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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February 28, 2007

John Brown: Bonus Beats

Here are some outtakes from my interview with John "King of Da Burbz" Brown. He was the runner-up on "ego trip's The (White) Rapper Show" on VH1, graduated from Davis High School (class of 1998, boyee) and introduced "hallelujah hollaback" into the national lexicon. He missed out on the show's $100,000, losing to $hamrock from Atlanta, but Brown (real name: Greg Kaysen) is still bent on taking his "Ghetto Revival" company to the next level. Here's more from the "King of Da Burbz" himself:

The Bee: Were you part of the hip-hop scene in Sacramento before you moved to New York?
Brown: No. I went to high school in Davis. I was born in San Francisco, raised in Berkeley until I was like 13. When I went to high school in Davis, I was kind of like the only guy that was into hip-hop. It was kind of like a little oasis within the sort of culturally limited environment of Davis. There was a little local hip-hop scene, but I wasn’t directly involved in that.
Because I came from the Bay Area, I was kind of like longing for a little bit of that multi-culturalism. Some people moved up to Davis and they were into hip-hop and we built on that, but I wound up leaving and doing my own thing. (But) people in Davis kind of knew what I was doing.

The Bee: When did you first discover and fall in love with hip-hop?
Brown: Hip-hop was something my older sisters were always listening to when I was coming up. I was always inspired by people who were - wait, I’m sorry. (Hot 97 DJ) Angie Martinez is talking about the show. She was convinced I won last night. Anyway, sorry. Basically, I was always kind of inspired. My name’s John Brown, I took that from the historical figure and what not. I was always kind of inspired by Tupac. He spoke truth to power, and that was something I kind of developed over time.

The Bee: You had to battle some of the best battle rappers in Detroit. You had to impress the locals in the Bronx and deal with Jus Rhymes on a daily basis. What was the most challenging part of this experience?
Brown: Definitely the most challenging was being under the cameras 24/7. Me, I didn’t pretend like the cameras weren’t there. I know you’re supposed to. Some people tried to call me “fake” because of that. But my whole mentality was that I was constantly in public. So I had to maintain my level with decency.
Obviously, when I was getting in arguments with certain people, maybe in reality I’d resort to tacky name-calling. But I just kind of wanted to make sure that I didn’t drop down to the level of a Garbage Pail Kid, you know, some wild Jerry Springer maniac. So it was stressful maintaining. Everyone wanted to test you on national TV. People get really crazy when they get in those situations, really. It’s kind of creepy.

The Bee: As far as the individual challenges went, which one was the toughest?
Brown: The battle in Detroit was definitely challenging. I don’t really come from a battling background. That has to do with being in a town like Davis where there was really no competition. So people were more like stunned and curious about you if you did hip-hop, but no one was trying to battle you or take you out. But I just kind of stuck to my game plan (in Detroit) and did what I had to do.

Posted by cmacias at 11:02 AM | Comments |

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February 27, 2007

The (White) Runner-Up

Don't know about you, but I've been straight hooked on VH1's "The (White) Rapper Show." You want drama? You want unintentional comedy? How about a cameo from Bushwick Bill? "The (White) Rapper Show" has all that, and some beats from Just Blaze, to boot.

The final showdown was last night, with $hamrock from Atlanta winning the $100,000 prize and plenty of bragging rights. It was a blow to John "King of Da Burbz" Brown, who hails from the other side of the causeway in Davis, but came in second place. So our local yokel didn't win, but in the process he coined a new catchphrase that's coming to a MySpace page near you: "Hallelujah hollaback!"

I'm going to interview John Brown in just a couple of minutes. So check tomorrow's Bee for the scoop, and look for some outtakes from our Q&A in this very spot. Hallelujah hollaback ...

Posted by cmacias at 11:29 AM | Comments |

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February 23, 2007

Final flavor

So I tasted the chaos, and you know what? It tasted just like chicken. Actually, it tasted more like nachos washed down with some Rockstar and a helping of stuffy air. But it's been quite the feast: six bands over five hours and who knows how many watts pumped from all those Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier amps. Would've liked to have heard more variety in sound and not so many lifts from the arena-rock playbook ("Sacramentooooo, are you having a good time?" "Lemme see those hands!" "I want to see the pit go crazy!") But Taste of Chaos - and its companion, the Warped Tour - is really about getting the fans close to the bands. Back in the 1970s at Day on the Green, would you be able to meet Led Zeppelin at an autograph tent? Heck no ... And that's not to say that Senses Fail, Chiodos or The Used are as big as Led Zeppelin. But a photo with Chiodos is just the thing that'll keep a fan stoked for a while, and all the autograph tents here were huge hits. I'm sure that all translates into good business for the bands. And now it's time to pack it up and mosey out to the parking lot because this business is done. Thanks for hanging out ...

Posted by cmacias at 10:38 PM | Comments |

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Let's sit in a circle and hold hands

The Used is going mellow and playing an acoustic song. Some heckler near me just yelled, "Light your hair on fire!" Hooo-kay.

OK, maybe the Chiodos guy was right. Bert McCracken is also vouching that Sacramento's been the best Taste of Chaos show so far. Suuuuure ;)

Posted by cmacias at 10:25 PM | Comments |

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Yuck

Bert McCracken just got pelted with a pair of undies. And now they're playing a new song called "Paralyzed." The riff to this one is pretty good, kind of groovy and different than much of what's been heard tonight. It's actually kind of danceable, and Bert is kind of busting a move up there.

Posted by cmacias at 10:20 PM | Comments |

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"Let's get a little chant going"

Bert McCracken is imploring the crowd to yell, "Liar! Liar! Liar!" And they do. Take a wild guess at what song The Used is now playing? If you guessed "Liar," go claim some free energy drink at the Rockstar booth. Taste of Chaos employees, band members, roadies and groupies are excluded.

Posted by cmacias at 10:01 PM | Comments |

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I feel Used!

And now for your headlining entertainment: The Used.

Legend has it that frontman Bert McCracken sometimes sings so hard that he throws up. Hope a janitor is on stand-by.

The Used has a giant screen in front of the stage that broadcasts its shadows. What, do they think they're Nine Inch Nails? The screen just came down, but that first "hit" from the Used wasn't very big at all. Seemed anti-climactic, actually.

Posted by cmacias at 9:49 PM | Comments |

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Exodus

The Used will be going on soon and capping this night of chaos, but many people seem to be heading out. Or maybe everyone's just getting the collective munchies for Rockstar and nachos ...

Posted by cmacias at 9:38 PM | Comments |

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Senses Fail's playing its last song

And Buddy sounded really pitch slippery on those opening vocals. All of these sets tonight are really short. Looks like Senses Fail will barely hit the 45-minute mark, and I believe the longest set of the night will go to The Used, which is suppposed to play for around an hour. But with six bands for a $28 ticket price (sans service charges, $10 for parking unless your mom/dad dropped you off, and some scrill for refreshments), that's just a few bucks per band. Call it just pennies per screamo serving.

Posted by cmacias at 9:31 PM | Comments |

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Four ...

is the number of mosh pits on the main floor right now. Senses Fail has rocked the hardest thus far. And yow, I just checked the time and there's only 90 mins. or so left of Taste of Chaos. This show is flying by, but that's cool by me. BTW, Buddy Nielsen is singing slightly out of tune tonight. But he's doing a pretty good microphone swing a la Roger Daltrey. Hope nobody gets bonked on the head, because that would indeed be chaos.

Posted by cmacias at 9:20 PM | Comments |

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Run to the Hills?

I swear, some of Senses Fail's harmony guitar parts sound straight-up like Iron Maiden. Not that it's a bad thing. In fact, if they break into a cover of "Hallowed Be Thy Name," Senses Fail might be my new favorite band.

Uh-oh, looks like a casualty from the mosh pit was just carried by. It's definitely looking wild out there, and Senses Fail is cranking pretty hard. Make that "hella hard," because we're in NorCal, you know.

Posted by cmacias at 8:55 PM | Comments |

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Lights went down again

And Senses Fail are up now ... whoa, Buddy Nielsen just let out the mother of all screams. But now he's singing all melodic. Make up your mind dude! Aw, I kid, I kid ...

Posted by cmacias at 8:48 PM | Comments |

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Tasted the chaos

No wonder there's hardly anyone in Arco's second balacony. A major chunk of the crowd is braving a very packed concourse, where snack bars, autograph signing booths and t-shirt stands all converge for some gridlock. Trying to squeeze through parts of that crowd is like its own mini mosh-pit. And here's a quick list of some of the sponsors who are representing:

Hurley
Rockstar (and they're giving out free samples of their energy elixir)
Vans
Alternative Press magazine
Fuse
Guitar Hero
Ernie Ball

All that's missing is a skateboard ramp and demo from Bob Burnquist. You can practically hear the suits saying, "If we wanna reach that 12-24 youth demographic, we've got to set up shop at Taste of Chaos."

The lines are especially looong for all the autograph signing sessions. The one for Chiodos snakes all the way from Section 103 to Section 124. And at the front of that line, clutching a Chiodos CD, is 18-year-old Michelle Pascua from Stockton.

"I've been waiting in line for an hour," she says. "I'm in love with Chiodos!"

Posted by cmacias at 8:42 PM | Comments |

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Time to stroll

Saosin isn't really doing it for me, especially these high-pitched vocals, so I'm going to check out the action on Arco's concourse.

Oh geez, Saosin's singer is making the crowd do "the wave." Is Slamson going to come out next in a military cap, "guyliner" and some girl jeans? I'm definitely out for now ...

Posted by cmacias at 8:14 PM | Comments |

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Numerology

Each band I've seen so far has five members. Wait, Chiodos had six. But this is all on the larger side for rock bands, so all hail the almighty two-guitar attack.

Speaking of numbers, tonight's attendance is around the 10,000 mark. The floor is completely packed out, and Arco's first tier is just about full. About half of the second balcony is curtained off. But 10,000 isn't bad at all, and that's about the same as last year if I remember right. What strikes me is that if this were just a three-band show, they'd be lucky to draw half of the crowd here tonight. But put seven screamo bands on a bill, plus a gang of sponsorship and some autograph booths, and you get a full-fledged arena show.

OK, the crowd surfers are flailing above the crowd like salmon swimming upstream ...

Posted by cmacias at 8:05 PM | Comments |

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Ladies and gentlemen (and dudes in "guyliner") ...

Please welcome (cue sort-of-spooky intro. music) ... Saosin!

Posted by cmacias at 7:47 PM | Comments |

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Aiden's done

And it looks like people are heading to get in line for the Chiodos autograph signing session. Hope the band has plenty of Sharpies on stand by.

Posted by cmacias at 7:36 PM | Comments |

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Are they gonna play "Cherry Pie" next?

Aiden just broke into some choreographed headbanging. Ugh ... Unless your band is called "Warrant," it's best to leave that alone. Pass the cheese, and the cherry pie.

Posted by cmacias at 7:28 PM | Comments |

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Bringing the music to the people

Aiden singer Wil Francis just jumped into the front row and is sharing the mic. You can hear people screaming along, albeit in an out-of-tune wail. Someone's surely going to write about this on their MySpace page tonight: "Wil Francis got right in my grill and I screamed in the microphone. aaah!"

Wil is now asking the crowd to split down the middle and leave a 20-foot gap. Aiden's kicking into "I Set My Friends on Fire" and the gap is now a giant mosh pit that stretches the length of Arco's floor. \m/ The song's slowed down and cell phones and lighters are being held in salute. Is Aiden about to do a screamo version of "Free Bird?"

Wil just gave a shout-out to the Boardwalk in Orangevale ...

Posted by cmacias at 7:19 PM | Comments |

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Slightly different tune

Taste of Chaos 2007 has a slightly different set-up than last year's version (which was headlined by Sacramento's own Deftones). There's no second stage this time around, so there's a break between bands instead of the usual non-stop action. I kind of liked it better with the extra stage positioned next to the main stage. But I guess everyone needs a breather - even when the crowd's amped on Rockstar.

Ok someone's coming on, and it's .... Aiden.

Posted by cmacias at 7:14 PM | Comments |

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Could it be?

Chiodos singer Craig Owens just told the crowd that "This is the best Taste of Chaos show so far. A lot of people say that (stuff), but I mean it." OK, now Chiodos is done. But the band is sticking around and will be signing autographs at 8 p.m. at the Rockstar tent. BTW, lots of Rockstar is being quaffed around here. Rockstar energy drink is the official tour sponsor, so no wonder everyone seems so wired. I could use a sip myself ...

Posted by cmacias at 6:54 PM | Comments |

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Tasting the Chaos

Just got settled into Arco Arena and Taste of Chaos is screaming along. Chiodos is on stage, the floor is packed and going wild with some mosh pit action, and the volume is fat and loud. But there's one early bummer: 30 Seconds to Mars cancelled for tonight because of illness. Don't know yet if Jared Leto is the one who fell ill, but refunds were offered at the door. So far, doesn't look like many people skipped out. The floor is looking really swollen - and now everyone's jumping up and down.

Posted by cmacias at 6:45 PM | Comments |

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Watch this space

Check it out: I'm going to the Taste of Chaos concert tonight at Arco Arena and will be blogging live throughout the show. So if you couldn't make the concert (e.g. were grounded, couldn't get a ride, are stricken with this nasty flu bug going around), then check into BeatNonStop throughout the night for a rundown of all the screamo excitement. Military cap and girl jeans not included.

Meanwhile, here's a couple of recommended shows for this weekend:

If yours truly wasn't at Taste of Chaos tonight, I'd be over at Old Ironsides for the Sol Peligro show. A taste of reggaeton, cumbia and funk flavors from this kickin' band would really hit the spot on a Friday night. Then again, I may be done with Taste of Chaos before Sol Peligro goes on, so it may be all good in this hood after all. The show starts at 9 p.m. (my guess is Sol Peligro will start around 11:30-ish) and costs $7.

And please go out and support the Sol Collective on Saturday night. The nonprofit art gallery and neighborhood cultural center at 2010 Del Paso Blvd. was burglarized over the holiday season and needs help. Hip-hop and electronic music will be provided by Addict Merchants, Cawzlos, Dusty Brown and others. A silent art auction will also be underway, with proceeds going toward the Sol Collective. The event runs from 5 - 11 p.m. and costs $7. And lets hope karma gets the best of those perpetrators.

Posted by cmacias at 2:04 PM | Comments |

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February 21, 2007

Ballers, shot callers

Chris Webber is a multi-tasking kind of guy: Basketballer, restaurateur (Center Court in Natomas) and part-time rapper. What, don’t you remember his 1999 opus, “2 Much Drama?” Well on second thought, Webber’s album only sold 7,400 copies, so we'll hold that technical foul for forgetting so soon.

But Webber is now featured on an MTV special called “Behind the Baller.” Hear C-Webb talk about producing a track for Nas, his collection of African-American art and an undying fandom for Big Daddy Kane. The video’s in five parts, so make sure the boss isn’t around, then click on the link and kick back.

Posted by cmacias at 1:44 PM | Comments |

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February 20, 2007

DJ Wokstar for President, and Christina bows out

So how was your President’s Day weekend? Did you watch a lot of History channel and reflect on the leadership of the U.S. of A.? Suuuure you did. But what I’m guessing many of you accomplished on this three-day weekend was heading to the Blue Lamp on Sunday night. It seemed like half of Sacramento was waiting in line to get irie with DJ Wokstar’s dancehall reggae party. Yours truly gave up after waiting 45 mins. in line, and will shoot for another night when it’s less hectic. Seems like the recent write-up in Spin on Wokstar’s weekly gig has made it The Place to Be on Sunday nights.

And here’s some breaking news: Christina Aguilera is not coming to Arco Arena on March 9 after all. (Insert “awwww shucks” here). Don’t have the official reason why this purported date didn’t materialize, but at least we know it wasn’t because Ms. Thang got whimsical and shaved her head.

Posted by cmacias at 2:37 PM | Comments |

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February 15, 2007

How soon is now?

OK, this date is a long ways off, but my hair is turning into a pompadour just thinking about it. The Blue Lamp will be hosting a night of Smiths-mania on March 23, featuring the Smiths tribute outfit This Charming Band. DJ Roger Carpio from Lipstick will spin Smiths songs, I assume, between sets. It’s a small consolation after Morrissey performed three nights of solo shows in Pasadena but blew off Northern California. Now why-ah-yy didn’t he come and hang around? Tragic, indeed. For further Morrissey-related reading, check out this recent interview from the LA Weekly. Fun fact gleamed from the story: Morrissey often stops his car to save squirrels.

p.s. BeatNonStop will resume on Tuesday, but be sure to check this space on Sunday for the next round of “Sunday Single.” Cool?

Posted by cmacias at 3:50 PM | Comments |

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February 14, 2007

Love, exciting and new

Come aboard, we’re expecting yoooooou … Ah yes, there’s nothing like a little “Love Boat” theme to get in the swing of this Valentine’s Day. Isaac, another drink, and with an extra umbrella if you please, and please summon Charo to the promenade deck. But you know who’s really feeling sweet today? The producers of the Grammy Awards. The ratings from Sunday’s telecast are in, and viewership was up 18% over 2006. That’s some 20.1 million people who tuned in to see the Dixie Chicks sweep the top awards and watch Mary J. Blige weep and get all “Oprah” during her acceptance speeches. But those Grammy ratings still get whooped big-time compared to “American Idol,” which drew more than 37 million viewers in the season-opener for 2007.

And you know who else is feeling giddy in their hearts? Those Dixie Chicks. “Taking the Long Way” surged from No. 32 to the No.2 spot on Amazon.com Monday, a sales spike of 1,500%. Yowza …

But that’s enough facts and figures for now, because Isaac is here with a wicked Mai Tai and it’ll soon be time to join Captain Stubing and the lovely Lola Falana for dinner. Happy Valentine’s Day, and salud!

Posted by cmacias at 12:55 PM | Comments |

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February 12, 2007

Home sweet home

My suitcase is almost packed and I will soon be back in Sac. It's the morning after the Grammys - "music's biggest night" and the longest day for those covering it - so it'll be good to be back at the homested. But yesterday was pretty much surreal. I'm not usually one to be starstruck, but I'd never seen so much pop and rock royalty up close. The hallway next to all the media rooms was its own kind of red carpet. Ah, there goes Beyonce and Christina Aguilera and their respective posses. And at one point I had to find some space away from the hubub of the media room, and found a little spot for me and my laptop near the elevators. So I'm sitting crosslegged on the floor and next thing I know, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers is standing right next to me, almost hovering. At least he was wearing more than a sock. But he gets into the elevator with the rest of the Chili Peppers, and not long after that the Dixie Chicks come out of the elevator and walk right past. And I literally almost ran into Ike Turner in the bathroom. Good thing I didn't, or I might not be here today to post.

So it's sayonara to Hollywood, and wassup Sacramento. I'd like to thank all the little people for their support, and hope I used this Grammy trip to build bridges, not burn them. Thank you, and good night!

Posted by cmacias at 9:28 AM | Comments |

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February 11, 2007

The Roots, the Roots, the Roots are on fire

This post is an extra caffeinated version that's served with a bit of bleary eyes, but this bit of morning lag is oh-so worth it. Got in around 4 a.m. from the Roots' all-star jam at the Key Club, and here's a quick roll call of who showed up and hopped on stage: Queen Latifah, Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy (seemed like I couldn't escape this guy on Saturday), Dave Chappelle, Anita Baker, India.Arie, Talib Kweli, Matisyahu and a few others. The night - well, more like early morning - kicked off around 1 a.m. with a reunion of the Family, one of Prince's protege bands from the 1980s that featured Wendy Melvoin (the Wendy of "Wendy and Lisa" who played guitar in Prince's Revolution). The hot rumor of the night was that Prince was going to drop by the jam, and this Family reunion seemed like the perfect opportunity. But alas, the Purple One did not swing by. Nor did the rapper Common, who was evidently in the club but got cold feet when he was called to the stage. The Roots crew still kicked hip-hop butt, and I'll fill you in with more highlights in a bit. I'm leaving in a sec to get checked in for the Grammys ...

Posted by cmacias at 10:25 AM | Comments |

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February 10, 2007

The Roots

I'm good to go for the Roots but sounds like they won't go on until 1 am. Will fill you all in later. Good night!

Posted by swilliams at 11:18 PM | Comments |

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After the Fall Out

Show is over. Just saw Derrick from Sum 41 get picked up by his wife, Avril Lavigne. Got a tour of AOL's webcast control room. It was like a mini TV studio with a half dozen people coordinating the cameras and whatnot. Pretty swank...up next, the Roots at the Key Club.

Posted by swilliams at 10:17 PM | Comments |

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I'm here at Fall Out Boy

Hope this doesn't kill my cred, but I'm here at Fall Out Boy. Camera booms are swinging around and the crowd is flipping out. The show is being webcast through AOL Live. Derrick from Sum 41 is standing right behind me.

Posted by swilliams at 8:24 PM | Comments |

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Top of the pops

Now that was a poppin' good panel. "How I Wrote That Song" was a hit of its own, full of candor and some stellar performances including John Legend's solo turns at the piano. But the most emotional moment went to Jeffrey Steele, the Nashville songwriter to the stars, who explained to the capacity crowd at the Key Club that he'd lost his son two months ago and struggled to make this Grammy trip. I don't know how Jeffrey kept it together when he went to the piano and sang a ballad he penned for Rascal Flatts ("What Hurts the Most," which is nominated this year for the country song Grammy). It was such a heartfelt and profound performance that fellow panelists Butch Walker (Pink, Simple Plan) and Dallas Austin (Gwen Stefani, Usher) wiped away tears. And they weren't the only ones.

A few other highlights:

Kara DioGuardi singing a tune she'd written for Christina Aguilera, "Ain't No Other Man," and sounding absolutely fantastic - even with a cheat sheet of lyrics on the floor. Her advice to aspiring songwriters in the crowd: "Don't be afraid to suck."

Apart from flooring the crowd with performances of "Ordinary People" and "Again," John Legend deconstructed those songs at the piano to explain how they were written. The tale behind "Ordinary People" went a little something like this: "It started in a Black Eyed Peas session. I write with will.i.am a lot ... we were in the studio one day and he played me a beat. I wrote the chorus - it didn't sound like a Black Eyed Peas song. I was like, 'I've got to have this.' This was the last song I wrote for 'Get Lifted.'"

Jeffrey Steele recalled some of his hair-metal days of long ago. He'd played the Key Club back when it was Gazzari's on the Strip (site of the Ms. Gazzari's beauty pageant in "Decline of Western Civilization, Pt. 2: The Metal Years"): "I was wearing spandex pants and playing Led Zeppelin covers," said Steele. "How the hell I ended up in Nashville, I don't know."

But now, it's time to kick back for a half-hour or so and head back out to the Sunset Strip. First stop is the Fall Out Boy show at the Roxy, and then it's back to the Key Club for the Roots' all-star jam. Better pack some earplugs and perhaps a jacket - it's starting to look like rain.

Posted by cmacias at 6:41 PM | Comments |

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John Legend

John Legend is now on the piano bench. The room is hushed. He's pouring into "ordinary people."

Posted by swilliams at 3:01 PM | Comments |

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Fall Out Fans

In a booth overlooking the stage. Panel is about to start. Definitely some Fall Out Boy fans here, and they're taking up the front row. Cee-lo from Gnarls Barkley is a no show...

Posted by swilliams at 2:30 PM | Comments |

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The Key Club

I'm here at the Key Club for the songwriter panel. Down the block kids are camped out for tonight's Fall Out Boy show.

Posted by swilliams at 1:42 PM | Comments |

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They write the songs

Heading out in a few to the Key Club for a panel called "How I Wrote That Song." Participants include: John Legend, Cee-Lo, Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy, Dallas Austin (of Gwen Stefani and Mandonna fame) and others. The discussion will be moderated by the esteemed Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times, and each songwriter is expected to perform a tune. Too bad Tom Araya from Slayer won't be there, but so it goes. Now it's time to finish this coffee and get down to the Key Club. See you at the coda ...

Posted by cmacias at 11:53 AM | Comments |

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February 9, 2007

Outside the Avalon

The buzz is that the list is closed and some people are already bailing. I'm still going to stick it out for a while. What the hey, it's Friday night....

Sounds like the fire marshall just showed up.

Posted by swilliams at 11:35 PM | Comments |

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The Avalon

It's nuttiness in front of the Avalon. Paparazzi out in force, and will.i.am just pulled into the parking lot. Another celeb sighting...Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction just walked by. Well I'm on the list but it may be VIP only from here on out. And there's 'the miz' from 'the real world.' He's a VIP?

Posted by swilliams at 11:27 PM | Comments |

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The Strip

Friday night on the Sunset Strip. The lines are stretching out of the clubs, the Roxy, the Rainbow, the Whiskey. Just left the Viper Room and it's time for some Thai food. Then it's on to the Avalon.

Posted by swilliams at 9:35 PM | Comments |

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Leaving Norah

Norah's playing her last song, "Come away with me." Thanks, Norah. It's been real ... real mellow that is.

Posted by swilliams at 6:59 PM | Comments |

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Finding Norah

Hey were in! But we're so far back that I can barely see Norah's head. Oh well. But I've got space to dig through records.

Posted by swilliams at 6:58 PM | Comments |

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Norah Jones

Stuck at a light on Cahuenga and Sunset. The line is around the block at Amoeba for Norah Jones. Doubt we'll get in.

Posted by swilliams at 6:20 PM | Comments |

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Back to the hotel

Just like the N2Deep song, I've gone back to the hotel. But I'm not sittin' in the back, sippin' purple chongos. I'm grabbing a snack and tucking away the Grammy credential that I picked up earlier at the Convention Center (and thanks to DJ PSol for the ride and breaking down the latest on L.A.'s DJ scene). Back at the Covention Center, they've literally rolled out the red carpet for tonight's Grammy MusiCares Person of the Year celebration. Don Henley is the honoree for all his philanthropy, and the buzz is that he'll perform with the Eagles as part of the show. And upstairs at the Convention Center, near the media check-in room, Grammy T-shirts and souvenirs are already on sale. But I'm saving my $$$ for now, because I just heard that Norah Jones is doing an in-store appearance in about an hour at Amoeba Records on Sunset Boulevard. So I'm going to check that out for kicks, and maybe do some record shopping. Vinyl records are still good as carry-on items, right?

Posted by cmacias at 4:44 PM | Comments |

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Good morning

Greetings once again from LA, where the sun continues to shine and the pace is picking up for this Grammy weekend. I'll be heading out in a little while to pick up my Grammy credential, and hopefully grab a bite with DJ PSol. He moved to Los Angeles last year from Sacramento, and recently won some big ol' mixing competition in BPM magazine. (Back in Sac, PSol always came through nice with his mixes of B-More Club music, party rocking hip-hop and '80s jams). PSol's since hosted a few weeklies in the L.A. area, but after talking with him for a few yesterday, it sounds like he's got a love/hate relationship with SoCal. But then again, who doesn't?

I spent most of last night in Santa Monica, starting with a swing by MTV's west coast office. The office pool line is that Dixie Chicks will take album of the year and the Warner Music Group will throw the best post-Grammy party. Then I got some face time with Peter Baron, a v.p. of label relations for MTV and MTV2. He talked about some new stuff coming viewers' way, including a Korn "unplugged" special that'll be full of drop-tuned acoustic guitars. Amy Lee of Evanescence does a guest vocal on "Freak on a Leash" and there's supposed to be a Cure cover in there as well. Now how about getting Robert Smith to do the "are you rrrready?!" part on "Blind?" OK, maybe not ...

So the parties will really get cracking tonight. First stop is the Viper Room and then it'll be off to the Avalon for Rolling Stone magazine's pre-Grammy party. Hopefully we'll get in by the time the party reaches capacity. Justin Timberlake is hosting this soiree, so the paparazzi will surely be nearby. Stay tuned - I'm planning to sneak in some posts during the wee hours.

Posted by cmacias at 10:14 AM | Comments |

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February 8, 2007

Out in L.A.

Greetings from a sunny and somewhat smoggy SoCal. Just got settled into the hotel, and am chilling out and unpacking. I'll be on the phone in a bit so I can chime in to the Grammy segment on KXJZ's "Insight." And then it'll be an hour or so of downtime before heading to MTV's offices in Santa Monica.

Turns out I caught the same flight as Roger Smith, Sacramento's own smooth jazz star and the keyboardist for Tower of Power. He was on his way to a gig in Solvang, the land of pinot noir seen in "Sideways," before heading to another performance in Las Vegas. At the baggage claim, a gig bag carrying a keyboard was strapped over his shoulder, and he told me about a time he went to the Grammys. It was back in the early 1970s when he was in Gladys Knight's backing band, and got to sit toward the front of the stage as part of the R&B queen's entourage. He said it was just a good 'ol time. Then Roger was off to get a rental car, and I got the taxi which brought me here to Hollywood. So hold the fort down in SacTown, and I'll TTYL.

Posted by cmacias at 1:50 PM | Comments |

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February 7, 2007

Leaving on a jet plane

I'm on my way to Los Angeles, a.k.a. "LaLa Land" and the home of the 49th annual Grammy Awards. It's looking to be quite the action-packed adventure. On the itinerary thus far (though who knows how this will all shape up in the end): a trip to MTV's office in Santa Monica, a party at the Viper Room, a party at the Avalon thrown by Rolling Stone magazine (with guest host Justin Timberlake), an all-star jam Saturday night featuring the Roots, an AOL Live! concert with Fall Out Boy at the Roxy, and a songwriters' panel featuring John Legend, Cee-Loo and others. Oh yeah, and there's the Grammy awards themselves, which go down Sunday at the Staples Center. So keep checking this space for updates on the latest Grammy goings-on and other dish from L.A.

One more note: tune into KXJZ (FM 90.9) today at 2 p.m. I'll be talking Grammys on "Insight" with host Jeffrey Callison and "Bongo" Bob Smith, a local music producer who is one of 15,000 or so Grammy voters. But now it's time to finish packing and make sure the iPod is charged. So long Sacramento, and I'll be catching up soon from SoCal. As the 1991 rap solo Grammy nominee once said, "Word to your mutha." (That would be Vanilla Ice).

Posted by cmacias at 9:50 PM | Comments |

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We're getting the band back together!

See those guys hiding in the bushes? That’s the late-great Sacramento band called Kai Kln. Well, you can actually take the “late” part out of that descriptor because Kai Kln is reuniting for some shows. For many local music fans, this is the equivalent of The Police getting back together. Kai Kln were the first local band to sell-out the Crest Theatre and were set to be the “next big thing” to come out of Sacramento before they broke up in 1993. They reunited a few times over the years, but it never stuck like those salad days of a decade ago.

So here’s the deal: Kai Kln is playing at Harlow’s on 4/20 (a numerical significance that, ahem, won’t go unnoticed by some Kai Kln fans). Ticket information will be coming soon, so stay tuned.

Speaking of Kai Kln, I came across their “Rhythm of Strange” CD a couple months back and was struck by how well their music has stood up over the years. Think of Nazareth or some other 1970s’ buttrock group crossed with a jam band (but minus the Hackey Sack and Rain Stick). Kai Kln could certainly stretch with dual guitar solos, but it rarely felt too noodly (well, at least for those of us who were cool by old Molly Hatchet albums). And Gene Smith really had a great voice, like he was singing for early Bad Company in a different lifetime. So bring on the reunion …

Posted by cmacias at 1:24 PM | Comments |

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February 6, 2007

Wylde Child

As reported in today’s Coming Distractions, Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne fame has a solo gig tonight at the Hard Rock Café (645 Downtown Plaza). But hold that “Crazy Train” riff: the show has been pushed to 6:30 p.m. instead of the original 8 p.m. start time. Word has it that the show was almost scrapped altogether, due to a family emergency in the band. But Wylde and his solo band are still good to go for this acoustic show. The show is all ages and costs a whopping $0.00 – that’s free to you and me. Jimi Tenderstix chicken nuggets is not included.

Posted by cmacias at 11:58 AM | Comments |

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February 5, 2007

U Got the (Wet) Look

The rain wasn’t purple, but there was plenty of the wet stuff during Prince’s Super Bowl performance. But did anyone else think the almighty Purple One was just OK during that halftime spot? Sure, the rain was hammering down on that stage shaped like Prince’s symbol (the one that looks like this: O(+> ), and Prince probably didn’t want to take a spill in those 8” boot heels of his. Well hey, at least he didn’t try and go the diva route and duck out of the whole performance because he didn’t want to get his ‘do wet. The set was interesting enough, starting with “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Baby I’m a Star” from “Purple Rain” before going into a few covers. Including “Proud Mary” and the Foo Fighters’ “Best of You.” Who knew that Prince was such a fan of Dave Grohl and co.? And it all ended with a wham-bang ending of “Purple Rain” and surely a trip to the dry cleaners for Prince.

Posted by cmacias at 11:29 AM | Comments |

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February 1, 2007

Super Bowl!

Hey armchair jock, are you ready for some football? Ready to pass the chili cheese fries and go long for a sixer of Budweiser? Yup, the Super Bowl is on deck this Sunday with da' Bears of Chicago vs. the Indianapolis Colts. (BeatNonStop is a Raiders fan and could care less about this game, but it'll be, oh, likely 2047 or so before Oakland makes it back to the Super Bowl).

Prince is slated to perform at halftime, and my guess is that the Purple One will play a newer track (maybe "3121"?) and a medley of his Reagan-era hits concluding with a shower of purple confetti during "Let's Go Crazy." His physique might be closer to one of the cheerleaders than a linebacker, but you know Prince will rock that place (and probably win a few loving glances from said cheerleaders).

So in the spirit of the Super Bowl, here's the video for the "Super Bowl Shuffle," featuring da' Bears circa 1985. Hut - hut - hike!

Posted by cmacias at 5:06 PM | Comments |

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Let the wagering begin

The Grammys are coming on Feb. 11 and the guessing games are underway. My own set of predictions are coming in Sunday's Ticket+ section, and VH1 just released the results of its 5th annual Grammy poll. I don't know if the respondents included John "King of Da Burbz" Brown from "The (White) Rapper Show" or Bubblez from "The Flavor of Love," but VH1 says that they sampled 484 men and women between the ages of 18-49 for the poll. So take these results with a Meatloaf-sized grain of salt, because this demographic is about half the age of the typical Grammy voter. Just kidding - well sort of ... Now that the data is qualified, here are the results of VH1's poll:

Album of the year

1. “FutureSex/LoveSounds” – Justin Timberlake (34%)
2. “Stadium Arcadium” – Red Hot Chili Peppers (27%)
3. “Continuum” – John Mayer (14%)
4. “Taking The Long Way” – Dixie Chicks (10%)
5. “St. Elsewhere” – Gnarls Barkley (5%)

Record of the year

1. “Be Without You” – Mary J. Blige (31%)
2. “You’re Beautiful” – James Blunt (22%)
3. “Crazy” – Gnarls Barkley (16%)
4. “Not Ready To Make Nice” – Dixie Chicks (15%)
5. “Put Your Records On” – Corinne Bailey Rae (4%)

Song of the year

1. “Jesus, Take The Wheel” – Carrie Underwood (35%)
2. “Be Without You” – Mary J. Blige (23%)
2. “You’re Beautiful” – James Blunt (23%)
4. “Not Ready To Make Nice” – Dixie Chicks (8%)
5. “Put Your Records On“ – Corinne Bailey Rae (3%)

New artist

1. Carrie Underwood (51%)
2. Chris Brown (20%)
3. James Blunt (16%)
4. Corinne Bailey Rae (5%)
5. Imogen Heap (1%)

Posted by cmacias at 11:06 AM | Comments |

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