Zoo Station, courtesy. The Bay Area is home to plenty of bands that make their living by paying tribute to their idols and filling a hole for fans of those bands that don’t play here enough. There are tributes to Tom Petty, Sting and the Police, No Doubt, The…

The Jesus and Mary Chain performs at The Fillmore in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2017. SAN FRANCISCO — The folks behind this year’s Download Festival, held Saturday at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, targeted fans of newer bands in the dance, alternative and Britpop molds, as well…

Gang of Four performs at The Chapel in San Francisco on Feb. 9, 2019. Gary Chancer/STAFF. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. Thirteen years have passed since seminal post-punk rockers Gang of Four released new material. The Gang’s void has been filled by a new generation of…

Stellastarr*, courtesy. SAN FRANCISCO — Stellastarr* were once one of the hottest buzz bands out the Brooklyn new-wave movement. But while some bands like Interpol have continued to climb beyond buzz-band status and others have fallen away long ago, Stellastarr* are content with their place. The quartet of singer Shawn…

Bell X1, Courtesy: Johnny Savage SAN FRANCISCO — With Bono focusing his humanitarian efforts on Africa, we should consider ourselves lucky we have our own Irishman to help out in America. Irish vacationers are now experiencing here the same thing that Americans were when they visited Ireland in the…

Nada Surf, courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. SAN FRANCISCO — In the world of pop music, you’re either “popular” or you’re forgotten. Nada Surf knows how it is. The New York indie band — singer-guitarist Matthew Caws, drummer Ira Elliot and bassist Daniel Lorca —…

Explosions in the Sky perform at The Fox Theater in Oakland on Sept. 16, 2019. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO —“Cinematic rock” has become a cliche of sorts, but it holds true for Texas instrumental quartet Explosions in the Sky. And while plenty of instrumental indie rock bands have sprung…

Patrick Landeza, courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. Not long ago, East Bay native Patrick Landeza was the most sought-after slack-key guitar teacher and performer in the Bay Area. By 2006, the now 35-year old had released three albums and toured the country with the legends of…

Bell X1, Courtesy: Johnny Savage This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. Name an Irish rock band that shares its name with an American military airplane. Need help? This is a band that has sold out some of the largest venues on the Emerald Isle. The frontman’s first…

Matchbox Twenty performs at HP Pavilion in San Jose on March 12, 2008. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. SAN JOSE — Nineties nostalgia overtook the HP Pavilion Wednesday night as recently reunited Matchbox Twenty, touring in support of greatest hits/new material double album “Exile on Mainstream,”…