Rebirth Brass Band in Orinda July 3 + 4!
Rebirth founder "Tuba Phil" live at Yoshi's in 2013 Ain't no party like a Rebirth Party! Live music returns! Most of it kicks off in August but over in Orinda you need not wait that long. Paper Moon Presents is starting to bring live music to Bruns Amphitheater for their first time. For years this gorgeous venue has primarily hosted Shakespeare. Now, I dig Shakespeare, but July 3rd and 4th The Rebirth Brass Band will play their only California shows for 2020 or 2021, so William must wait. Rebirth are true trailblazers. Formed in 1983, they were the first brass band [...]
RIP Scott Alcoholocaust
I never met Scott but I went to MANY shows that he put together. In recent months I learned he was ill and heard stories from many friends. When I heard that he had died I asked one of his close friends to share a story: "If there’s one person that realized the importance of the Bay Area music community it was Scott Rogers AKA Scott Alcoholocaust. It didn’t matter how crappy your band was, Scott literally found a way to get you onto a cool show and make it work, and put you on a path to improvement, all [...]
Raphi Gottesman: New album + video premiere
Oakland's Raphi Gottesman had all the usual 2020 challenges, but also a beautiful, young son, Misha, undergoing treatment for leukemia. The musical result is a brand new instrumental album called The Clarity of Dawn that deserves your attention. The Clarity of Dawn by Raphi Gottesman It is available on cassette via German label AOsmosis and also on Raphi's Bandcamp page in digital format. The record includes many special guests including locals Yea-Ming Chen (Rumours, Dreamdate), Michael James Tapscott (China) and John Bernson (Ray's Vast Basement). All the amazing guitar and drum work is Raphi. He played drums for Sonny and [...]
Greg Ashley: ‘Rarities & Unreleased Tracks’ out today
Today Bandcamp will once again waive fees and allow all money to go directly to the artists. All hail Bandcamp. No other music platform seems to give as much of a shit about their artists as Bandcamp does, so we need them now more than ever. Plan a shopping spree tomorrow that you can feel good about! You won't even have to line Jeff Bezos' pockets. Start with a brand new release from Oakland's lost legend, Greg Ashley. He moved back to Texas and is building a recording studio from the ground up with his dad. The cash will come [...]
Sylvie Simmons releases ‘Blue on Blue’ today!
It's hard to believe it has been six years since Sylvie Simmons released her debut recordings, Sylvie, after 35 years of critically-acclaimed music journalism. A lot has happened: fascism in the USA, a wee pandemic/mask war, and, for Sylvie, a terrible accident on the first day of recording for Blue on Blue that left her one-handed for quite some time. After multiple surgeries and much rehab, she returns triumphantly to pick up where she left off: in Tucson with her ukulele, Howe Gelb (Giant Sand) & the Gang, plus some very special guests including Jim White (Wrong-Eyed Jesus). Sylvie's voice [...]
New music from Dylan Tidyman-Jones: “Polytherian”
Dylan Tidyman-Jones has played in all your favorite bands: Sonny & The Sunsets, FRONDS and the incomparable Mallard. Despite COVID and civil war, he has a new project called Polytherian. The debut record, Role Play, is coming out September 4th on Gold Robot Records. You really should preorder the vinyl right now, right here. While yer at it, dim the lights and check out this hot video debut for the title track! It was directed by Cold Beat's Luciano Talpini Aita and filmed in SF (pre-COVID)! Now, tell me why you wouldn't want to wear a mask? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4drI0Eaf9pU Video set [...]
Burger Boogaloo rescheduled for Halloween!
A message from John Waters: "A virus may scare the punk rock world out of Oakland in July but we'll scare it right back on Halloween weekend! Trick or treat, we can't be beat! Burger Boogaloo 2020 - a Monster Mash to top them all!" It's true kids, the Burger Boogaloo will take place Saturday, October 31 + Sunday, November 1 in Oakland's beautiful Mosswood Park. Pre-parties and after-parties are also being rescheduled for Thursday, October 29 and right on through Halloween weekend. * * Tickets are still available so buy them today!! * * Shannon & the Clams as [...]
Preening and MORE at the White Horse Inn!
Have you heard the news? Live music returns to the historic White Horse Inn (66th and Telegraph, Oakland)! The oldest gay bar in the US has the best vibes around with a great music room, two bars, a smoking area, pool table and frequent Long Island Iced Tea specials. It is wheelchair accessible and sports gender neutral water closets. This Friday March 6 Oakland's finest, Preening and Shriekker, are joined by a hot new LA groop called Expose. This one is an early show (7-10pm) so as to kickstart your weekend in the best possible way. Preening is hands down [...]
Simon Joyner living room show next month
Simon says: Stop what you are doing and get tickets for this now! Simon Joyner is a national treasure, and a chance to enjoy his songs up close and personal is a rare and precious gift. This will be the only Bay Area show. It takes place Sunday February 16 in a sweet Oakland living room. Doors and mingling at 7, songs at 8, BYOB, $10-20 sliding scale. PayPal simon@simonjoyner.net and Simon will then send you the address. Grass, Branch & Bone by Simon Joyner This is likely to be your favorite show of the year, but you don't have [...]
Burger Boogaloo presents: Homeless Action Center Fundraiser at White Horse
(photo: Jet Lag Rock & Roll) Live music returns to the oldest gay bar in the US, Oakland's historic White Horse next Thursday, January 30! Brought to you by old pals Burger Boogaloo, Tacos Oscar and The Octopus, this show is a fundraiser for Homeless Action Center and the bands can't be beat! Soda Boys by Soda Boys Soda Boys (pictured above) are coming from St. Louis to win your love. Three outta five songs are about soda. I H8 ME by TWOMPSAX Oakland's Twompsax features Cher Strauberry from Pookie & the Poodlez! Eight outta 11 songs are less than [...]