Childish Gambino, “Bando Stone and The New World.” The shapeshifter or body snatcher able to invade and occupy people and objects is a recurring character type in science fiction and fantasy. From John Carpenter’s arctic horror film “The Thing” to science fiction legend Philip K. Dick’s early short story…

The B-52s perform during Mosswood Meltdown at Mosswood Park in Oakland on July 6, 2024. Karen Goldman/STAFF. OAKLAND — Mosswood Meltdown lived up to its name with scorching temperatures on Saturday, the first day of the two-day alternative culture celebration, topped by The B-52s. Mosswood Meltdown: Mummies, Pure Hell,…

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, “South of Here.” Rags-to-riches stories are easy to write. What is considerably more difficult is telling the story of what happens next. Often, the hero, who we have staunchly supported through tough times, becomes an insufferable egoist, a petty tyrant or a tremendous…

Kamasi Washington performs at the Warfield in San Francisco on June 7, 2024. Aaron Lee/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — “What up, Frisco?” saxophonist Kamasi Washington asked the crowd before delivering a marathon set with his eight-member band Friday night at the Warfield. Stretching the nine songs, all of which were…

Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs, “Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits.” While it’s been almost seven years since Tom Petty left us for the great wide open, Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs continue rocking in his wake. Campbell is the longtime Heartbreakers guitarist whose legendary collaborations with Petty date…

Crowded House, “Gravity Stairs.” Almost 40 years after their self-titled debut, New Zealand rockers Crowded House are still adding rooms to their musical mansion. Gravity Stairs, the band’s fourth album since the turn of the century, continues the sophisticated Beatlesque pop the band’s lead songwriter, Neil Finn, has been known…

John Oates, “Reunion.” As the alphabetically subverted second half of ’80s pop duo Hall & Oates, John Oates played guitar and sang backup for his taller, blonder songwriting partner Daryl Hall on hits like “Maneater” and “She’s Gone.” Seen as one of music’s legendary wing-men, Oates is emerging from…

Steve Albini in his studio in Chicago on July 24, 2014. Brian Cassella/Tribune News Service. Legendary Chicago producer and musician Steve Albini has died of a heart attack at his recording studio, Electric Audio, Pitchfork reported on Wednesday. Albini was 61. The outspoken audio guru (Albini preferred the title…

Kamasi Washington, “Fearless Movement.” Historically, jazz has been under-appreciated as a genre in America. Legitimate musical geniuses, towering greats like Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Miles Davis, had to travel to Europe, escaping American racism to find audiences sophisticated enough to dig what they were doing. It’s both a…

Neil Young and Crazy Horse, “FU##IN’ UP.” There’s a moment on FU##IN’ UP, the new live album from Neil Young and Crazy Horse, when a snarling squall of distorted guitars subsides momentarily, ringing out like the golden rays of a brilliant sunset. Young’s voice – tender, fragile and now slightly…