AltWeeklies Wire
Oakland's Lumerians Come Out on Their Own Termsnew
In an industry that relies on easy classification of a band's sound and image to effectively market it to its desired audience, these Oakland up-and-comers are a hard sell. "We don't really want to be seen as a retro or a genre band," insists bass player Marc Melzer.
East Bay Express |
Oscar Medina |
06-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Lumerians
R.E.M. is Not Exactly Back, but Not Yet Out of Timenew
On Accelerate, the band sounds happy just being part of the landscape.
East Bay Express |
Nate Seltenrich |
05-28-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Accelerate, r.e.m.
The Grouch Reaffirms His Common Man Image On His New Albumnew
Grouch's humility may limit his popularity in hip-hop, or his ability to outpace his more battle-oriented peers. He may never be known as a formidable emcee, but he has the mark of a great speaker — someone who lives by his own moral code and can also articulate it.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
05-14-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Grouch, Show You the World
The Visual Realm of Mike Relmnew
Mixed marriages and pop-culture references make the DJ a rising star in modern turntablism.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
04-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Sword Plunges Into Metal's Dorky Pastnew
With its sophomore effort, Gods of the Earth, the Austin band cements its place in the stoner-rock hall of fame.
East Bay Express |
Dan Abbott |
04-17-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Gods of the Earth, The Sword
Hottub Brings Old-School Heatnew
The girly emcees of the Oakland electrorap group push '80s nostalgia to the forefront.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
04-17-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Hottub
You Can Take the Boys Out of the Country ...new
Eschewing their hard-rock beginnings, the Avett Brothers find success sticking to their roots.
East Bay Express |
Matthew Green |
04-03-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Avett Brothers
Sonny Rollins, the Homecoming Kingnew
The tenor saxophonist returns to the town that helped make him a titan.
East Bay Express |
Andrew Gilbert |
04-03-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Sonny Rollins
Jose Gonzalez, the Minstrel of Melancholynew
It's hard to imagine what an audience does during a Jose Gonzalez performance, especially when the club doesn't provide floor space or pillows to recline on. Calling his stark, spiraling ballads mellow would be an understatement; trancelike is far more accurate.
East Bay Express |
Matthew Green |
03-27-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: In Our Nature, Jose Gonzalez
The Heavenly States Return to Earth With a New Albumnew
After a much-hyped trip to Libya, the indie-rock band refocuses on the music.
East Bay Express |
Matthew Green |
03-05-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Delayer, The Heavenly States
Gyan Riley is a Rare Birdnew
The virtuosic guitar player plays a mesmerizing mix of classical, rock, jazz, and traditional Indian music on his latest.
East Bay Express |
Tom Chandler |
02-20-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Gyan Riley, Melismantra
Songs from the Cryptnew
A toxic sugar factory and YouTube video inspire Oakland's eccentric band Cryptacize.
East Bay Express |
j. poet |
02-20-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Cryptacize
Or, the Whale Navigates Sea of Twangnew
Or, the Whale still has that fresh, new-band smell going for it, the quality that's provided a small but committed fanbase and allowed it to craft a unique niche in a growing sea of young twanging bands.
East Bay Express |
Matthew Green |
02-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Being an Only Child Was Appropriate Trainingnew
Even with the backing of Sub Pop these days, Kelley Stoltz is still waging an uphill battle for recognition.
East Bay Express |
j. poet |
02-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Circular Sounds, Kelley Stoltz
Oakland's Saviours Keep Angry Music Simple as Hellnew
The members of Saviours don't spend much time thinking about what kind of metal they are. Metal (with the "heavy" implied) is specific enough, and anything else is a fool's errand.
East Bay Express |
Dan Abbott |
01-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Into Abaddon, Saviours
