Hand at Blue Lamp 9PM

Nagual - The Nahum Zdybel Trio at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Wild Child at Power House Pub 10PM/$20

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Acoustic Friday with Riot Radio - Kill Devil - Joe Q Cititzen - Armed Forces Radio at Distillery 10PM/$6

Chick P�s - The Blues Monsters at Marilyns 9PM/$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Illest at Dream Ultra Lounge 9PM

DJ Solarz at District 30 9PM

Thee Bank - Island of Black and White - Patients at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

The Speed Of Sound In Seawater - Dreaded Diamond - Town Hall - The Relatives at Luigis Fungarden 8PM/$5

Memphis May Fire - Decoder - That's Outrageous! - Ten After Two - Paint Over Pictures at The Boardwalk 7PM/$10

Mickey Avalon - The Divine at Ace of Spades 5:30PM

The Absolutes - Rise From Within - Drawing Out Life at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Urban Fire at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, June 18th

The Creamers - Ashtray - The Sonic Trees - Baby! at Old Ironsides 10PM/$5

Misamore - Speak No More at Marilyns 9PM/$5

The Golden Cadillacs at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Foreverland Michael Jackson Tribute Band at Harlows 10PM/$12

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Lara Price at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

The English Beat at Power House Pub 10PM/$20

DJ D Lo & DJ Ritz at District 30 9PM

T. Mills - Goldenwest - Fade - Wesley Avery - Confidential - Nam Classic at The Boardwalk 7:30PM

Bump City at Swabbies on the River 6PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Lipstick (Roger Carpio - Shaun Slaughter) vs. Blow Up (Paul Tunkin) - Scouse Gits at Blue Lamp 9PM

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, June 19th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Gerald Isaac Pease Combo 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Kenny Blue Ray - Jaffrey Halford at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Vokab Kompany

2011-06-10T04:41:17Z

Are you sitting down?

I've got some news.

You should probably just grab a seat.

In July, I will be moving to Nashville, Tenn.

Stop it. Please. Don't cry. It's not you. It's me.

You're an angel, a snowflake. You're gonna make someone very happy one day.

I'm going to miss you at least as much as you miss me. Probably more.

Are we OK? You're composed? It's all good?

Good.

You know what I'm gonna miss more than you?

Harlow's.

Yeah, Harlow's. The nightclub.

‘Cause it's awesome?

To say that I like Harlow's would be a gross understatement.

I used to get my mail sent to Harlow's.

A little more than a year ago I went to my first show at the venerable J Street music venue. The headliner was a band called BLVD. They're awesome, but that's neither here nor there.

The opener, and therefore the very first band I ever saw at Harlow's, was a San Diego trip-hop act called Vokab Kompany.

Never heard of ‘em? Let one-year-younger Lindol enlighten you on the matter:

Vokab Kompany is another act that refuses to be pigeonholed. Two MCs might lead you to believe that it's hip-hop, but that doesn't begin to tell the story. The seven-piece band played for more than an hour, a set that was at times funky, jazzy, heavy, bouncy, even bluegrassy.

At one point, it eased comfortably in and out of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition." A moment later, during a long electric fiddle solo, a young lady joined the fiddler on the floor and did her best "Lord of the Dance." And it all made sense. Through it all, the crowd was treated to microphonic gymnastics of the dueling MCs, Rob Hurt and Burkey. The group is legit. See them.

Sounds awesome, right?

One more thing about Vokab Kompany: They'll be back in Sac, at Harlow's, on Friday night.

The first band I ever saw at Harlow's will also be the last (for now).

I'll see you on the dance floor (or I'll never see you again. Maybe.)

Vokab Kompany is playing Harlow's on Friday June 10, at 10pm. Tickets are $10. Yahtzee.

Old 97’s at Harlow's: photos

2011-06-06T06:30:38Z

Longtime alt-country stalwarts Old 97’s played Harlow's in Sacramento on Saturday night with fellow Texan Sarah Jaffe opening (see Sacramento Press article and photos on Sarah) .

Old 97's are touring in advance of the release of The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 on July 5.

As has been standard for the shows in the last few months at Harlow's that this photographer has attended (North Mississippi Allstars, The Devil Makes Three, Trampled By Turtles), the packed crowd was extremely enthusiastic. And the band responded: playing over 25 songs in their set (including an extended encore) spanning their 18-year career

Sarah Jaffe treats Harlow's to her smooth voice, sharp wit

2011-06-06T06:08:29Z

In a rustic jean jacket and laced up military-style boots, singer/songwriter and Dentin, TX native Sarah Jaffe took the stage at Harlow’s on Saturday night without introduction. Discretely arranging the mic, she cut through the chatter of the bar’s full house of patrons with the earthy croon of “Paul/The Body Wins,” sustaining heavy notes for seconds at a time.

The opening song was a two-parter of sorts, splitting seamlessly into a danceable second half, featuring looped vocals and a drum-machine beat. The electronic jolt, though an element largely absent in her most current album “Suburban Nature,” set the tone for the rest of her crisp, chest-pounding set.

Having successfully secured our attention with a solo performance, Jaffe introduced the rest of her band.

Using cloth-topped sticks resembling timpani mallets, drummer Jeff Ryan lent a tribal, galloping rhythm to Jaffe’s open-hearted performance. Keyboardist Scott Danbom added an airy, contemporary layer of sound to otherwise more straightforwardly country-inspired songs. Robert Gomez and Becki Howard subtly rounded out the band with backup guitar and elegant vocal harmonization.

Jaffe delivered heavy lyrics like those on the rough and stunning “Under” (sample lyric: “Ain’t nobody’s girl/ I ain’t nobody’s man”), off of the 2008 EP “Even Born Again,” with the same matter-of-fact style that she offered deadpan quips to the audience.

“Alright, goodnight,” Jaffe said one song into the performance, feigning what would have been the world’s shortest set.

“Thanks for letting me come to your open mic night,” she said later in mock self-deprecation.

As comfortable as she was with sarcasm, appeared equally enamored with sweetness. Within moments, the platinum-haired singer went from appearing darkly intense, peering coolly out of blue-green eyes highlighted by high-arching brows, to smiling widely in the wake of a joke, her eyes crinkling in glee.

Jaffe was notably energized during the band’s cover of the sunny Harry Nilsson song “Me and My Arrow,” softening her performance to honor the borrowed tune’s bouncy melody.

Audience members, apparently also fans of the early-’70s Nillson song, bellowed along to its chorus: “Me and my arrow/ straighter than narrow/ wherever we go, everyone knows/ it’s me and my arrow.”

A well-rounded performer, Jaffe seemed just as at home leaning languidly into the electro pop underpinnings of new track “When You Rest” as she did brooding through her murkier tracks. “Pull it together” the song’s lyrics instructs over a tauntingly slow beat.

Watching Jaffe perform is to feel as though you are in capable hands, happily going along for the ride knowing the performer is in full control of her lush musical talent. The tumbling phrasing and plucked melody of new track “Sucker for Your Marketing” kept the audience clinging to Jaffe’s every word.

Though clearly a natural singer, capable of hitting a range of notes with comforting effortlessness, Jaffe doesn’t rest on her vocal laurels. Rather, she gets creative in the way that she holds her mouth while singing, a practice that lends itself to an array of unique aural effects.

For instance, in order to produce the hollow, echoing pitch on “Under,” Jaffe held her lips in an oblong formation. With the jut of her chin, she produced the tighter, shimmery vocals of “When You Rest.”

Though attentive and cheerful in between Jaffe’s songs, the majority of night’s audience members appeared to be previously unacquainted with her work, barely batting an eye as the band broke into the chugging intro of its best known song and usual crowd favorite, wistful crooner “Clemetine.”

But if you looked closely enough, you could spy a small smattering of Jaffe-die-hards positioned directly in front of the singer, whispering every word and smiling warmly.

The night’s highlight came at the end of the performance as Jaffe and her audience harmonized in “church camp” fashion for closer ”Before You Go.” Having never performed in Sacramento before, Jaffe seemed at first uncertain that we would go for the proposed collaboration.

“I know we don’t know each other very well, but I’d like you to sing this last song with us,” she said.

One brave soul towards the back of the venue was the first to pipe up with a smooth singing voice, and the rest of the crowd followed suit. The audience’s repetition of a few lilting bars served as the ghostly backdrop for Jaffe’s delivery of the song’s wary lyrics: “My heart pretends not to know how it ends.”

From behind his kit, Ryan took photos of the audience-cum-choir, as swirling yellow stage lights illuminated us in brief flashes.

Noticeably moved by the crowd’s enthusiastic participation, Jaffe told the crowd its effort was the best she had seen all tour.

“You just beat out my hometown,” she said.

For tour dates, visit Sarah Jaffe's website.

11 for '11: Can't-miss Sactown summer concerts

2011-06-05T23:12:21Z

Trust me, fellow Sactowners…in about six or seven weeks, we’re going to be yearning for this.

It’s June 5, and in what should have been our first full official weekend of summer, everyone seems to be deadlocked in collective melancholy over the “WTF!” of late season rains (for these purposes, “WTF” will be officially dubbed as “weather that fails”).

We will get our sun. We will get our heat. And it’s summer, which means, we will get our shows. Here’s a look at some of the summer’s can’t miss shows in Sacramento. Cheers!

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt – You can say whatever you want about Lyle Lovett, like his ballyhooed relationship with Julia Roberts or the fact that he bears a slight resemblance to many a Tim Burton movie villain. But the fact remains that the man is a songwriter, in the purest sense of the word. I’d like to see anyone listen to “Nobody Knows Me” and not get a wee bit misty-eyed. Ditto for John Hiatt, a similarly gifted songwriter and performer but without quite as much acclaim and clout at Lovett. But when the two team up for a solo acoustic evening at the always glorious Radisson outdoor garden venue…hold onto your emotional knickers! June 10. Radisson Hotel Outdoor Grove, 500 Leisure Ln. $49-$59. All ages. www.radissonsac.com.

Deftones – It seems that the horrific car accident that nearly claimed the life of Deftones bassist Chi Cheng in 2008 has almost become “oh right, that whole thing” sort of news, but the founding member of the venerable Sactown metal outfit remains in a minimally conscious state, and despite having shown significant signs of improvement, is still undergoing major rehabilitation and therapy. The Deftones have labored on without him, but are still fighting the good fight to help their fallen comrade. This sure-to-be raucous hometown show is being held as a Chi Cheng benefit (hence the price), and will also feature Dillinger Escape Plan and Le Butcherettes. June 14. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $50. All ages. www.aceofspadessac.com; oneloveforchi.com.

Airborne Toxic Event – To quote “A Mighty Wind,” if I may… “wha’ happened?!” There was a time when this burgeoning rock outfit was in line to be the next Strokes or next Killers (or both at the same time), but they seemed to all but drop off the map after a would-be breakout in 2009. But they appear to be clawing back with April’s release of “All at Once” on Island Records, and the mildly new wave stadium rock sound appears to back in gear. June 16. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $18. All ages. www.aceofspadessac.com.

Marc Broussard – It appears the time is now for this Southern gent from Louisiana, with the pending June release of his self-titled album. Broussard, a rising star for the last several years, fuses a down home blues and jazz persona (the type you’d expect to find down on the Bayou) with explosive soul and urban flare, running the gamut of influences from Stevie Wonder to Otis Redding to Brian McKnight. June 22. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $15. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Paul Oakenfold – Yep, you read that right! Get your tickets ASAP, they’re going fast for the downtown appearance from arguably (well, not really) the world’s foremost DJ. June 23. District 30, 1022 K St. $30. 21+. www.district30sacramento.com.

Davis Music Festival – Details are still being ironed out for this first-ever event, but a mix of downtown Davis venues will be hosting headliner, Truth & Salvage Co., which has been described as “a freight train ride down the Route 66 of American music”…by this reporter. Also performing are Shayna & the Bulldog, the Blank Tapes, the West Nile Ramblers, Jake Mann & the Upper Hand, and several more. Venues will include Odd Fellows Hall, Sophia’s, Delta of Venus, and Little Prague. June 25. For info, visit davismusicfest.wordpress.com.

Alison Krauss and Union Station – Whether wailing away with Robert Plant, or doing the “her own thing” that has been tried and true for years, Krauss is an absolute gem of a singer and performer. Ticket prices for her shows these days indicate that she has been made aware of that, but for that voice, we’ll give her a pass. June 26. Mondavi Center at UC Davis. $59.50-$125. www.mondaviarts.org.

American Idols Live – Just seeing if you’re paying attention.

The Greencards – Twangy, slippery, sharp, sweet and funky are the bluegrass-driven Americana acoustic rock tunes of this fast rising outfit. They’ve got a fresh perspective on a genre that’s making a massive comeback in popularity these days (Marcus Mumford and Seth & Scott Avett, thank you very much!). July 9. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $17.50. 21+. www.harlows.com.

The Silent Comedy – One of the quickest ways to judge a band’s growth is by the progression of venues they headline when coming to a particular city. With a boat load of shows under their belts at Shady Lady and Old Ironsides, it appears that San Diego’s tent-revival, gospel garage punk rockers have officially become a Sactown favorite. Everybody in the bar say A-MEN! July 14. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $10. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Langhorne Slim – It’s been a full three years since this delightful punk rocker/singer songwriter hybrid has performed in Sacramento, and this will make it only his second time ever. Somewhere between Bo Diddley, Mike Ness and Bob Dylan lies Langhorne Slim – exactly who would want to escape from that triangle? July 21. Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd. $10. 21+. www.bluelamp.com.

Agnostic Front – Bring earplugs, it will get crazy in there when one of the unsung heroes of hardcore invade Midtown for a show they’ll probably hear as far away as Zocalo. From the East Coast, to the West Coast…gotta gotta gotta GO! Sept 10. The Distillery, 2017 L St. Cover TBA. 21+.

Party at Harlow's with Foster the People

2011-06-04T06:24:23Z

You know that song with the can't-get-it-out-of-your-head whistling called "Young Folks" by Peter Bjorn and John that people seem to either love or hate?

Los Angeles band Foster the People has a comparable track called "Pumped Up Kicks" – a sing-along with a cheery melody and dark lyrics about youth gun violence – that has the same effect.

Polarizing song? For sure.

One-hit wonder band? It doesn't look like it.

Without seeming like they had anything to prove, the young group with more buzz than a beehive let its music speak for itself for a sold-out crowd at Harlow's Thursday night.

Support act The Chain Gang of 1974 (aka Kamtin Mohager) from Denver came ready to warm up the crowd with solid post-punk and new wave stylings. Imagine The Bravery writing an album after watching a 24-hour John Hughes marathon.

The Chain Gang had played Sacramento before, and things were a little different this time around.

"The last time we played here was at a pizza place in front of two people," Mohager told the packed house, referencing a November 2010 show at Luigi's Slice Fungarden.

Foster the People is vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mark Foster, bassist and backing vocalist Cubbie Fink and drummer Mark Pontius. Originally called Foster & the People, the new name stuck after the original was misheard enough times and the band warmed to the image it invoked of "taking care" of the people.

The synth-enhanced dance-rock music and Foster's falsetto draw comparisons to Passion Pit and MGMT, but they still find a way to project an identity and make their broad pop sound unique. It took about an hour for the band to run through all 11 songs on their recently released debut album, “Torches”.

Although you would have no problem throwing on “Torches” as the soundtrack to your summer pool party, the songs come alive and breathe when performed live. A track like "Broken Jaw" really shines when performed live, allowing Foster to demonstrate his vocal range and making at least one person in the crowd turn to his friend with his own jaw dropped in amazement as soon as it was over.

The band members had fun as they rotated on instruments throughout the show, taking turns on the various synths and energetically banging on the stand-up bass drum. Can't go wrong with a tastefully used Apache war drum.

Throw in some yellow maracas and a drunk blonde in a black dress from the audience dancing on stage, and you have yourself a very satisfying, high-energy soiree.

With sold-out shows as they tour through October, upcoming performances at huge music festivals (Lollapalooza, ACL Music Festival) and iTunes love ("Helena Beat" was the Free Single last week), expect Foster the People to keep the party going for a while.

Photos by Steven Chea

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-06-03T15:11:15Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Through Sunday, June 19th: Mary Poppins at Sacramento Community Center Theatre on 1301 L Street in Sacramento. Tickets are $24.00 - $138.00.

Friday, June 3rd: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature Mick Martin & The Blues Rockers - Tess & The Hip Trash - The Kyle Rowland Band at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Friday, June 3rd: Kool and the Gang at Thunder Valley Resort Summer Outdoor Concert Series. Tickets are $26.00 - $45.00. Concert at 8PM.

Saturday, June 4th: Always Knocking/Root Causes Enough is Enough Silence The Violence Benefit Concert with the O'Jays at McClatchy Park on 3500 Fifth Avenue in Sacramento. Concert at 2PM. Tickets are $35.00 - $70.00.

Saturday, June 4th: Pops in the Park Concert Series with Tom Rigney & Flambeau at East Portal Park on 1120 Rodeo Way in Sacramento. Concert at 6:00PM/Free.

Saturday June 4th: Sacramento Pride 2011 at Capital Mall will feature two stages of music, a parade, and a variety of events. 10AM-6PM. Tickets are $10.00.

Saturday, June 4th: Fairytale Town presents Jackie Greene in Concert at 3901 Land Park Drive in Sacramento. Gates Open at 6:30PM. Tickets are $25.00 -$35.00.

Thursday, June 9th: Fiesta en la Calle (weekly through July 28th) at Cesar Chavez Park on 9th & J Street in Sacramento. Taino & Conjunto Nueva Ola will appear. 5PM-8:30PM./Free

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, June 3rd:

Reminisce Love at Harlows 10PM/$10ADV

Mercy Me! at Torch Club 9PM/$12

Burning Band - Longshot Sound System - Seamoose at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Cheeseballs at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Acoustic Friday with Christian DeWilde - Jerry Arlen - Clark Rose at Distillery 10PM/$6

Dusa Mali at Marilyns 9PM/$5-$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Illest at Dream Ultra Lounge 9PM

DJ Cams at District 30 9PM

Kate Gaffney - Merry Gold at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Nacho Business - DreamDate - Knock Knock at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$5

Animism - Chernobog, - Misamore - In Deep, Pierced From Within at The Boardwalk 7PM/$10

Tin Can Nores - Dear Left Brain at Blue Lamp 9PM

The Astral Effect, Sovern, Offshore, Terra Ferno with DJ Alazzawi downstairs at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Glorious - Flatfoot - The Sternographers at Lunas Cafe 8PM/$6

Saturday, June 4th

Shannapalooza with The Nibblers - Walking Spanish - Nickie Bluhm & The Gramblers +more at Swabbies On the River 3-10PM/$10

Lipstaick Dance Party at Old Ironsides 10PM/$5

The Hypnotist Collectors - The Whispering Pines at Marilyns 9PM/$5

BlaQk Audio - Boggan - Hamm FM at Ace of Spades 7PM/$18-$23

Thick Soup - Justin Farren at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Iaac Howl - Scarves - Moonsetters at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Old 97's with Sarah Jaffee at Harlows 9PM/$20

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Terry Hanck at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

The Frank Hannon Band at Power House Pub 10PM/$12

DJ Foley at District 30 9PM

Americaz Mozt Haunted - Tragik Magik - Lower Level - Cylince - TNT - Divided Allegiance - Chernobog at The Boardwalk 7:30PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Sure Shot at Blue Lamp 9PM

Kevin Seconds at Lunas 8PM/$6

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, June 5th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Johnny Guitar Knox & Johnny Guitar Knox & The Soothers 8PM at Torch Club/$5

Bad Catz at Power House Pub 3PM

Kawika Alfiche at Harlows 7PM/$15

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Musician Sarah Jaffe will bring Texas to Harlow's

2011-06-01T01:18:14Z

Twenty-four-year-old budding musician Sarah Jaffe will bring her folk-inspired guitar, soothing voice and Texas spirit to the stage at Harlow’s on Saturday as part of her summer U.S. tour opening for The Old 97’s, a folk band with a country twang and alternative edge also from Texas.

Jaffe was noted as one of the breakout artists of 2010 by many nationally recognized publications, such as Rolling Stone and Paste Magazine, according to her management Stunt Company. She has also performed at Austin, Texas’, music-conference festival South by Southwest tour four times.

Jaffe said she was encouraged by folk music at an early age and listened to Joni Mitchell and Patsy Cline growing up. This early musical influence led her to self-release her first EP, “Ever Born Again,” in 2008.

She was signed to Kirkland Records, where she released her first full album, “Suburban Nature,” in 2010. The album features her most popular song, “Clementine,” which was named breakout song by AAA Radio, an adult alternative album media company with over 60 international radio stations.

She said she didn’t expect it to be such a hit, and she watched as the song evolved from meaningless to her, but meaningful to fans.

“It was actually written as a filler song that I wrote in about five minutes,” Jaffe said. “We didn’t really think twice about it until people started latching onto it. Sometimes you have those songs that are written on impulse that end up meaning the most later,” she said.

The fame doesn’t faze Jaffe, who said she doesn’t like to look at her rising stardom as a breakthrough experience, but as a relevant experience. She admits she can be a bit of a cynic when it comes to the vision of success, but said she is enjoying the ride – figuratively and literally – in her tour van.

“It’s incredibly rewarding. It’s also very surprising at the same time,” Jaffe said. “You go about viewing yourself, doing what you want, and when it’s rewarded in a positive way, it’s definitely an incredible feeling. It inspires me to keep writing, and it only encourages me more,” she said.

She said listening to her mother sing and watching her father play guitar made her really admire folk artists at a young age, and it was something that clicked with her creatively and personally.

She said she admires folk music for its honesty and minimalist approach, kind of like her hometown: Denton, Texas where she currently resides.

“There’s definitely a humbleness about the town where I live, and a humbleness about the Texas way of life. It’s full of inspirational, gracious people and really humble spirits,” she said.

Like her hometown, Jaffe remains humble. She still remembers performing at an open mic event for her first show and having the next band set up behind her the entire time she was playing. That doesn’t happen anymore.

She said she tries to keep her shows personal by being herself and conversing with the crowd, and doing her best no matter what city or venue she is performing in. For Jaffe, making music was not a conscious decision, but something she said she had to do.

“It’s just something that was in me, and I just consistently pursued it,” Jaffe said.

Jaffe will spend her summer doing what she loves to do, even if it means riding in a van for hours, which she says isn’t too bad because she is able to pass the time by being creative and new writing music.

Look out for these new songs and creativity on the stage and on her upcoming EP, “The Way Sound Leaves the Room,” due to be released in the fall according to a press release from her management company.

“It can be hard sometimes with the traveling and very little sleep, but doing what you want, that’s what makes me love it,” Jaffe said.

“I think what I’ve learned is just to stay positive. I think that at the end of the day, if you’re out there and you’re giving it your best and putting on the best show that you can, that’s all you can do. It’s about enjoying each moment,” she added.

Jaffe will take the stage at Harlow’s opening for the Old 97’s at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit her website.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-05-27T15:08:37Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Enjoy your holiday weekend.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Friday, May 27th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature Rick Estrin & The Nightcats - The Freebadge Serenaders - The Afterlife at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

Friday, May 27th - Sunday, May 30th: Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society presents 38th Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee will feature live music from over 70 bands at a variety of venues in Old Sacramento and downtown Sacramento. Tickets are $25.00 - $35.00 daily and an event pass is $110.00.

Through Sunday, May 29th: Sacramento Ballet presents Beer & Ballet at their Studio on 1631 K Street in Sacramento. FRI-SAT 7PM & SUN 2PM. Tickets are $35.00.

A Grand Night For Singing at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Saturday, May 28th: Radisson Grove Presents Boz Scaggs at 7:30PM. Tickets are $55.00 - $65.00.

Saturday, May 28th: Usher with Akon - Cataracs & Dev at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 7:00PM. Tickets are $37.00 - $115.00.

Sunday, May 29th: Walk & Rock for Kids will feature a concert featuring KISS at Raley Field at 8PM. Tickets are $47.00 - $150.00. Benefits Hope Productions Children's Organizations.

Thursday, June 2nd - Sunday, June 19th: Broadway Sacramento presents Mary Poppins at The Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $15.00 - $52.00.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, May 27th:

Jerry Perry presents Johnny Indovina - Breaking Glass - Maren Parusel at Old Ironsides 9PM/$5-$7

Elizabetn Cook at 7PM/$15 & Method Echo with Early States & The Reel at 10PM/$10 at Harlows 10PM/$15ADV

Dippin Sauce at Torch Club 9PM/$7

Hot Tar Roofers & Bucky Walters at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Color The Sound & Nam Classic at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Courtesy Call - Terra Ferno - Rue the Night - MC Ruckus at Distillery 10PM/$6

Alex Jenkins & Hot Club De Carmichael at Marilyns 9PM/$5-$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Rick One at District 30 9PM

Honyock - Jafar and the Astrothieves - Danny Crane at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Skribble & DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio - X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

The Speed of Sound in Seawater - A Lot Like Birds - Model A at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$5

South of Sunshine - Of Strength and Sacrafice at The Boardwalk 7PM/$

DJ Shaun Slaughter - Samijam - Adam J at Blue Lamp 9PM

Damage Over Time - White Minorities - The Silence of the Grimm at Shenanigans 9PM/$10

Reggie Ginn - The Kelts - Barry Cider at Lunas Cafe 8PM/$6

Saturday, May 28th

Roman Funerals - Exquisite Corps - John Klemmensen at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

Sugary and His All Stars at Marilyns 9PM/$10

Stepchild - Prylosis - Princess Die - For All I've Done - Tear Down The Sky at Ace of Spades 5:30PM

Flamenco Del Oro - Cerro Negro - Kina Mendez at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Jonny Rulon - Rachel Lomax - Cat and Mouse at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

B-Side Players & Sol Peligro Love at Harlows 10PM/$15

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Pat Wilder at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Spazmatics at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

Dev - The Cataracs at District 30 9PM

Eric Gales - The Scott Allen Project - Blackshee at The Boardwalk 7:30PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

The Sleeprockers at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GNR at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, May 29th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and The Nibblers 8PM at Torch Club 8PM/$5

Loose Change at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Reggae Basement with DJ Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Trampled by Turtles announces presence with authority

2011-05-23T23:22:51Z

The first time a band plays a gig in a new town can be a dicey proposition. It often takes a show, or three, for a band to build up the fanbase that they deserve. That first inroad into uncharted territory often results in half-filled venues without much intrinsic energy.

Thursday night, Harlow's hosted not one but two bands making their first ever Sacramento appearances: Duluth, Minnesota's Trampled by Turtles and Nashville, Tennessee's The Apache Relay.

If you didn't know any better, you might have assumed that both bands had been playing here for years.

The venue, owing in large part to recent triumphant appearances by TBT at High Sierra and Coachella, and in very small part to the tireless hyping of the gig by one Sac Press communinity contributor, was brimming with fans.

The energy in the room was akin to a religious fervor.

One particularly ardent young fan, a blond girl at center stage, appeared at one point to be speaking in tongues. During Trampled's set, she made a point to shake hands with each one of her conquering heros, and responded to each touch as a religious zealot might respond to the touch of their earthly prophet himself.

So, yeah, the crowd was pumped up.

The Apache Relay took the stage at 9:20 PM and before the curtains were even fullly drawn they were well into "Power Hungry Animals", a pulsing, sing-along-able track that builds to a crushing crescendo. They followed that with a searing version of "American Nomad", which got the already buzzing crowd bouncing in earnest.

By the time lead singer Michael Ford Jr. introduced himself with a "This is our first time here in Sacramento, and it's awesome already!" TAR had the crowd, the vast majority of whom had never heard of The Apache Relay, let alone actually heard them, eating from the palm of his hand.

I don't know that I've ever seen a quicker audience domination by an unknown opener. These cats have the goods.

They maintained their energy throughout the nearly hour-long genre-bending set. They were at times grungy ("Home is not Places"), rythm-and-bluesy ("Watering Hole"), indie-y ("Lost Kid"), but they never lost the crowd, who'd come to see Minnesota thrashgrass.. When Ford, Jr. addressed the crowd again towards the end of the set "I just want to say I love you so much! This is incredible!", the crowd responded in kind.

When Relay's set ended the crowd response was so long and rambunctious that I half expected the kids from Tennessee to come out for an encore. They did not, but they could have, and that speaks volumes.

At 10:28 PM, the boys from Duluth took the stage, each of them carrying a PBR tallboy in addition to their weapon of choice. They began playing the opening strains of "Separate", a track off of their most recent album, 2010's tour-de-force Palomino, and we were off to the races.

In fact, the first three songs of the evening were off Palomino. "Victory" featured an epic fiddle solo that inspired some serious do-si-do-ing by some of the more exuberant audience members, and got pretty much everyone up and hopping.

The third song of the evening, the primal, pulsing, "It's a War", pushed the crowd already teetering on the edge of extatic fervor over the brink. As the men on stage violently strummed their instruments into submission, the men and women in the crowd went into a full-blown tizzy, where it remained for the bulk of the 19 song, 75 minute set.

At one point, following a rip roaring version of "Darkness and the Light", again off Palomino, Banjo player Dave Carroll could be heard requesting a shot of Jack Daniels from no one in particular. Someone in the crowd, (no one in particular. . .) took it upon himself to make that happen. A few moments later there were five shots of JD lined up on the side of the stage. Between songs, the shots were passed down, the band members raised their glasses to the crowd, then to each other, and to uproarious applause threw back the shots.

They chased the shots with an epic instrumental medley of "New Son/Burnt Iron", the former being meandering and lovely, the latter blistering and percussive. The two together make a wonderful juxtapposition, though both are more than good enough to stand on their own merit, the brilliant pairing ends up greater than the sum of it's parts.

They closed the set with their most popular song off Palomino, the beautifully infectious "Wait So Long", which might be melencholy with poignant lyrics like "I could never pretend that I don't love you, you could never pretend that I'm your man" but is such a humdinger of a song that it's hard to listen without a smile taking ownage of your face.

They left the stage at 11:40 PM to applause that did not waver for the seven minutes that went by before Dave Carroll came out to take a picture of the crowd. He was joined moments later by the rest of the band who proceeded to absolutely annihilate a cover of The Pixies "Where is my Mind". I always think of the final scene in Fight Club when I hear this song, which plays as the buildings blow up all around Tyler Durden. . . so it was a fitting that they burned Harlow's to the ground with it, metaphorically speaking. They followed it up with an older track of theirs, "Whiskey", before leaving the stage again at midnight.

Once again, the applause was raucous and unwavering, and six minutes later, the band returned to the stage for a second encore. Simonett acknowledged the crowd "We've never played in Sac before, we didn't know what to expect". Unsaid, but reasonably inferred from their decision to play a second encore, during which each band member took an extended solo, was that they were more than impressed by what they'd found here.

I'm pretty sure they'll be back.

Sacramento Gets Trampled by Turtles

2011-05-21T18:24:30Z

Minnesota bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles was backstage at Harlow’s after a full set of music followed by a three-song encore. The crowd had thinned out, but those remaining mounted a slow-growing chant: “Codeine, Codeine, Codeine.”

It wasn’t a request for pill-form prescription drugs; it was a call for more music -- a fan-favorite called “Codeine” in particular.

The chant went on for a while, until it almost felt awkward, like the band had already kicked their feet up in preparation for the ride to their next show in San Francisco.

That’s when burly mandolin player Erik Berry returned to the stage in denim overalls and stepped up to the microphone:

“We've never played in Sacramento before, but now we know what to expect. You guys have been a great crowd.”

The rest of the band trailed behind him, and then lead singer Dave Simonett added that if anybody were interested in having some post-show drinks, the band would love to join them.

When they erupted into the song, a swell of people rushed back toward the stage, punctuating an already raucous evening, which started with a set by Nashville's The Apache Relay.

A bit about TBT

Trampled by Turtles are a modern progressive bluegrass band from Duluth, Minnesota. Their first album was released in 2004 and their following has steadily grown in the years that have followed.

Their latest album, “Palomino,” reached Number 1 on US Bluegrass charts and Number 46 on indie charts, lead by the single “Wait So Long.”

The Sacramento show came at a time when rootsy bluegrass-esque music seems to be on the rise with bands like Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers crossing over successfully into the mainstream. It would be no surprise if Trampled by Turtles experiences similar success in the near future.

The band, which features a mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass, plays songs that range from deep and soft to outright explosive.

If you missed them at Harlow's, check them out here and don't make the same mistake next time.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-05-20T14:08:07Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Friday, May 20th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature Agent Ribbons - Golden Ghosts - The Kelps at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10 & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

A Grand Night For Singing at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Saturday, May 21st: Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra presents Home grown Sacramento at Sacramento Community Center Theatre on 1301 L Stree in Sacramento. Tickets are $16.00 -$97.00. Conert at 8PM.

Saturday, May 21st: Creedence Clearwater Revival at Thunder Valley Resort Summer Outdoor Concert Series. Tickets are $26.00 - $45.00. Concert at 8PM.

Sunday, May 22nd: The Pacific Rim Fest will take place in Old Sacramento and Westfield Plaza from 10AM - 5PM and feature cultural music, arts, food, dancing, art, vendors, and multiple stages of entertainment. Free

Sunday, May 22nd: Glee Live at Power Balance Pavilion. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $52.00 - $92.00.

Wednesday, May 25th - Sunday, May 29th: Sacaramento Ballet Presents Beer & Ballet at Sacramento Ballet Studios on 1631 K Street in Sacramento. Tickets are $35.00. WED - SAT at 7PM. SUN at 2PM.

Wednesday, May 25th: The Fray at Thunder Valley Resort Summer Outdoor Concert Series. Tickets are $29.00 - $60.00. Concert at 8PM.

Wednesday, May 25th: Tony Bennett at The Mondavi Center on the UC Davis Campus. Tickets are $50 - $125. Concert at 8PM.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, May 20th:

Jerry Perry presents The Kelps - H. Letham - Deer Park Avenue at Old Ironsides 9PM/$5-$7

Tainted Love at Harlows 10PM/$15ADV

Calfiornia Honeydrops at Torch Club 9PM/$7

The Secret Lives of Squirrels - Flounder - Majesty at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Love Fool at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Get Shot! (CD Release) - Dead Panic - Inferno of Joy - Bezerks, The Stalking Distance at Distillery 10PM/$6

The Family Bandits - Backward Beast at Marilyns 9PM/$5-$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Illest at Dream Ultra Lounge 9PM

DJ DJ Kurch at District 30 9PM

The Bellboys - James Cavern - Jesi Naomi at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Calling Morracco - Miss Lonely Hearts - The Midnight Moonshiners at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$5

All Names Taken - No Beatings from Holl - Apt D203 - Jax - Under Pendegast at The Boardwalk 7PM/$10

Morning Teleportation - Strange Vine at Blue Lamp 9PM

Puzzletree - Misamore - Gearsturn with DJ Alazzawi downstairs at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Saturday, May 21st

End of Days - Machette - Sans Sobriety at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

Jeery J Californian - Flight at Marilyns 9PM/$12

A Skylit Drive - Trances - Above The City - A Holy Ghost Revival - Trial By Fire - Pledge The Silenc - Look Alive at Ace of Spades 5:30PM

The Neighbors - Rock Beats Scissors - Rachel Lomax at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Abandon Theory - The #1 Blues Band at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Tainted Love at Harlows 10PM/$15

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Spider & DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Monophonics at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Superlicious at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Este at District 30 9PM

Long Beach Rehab - The Extremeties - Brodi Nicholas at The Boardwalk 7:30PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

at Blue Cue 9PM/$10

SACRAfice - Kelcz - Chase Moore - Jleake - ARAB - Jauwon Pierre at Blue Lamp 9PM

David Houston & The Strings - Allyson Seconds at Lunas 8PM/$6

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, May 22nd

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Johnny Guitar Knox & The Soothers 8PM at Torch Club 8PM/$5

Papas Garage at Power House Pub 3PM

Close To You Carpenters Tribute 7PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Dubb DJ's International Sundays! at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Trampled by Turtles

2011-05-17T21:57:36Z

High Sierra Music Festival 2010 was one of the highlights of my young life, and one of the highlights of High Sierra Music Festival 2010 was Trampled by Turtles.

So, by the transitive property, Trampled by Turtles effin rock, and you'd be a fool not to check out the Minnesota thrashgrass maestros when they visit Harlow's Thursday night.

"Yes, you in the back, in the "Beck" t-shirt?"

"It's Billy. What, the Hell, is Minnesota thrashgrass?"

"Well, Billy, I'm glad you asked. Minnesota thrashgrass is bluegrass, as played by the AK47-weilding future viking straddling the space unicorn on the side of this van."

"Could you extrapolate on that a bit?"

"Sure can Billy! TBT are a classic five piece bluegrass band. Guitar, bass, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin. They play bluegrass music, but they play fast. Really fast. And dirty. Really dirty. I thought I made that clear with my space viking analogy. . . "

"Sounds gimmicky"

"That's enough out of you, Billy. Face the corner, put the "idiot" cap on. You know the drill. TBT's 2010 album, Palolmino, was, in my humble opinion, one of the best albums of the year. It is chock full of supremely catchy, heart-filled, beautiful songs. (Beautiful songs that make you wanna slap bags of Franzia and gargle bourbon, but beautiful songs nonetheless). I defy you to listen to "Wait So Long" or "Help You" without tapping your toes, fingers, and anything else you've got available to you. Class dismissed. Not you Billy."

As good as their album is, their live performances are better. I'm driving two hours back up to Sacramento for the show, and I'd drive further. This is going to be a humdinger of a barnburner. I can't wait.

Trampled By Turtles is playing Harlow's Nightclub, Thursday the 19th, 9:00PM. Tickets are $12.00.

Be sure to get there on time, because Nashville's indie-bluegrass-rockers, The Apache Relay, are opening, and all signs point to them being dope as well.

I'll see you on the dance floor.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-05-13T13:45:27Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Through Sunday, May 15th Cirque du Soleil Quidam at Power Balance Pavilion. Shows are at various times. Tickets are $37.00 - $97.00.

Thursday, May 12th - Monday, May 16th: Fourth Annual In The Flow Music & Art Festival at various venues in the downtown and midtown area. Tickets are $10.00 a day.

Friday, May 13th: Smooth Jazz Series with Dave Koz at Radisson Hotel Grove. Concert begins at 7:30PM. Tickets are $49.00 - $65.00.

Friday, May 13th: JAMMIES evening of Contemporary Music at Crest Theatre. Show at 8PM. Tickets are $10.00 - $15.00.

Friday, May 13th: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature The Golden Cadillacs - Keri Carr - Miss Lonely Hearts at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10th & J Street in Sacramento. 5PM/Free

A Grand Night For Singing at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Saturday, May 14th: SactoPalooza Active 20-30 Club's Annual Spring Party will feature a variety of cover bands, rides, fireworks, and more at Raley Field. Events begin at 4PM. $25/ 21and over.

Sunday, May 15th: Endfest with Ke$ha - T-Pain - Far East Movement - Ready Set at Raley Field. Doors Open at 2PM. Tickets are $37.00 - $48.00.

Concert Tickets On Sale This Week:

Toby Keith with Eric Church at SleepTrain Ampitheatre on Thursday, August 4th. Tickets are $37.00 - $105.00 and go on sale FRI.

American Idols Live! at Power Balance Pavilion (Arco Arena) Monday, July 11th. Tickets are $56.00 - $78.00 and go on sale SAT.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, May 13th:

Jerry Perry presents The Alkali Flts CD Release Show with Mike Blanchard and the Califirnios at Old Ironsides 9PM/$5-$7

Rob Wynia at 7PM and Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers with Tommy & The High Pilots at Harlows 9:30PM/$17.50ADV $20.00Door

Cole Fonseca at Torch Club 9PM/$7

Cold Eskimo - The Repair - Sleep Now Moon at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Dane Drewis & Apple Z at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Whiskey Pills Fiasco - The Cock Fight Kings - The Afterlife at Distillery 10PM/$6

Pop Fiction at Marilyns 9PM/$5-$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Illest at Dream Ultra Lounge 9PM

DJ David Carvalho at District 30 9PM

Justin Farren - Be Brave Robot at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Droll at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Kepi Ghoulie at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$5

Exiles on the Main Street at Blue Lamp 9PM

The Cosmonauts with DJ Alazzawi downstairs at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

NSAA Poets VS Band at Lunas Cafe 8PM/$6

Saturday, May 14th

Fascination 80's New Wave Dance Party at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

Tao Jiriki - Achachay at Marilyns 9PM/$12

Silverstein - Bayside - polar Bear Club - The Swellers at Ace of Spades 5:30PM/$18 - $20

Golden Cadillacs at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Richard March - Walking Spanish at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Midnight Players at Harlows 10PM/$12

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Ron Thompson at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Latin Touch at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Nate D at District 30 9PM

Dramarama - Lonely Kings - The Common Men at The Boardwalk 8PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Sizzling Sirens Burlesque Experience at Blue Cue 9PM/$10

Brandon Brand Smiff - Shades of Grey - Private Criminals at Blue Lamp 9PM

The Blusoul Band and spoken word with Vicalous Woods at Lunas 8PM/$6

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, April 15th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and Bone McDonald 8PM at Torch Club 8PM/$5

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Reggae Basement with DJ Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Also check out the weeks Sactown Rundown by Aaron Davis. Have a great weekend!

Psychedelic Rockers Portugal. The Man Perform at Harlow's

2011-05-09T19:11:18Z

As I walked into Harlow's, I tried to push aside preconceived notions about the kind of band that does an all-ages show at a nightclub (strike one), has a Facebook page that insists they're not a band but rather "a movement” (strike two and three) and inserts a period into the middle of their name.

Portugal. The Man was good, though. And so was their opening musician, Telekinesis.

Telekinesis is the alter ego of singer, drummer, songwriter (etc.) Michael Benjamin Lerner, who is accompanied by Cody Votolato and Jason Narducy while on tour. Lerner has worked extensively with Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla, and the influence was easy to recognize in Telekinesis’ song “Rust.”

Though influenced by Death Cab, Lerner has created his own sound. Most songs performed were fun, upbeat indie pop rock that, as corny as it may read, reminded me of being 14 and spending a summer day on a boardwalk.

Portugal. The Man’s “We Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now),” reminded me of a summer’s day too, but one spent high with a college beau beneath a hazy setting sun as opposed to, say, sipping lemonade on a boardwalk. The song is from their new album, “In the Mountain In the Cloud,” due out July 19. Other songs performed from the upcoming album were “Senseless” and “So American.”

It’s easy to hear why Portugal. The Man’s music might remind listeners of doing drugs and having sex. The foursome writes psychedelic pop rock, and the band’s front man, John Gourley, sports a massive 1970s porn star’s ‘stach. Adding to the psychedelic feel, the band performed on a black stage lit only by a neon laser lights show.

“They’re the only band that translates from album to live,” said Robert Gillis, fellow crowd member and self-proclaimed biggest Portugal. The Man fan ever. “I mean, they’re almost better live!”

And Gillis is right. There’s something about the band’s live performance that brings a new life to their recorded work, another aspect to each of their songs. The show seemed bigger than the music itself, almost as if it told a story of sorts, one that ended in a massive jam session encore.

Whether they’re a movement or not, and all sexy mustaches and laser lights aside, Portugal. The Man is a serious band that plays good music.

As for the period placed between the band’s name, bassist Zach Carothers was nice enough to share the explanation in an interview after the show, along with a few other tales, like the time he fought Sarah Palin over a skate park in Wasilla, Alaska.

Former President of The Wasilla Skate Park Committee: PTM Bassist Zachary Carothers

2011-05-09T18:14:40Z

After their Cinco de Mayo performance at Harlow’s, the members of Portugal. The Man were wandering just outside the club, signing posters, hugging people, hanging out. After reading through a lot of PR crap in researching the band, I was convinced they would be unapproachable.

Or perhaps, more like, I was convinced I didn’t want to approach them. Luckily fellow Sac Press contributor Lindol French and I ran into Zach Carothers, Wasilla, Alaska, native and PTM bassist. With a Pabst Blue Ribbon shoved into his shirt’s front pocket, Carothers happily offered us cigarettes and some interesting info, especially concerning former Wasilla mayor Sarah Palin and her involvement/non-involvement in the city’s skate park .

TW: Why is there a period in the middle of the band’s name?

ZC: That is to state that it has nothing to do with the country. It is actually a person’s name. Portugal. The man. Portugal is an alter ego that we created, kind of in the vein that David Bowie created Ziggy Stardust.

We liked that whole idea, but we’re not one person so we wanted to make a fake, fictional character — a fake plastic person — and have him represent our whole group of people, and we figured that a country is one name for one group of people with one voice in the world, and so we randomly picked Portugal and thought it would be a good name for a dude.

LF: Why Portugal? Why not Bolivia or something?

ZC: Doesn’t sound as good, man. Neither does Pakistan. The Man.

TW: According to a lot of random Internet information, the band's name was “an attempt to create a demi-mythic entity bigger than... "

ZC: I read that today.

TW: I hate to say this, but I was kind of put off by it.

ZC: Yeah, me too. No, I read that today, too. And I guess it didn’t sound quite as fucking epic in our mind. We just wanted to name a fictional character. But yeah, I don’t think it was demi-mythical or anything like that. That does sound pretty good, but we didn’t come up with that. Cheers to whoever did.

At some point, two women Carothers attended Wasilla High School with entered the conversation. The three began reminiscing, and Sarah Palin was brought up several times. The women mentioned that “all the skater's in Wasilla love her because she built that skate park.”

ZC: I was the president of the skate park committee, and I had to argue with her for fucking three and a half years to get that skate park! I was 14!

TW: Did you have one-on-one contact with Sarah Palin?

ZC: Yes.

LF: That sounds hot.

ZC: We argued about a skate park. Basically, the long and short of it is we went to her and we talked to her for about a year and a half. We formed a committee, all our parents were on it, all my friends were on it.

She agreed to — basically, if we raised a certain amount of money, the city would match it and buy a skate park. And we raised $85,000, and in a relatively short amount of time, too. Then we went to the city and asked for the other half and they said no, said it wasn’t in the budget anymore.

We were kinda like, you know, what the shit? We just raised $85,000, and we can’t give it back with all these bake sales and benefit concerts and raffles. What are we supposed to do? So I had to argue with her for about another year and a half before (she) agreed to give us our skate park.

But eventually, in the end, we got the park and now the Wasilla Skate Park is a beautiful place and the most frequently used park in Wasilla, Alaska.

TW: That’s a good story, thank you.

ZC: Yeah, yeah, pretty good. I like it. Thank you.

CRB wows again at Harlow's as stage lighting runs amok.

2011-05-08T01:17:14Z

Sudden darkness, strobe lights and a disco ball were probably the last things one would expect to find at a show as tightly driven as the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, who performed Tuesday night at Harlow's to a full house for the second time in two months.

It took a while for the crowd to arrive, but the band was punctual and they opened their first set with a well-received hat trick: “Lizzie Mae,” "New Minglewood Blues” and “Tulsa Yesterday.”

Front man and guitar wizard Chris Robinson is touring heavily throughout California on this next leg of the schedule with quite a colorful tumble of organ-grinders: bassman Mark "Muddy" Dutton (LA Guns), George Sluppick on skins (City Champs, Albert King), keyboard artist Adam MacDougall (Black Crowes) and guitarist/photographer Neal Casal (Hazy Malaze, Rolling Stone, Spin).

This spin off from Robinson’s main claim to fame – the bearded voice of the Black Crowes – comes from a desire to utilize the TBC off-season. Robinson has carved out a collection of specifically talented individuals who are as easy to get along with as they are game to play in small venues and festivals.

Sluppick was chatting with me after the show about how he got involved with the project and his musical background, which has included working with B.B. King and Albert Collins.

“We’re loving this, and I think this is where it’s at, really – playing small clubs and doing different kinds of gigs outside of the usual arena format,” Sluppick said. “We’re meeting new people along the way and turning them on to what we’re about, and for them to have put me on board for this project is just [he reached over to shake the hand of a fan and thank them for coming] … is just something I’m really excited about. I have been sharing my music with people all my life.”

Their professional capacity as technical musicians is obvious in their precise delivery of the material. You stare with a drooling satisfaction as Sluppick ceases a drum pass on point with his eyes closed – not seeing Robinson counting it out in front of him – and picks it back up again on the downbeat, throwing it immediately into double time. This would be equal to driving with your eyes closed up a windy mountain road, slamming the brakes on, then throwing it into reverse and driving back down at top speed without so much as a flinch at the wheel.

Casal, "Muddy" and Robinson continued to weave their guitar skills through each verse, spinning songs along in the trippy, hippy "living room setting" their music creates. People are relaxed, the energy welcomes you like a newly added member of the Brotherhood "Clan." The crowd ebbs and flows much like I have seen many a time at Dead shows. Everything and everyone is about the experience within the show on stage.

Nobody quite expected the show that we got.

Well into the second half of the first set, the house lights flickered. Then, the stage lights went out completely. Robinson smiled at the crowd, grinning through his lyrics as the lights went on and off, and the love from the crowd rained back upon him as "Star or Stone," "Rosalee" and "Last Place That Love Lives" wound us down to intermission.

Patrons spilled out onto the back patio to enjoy the night air and sample cocktails at the back bar. The mood was friendly and the overall buzz was positive. There was hope that the Brotherhood might not stop this type of performing after the year is up.

Having resumed the second set in a very timely manner, the instrumental part of the show was about to begin. Robinson turned to face Sluppick, who dosed out an onslaught from his percussion setup. “Muddy” then, in turn, slapped and funked the crowd into a frenzy.

It was about this time the stage lights began strobing intermittently, which was both distracting and annoying. Yet, the band played on through as Casal switched guitars and regaled us with a slide solo.

Toward the end of the evening, everybody was takin' a trip to somewhere by way of a 20-minute call-and-response version of “Ride” that featured some feedback demonstrations and a really unique arrangement from MacDougall, who had his nose to the keys all night.

Then, the piece de resistance. The disco ball hanging in the middle of the ceiling turned on and started spinning.

The whole room lit up with applause and laughter.

What a night!

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-05-06T13:46:06Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

A Grand Night For Singing at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Friday Night Concerts In The Park at Cesar Chavez Plaza on 10th & J Street in Sacramento will feature Tatooed Love Dogs - Aaron King & The Imperials - Wahnderlust. 5:30PM - 9PM. Free/Beer Garden 21+

Saturday, May 7th: JAMMIES Evening of Classical Music at Mondavi Center Jackson Hall on UC Davis Campus. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $10.00 - $15.00.

Wednesday, May 11th - Sunday, May 15th: Cirque du Soleil: Quidam at Power Balance Pavilion. Shows begin at various times. Tickets are $37.00 - 97.00.

Thursday, May 12th - Monday, May 16th: Fourth Annual In The Flow Improvisational Music and Art Festival will take place at various venues in Sacramento. The events will feature jazz, rock, poetry/spoken word, electronic, and blues. Daily tickets are $10. More information at intheflowsacramento.com.

Thursday, May 12th: Zac Brown Band with Blackberry Smoke at Raley Field in West Sacramento. Concert begins at 6:30PM. Tickets are $36.00 - $81.00.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, May 6th

Jerry Perry presents Crazy Ballhead - Be Brave Robot Old Ironsides 9PM/$5-$7

Reminisce at Harlows 10PM/$10

Aaron King & The Imperials at Torch Club 9PM/$10

MollyMawks - Rosie and Ash - Karen Valdez at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Wonderbread 5 at Power House Pub 10PM/$15

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Autumn Sky - Dick Larson at Distillery 10PM/$6

The Guverment at Marilyns 9PM/$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Illest at Dream Ultra Lounge 9PM

DJ Slick D at District 30 9PM

Sage - Francis - Who Cares at Ace of Spades 7PM

Instagon - Ritural Race - Garage Jazz Architechts at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Ape Machine - Pets - DJ Roger at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

A Single Second - Early States at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$5

Hellbound Glory - Golden Cadillacs - Dry Country Drinkers at Blue Lamp 9PM

Dogfood - Goodness Gracious Me - Kaero with DJ Blend downstairs at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Loudness - Dirty Passion - Warmachine - Sucker Punch at The Boardwalk 6PM

Saturday, May 7th

The Lipstick Weekender with Shaun Slaughter & Roger Carpio at Old Ironsides 10PM/$7

Simpl3Jack - The Trees at Luigis Fungarden (All Ages) 7PM/$7.

Plex at Marilyns 9PM

Dredg - The Dear Hunter - Balance and Composure at Ace of Spades 6:30PM

Hullabaloo Rock & Roll Shinding! with DJ Hailey at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Larisa Bryski - Bad Connection - Liz Benson at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Knife Thru Head - Armed Forces Radio - Armed Forces Radio at The Distillery 10PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

House of Floyd at 6:30PM/$20 & Departure (Journey Tribute) 10PM/$10 at Harlows

Kevin Russell at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Eli Young Band - Department of Rock at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Scotty Boy at District 30 9PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Thicker Than Thieves - The Snobs - Perro Bravo at Blue Lamp 9PM

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, May 8th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Shadia Powell & Friends 8PM at Torch Club 8PM/$7

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Reggae Basement with DJ Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Robert Johnson 100 Year B-Day Tribute at Harlows 8PM

Sactown Rundown - May 5-11

2011-05-05T18:49:46Z

Well, can we say summer has officially teed off?

Concert in the Park week one is on Friday – that’ll pretty much seal the deal. Tattooed Love Dogs kick off the fun this week, check out the rest of the full season schedule here.

When you’re done with that…

Portugal. The Man – This is a dizzying band – both in terms of the way streams of colorful instrumental hooks come kaleidescoping out of the amps like some sort of sonic Jackson Pollock, but also in terms of the sheer amount of music they keep cranking out. Most record companies will tell you that it’s tantamount to industry suicide by overload to release a new album every year – but what the hell do they know, anyway? 2007 was their coming out party with the Led Zeppelin-infused blues rock juggernaut “Church Mouth” (lead singer John Baldwin Gourley will tell you that the album name was born while the band watching a speech by George W. Bush, which led to him commenting “man, what a fucking church mouth”). The avalanche of albums hasn’t slowed down since 2008’s “Censored Colors,” a tapestry of a think-piece released right around the time everyone in America all of a sudden knew the name of the town that the band started in: Wasilla, Alaska (you betcha!). “The Satantic Satanist” in 09, “American Ghetto” in ’10, and “In the Mountain In a Cloud” coming up in July? Strap yourself in and let Gourley’s gut-wrangling falsetto and squealing guitar lead the way through their almost ridiculous expansive catalog. With Telekenisis and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $17.50. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Agent Ribbons – Welcome home, ladies. “Chateau Crone” is the kind of breakout release we would love to embrace as a truly local product, with it’s thrift store indie rock edge, back alley gypsy jazz wiles and Beatles-played-backwards pop playfulness. But this, their hang-your-hat debut full length, was recorded after the band left native Sactown to set up camp in the mecca of Austin, TX. Their homecomings are always a blast, though, this this show coming up mid-week, and then a Concert in the Park headling spot (proving they’ll always be “locals”) on deck on May 20. 8 p.m. Tuesday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $7. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Check out Agent Ribbons on Daytrotter.

Dredg – They arrive in Sacramento at the tail end of the first official week of the “Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy” show, as the Bay Area native band’s newest album just dropped on Tuesday. It’s hard to tell if they’re a band just saying “screw it, let’s get weird,” or if this was some sort of new calculated direction they’ve been keeping in the bag for quite some time, lurking behind shards of imaginative progressive agro-metal, crafted like some twisted rock and roll fables. Check out the video trailer for their new midnight funk tune “The Tent” and you’ll see some sort of cross section between “The Wall,” a Gorillaz video and every Tim Burton movie ever made (which is kinda like just one movie, isn’t it?). It’s sweet and disturbing all at the same time – sort of like most of the music Dredg has ever made. With the Dear Hunter, Balance and Composure, Trophy Fire and Breva. 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $17. All ages. www.aceofspadessac.com.

Ash Reiter – Every now and then, the Rundown will dig past a headliner to highlight an opener. With no disrespect to the honey-voiced Pat Hull or Smoking Flowers or delightfully alluring husband-and-wife duo Smoking Flowers, Ash Reiter’s rising star is too bright to look over. Whether you give her an acoustic guitar and let her play a heart-tugging ballad, or hand her a hollow body Gibson and watch her spike out a thick ditty loaded with ‘tude, this Northern California songstress is buried treasure, and while digging up the treasure you’ll find shades of anyone from Jolie Holland to our own Two Sheds. Ash plays first, head to the patio early. 9 p.m. Friday. Sophia’s Thai Kitchen, 129 E. St., Davis. $5. 21+. www.sophiasthaikitchen.com.

Check out Ash Reiter's Daytrotter sessions here and here.

Mark Your Calendars – KISS – Yep! May 29. Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Dr., West Sacramento. $40-$125. www.raleyfield.com.

If you are planning or promoting a concert in the Sacramento area, or just know of a show you’d like to see featured in the Rundown, shoot me an email.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-04-29T14:27:50Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Friday, April 29th: Sacramento Ballet presents Beer & Ballet "Black Out Swan" at Sacramento Ballet Studios on 1631 K Street in Sacramento. Event begins at 7PM. Tickets are $35.00.

A Grand Night For Singing at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Friday, April 29th: Pablo Zeigler: Beyond Tango at Mondavi Center Jackson Hall on UC Davis Campus. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $12.00 - $40.00.

Saturday, April 30th: Camellia Symphony Orchestra Vive la France at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on 1515 J Street in Sacramento. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $8.00 - $25.00.

Sunday, May 1st: KSFM 102.5 Live with Nelly - Keri Hilson - Flo Rida - Jeremih - New Boyz at 915 Capitol Mall in Sacramento. Gates Open at 10AM. Tickets are $19.00 but are Sold Out!

Sunday, May 1st: Raekwon - Mean Doe Green - CUF - C Plus - Rebel Diaz - Kodac - Visuals - DJ Oasis at Ace of Spades on 1417 R Street in Sacramento. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Tuesday, May 3rd: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at Harlow' s 2708 J Street in Sacramento. Show at 9PM. Tickets are $15.00.

Tuesday, May 3rd: Job For A Cowboy at Ace of Spades on 1417 R Street in Sacramento. Show at 6:30PM. Tickets are $17.00.

Thursday, May 5th: Portugal The Man at Harlow's on 2708 J Street in Sacramento. Show at 6:30PM. Tickets are $17.50ADV/$20.00Door.

Concert Tickets On Sale This Week:

George Winston at The Crest Theatre on July 22nd . Tickets are $29.00 - $125.00.

Britney Spears - Nicki Minaj - Jessie and the Toy Boys at Power Balance Pavilion Thursday, June 16th. On Sale Saturday April 30th. Tickets are $37.00 - $375.00.. (No it's not a typo)!

Marco Antonio Solis & Ana Gabriel at Power Balance Pavilion Friday, June 10th. Tickets on sale Friday, April29th. Tickets are $43.00 - $176.00. On Sale Friday April 29th.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, April 29th:

Jerry Perry presents The Snobs - The Kelps at Old Ironsides 9PM/$5-$7

Foreverland at Harlows 10PM/$12.00

Terry Hanck at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Longshot Soundsytem - DJ Missy at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Audioboxx at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Golden Cadillacs - The Infamous Swanks at Distillery 10PM/$7

Mad House Party Band at Marilyns 9PM/$5-$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ David Caravalho at District 30 9PM

Dinsosaur Bones - Rivers & Crowns at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Royal After Party with Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Rough House at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Benefit for Japan with DJ's Shaun Slughter - Adam J - Sam I Am - Tayloe Cho at Blue Lamp 9PM

Exquisite Corps at Beatnik Studios 6PM

98 Rock Local Licks Live Yes Sir - Adam Roth with DJ Blend downstairs at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Richie Lawrence & The Yolos - The Dry Creek Rounders at Lunas Cafe 8:30PM/$6

Saturday, April 30th

Automatic Rival - Pebble Theory - Ghost River at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

Baby - Whiz Bang! - Community College - OverThruster at Luigis Fungarden (All Ages) 7PM/$7.

KattyWompus & Bonebag at Marilyns 9PM/$10

Fight Inside - Track Fighter - Split Self - Automatic Static at Ace of Spades 6PM/$10

Zoo Human Project - The Isaac Howl at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Flamenco Del Oro - Kina Mendez at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

White Minorities - Blownload - SkinHammer at The Distillery 10PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

Democratic Convention After Party with DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Midnight Players at Harlows 9:30PM/$12

Ty Curtis at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Spazmatics at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Beatnik at District 30 9PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Mike Watt & The Missing Men at Blue Lamp 9PM/$12

David Houston & the Strings - Proxy Moon at Lunas 8PM/$6

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, May 1st

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Aaron King at 4PM and Johnny Knox 8PM at Torch Club 8PM/$7

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Reggae Basement with DJ Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Sactown Rundown - April 28-May 4

2011-04-28T18:09:17Z

So I hear there's some sort of a wedding going on early Friday morning?

Yeah, well, we've got some music going on too, just as an FYI...

The Builders & the Butchers - In a music scene bursting at the seams with raw, albeit often streamlined indie rock, folk and pop talent, Portland is a hard place to make yourself stand out - especially with the Dream of the '90s still alive. From their jovially twisted cover art to a sound that fits the same description, say hello to Neil Young's journey to Hell's big top. At their hear, Builders and the Butchers are a bluegrass band, but that core influence has been compressed in a vice and inserted into a pegboard of dark folk and inventive indie rock, with thick, bizzaro-funk bass lines and break-neck acoustic guitar/mandolin riffs, like a ringmaster with a drinking problem conducting a circus of animals with rabies and acrobats that moonight at bondage clubs. With Damion Suomi & the Minor Prophets. 9 p.m. Thursday. Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd. 21+. www.bluelamp.com.

Check out the Builders & the Butchers on Daytrotter.

Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside - There's a pleasing contradiction in the way that Sallie Ford presents herself and crafts her rhythmic wiles. Her vocal delivery is like that of the classic martini-in-hand singer, a Billie Holliday or an Etta James; pleasantly refined, crisp and alluringly soulful. Her overall approach is more like that of the victorious thrift store discovery that only needs a bit of paint or a little flower upholstery to make it a treasure. Such is the glowing ramshackle of her indie folk and blues & jazz-tinged Americana pop stylings. She'll be joined by the Souterrain, a thinking man's (or woman's) free-form jazz outfit, with poetic lyrics delivered like a Master's thesis in Englis lit inspired by Tom Waits bootlegs. 10 p.m. Friday. Sophia's Thai Kitchen, 129 E St., Davis. $6. 21+. www.sophiasthaikitchen.com.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood - No, there is not a glitch in the Matrix - Chris Robinson's newest outfit is indeed rolling back through town to play at Harlow's, less than a month after their appearance here in April. Their current tour has been a pendulum through California, slamming the same venues twice in an effort to showcase Robinson's (Black Crowes, New Earth Mud) latest conglomorate of blues, rock and Americana jam architects. Check out Lindol French's recap of the last show for a few ideas on what to expect. 9 p.m. Tuesday. Harlow's, 2708 J St. $15. 21+. www.harlows.com.

The Snobs - There's just almost no way to get enough of this champion local band. They're the kind that's been threatening a new album for six years and has never really made any legitimate moves to expand their audience outside of Midtown and the rest of Sacto, but who really cares? Their every-two-months-or-so humdingers at the local spots are some of the most fun in town, with Jason Boggs sax appeal and the band's throwback rock and diet punk licks. Huzzah! With Sure Shot and the Kelps. 9 p.m. Friday. The Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St. $7. 21+. www.theoldironsides.com.

Mark Your Calendars - Trampled By Turtles - "Thrashgrass!" That should tell you all you need to know...but if it doesn't, we'll take care of you in the Rundown that week. May 19. Harlow's, 2708 J St. $12. www.harlows.com.

If you are planning or promoting a concert in the Sacramento area, or just know of a show you’d like to see featured in the Rundown, shoot me an email.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.

Four Twenty and Nine Tens; The Sizzling Sirens Perform 'I Love You Mary Jane!'

2011-04-26T01:28:27Z

The atmosphere was good. Harlow’s was dim, but not dark, and the stage lighting cast a tint of green throughout the club. The Harley White Jr. Orchestra was on the floor, playing an upbeat jazz number to signal the beginning of the show (and though there ended up being a 15-minute delay, no one seemed to notice). Sizzling Sirens were running around everywhere, attractive women dotting the crowd in rhinestone and fringe, lingerie-inspired getups.

“I Love You Mary Jane! Cannabis Cabaret” was performed by the Sizzling Sirens Burlesque Experience late last Friday night. The show was described on the Sirens’ website as “a one-of-a-kind tribute themed to expose a variety of Mary Jane’s manifestations in American culture throughout time.”

And while marijuana was presented with affection throughout the show, its history was hardly exposed. Fun facts (i.e. there are more than 200 slang terms for pot) were scattered between dancers’ performances but, for the most part, that was the extent to which the theme was explored.

Pot and perky cleavage seems an infallible combination, one that should result in a great show by default. But the show was not well thought out, with no clear middle or end. There wasn’t a lot of singing, dialogue, or the girls dancing together as a whole. Had an individual been looking for something similar to cabarets depicted in movies and television shows, they would have been disappointed.

Oversized feathered fans and long riding crops come to mind when recalling one of the show’s highlights, a dance performed by Colette Corbeau and Alijiah Dresden. There were a few surprising instances as well, like a Siren adorning six cheetah-print pasties and posing as a cat, inspired by the “Purple Pussy” strain of marijuana. The crowd’s encouraged participation in spanking the Sizzling Sirens probably didn’t hurt the show, either.

Whether “I Love You Mary Jane! Cannabis Cabaret” lived up to its own written description or not, most of the crowd seemed more than happy watching hot, dancing girls proclaim a love for marijuana to the mood setting sounds of the Harley White Jr. Orchestra.

For Good Again: Devil Makes Three makes rowdy Harlow's return

2011-04-23T00:51:16Z

Big thanks to Rik Keller for the photos from the show. To see more photos, check out Rik Keller photography here.

Are the Devil Makes Three the most local non-local band in history?

It’s hard to know how to refer to this wily trio “from” the Dirty Five-Thirty (that’s area code speak for Davis), as they currently call Davis their home, but originally identified themselves as a Santa Cruz band – and that’s not to mention the rumors I hear of a “Vermontster” tattoo cascading the chest of Cooper McBean.

But if you judge a band’s locality by the devout rowdiness that follows them into a hometown show, Thursday night’s sold out hootenanny at Harlow’s (their second in six months here in the Unclean Nine-Sixteen) would tell you all you need to know about how well they’ve settled in to this area, and dare we say, this local music scene.

DM3 shows have always been rowdy, but it was remarkably loco in there on Thursday, with 300-plus of the band’s closest friends, helping the trio kick off a month long tour with a show that was added fairly last minute and somewhat under the radar. They didn’t even have time to run off tickets and take them over for sale at The Beat.

Word spreads like wildfire when these cats hang out in Midtown, and folks were ready to party, throwing up devil horns and fist bumping the air like it was going out of style – through the course of most concerts, that’s not something that usually happens to a band with a banjo, acoustic guitar, upright bass, and no drums.

Devil Makes Three brought some friends from Rhode Island called Brown Bird to open up the show, and there was some noticeable chirping (had to be done) in the crowd about this duo’s murky, slapchop bluegrass folk rock beats that at times almost bordered on hip hop or techno. Yes, bluegrass techno – it’s something you’ve just got to see. Through and through, this pair is an orchestra of edgy and warmly inventive Americana, playing a siren song to a hooched-up crowd that was there ready to get down, and probably wasn’t expecting something like this.

One thing you’ve got to love about a drum kit-free evening is short set changes, as the venerable Devil Makes Three hit the stage around 10:15 p.m., leading off with “All Hail,” the lead track on their latest album, “Do Wrong Right.”

There are very few bands that can get away with all of their songs sounding very similar, and Devil Makes Three are one of them (Cake, you’re being watched very closely these days on this issue). They’re like a punk rock band that can’t ignore their love for country and blues, settling into snap-paced, to-the-point songs about broken hearts, drinking (in the middle of the day), friends, good times, and drinking…again.

Despite that streamlined country punkgrass theme that runs heavy through their tunes, each song has it’s own distinct flavor, delivered with gusto and buddy-buddy three part harmony by McBean, front man Pete Bernhard and certified bad-ass of an upright bassist Lucia Turino.

“The Bullet,” a noticeable crowd favorite, rumbled on like a freight train, stopping only for beer and cigarettes, on the tracks right to untimely death. Another staple of their catalog and a classic singalong, “For Good Again,” preceeded a seemingly nonstop string of shrieks from the crowd as they plowed through “Statesboro Blues,” “Tow,” and their eponymous “Shades,” which features the line that anyone who’s ever porched-up in Midtown on a sunny afternoon can relate to:

“And what the hell am I doing drunk in the middle of the day.”

Ah, summer!

“We hope you guys are ready, ‘cause we’re gonna play, like, everything we know,” Bernhard said a good hour into their set, met with yelps of approval. “And a few things we don’t know,” he added.

You’ve got to tip your cap to a band that will play their most popular tune, and then still play for another half hour. “Old Number 7,” their ode to Jack Daniels guzzlers everywhere, still yielded plenty of time for the slip ‘n slide romp of “Aces and Twos,” “Do Wrong Right,” and the frisky “Black Irish,” with Turino’s punk rock hair flailing wildly as she became noticeably more energetic as the night wore on.

Clocking in at around an hour and 45 minutes, the show wrapped just a few minutes short of Good Friday, with the crowd only minimally thinned and feet still stomping.

Did they play everything they know? Not quite, but far be it for anyone to complain about the blood and sweat they left behind on the stage, as this laudable group always does.

It’s hard to imagine DM3 ever being upstaged, but believe it or not, it actually did happen when the group played a show at Harlow’s back in late 2007, where their openers were a maniacal duo of Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – although anyone who knows anything about those two groups knows that’s a tough act for any band to follow.

To examine the evolution and compare that version of Devil Makes Three to the one we saw last night, it’s hard to imagine them ever being upstaged again.

Devil Makes Three are on the road for the better part of the next two months, but you have a chance to immortalize your cheering when the group sets up for a live recording at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma on May 6 and May 6 (May 6 is an 18+ show, May 7 is 21+). Info is available on their website.

Yonder Mountain High.

2011-04-20T01:07:45Z

It is a rare treat to see a band play at a venue that they have long since outgrown.

On a tour filled with dates at places like the Fillmore (capacity: 1,250) and Montbleu Resort (1,400), bluegrass behemoth Yonder Mountain String Band stopped in Sacramento for the first time ever and played a nearly packed house at our very own Harlow's. Capacity? 300 and change.

It was amazing.

"We're gonna have some fun tonight!" frontman and mandolinist Jeff Austin proclaimed a few songs into the first of two rollicking sets.

"This is the most intimate show we've played in a long, long time."

As you might expect, this proclamation was met with an enormous, prideful roar from the gathered throng. I would venture that it was a near perfect crowd. The venue was full, but not impassable. The route from the back bar to the restrooms, though crowded, was navigable. The fans that had come were fully aware of how lucky they were to be there, and what we lacked in numbers, we made up for in enthusiasm.

"They are amazing" said a clearly stoked Maya, who was losing her Yonder V-Card that evening.

Maya’s friend Erin, a vet of numerous shows, added, "I haven't seen them in like four years. I feel like a real asshole."

A couple of songs into the second set, at the end of an extended jam on the rollicking, guitar driven "Damned if the right one didn't go wrong," the crowd reached a level of ecstasy that I don't think I've ever seen at Harlow's. It was the loudest and most lengthy applause that I have been a part of in my 20 (30?) odd shows.

It was chill inducing and the boys on stage were eating it up. "If you're having even a portion of the fun that we're having, then you're having a great time," Austin said before adding, "Why haven't we played here before?"

The worlds funkiest string quartet made up for lost time with nearly three hours of incredibly high energy Colorado jam-grass, and one of the best shows I've seen this year.

If Sunday night's show was any indication, their first Sacramento show most certainly won't be their last. I just hope they don't further outgrow Harlow's before their next visit.

Man, what a treat.

An evening with Yonder Mountain String Band!

2011-04-16T23:37:35Z

This Sunday Harlow's nightclub continues it's spring-long blitzkrieg of High Sierra Music Festival performers, once-and-future, with Colorado's pied-pipers of bluegrass rock, Yonder Mountain String Band.

"Yonder Mountain String Band has always played music by its own set of rules. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences that the band cites, Yonder has pioneered a sound of their own."

Yonder has been a stalwart on the festival circuit for more than a decade, playing their unique brand of feel-good jamgrass for massive crowds at Bonnaroo, Rothbury, Austin City Limits, Telluride Bluegrass Festival and their own Northwest String Summit.

I, and about 200,000 of my closest friends, caught their set at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass last fall. You notice I didn't say I saw their set, cause I couldn't see shit.

I can't even tell you how excited I am to actually see them at a venue as intimate as Harlow's.

Aside from their festival appearances, this is a band that sells out the 9,450 seats at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and will be playing two nights next week at the Fillmore in San Francisco (1,250 capacity).

Getting two full sets (No opener! All Yonder, all the time!) at our very own 350 person venue is going to be a real treat.

Yonder Mountain String Band at Harlow's, Sunday, April 17th, 9:00PM.

Tickets are $25.00

I'll see you on the dance floor.

The Gregory Brothers and YouTube's Digitour

2011-04-16T02:07:10Z

YouTube's Digitour rolled into Sacramento Thursday night, planting its two gigantic tour buses on J Street for an early show at Harlow's.

The Digitour features a menagerie of the ubiquitous site's biggest musical celebrities (over 1 billion views between ‘em!).

Now, I consider myself fairly Internet-savvy for a 32-year-old. I mean, I surf the interwebs ... a lot. My myriad of Facebook friends, many of whom I've never met, would probably say too much. I have a blog that I haven't updated in eight months. I know about both "Charlie the Unicorn" and "Charlie bit my finger." I've created numerous memes of varying quality. I've even had a taste of Internet celebrity. I'm plugged in.

Or so I thought.

I only recognized one name on the Digitour roster, but what a name it was: the undisputed heavyweight champion of the worldwidewebs, the Gregory Brothers. The Gregory Brothers are the (mad?) geniuses behind "Auto Tune the News" and "The Bed Intruder Song," among others. As far as I'm concerned, they are the best thing to happen to the Internet since sliced bread. (ed. note: what?)

I was really excited to see how "Turtle Fence" translated to a seven-piece live band.

But first, there were the other YouTube stars about whom I had been (blissfully?) ignorant prior to Thursday night's show.

Leading off the show was Savannah Outen, a pretty blonde with a good voice. She sang Bruno Mars and Jesse James covers, along with some originals. You know what I like better than Jesse James? Dentist appointments.

It's not you, Savannah. It's me.

Between the acts, they played videos on a large monitor next to the stage. The videos varied from kind of funny but annoying (the aptly named “Annoying Orange”) to gouge-out-your-ears-and-eyeballs annoying (the first video they showed sounded like wacky drive-time radio for ‘tweens. Just the sound of it literally made me nauseous). There is something called “Smosh” on YouTube that has something like 148 bazillion views. They're like a slightly older Fred, but there's two of them. Ugh.

Back to the music. . .

Ricky Ficarelli is an extremely talented young drummer. He'll be able to write his own ticket. Mystery Guitar Man is pretty good at looping, playing multiple instruments and layering beats. Think Keller Williams for teenage — well, I don't know, Internet fans? When I was a teenager I was listening to Phish.

Destorm is a talented MC, as displayed on a "Random Topic" freestyle rap based in part on crowd suggestions ("401 K!" "Golden retrievers!" "Tech support!" "Skittles!") and a live Twitter feed (technology, it's what's for dinner) that was running on the stageside monitor.

The closing act of the night was Dave Days and his band, including the aforementioned Ficarelli. They too were clearly talented, but not at all my bag. I saw a girl wearing a shirt that read "Dave Days Makes My Favorite Songs Better." "Dave Days Makes My Least Favorite Songs Slightly Less Grating!" would be more apropos in my case.

Which brings us to the Gregory Brothers. The seven-piece came out to the biggest applause of the evening and went into "Winning – A Song by Charlie Sheen."

I had been a little unsure about how their songs would translate to a live performance. Much of the singing on their hits is done by "unintentional singers": celebrities, politicians, cable news anchors, talking heads, or, most famously, Antoine Dodson, whose words are auto-tuned and set to music.

What I quickly realized, as Mike Gregory rapped about banging 7-gram rocks and the whole gang harmonized behind him is that the G. Bros. are much better singers than their autotuned cohorts. Ultimately, their songs wouldn't be so popular if they weren't good, catchy songs to begin with. And, as such, they are much improved when the brothers cut out the unintentionals.

Up next was "Rent Is Too Damn High! Song," their impassioned ode to Jimmy McMillan and his titular New York political party.

From there they went into their dance sensation, "Backin’ Up Song," dedicated to Diana of Kansas City. It's seriously a great dance song when performed live. As with all of their tracks, not only did it not lose anything in translation to the live show, it gained something. It gained a lot, actually.

Up next was "Turtle Fence," my favorite song of theirs going into the show. You bet your ass there was a killer keytar solo in the middle of it.

"Charles Rangel Sings for Mercy" is a huge, almost anthemic song. Don't leave Chuck swinging in the wind until November.

"Mommy and Daddy" becomes an awesomely soulful R&B song with beautiful harmonies and Sarah G. killing the lead vocal.

"Bed Intruder" brought the house down. You can run and tell that, homeboy.

I assumed that "B.I." would be their last song of the evening, but you know what they say about assumptions.

They closed instead with "Double Rainbow" which had somehow evaded me up to that point. Remember when I called "Charles Rangel" anthemic earlier? That was before I heard this. If "C.R." is anthemic, than "D.R." is double anthemic. When they turned it into an epic crowd sing-along, building to an ecstatic crescendo, it started to sound triple anthemic.

Intense.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-04-15T14:25:59Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

April 15th - April 24th: Broadway Sacramento presents Frankenstein from April 13th - 24th. The Sacramento Community Center Theatre on 1301 L Street in Sacramento. Show Times Vary. Tickets are $15.00 - $52.00.

A Grand Night For Singing at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Friday, April 15th: Rose Royce & Evelyn Champagne King at Thunder Valley Resort Pano Hall. Show at 8PM. Tickets are $29.00 - $39.00.

Friday, April 15th: Taproot at The Boardwalk on 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale. Show at 8PM. Tickets are $15.00 - $17.00.

Satuday, April 16th: Ghostface from Wu-Tang Clan at Harlows on 2708 J Street in Sacramento. Show at 10PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Sunday, April16th: hed P.E. and Mushroomhead at Ace of Spades on 1417 R Street in Sacramento. Show at 6:30PM. Tickets are $20.00 - $22.00.

Sunday, Appril 17th: Yonder Mountain String Band at Harlow's 2708 J Street in Sacramento. Show at 8PM. Tickets are $25.00.

Tuesday, April 19th: Afroman at Ace of Spades on 1417 R Street in Sacramento. Show at 6PM. Tickets are $18.00 - $20.00.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, April 15th:

Jerry Perry presents Bright Faces - The Parties - Blue Skies for Black Hearts at Old Ironsides 9PM/$5-$7

Of Mice & Men - Isetmyfriendsonfire - Sleeping with Sirens - The Amity Affliction at Ace of Spades 6PM/$15

Chris Cain at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Pushtonwanda - Lucky and the Ten Balls at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Steel Breeze at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Be Brave Robot - The Inversions at Distillery 10PM/$6

The Bumpet at Marilyns 9:30PM/$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ David Carvalho at District 30 9PM

Monomyth Inception - Majesty - Truth of Mars at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Rough House with DJ Shaun Slaughter & Roger Carpio at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Doombirs - The Definite Article - New Heirlooms at Luigis Fungarden 8:30PM/$5

Matt Cali at Blue Lamp 9PM

Will Titus - John Conley - Soft Science - The Happy Medium at Beatnik Studios 6PM

98 Rock Local Licks Live with DJ Blend downstairs at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Proxy Moon - Joey Sanders at Lunas Cafe 8PM/$6

Saturday, April 16th

Deke Dickerson - Mis Lonely Hearts at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

Roman Funerals - Prieta - The Kelps - Noise-A-Tron at Luigis Fungarden (All Ages) 8:30PM/$7.

The Athens at Marilyns 9PM/$12

Iration - Mike Pnto - The Holdup - Pacific Dub at Ace of Spades 6PM/$12-$14

Chris 2Me at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

The Goldenhearts - Walking Spanish at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Walking Dead - The Left Hand - Dead Panic at The Distillery 10PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Mind X - Harvey Mandel at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Stones Throw at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Zag at District 30 9PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Kevin Seconds - Tracksides Poets - Riot Radio at Blue Lamp 9PM

Panny Harding - Jeff Sears at Lunas 8PM/$6

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, April 17th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM and David Jacob Strain 8PM at Torch Club 8PM/$7

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Reggae Basement with DJ Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Funky. Fresh. Romantic? G. Love at Harlow's

2011-04-14T21:27:28Z

Who ordered the Fixin’ to Die sandwich with the side of public romance and a Greene salad?

Order up!

Wednesday night’s G. Love & Special Sauce show at Harlow’s was filled with several intrigues and surprise moments, not the least of which was to watch how traveled front man Garrett “G. Love” Dutton attacked his new country-blues repertoire in concert for the first time on tour.

But first, what could be considered the sweetest and possibly the slickest marriage proposal of all time has to be addressed. It was just that cool of a moment, even though it’s contrary to this reporter’s standard policy of addressing the music first and leaving the human circus for later.

Dammit, I’ve been spending too much time with Lindol French!

During G’s customary “ladies’ time” at the end of his set, with the crooning “Holla” giving way to the always syrupy, gal favorite jam “Baby’s Got Sauce,” G. slowed his band down and announced to the crowd that he had a “friend” back stage. Usually, this means a guest emcee, harmonica player, guitarist or other sit in musician that will soon have an amp put on stage to join the party.

Nope, this friend was a fairly non-descript fan in a black t-shirt in and baseball cap named Shannon, who had apparently gotten cozy with G’s manager outside the tour bus, which was parked in front of Harlow’s before the sold-out show got going. Shannon was holding a bouquet of roses as G. escorted him onto the stage – at which point everyone started to figure out what was going to happen.

Shannon brought his obviously bewildered girlfriend Nicole up on stage with him, and after announcing that she “has more sauce than any girl in the room,” got down on one knee and popped the question in front of a packed room of cheering fans.

Who is going to say no to that, as G. and the Sauce finished out the song with the newly engaged couple on stage with them. Congrats, Shannon and Nicole – and now, back to the music.

Openers The Belle Brigade are highly worth mentioning, as their delightfully nerdy Americana indie rock even lured fans away from the Kings’ home finale (?) and Giants-Dodgers games on the TV’s above the bar.

Seriously, this is a conglomerate of band geeks from high school who found their inner-cool by starting up a rock band, and their bouncy rock and roll, radiating personalities and “too lame even for the hipsters at the thrift store” threads were so impossibly endearing, there wasn’t much not to fall for.

We’re starting a rock band – this means we’re finally gonna get laid, fanny pack be damned!

Would we see a whole new G. Love tonight, as he is touring for the first time with a stock of fresh material off his Avett Brothers-produced gem of a record, “Fixin’ to Die?” It certainly appeared so as he perched on stage around 10:15, strumming into album opener “Milk & Sugar,” followed closely by the most Sauce-like tune on the record in the bouncy “Get Goin’,” and the juke-joint piano ditty “You Got to Die.”

These three straight “Fixin’” tunes would be the last we’d hear of the new stuff for awhile, as G. shifted back to his classic persona with a drop-tempo “Hustle” and, naturally, a Sacramento Kings reference during his classic “Shooting Hoops.”

Where was the rest of the new stuff? Usually when unleashing a “new territory” album, as his new record absolutely is, artists are chomping at the bit to sprinkle in the new songs next to old and get them in the new fans’ ears.

Such is indicative of the kind of performer G. Love is. Not only is he the kind of guy who will let some dude he’d never met swipe some face time from him during the show and propose to his girl, he’s the kind of guy who’s not worried about pressing an agenda of new material on his fans, who came out to hear some slimy bass solos on “Hot Cookin’,” the always filth-nasty jam of “Cold Beverage” and the hip-snapping “This Ain’t Livin.’”

This was a Wednesday night, and it was well past 11 p.m. before we’d hear more of the new stuff. He had to know that several fans would bounce out to get home to their warm blankies and not get to hear this new side of him.

They did – and G didn’t care. All he cared about was showing off the new chops for those that love him enough to stick around.

It was all old school G. Love, in as fine a form as it’s ever been, right up to the encore break, where a solo-acoustic version of “Booty Call” notwithstanding,” the encore (which was almost a second set unto itself) was all “Fixin’ to Die.”

After belting out the title track solo, keyboard whiz Mark Boyce and bassist Timo Shanko (very much coming into his own after replacing Jimi “Jazz” Prescott in 2009) joined him for a sweet take on “Katie Miss.”

Turned out, G. had another friend in the house, and his name was Jackie Greene. To an obviously adoring roar, Sacramento’s prodigal son joined the group on stage for a fatted calf jam on G.'s “The Road.” Jackie kept himself noticeably low-key (as in, back to the crowd) while kicking out some dirty Gregg Allman style riffs on a wonderfully gaudy gold-trimmed hollow body.

What G. has done with Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” is wondrously funky, and it was a perfect cap to a G. Love concert that would stack up against any he’s done in the last five years.

Just step out the back, Jack…let’s hope Shannon doesn’t hear that after the moment dies down.

(Big ups to Lindol French for grabbing some shots for me, as I believe my digital camera was actually a stocking stuffer way back in 2001, just north of the time they were still using 3 1/2 inch floppys to store the photos)

Orgone and The Nibblers, together at last.

2011-04-14T00:00:42Z

or·gone n. A universal life force, a cosmic unit of energy, the creative force in nature.

Orgone n. A banging nine piece soul/funk ensemble from Los Angeles.

A staple on the festival circuit (High Sierra Music Fest, Moe.down, South by Southwest, Jazzfest, to name a few) Orgone has opened for the likes of Al Green and Sharon Jones, and toured with the Roots and Greyboy Allstars.

"With a rooted sense of funk, soul, afrobeat, deep rhythms and an intimate understanding of dj culture as well as each others' individual talents, Orgone seamlessly slides through multiple styles and dynamic performances. The group continuously injects whatever they play with a heavy brand of raw funk power." (orgonespace.com)

They played an epic Harlow's show back in January with local favorites Zuhg.

Thursday night, they make their triumphant return to the Midtown uber-venue with local possibly-even-more-favorites, our own merry band of funkateers, The Nibblers.

I thought it was an inspired pairing last time. This time it's a stroke of genius.

If you happened to catch one of The Nibblers' last few Harlow's gigs, opening for soul-funk-superstars Big Sam's Funky Nation and Trombone Shorty, you know what a treat this show will be.

If you didn't, take my word for it.

There is nowhere else you wanna be on Thursday night.

Orgone and The Nibblers play Thursday night at Harlow's, 9:30 PM, immediately following the Youtube Digitour at 6:30 (Featuring the Gregory Brothers of "Turtle Fence" and "Bed Intruder" fame).

Tickets are $12.00, ($15.00 for Digitour).

I'll see you on the dance floor.

Sactown Rundown - April 14-21

2011-04-13T23:00:04Z

It's Wednesday (as I prepare your weekly Rundown), and all I can think about is some G. Love!

"I cherish the moment when I get the lucky chance/ To sing my song and let the funky people dance/ make it last. Sonic blasts move past fast fly/ Outta speaker's sneakers stomp to the rhythm that will romp/ Let the wild rumpus start cause it just can't stop."

I'll have you covered with a recap of the show, but for now, let's look ahead to a fine week of shows. Sactown's got sauce!

Interpol - Loyal Rundown readers may remember a few weeks back when Lindol French and I were musing about the overrated hipster spectacle that is Coachella - but we agreed that the one benefit of having such a festival in the Golden State is the possibility of festival performers booking some Sactown gigs on the way in or out. Thanks, Interpol! This show has flown a bit under the radar on the local calendar, but they will indeed be holding a little pre-'Chella party at the Crest. Interpol isn't quite dry-humping the pop charts with their "it" factory the way there were back in the early '00s, where they were living fat and happy on the popularity of post-punk revival, following the path of Joy Division and the Smiths, alongside groups like Franz Ferdinand and a burgeoning Arcade Fire. To boot, they are now officially a "trio," with only Paul Banks and Daniel Kessler remaining as founding members, flanked by a rotating cast of supporting players. But there's a reason they achieved the rampant success that they did, and their fan base remains devoted as ever to their "look at me" guitar riffs, shakable grooves and biting energy. Fire up this video to the 3:00 mark and take a cue from the Avett Brothers, Interpol fans...it's OK to get up and dance at the Crest, seats be damned. With School of Seven Bells. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Thursday. Crest Theatre, 1013 K St. $32. All ages. www.thecrest.com.

Yonder Mountain String Band - In the ol' jam band world, one of the quickest ways to judge a band's street cred is by how often you'll see its individual members pop up to play alongside other bands, and how many solo and side projects tend to be brewing. The four guys from Colorado's YMSB are just these sort of characters - but let's not forget that they form what is widely regarded as one of the top active bluegrass bands still active today. Throwing some rock and roll flavor into their roots-based brand of bluegrass (the kind that Del McCoury and Bill Monroe set the gold standard for), they have been at the forefront of a bluegrass revival that is often attributed to the likes of the Avetts and Mumford & Sons - they've been doing this for quite awhile now! 8 p.m. Sunday. Harlow's, 2708 J St. $25. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Deke Dickerson and the Modern Sounds – Having had his birth certificate thoroughly checked for accuracy, it can be conclusively determined that Deke Dickerson was just flat out born in the wrong decade – in fact, we’ll call it several decades too late. His guitar ramblings and troubadour musings are immersed in a time when all band mates wore matching shirts, electric instruments were the new rage, and rock and roll was an itch in daddy’s britches – and daddy wore a cowboy hat. He’s a throwback to a time of pure country hoedowns, yet he still manages to find a translation to modern sounds, and get a little weird with it at the same time. He’s the freak front man that there’s no way the 1940’s could handle, and audiences today weren’t alive to form a frame of reference to. But let’s not split hairs over where he fits; if you’ve seen him with the Eccofonics, or his new band, the Modern Sounds, you know he’s one of the more unheralded performers on the California circuit. With Miss Lonely Hearts. 9 p.m. Saturday. Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St. $10. 21+. www.theoldironsides.com.

David Jacobs-Strain – While vacationing in Portland in February, a good friend of mine, one who heavily mirrors my tastes in music, and I got into a big fight over slide guitar when I played him some Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses. For some reason, he hates slide guitar – which is funny, because I know for a fact that he has a t-shirt that says “Martsch is God,” referring to Built to Spill lead singer Doug Martsch. Whatever his reasons are, it’s obvious that he would hate David Jacobs-Strain, who slides the neck of his six-stringer with playful abandon, a fitting compliment to his Delta blues wiles and diet-funky acoustic/electric rock. Certain to make fans from the Johnson/Butler/Jennings camps, Jacobs-Strain is an unheralded gem, sporting both supreme talent and a heart bigger than his chest. 8 p.m. Sunday. Torch Club, 904 15th St. $6. 21+. www.torchclub.net.

Mark Your Calendars – Chris Robinson Brotherhood – No, this is not a glitch in the Matrix; believe me, I checked. The Black Crowes/New Earth Mud front man’s new project is looping back through California, re-upping at several venues they just performed in the last month. May 3. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $15. www.harlows.com.

If you are planning or promoting a concert in the Sacramento area, or just know of a show you’d like to see featured in the Rundown, shoot me an email.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.

River Cats fall short

2011-04-11T16:45:08Z

Friday night your Sacramento River Cats hosted the Tacoma Rainiers in the second game of their season-opening four-game series.

Though the air was warmer than it had been during Thursday night's opener, the home team's bats were much, much colder. Blake Beavan and four Tacoma relievers combined to hold the River Cats to just four hits while striking out 13 in a 3-1 Rainiers victory. Cesar Jimenez (1-0, 1.2 IP, 3Ks) picked up the win.

The Rainiers wasted no time getting to Sacramento starter Guillermo Moscoso. Dustin Ackley led off the game with a single to right, Greg Halman reached base on a fielder’s choice, and then Matt Tuiasosopo crushed a ball that center fielder Matt Carson couldn't quite get to. Halman scored on what ended up being a triple for the Tacoma first baseman.

Moscoso minimized the damage by striking out the next two batters he faced, stranding Tuiasosopo at third.

In the bottom of the first, it looked for a moment like the home team might be in for another hot night. Jamile Weeks and Eric Sogard walked, then Chris Carter knocked a full-count fastball right back up the middle for an RBI single. The game was tied at 1-1, and more importantly the River Cats had a good shot to put up a crooked number with runners on first and third with nobody out and the meat of the order coming up.

It was not to be, as Carson took a backward K, Josh Donaldson continued his early season struggles with a forward K, and Steve Tolleson was unable to pick them up, flying out harmlessly to right.

The only play of note during the vast nothing that was innings two through five was a third-inning drive by Weeks that Tacoma right fielder leaped for at the fence, possibly saving a home run (it ended up being a double) and disappointing the heck out of those of us (me) who had pulled Weeks' name in the game of "Home Run Cup" in the press box.

Gabe DeHoyos (0-1, 1.2, 3H, 2R) relieved Moscono to start the sixth and promptly retired the first two batters he faced. It was the third out that proved to be elusive, however. Alex Liddi smoked a two-out double past an outstretched (but certainly not diving) Carter in left, then Paguero smacked a single to right, driving in Liddi from second with what turned out to be the winning run.

Carter led off the Cats half of the inning with a base on balls, but then Carson (0-4, 3Ks) struck out looking for the third straight at bat. The unproductive out was mitigated a bit when Carter stole second base, putting himself in scoring position with only one out and the 5-6 hitters coming to the plate. Unfortunately, Carter remained stranded at second when Donaldson (0-3, 2Ks) and Tolleson (0-3, 2Ks) both struck out swinging.

DeHoyos once again had no trouble securing the first two outs in the top of the seventh, making quick work of Josh Bard and Sean Kazmar. He would have had a perfect outing were there only two outs needed per inning. Unfortunately for him, this was neither horseshoes nor hand grenades, and Ackley followed with a two-out single back up the middle, ending DeHoyos' night.

Joe Bateman came in to face Halman, who promptly stroked a line drive to left field. Carter's uneven outfield play continued as he took a step in before breaking back out and watching the drive sail over his head. I'm not certain he would have caught the ball had he read it correctly off the bat, but he certainly would have improved his chances. Ackley scored on the play, giving the visitors a 3-1 lead.

Carter had a chance to put his uneven performance in the field behind him when he came up to the plate with two outs and the bases juiced in the bottom half of the inning. He struck out swinging.

In the bottom of the ninth, Carter again had a chance to be the hero when Weeks (2-4, BB, R) hit a two-out single and Ackley misplayed a Sogard sky-high pop-up into a runners-on first-and-second situation. The crowd was as loud as they had been all night when Carter strode up and grounded the first pitch he saw to Ackley, who redeemed himself by getting the force out at second.

Carter's night, much like his pro career thus far, was uneven. It's hard to call him the goat considering he drove in the only run of the game and later singlehandedly manufactured a runner in scoring position with fewer than two outs. On the other hand, he stranded six runners on base and played a shaky left field that contributed to two of the three Tacoma runs.

If Carter can be a little more consistent, he will be a really special player. And he won't be long for Sacramento. Enjoy him while he's here.

Y'all know me, not the same old G. (Love)

2011-04-11T00:46:06Z

When Garrett “G. Love” Dutton and I were on the phone back in early March, ruminating about life, music, career, and the album that has appeared to rejuvenate a steady albeit increasingly stagnant career, G. brought up a recent concert in Japan, and the reactions of the people there to his new album.

At this point, the horrific tragedy of the earthquake and resulting tsunami hadn’t happened yet. Here’s hoping that music can provide a tiny bit of reprieve from the harsh realities left in the wake of the tragedy - as long as the title of G’s new record isn’t taken too seriously.

“They’re real literal over there,” G. said with a chuckle. “They were all asking me ‘what is Fixin’ to Die?’”

“It’s just a blues song that came out better than any of the other songs, I don’t know what to say to these guys,” he said with a laugh. “But I was talking with my manager, he said if we don’t do something fucking amazing on this record, we’re fixin’ to die.”

“We were all on a little bit of a downward spiral - it’s important to do something different. That was what had to happen, and no one knew that more than me.”

Thus was revealed the possibly inadvertent significance of the gem of a country blues album that Scott Avett calls “the record we all knew he should make and he could make…but he had to open himself to the core to make it.”

There will be plenty of tunes from “Fixin’ to Die” to be heard, along with a healthy stock of that original hip hop blues styling, when G. Love & Special Sauce return to Harlow’s (2708 J St.) at 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. At press time, tickets were no longer available through the Harlow’s website, but some tickets still may be available at The Beat (17th and J St.), or additional day of show tickets may come available. Call Harlow’s at (916) 441-4693 for availability.

True to Scott Avett’s assertion, any G. Love fan will tell you that “Fixin’ to Die” has been a long time coming. Everyone knew there was a troubadour lurking under the surface of the slick and smooth emcee/bluesman persona by which fans came to know him so well – but that was a persona that, perhaps unbeknownst to said loyal fans, was beginning to lose its freshness after nearly 20 years.

“Because I’ve always been able to go in all these different directions, it’s been a blessing and a curse,” G said. “For most people, hip hop and Delta blues couldn’t be further apart.

“One critic said that ‘The Hustle’ was utterly sincere and completely unfocused. That was a review, but I really took it to heart, I realized I was trying to do too much on every record. When I was with Sony (Records), I got into the cycle where I felt like I wanted to make a record once a year, but they would only let me make one every two or three; we got into a cycle where they were just trying to get a hit.”

The Sony records days are now long gone, as G. Love has set up camp at Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records, which produced the luscious band-oriented records “Lemonade” and “Superhero Brother.”

But the time had clearly come for Mr. Dutton to make a record that stirred the pot, and was more about him than rhymes and jams with the Sauce. It was under the tutelage of Scott Avett and his brother Seth (collectively, the Avett Brothers) that the record would come to fruition.

“We kinda said early on that we wanted to have an artist produce the record,” G. said. “We need a story, we need something that’s going to give people a reason to check G. Love out.”

“When you’ve been in the game for this long, you’ve got to give people a reason to keep coming back. The minute we decided we were going to do a blues record in the genre of American roots, you couldn’t find a couple better cats to help guide you through the record than Seth and Scott.”

Mutual friend Jay Sweet of Paste Magazine was the one who guided G. over to the House of Blues in Boston after a Patriots game in 2009 to see the Avett Brothers perform. This led to a backstage hangout, and later a performance collaboration in 2010 at the Summer Camp Music Festival in Illinois. An offer to guest on the new album quickly turned into Seth and Scott Avett taking over production duties.

Finding time to squeeze the album into the blazing hot schedule the Avett Brothers have been keeping over the past year, G., Seth and Scott layed out the recording session over nine days, breaking only (ironically) for G. to perform a previously scheduled concert at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, opening for Sheryl Crow.

The recording, and ultimate result of “Fixin’ to Die,” is a record decidedly about the man who’s name appears on the cover. Some of the songs he wrote when he was as young as 16.

From Special Sauce, only drummer Jeffrey “Houseman” Clemens joined the sessions for half the tracks; bassist Timo Shanko and keyboardist Mark Boyce did not.

Read more about “Fixin’ to Die” here.

“It was a really magical,” G. said. “(Seth and Scott) definitely brought something special out of me. They have such a clear precise way of doing everything they do, they’re really visionary guys, and incredible musicians on top of that.”

“They put a lot of love and energy and focus into it,” he added. “Knowing that these guys are so busy and giving what little time they have this year, that meant a lot to me and that really brought a lot of energy out of me, to make sure I brought my best songs to the table.”

G. laughed when adding “every day the shit was going down, I was like, ‘please don’t fuck this up!’”

He didn’t.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-04-08T13:56:53Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

A Grand Night For Singing at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Friday, April 8th: YoYo Ma with The Silk Road Ensemble at Mondavi Center Jackson Hall on UC Davis Campus. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $53.00 - $93.00.

Friday, April 8th: Bo Bice at Thunder Valley Resort - Pano Hall 1200 Athens Avenue in Lincoln. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $25.00 - $35.00.

Saturday, April 9th: Sacramento Philharmonic presnets Hidden Meanings at The Sacramento Community Center Theatre on 1301 L Street in Sacramento. Perfromance at 8PM. Tickets are $16.00 - $97.00.

Saturday, April 9th: Makana at Harlow's 2708 J Street in Sacramento. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Tuesday, April 12th: Bryan Adams at Crest Theatre 1013 K Street in Sacramento. Show at 8PM. Tickets are $35.00 - $68.00.

Thursday, April 14th: Interpol at Crest Theatre on 1013 K Street in Sacramento. Show at 8PM. Tickets are $38.00.

Concert Tickets On Sale This Week:

A Perfect Circle at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on July 29th. Tickets are $49.50 and On Sale FRI 4/8.

Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow at SleepTrain Ampitheatre on July 26th. Tickets are $35.00 - $98.00 and On Sale FRI 4/8.

Warped Tour at SleepTrain Ampitheatre on August 11th. Tickets are $44.50 and On Sale FRI 4/8.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, April 8th:

Jerry Perry presents Rademacher - Pets at Old Ironsides 9PM/$5-$7

Cash'd Out (Johnny Cash Tribute) at Harlows 9PM/$15.00ADV

Mercy Me at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Anthony Cavazos - Lovelorn Duo at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Diego's Umbrella at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

BlackEyed Dempsies - Tarter Fanine at Distillery 10PM/$6

Bitch - Chaick P's at Marilyns 9PM/$5-$8

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Chris Clouse at District 30 9PM

DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Dance Gavin ance - I Wrestled A Bear Once at Ace of Spades 7PM/$18.00

Rough House with DJ Shaun Slaughter & Roger Carpio at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Monomyth - Truth of Mars at Blue Lamp 9PM

98 Rock Local Licks Live with DJ Blend downstairs at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Aaron Linkin - Kol Orgize This at Lunas Cafe 8PM/$6

Saturday, April 9th

Fascination New Wave 80's Dance Party at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

New Monsson - Five Eyed Hand at Marilyns 9PM/$8

Super Diamond at Ace of Spades 6PM/$15

DJ Hailey's Hullaballo Shindig at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Drastic Actions- Get Shot - Kill Devil at The Distillery 10PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ E Rock at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Cheeseballs at Harlows 9PM/$12

Kaye Bohler at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Tainted Love at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Nate D at District 30 9PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

The Cash Prophets at Blue Lamp 9PM

Stoneberry - KI Jane - Heros Last Mission at Lunas 8PM/$6

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, April 10th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Kate Gaffney & Lew Fratis Tripo at 4PM and Midnight Dream 8PM at Torch Club 8PM/$7

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Reggae Basement with DJ Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Chris Robinson Brotherhood (is not a cult)

2011-04-08T06:56:33Z

Chris Robinson Brotherhood played a show at Harlow's on Tuesday night in front of an exuberant and packed house.

CRB consists of the eponymous once and future Black Crowes frontman, Neal Casal (Ryan Adams) on guitar, Adam MacDougall (Black Crowes) on keys, George Sluppick (Robert Walter's 20th Congress, JJ Grey and Mofro) on drums and Mark "Muddy" Dutton (Burning Tree) on bass.

This was the eighth show on their spring-long pilgrimage throughout the Golden State, and I went into it not really knowing what to expect (other than a great show). As of this writing, youtube only has two videos of CRB, and one of them is a Black Crowes song.

I arrived at Harlow's ten minutes before 9pm, and to no ones surprise, the place was already jumping. Artists of Chris Robinson's stature don't often play at 300+ person clubs. I mean, The Black Crowes are the 92nd greatest hard rock band of all time. VH1 doesn't hand that out to just anyone.

The first thing I noticed upon entering the venue was a mammoth "California Republic" flag flying above and behind the stage, a tip of the cap to the only state that they'll be visiting on their whirlwind two month tour.

I began my pre-show ritual:

1) Hit up the restroom. Peeing during the show is for suckers. (The top of the toilet paper dispenser was covered in green shake. A precursor of things to come.)

2) Hit up the bar. (My beer of choice depends on the crowd. Fair to middling crowd, PBR. Packed house, Racer 5. On this night it was a Racer 5 with a bullet.)

3) Grab a smoke. Smoking during the show is for suckers. On my pilgrimage outside I met Josh, a jam band enthusiast and self described "square" who teaches in Elk Grove and has two kids. I thought I'd met him at Harlow's before, but he scoffed at the notion "nope, this is my one get out of jail card". With all the great jam bands that have been coming through Sac recently, it couldn't have been easy to decide on just one. I saw him later on the dance floor and it was clear that he'd chosen well.

4) Find my photographer. Taking your own pictures is for suckers. Steven had maneuvered his way to front and center, it looked like he'd be in great position to get some killer shots. Alas, it was not to be. Midway through the first set, Steven was approached by a large dreadlocked fellow I can only presume was a roadie for the band. The man informed Steven, in no uncertain terms, that there would be no professional photography on this night. It would be up to me and my spectacularly amateurish pointing and clicking to win the day. What a sucker.

At 9:19 in the PM, Chris and the boys took the stage. The crowd responded with a roar and more than a few clouds of marijuana smoke.

I was immediately struck by how much they look the part. If you saw CRB walking down the street, or at the movies, or painting your house, you would immediately recognize them as a rock band.

Sluppick was wearing a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles and a sports coat to go with his relatively kempt mane. Macdougall had a classic scraggly rocker look with his long hair, beard and many-zippered brown leather jacket. Casal went with a flannel shirt and red corduroy pants to complement his shaggy hair and grey-tinged beard. Dutton sported the ubiquitous rockstar black snap-down collared shirt with jeans that belled ever so slightly at the bottom. The look befitted his Brian May-esque coif perfectly. Which brings us to Robinson. All the other outfits, though screaming "Musician! Rocker! Keep that guy away from my drugs!" could conceivably have been worn by laypeople. I have trouble imagining anyone but a rockstar wearing Chris Robinson's shirt.

Flowing pink tie-dyed open collared shirts just aren't done by "normies". And if you think for a second that he was wearing shoes, you haven't been paying attention.

They opened with an original song called "Tulsa Yesterday", and it became immediately clear that they sounded the part at least as well as they looked it. As they would throughout the evening, to the delight of Josh the "square", they extended the jam to great lengths. "Tulsa Yesterday" featured an epic psychedelic Moog organ solo that really stood out.

After the first song, Robinson chopped it up a bit with the crowd, "I've hit my head on the microphone twice already!" he said, illustrating the point by accidentally-on-purpose hitting his head on it again. "Just a reminder" he joked "The Brotherhood is not a cult, but it would be nice to get tax exempt status".

Up next was their first cover song of the evening, a rip-roaring honky-tonked out take on Bob Dylan's "Tough Momma". "TM" featured another rollicking pedaled-out Moog solo and extended jam with all of the musicians showing off their prodigious chops. It was the second of what would be five 10-minute songs in a row to start off the show.

They returned to the new original stuff with their third song of the evening, the slower, pleading "Beware". This was the one original CRB song that I'd heard before, and it's lovely. At one point, Robinson was singing nearly unaccompanied with just the sparsest musical backing. It was a beautiful, but momentary, interlude before the whole gang came crashing back in.

They mined the gargantuan well-spring of source material that is the Grateful Dead oevre for their next song of the evening, "They Love Each Other". They really knocked this bluesy rocker out of the park. It may have been partly due to my vantage point (right in front of the keyboards) but once again I found myself particularly struck by Macdougal's keyboard wizardry. Just a wonderful song, played both expertly and with great soul.

Possibly in honor of the song's originators, a joint was thrown on stage by an audience member during the Dead cover. It was put aside, whether to be smoked later or discarded later, well, your guess is as good as mine. I didn't see the band smoke it, but I didn't see the band not smoke it either.

As they began their next song, another original called "Star or Stone", Steven was called out by the dreadlocked brownshirt, and decided to take off. I was on my own.

"Tomorrow Blues" was one of my favorite songs of the evening, a raucous blues number that featured a sick Moog solo seemingly culled from the furthest reaches of outer space. Phenomenal.

They capped off the set with a couple songs that were familiar to the Chris Robinson true believers in the crowd. "Appaloosa", the aforementioned Black Crowes song, is a heartfelt ode and was a crowd favorite. They followed that with "40 Days", a hard driving rocker from Chris Robinson and The New Earth Mud, Robinson's side band the last time the Crowes went on an extended hiatus. It was the most searing track of the first set and sent the crowd into a tizzy heading into the break. A sign of things to come.

The band left the stage at 10:34, having taken a cool hour and fifteen minutes to play 8 songs. They don't scrimp on the jams, these cats.

They returned to the stage at 11:00 PM on the button, and proceeded to blow the doors off for another hour and a half. Nine songs this time, including the encore, a rousing version of Elvis's Blue Suede Shoes.

I am going to spare you the blow by blow break down of the second set, in part because I am 1300 words deep already, and in main because I was too busy cutting the rug a new one during the rousing second set to take anything more than the most elementary of notes ("Awesome!" "Epic!" and "guitarist put his flannel back on!" all appear in my second set scribblings")

The set list is pictured.

You'll get another chance to see them for yourselves when they return to Harlow's on May 3rd.

As good as they were on Tuesday, I expect they'll be even better with another month of shows under their belt.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood!

2011-04-05T05:35:41Z

Chris Robinson, the lead singer of blues rock legends The Black
Crowes, wasted little time finding a new gig when the band went on
hiatus following a six-night run in San Francisco at The Fillmore in
mid-December.

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood will be in town Tuesday night to play a
gig at Harlow's.

It will be the eighth night of a whirlwind 33-show spring tour of
California that started last week.

Joining Mr. Robinson in The Brotherhood are Neal Casal (Ryan Adams) on
guitar, Adam MacDougall (Black Crowes) on keys, George Sluppick
(Robert Walter's 20th Congress, JJ Grey and Mofro) on drums and Mark
"Muddy" Dutton (Burning Tree) on bass.

The band’s sparse website features a couple of drawings, the tour
dates and a note from the lead singer.

"We'll be playing a bunch of new songs I have been working on and will
be digging deep into what is happening at that musical moment. There
will be old stuff that I've done and a handful of covers that just
feel right. Please come with your good vibes, feel free to trip along
with the bouncing ball or just float away. Remember we all want great
gigs!"

We certainly do, and I fully expect one on Tuesday.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood will be playing at Harlow's on April 5 at 9:00 PM.

Tickets are $15.00.

See you on the dance floor.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2011-04-01T13:43:19Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Friday, April 1st: Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard Quartet at Mondavi Center on the UC Davis Campus. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $35.00 - $58.00.

A Grand Night For Singing at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.

Friday, April 1st: Travie McCoy with Donnis - Black Cards - XV at Ace of Spades on 1417 R Street in Sacramento. Show at 6PM. Tickets are $20.95.

Saturday, April 2nd: Marlene Sai with Kenneth Makuakane at Harlows. Show starts at 6PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Sunday, April 3rd: 20th Annual Festival de la Familia at Cal Expo will feature music, entertainers, Food, art & crafts, children's activities and more. Events begin at 10AM. Tickets are $7.00-$10.00.

Sunday, April 3rd: Prezident Bown at Harlow's 2708 J Street in Sacramento. Show at 10PM. Tickets are $15.00.

Tuesday, April 5th & Wednesday, April 6th: Shen Yun at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Shows at 8PM. Tickets are $35.00 - $68.00

Tuesday, April 5th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at Harlow' s 2708 J Street in Sacramento. Show at 9PM. Tickets are $15.00.

Concert Tickets On Sale This Week:

Zac Brown Band at Raley Field on Thursday, May 12th. Tickets are $36.70 - $81.00. Tickets on sale FRI 4/1.

Endfest with Ke$ha - T-Pain - Far East Movement - The Ready Set at Raley Field on Sunday May 15th. Tickets are $37.20 - $48.25. Tickets on sale FRI 4/1.

Tim McGraw with Luke Bryan and The Band Perry at SleepTrain Amphitheatre on Friday June 10th. Tickets are $40.25 - $89.00. On sale SAT 4/2.

Journey - Foreigner - Night Ranger at SleepTrain Amphitheatre on Friday, October 14th. Tickets are $36.00 - $81.00. On sale SAT 4/2.

Sade with John Legend at Power Balance Pavilion (Arco Arena) Wednesday August 17th. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale next Saturday April 2nd. On sale SAT 4/2. Tickets are $39.50 - $149.50.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, April 1st:

Jerry Perry presents Dry Country Drinkers - The Cheatin Hearts - Truck Stop Darlin at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

Reminise at Harlows 10PM/$10ADV

Harper at Torch Club 9PM/$10

Carly Du Hain - Be Brave Bold Robot at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits, Hip-Hop, Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

Mother Mayhem at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Sexrat - This Luxury - Jeffrey Valentine at Distillery 10PM/$6

STD - Middlemen at Marilyns 9PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

The Lidsay Erin Project - Myler & Star at Lunas 8PM/$6

DJ Dukes at District 30 9PM

Zoo Human Project - AJ Johnson at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

DJ Crooked with Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Rough House with DJ Shaun Slaughter & Roger Carpio at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

This Charming Band Smith Tribute at Blue Lamp 9PM

98 Rock Local Licks Live with DJ Blend downstairs at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

Saturday, April 2nd:

The Lipstick Weekender with DJ's Shaun Slaughter & Roger Carpio at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

Jammies Battle of The Bands at Luigis Fungarden (All Ages) 7PM/$7.

Zepparella with No Bozos at Marilyns 9PM/$10

A Lot Like Birds - Green Audio - Twenty Days with Julian at Ace of Spades 6PM/$15

Step Jayne - Little Black Bats - Jill VS Jonah at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Joey Briggs - Brain Hanover - Bryan Mc Phersen atNaked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

KB & the Slingtones - Cattle Ness and the Revenge at The Distillery 10PM/$6

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Deartment of Rock at Harlows 9PM/$10

Solsa at The Torch Club 9PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Atomic Punks at Power House Pub 10PM/$10

DJ Don Lynch at District 30 9PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Oh Dang! at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$3

Sunday, April 3rd:

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Kate Gaffney & Lew Fratis Tripo at 4PM and Johnny Guitar Knox & The Soothers 8PM at Torch Club 8PM/$7

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Reggae Basement with DJ Wokstar at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Awolnation - This Luxury - Color The Sound at Ace of Spades 7PM

Zach Deputy FTW.

2011-04-01T01:59:26Z

Zach Deputy brought his feel-good brand of island-infused drum ‘n' bass gospel ninja soul to Harlow's on Tuesday night, and it was outstanding.

One of the ways I can judge how good a show was is by how sore my legs are the following morning. I'm a dancer, you see. To paraphrase the great Dave Mustaine, dancing's my business, and business is good.

Tuesday night, at Harlow's, it was business time.

I woke up the next morning and could hardly walk. I also think I strained my smile muscles. It was a heck of a show.

I arrived at 8:30 p.m. to find Harlow's mostly empty, so I went upstairs to Momo's where folk rocker Dan Bern was finishing up his set.

What an unexpected treat that was. I caught three songs, including one, presumably called "This is the year-by-year home run totals of the great Barry Bonds," which was just that.

"In 1986, he hit 16 home runs. . . then 25, 24, 19, 33," and so on and so forth.

I really enjoyed the abridged set of catchy, funny, immediately sing-along-able folk songs. Bern and his acoustic guitar were accompanied by a banjo, harmonica and lap steel. The musicians had eschewed the corner stage, choosing instead to stake out a patch of floor in the center of the room from which to hold court. What would have been an intimate show regardless was suddenly far more so.

Next time Mr. Bern comes to town, it won't be blind luck that gets me to the show. It'll be clear-eyed intent. That boy's good.

About 15 minutes into my Dan Bern experience, I heard a pulsing beat coming from downstairs. Deputy's opening act, Chicago's Mighty Dub Killerz, had taken the stage. With great ambivalence, I bid adieu to Bern and the boys and headed down to Harlow's, more out of a sense of duty to you, dear reader, than an actual desire to trade out shows.

It was a very different scene downstairs.

Mighty Dub Killerz are a fairly hardcore electronica reggae dubstep act. Zach Deputy is about as laid back as they come, island breeze summertime soul-calypso reggae.

The reggae is about the only thing the two share, and they couldn't be further apart on the reggae scale.

If you were to draw a Venn diagram of the two acts’ respective fan bases, the 1 percent overlap would encompass me and about 15 other dudes.

Your typical Zach Deputy fan sees MDK, with their pounding bass, rib shaking "wompwompwompWOMPWOMPWOMP" and rapped lyrics like "I was innocent, ‘cause I was militant, we had to instigate a prison riot," and they are at the least perplexed, and quite possibly fearful.

Take Paul Mason, who wrote on Mr. Deputy's Facebook wall regarding the Sacramento show: "Any opening band tonight? I was at the show in SF at the Boom Boom Room, and I wouldn't want to experience that opener again..."

Some folks just can't handle the womp.

I thought it was great. I especially enjoyed their take on classics that they dubbed out and made their own. They did a dope riff on Peter Tosh's "Legalize It," which included a nod to Musical Youth's "Pass the Dutchie" ("How does it feel when you got no herb?") and another on Bob Marley's "Sun Is Shining" ( "To the rescue, here I am!").

Mine was the minority opinion, however. For the bulk of the set, I was the only person on the dance floor. I was joined sporadically by an extra crunchy, young tie-dyed couple who would gamely give it a go for a couple minutes at a time, before adjourning back to their seats.

It was basically an unfortunate pairing for the fans as well as the band. It's a shame, because there is a vibrant dustup scene in Sacramento, but they were all over at Townhouse, where Tuesday night happens to be Grimey (dubstep) night. Right town, right night, wrong venue. Two out of three ain't good.

To the relief of many, the set ended just after 9:30, and the squares could breath a little easier.

People kept steadily pouring in through the break, and what had been a nearly empty room when I had first arrived was nicely peopled by the time Big Zach took the stage just after 10 p.m.

Zach's a one-man band, and he has quite the control center/cockpit setup on stage. He is bracketed on either side by all manner of electronic gadgets and gizmos (not the technical terms, but I'm a greenhorn when it comes to the tools of his trade). I recognized one of them to be an electronic drum pad, but that was only because he was hitting it with a drumstick, and I was able to put two and two together.

In front of him a whole bouquet of microphones jut up at chin level. At his feet are a plethora of pedals that he uses to, among other things, record loops of himself which he then plays over. His live songs are kind of like jigsaw puzzles: you get one piece at a time, you keep putting them together until eventually you have a picture of dogs playing poker. Except, the picture is an amazing song, and there's no dogs playing poker (ed. note: What the hell are you talking about?).

He opened with "My Annie," a beautiful, yearning love song that really shows off his four-octave vocal range with some awesome, climbing scalelike singing and a bouncy beat.

Up next was "Valencia." He started out with a tight little guitar lick, added some strummed guitar, a little beat boxing and then some drums. By the time he starts singing in earnest, "I met her on the mountain, y'all," the crowd was in a minor tizzy, that became less so when he reached the titular chorus.

The crowd maintained their intensity level through a wailing jam on "All I Need," then tizzy became fervor on the fourth song of the evening, the uber-funky "Mama Just Dance."

He followed that with about the dirtiest tango song you'll ever hear in your life. "Way Down Tango" features Zach spitting hot fire over a bass-heavy and seriously infectious groove. This ain't your grandmother's tango.

After a blistering guitar solo to cap "Tango," he closed an epic first set with fan favorite and oh-so subtle "Tubesteak" ("You only want me for my tubesteak and my collared greens"). The fervor became even more fervent.

At 11:01 ZD left the stage for a relatively rare but well deserved Tuesday night set break.

You know how when an alcoholic stops drinking for years and then gets back on the sauce, the alcoholism returns as it would if they had been drinking the whole time they were sober? Zach Deputy is kind of like that, but with music. 11:31 he started up, not right where he left off, but where he would have been if he had never stopped in the first place. He obliterated the bluesy "Doctor Doctor" to open the second set, and bam, just like that, we were at fever pitch again.

There we remained the rest of the evening. "Act That Way" featured an extended instrumental intro that really showcased Zach's incredible musicianship. "That Girl" is another searingly soulful funk track that would get even your most died in the wool "stand there and watch" concertgoers getting loose.

"Mama Don't Preach" beat-boxed and jangled it's way into a rip-roaring "Most People Never Heard Real Music." Present company excluded, of course.

He closed the set with probably my favorite song of the evening, the ultimate "feel good song of the summer," for this summer and all others, "Coconut."

As big as the smiles in the audience were when Zach hit the sing-along "Oooah whoooooaaah, wash it in the water" refrain, the biggest and brightest smile in the place probably belonged to the man on stage.

At 12:38 he left the stage, only to return moments later for a two-song encore, which began with a crowd favorite, "Games," but closed with by far his slowest, most mellow song of the evening. Closing an encore with a really mellow song is a controversial move for sure. It was to the consternation of many in the audience who clearly wanted to end the evening with another barn burner, but I thought it was a nice, chill way to close the evening. Plus, I was pretty out of breath by that point.

Big Zach FTW.