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Mike Huguenor on June 20, 2019
Like a killer bee mid-swarm, time flies. As of this year it’s been a quarter-century since the release of Enter the 36 Chambers, Wu Tang’s mesmerizing first missive from Shaolin. To celebrate 25 years of Wu, the Staten Island crew have put together the appropriately titled “Gods of Rap” tour, an event so packed with hip-hop heavyweights, it’s difficult to fit them all in one blurb. On top of a nearly full Wu line-up (no Method Man), the night includes legends including Erik B & Rakim, De La Soul and Pharcyde. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on June 20, 2019
In 1965, William “Poogie” Hart, singer and songwriter for Philadelphia R&B and soul group The Delfonics, turned a barbershop connection into a record deal. Hart, along with his brother Wilbert and Randy Cain, would go on to score hits like “La-La (Means I Love You)”—which was inspired by Poogie’s baby boy, who would warble the nonsense words “la-la”—as well as the Grammy-winning “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” and “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love),” which took on a new life when the Fugees repurposed the hook for their infectious 1996 hit, “Ready or Not.” The Delfonics kick off Music in the Park this Friday. Continue reading »
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Conor Agnew on June 20, 2019
International Make Music Day is a massive, free, grassroots event celebrated simultaneously in more than 750 cities worldwide. The goal is for people to open their ears to the musical stylings of their neighbors or share their own tunes, fostering a stronger sense of community and a greater appreciation for musicianship. San Jose has been an official participant since 2017. This year, in addition to innumerable performances at shops, community centers and libraries, the city will be hosting events at Discovery Meadow, City Hall and the exotic Airport Terminal B. See makemusicday.org/sanjose for a full list of performers and venues. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on June 20, 2019
One of the first artists to join Claude Von-Stroke’s iconic San Francisco electronic music label Dirtybird Records, Christian Martin is known for his danceable yet off-kilter take on house music. The co-founder of the Dirtybird BBQ now has a label of his own, Trippy Ass Technologies. In addition to funneling a variety of genres into his globetrotting mixes, Martin produces his own music. His latest EP features two tracks. “The Clapper” is a funky, bubbling laid-back groove, while “Athena’s Lullaby” is spacier affair, dedicated to his daughter, Athena, whose second birthday on June 26 also marks the EP’s release. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on June 20, 2019
We’re a ways down the road from 1995, the year Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill went supernova on the charts. The record ultimately went platinum 16 times over. Now, on the eve of her 45th birthday, the Canadian-born singer and songwriter will perform an acoustic show while—in true woman warrior style—expecting the birth of her third child. She’s also enjoying another exciting stage of contemporary superstardom: Jagged Little Pill: the Musical, set to open on Broadway later in 2019. This year may also witness a brand-new record from Morissette, who late last year hinted at an imminent release on Twitter. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on June 20, 2019
This Kalamazoo-bred country singer started his career writing songs for artists such as Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw and Blake Shelton. Then Hurd struck out on his own, releasing his self-titled EP in 2017. A romantic, he dropped “Diamonds or Twine” as an acoustic wedding gift to his wife—powerhouse country singer-songwriter Maren Morris—the day before they tied the knot. Hurd represents a new strain of country that is eager to put its days of sonic and cultural homogeneity in the past. His Valentine’s Day “To A T” music video honors love in its forms, including queer and multiracial. Continue reading »
From my front door, I noticed a big group of people gathered around the pool deck. Some were fairly dressed up, wearing what I later realized was their Sunday best. These were church folks, and they were here to baptize a gaggle of children. Listen, I’m not religious, but I would think there’s a better place to baptize new believers than in an apartment hot tub. This is the same hot tub where tenants have witnessed many a couple hooking up and getting hot ’n heavy in the bubbly brew. This is the same hot tub where people straight up do the dirty when they think nobody’s looking. But hey, I hope the chlorine cleanses their germs as effectively as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost cleanses your souls.
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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Gary Singh on June 19, 2019
This Saturday, the 38th Annual San Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival unfolds in Plaza de Cesar Chavez, once again cementing the festival’s position as the longest running affair of its kind in the Bay Area.
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Bill Kopp on June 12, 2019
Matchbox Twenty formed in Orlando in 1995; by the following year the rock band had landed a contract with Atlantic. The group’s debut album was a worldwide blockbuster, certified 12-times platinum in the US. Four tracks off Yourself or Someone Like You were released as singles; all made the Top 10. Subsequent releases did nearly as well; songwriter and lead singer Rob Thomas raised the group’s profile even higher when he sang “Smooth” on Santana’s 1999 Supernatural album, another huge hit. In 2005 Thomas launched a parallel and successful solo career; he’s currently touring in support of his fourth album, Chip Tooth Smile. Continue reading »
Founder Mick Jones is the only remaining original member of this band, which after more than 40 years still holds a significant place in the hearts of hard rock and power pop fans. Known for the likes of “Double Vision,” “Urgent” and “Hot Blooded,” Foreigner’s songs still get referenced in pop culture, if somewhat ironically; the ballad “Waiting for a Girl Like You” is featured in Barb’s death scene in the first season of “Stranger Things.” Its members may come and go, but Foreigner keeps touring, often with Styx, Journey and other big names from their late ’70s-early ’80s heyday. They’re on their own for this Saratoga show. Continue reading »
