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Nick Veronin on February 13, 2019
So many peace-loving, flower-powered Baby Boomers were devastated by the election of Richard Nixon. The same goes for the wide-eyed Millennials, who as recently minted adults cast their very first presidential votes for Barack Obama, only to be deflated by the rise of Donald Trump. In 1982, a cohort of Gen-X-ers—raised by successful hippy parents on Manhattan’s Upper West Side—find themselves in a serious crisis of confidence as Jimmy Carter is routed by his Republican challenger, a Hollywood B-lister. This play follows three lost souls for 48 confusing hours at the dawn of the Reagan Era. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on February 13, 2019
These days, it seems that innovation outpaces our ability to understand what it is doing to us. As Californians, we are used to tectonic shifts, but the ground beneath us is now in a constant state of flux. There are new means of transportation, communication and expression; new ways to meet people, new ways to smoke, new ways to listen to and consume music. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on February 13, 2019
Fans of French electronic composer Anthony Gonzalez (better known as M83) are familiar with his capacity for creating vibrant and electrifying compositions. This is the man, after all, who named his hit 2011 album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. It makes sense, then, that Gonzalez was tapped to pen the soundtrack for Volta, the latest touring show from Canada’s high-flying performance troupe, Cirque du Soleil. The big show under the big top comes to San Jose this week. Combining traditional acrobatics and elements of action sports with the company’s standard psychedelic palette, it promises to be an extravagant and exciting entertainment experience. Continue reading »
Well, there goes that. A great dinner with friends and family ended with you pointing your damned gun at my face and demanding money. A little advice for you, dude, since you are obviously a trainee. You might consider a target where there are far fewer witnesses and cameras. Some sort of disguise may be helpful. Also you might want to learn proper operation of a firearm before your next adventure, considering how while preparing to shoot me you ejected the round onto the ground. I’ll bet your buddy in the getaway car was laughing. Oh, and pro tip: Hold the gun sideways. That way you look more, you know, gangsta. Perhaps you are better suited for an alternate career path. You don’t look like a pathetic loser, so stop acting like one.
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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Julia Baum on February 12, 2019
Valentine’s Day has long ditched its historic Roman Empire roots and now simply enriches Hallmark execs, but many people still don’t seem opposed to a day that encourages eating tons of chocolate and having sex (hello, life goals). The anxiety of gift shopping undoubtedly contributes to V-Day’s rep as the most hated holiday around, but don’t trip on what to buy your boo this year because Pot Shots’ gift guide will cover your ass from that sneaky henchman Cupid and his quivering bow.
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Bill Kopp on February 7, 2019
Ask your average fan of Americana and related styles of music what it is that Steep Canyon Rangers play, and the most common answer you’ll hear is bluegrass. But ask a member of the popular, award-winning and long-running band based in western North Carolina the same question, and the answer isn’t quite so simple. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on February 7, 2019
A few years back, as the music blogosphere was taking a deep dive into Simpsonswave—penning think pieces on the YouTube-spawned micro-genre’s visual aesthetics, gauzy sonic textures and potential for conjuring bittersweet, spacey nostalgia—a group of Arizona metalheads were plotting a revolt. Phoenix-based Okilly Dokilly have a decidedly less chill take on The Simpsons, even if they draw their primary inspiration from one the show’s most tranquil characters. The quintet craft super-heavy, Ned Flanders-informed numbers which they call “Nedal.” They return to San Jose on Monday in advance of their new full-length, Howdilly Twodilly. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on February 7, 2019
Roger McNamee, is a Silicon Valley insider, venture capitalist and musician. Now he can add “author” to his list of bonafides. An early and enthusiastic adopter and investor in Facebook, McNamee has since changed his tune when it comes to the social network. His critiques will be familiar to anyone who’s followed Facebook in the news over the past few years. McNamee has concerns about privacy issues, the rampant spread of disinformation, and the use of the platform to sow political division. In his new book, Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe, challenges the new normal of constant connection. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on February 7, 2019
Pull at the tap root of Nirvana, Soundgarden or Pearl Jam and eventually you’ll get to Mudhoney, the often overlooked pioneering band of the “grunge” era destined to go down in history as Kurt Cobain’s favorite band and primary influence. Maybe because they never got the payday of their most famous brethren, even 30 years after their debut recording, Mudhoney is as rowdy and aggressive as ever. Just check out their latest album, 2018’s Digital Garbage, which is as angry and dirty as anything they’ve ever done. Mellowing with age, apparently, is for whiskey and millionaires. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on February 7, 2019
The local and acclaimed piano trio colloquially known as Saint Mike (violin, cello, piano) turns its attention to child prodigies in a concert featuring music from composers who got an early start. They include some classical music brand names, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Chopin, as well as a piece from a contemporary member of that august club: 13-year-old British pianist and wunderkind Alma Deutscher. Her opera, Cinderella, was produced by Opera San Jose back in 2017. Continue reading »
