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

« December 2007 | | February 2008 »

---

January 30, 2008

More Grammy news

Another batch of Grammy performers have been announced, so here's who can look forward to (or not) on the Feb. 10 telecast: Alicia Keys, Feist, Brad Paisely and the casts of "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" and "Across the Universe." But will Amy Winehouse and her beehive make it to the piano on Grammy night for a comeback performance? The suspense builds ...

In sort of related news, album of the year contender Kanye West is going to tour this year. The outing is dubbed the "Glow in the Dark" tour, and it's an urban music blowout that'll feature Kanye with Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D. Dates are still being put together and other logistics are being worked out. For example, will Kanye's ego require its own dressing room? I kid! We love Mr. Gold Digger around here and he's one of few hip-hop acts that really seems to put thought into a live show. Stay tuned for more details. Word.

Posted by cmacias at 2:06 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 29, 2008

Start hydrating now

Looks like the Warped Tour is coming to the Sacramento area on Aug. 16, so you know what that means: start stocking up on Gatorade (and perhaps some guyliner). This all-day extravaganza of music and extreme sports always seems to land in these parts during the hottest time of year. You want your emo and pop-punk with a side of sunburn? Well, just head to the Warped Tour.

A venue is TBA, but you can bet your SPF 50 that the Warped Tour will once again touch down at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Hang tight for more details, but here's a partial list of bands that'll rock your world - and baked epidermis - on Aug. 16:

Gym Class Heroes, Reel Big Fish, Every Time I Die, Relient K, The Bronx, The Devil Wears Prada, The Academy Is ... and Shwayze.

In other touring news, R.E.M. announced a new list of shows but Sacramento isn't on the current itinerary. What's up with that? (And we're not talking about the frequency, Kenneth). The only Northern California date is slated for the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on May 31. But here's hoping that Michael Stipe and company have a change of heart. I mean, how long does it have to take before R.E.M. comes back to the 916?

Posted by cmacias at 1:14 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 28, 2008

Isa-bummer!

Aw heck, I just got a call with the news that Jason Isbell's show got cancelled. This superb singer-songwriter was due to play tonight at Harlow's, but here's what happened: Isbell and his 400 Unit band were playing in the Bay Area over the weekend, and all their gear was stolen. Curses, you thieves!

So you know the drill: refunds are available at the point of purchase.

The show's promoter is hoping to reschedule a date with Isbell for later this year. In the meantime I hope you check out Isbell's album, "Sirens of the Ditch," and his work with the Drive-By Truckers. I was floored by Isbell's work the first time I heard "Outfit," and will hype him to anyone who listens. So I'll just have to give "Dress Blues" a spin on the iPod and think what could've been at Harlow's tonight.

Posted by cmacias at 2:24 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 25, 2008

Road trippin'

According to the band's lore, San Kazakgascar is a mythical nation/state in a post-World War III world. But as a band, San Kazakgascar features former members of Carquinez Straits and features a trippy indie-rock sound with Eastern influences. And how about some clarinet, to boot? San Kazakgascar has that as well, and you can hear it on "Dallas Via Damascus," which doubles as this week's "Sunday Single."

SAN KAZAKGASCAR
Song: "Dallas Via Damascus"
Style: Swirling, psychedelic indie-rock with Eastern tonalities
Members: Jed Brewer (vocals/guitar), Paul Takushi (percussion), Greg Hain (bass), Mike Woo (clarinet)
Influences: Savage Republic, central and south Asian music, KDVS radio (FM 90.3).
Behind the song: "The title makes it sound topical/current, but it's actually about road tripping through the southwest," says Brewer. "It started out as an instrumental, but became pretty poppy when a chorus fell out of the sky."

Click on the button below to hear "Dallas Via Damascus":

On the Web: www.myspace.com/sankazakgascar

Posted by cmacias at 3:13 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 24, 2008

Nate Barrell R.I.P.

This post comes with a heavy heart because I just found out that Nate Barrell passed away this morning. Nate was 32 years old and fought Stage 4 colon cancer for about two years, and I wrote about his journey last summer in a story called "Spirit of a Fighter." The story was a brief departure from my music beat, though Nate and I spent a lot of time just talking about music and trading YouTube videos. Back in the early 1990s you could find him cruising on Broadway, probably with some N2Deep or Kid Frost bumping on the stereo. And how much he loved to go clubbing. I caught up with Nate and his crew at Avalon on Memorial Day and Nate was a dancing machine. Never mind that he'd been going through chemotherapy for the better part of 18 months. That night, Nate was clubbing like a VIP and lipping along to some of his favorite new songs ("Snap Yo Fingers," "Party Like a Rock Star"). It was this kind of spirit and joy for life that first made me interested in Nate's story. Nate was just a very cool guy with a kind heart, a dude who loved to grill carne asada for his friends on the weekends and build memories with his young daughter. I feel privileged that I got to know him. So I hope Nate's at peace now, cruising on a cloud in a '64 Impala with Proper Dos playing on the sound system. Dude, you're really going to be missed ...

Posted by cmacias at 12:11 PM | Comments |

---

Grammys are a go

By now you've probably heard that all systems are go for the Feb. 10 Grammy Awards telecast. Those striking Hollywood writers have decided not to picket the show, so Beyonce and others will be spared of hearing screams of "scab! scab!" as they crossed the red carpet.

The Grammy folks are surely thinking "whew!" after sweating this out over the past weeks. And now the first round of performers have been announced, and they include (drumroll, please): Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Foo Fighters, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna sitting in with The Time. So is Rihanna actually going to sing "Jungle Love" with Morris Day and company? We'll have to tune in for that one.

Posted by cmacias at 11:25 AM | Comments |

---

---

January 22, 2008

Tuesday tidbits

- Start loading up on suntan lotion: the lineup for Coachella 2008 is now set, and it'll go down from April 25 - 27 at the Empire Polo in Indio, Ca. Coachella is basically the concert equivalent of doing bikram yoga. This music festival is something of an endurance test, you'll sweat and sweat out there near Palm Desert, but the benefits are many. Coachella features a veritable who's-who of cutting edge bands and musicians, though this year's line-up boasts a few too many return acts and a headlining set on April 25 by Jack Johnson is kind of a snoozer. But judge for yourself. Here's a list of what's on tap for Coachella this year:

FRIDAY, APRIL 25: Jack Johnson, The Verve, Raconteurs, The Breeders, Fatboy Slim, Tegan and Sara, Madness, The Swell Season, The National, Animal Collective, Slightly Stoopid, Mum, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Stars, Battles, Aesop Rock, Midnight Juggernauts, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Minus the Bear, Spank Rock, Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Diplo, Adam Freeland, Santo Gold, Jens Lekman, John Butler Trio, Vampire Weekend, Dan Deacon, Architecture in Helsinki, Sandra Collins, Busy P, Cut Copy, Black Lips, Datarock, Professor Murder, Reverend and the Makers, The Bees, Porter, Rogue Wave, Modeselektor, American Bang, Lucky I Am.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Portishead, Kraftwerk, Death Cab for Cutie, Cafe Tacuba, Sasha & Digweed, Rilo Kiley, Dwight Yoakam, M.I.A., Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, DeVotchKa, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Turbonegro, Scars on Broadway, Islands, Enter Shikari, Calvin Harris, Boyz Noize, Junkie XL, Cinematic Orchestra, Jamie T, The Teenagers, VHS or Beta, Carbon/Silicon, Erol Alkan, Yo Majesty!, Little Brother, Bonde Do Role, St. Vincent, Akron Family, MGMT, Institubes DJs (Surkin, Para One and Orgasmic), James Zabiela, Sebastian, Kavinsky, Dredg, The Bird and the Bee, Grand Ole Party, New Young Pony Club, 120 Days, Yoav, Electric Touch, Uffie.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27: Roger Waters (performing "Dark Side of the Moon"), Love & Rockets, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, The Streets, Metric, Danny Tenaglia, Simian Mobile Disco, Booka Shade, Murs, Dmitri from Paris, Autolux, The Field, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Les Savy Fav, The Cool Kids, Sons & Daughters, Sia, Holy Fuck, Black Kids, Black Mountain, The Annuals, Kid Sister w/A-Trak, Man Man, Duffy, I'm from Barcelona, Manchester Orchestra, Deadmau5, The Horrors, Austin TV, Shout Out Louds, Plastiscines, Brett Dennen.

So what's your take on this line-up? Leave a comment, ya hear?

In other news ... if you can't or don't want to trek to Coachella, looks like Tegan and Sara are going to perform on April 21 at UC Davis' Freeborn Hall. We'll keep you posted.

BTW, if you just can't wait to catch the "U2 3D" concert film at Imax, there's a midnight screening of the movie tonight. Lucky you! My review of the movie will run in Wednesday's Scene section so check that out - sans 3-D glasses, of course.

Posted by cmacias at 11:31 AM | Comments |

---

---

January 19, 2008

Do the "Right'n" thing

"Sunday Single" gets down this week with a rap track from the Fairfield/Vacaville area. But unlike most of the hip-hop coming out of the 707 area code, the rapper known as ADR doesn't bother with that revved-up "hyphy" sound that’s native to Northern California. ADR's song "Right'n" is a cool breeze of a track with singing, rapping and plenty of bump in the background.

ADR (a.k.a. Adrian Montgomery)
Song: "Right'n"
Style: Hip-hop with soulful singing and enlightening vibes
Influences: "Everything from Sade to Tupac, Nirvana, Bob Marley - all that stuff," says ADR.
Behind the song: "When I first met the singer, Jennifer, we kind of connected with things happening in the world," says ADR. "The song is about writing with a pen, but there's a double meaning as in 'making things right.' I wrote a little verse, and she came up with her own verse and hook, and we got good feedback on it.
"We just want to make people have a good time and not be all about money and degrading women. You don’t have to act the fool to have a good time."

Click on the button below to hear "Right'n":

On the Web: www.myspace.com/five45

Posted by cmacias at 4:27 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 17, 2008

"I am your broooother!"

Hoo boy, that was some finale on "American Idol" last night. Season 7 found its William Hung quicker than you can say, "She bangs, she bangs." But this guy is named Renaldo LaPuz and dresses like a pimp plucked from heaven. Anyone else YouTube his stentorian performance of "I Am Your Brother" as a morning pick-me-up? Yep, guilty as charged. But here's the thing: "American Idol" listed his age as 44, but doesn't the show have an age restriction of 28 to be the next Kelly Clarkson? I'm just sayin' ... looks like "American Idol" isn't above throwing in some ringers to make the show, er, more interesting. And the show could definitely use a bump. Ratings for Wednesday night's show were down 19% compared to last season's second episode.

Now on the Grammy front ... it's looking like the Grammy Awards telecast on Feb. 10 won't be sunk by the Hollywood writers' strike. Depending on your view of the Grammys, this is either good news or bad news. The buzz is also that the newly blond Amy Winehouse will make it to the show despite some legal tangles in getting a U.S. visa. Either way, the show will surely lack star power since some A-list musicians are also members of the Screen Actors Guild (Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys for starters). With little in the way of scripts or monologues at the show, the Grammys will likely be much heavier on performances. That is, less talkin', more rockin' - and that's not such a bad thing.

Posted by cmacias at 12:00 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 16, 2008

Idols, Rascals and Wiggles - oh my!

So did you all stick it out through last night's kickoff of "American Idol" Season 7? There's been a lot of pre-show chatter about how this latest "American Idol" would feel different than years' past, but didn't it seem like the same ol' same ol'? Red Coke cups - check. Trainwreck performances - check. Simon's snark - double check. But will someone tell Christina Tolisano to give back my "Star Wars" belt? Geez ... Anyway, Leigh Grogan at 21Q has the blow-by-blow from last night's "American Idol" so check that out. But in the meantime, let's hear it for Chris Watson. The dude really came through on Uncle Kracker's "Follow Me" and has the looks and vocal flexibility that those wacky "Idol" judges crave.

(cue "whoa oh-oh oaaah" and fade to a Ford commercial)

Moving on ... just found out that Rascal Flatts is coming to Arco Arena on April 10. And speaking of the home of the Kings, looks like the Wiggles are coming to Arco on March 27. Parents, be scared - very scared ... ticket information on both these shows will be coming soon, so hang tight.

Posted by cmacias at 11:03 AM | Comments |

---

---

January 14, 2008

Monday in 3-D

Just got back a bit ago from the IMAX, where BeatNonStop caught a screening of "U2 3D." I'll save my thoughts for a review that'll run on Jan. 23 - the day "U2 3D" begins its run - but let's just say that if you dig the idea of Bono's mug on a screen that's nearly six stories tall (and in 3-D!), then this flick is just for you. Don't know about you, but 3-D movies always remind me of the "Monster Chiller Horror Theater" skit on SCTV. As Count Floyd might say, "Vow, Bono sure vooks scary all up in my grill!"

Back in the dimension of daily life, did you hear that the Grammys could be the next awards' show to be a casualty of the Hollywood Writers' strike? But what about this year's installment of "My Grammy Moment?" Some things in life are just so unfair.

In other news, a number of entertainers - mostly in the R&B and hip-hop vein - were named in connection with a steroid investigation in Albany, N.Y. Ever wonder why 50 Cent always looked so yoked out? If the allegations turn out to be true, now you'll know why.

Posted by cmacias at 3:25 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 11, 2008

The adventures of the Piano Man

Finish up those Graham Crackers and let's get in a circle. Now use those 'inside voices' and give a big welcome to the Piano Man (a.k.a. Tim Williams). "Sunday Single" is featuring "The Adventures of Flat Stanley," a kids' song penned by the Piano Man himself. And while the Piano Man is always happy to play Elvis Costello and Los Lobos songs in a cover band called the Neighborhood, he's stoked to sing for preschoolers and put smiles on their tiny faces. You can read more about the Piano Man and "The Adventures of Flat Stanley" in Sunday's Ticket+ section. Here's a preview:

PIANO MAN (a.k.a. Tim Williams)
Song: "The Adventures of Flat Stanley"
Style: Chirpy childrens' music, but not that Barney stuff
Influences: The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, "Sesame Street," "Jellyman Kelly" by James Taylor
Behind the song: "I did the song on my own - it wasn't in conjunction with anything," says Williams. "I'd received a Flat Stanley in the mail a couple of times and my daughter had, too. I thought about it and wrote the song. When I was done, I put it on my latest CD. I contacted the main guy behind the Flat Stanley Project, and he said they'd been looking for a theme song for years."

Click on the button below to hear "The Adventures of Flat Stanley":

On the Web: www.pianoman4kids.com

Posted by cmacias at 4:32 PM | Comments |

---

The ghost of Greene

So we told you earlier about a Jackie Greene CD release show coming to Empire on March 29. Well here's some scoop on that new album: it's called "Giving Up the Ghost" and will be released on April 1 through 429 Records. This is a boutique record label out of Santa Monica that specializes in adult contemporary and indie-rock music. Joan Armatrading and Steve Forbert are a couple of Greene's label-mates on 429.

Greene continues his partnership with Los Lobos' Steve Berlin, who produced "Giving the Ghost" and 2005's "American Myth," which was Greene's major-label debut for Verve Records. Greene spent a chunk of 2007 playing with Phil Lesh & Friends, and the Grateful Dead bassist with his fellow "Friends" also cameo on "Giving Up the Ghost." David Hidalgo of Los Lobos and Pete Thomas of Elvis Costello's band also collaborate with Greene on the new record.

Greene was supposed to play one of these new songs, "Ball and Chain," on a recent taping of "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" but the Hollywood writers' strike put the kibosh on that performance. Maybe all will get settled there in Tinseltown and Greene will get a raincheck on that appearance around the time "Giving Up the Ghost" gets released. Stay tuned ...

Posted by cmacias at 10:56 AM | Comments |

---

---

January 9, 2008

It's show time

Just found out about a few new shows and wanted to spread the word:

- Dub Trio is coming to Harlow's on Feb. 17. Anyone familiar with Mike Patton's Peeping Tom know that Dub Trio was a key part of that project. But Dub Trio's mix of electronics, rock and dub reggae will also resonate with those who like their grooves a little left of center. Tickets are $12 and go on sale Saturday.

- We can't call Jackie Greene a local musician anymore, now that the dude's living in San Francisco. But given the amount of times he still plays here, and the amound of adoration for Greene in this area, we still consider him our homeboy. Well it looks like Greene's got a new album coming out, and will celebrate that on March 29 at Empire. Bonus: Chris Webster will be opening the show. No word yet on ticket prices, but those bad boys will go on sale Jan. 19 at The Beat and R5 Records.

- Speaking of quasi-local musicians, Stephen Malkmus co-founded the great indie-rock band Pavement back when they all lived in Stockton. Pavement is gone, and so are Malkmus' ties to the area, but he'll be playing in Sacramento on April 28. Venue and ticket information coming soon - but don't let that stop you from growing your indie beard now.

Posted by cmacias at 3:37 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 7, 2008

2007 music sales (i.e. it's Josh Groban's world, we're just living in it)

Ahhhhh, what's that falling sound? Another tree becoming victim to these storms? Nope, that plunging is the sound of album sales in 2007. The 2007 Year End Music Report is out from Nielsen SoundScan, and total album sales dropped 15% over those in 2006. Most genres also saw big sales drops in 2007: Rap albums were down 30%, alternative was off 19.2 % and country fell 16.3%. Somewhere, a music industry exec. is wringing their hands.

These Nielsen figures point to an ever-increasing world for digital music. Digital album sales were up 53% from 2006 and digital track sales saw a 45% increase. Even with that boost, keep in mind that digital album sales represent just 10% of total albums sold in the marketplace.

Josh Groban crooned his way to the top of 2007, boasting the top-selling album ("Noel," 3.7 million copies sold) and was the biggest-selling artist of the year with more than 4.8 million albums sold. And Soulja Boy had the No. 1 digital song of the year with "Crank That," while Fergie was the top selling digital artist with more than 7.5 million digital tracks sold. Now that's Fergalicious ...

Here's a couple year-end charts in full:

Top selling albums of 2007

1. "Noel," Josh Groban (3,699,000)
2. "High School Musical 2" soundtrack (2,957,000)
3. "Long Road Out of Eden," Eagles (2,608,000)
4. "As I Am," Alicia Keys (2,543,000)
5. "Daughtry," Daughtry (2,497,000)
6. "Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley" soundtrack (2,489,000)
7. "Minutes To Midnight," Linkin Park
8. "Dutchess," Fergie (2,064,000)
9. "Taylor Swift," Taylor Swift (1,951,000)
10. "Graduation," Kanye West (1,892,000)

Top selling artists of 2007 (based on album sales)

1. Josh Groban (4,835,000)
2. Hannah Montana (3,854,000)
3. Eagles (3,583,000)
4. Carrie Underwood (3,231,000)
5. Rascal Flatts (3,129,000)
6. Alicia Keys (2,699,000)
7. Linkin Park (2,624,000)
8. Michael Buble (2,530,000)
9. Daughtry (2,506,000)
10. Tim McGraw (2,369,000)

Anyone else scared by the dominance of Josh Groban and Hannah Montana in 2007? Leave a comment!

Posted by cmacias at 12:58 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 4, 2008

You've got a friend

This week's "Sunday Single" is a no frills kind of number. The song is called "For a Friend" by 18-year-old Tami Adele and was recorded in the front room of her parents house in Carmichael. But Adele's talent shines through, with a sweeping voice and hearty guitar strumming. Adele's currently studying music at the University of Nevada, Reno, but don't be surprised if she lines up a gig or two soon in the Sacramento area.

TAMI ADELE
Song: "For a Friend"
Style: Acoustic pop
Influences: "I first wanted to play guitar because of Michelle Branch," says Adele. "She was a cool chick who played guitar and was kind of poppy. My early writing was inspired by her, but lately I'm trying to be more insightful. So I'm trying to write songs that are more poetic with the lyrics, like Death Cab For Cutie and Goo Goo Dolls."
Behind the song: "It started as kind of joke," says Adele. "A friend said, 'You should write me a song.' He was going off to college, but it turned out to be more of song about myself. Some people can just think about something or overcome something and it's easy. I tend to dwell on things, so sometimes I just don't understand how people can get over stuff so easily."

Click on the button below to hear "For a Friend":

On the Web: www.myspace.com/tamiadele

Posted by cmacias at 11:57 AM | Comments |

---

---

January 3, 2008

Your Grammy moment?

The 50th Annual Grammy Awards are just about a month away, and here's the latest news from the camp of "music's biggest night": the telecast is going to feature the sophomore edition of "My Grammy Moment." Don't know what I'm talking about? Gee, we all forget so soon, but here's a refresher. "My Grammy Moment" is the show's star-making contest, kind of like "American Idol" but without the huge ratings, and last year's winner got to perform live on the telecast with Justin Timberlake. Score!

This time around the "My Grammy Moment" winner gets to perform live with the Foo Fighters. But here's the catch, dudes and dudettes: they're not looking for instrumentalists who play guitar, bass and drums. Dave Grohl and co. have got that covered. So if you’re a violinist, cellist, harpsichord virtuoso or what not, you can submit a 60 second performance video on "My Grammy Moment's" YouTube page. The audition music is based on "The Pretender," and the leadsheet can be downloaded from the aforementioned YouTube page. And then everyone in the Internet peanut gallery will vote for their favorite band geek - I mean performer. (Just kidding! I was the biggest band geek you’d ever know). The semi-finalists will perform in the Foo Fighters' backing orchestra, and one lucky musician will be selected as a "featured instrumentalist" and get bragging rights at music camp from here on out.

So hurry up and get those fingers warmed up. Audition videos are due by Jan. 20, and then we can all see how this shapes up during the Grammy telecast on Feb. 10.

Posted by cmacias at 12:05 PM | Comments |

---

---

January 2, 2008

Jonas 4 Ever

To paraphrase U2, all is quiet on (the day after) New Year's Day. Has everyone recovered out there from ringing in 2008? Anyone end up wearing a lamp shade, or did you keep it parked on the couch and watch the ball drop on TV?

The revelry is still going for Jonas Brothers fans out there. The pre-teen musical sensations are stopping in Sacramento today, first to perform three songs and sign autographs at the Verizon Wireless Communications Store in Natomas (3635 North Freeway Boulevard, Suite 100). The pandemonium starts at 3 p.m. but we suggest getting out there early- like so early that you should already be there. And then the Jonas Brothers will take a break, and perhaps huddle with their math tutors or something, and perform at the Crest Theatre tonight. But if you don't have a ticket, that's the breaks. This show is way sold out, but a little birdie tells us that the Jonas Brothers will be back around these parts in the spring. Yay!

Posted by cmacias at 10:33 AM | Comments |

---