This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. PLEASANTON, Calif. — If you’re reading this — and statistics say that you are most likely over 16 years old — you have probably never heard of the Jonas Brothers.  But your teen or tween daughter has. Because anyone who watches…

Boyz II Men perform at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., on June 24, 2007. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. PLEASANTON — What if Elvis or the Beatles didn’t disappear suddenly and publicly, but rather faded away slowly and quietly? What if after…

Dublin Death Patrol band members Willy Langenhuizen and Chuck Billy pose for a photo at Dublin HS.(Jay Solmonson/Tri-Valley Herald) This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. DUBLIN — In the late’70s, Dublin was farms, barns and backyards. At night these would fill with teens, alcohol and rock and…

Explosions in the Sky perform at The Fox Theater in Oakland on Sept. 16, 2019. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. Explosions in the Sky was just a little instrumental band from Texas in early 2004. The band members had their contingent of fans in…

Skillet, courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. Growing up in a traditional Southern Christian home, John Cooper was raised on church hymns. He wasn’t allowed to listen to rock’n’ roll — even Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. Anything with a drumbeat was forbidden.  But when…

Art Alexakis (center) and Everclear, courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. It’s understandable for Art Alexakis to want to plant permanent roots. As a youth, the Everclear frontman saw his dad walk out on him and his brother die of a drug overdose. He then was…

Chris Wolstenholme, Matt Bellamy and Domenic Howard of Muse, courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. Conspiracy theories, biblical apocalypse and little green men.  Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme swears that despite the fact that the majority of the band’s songs revolve around one of the three, the…

Under the Influence of Giants. The members of Los Angeles’ Under the Influence of Giants aren’t afraid to name the artists they are borrowing from. And for this disco-funk-pop-R&B ensemble, the list varies from the Bee Gees, Prince, Michael Jackson, Kool & the Gang, Earth, Wind and Fire, the Beatles…

“The Heart” stage on U2’s Elevation Tour. This story first ran in The Union. A dream vacation is different for many people. I would never tell you that a trip to the Swiss Alps is a waste of time and money. Yet I have turned many heads when I…

U2 frontman Bono makes his way from his limousine to his fans before the soundcheck for Sunday’s show at the Rose Garden in Portland on April 15, 2001. This story first ran in the Oregon Daily Emerald. PORTLAND — There were no giant screens, hanging hydraulic automobiles, or 40-foot mirrorball…