At the Fillmore last night, the reigning poster band of post-punk, post-jazz and post-skronk capped things off like this: Singer Tunde Adebimpe invited members of the Noisettes and Subtle on stage to beat on anything they could find: cans, maracas, bells, each other – as he thumped a hand-held cymbal and they blurred the lines between “A Method,” “Let the Devil In” and “Wolf Like Me.” Every recording you’ve heard by the Brooklyn five-piece, magnify by three: Undulating waves of… Read More »

It’s common knowledge that wherever Morrissey tours, he enforces a strict “no meat policy,” meaning like zero tolerance for animal flesh anywhere in the building. (Cake had a similar caveat at the Harmony Fest last summer. Their variation: “No barbecuing allowed during the gig.”) So if you’re planning to smuggle meat into the Wells Fargo Center May 2, perhaps a porkchop in the pocket or a can of vienna sausages, you might think twice. Or better yet, if you’re thinking… Read More »

Ever wonder, “Why do I have to leave the Wine County and drive all the way to The Parkway Theater in Oakland (or wait for the annual Sonoma Valley Film Festival, boasting ‘the world’s only film festival sommelier‘) to have a glass of cab with my movie?” Me, too. Although a Lagunitas is more like it. Know this: Rialto Cinemas Lakeside is working on it. Today, co-owner Ky Boyd met with the Alcoholic Beverage Control department (remember the dudes who… Read More »

You’ve probably heard by now: The Sonoma Valley Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary by throwing a tribute to Disney/Pixar poobah John Lasseter on April 14. The emcee will be John Ratzenberger, the only actor to play a character in every Pixar film. Also on hand: Tony Shalhoub, Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Cheech Marin, “Finding Nemo” director Andrew Stanton and animator Glen Keane. Since tickets are $450-$1200, I thought I’d chat up a few of the attendees and give you… Read More »

The phone’s been ringing off the hook over at the Wells Fargo Center. Bloodthirsty Wine Country fops and dandies are dying to get their hands on tix to see Morrissey preen on May 2. (kinda funny since last time around in ’02, he couldn’t even sell 1,000 seats at the same venue). Here’s the deal: Tickets go on sale at noon Saturday at www.wellsfargocenterarts.com or 546-3600. Look for live music at Seven Ultralounge in the next month or so. Co-owner… Read More »

I caught up with Mr. Bungle guitarist Trey Spruance over the weekend. His latest band Secret Chiefs 3 invade the Phoenix Theater next weekend. Before the story runs, feast on a few soundbites: On Phoenix manager Tom Gaffey: “I’ve known that guy since like ’88. He’s amazing. If there was a guy like that in every town, I think the situation for music in the world would be a lot better.” On growing up in Eureka: “It was more like… Read More »

As if Connor Oberst, the indie kid Dylan from Omaha – wasn’t enough (his pair of shows at the Great American Music Hall sold out in seconds), on Friday night he invited special guest M. Ward onstage. There they stood — two of the most important singer-songwriters of a generation, at one point paying homage John Prine. Check out a few pix here. Oberst mentioned nearly every member of the Bright Eyes band – from Jake Bellows on bass and… Read More »

Yes, I’m hopelessly stuck in the ’90s (and the ’80s), but his Sirness is coming to Petaluma, so I had to chat him up before he plays the Phoenix Theater next weekend. Remember “Baby Got Back”? Or at least the video, back when MTV actually played videos, like way back in 1992? Now all we’re left with are Target commercials: “I like backpacks and I cannot lie/With a pocket for a cellphone on the side.” You’d think big butts was… Read More »

When Memorial Day weekend rolls around in Sonoma this year, it’ll be to the tune of Smokey Robinson, with Michael McDonald opening on Friday, Harry Connick Jr. and Bonerama on Saturday and Tony Bennett returning to Sonoma Jazz + to close it out on Sunday. Expect a few more names to be added to the mix and look for the “Wine and Song” series again, along with the edgier Sonoma Jazz + After Dark. Every year, the Field of Dreams… Read More »

Hella 2.0, bigger and badder (and coming to a Phoenix Theater near you, like tonight), recently got slammed by Spin magazine for daring to release the new album “”There’s No 666 in Outerspace.” The gist: “incomprehensible bombast from beefed up noise duo.” So what do they do? Cry in their beers? Firebomb the critic? Nope. Try blowing up the review in big fat letters on the front of a tour T-shirt to be sold at the merch table wherever they… Read More »