BeatNonStop A Weblog by Chris Macias Bee pop music critic Music geek (n. myü-zik 'gEk) 1: A person who proudly wore KISS commemorative pajamas in third grade. 2: A person who owns multiple copies of the same album, still buys vinyl and has a room dedicated to 2,000 or so CDs and records. 3. A person who wrote a five-part series about traveling with a local band in their stinky van - and loved every minute of it. 4: Chris Macias, the Bee's pop music critic, serving Sacramento's music scene since 1999.

BACK TO THE BEATNONSTOP HOME PAGE

« April 2005 | | June 2005 »

---

May 27, 2005

Metalhead alert

Hey you headbangers out there, check out this show that was just announced. It's the "Gigantour" featuring Megadeth, Dream Theater, Fear Factory, Dry Kill Logic, and more metal bands to be announced. It's going down on July 26 at the Cove at Cal Expo. Tickets are $37.50 and go on sale June 4 through Ticketmaster (916-649-8497). Rock on ...

Posted by cmacias at 1:51 PM | Comments |

---

---

May 26, 2005

Final "American Idol" thoughts

Last night's "American Idol" finale featured Kenny G jamming with Lynyrd Skynyrd on "Sweet Home Alabama." Ding! We have a winner for the worst musical pairing ever witnessed on TV.

And in the end, America voted and wanted a girl from the Heartland, not a homegirl, for its "American Idol" 2005. So coming up next on TRL and a concert stage near you: Carrie Underwood, the country singer from Oklahoma, and your "American Idol."

Posted by cmacias at 3:03 PM | Comments |

---

---

May 24, 2005

It's a wrap

The montage of "American Idol" 2005 highlights is running, and soon it'll be time to tally the votes for tomorrow night's show. But didn't this finale feel kind of lackluster? Bo and Carrie were unique as far as "American Idol's" final two finalists go - a country gal and a Southern rocker/soul man. But tonight's performances just didn't rock like they should. Jitters are understandable, but c'mon Bo and Carrie, this was a chance to woo millions of viewers and land a record deal, product endorsements, exposes on "A Current Affair," etc.

I think Carrie will be crowned "American Idol," but she's no Kelly Clarkson. Hey, there's always next year.

Posted by cmacias at 9:10 PM | Comments |

---

It's all down to Carrie

Here it is, the night's final performance. And she's looking fairly "Idol" worthy in that swanky black dress. Now she's batting her eyelashes like a diva-next-door and winding up for ths chorus.

Hmm, this chorus isn't kicking so hard. This should feel like a moment where confetti rains on the crowd and doves are set free to fly around the theater. Another icky note didn't do her so well. But hey, at least Carrie gets back-up dancers. Take that, Bo.

The Big Finish is here and she's holding this last note like a pro, real "Star Search," I mean "American Idol" material. This performance was hardly perfect, but it might've done the trick. The judges are beside themselves and it's a Carrie lovefest. Simon just gave his seal of approval.

Posted by cmacias at 8:58 PM | Comments |

---

Go, Bo, go

This is it, Bo. Either you nail it, or you're destined to be the Justin Guarini of "American Idol" 2005.

The song's starting kind of slow, he's flinging his hair back. And ouch! He really buffed a note there in the chorus. Homeboy just seems distracted - oh hey, a string section's in the background. Bo is not going for the kill. He needs to channel whatever Clay Aiken moves are inside him.

Bo's better on the song's Big Finish, but this version of "Inside Your Heaven" isn't bowling anyone over. Oh wait, Paula and Randy loved it. But Simon is right. Bo, it was nice knowing ya.

Posted by cmacias at 8:46 PM | Comments |

---

Carrie goes country

but first a message from the "American Idol" marketing machine. Ryan's reminding us of the "American Idol" tour coming this summer (an Arco Arena date is planned, if you "Idol" heads need reminding).

Back to the competition, and Carrie's going for her forte: good ol' country music. Some of these opening notes sound like she's trying to sing and swallow at the same time. But hey, not a bad chorus. It's punchy and she's bending her knees for extra "oomph." She definitely seems more comfy with this tune.

Yee-haw, the best performance thus far.

Posted by cmacias at 8:36 PM | Comments |

---

Bo, Take two

Bo's up for his second performance and ditched the glasses. Now he's looking very much like Josey Scott from Saliva. Not sure if that's a good thing.

Bo knows how to work that stage, and is conjuring his inner "soul man" for this '70s tune. But Bo needs to settle down and focus instead of stalking around so much.

Well, the judges loved it. (Must be a Coke sugar rush). That didn't sound like any knockout blow to me. Bo needs to work some more mojo to get this vote.

Posted by cmacias at 8:29 PM | Comments |

---

Here comes Carrie

Carrie's up and she's going for a power ballad. Good move after Bo's blah-like performance. And there she goes, working those doe eyes on Middle America and winding up for a big chorus.

The big chorus is here, but, eh. Not much is there. C'mon Idols, this is supposed to be the performance of your lives. What's up with all these flat notes? Drink too much Coca Cola before the show and get jitters?

I call "round one" a draw - even if Simon says it went to Carrie.

Posted by cmacias at 8:20 PM | Comments |

---

Bo's up to bat

Here comes Bo, and whoa, what's up with those glasses?

Ok, his song is starting and it's kind of boring. C'mon Bo, give us some pizzazz. And here comes the big chorus - and those notes are a little flat (but not as flat as your hair). But man, does he know how to grip that microphone like Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.

Bo just didn't rock this time. The judges seem to agree ... better step it up, dude.

Posted by cmacias at 8:13 PM | Comments |

---

Microphone check 1-2

Alrighty, I've got my space on the couch for "American Idol." Bring on Bo and Carrie - and plenty of Ford and Coca-Cola commercials.

Posted by cmacias at 8:03 PM | Comments |

---

---

May 18, 2005

Back in the saddle

Didn’t mean to neglect my beloved “BeatNonStop, but these last few days have been hectic. I spent the weekend in Los Angeles for a vintage BMX bike show, and on the night I got back, I was off to review Audioslave at the Memorial Auditorium. Monday night was another round of reviewing at the Memorial. That would be the Nelly/Fat Joe/T.I. hip-hop show. In between was a round of deadlines, including a package about the summer music scene that’ll run in Sunday’s Ticket section.

Speaking of the Nelly/Fat Joe/T.I. show, word has it that too much drama almost spoiled the show. I saw a big fight break out right before Nelly hit the stage, and no matter how much people were told not to stand on chairs, or “No, that’s not the ticket for this seat,” many folks just did what they wanted. One Memorial staffer said that some of his colleagues were pushed around by thugs who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. Let's get it together, especially if you want to see more hip-hop shows in town.

In other post-concert news, I was a guest on KHTK (1140 AM ) last night. Tim “Monty” Montemayor, Mr. Sensitivity himself, was at Sunday’s Audioslave concert and wanted to take me to task on my review. We still don’t agree – I stand by my story that Audioslave is just Big Dumb Rock made by smart guys. But Monty definitely earns some props for braving the mosh pits to watch the concert from the third row.

Posted by cmacias at 12:11 PM | Comments |

---

---

May 12, 2005

Two for the road

Here’s a quick update on a band that just got added to the Heritage Festival (June 4-5 at River Walk Park in West Sacramento). That would be Everclear, the alternative-rock auteurs of “Santa Monica” and “Father of Mine.” The festival’s full line-up is coming soon.
Another new show of note is “Latin Explosion” featuring Pitbull. He’s the Cuban-American rapper behind such club hits as “Culo” and “Dammit Man.” DJs including Charlie Ramos will be in the mix with reggaeton and other Latin-style tracks. The show touches down on June 16 at the Empire nightclub. Si, mon…

Posted by cmacias at 3:50 PM | Comments |

---

---

May 10, 2005

Rumor update

In a previous post , I mentioned a rumor about the Cattle Club on Folsom Blvd. being resurrected. The spot is still under construction, but there’s now a sign in the window that says “Library Bar and Grill.” Sounds like a college bar to me, but I’m hearing whispers that live music might be happening at this spot by July. Stay tuned …

Posted by cmacias at 11:31 AM | Comments |

---

---

May 6, 2005

Friday Night Live

The free concert series at Cesar Chavez Plaza (10th and J streets) kicks off tonight with Mind X and Seventy. All shows run from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., so loosen that tie, grab some food/beer money and head on down.
Here's the full concert calendar:
May 6—Mind X, Seventy
May 13—Gratitude, Headrush, Zero to Heaven
May 20—Little Charlie, Sherman Baker
May 27—Groovie Ghoulies, The Knockoffs, Didley Squat
June 3—Paradigm, Larisa Bryski, Out of Place
June 10—Mumbo Gumbo, Richard March
June 17—Low Flying Owls, The Proles, Spider Silk Dress
June 24—The Beer Dawgs, Hell's House Band featuring Mark Curry
July 1—Jackpot, Dave Gleason's Wasted Days, Sol Peligro
July 8—Las Pesadillas, Frank Jordan
July 15—The Snobs, Supermodel Suicide, New Rock Militia, Angoramachinegun
July 22—Jackie Greene, Golden Shoulders
July 29—Bucho!, Raigambre, Feva in da Funkhouse
August 5—The Brodys, Nevada Backwards, Th' Losin Streaks
August 12—Chris Webster, The Arlenes, Adrian Bourgeios

Posted by cmacias at 4:01 PM | Comments |

---

---

May 4, 2005

Hello again, hello

Here are two quick concert updates:
Neil Diamond returns to Sacramento for the first time in four years, with a gig at Arco Arena on Sept. 27. Tickets for the show go on sale Monday through Ticketmaster (916) 649-8497 and the Arco Arena box office (916) 928-6900. Prices range from $42.50 - $75 per seat.
In other concert news, it looks like the venerable Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will reach the Sleep Train Amphitheatre on Aug. 24. The Black Crowes are the opening act at this no-frills, rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza. Information on tickets is coming soon.

Posted by cmacias at 2:06 PM | Comments |

---

---

May 2, 2005

New Chemical Patrol

Wasn’t able to swing a trip to the storied Coachella Festival this past weekend. So instead of slow-roasting in the desert near Palm Springs for two days, I enjoyed a “low-carb” version of Coachella with three bands that were on the festival’s bill.
Friday night was the New Order/Chemical Brothers throwdown at Oakland’s Henry J. Kaiser Center. I missed about half of Chemical Brothers’ 90 minute set, but that was fine by me. I really dug Chemical Brothers when I saw them a few years ago with Underworld and DJ Shadow in San Francisco. But this time around their set felt kind of numbing. It’s a show with a goal of sensory overload, but all of the behemoth beats and trippy visuals just got tiresome after about 20 minuets. Like my buddy Todd said, “It’s like Cirque du Soleil, but without the acrobatics.”
New Order were practically greeted with a hero’s welcome from a crowd that was split between young hipsters and folks who remember when a high school dance wasn’t complete without the DJ spinning “Bizarre Love Triangle.” The techno-pop band looked and sounded remarkably energized, even with the venue’s barn-like acoustics. Bernard Sumner busted out his signature hop/skip dance, and the interplay between bassist Peter Hook and New Order’s synthesizer stylings still sounds fresh. The middle of the show was a little heavy on its new album –ah, how much I would’ve rather heard “Perfect Kiss” than “Krafty” - but so it goes. It was funny how the place erupted when New Order performed “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division (the band which sprung New Order.) It’s one of the bleakest tunes in all of pop music, but the crowd danced with joy de vivre all the same.
Sunday night’s Snow Patrol show at Empire was a long time coming – about seven months to be exact. (The band cancelled its October appearance due to illness). But all is forgiven. The shaggy-haired alternative-rockers from Scotland sounded really darn good at this make-up date. The band is often compared to Coldplay for its balladry, but Snow Patrol definitely cranks its guitar amplifiers for its live show. The band played a few new tunes that were a little too snuggly and “sweater-rock” for my taste, but its songs from 2004’s “Final Straw” album rocked in all the right places. (“Spitting Games,” “Run,” “Same”). It was a dynamic show, and the perfect way to end a dynamic weekend of music.

Posted by cmacias at 2:08 PM | Comments |

---