Some great local bands and a couple of upcoming events

April 15, 6:54 PMSouth Bay Rock Music ExaminerSean Thompson

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With some help from my friend Phil Stefani aka Filthy (lead guitarist and back-up vocals in local S.F. outlaw cowpunk sleaze outfit FlexXBronco) and Dave Christensen (lead vocals/guitarist for Santa Cruz dark rockers the Devil Himself), I have compiled an initial listing of some local Bay Area bands that should be checked out. Special thanks also goes to Barb of Barb Rocks for her input and thoughts on this listing. If your fave is not noted, please write to me directly at rockmusicexaminer@gmail.com and tell me why they should be included and where I can check them out!

San Jose –

• The Billy Krystals
• The Rivals
• My Monster
• Kung Fu Vampire (also on MySpace here)
• Shadow Beat Ritual
• Jade of Days

San Francisco/Oakland –

• FlexXBronco (I would be remiss not to include them.; besides, they seriously kick butt!)
• 3rdrail
• Everything Must Go
• the pleasure kills
• horror-x

Santa Cruz/Gilroy/Peninsula –

• the Devil Himself (again, a particular favorite of mine and must be included…..)
• Pride Subject
• 3 Up Front
• Moderna Complex

Out of this list, there are a few that really stand out to me (besides those I have previously written about, of course!). Kung Fu Vampire really is a rather unique creature. Blending Gothic sensibilities with razor-sharp hip-hop beats overlaid with a combination of such instruments as cello, violin, drums, and bass, KFV really cannot help but set themselves apart. I am the first to admit I am not a huge fan of rap or hip hop in general, but this collection of talented and colorful musicians have me rethinking that stance.

In the upcoming shows section, I would like to promote Jade of Days’ comeback show after having taken a hiatus of over a year. They are playing the Cupertino Britannia Arms on April 25th and this show is definitely not to be missed. Dana Kelley’s vocals are powerful, soulful, and passionate as she guides each song effortlessly with the superb musicianship provided by her band mates Nelson Medeiros (lead guitars), Junior Medeiros (drums), Nelson Candido (bass), and Sandro Costa (keyboards). Do yourself a favor and check them out on the 25th.
 

Left Coast Live, May 11th - 15th, 2009, San Jose

Two other events that everyone needs to put on their calendars and get tickets asap for are Left Coast Live and WestFest. Left Coast Live (May 11th thru May 15th ) is an ambitious undertaking that is sort of like a South by South West (SXSW) for the Bay Area, featuring some of the best local music to be found. An impressive assortment of San Jose venues (30 of ‘em!) are taking part in this five-day event which will spotlight 60 bands. Tickets are currently priced at $25, but will jump up to $30 if you wait until the day of to pick them up. The Main Stage festival event on May 15 is ALL AGES, but some other venues that night may be 21+. Updated information on the website will guide you to which venues may have an age limit!

WestFest, May 9th, 2009 @ West Valley
College

WestFest (May 9th) is an all-day musical extravaganza, also featuring a huge collection of local talent. This is a FREE event and starts at 1pm, rocking West Valley College in Saratoga until 11:30pm. Some of the feature acts include the aforementioned Kung Fu Vampire (also freaking people out at Left Coast Live), My Monster, Shadow Beat Ritual, and about 18 others which will span genres such as indie rock, prog rock, rap/hip-hop, funk, punk, hard rock/metal, and even reggae.

Keep checking this space as I will post full schedules of the bands playing as well as their on-stage times for both of these awesome local music festivals.