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  • Throw Beck Thursday: Trolling From The Bottom Of The Barrel

    Is there a lower limit on what people will get mad about on the internet? No, there is not.   — Dear “Gentlemen”: I am a regular reader of your “magazine” and have always tried to enjoy it. Although you are obviously biased and without any moral fiber, I approach each “issue” with an open…

  • The Members, Sacramento 08/26/14

    Oak Park’s Cafe Colonial welcomed the original “Sound of the Suburbs” last night. The Members haven’t played the US in 30 years, and only four times in their history. Playing as a trio due to an injury, front man JC Carroll was forced to take on bass duties on a week’s notice. You’ll never know…

  • Deep Cuts: Cartoon Songs

    So I didn’t con my way into a gig working with an animator. All I could do was get out my Acme catalog and cook up another scheme, preferably something involving rocket skates. I could’ve gone a few ways with this playlist: songs by cartoon bands like The Archies and Gorillaz; classic cartoon music by…

  • 187. For Art’s Sake

    “Faith No More, great album.” I was working the cash register, and for once I wasn’t just blowing sunshine up a customer’s skirt: The Real Thing really was a great album. It was in the store’s power rotation, and it remains in mine all these years later. “What do you do?” I asked.

  • This Week on Paste: Mendocino Talon Extra Select Double IPA

    You know what’s embarrassing? Having a piece published and not realizing it. Apparently this one has been out there for nearly a week and I’m just figuring that out. You know what isn’t embarrassing? Mendocino’s Brewing Company’s tasty IPA. Check out my review here.

  • On My Turntable: We Are The Riot–The Hollywood Demo Sessions

    The single greatest perk of being a music writer is having new music dropped into my mailbox. Sure, sometimes it’s painfully bad, but that’s okay. I’ll sift through some mine tailings if it means I may find a nugget or two.

  • From The Stacks: Janis Joplin-Pearl (Korean Edition)

    You probably know Pearl, Janis Joplin’s last and best known album, released just a couple of months after she died. This is the home of “Me & Bobby McGee” and “Mercedes Benz,” the two songs every non-Joplin fan knows.

  • Throw Beck Thursday: The Unintended Consequences Are The Ones You Never See Coming

    We do our best to make good decisions, but we can’t know everything they’ll lead to. —- My kids and I just flew across country for a little vacation. We changed planes three times during the eleven hour trip, each time dragging our luggage through a different airport. We weren’t alone: The cabin of each…

  • Deep Cuts: Lies, Lies, Lies

    I’d be lying if I told you I’ve never lied. We all have, from little white lies on up to whoppers about everything from weapons of mass destruction to whether that dress makes the wearer’s ass look fat. And so of course lies have a long history in music. Go back to the blues and…

  • Andre Thierry Band, Tahoe 08/16/14

    You like your Zydeco hot and spicy, right? You need to check out Andre Thierry. These guys are tight and the music’s poppin’. Check them out at www.andrethierry.com.  Go!