Posted
by Leilani Clark
on Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 2:00 PM
For someone who is just releasing a debut album, David Luning has definitely established a reputation on the North Bay Americana circuit. Not only has he opened for the likes of Dave Alvin, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Carolyn Wonderland and Leon Russell, the young singer-songwriter has been declared winner of a few West Coast songwriter’s competitions for songs like “Whiskey Bottle,” “Northern California,” and “A Little Big Bad.” He’s also managed to clock some time as a ballroom dancing instructor and performed with a salsa troupe in New York and Los Angeles—and did I mention that he acts on occasion? How’s that for a renaissance man? Luning’s new album Just Drop On By drops this week; help him celebrate on Friday, Dec. 14, at Hopmonk Tavern. 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. 8:30pm. $12-$15. 707.829.7300.
Posted
by Leilani Clark
on Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 1:56 PM
I was out for a walk recently when I heard “The Glamorous Life” blasting out of my neighbor’s garage, sounding just as fresh as it did in 1984, when Sheila E. was lured into Prince’s purple-jeweled velvet lair of wonder and taken on as His Majesty’s protégé. But even back then, Miss Escovedo didn’t need Prince’s backing to totally rule over everything. Let’s face it: Sheila E. is a total badass, and if you don’t agree you can go back to hanging out with Lars Ulrich in his Danish man cave. The woman could paradiddle her way out of an Antarctic winter, melting glaciers along the way with her mad timbales skills. See Ms. E. in action as part of the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas show on Friday, Dec. 14, at the Wells Fargo Center. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 8pm. $39-$69. 707.546.3600.
Posted
by Leilani Clark
on Thu, Dec 6, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Nicki Minaj may have won best rap/hip-hop artist at the American Music Awards, but her brand of party-down, sexed-up hip-hop isn’t all that’s out there. Personally, I like my hip-hop in the form of Dead Prez, who came out of New York in the late ’90s and stepped onto the national radar with the 2000 album Let’s Get Free. Fronted by M-1 and Stic, the group’s revolutionary spirit comes through in lyrics like “Would you rather have a Lexus or justice?” from the album’s breakout hit “Hip Hop.” (The song so impressed Dave Chappelle that he used the instrumental version as entrance music on The Chappelle Show.) And then there’s “Malcolm Garvey Huey,” which calls out Mumia, Fela Kuti, Malcolm X, Bobby Seal, Huey Newton, Marcus Garvey, Stanley “Tookie” Williams and Nehanda. Now that’s deep. Dead Prez play on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Aubergine. 755 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $20—$25. 9:30pm. 707.861.9190.
Posted
by Leilani Clark
on Thu, Dec 6, 2012 at 12:29 PM
These days, seeing the word “fuck” on an album cover is about as exciting as watching Taylor Swift date a Kennedy, but back in 1969, it could send a band straight up shit creek without a paddle. That’s exactly what happened to ’60s San Francisco band Sons of Champlin and their double album Loosen Up Naturally. According to a Champlin roadie, the offending word was surreptitiously written into the album art proof by a scorned woman looking for revenge. When Capitol Records discovered the hidden “fuck,” it was too late—Loosen Up Naturally had already returned from the printer. Legend has it that the job of scratching out each and every fuck fell on two lowly temps, paid for by the band. Let’s assume Sons of Champlin have recovered when they play on Friday, Dec. 7, at the Uptown Theatre. 1350 Third St., Napa. $35. 8pm. 707.259.0123. —Leilani Clark
Posted
by Leilani Clark
on Thu, Dec 6, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Sonoma County’s local music scene continues to grow, and this week, the Redwood Empire Food Bank benefits from this talented pool at the release fundraiser for ‘Real Music: A Taste of Sonoma County, Vol. 2.’ Hosted by Oliver’s Market, the lineup features a true who’s who of local musicians on three different stages, including the Highway Poets, Doug Jayne, John Courage, Buzzy Martin, Baby Seal Club, Alison Harris and the Barn Owls, B. C. Fitzpatrick, Jill Cohn, Frank Hayhurst and the Real Music All Star Band, Josh Windmiller with the All-Star Hoot Band, Tony Gibson, McKenna Faith and the David Thom Band. All proceeds go to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, and it all goes down on Friday, Dec. 7, at the Sebastopol Community Center. 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. 7pm. $10 plus a can of food. 707.795.9400.
Posted
by Leilani Clark
on Thu, Dec 6, 2012 at 12:18 PM
At this year’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Fest, Primus fans were stoked to see Les Claypool’s latest side project, Duo de Twang, a twisted, honky-tonk acoustic duo with Mirv, aka Marc Haggard. (Earlier that week, at Terrapin Crossroads, the pair had busted out a fun, stripped-down version of ’90s Primus hit “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” to the delight of the crowd.) Duo de Twang joins Bob Weir and Jackie Greene for a show at 142 Throckmorton this week, with proceeds going to Casa de Milagros, a Peruvian orphanage. Money will also be donated to J/P Haitian Relief Organization, which works to bring sustainable programs to the people of Haiti. The fourth annual benefit show drives so goddamn fast on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 142 Throckmorton. 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. 8pm. $125—$175. 415.383.9600.
