American Carnage Tour arrives!

Tonight at the Cow Palace and tomorrow at Arco Arena, Megadeth, Slayer and Testament bring the thrash back to Nor-Cal.  There hasn't been a metal show of this magnitude since Metallica last year.  Can't wait to get my thrash on......will my neck survive?  I thought I was going to miss this due to a job....thank the thrash gods for cancellations!

Slash plays the Warfield this Sunday!

TESTAMENT returns to NorCal next week!

Chuck Billy

The Bay Area's Testament returns with Slayer and Megadeth on the American Carnage tour.  I'm especially stoked for these shows.  Their latest album, "The Formation of Damnation" is my pick for best album of 2008.  Featuring the return of Alex Skolnick to the ranks, Testament upped the ante' on their career with this blazing collection of riffage!

Upcoming Dates

8/25 Magness Arena, Denver, CO
8/26 Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, NM
8/27 Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
8/29 Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, San Diego, CA
8/30 Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA
8/31 Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA

SEPTEMBER
9/01 Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA
9/03 Wamu Theatre, Seattle, WA
9/04 Washington County Fairgrounds, Portland, OR

Alex Skolnick

Eric Peterson

Greg Christian

Pearl and Meat Loaf on tour!

Ratt images from Raley Field

Stephen Pearcy

Ratt blasted out an amazing performance when they made their return to Sacramento opening for the Scorpions at Raley Field on August 4th.  Reminded me of Day on the Green 85' when they performed together with a young Metallica opening.  They played all the classics including Way Cool Jr...an old favorite.  The new songs went over well with the crowd and the crowd let them know it.  It had been over 20 years since I last saw Ratt headline ARCO Arena with Poison opening.  I'm hoping they make it back to Sac soon for a proper headlining show.  Ratt'n'Roll!

Bobby Blotzer

Warren DeMartini

Exhale this Wednesday!

Sunset Strip Music Fest Schedule for this Saturday featuring Slash and Smashing Pumpkins!

For More Info on Sunset Strip Music Fest 

 

Aug. 28 Street Fest Schedule!

West Outdoor Stage
2:00-2:30 p.m. Semi Precious Weapons
3:00-3:40 p.m. Steel Panther
4:30-5:10 p.m. Travie McCoy
6:20-7:35 p.m. Slash
8:20-9:35 p.m. The Smashing Pumpkins
East Outdoor Stage
2:30-3:10 p.m. Big B
3:40-4:15 p.m. Neon Trees
5:10-6:00 p.m. Kid Cudi
7:15-8:15 p.m. Common

Cat Club
1:00-1:20 p.m. Machine Empire
1:30-1:55 p.m. JD Bender
2:10-2:30 p.m. HDR
2:40-3:00 p.m. White Arrows
3:10-3:40 p.m. The Dollies
3:50-4:20 p.m. Rattlesnake Shake
4:30-5:00 p.m. Lady Sinatra
5:10-5:40 p.m. The Binges
5:50-6:10 p.m. No Thanks
6:20-6:50 p.m. Oh No Not Stereo
7:00-7:30 p.m. Links
7:40-8:10 p.m. HillBilly Herald
8:20-8:50 p.m. Love And A .38
9:00-9:30 p.m. Casper & The Bad Spirits
9:40-10:10 p.m. The Royal Highness
10:20-10:50 p.m. Dirty Sweet
11:00-11:30 p.m. Prohibition Rose
11:40-12:10 a.m. Diamond Lane
12:20-12:50 a.m. Cast Of Kings
1:00-close The Lonely Drunks Club Band
Key Club
1:00 p.m. 98.7FM Rockstar Finals
4:45 p.m. Blowing Up The Moon
5:20 p.m. Vanaprasta
6:05 p.m. Transfer
6:50 p.m. The Divine
7:35 p.m. Casxio
8:20 p.m. Awolnation
10:20 p.m. Dommin
11:20 p.m. Volbeat
The Roxy Theatre
1:05-1:25 p.m. Ruby Tigers
1:40-2:10 p.m. Juke Kartel
2:25-2:55 p.m. Shuvel
3:15-3:45 p.m.  New Kingdom
4:00-4:30 p.m. Cisco
4:45-5:25 p.m. John West
5:40-6:20 p.m. Nikki & Rich
6:35-7:15 p.m. Andy Grammer
7:30-8:00 p.m. Wicker
8:15-8:45 p.m. Audible Mainframe
10:00-10:40 p.m. Zen Robbi
11:00-12 a.m. Tommorrows Bad Seeds

Whisky A Go-Go
1:10-1:40 p.m. Save Our Souls
1:50-2:20 p.m. Lost Patrol
2:30-3:00 p.m. Acidic
3:10-3:40 p.m. Desecrate
3:50-4:20 p.m. Yeti
4:30-5:00 p.m. Ankla
5:10-5:40 p.m. Sean Rex
5:50-6:20 p.m. Tornado Rider
6:30-7:15 p.m. Billy Boy On Poison
7:25-7:55 p.m. Forrest Day
8:05-8:35 p.m. Soma
8:45-9:15 p.m. Subliminal Trip
9:25-9:55 p.m. Reason to Rebel
10:05-10:35 p.m. Vayden
10:45-11:15 p.m. Electra
11:30-12:00 a.m. The Shrill
12:15-close Adler’s Appetite

Frank Hannon CD Release

Y&T melts your face this weekend!

Y&T are back melting the faces off of NorCal.  After last nights blazing free show in CC park in San Jose, they hit Reno's New Oasis and on Saturday they will play Sacramento's Crest Theater.  Sac's own Brad Lang is filling in on bass while Phil takes care of some medical issues.  Good luck Brad!  Don't miss these shows!

Silent Treatment - FEAR

Silent Treatment is back in Sac this Friday night celebrating their new record deal at the Fire Escape with Wings of Innocence.  Another great night of rockin' debauchery.....always my favorite.  Come party with us.  Hit me up for discount tix.

Mike and I

Yes.......this is me strumming Michael Schenker's guitar.......and yes.....it made an epic sound!

Michael Schenker Group with Sister Sin from Sweden, Emerald City, Bonebag and many others Tuesday night, August 17th at the Boardwalk.

Michael Schenker at XFEST on August 7, 2010

Original singer Gary Barden is back on vocals and the legend Carmine Appice  is bashing the drums!  Going to be a kick ass show!

New Armored Saint Video

Silent Treatment signing party at the Fire Escape with Wings of Innocence.

Hand Over Fist!

Check out the debut album by Toronto rockers Hand Over Fist featuring longtime Sacramento promoter and guitarist Michael Ragusa.  These guys seriously lay down the groove.

Hand Over Fist Website

Dave Rude Band

"Fallin' Down" BY DAVE RUDE BAND: OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO from Dave Rude on Vimeo.

Skip's Music's Stairway to Stardom

Upcoming shows I recommend!

Tonight.....The Realists at the Fire Escape.
MSG at Pepperbelly's in Fairfield
Shawn Peter's birthday party at the Townhouse featuring A Single Second, Another Damn Disappointment, Kill the Precedent

Sunday  MSG at the Avalon
Skips music Stairway to Stardom at the Crest

Monday the 16th  Green Jello!  Holy Cow God!  I'll be there....at On the Y!

Tuesday  MSG, Emerald City, Bone Bag at the Boardwalk
Billy Idol at the Fillmore

Thursday  The Swell Season at Mountain Winery
Y&T in San Jose
Killola at the Blue Lamp

Friday Y&T in Reno at New Oasis
Silent Treatment and Wings of Innocence at Fire Escape

Saturday the 21st
Y&T at the Crest
Oleander, Sleep Noise, Kalieding Design at the Boardwalk

R.I.P. Randy Valdez

Randy passed away Monday morning from injuries sustained in a car accident on Sunday.  He was a gifted guitar player who played in many Sacramento area metal bands including Colma and Brutal Groove.  I had the great pleasure to photograph many of his performances.  He was of great character and always a blast to hang with.  He will be sorely missed.

FUNERAL INFO:
There will be a viewing on THURSDAY, AUGUST 12th, 2010 at Klumps Chapel Of The Flowers, 2691 Riverside Blvd. between 4:00 and 8:00pm

The actual funeral will be FRIDAY, AUGUST 13th, 2010 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 660 Florin Rd. (Greenhaven) at 10am. Burial directly following the services, procession ......to St. Mary's Cemetary, 6700 21st Ave.. There will be a reception following the burial.

Deftones return to Sac!

This should be another crushing show.  Our hometown boys never disappoint.  I remember seeing one of their early shows at the Classic Jukebox in Rocklin....I've got pictures.....LOL.  I also remember when Stephen used to roadie for FMK. 

XFEST Tonight!

XFEST 2010
50 Bands for $20 bucks!  Can't beat it in this economy.  8 Stages!  This will be my first XFest....hoping it won't be my last.  Can't wait to see the Michael Schenker Group again...it has been too long.  I'm also excited for Montrose, The Tubes, Pepper, Irration, Coma Bloom and Stig Murder.

RUDY SAYS..........

GET YOUR ASS TO THE SHOW TONIGHT......PLEASE!

SCORPIONS AND RATT AT RALEY FIELD AT 7PM!

Rudolph Schenker at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord on Sunday August 1, 2010.

I saw the Scorps on Sunday night......absolutely epic!  Thanks Pawel for the hook up and all the hospitality!

Pawel

Matthias

Klaus

James

RATT Infest Nor Cal this week!

Ratt return to northern California this week with two shows.  The first is at the Oakland Metro on Tuesday with Sentinel Beast.  The second is in Sacramento at Raley Field with the Scorpions.  I saw the Scorpions last night and it is a DO NOT MISS SHOW!  Having Ratt on the bill on a big stage again only makes it that much sweeter.  In my opinion, the new Ratt album, Infestation is the finest album of the year and might be the best they have ever done.  If you liked Ratt in the 80's, you should love this record.  It equals anything they did back then and Stephen's voice is still top notch.  Warren DeMartini still shreds and the band is re-invigorated with the addition of Carlos Cavazo from Quiet Riot.  Do yourself a favor and get this record and get your ass to one or both of their shows this week.  Ratt'n'Roll is back!

Official RATT Website