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Matei Predescu on September 4, 2019
Music promotion organization Heavy San Jose is putting together bowling, brews and heavy metal in a weekend showcase of over 20 rock bands from across the West Coast. San Jose classics like Infinite Sleep and Dolores will be appearing alongside stoner metal shredders Hippie Death Cult and Holy Grove, both natives of Portland. Other outfits hail from across Northern California, Los Angeles and even Salt Lake City. Hosted at the X-Bar adjacent to Homestead Bowl, there will be libations on deck from Ghost Town Brewing, Laughing Monk and Alvarado Street Brewing. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on September 4, 2019
Born in Georgia to a Mexican family, J. Raul Garcia—better known by his stage name, WHATUPRG—wears his Christian faith on his sleeve. His two EPs, Pleasant Hill and RAUL, are brimming with allusions to his faith and his family heritage. Garcia’s music tells a story, one characterized by both the trauma of his father’s deportation and the freedom RG has found in religion. “Aquí no existe la ley,” RG quips in “Wesside”—his innovative sound certainly isn’t tied to any law. He’s mixing slick hip-hop grooves with Dirty South trap, while nodding to his Latin roots. Parris Chariz, Aklesso and Tommy Royale join him for the Saint Holy Tour. Continue reading »
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Matei Predescu on September 4, 2019
These two alternative indie artists paint trippy dreamscapes with their hypnotizing post punk and psych rock sounds. Casual Crypt is the alter-ego of synth wizard James Vernon, whose upcoming debut album frames bedroom pop and indie rock around a spooky backdrop of whispering vocals and electronic echoes. Vernon’s album is set to drop in October. Sharing the bill is the local noise-rock collective Eastern Westerner. Longtime staples of the scene, the band draws inspiration from San Jose indie legends like Duster and other contemporary no-wave phenoms, such as Sonic Youth. Continue reading »
The last place I thought I’d ever witness such aggression was at the chip aisle—but there you were, verbal guns blazing. Admittedly, I don’t know what set you off to begin with, but when I politely offered to listen to your explanation, you refused to say and accused me of being a busybody. Well, sister, we need more busybodies these days when you exhibit such an attitude directed toward people who are relatively new to our country. You kept calling them rude, but what got to me was when you turned to all three of us and said, “You do know what being rude is about, don’t you?” in a way that made your attitude about sharing the aisle space with “foreigners” crystal clear. As I walked away, you continued to verbally harass me and, indeed, continued loudly berating the couple for at least a few minutes longer. I was on my way to find a store manager to stop your nonsense when I spotted the couple, finally, getting in line. In closing, you can keep those words and your trashy xenophobic self out of my neighborhood. Pretty please, stay out or be nicer. Oh, and to all the “busybodies” out there: Be fearless.
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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Matei Predescu on August 28, 2019
For Kendall Sallay and Dirk Milotz, the two core members of Portland-based experimental dream-pop group Starover Blue, home will always be San Jose. Continue reading »
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Kael Austria on August 28, 2019
It’s taco time! More than 20 Bay Area food trucks will serve their signature interpretations of the humble taco at the San Jose Flea Market this weekend. Vendors include traditionalists such as Fish Taco Wabo, Junior’s Roaster and Los Jarochos Grill, as well as some more adventurous taco innovators, like Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos. The festival features also features Lucha Libre wrestlers and live music. Patrons over 21 are encouraged to visit the Garden at the Flea to pair their tacos with a variety of craft beers. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. Parking is $7. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on August 28, 2019
For the fourth straight year, Sonido Clash goes deep into the emerging sounds of alternative Latinx music with about two dozen acts from across the diaspora on four stages, as well as live poetry, a panel discussion, a car show, a dance workshop and tons more. Headlining this year is the Puerto Rico-born duo Nina Sky. Also on the slate are dream-pop artist Katzu Oso, DJ-producer Dave Nada, Chicano visual artist El Oms, Madrid-based reggaeton artist Ms. Nina, the GaGa-esque queer ranchera singer San Cha, and many others. It all goes down at the School of Arts & Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza. Continue reading »
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Conor Agnew on August 28, 2019
San Jose producer Ryan Galvan’s new instrumental record, Superior Sauce, features ingredients carefully chosen from decades of funk, soul, R&B, hip-hop, jazz and electronic music. The resulting flavor is groovy as hell and deliciously chill. Across the album’s eight tracks the local multi-instrumentalist recalls the likes of J Dilla, Isaac Hayes, João Gilberto, Childish Gambino, Thundercat and, perhaps most notably, Kool & The Gang’s “Summer Madness”—all without ever sounding derivative. As summer fades into autumn, Superior Sauce is the perfect soundtrack for prolonging your vacation mentality. The album drops on Aug. 30. Continue reading »
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Bill Kopp on August 28, 2019
One of the most influential alternative rock bands of the 1990s, Smashing Pumpkins garnered critical acclaim as they achieved commercial success over the course of several excellent albums—including Gish, Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The Chicago-based group, led by guitarist Billy Corgan, ended its first run in 2000, but last year Corgan and two of the three founding members (guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin) reunited to release a 10th Smashing Pumpkins album, Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun last November. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on August 28, 2019
Drag queen Alyssa Edwards—born Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson—has one hell of a personality. Rising to prominence competing in Miss Gay America, Edwards was featured in the 2008 documentary Pageant and been featured on numerous seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Edwards continues to work with RuPaul, who co-produces Dancing Queen, a Netflix show following Edwards’ life as a choreographer and drag queen. Those who attended Outside Lands earlier this month may recognize Edwards, who sipped a spicy margarita rimmed with Pop Rocks and did the two-step to Shania Twain’s “I Feel Like a Woman” at the festival. Continue reading »
