A soul revue of eight airtight musicians travels through groovy songs showcasing two strutting backup singers. If the crowd is already gyrating with joy and anticipation when the lead singer arrives, her hands held high …

Bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee struggled to hit the high notes on the opener, keyboard-centric “Subdivisions,” which was no surprise considering the studio versions helium-high voice. However, Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer Neil Peart were so …

Like a juvenile Neil Young, guitarist/vocalist Brian King cast electrified chords to the night sky over UCSD’s (partially open-air) Porter’s Pub. As the last blast drifted on the wind, the ample crowd applauded. King beamed, …

Woe to you of earth and sea, for this time the devil sends the beast from Oakland with mitigated wraith! And the problem is Jesus’ twin, who perished at birth, is reincarnated into a time …

Less than six months since their inaugural visit to San Diego, Rubblebucket returned as seasoned road warriors with a new album, Live in Chicago, and accompanying DVD. Appearing relaxed and joyous, the septet shredded the …

Brooklyn-based dance band Rubblebucket hit the Soda Bar stage with "Worker" from their album Omega La La. The band's bad-ass brass front line punched horn blasts over a dreamy and funky rhythm section. On "Breatherz …

Just in time to thwart the summertime blues comes the auditory salve of Rubblebucket's sophomore full-length, a collection of prog-pop glory that often sounds like an indulgence-free Yes. Kalmia Traver provides captivating, ethereal vocals for …

Cool blue lighting bathes the stage as sultry guitar tones initiate "The Sea" from Morcheeba's 1998 debut Big Calm. Opening with what is arguably their most recognized song, the group sets the bar high for …

Perhaps reluctant to reveal their advanced age and weight, indie-rock icons the Pixies took to a darkened Rimac stage and opened with the obscure "Dance the Manta Ray." Like an insecure lover, the group kept …

Songstress of sulk Sia Furler gained prominence via Six Feet Under's use of her sublime "Breathe Me." Remember? "Help, I have done it again/I have been here many times before/Hurt myself again today/And the worst …

When grunge was king, Stone Temple Pilots was the Rodney Dangerfield of the genre. Critics gave them little respect, deriding the group as bandwagoners trying to sound like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, [insert …

The Dead Weather is the latest group to feature Jack White (White Stripes, Raconteurs). The band includes vocalist Alison Mosshart (the Kills), bassist Jack Lawrence (the Raconteurs), and guitarist Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone …

L.A. septet Ozomatli delivers such engaging, energetic shows that their studio work can be anti-climatic in comparison. Their fifth disc opens on a Latin house party spilling into the street. “Are You Ready?” is an …

After 12-years, Hole returns with an 11-song collection produced by Michael Beinhorn (Soundgarden, Ozzy, Chili Peppers). Despite the heaviness in Beinhorn and Hole’s respective pasts, most of the tracks here are singer-songwriterly, where acoustics provide …

Big brass heralds the triumphant return of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings on opener "The Game Gets Old." The sultry, soulful Jones laments, "So many times I've played the game of love/ But it …

The Casbah was the epicenter of seismic activity as Archons, Abrupt, Bison B.C., and Black Cobra conspired to collapse the Midtown venue. The night's most cataclysmic activity, however, came from Oakland’s trio of doom High …

On their debut prog-y concept album, Louisiana-based metal quartet Tetrafusion dare to depict the life of the universe -- sans vocals! Not only are they up to the task, they have created a tour de …

High on Fire's fifth studio album is a satisfying platter of high intensity, low frequency rumblings from one of metal’s most honest, hard-working, and ferocious bands. Producer Greg Fidelman (Metallica, Slayer) ensures the trio's roar …

Posthumous release American VI: Ain't No Grave is the last of the albums Johnny Cash created with Rick Rubin. Producer Rubin collected songs from various writers, eras, and genres; stripped the arrangements, ditching drums and …

With World Painted Blood, Cali thrash-metal band Slayer continues to push buttons. However, they don't push the musical envelope. Here, the quartet has plagiarized their own work, but they were wise enough to choose their …

Anvil frontman Steve "Lips" Kudlow addressed the audience early in the set: "I just want to thank each and every one of you for being here and making our dreams come true." With a kind …

On their 18th release, Canadian metal veterans Anvil live up to their name. Title track “This Is Thirteen” is a chunky, iron block on which to lay your head for a steady, heavy-handed pummeling. The …

A funk-infused, wah-drenched guitar riff surrenders to a prog-rock progression as lead vocalist/guitarist Thomas Erak screams, "I f*ing hate myself." With unmitigated audacity, the power trio of Erak, drummer Andrew Forsman, and bassist Frank Ene, …

Feel free to judge Taintstick's debut 6lbs. of Sound by its track list. Much like Spinal Tap and Tenacious D before them, the quartet line up the clichés of rock, slip them a Mickey, and …

Few could accuse San Diego metal-core stalwarts Mower of playing it safe. Half of their latest album, Make It a Double, is performed as Slower, the group's lounge-inspired alter-ego. "Road Rage" -- a punishing blast …

The Sword doesn't tinker with the formula they borrow from Black Sabbath, the formula first used to create their debut Age of Winters. Instead of trying to reinvent the metal wheel, the Austin-based quartet focus …

Hundreds of kids had their parents in tow for an acoustic concert by Ziggy Marley, who was supporting his new children's album Family Time. Without pausing to address the sold out crowd, Marley took the …