The Roots, D: Fuse, Pennywise, Stellastarr* & Oodles of Noodle

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Fri. Feb. 9, 9pm The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 $12 Swingin' Utters OLD SCHOOL PUNK: Hell, anytime you get a chance to see the Swingin' Utters live, you've got to clear the calendar and make that show. So, in the interest of communal good times, loud ass folk-punk, beer and the undeniable kick of these pure punk revivalists, we're letting you know way in advance about this show at the Blank. With so many side projects--like Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Filthy Thievin' Bastards and Druglords of the Avenue--continuously in the works, touring and blowing amps across the world, it's rare that the Swingin' Utters get a chance to play together. So, take the above recommendation to heart and we'll see ya on the 9th.

Wed. Feb. 7, 9pm VooDoo Lounge 14 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.8636 No Cover

Europa LEAN LOCAL CUTS: The Wednesday night showcase of killer local talent continues at the VooDoo Lounge tonight with the intensely hard alt rock of Europa. The dynamism and range of this San Jo three piece is just mind-boggling when they plug in. Having only been together for a couple of short years, Europa kicks out honest rock straight from the gut that pays homage to the first alternative wave of the early '90s, but at the same time cuts revolutionary tracks through any modern musical conventions. Their initial self-produced release has garnered some buzz and, if the powers in the music biz can see through the hackneyed screen what passes for rock in some circles, Europa will seriously take off. Two other intense local outfits, Point 3 and the Devil Himself, open.

Wed. Feb. 7, 8pm The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $35 BUY TICKETS

The Roots PHILLY BORN: The legendary Roots crew--who are so far above and beyond any hip-hop artist today and not only for their strict dedication to actually playing instruments and never sampling somebody else's work--make their way back to the Bay tonight. The last time we saw the Roots, the highly influential and critically acclaimed jazz blended hip-hoppers were headlining the Dew Action Sports Tour at HP, but now you can catch MC Black Thought, ?uestlove, Hub, Kamal Gray, F. Knuckles and Cpt. Kirk Douglas droppin' riffs, beats and dope rhymes in their natural on-stage digs.

Thu. Feb. 8, 9pm C & J's 1550 Lafayette St., Santa Clara 408.423.9013 No Cover

Resistant Me BRINGING IT BACK: With a certain edgy affinity for '80s power pop bolstered by amazing vocal work by Cyn Acevedo, Resistant Me rips out high-energy songs with intense musicianship and classic rock smarts that belie the fact that they've only just begun their journey to rock stardom. While lead singer/ songwriter Acevedo and the other band members have been laying down tracks separately for some years, the almost divine gelling of talent in Resistant Me is a more recent phenomenon. It's often difficult to find a band that has presence, skills and chemistry that can also up the ante and rip out simply killer tracks, but here Resistant Me has all that in spades latching onto a throwback sound full of irresistible hooks led by a legit bad girl rocker with chops to spare.

Thu. Feb. 8, 8:30pm Bottom of the Hill 1233 17th St., San Francisco 415.621.4455 $10

Division Day BAGEL BITES: Celebrate the 4th anniversary of indie internet radio station, Bagel Radio, with Division Day, local band Birdmonster and Two Seconds. Bottom of the Hill is hosting the 18 and over birthday party where there is sure to be more than enough asymmetric haircuts and tight pants to revive a bygone era. Bagel Radio's very own DJ Ted will also be playing some indie rock noise pop before and between bands for the crowd's listening enjoyment. Division Day will be brining their eclectic alternative music to go along with the indie rock of Birdmonster. All the bands will have their game faces on, so watch out.

Thu. Feb. 8, 9pm The Make Out Room 3225 22nd St., San Francisco 415.647.2888 $8

The Ian Fays DIVE BAR FLOWERS: Definitely hitting a lo-fi indie rock vibe with electronica and alt folk influences, the Ian Fays play the Make Out Room tonight--self-professed to be one of their favorite joints to set up in. The Ian Fays walk a delicate line between sweet crooning and acoustic strumming to deeper, emotive tracks that range from the loving to the angry with a change of a chord. The SF foursome--originally from Arcata--set up tonight with the Old-Fashioned Way and Dark Side of the Cop.

Thu. Feb. 8, 10pm The Caravan 98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.995.6220 No Cover

Locke 'n Load TAKE WARNING: Locke 'n Load belt out straight ahead, high-octane rock 'n roll with a hardcore punk edge full of undeniable riffs and an ability to seemingly cause a riot wherever this LA trio plugs in. There's been a hell of a lot of bands that have rolled through the Caravan over the years and, in our honest opinions, tonight's rip with Locke 'n Load should rank right up there with the some of the most raucous in dive bar history...especially when the fightin' boys from So-Cal set up with sonically intense local outfits Currency .357 and 12 Steps to Nothing.

Thu. Feb. 8, 9pm Vault Ultra Lounge 81 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.298.1112 Usual Cover

Celebrity @ Vault MAKE HEADLINES: One of the sexiest and upscale parties downtown on Thursday night, Vault Ultra Lounge hosts Local Celebrity. Not one, but four DJs will be on rotation throughout the night playing the newest and best R&B, hip-hop and house music over the state of the art sound system. The ladies and gentlemen hosting the party will be around to make sure everyone is having a good time at the event. Feel like a celebrity while getting your drink on at Vault Ultra Lounge.

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Fri. Feb. 9, 8pm The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $20 BUY TICKETS Pennywise SO-CAL THRASH: One of the hardest rocking punk outfits to emerge from the So-Cal scene, Pennywise screams into our neck of the woods for three shows in the Bay Area. Tonight you can catch these all time indie punk monsters ripping out some of the fastest chords around at the Fillmore with the legendary Circle Jerks, Ignite and 2 Cents. Don't worry if you can't make it up to the City for this one because Pennywise is also plugging in over the hill at the Catalyst Saturday (21+) and Sunday (16+) nights with the same opening lineup and the same credo that has kept these Hermosa Beach punkers true to the scene.

Fri. Feb. 9, 7:30pm Paramount Theatre 2025 Broadway, Oakland 408.998.TIXS $44.50 - $49.50 BUY TICKETS

Merle Haggard & The Strangers ROAD TESTED LEGEND: Well heck, ain't much to be said 'bout Merle Haggard that ain't already been said. Merle's been hitting bars, sold out arenas and the road with stripped down country tunes with rock and blues influences since the early '60s recalling hard luck tales as only he can out of a beat up guitar and a deep country soul. Champion of the working class and just plain legendary from trailer parks to dive bars to the airwaves for damn near 50 years, Merle Haggard rolls the caravan into Oakland's Paramount Theatre tonight with his longtime band the Strangers.

Fri. Feb. 9, 9pm Johnny V's 31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.947.8470 $5

The Devil Himself, Beerlords & Psychosomatic MIGHT CAUSE A RIOT: This show tonight at Johnny V's is probably your best bet for a straight up hard rocking spectacle and an intense booze soaked party. The Beerlords, Psychosomatic and the Devil Himself are all setting up tonight and the only two things for certain are that it'll be loud and raucous. The Beerlords play anarchy laden punk rock hell bent on busting heads and ears with equal zeal hitting Downtown with another venerable Sacto outfit, Psychosomatic that rips out thrash punk like they're on some mission from below. These two are invading our peaceful confines with the hard rock chops of the Devil Himself laying down intense metal riffs with pounding rhythms and screaming vocals that'll rip you to the core.

Fri. Feb. 9, 9pm Taste Ultra Lounge 87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose 408.885.1016 Usual Cover

Promiscuous: Ladies' Night Out @ Taste ABOUT TIME: The usual Promiscuous Friday party at Taste Ultra Lounge takes a fairer sex twist tonight with a swank night dedicated to the ladies. Local fave DJs Leslie Perez and Slick D take care of the beats and Taste is rolling out a pre-Valentine's full pampering spread from 9pm to 11pm that includes a male revue show with the Men of Exotica, tons of freebie giveaways from Glo Tanning and complimentary champagne...so, ladies, if you're a little fed up with the sometimes misogynistic nightclub scene in downtown, hit Taste and give the boys back a, um, taste, of their own medicine.

Fri. Feb. 9, 8:30pm The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831.423.1336 $18 BUY TICKETS

The English Beat NEW WAVE BRITS: As one of the earliest new wave ska revival groups, The English Beat scored some monster commercial success in the early '80s due to their energetic sound and the fact that a fledgling MTV played "Save it for Later" and "I Confess" relentlessly. The English Beat actually disbanded around '83 with two of the members later forming Fine Young Cannibals--man, "She Drives Me Crazy" almost sent us to the nuthouse--but has since started doing some touring due to the second revival of ska. Heck, if we're lucky legendary saxophonist Saxa will still be kickin' it.

Fri. Feb. 9, 9pm VooDoo Lounge 14 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.8636 Usual Cover

Dynamite Soul THE RETURN OF SOUL: The classic hip-hop and rare groove showcase, Dynamite Soul, returns to San Jo at the VooDoo Lounge featuring a special kickoff live performance by Waajeed (pictured) and Tiombe Lockhart from NYC together as Platinum Army. Resident DJs Apollo and Shortkut will be rocking the decks and movin' the crowd along with guest spinners DJ Wen and Fran Boogie for this huge night of rhymes, breaks and beats. Ya'll don't want to miss the rebirth of classically solid hip-hop in downtown at VooDoo.

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Sat. Feb. 10, 9pm The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 $8 Tell-Tale Heartbreakers POE WOULD BE PROUD: The Tell-Tale Heartbreakers cut deep with a dark post punk sound and a darkly sinister vibe that goes beyond your everyday run of the graveyard goth band. Fronted by Traci Lee, a striking vamp with throaty vocals to match, and complimented perfectly by raging guitar chords and driving bass lines, the Tell-Tale Heartbreakers have created a sound that skillfully meshes the sonic boom of punk and the souped up beats of psychobilly with the macabre lyrical poetry of goth. The Tell-Tale Heartbreakers hit the Blank tonight for local outfit Machete Revival's CD release show with Death Valley High and Veil Veil Vanish opening.

Sat. Feb. 10, 9pm Vault Ultra Lounge 81 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.298.1112 Usual Cover

Paparazzi @ Vault BRITNEY, PARIS & YOU: Ever get jealous of those celebs on the cover of the checkout line rags? Well, the Vault Ultra Lounge is giving you the monthly opportunity to join them with the Paparazzi party hitting tonight. Special guest DJ David Garcia rocks the decks up in the main room with turntable relief work from new Vault resident DJ George Vibe and, as always, the back room belongs to the classic stylings of DJ Mein. Also, keeping in line with the Paparazzi theme, a host of local photogs will be there snapping shots of the swanky revelers in Downtown's hipster lounge digs.

Sat. Feb. 10, 9pm Johnny V's 31 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.947.8470 $5

Pale Like You THE POWER OF POP: With a powerful punk sound blended with pop rock sensibilities, Pale Like You rips out tracks that ride through the current trendy waves in the music biz. Four-strong and locally grown, Pale Like You has enough musical chops to wholly appeal to the drinking age crowd while still cultivating that angst fueled edginess which speaks to a younger set of noise junkies. Pale Like You hits Johnny V's tonight with their amped up sound, fast guitar licks and vocals that swell from the emotionally tortured to angry screaming meshing together for what's sure to be a tight performance.

Sat. Feb. 10, 9pm Blue Monkey Lounge 1 E. San Fernando St., San Jose 408.275.6600 Usual Cover

Rezin @ Blue Monkey KICK IT CHILLY: Touring DJ Keith Evans will be performing fresh new mixes from Habitat Collection, "Music for Modern Living." Blue Monkey Lounge's resident DJs, Martin Aquino, DJ Ash and Ishajuwan, will also be on hand to spin funky house and hip-hop into the wee hours of the night. Rezin brings in all the fashionable party people from the Bay Area to dance and drink all night long with some of the best music being spun. This event is one to look forward too.

Sat. Feb. 10, 9pm The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $22.50 BUY TICKETS

Sparklehorse SURREALIST INDIE: Rolling into San Francisco on tour from North Carolina, Sparklehorse will be playing the Fillmore with Jesse Sykes and The Sweet Hereafter. Sparklehorse's multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Mark Linkous, makes music that is best described as surreal or experimental drawing inspiration from who-knows-what sometimes. Singer and songwriter Jesse Sykes backed by The Sweet Hereafter will also be performing at The Fillmore tonight. The two artists will no doubt put on quite the show.

Sat. Feb. 10, 9pm Angels Ultra Lounge 400 S. First St., San Jose 408.885.9588 Usual Cover

DJ Scene @ Angels NORTH WIND BEATS: The 2nd Annual Valentine's Day Fame party at Angels Ultra Lounge is taking Downtown partying up a notch tonight, bringing in the hottest DJ from Seattle, DJ Scene, laying down his uniquely progressive blend of hip-hop, house, rock and old-school for the crowds. Joining Scene on the decks will be regular Fame spinners Nastynick, David Q and Reckid and, of course, Angels will bring out the go go dancers to keep the vibe alive. There's going to be a ton of SJ partyers hitting Angels tonight so, even if you don't show up with a Valentine, ya might just leave with one.

Sat. Feb. 10, 8:30pm Bottom of the Hill 1233 17th St., San Francisco 415.621.4455 $10

Stellastarr* SCAVENGER HUNT: If you don't have tickets to this show already, the only way to get them will be walking the streets around Bottom of the Hill on Saturday night hoping against all hope that some sketchy guy will be selling them. Stellastarr*, Monsters Are Waiting and Minipop have sold the show out and Bottom of the Hill won't even be offering tickets at the door. The all ages show will feature the new wave, post-punk stylings of world famous Stellastarr* along with the masterful indie rock of Monsters Are Waiting and one of the Bay Area's up and coming bands, Minipop. Each of the bands will be playing around the Bay Area in the two days before this show, so if you can't get into this epic show, check the bands out before then.

Sat. Feb. 10, 9pm Ruby Skye 420 Mason St., San Francisco 415.693.0777 $15 BUY TICKETS

D: Fuse 10-GALLON SPIN: D: Fuse--who's been called the next gen in DJ-ing--straight outta Austin and sporting his trademark 10-Gallon is dropping mad beats at Ruby Skye tonight. D: Fuse's sets range from hard-hitting trance and house to the undeniable breaks of the Ibiza sound with consummate skill and precision displayed both on the decks and his live video remixes. Starting out from modest digs in the Austin club circuit, D: Fuse has risen to international acclaim for his musical style even garnering intense praise from the granddaddy of trance himself, Paul Oakenfold.

Sun. Feb. 11, 8pm VooDoo Lounge 14 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.8636 $5

Scripted METAL SERMONS: This is definitely going to be a powerfully intense show--especially for a Sunday--but, if you've been keeping up with the resurgent San Jose live music scene, then you should be all right...well, everything but your eardrums. Scripted was formed early last year from the sonic wreckage of defunct local outfits Called to Ruin, Reaction 31 and Moulder's Lounge that fought pitched battles for hard rock supremacy back in the Cactus days, but were ultimately driven under by the Downtown's deranged thirst for ultra lounges and DJs. Well, Scripted was formed to musically rectify that heinous malady with emotionally powerful vocals and intense guitar riffs overlaying a driving low-end bass and drums that recalls the best cuts from alt and hard rock heavies soaked in the gas fires of metal. This veteran four-piece tested San Jo's waters about 6 months ago and, after developing their sound further, Scripted is ready rip out heavy hard rock again. Trigger Renegade, the Passive Aggressives and probably the only other outfit that can best Scripted in the intensity ring, Otto, also perform. Have a happy Monday.

Sun. Feb. 11, 6pm MACLA Center 510 S. First St., San Jose 408.998.2783 $10

Strangers Arms, Sympathy Ends & others ROCKIN' THE HOUSE: A full dose of local alternative rock and hardcore will be shaking the MACLA Center--Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana, in case you were wondering--on Sunday night. There's a long list of bands who may or may not actually be performing at the show because that's always how local bands seem to do it. Strangers Arms should be there, and the other possibilities include Sympathy Ends, In Fair Verona, The Axes That Chopped the Cherry Tree, Catherine, Shades of Eden, Left of Christ and Sympathy Ends. Any combination of these local bands and others may be there. One thing is for sure, there will be a show and it will rock.

Mon. Feb. 12, 8pm Great American Music Hall 859 O'Farrell St., San Francisco 415.885.0750 $15

Miho Hatori NOODLE ROCK: Delivering highly experimental but rooted pop songs, Miho Hatori--already renowned in indie circles for her amazing work with Cibo Matto and the Gorillaz--is hitting the West Coast in support of her solo, self-produced offering Ecdysis. More than just a solo project from this acclaimed indie pop star, Ecdysis sees Miho explore new realms in pop, electronica and world music with unique jazz-oriented arrangements that are lush in style and scope with ethereal overtones that blend to create a catchy amalgam of sounds, textures and feelings. If you can't make it to the City tonight to hear some of Miho's groundbreaking riffs, she's also playing The Attic in Santa Cruz on Sunday.

Tue. Feb. 13, 9pm Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge 99 E. San Fernando St., San Jose 408.998.9998 Usual Cover

Fashion Club @ Fahrenheit FIRST RULE OF FASHION CLUB: Just in case you needed another night during the week to hit the club circuit Downtown, Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge--definitely battling for San Jo swanky nightclub supremacy--premieres the grand opening of the Tuesday night Fashion Club this week. Three of Downtown's best, David Savior, DJ Fabian and Nasty Nick will be rocking the decks to keep the crowds moving to house, hip-hop and '80s mixes while the more important mixing will be taking place behind the bar with specialty cocktails and $3 wells all night long. Look sharp because with a name like Fashion Club there should be no questions regarding the dress code.

Tue. Feb. 13, 8pm Zellerbach Hall UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley 510.642.0212 $20 - $35 BUY TICKETS

Cake LET THEM HEAR: Sacramento alt rockers Cake hit the Cal campus tonight in preparation for their two new releases, Rarities and Live at the Crystal Palace. The Rarities release compiles b-sides and such from Cake's tragically quirky indie rock career while Live will be the first live recording available--well besides the shady bootlegs--for mass consumption from McCrea, DiFiore, McCurdy, Nelson and Baldi done in the genre-splitting, deadpan rock style that these guys are internationally known for. Plus, rumor has it--and if you're a longtime Cake fan or just a fan of weird covers and interpretations of other musical works this should be some cool info--Cake will be covering the classic Sabbath tune "War Pigs" on the album...that track should get some serious airplay.

Tue. Feb. 13, 8pm The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS $25 BUY TICKETS

Pete Yorn LISTEN UP: Venerable indie rocker Pete Yorn makes a stop at the Fillmore tonight on his latest tour for his latest release, Nightcrawler. Now, the ticketing powers that be proclaim that this show is sold out--and, really, since Yorn hit it the rock scene nearly everyone of his shows, from bars to arenas, has been filled to capacity--but, if you really want to see this indie rock sensation and have an enterprising nature, scoring some tickets should only be a few clicks or a scalper away. Plus--for guys' eyes only--if you take a potential Valentine to the Pete Yorn show, you're pretty much off the hook as far as shows go for the rest of the year.

coming up

Wed. Feb. 14, 9pm VooDoo Lounge 14 S. Second St., San Jose 408.286.8636 $3

The Rivals, Ragweed, Last Chordz and Medicated Motherf*ckers HELP FOR THE LOUD AND LONELY: If you need one loud as hell punk rock show to get you over the contrived Hallmarkian holiday this week that may or may not bring you the blues, this is it. Tearing it up at the VooDoo Lounge tonight are four bands that have the hard sonic cure for all that ails ya. Venerable punk outfit the Rivals are setting up with Ragweed, the Last Chordz and the Medicated Motherf*ckers for a fast, loud and wholly intense show with raised middle fingers to smug couples. Seriously, even if you have a date for the night that, if you don't have a date, society kinda deems you a loser, after the candy and flowers treat 'em to something that you're both probably craving; some of the best locally grown punk rock ever...and you thought we were going to say sex, you dirty little monkey.

Fri. Feb. 16, 9pm The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose 408.292.5265 $8

Jucifer BREAKFAST IN HELL: Jucifer, a hot duo out of indie mecca Athens, GA that completely abuse their instruments and tap the likes of Portishead, My Bloody Valentine and Slayer for inspiration rock the Blank Club this coming Friday with straight up rock 'n roll from the Chelsea Smiles (who put on a simply phenomenal performance here a few short weeks ago) and local rockers Trigger Renegade. As far as rock duos go, Jucifer blows other pretenders out of the water with sped up licks, cranked amps and a hard rocking style that's gained this boyfriend/ girlfriend outfit critical acclaim.

--This week's newsletter by: RO, AL & MC

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