by
Metro Staff on August 7, 2019
One of the oddest and most transgressive bands America ever produced came out of the South. Go figure. This group of Athens, Georgia, weirdos broke onto the scene in 1978 with “Rock Lobster”—following it up with a bevy of big hits, including “Love Shack” and “Private Idaho.” At first blush, their debut single sounds like a dadaist mash-up of surf-rock tropes, post-punk yawps, new wave synths and doo-wop cooing. But listen closer and you’ll hear the gender-bending themes hiding beneath the beehives. In retrospect it’s clear: “boys in bikinis, girls with surfboards”is a not-so-subtle dig at the toxic machismo of late-’70s surf culture. Continue reading »
by
Matei Predescu on August 7, 2019
These hip-hop and R&B superstars first collaborated on their 1997 single “Love is All We Need,” topping the charts with wholesome verses sung by Blige in her trademark soulful tone. The duo linked up earlier this year on another single, “Thriving,” to announce their co-headlining summer “Royalty Tour.” Their vastly influential careers began in the ’90s, with legendary albums like Nas’ Illmatic and Blige’s What’s the 411? Today, the artists are still going strong. Nas’ 11th studio album, Nasir, was released in 2018, and Blige’s The Strength of Woman dropped in 2017. Continue reading »
by
Bill Kopp on August 7, 2019
With their unique synthesis of musical forms from the Americas—everything from rock & roll to cumbia to zydeco—Los Lobos are an American treasure. The East LA-based group has long been a favorite of critics. Rolling Stone ranked Los Lobos’ third album, 1984’s How Will the Wolf Survive?, at No. 30 on its list of the greatest albums of that decade. And 1992’s Kiko is perhaps even more highly regarded, earning near-unanimous critical acclaim. The group continues to earn awards and recognition. Their most recent release is 2015’s Gates of Gold. They’re joined at the Mountain Winery by Los Lonely Boys. Continue reading »
Golden Gate Park is known for some of the chilliest summer weather in California. It is also home to one of the coolest music festivals on the West Coast, Outside Lands, which returns with an eclectic lineup. Acts include Paul Simon, Childish Gambino, Kacey Musgraves, Bebe Rexha, Ella Mai, Lil Wayne, blink-182 and Flume. There will also be non-musical entertainment: Illusionists Jon Armstrong and Jade entwine their tricks with mixology at the Cocktail Magic stage, comedians Jimmy O. Yang and Dulcé Sloan yuk it up, and kitchen masters will show off their chops on the GastroMagic culinary entertainment stage—where last year, Bill Nye reverse-seared a steak with zany Canadian chef Matty Matheson. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on August 7, 2019
It’s been 75 years since Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy in June of 1944. A year later, in August 1945, Japan declared its intent to surrender. History Park commemorates the end of World War II this weekend with two days of 1940s-themed fanfare. Friday is swing night, featuring the brassy reverie and splashing percussion of San Jose big band The Swing Solution. The old-timey tunes return on Saturday, along with plenty of old-fashioned fun including a period-appropriate fashion show, car show and recreation of a WWII homecoming parade. Make sure to say hello to the members of the Greatest Generation who are in attendance. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on August 7, 2019
Eddie Griffin’s career began with a dare. The 51-year-old comic’s cousin challenged him give standup a try at the Sanford and Sons comedy club in Kansas City. What started as a lark morphed into a 45-minute improv set, and Griffin’s been hooked on the art of cracking wise ever since. The Missouri-raised Griffin is known for Malcolm & Eddie, Scary Movie 3 and recently as the pastor who married Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born. At a show in 2017, he expressed vexation at white people’s love of adventure tourism and creepy crawly creatures. “Don’t fuck with nothin’ that got more legs than us!” Continue reading »
by
Metro Staff on August 7, 2019
When it comes to musical biopics, few films loom larger than Amadeus. The 1984 Academy Award-winning film made a rock star of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—one of the most talented composers of the Classical period (between the Baroque and Romantic periods). Painting Mozart as an eccentric and irreverent genius, the film weaves together elements of palace intrigue, jealousy and revenge into a fictionalized history of the Austrian musician. In partnership with Cinequest, Opera San Jose celebrates the 35th anniversary of the film with this screening in their downtown venue, the California Theatre. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on August 7, 2019
The Montalvo Arts Center invites the community to take in the majesty of the heavens at this annual gathering. Among the planned events: a night hike and primetime stargazing, plus a screening of family-friendly sci-fi film Earth to Echo, about four kids discovering an extraterrestrial. Simon Steel of the SETI Institute will talk exoplanets and ETs, and the San Jose Astronomical Association provides a collection of telescopes. The moon and Jupiter approach each other around 8:30pm, and tent-pitchers can catch a glimpse of Mercury before sunrise (visitors may head home at 10pm or reserve a spot to camp overnight). Continue reading »
by
Matei Predescu on August 7, 2019
Every second Thursday of the month, the Caravan Lounge hosts one of San Jose’s best known open-mic sessions. The Cypher features rappers and turntablists in a freestyle session, followed by showcases of underground artists. This week, Guatemalan rapper Kontra Marin, signed to Barba Roja Records, is headlining alongside San Jose rap crew Six of Seven. Kontra Marin’s Spanish rhymes blend reflective and socially conscious themes, much like Six of Seven, whose 2018 single “Maybe Tomorrow” samples N.W.A’s classic protest banger, “Fuck Tha Police” underneath establishment-critiquing lyrics. Continue reading »
I just work out here, I don’t own the joint. Still, you show up, peep out the spots for a week, and decide to start jumping in the station I’ve taken for years. Nice. Your smell … it’s as if Gilroy’s finest crop of garlic rotted in the field for a month. You’re so potent you clear an area 10 feet around you. I can taste your stink when I venture too close. It makes me gag. Your obtuseness stuns me. You look like an executive of some sort. Why do you shower before you go to work and yet attack us at the gym with your stink? Wake up and smell the roses, fella.
I Saw You is an anonymous “man on the street” column. Email your rants and raves about co-workers or any badly behaving citizens to [email protected], or send to 380 S. First St, San Jose, 95113. Submissions should stick to about 100 words.
