Features
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Interview: Australian dance band Cut Copy brings second U.S. tour to San Francisco
Cut Copy, courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. Australian dance-pop trio Cut Copy has a secondary mission as it embarks on its largest headlining tour of America and Mexico: Drink as much good coffee at as many different coffee shops as possible. Cut Copy, the Presets…
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Bay Area band spotlight: The Dandelion War
The Dandelion War, courtesy. A few months ago, San Francisco post-rock band The Dandelion War were watching one of their idols, “Explosions in the Sky,” play the Great American Music Hall. The six members, keyboard player Dave Tran, singer Larry Fernandez, guitarists Jeff Kay and Mikey Fuson, drummer Julius…
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Interview: No longer driven by ‘Crazy’-ness, Gnarls Barkley still a happy ‘Odd Couple’
Gnarls Barkley, courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. After a wildly successful debut album and insanely popular single, it’s no surprise that many fans expected an even crazier follow-up from Gnarls Barkley. That is, everyone except the Atlanta duo — soul singer/rapper Cee-Lo and multi-instrumentalist Danger…
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U2 cover band Zoo Station a Bay Area fave
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…
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Interview: Gang of Four still rocking in the download age
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…
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East Bay slack-key guitarist Patrick Landeza is back in action
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…
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Interview: Irish band Bell X1 rings in with its first U.S. tour
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…
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Interview: Swedish band the Hives busy as bees with new release
The Hives perform at her Warfield in San Francisco on Sept. 10, 2012. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. The five members of garage punk band The Hives gave themselves rock nicknames and credit many of their songs to a man who most likely does…
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Interview: Mika overcomes setbacks to find his niche
Mika, courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. Despite taking Europe by storm the last two years with an infectious mix of glam-pop — he went from singing radio jingles to selling out arenas, winning awards and being compared to David Bowie and Freddie Mercury — Mika isn’t…
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Interview: John McCrea of Cake puts positive spin on new year
John McCrea and Cake, courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. The New Year is a time of earnestness. It’s usually celebrated with a renewed hope for the future — not snarky cynicism, which is generally the type of lyric that rattles out of the mouth of…