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Metro Staff on November 6, 2019
For a group as ostensibly anarchic as Brockhampton sometimes seems, this LA-based “boy band” has demonstrated some serious discipline. Much like Odd Future did in the early 2010s, this sprawling collective of rappers, singers, producers, video editors and marketing strategists created, grew and spread their brand by leveraging the power of social media and releasing music at a breakneck pace. It all paid off—Brockhampton inked a $15 million deal with RCA in March 2018. Released this summer, their second major label outing Ginger is the group’s fifth album in four years. Continue reading »
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Kenny Ngo on November 6, 2019
The Dutch house music duo of Willem van Hanegem and Ward van der Harst, blend uplifting and melodic elements of trance music with the raw intensity of electro and progressive house. Their genre-blurring sound has carried them to the top of the international house music scene. From early hits such as the synth-driven “Moscow” to newer bangers, like “God Is A Girl” and “Rave Culture,” their work has been praised and promoted by the likes of Hardwell, Armin Van Buuren, Tiësto and David Guetta. In 2017, the duo returned to their original trance style under their new project, NWYR. This year, W&W took the No. 18 spot on DJ Mag’s “Top 100 DJs” list. Continue reading »
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Matei Predescu on November 6, 2019
Producer and record label auteur Chris Manak, aka Peanut Butter Wolf, is returning to San Jose for his second homecoming appearance this year. The founder of the taste-making Stones Throw Records, an LA-based indie label that was once home to alternative hip-hop OGs like MF Doom, J Dilla and Madlib, headlined the Jazz Beyond stage at the 2019 San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. As Peanut Butter Wolf has grown his label, his curatorial tastes have only broadened. He’ll be discussing his musical journey during this free talk celebrating hip-hop history month. Continue reading »
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Aaron Carnes on November 6, 2019
Earlier this year, Missouri rock trio Radkey released the No Strange Cats EP. It’s the group’s most diverse record, with each song sounding like it belongs on its own album—there’s hardcore (“Spiders”), classic rock (“Junes”) and emo-pop (“St. Elwood”). Continue reading »
I was rushing from a downtown coffee shop to a hair appointment a few blocks away when you stopped me. “Hey miss, I must tell you something,” you said with enough urgency to make me pause. “Yes, can I help you?” I reply, thinking perhaps you needed directions or something like that. I should have known better. You grabbed my hand to shake and wouldn’t let go while you offered your dubious explanation for interrupting me. “I live around here,” you tell me, “and I saw you walking past, and I thought, ‘I have to get to know her.’” At that point, I narrow my eyes, put my hand on my hip and shake my head side to side. “Let go of my hand,” I demanded before speed-walking away from your creep ass.
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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Metro Staff on October 30, 2019
Anyone can let off a little steam singing in the shower. Close friends become closer while harmonizing around the campfire. But the point of karaoke is to participate in a very public kind of catharsis—sharing one’s inner rock star with perfect strangers. That’s why Steve Hays, a.k.a. DJ Purple, makes a point of keeping slow songs out of his songbook. The Peninsula-based party-starter also encourages dancing and other forms of crowd participation during his sets. But his true secret weapon is his saxophone, which he busts out during extended instrumental breaks. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on October 30, 2019
The Cadillac Three is a trio of childhood friends with a knack for pairing sentimental lyrics and twangy licks with an undeniable country cool. Singer-guitarist Jaren Johnston, drummer Neil Mason and lap-steel player Kelby Ray released their last full-length, Legacy, back in 2017, but it seems they may be preparing a new collection of tunes; the crew dropped a new music video for their latest single, “Crackin’ Cold Ones with the Boys,” in April. They come to the South Bay behind the song, which features a stomping Gary Glitter beat and fuzzy ZZ Top guitars. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on October 30, 2019
It must be a mixed bag to land a gig as a late-night TV bandleader. On one hand, it’s an elite club, a sweet paycheck and a chance to connect with a potentially huge audience. On the other, you’re never allowed to show what you can really do. Fans of Late Night with Stephen Colbert will easily recognize Batiste, who fronts the Colbert house band. They may not know that Batiste has been part of the next generation of musicians steeped in the rich culture of New Orleans jazz and R&B. His 2018 record Hollywood Africans is a good place to start. Continue reading »
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Jeffrey Edalatpour on October 30, 2019
Men wrapped in blue second skins, like The Watchmen’s Doctor Manhattan, will soon be looking at San Jose audiences with their disconcerting wide-eyed stares. Mere words don’t seem up to the task of describing the Blue Man Group’s latest Speechless Tour, but you can’t mime in print. First, a disclaimer for introverts. You should know that this show includes “large-scale audience participation.” My guess is that “fostering communal moments” means: Plan on playing a tube-based musical instrument. To sum up, your days as a passive spectator are at an end! Continue reading »
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Conor Agnew on October 30, 2019
Like all art, comedy is subjective. Some enjoy the bombastic and edgy, others prefer the aloof, the silly or the topical. For those who’ve ever wondered what Mitch Hedberg might have been like without all the drugs and alcohol, Joe Zimmerman might be the ticket. Easily mistaken for that shy office-mate you mostly avoid talking to, Zimmerman takes on the absurdities of modern life. “Working at the phone store must be the most stressful job in the world now,” Zimmerman mused during a 2018 set on The Late Late Show. “Is there anyone more panicked than every customer?” Continue reading »
