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

« February 2008 | | April 2008 »

---

March 31, 2008

Weekend recap: highs and lows

So it's back to the grind after a weekend of music that had its ups and downs. Allow me to explain ... Friday night was all about the Trouble Makers' 15th anniversary show at Old Ironsides. Got to the club and saw the last few songs from locals the Pizzas - that reference to Totinos was funnier than any commercial with the Round Table knight - and the Pizzas' drummer was rocking so good that she about reduced her sticks to "Crazy Bread." Up next was the Rippers, a garage-rock band from Sardinia that more than lived up to its name. Every song was about a zillion beats-per-minute and they slayed in a vintage-punk sort of way. The Trouble Makers capped the night with its own garage-rock onslaught and the band actually sounded (gasp!) sort of tight at times. This from a group where trainwrecks and bum notes are all part of the fun. And the set was capped with a furious version of "Jack the Ripper," with frontman Tim Foster stealing part of Brian Machado's drum kit mid-song and setting it on a bar stool. Good times!

Wasn't able to make it out on Saturday night - and please leave a comment if you went to the Jackie Greene CD release show or that New Jack Swing concert at the Memorial. But I did go to Tropicana on Sunday night to see Beto Cuevas, the former singer of rock/pop en Espanol favorites La Ley. Here's the part that wasn't so fun. The doors opened at 7 p.m. with the show purported to start at 9:30 p.m. So 9:30 rolls around ... and then 10 p.m. ... and then 10:30 and 10:45, but with no Cuevas in sight. Keep in mind that the concert didn't have an opening act, unless you count the DJ who played cumbia, reggaeton and rock en Espanol for a crowd growing increasingly impatient.

Cuevas and his band finally hit the stage at 11 p.m. (i.e. 90 minutes late), and by that time the show was ruined for some. A couple friends of mine got to Tropicana around 8 p.m. and were not happy at all to wait 3 hours for the show to start, especially on a "school night." They left 30 minutes into Cuevas' set, bummed that they'd spent $38 each on tickets and knowing they'd feel groggy for work come Monday morning. Now I've always cut artists some slack about starting a show on time. Running a half-hour late is no biggie, an hour late really starts pushing it, and anything after that just makes it seem like the artist doesn't care about his audience. Or that the promoters don't care about truth in advertising. Whatever the case, I also bolted early from the Cuevas show and really wished I'd made it out on Saturday instead.

Posted by cmacias at 1:39 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 30, 2008

Shadows Fall

"Sunday Single" turns its dial once again toward the pop-rock side of things with the band Rezonance. The band, which hails mostly by way of Elk Grove, boasts an undercurrent of crunchy guitar. But that's all smoothed out with some soul influences and an emphasis on melody. Here's a little more about the band, and you can hear its song "Shadows Fall" below.

REZONANCE
Song: "Shadows Fall"
Style: Radio-friendly alternative rock with a soulful touch.
Members: Jamaar Wallace (vocals/guitar), Justin Labrado (guitar), Lorenzo McNeal (bass), Jay Snider (drums)
Influences: Incubus, Foo Fighters, Maroon 5
Behind the song: "I like to describe our singer, Jamaar, as a storyteller," says Snider. "Most of his songs dabble with the trials and tribulations of relationships, and that's what this one is about. Overall, we're going for an alternative rock sound, and mixed (with) a little soul and some R&B."

Here's the player to hear "Shadows Fall":

On the Web: www.myspace.com/rezonance

Posted by cmacias at 12:17 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 28, 2008

Ack!

So there was a boo-boo in my Ticket cover story on the local band Middle Class Rut. Two dates were listed for Middle Class Rut's upcoming show, and the band is in fact performing on Sunday night at the Press Club. We repeat: Middle Class Rut performs on Sunday night at the Press Club. Sorry about the confusion - and thanks to those of you who called or e-mailed to point this out - but hopefully we're all straight now.

Here's a link to the story. Happy reading, and TGIF ....

Posted by cmacias at 10:57 AM | Comments |

---

---

March 27, 2008

Una mas for the weekend

Yesterday's post was about the grab-bag of shows going down this weekend, and here's one more to add in the mix:

Beto Cuevas: This Chilean singer was the frontman for La Ley, one of the most popular bands on the pop en Espanol scene. Many lagrimas- tears, that is - were shed when the band broke up in 2005. But Cuevas is continuing with a solo career and tour that features many of his greatest hits with La Ley. Cuevas will perform on Sunday night at Tropicana (1696 Arden Way), and local fans of musica Latina are very much looking forward to this show. The music starts at 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $35. For more information: (916) 646-6406 or (916) 649-8497 (TicketMaster).

Posted by cmacias at 2:53 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 26, 2008

Working for the weekend

Everybody's working for the weekend
Everybody wants a little romance
Everybody's goin' off the deep end
Everybody needs a second chance, ohhhh

Yes, it's Wednesday and Loverboy's "Working for the Weekend" is blazing like a Camaro through my head. I'll hold off on the Mike Reno-styled headband, though ... Anyway, this upcoming weekend is popping with shows and normally I'd be rounding these up in my PopLife column in Friday's Ticket section. But this Friday I've penned a Ticket cover story on MC Rut, a pretty amazing two-piece band that could be the next big thang from Sacramento. So no PopLife this week, but here's this weekend's must-see shows to make sure we're covered:

FRIDAY

The Trouble Makers 15th Anniversary Show: Sacramento's original kings of garage-punk are back to rock the house - in a vintage sort of way - and perhaps break a few items in said house. The band in the rad Beatles boots and zebra-striped vests hasn't performed in two years, so don't miss this one. Otherwise you might have to wait until 2010 to hear such garage gems as "You Make a Better Door" and "Not Cryin' Over You."
- The show starts at 9 p.m. at Old Ironsides (10th and S streets). $6. Information: (916) 443-9751.

SATURDAY

Ladies Night Out Tour: Let's take it back to the late-1980s with these kings of New Jack Swing: Bel Biv Devoe, Tony! Toni! Tone! and Keith Sweat. Aw heck, this show is bound to be a blast with all that R&B goodness. And you know the place will go crazy when Bell Biv Devoe kicks into "Poison." Not sure if this reunited version of Tony! Toni! Tone! features former Sacramentan Raphael Saadiq, but the show is destined to be like one giant dance party.
- The show will be held at the Memorial Auditorium (15th and J streets). 7:30 p.m. $49.50 - $57.50. Information: (916) 264-5181 or (916) 766-2277 (Tickets.com).

Jackie Greene CD release show: Our local boy done good - so good actually that he moved to San Francisco - celebrates a new CD at Empire. That new album, "Giving Up the Ghost," isn't set to reach retailers until April 1. But the CD will be for sale at this show, and you Greene-heads out there who go to the show can brag that you were among the first to get a copy. Score!
- The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $25. Information: (916) 448-3300 or (916) 446-4402 (The Beat).

SUNDAY

Greyboy Allstars: And on the seventh day, they got funky. And jazzy, too. The Greyboy Allstars bring its acid-jazz grooves to Harlow's, and it's the perfect show for winding down the weekend on a danceable note.
- The show is set for Harlow's (2708 J St.) and will start at 9 p.m. $25. Information: (916) 441-4693.

Posted by cmacias at 2:42 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 24, 2008

Chris Webster sidelined

Jackie Greene's got a CD release show coming to Empire on Saturday - and you can peep my Q&A interview with him - but you may notice that the concert has a different opening act. Chris Webster was originally on board to open this show, but she's been forced to cancel her upcoming gigs because of a throat ailment called unilateral vocal fold paresis. In layman's terms, Webster is unable to sing for the next couple of months, and perhaps more. This is a pretty tough blow for one of the Sacramento area's most gorgeous voices, and for now she's being treated at the University of California, San Francisco's medical center.

"I'm optimistic," says Webster in a press release. "I have immense trust and faith that all will be okay."

Here's wishing Chris a speedy recovery ...

Posted by cmacias at 2:16 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 21, 2008

Wake up

All right, get your minds out of the gutter. STD is a local pop-punk group that named itself as an acronym of the band members' first names (Steve/Stephen, Thomas, Dalton). The group was first known as Syndrome back when it was competing in Skip's Music's "Stairway to Stardom" program, and Steve Mahoney was the group's coach. Mahoney the mentor then became the band's singer, and STD was born. The group's song "Wake Up" is this week's "Sunday Single," so check it out and rock on.

STD
Song: "Wake Up"
Style: Pop-punk with a metal edge
Members: Steve Mahoney (guitar/vocals), Dalton Simpson (guitar/vocals), Stephen Coggins (bass), Thomas McFall (drums).
Influences: Bad Religion, Rancid, Metallica, Pink Floyd, the Secretions
Behind the song: "It's basically a song about people who can't take personal responsibility for their own life and want to blame other people," says Mahoney. "All of our songs are a band effort, and this particular one came from a guitar riff that Dalton had. He had a set of chords that became the chorus. When we first started playing it we kept moving to a higher and higher tempo speed. We wound up at 200 beats per minute."
See them: April 11 at the Underground (2401 Olympus Drive, Roseville).

Here's the player to hear "Wake Up":

On the Web: www.916std.com or www.myspace.com/stdsacramento

Posted by cmacias at 3:17 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 20, 2008

Thurzzzzday

Whew, sorry about the big yawn there. Went to see the always amazing Kinky last night at Harlow's, and glad I didn't turn into a pumpkin around midnight. And then I had to get up extra early today for an 8 .m. phone interview with Roy Bittan, the pianist/keyboardist in the E Street Band. We talked for about 30 mins. and he had some cool stories that more than kept me awake. Fun fact: Roy was paid $110 per week when he joined the E Street Band back around 1975. I also didn't know that he'd played on David Bowie's "Station to Station" and "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" albums. Look for this interview with Roy to run in a Bruce Springsteen package that's running in Ticket+ on March 30. This is all in preps of the Boss and his E Street Band coming to Arco Arena on April 4.

But I'm still thinking about the Kinky show last night. This electro-rock band from Monterrey, Mexico really throws down with its live show. That's to say the band performs with huge amounts of energy, and it's sound is a cool and tremendously danceable mish-mash of rock en Espanol, funk, electronics and touches of Norteno music - accordion and all. In short, the show was a blast and was well worth any grogginess today. Now where's that second cup of coffee ...

Posted by cmacias at 12:04 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 19, 2008

Fire @ the Sol Collective

My thoughts are going out to the folks behind the Sol Collective, the arts and music space on Del Paso Blvd., which was struck by a two-alarm fire early this morning.Sol Collective was always a must-stop for me on the Second Saturday art walk, and the gallery's Dia de Los Muertos show this past October was especially good with its mix of urban art and Mexican traditions. Sol Collective also hosted some very cool music, including the "Las Mujeres de Hip Hop Cuban" show featuring some of the top lady MCs from Cuba. I also remember a great midnight set from Dusty Brown, the local electronica act, at a fashion/art/music show called "Votive: La Suerte de Guadalupe." Ah, this news about the fire is just a bummer ...

Posted by cmacias at 10:40 AM | Comments |

---

---

March 18, 2008

Talk to me

Happy day after St. Patrick's Day. Hope that green beer, and whatever else got you kissing the Blarney Stone, is flushed fully from your system today. Anyway, it's been gab-central around here. My interview with Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones is now in the books, and he was a great talker. He's doing press to promote "Shine a Light," the upcoming Rolling Stones concert movie directed by Martin Scorsese. Ron talked about some behind-the-scenes stuff that didn't make it into the film, including his own backstage interview with Scorsese, and talked about his state of mind when taking the stage with the Stones. Look for this interview to run on March 30 in Ticket+.

Speaking of rooster-haired rockers, I caught up with Jackie Greene yesterday. He was calling from Seattle, where he was recording some stuff for Amazon.com, and is getting ready to for the release of his new album, "Giving Up the Ghost." Jackie was especially chatty this time around, talking about the work that went into the new record, his ongoing stint with Phil Lesh & Friends and his current headspace as a musician. You can read all about this on Sunday in Ticket+, in preps of his CD release show on March 29 at Empire.

And here's one more: looks I'll be talking with someone from the E Street Band this week. It won't be The Boss himself, but hey, should be interesting all the same.

Posted by cmacias at 2:31 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 14, 2008

Kid tested, parent approved

"Sunday Single" had no idea that there were so many children’s musicians out there, and we've featured a number of them over the past weeks. Brian Biehle and his all-ages-appropriate songs rank as some of the best that've come this way. "Same as Me" is this week's "Sunday Single," and though the song's geared to youngsters, it's got an earnest and warm acoustic sound that'll resonate with the whole family.

BRIAN BIEHLE
Song: "Same as Me"
Style: Acoustic pop songs for kids of all ages
Influences: Paul Westerberg, Paul Simon and one that's kind of embarassing. "I've gotta be honest: About three or four years ago my oldest (child) was into the Wiggles," says Biehle. “They’re a guilty kids music pleasure of mine. I also really love They Might Be Giants and Justin Roberts and what they’re doing with children's music."
Behind the song: "I probably flushed out the music a couple of years ago, but the words are basically inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King," Biehle says. "I was working at home when most folks had the day off to celebrate his birthday. I read something or saw something online that encouraged you to do something in his honor. My daughter had always liked the music to this song, and I knew I wanted to do something kid's music-wise."
See him: 6 p.m. March 29 at Borders Books (2339 Fair Oaks Blvd.) and 2 p.m. April 13 at Fairytale Town (3901 Land Park Drive).

Click the play button below to hear "Same as Me":

On the Web: www.brianbiehle.com

Posted by cmacias at 2:44 PM | Comments |

---

Ladies and gentlemen: the Rolling Stones

Well, maybe not. Came in earlier than usual today for a scheduled phone interview with Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones. The band - well, at least the guys in the band not named Mick or Keef - are doing some press for their new concert movie, "Shine a Light." But darnit, Ron needed to reschdule at the last minute and we're working on a make-up interview.

For those of you non-Stones fans - or the ones who gave up on the band after "Tattoo You" - "Shine a Light" is directed by Martin Scorsese and will hit theaters on April 4. I was privy to an advance screening of the movie a couple weeks back, and without giving much away let's just say it's the story of a young band from East New York that nets $6 million in the Lufthansa heist at JFK airport and ultimately rats out their bosses and goes into witness protection. Oops, wrong Scorsese movie. "Shine a Light" is a concert film that captures the Rolling Stones over two nights at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. And that's all we're saying for now ...

Posted by cmacias at 10:37 AM | Comments |

---

---

March 13, 2008

Wednesday is the new Thursday

Let's hear it for mid-week shows that feel like a Friday night. Popped into the Golden Bear last night for the first installment of the Velvet Lounge, a monthly hip-hop event that's being held on the second Wednesday of each month. This jammy jam is hosted by the Velvet Wax crew, an A-list team of local DJs and scratch-a-holics that includes Rated R, Rob Fatal, Nocturnal, Mike Colossal and DJ Drew.

Got to the "Velvet Lounge" right as Rob Fatal started his set, and yow, he was killing it with some trick mixing and scratch madness. His blend of old-school David Bowie into 2 Live Crew's "Me So Horny" was super niiiice. Rob also added some slick back-up scratching for a solo set from Jeffrey Valentine of the Helper Monkeys. In all it was good times, and others getting their mid-week party on were members of Live Manikins and John "Ospis" Ochoa from Another Rap Group.

And the Wednesday night fun continues next week. Kinky, the amazing electro-rock band from Monterrey, Mexico, will be over at Harlow's. For reals, Kinky is one of the best live acts around and this show is well worth any droopy eyelids that might be had the next morning. And how's this for a bonus: Money Mark, best known for his keyboard work with the Beastie Boys, is opening the show. The music starts at 9 p.m. $17. For more information: (916) 441-4693. Groggy phone call to boss saying you'll be in late Thursday not included.

Posted by cmacias at 11:54 AM | Comments |

---

---

March 11, 2008

Heritage Festival = no go

Bad news for those looking forward to a revived Heritage Festival. The weekend-long, multi-genre music festival that kicked off in 1994 won't be happening this year. The Heritage Festival was slated for May 31 - June 1 at River Walk Park in West Sacramento, but construction on the new headquarters for the California State Teachers’ Retirement System has roads blocked near the festival's site.

It's another whammy for the Heritage Festival. The event was scaled down and moved to the Sacramento Horsemen's Club in 2006 after flooding at River Walk Park. The Heritage Festival was then silent in 2007 after problems in securing permits.

Mike Balma, the festival's director, looked for alternative sites this year, but to no luck.

"We looked at Gibson Ranch (where the festival was held in 2001 and 2002), but they had a corporate party out there that weekend," says Balma. "Our organization was ready to go this year, but we're gearing up for next year."

Posted by cmacias at 4:48 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 10, 2008

Sunday Single Showcase, take 2

The second edition of "Sunday Single Showcase" is now in the books. Let's call it "Sunday Single Showcase Pt. 2 - Electric Boogaloo." Anyway, Sal Valentino and Kevin Seconds were great last night, each sharing stories from their decades-long careers and music and some great tunes. The night was filled was some especially great harmonies, like the duet between Allyson Seconds and Sal Valentino on "You," a Phil Everly tune. Kevin Seconds, leader of the pioneering hardcore punk band 7 Seconds, also showed that he's a really fine singer-songwriter in his toned-down solo act. His new song "Backaches & Bad Dreams" is also catchy as heck. And thanks to the musicians who backed both Kevin and Sal: David Houston (guitar/bass), Allyson Seconds (vocals/keyboards) and Mark Harrod (drums). The venerable Larry Tagg laid down the bass lines for Sal's group.

And now we can plug the next "Sunday Single Showcase." It's going down at Old Ironsides on April 13, and this one will be a doozy. Ross Hammond & the Ni Project will perform its stellar mix of jazz, electronics and world music, and then Live Manikins will get down with some of Sacramentto's best hip-hop. And here's the part I'm stoked on: for a finale, Ross Hammond and his crew are going to lay down some jazzy music and beats, with Live Manikins freestyling some raps over the top. In other words, the show will be filled with a spirit of improvisation and funky beats - and both sets of artists are really looking forward to creating some chemistry. Here's the 411:

Sunday Single Showcase
With: Ross Hammond & the Ni Project, Live Manikins
When: 8:30 p.m. April 13
Where: Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St.
How much: $5
Information: (916) 443-9751

Posted by cmacias at 1:25 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 7, 2008

Seconds on Sunday

This week's "Sunday Single" offers a sneak peek of Kevin Seconds' new solo album. "Backaches & Bad Dreams" is an advance track from an album called "Rise Up Insomniacs!" which is due May 6. And for those of you used to Seconds going all hardcore punk with his band 7 Seconds, this solo song is all about his mellower side and songwriting skills. You can read more about Seconds and his new song, plus a special gig on Sunday night at Old Ironsides, in Ticket+ on Sunday.

KEVIN SECONDS

Song: "Backaches & Bad Dreams"
Style: Acoustic indie-pop
Influences: Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, Jonathan Richman
Behind the song: "It started out as being ridiculous in the sense that I had this old futon bed and slowly the mattress kept sinking and sinking," says Seconds. "I was saying that I think the way I'm sleeping is affecting my dreams. I was having the strangest dreams, and I thought, 'Hey, that would be a cool idea for a song.'
"For me, I’ll start to write about one thing and it turns into something completely different," he adds. "It's one of those things where I try not to question it too much. But it was just inspired by something kind of ridiculous."
See him: Tonight at Old Ironsides (1901 10th St.), with Sal Valentino. The show starts at 8 p.m. and costs $5.

Click on the button below to hear "Backaches & Bad Dreams":

On the Web: www.kevinseconds.com

Posted by cmacias at 1:45 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 5, 2008

When it comes to shows, anything goes

Couple of new shows to talk about, so here goes. We'll start the first one by saying, "If you see a faded sign by the side of the road that says '15 miles to the Dixon May Fair,'" then you know the B-52's are coming to the area. The group behind "Love Shack" and the most wicked beehive hairdos in pop music is performing at the Dixon May Fair on May 8. The band's got a new album coming out on March 25 called "Funplex." That's groovy and all, but what we really want to hear is "Rock Lobster," "Song for a Future Generation" and "Private Idaho." Stay tuned for ticket information and other music coming to the Dixon May Fair.

The second show is a must-see for any fans of the movie "Suburbia." And no, we're not talking about the melodramatic Eric Bogosian movie and play of the same name. The only "Suburbia" we're concerned with is the punk rock flick directed by Penelope Spheeris and co-starring Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Anyway, one of the bands featured in "Suburbia" is D.I. from Orange County, and one key scene shows D.I. performing "Richard Hung Himself" while a near-riot breaks out. Good times! Well D.I. is on the road and will perform at the Distillery on May 23. "T.R." burn not included - if you've seen the movie, you'll know what I mean. Show info. will also be coming soon. Thanks, and please pull forward to the first drive-through window.

Posted by cmacias at 3:15 PM | Comments |

---

---

March 3, 2008

Spring has sprung

Well maybe not, but it sure feels that way. Took a walk outside "The Hive" here at 21st and Q streets to get some fresh air, and well lookie here: it's Kris Anaya of An Angle walking on the sidewalk toward me. He had a cell phone pressed to his ear, but he took a second to say "what's up" and told me he's got a bunch of new songs. Kris also mentioned that he's playing on Saturday night at the Blue Lamp, and that show will also feature another one of our favorite bands around here, the Evening Episode. And then Kris continued on his merry way, and I came back upstairs to my cubicle which faces a corner wall "Blair Witch" style. Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing Kris' new songs - and getting out of the office more. :)

Posted by cmacias at 4:34 PM | Comments |

---