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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November 24, 2005

PodNonStop 008: Frankie J

Ah, the Latin flavor of Frankie J comes to PodNonStop, as he speaks with Bee pop music writer Chris Macias about his music, his future and his abs. After listening, be sure to read the story in Sunday Ticket.

Download PodNonStop 008 now Listen to PodNonStop 008 live

Posted by icahir at 9:06 PM | Comments |

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November 21, 2005

Now hear this

I’m working on a story called “Sound Off,” and we’re going to do a blindfolded audio test between a turntable, iPod and CD player. Want to participate in this sound test, and have this Friday open around noon? If so, send an email to cmacias@sacbee.com. We'll consider everyone, whether you're a total audio snob, or you've never used a turntable before. It's all in the name of sound science.

Posted by cmacias at 1:35 PM | Comments |

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November 17, 2005

PodNonStop 007: Daisy Spot

Time for some phone chat and pizza with the members of Daisy Spot, a local act that could sound more like a soap opera. But all is well in this music world. After you listen to the podcast, read the full story in Friday Ticket.

Download PodNonStop 007
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Stream PodNonStop 007 live

Posted by icahir at 4:30 PM | Comments |

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November 16, 2005

Battle of the 'Stones set lists

I just saw the set list from last night's Rolling Stones show at SBC Park in San Francisco. And darnit, Mick and Keef and company played "Midnight Rambler," which is one of my all-time favorite Stones songs. It's just got this evil and bluesy vibe that I dig no matter how many times I hear it. They skipped this tune when I saw the band's Sunday night show. But I did witness the band playing "Live With Me" and "Sweet Virginia," which were both M.I.A. last night.

If you missed it, here's a review of Sunday's show. And here's how the setlists shaped up for both Stones shows at SBC Park:

SUNDAY

1. "Start Me Up"
2. "You Got Me Rocking"
3. "Live With Me"
4. "Tumblin' Dice"
5. "Oh No, Not You Again"
6. "Rain Fall Down"
7. "Sweet Virginia"
8. "All Down the Line"
9. "(Night Time Is) The Right Time"
10. "Slipping Away"
11. "Infamy"
12. "Miss You"
13. "Rough Justice"
14. "Get Off of My Cloud"
15. "Honky Tonk Women"
16. "Sympathy for the Devil"
17. "Paint It Black"
18. "Brown Sugar"
19. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
Encore
20. "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
21. "Jumpin' Jack Flash"

TUESDAY

1. "Start Me Up"
2. "Shattered
3. "She's So Cold"
4. "Tumblin' Dice"
5. "Rough Justice"
6. "Rain Fall Down"
7. "As Tears Go By"
8. "Midnight Rambler"
9. "(Night Time Is) The Right Time"
10. "Slipping Away"
11. "Infamy"
12. "Miss You"
13. "Oh No, Not You Again"
14. "You Got Me Rocking"
15. "Honky Tonk Women"
16. "Sympathy for the Devil"
17. "It's Only Rock 'N' Roll
18. "Brown Sugar"
19. "Jumpin' Jack Flash"
Encore
20. "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
21. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"

Posted by cmacias at 12:29 PM | Comments |

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November 14, 2005

Rollin' to the Bay

Just got back to Sac after spending the night in San Francisco to review the Rolling Stones show at SBC Park. You can check out a mini-review here and the full scoop with setlist will be in tomorrow's Bee.
In the meantime, here's a rundown of how it went when I left Sacramento for the home of the San Francisco Giants (and temporary quarters for "The World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band").

2:40 - Pack the laptop into the car and leave home.

2:50 - Stop by the Sacto. Natural Foods Co-Op to buy a couple energy bars and hit up the ATM.

3:05 - Pick up Mike Farrell, the guitarist for Th' Losin Streaks and Daisy Spot. I interviewed him last week for a Daisy Spot story (which is coming Friday). When he heard I was going to the Stones, he asked if he could hitch a ride. He had a ticket but no transportation. So we're off ...

4:10 - Pit stop in Fairfield. Traffic's a bear at a few points, but chattin' with Mike eases the drive. We wax nostalgic about both seeing Iron Maiden's "Piece of Mind" show back in 1983 at the Memorial Auditorium. Mike also reminisces about the Iron Maiden "Number of the Beast" Sacramento show, with the Scorpions opening. (The Scorpions had just realeased "Blackout"). I'm jealous.

4:45 - Uh oh. We're near Emeryville and a billboard that posts live commuting times says its 86 minutes to downtown SF. I'm supposed to pick up my ticket at 6:15. This isn't good.
The conversation turns to Yngwie Malmsteen, the Swedish guitar shredder who's playing at Harlow's while we're at the Stones. We both admit to knowing way too much about his "Rising Force" album.

5:45 - Street parking is non-existent and time is running short. I pull into a parking garage at 2nd and Townsend. I hand over my keys and - gulp - $30!

6:00 - Scarf down some Mickey D's with Mike. Mr. Retro Cool also shows me a nifty way to tie an ascot while we're waiting in line.

6:15 - Mike and I shake hands and part ways. I head to the ticket pick-up for media; Mike goes to find his crew.

6:25 - I arrive in my seat, which is about 17 rows back from almost the center of stage. Everclear is wrapping up its set. Whoa, it's an amazing view, but the gigantic stage looks something like a four-story insurance office. I knew this was going to be a good seat because two different ushers said "wow, you've got a good seat" when they saw my ticket stub. People who arrive around me start slapping hands and hooting when they find their seats. I check my ticket stub a little closer and the face value says $454.25. Oof!

6:45 - Metallica hits the stage as a support act and the show is off to the races.

Posted by cmacias at 2:49 PM | Comments |

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November 11, 2005

A guest podcast

Here's a podcast with Paul McCartney from fellow Bee writer David Barton. Enjoy, and read the full story in Sunday's Ticket, then visit www.sacticket.com/podcasts to check out earlier episodes of PodNonStop.

Download "Podcast with Paul"
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Listen to "Podcast with Paul" live

Posted by icahir at 12:00 AM | Comments |

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November 9, 2005

Brrrrr

Looks like Coldplay is coming to town this winter, and that's news that'll warm the hearts of fans for Chris Martin and company. Pollstar, the concert trade publication, just listed a Coldplay date for Jan. 30 at Arco Arena. Expect ticket information to be released in the next couple weeks.

Posted by cmacias at 2:50 PM | Comments |

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November 8, 2005

Taste of 'Tones

Just heard that Deftones will be headlining the Taste of Chaos 2006 tour. It’s a package tour of new-school rock bands that last year featured the Used, My Chemical Romance and Senses Fail. Other supporting acts are being worked out, but the tour is slated to kickoff on Feb. 15. And what’s this that I hear about a Sacramento stop in late February, perhaps at Arco Arena?

Posted by cmacias at 3:00 PM | Comments |

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November 7, 2005

What's up this week

My adult-contemporary heart just broke. I was in the process of landing an interview with Rob Thomas, but was told that Mr.-Matchbox-20-Gone-Solo isn’t doing any interviews after all. The word was that he wants to save his voice for his concerts, including a gig on Friday at the Memorial Auditorium. I guess singing “Smooth” night after night is really a grind on that voice box. So it goes.

Instead of a tell-all with Thomas, my upcoming story for Friday is about the return of live music to one of Sacramento’s great clubs. This is a place that hosted Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins when they were just scrappy bands that toured in a van. The club was also where Deftones, Cake and Papa Roach honed their act before becoming rock stars. Stay tuned for the full scoop.

Posted by cmacias at 1:26 PM | Comments |

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November 3, 2005

Welcome to my nightmare

And that nightmare would be me strapped in a chair "A Clockwork Orange" style and forced to listen to Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps." I'd forgotten how irritating this song was until I saw those Peas open for Gwen Stefani a couple weeks ago. And then the video played over the weekend on "MTV Hits," and there it was again and again on the radio. I can't seem to escape this song and Fergie cooing about her "lovely lady lumps" in that Kewpie doll voice. It's an act of brainwashing, like Top 40's answer to the "Ludovico treatment," I tell ya. But "My Humps" is also just a rip-off of Kelis' "Milkshake," which was arguably the most annoying song of 2004. And both of those tunes are basically just hip-hopping takes on the Waitresses' "I Know What Boys Like." And I know what I'd like - for "My Humps" to be done with already. Sheesh!

Posted by cmacias at 4:22 PM | Comments |

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November 1, 2005

Born again

The Lyrics Born show has finally found a home. The indie-minded rapper, who found his stride while attending UC Davis, was originally scheduled for Harlow’s until the date was scrapped. It’s now going down on the day before Thanksgiving – that is, Nov. 23 - at the Library Bar & Grill (7042 Folsom Blvd.). Tickets cost $15 and they’ll go on-sale this Saturday though Tickets.com and at the Beat (1700 J St., 916- 446-4402). Word up.

Posted by cmacias at 3:59 PM | Comments |

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