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Metro Staff on March 11, 2020
The San Jose-by-Oakland duo of Edgewize and DJ Platurn mark the release of their debut EP, Apatheater, with a performance at Cafe Stritch’s weekly Wax Wednesday party. Layering dusty, deep-crate grooves with dense-yet-punchy lyrics, these two Bay Area hip-hop heads warrant the comparisons to Aesop Rock, Atmosphere and MF Doom. Taking on Silicon Valley’s complicity in our country’s yawning wealth gap can feel a bit heavy-handed when presented in song form, but on tracks like “Yada Yada” and “Goaltending,” Edgewize unearths metaphors as potent as they are effortless, while Platurn’s jazzy production maintain an infectious momentum. Continue reading »
What do you get when you combine offbeat tap dancing, exaggerated Broadway arm gestures and over-the-top facial expressions and mix it in a 30-something-year-old at a bar with an open microphone? That’s right! A karaoke hog that over-performs the shit out of songs the rest of the bar could care less about. At some point, you have to let go of your dream of being a star. The harsh truth is that you’re a nine-to-fiver now, in a room full of other nine-to-fivers, and the group of friends you brought with you (clearly it was your idea to karaoke) is formulating any half-assed excuse to get the hell out of here without hurting your feelings. So instead of making this Saturday night about how you should’ve gotten the lead in your community college’s rendition of Les Mis, how about we sing off-key in solidarity? Let’s just drink to how we all were supposed to be something else and pick a number the rest of us can sing along with like Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” so maybe we can forget about life for a while?
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.
We go way back. I was a bridesmaid at your wedding. I hosted your divorce party. We’ve told each other our deepest, darkest secrets. But when you introduced me to the new guy you’re seeing … that was the first time I stopped myself short of candor. I slept with that guy! It was a year-and-a-half ago, and he had no idea that he’d end up falling for one of my besties—but still! Now, I’m agonizing over what to say. He and I both made eye contact—it was a knowing look—and I could tell that we both panicked. Should I reach out to him to forge some kind of verbal NDA? Should I tell you and risk ruining this chemistry you have going with him? I’m paralyzed with uncertainty.
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.
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Bill Kopp on March 4, 2020
In the early 1970s, British rock band Wishbone Ash helped usher in the era of twin-lead-guitar groups, a powerful and effective approach that influenced many of rock’s most beloved bands—from Thin Lizzy to Boston to Iron Maiden and beyond. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on March 4, 2020
Last weekend, LVL Up Respawn became the second arcade bar to open its doors in downtown San Jose. A spinoff of Campbell’s original LVL Up, the new bar and eatery features pinball, cabinet games and ski ball. It’s a reactivation of the former Bo Town Seafood Restaurant, which had been vacant since April of 2019. This is the second endeavor by LVL Up co-owners David Ramsey and Josh Schulenberg, who together took over the main floor of the former Gaslighter Theater in downtown Campbell. Stop by this weekend’s grand opening for drinks, games and bites, courtesy of pop-up-kitchen purveyor (and Metro contributor) Matthew A. Close. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on March 4, 2020
Ben Franklin once said (allegedly), “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Today, many more might say the same thing about hot wings, a no-doubter in the Pub Food Hall of Fame. On March 7, a Wing Crawl wristband will be good for a sample plate of hot chicken wings at four downtown San Jose venues, along with discounts for beer, exclusive drink specials and souvenirs. Registration is at The Brit in San Jose and the whole thing culminates in a DJ party at the end. Bring walking shoes, clothes that hide sauce stains, and lots of amigos. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on March 4, 2020
Hot off the release of his two-track Awakening EP, Saymyname rolls through Murphy Avenue for what’s sure to be a highly energetic set. Known to many in the industry as the godfather of hardtrap, the Los Angeles-bred producer has the support of some of the biggest names in heavy-hitting EDM—including DJ Snake and Skrillex. It’s easy to understand why. Saymyname’s penchant is for bouncing between rousing, anthemic melodies and dissonant, screeching drops. He’s come a long way since spinning up a trap remix of the Barney theme song on a lark back in 2013. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on March 4, 2020
Sunnyvale is about to get a healthy dose of prog and deep house when 3LAU returns to Pure. The Las Vegas producer is known not only for his original music and remixes, but also as the founder of Our Music Festival and Blume—a not-for-profit dance music label dedicated to raising money for educational initiatives. His set is likely to include hits such as “How You Love Me,” “Is It Love,” “Fire,” “On My Mind” and “Hot Water,” as well as cuts from his 2018 debut album Ultraviolet. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on March 4, 2020
South Bay denizens who occasionally scan the FM dial will be familiar with the region’s many Spanish- and Spanglish-speaking radio stations. These broadcasters typically trade in traditional Mexican folk—like banda, ranchera and mariachi—or various iterations of pop-inflected reggaeton and tropical house. Mexican indie rock is less commonly heard by Anglo ears. Mexico City–based band Little Jesus play quirky, guitar-driven tunes with Spanish lyrics for a predominantly Latino audience. They aim to break out in America on their current tour. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on March 4, 2020
“Believe,” the last single by San Jose singer-songwriter Socorra, was a nugget of pure melancholy pop in the spirit of “Dreams,” by the Cranberries. But on Muddy Water, her new EP, the powerful vocalist trades in the alt-rock chord progressions for a bluesy riff pulled straight out of the Mississippi Delta. Has she left pop behind for good? Pick up a copy of the EP at the release show to find out. The Anachronists and Adira Sharkey share the bill. Continue reading »
