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.

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« August 2005 | | October 2005 »

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September 29, 2005

Nine Inch Nailed

So I’m feeling a little groggy today after Nine Inch Nails' stellar show last night at Arco Arena. Well, it was stellar to everyone but Trent Reznor. The Nine Inch Nails figurehead dissed Sacramento today in his online tour journal, saying to the effect that Sacto was dead and he couldn’t wait to get the heck out of here. He's since clarified some of those comments, so check what Reznor had to say here.

Reznor’s original whiny post didn’t sit so well with James Stafford, who rocked out at the show last night. Here’s what he said in an e-mail:

“So, I feel like an idiot. With food, parking, tickets, drinks, babysitting, last night set me back a couple hundred bucks. I committed just about five hours of my life. Reznor spent a couple of hours creating a memorable experience, a reverie of sorts; and then he completely undoes it with his primadonna comments.”

Reznor might just be bummed because Arco Arena was only half-full. Check my full review of the concert in Friday’s Bee. And here’s what a few more fans thought of last night’s gig.

At least Sacramento got a show. Nine Inch Nails postponed tonight's concert in Oakland because of drummer Jerome Dillon's recurring health problems. Dillon was hospitalized earlier this month for chest pains.

Posted by cmacias at 3:12 PM | Comments |

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September 26, 2005

Looking back, getting Def

This work week started with a dose of Deftones. Abe Cunningham, the band’s drummer, came into the Bee this morning to talk about the Deftones’ upcoming “B-Sides & Rarities album.” It was more like a gab fest. For the better part of two hours, Abe told a bunch of stories behind the songs and videos featured on this CD/DVD set. We also played a version of “This is Your Life,” where I showed Abe the band’s publicity photos over the years and he gave me the back story.

Other talking points included:

The Deftones’ first tour bus (they were stoked)
Touring with Kiss (the Deftones were booed every night)
Getting its gear stolen in Detroit (Ozzy Osbourne consoled the band with free booze)
Shooting the “Minerva” video (Abe still feels the sand in his hair)
Guitarist Stephan Carpenter’s addiction to the Tiger Woods video game (And it’s getting worse).

Thanks again to Abe for coming by the Bee. Look for this Deftones story on Oct. 4, the day “B-Sides and Rarities” is released.

Posted by cmacias at 4:04 PM | Comments |

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September 22, 2005

PodNonStop 002

It's time for the second episode of PodNonStop from The Sacramento Bee. This week, Chris Macias speaks with piano wizard George Winston ... just don't call his music "new age." After you listen to the show, read the story in Friday's Ticket.

Download PodNonStop 002

Listen now in streaming audio

Posted by icahir at 3:27 PM | Comments |

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September 21, 2005

And eat it, too

Cake just jumped on board for Thursday's Hurricane Katrina benefit at Old Ironsides. Good luck getting into the show because it's bound to sell out early. Cake shares the bill with Supermodel Suicide, the Snobs, Richard March, Deathray, Jonah Matranga and many more. The music starts at 7 p.m.; $10 minimum donation. For more information: (916) 443-9751.

Posted by cmacias at 4:31 PM | Comments |

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September 20, 2005

What about the Modfather?

After last Friday’s Santana story, I got an email from a reader who wanted to know why the Bee didn’t cover Paul Weller (a.k.a. The Modfather) who performed last weekend in San Francisco.

Paul Weller has been around almost as long as Santana - just not popular in the USA - but he has been extremely influential in British rock,” wrote Arron Rambach.

Good point. I’m actually a big Paul Weller fan. His old band, the Jam, is one of my all-time favorites and Weller remains a king of style. I would’ve been all over this show had Weller come to Sacramento, but there just wasn’t time to get to San Francisco.

Here’s what Arron had to say about Saturday’s Paul Weller show at the Warfield in San Francisco.

“I felt his choice of songs was clever, not the usual ones that I would of expected. Of course, he did the Jam's ‘Town Called Malice’ and ‘That’s Entertainment’ which got everyone super-excited. He also did ‘In the Crowd,’ but only one Style Council song. Instead of the famous ‘Every Changing Moods’ or ‘Long Hot Summer’, he did the Council's ‘Shout to the Top.’ He also did several songs to promote his upcoming solo album, ‘As Is Now.’”

Thanks to Arron for writing in, and let’s hope that Weller doesn’t stay too cool for the River City.

Posted by cmacias at 4:22 PM | Comments |

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September 19, 2005

The 411 on 311

Just got word that 311, the love 'em or hate 'em rap-rock band, is coming to UC Davis' Freeborn Hall on Oct. 23. That's the same night as Gwen Stefani at Arco Arena, but there shouldn't be much conflict. One show will appeal to Harajuku Girls, the other to suburban skater dudes.

Tickets for 311 go on sale Saturday through TicketMaster: (916) 649-8497.

Posted by cmacias at 5:32 PM | Comments |

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September 15, 2005

Calling all Green Day fans ... and foes

What do you all think of Green Day? Are they keeping it real for rock ‘n’ roll, or do you think the band and its runny eyeliner is just played out already? Enquiring minds want to know, so send me your thoughts on Green Day: cmacias@sacbee.com

Also, were you one of the 700 or so folks who half-filled Freeborn Hall Wednesday night for Interpol? My own take on the show is coming in Friday’s Ticket section, complete with a couple of cool photos. But I want to hear your take on the show as well.

Posted by cmacias at 4:11 PM | Comments |

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September 12, 2005

PodNonStop 001

PodNonStop debuts with Chris Macias and his first guest, Carlos Santana. After listening, read Chris' story in Friday Ticket.

Download PodNonStop now

Listen in streaming audio

Posted by icahir at 4:55 PM | Comments |

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September 9, 2005

Watch this space

Look ma, I’m podcasting! Well, I will be starting Tuesday. That’s when the first installment of PodNonStop launches into cybersapce, and hopefully finds a home on your iPod or mp3 player. My first podcast is a conversation with Carlos Santana about his upcoming album and other sage wisdom. Listen to the guitar guru as he compares writing music to folding shirts. Hear how his son can name the musical notes in a duck's quack. You'll find it right here on my blog.

Posted by cmacias at 4:32 PM | Comments |

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Hurricane Katrina benefits, cont.

Local musicians continue to step up for Hurricane Katrina relief. Here are two more benefits coming our way:

Saturday’s Hispanic Heritage Festival, featuring music from Conquista Musical, Raigambre and other Latin bands will also include charity toward Hurricane Katrina victims. The event at Placer County Fairgrounds (800 All American City Blvd. Roseville) is free, but proceeds from sales of soda and water will go to the Louisiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation as part of their relief efforts. The festival runs from 11 .m. – 6 p.m. For more information: (916) 782-2040.

A blues and jazz benefit concert will be held on Sept. 16 at the Dante Club (2330 Fair Oaks Blvd.). Acts include the D Baba Project, Shelly Burns Quartet, Fillmore Slim and the Vivian Lee Quintet. The music runs from 7 p.m. – midnight. $10. For more information: (916) 925-8230.

Posted by cmacias at 1:24 PM | Comments |

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September 6, 2005

Rock 'n' relief

Benefit concerts to aid Hurricane Katrina relief efforts are cropping up around town. Concerts4Chartity is sponsoring a benefit show on Sept. 14 at Harlow’s. Bands that are donating their time and music include Jackpot, Deathray, Milwaukee, Estereo, Two Sheds, Mr. P Chill and more. The music runs from 8 p.m. – midnight. $5 donation. For more information: (916) 441-4693.

Old Ironsides is hosting its own benefit show on Sept. 22, featuring music from the Knockoffs, Th’ Losin’ Streaks, Jonah Matranga, Nevada Backwards, Richard March and others to be announced soon. $10 minimum donation. For more information: (916) 443-9751.

Posted by cmacias at 2:46 PM | Comments |

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iPod, youPod

Thanks to everyone who submitted their iPod playlists after reading Sunday's story. I'll share some of these reader playlists soon, but there's still time to send yours. If you're game, shoot an email to cmacias@sacbee.com.

Posted by cmacias at 2:12 PM | Comments |

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September 1, 2005

P-Roach and iPods

Caught up earlier this week with Jacoby Shaddix from Papa Roach. The Vacaville natives - who are honorary Sacramentans since most of the band lives here now - had a big ol' hit this summer with "Scars." That power ballad just pushed Papa Roach's latest album, "Getting Away With Murder," into the 1 million sales mark. Here's more on that story.

One question I asked Jacoby was, "What's on your iPod?" Turns out that he lost his iPod last year, but is still geeked out with creating mixes with iTunes software on his Apple computer. You can check out his comments on this, along with responses from Carrie Underwood, Jackie Greene and others when we pose the question, "What's on your iPod" in my column Sunday in Ticket.

Posted by cmacias at 5:23 PM | Comments |

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