Thursday, November 11: The frontman and sex symbol of the Killers, Brandon Flowers, is bringing his solo act to the Fox Theater in Oakland on Thursday. I believe the date 11/11 is supposed to have some silly sort of luck attached to it, so maybe he’ll propose to you on stage. But maybe not. Tickets are $30.00, show starts at 8:00pm.
Friday, November 12: Experimental electronic music is on the rise, and this is a great show if you want to check out some of the scenes greatest talents. Nosaj Thing, an L.A. producer coming up in the ranks with Flying Lotus, and Toro y Moi, a more laidback version of Passion Pit will be headlining the show. No repetitive bass tracks here, just wide open audio. Tickets are available at the door for $20.
Friday, November 12: Fearless friends are the best friends; I’m guessing that’s why Mayday Parade dubbed their headlining tour the Fearless Friends tour. The princes of pop-punk are stopping by the Regency Ballroom on Friday at 6pm, tickets are $16. Random fact: the tour is sponsored by freecreditreport.com. Random, I know. Also appearing: Breathe Carolina, Artist vs. Poet, Every Avenue.
Friday, November 12: Alkaline Trio has been around since 1996, but after forming a record label earlier this year, they show no signs of slowing down. The alternative/punk band is originally from Illinois, but they’re bringing their new material as well as the classics to the Oakland Metro on Friday at 8:00pm. Grab a ticket for $20.00.
Friday, November 12: Usher recently made a strong comeback as the uncle of pop with his song OMG. And with his nephew-in-pop, Trey Songz, supporting him on their tour, that’s what girls for miles around will be screaming. The two will be start their show at 8:00pm on Friday at the Oracle Arena. Tickets go from $38.25-$153.15.
Saturday, November 13: Your favorite local party will be hosting some familiar names this Saturday at Kelly’s Mission Rock. Blow Up has brought in the Brooklyn based Das Racist and the bouncy AC Slater to do the night right, so don’t miss it. No thinking necessary. Show starts at 9:00pm, get advance tickets here, or they can be had for $20 at the door.
Tuesday, November 16: A Perfect Circle is back in action after singer James Maynard Keenan years ago said it would never happen. The modern rock band has a huge cult like following, which explains playing the first of they’re playing three nights of shows at the Fillmore, the first on Tuesday. Each night they will be playing a different album. Get a ticket to Tuesda’ys show ($52.50) when they’ll be playing Mer de Noms here, or for all you diehards get the three-day pass here. (Wednesday=Thirteenth Step, Thursday=eMOTIVe).
Listen Here!:
Lil Jon and Diplo had a great idea in their collaboration track “U Don’t Like Me”, hip hops crunkest hype man over electronic music’s crunkest genre, dubstep. The track turned out alright, but pretty basic and a little boring to listen to more than once. Then a man that goes by Datsik came a long and did it a favor; he gave it the basslines and drops it deserves, and cut those southern vocals like a Slap Chop on a carrot. The end. Listen up. (Caution: Strong Language, Bass).
KRS-One always said hip hop is just straight education, and Brooklyn’s Kil Ripkin carries on that train of thought. Staying clear of rap clichés of money, cars and clothes, Ripkin gives us some conscious food for thought over catchy and authentic beats. There’s nothing like real, hearty hip hop. Download Kil Ripkin’s newest mixtape, “The Quickening Vol. 1.”
Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, two of pop’s hottest bad girls, have come together on a track that is very relevant to their lives, “It’s Raining Men.” It’s sure to be all over the radio, but get a head start by checking out the track here. Nothing too special, sounds like a song that Beyonce rejected, but the catchy melody makes sure it gets stuck in your head.
What if women ruled the world back in the Victorian days? Well I don’t know if it’d be exactly like this, but Of Montreal takes a sexy guess in their new music video for “Famine Affair,” which you can watch above. You even have a chance to remix the song, find out more here.
Spin’s monthly playlist for the month of November is now available. Featuring: Violens, Old 97’s, How To Dress Well and more. Get it here.
And to provide a little competition, Stereogum gives us their November playlist. Hey, more free music for you right? Featuring: Robert Smith, Girls, Sleigh Bells, Blood Diamonds.
Heard it Through the Grapevine:
Wiz Khalifa was arrested early this morning at Eastern Carolina University after authorities smelled marijuana wafting from his tour bus. He had earlier finished a show on the campus, and MTV reports, and on his way out police confronted him. They of course searched the bus, and came up with about 60 grams of pot. Wiz and nine others in his entourage were arrested. But judging by Wiz’s tweets, he’s alright.
Indie’s cutest couple, Wavves and Best Coast will be touring together according to their cat’s Twitter account, reports Pitchfork. Expect tons of weed, chill vibes, and cat references.
WWWD. What Would Weezy Do When he got out of jail? Party like a rapstar, of course. Recently released from Rikers Island, Wayne had a king sized bash at his Miami penthouse. Highlights: party in a vault, harajuku queens, Spin spells Drake, ‘Darke’. More coverage here.
Lil Wayne also played his first show since he’s been out, and if you were in Vegas last week you might have been lucky enough to witness when he hopped on stage with Drake. Check out pictures here.
Never missing an opportunity to state his presence, Kanye West performed on US airways flight recently. He spat verses from “Gold Digger” over the intercom, censored of course, check out a video here.
Predictably, Henry Rollins hates elitist hipsters. Check out this German subtitled, action packed clip where he chews some out at a record shop in ’06!
Danger Mouse with Jack White!? That sounds like a revelation waiting to happen. It’s all part of the afro sporting producer’s new band, Rome, find out more here.
According to George Bush, the worst and most “disgusting part” of his presidency was Kanye West calling him a racist. Wait, what? Well, I guess that was worse 9-11, Katrina, the war in Iraq. Read comments here.
