A group of college friends conceived of an idea based on a passion: produce concerts that give back to the community. Formed in 1999, Concerts 4 Charity (C4C) obtained official 501(c)3 nonprofit status in 2002, and has since expanded from its humble beginnings in Worcester, Massachusetts to several locations across the country, following the initial founders as they dispersed after graduating. Along with Worcester, chapters are now present in Portland, Maine; Ashland, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; and Sacramento, California. The Sacramento Chapter, run by founding member Clay Nutting, focuses on causes he is devoted to: music, arts education, and supporting the local music community.

Cake. Simple, home-baked, yet such a delicacy. The five member band will start the academic year off right for UC Davis students. The local favorite will perform at University of California, Davis’ Freeborn Hall this Thursday and Friday, October 6 and 7. While the band's tunes are so rollicking and varying that they are essentially without genre, Cake is known for a number of hits including, "The Distance" and "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle." "Never There" and "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" also function effectively as cult classics for the current twenty-something generation. (Even if some have now reached their thirties.) The band's newest album, "Showroom of Compassion," was released in Januar

Things to count your blessings for in Sacramento: 1. The best that the local music scene has to offer, all played free. 2. A giant beer garden that features the best people watching to be found anywhere in town. 3. The fact that we have now finally gotten to the point where, when people say "we're going to the park tonight," no one asks "you mean the Park Ultra Lounge?" anymore. Downtown Sacramento Partnership has unveiled the lineup for what is and has always been "the park" in this town, the Friday Night Concerts in the Park series, which has been packing thousands into Cesar Chavez Plaza every Friday summer evening for the last 20 seasons. The series begins Friday, May 6 and runs th

NOTE: This story is an opinion piece, based on this reporter's previous coverage of Jackie Greene, which dates back to 2004. At virtually any given time, in any town or city in America, there is a “next big thing.” There is that one musician or band tirelessly performing local shows and trying to make a name, but everyone in town who has seem them play is convinced that they’ve “got it” and are going to go the distance (Sacramento music pun is absolutely intended). Maybe we want it as much for ourselves, so we can say we say them in the small local clubs way back when. Maybe we just like seeing them play some tunes. Whatever the reason, we just know it’s going to happen – and it is a re

“All those doctors and those psychics/ they’re all right and they’re all wrong/ It’s like trying to sing every word/ when you should just hum along.” –Dawes “I fell in love twice/ Once with sex and once with pain.” –Shannon Harney “When a Ford man turns to Chevy/ the angel gets his wings.” –Jonny Corndawg Just another day at the office in Davis, CA – soul snapping indie Americana lyricism with white-hot jams, Its a Wonderful Redneck Life, and sultry hippie chicks who will devour your head after mating (and you will gladly let her). What a night with these three gems at Odd Fellows on Tuesday. Social D who? My partner in crime Lindol French has you covered with a full recap of the show

It’s hard to say if the ol’ Rundown screening process is easier or harder when there’s a lot going on – but Lord have mercy, is it a big week here in Sactown! And it’s not just this week either. In addition to last Saturday’s Ra Ra Riot show selling out (as has Friday’s Goapele show), has anyone else noticed that the calendar of concerts at Harlow’s has gone completely berserk in the last couple weeks. Just look at some of the names on deck: Kaki King, ALO, Murder by Death, North Mississippi Allstars, Truth & Salvage Co., Zach Deputy, Young the Giant and Rocky Votolato, just to name a few. There’s one more that’s not listed: G. Love & Special Sauce make their return on April 13. Stay tun

Sac Press Reporter #1: “Coachella is overrated” Sac Press Reporter #2: “Never having been, I cannot speak intelligently to that contention, but definitely doesn't stir my fancy.” Sac Press Reporter #1: “Since when has that stopped you?” Touche! Drool seems to be filling the gutters from Sacramento all the way down to SoCal over the unveiling of the Coachella lineup, which features the usual diet of indie rock, electro tweak jocks, and a couple jam bands just for fun. And for some reason, Kanye West is a main headliner. Do you like fishsticks? Not that we specifically care about the Coachella lineup here at Sac Press – but the impact on our local calendar from some bands who may throw

Local Sacramento bands The STiLTS and The Stenographers will play their last show with frontman and Sacramento native Christopher Fairman at Luna’s at 8 p.m. Saturday. Fairman has played guitar in The STiLTS since it formed in 2008, and bass in The Stenographers since it formed in 2009. But the bands will be one man short after Fairman moves to Austin, Texas on Dec. 27 to pursue a career as a musician. “Not in a bad way but (Sacramento) is not the place to be. “When I first started playing music people always said ‘You never know who’s going to be in the audience,’ and that was true for a few years,” Fairman said. But he said that’s not the case anymore. “It’s not very beneficial for

Saturday, local band Be Brave Bold Robot hosted a CD release party at the Fox and Goose. The band released its second full-length album, "Take A Deep Breath." With Beer Week coming to a close, it seemed like everyone in Sacramento went out over the weekend in search of frosty pints, and the Fox and Goose was no exception. The bar's side venue, with its narrow entrance hall, featured patrons packed snugly near the stage, over-stuffed booths, and standing on chairs. The band's friends, family and co-workers all attended the party. About 200 people ended up attending the show. I was able to meet up with some of front man Dean Haakenson's co-workers for the state, who only had flattering wor

Be Brave Bold Robot is hosting the release of their second full length album Saturday at the Fox and Goose. Established for six years now, the band is stronger than ever. Started in the shadows of The 24K Cafe, now The Golden Bear bar, Dean Haakenson (front man) and Jeremy Pagan (guitarist) joined their musical forces to play under the name Double Helix Collective. Since their underground start, the band has grown in maturity, popularity, and contributors. BBBR's internal relationship is what sets them apart from your average band. Although the face of the band has been subject to some changes, there is still a maintained friendship between them. Most breakoffs from BBBR have been promp

I don't claim to be a math genius of any kind. I'm terrible at math. So, when my editor handed me the story of a math rock show, I was understandably apprehensive. Not knowing what to expect, I slipped my calculator in my back pocket, grabbed my notepad and headed out the door to The Lion's Den on Wednesday. Math rock is characterized as erratic and unpredictable. According to Wright, several genres are merged to create math rock: punk, blues, jazz, funk and heavy metal to name a few. The traditional rock rhythm of 4/4 is thrown out the window. Imagine hearing what is traditionally only the guitar solo, all the time. Guitarists work the fret board with insane finger dexterity to create co