Keytars, neon clothing and multiple wardrobe changes were just the start of a fun-themed night at Ace of Spades. From an alternative model to a professional lacrosse player and his friends, openers Diamond Dez and Con Bro Chill set the stage February 21 with a mixture of sass, attitude and entertainment for the night's headliner, Wallpaper. Poking fun at pop culture, Oakland musician/producer Wallpaper., a.k.a. Ricky Reed, started making music for a purpose. "When I started this project, the entire goal was to be a satire of pop music and pop culture. It was ultimately my music as wallpaper, background music," explains Reed. "We don't usually engage in music in the way that it deserves

Don't let the party stop after you've had your fill of beer and fashion this week, Sacramento! How do tattoos, black face paint, and tight, black leather sound? Good? Then check out Hollywood rock band Black Veil Brides at Ace of Spades next Wednesday, March 6. While seemingly more known to some for their visual aesthetics than their music, these wild-haired bad boys in eye shadow are continually refining their musical style and have seen it evolve from screaming heavy metal to a more anthemic rock sound. They're making a play for the big time with their third album, "Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones," an ambitious rock opera à la My Chemical Romance's "The Black Parade.

Two bands brought encouraging and positive vibes to Ace of Spades on Friday. The alternative rock band, The Reel, opened the night with their inspiring sound and lyrics, and was a great, positive opener for the headliner, Andrew McMahon. Formerly part of the bands, Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin, singer and songwriter McMahon shared his talents with the crowd. With over seven albums worth of material, he performed a wide range of material from all of his past albums and solo projects. Taking the stage with a pink button-down, smoothed back blonde hair and a bottle of Sierra Nevada on top of his piano, McMahon was set to give an unforgettable performance. Interactive with the

From all-female rockers to an eclectic rock duo, there was a rock band for every style this past Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Ace of Spades in downtown Sacramento. If you have any doubt that all-girl rock bands no longer exist, you will be mistaken once you hear Canadian-based rock group Hunter Valentine. Not your sweet and innocent girly group, Hunter Valentine brings a masculine femininity to the rock genre. With a raspy yet distinguished voice, lead vocalist Kiyomi McCloskey, accompanied by Laura Petracca (drums), Veronica Sanchez (bass) and Aimee Bessada (guitar and keyboards) set it off with her band, making a great opening to the night of rock ‘n’ roll. As McCloskey engaged with the c

It was indie night at Ace of Spades this past Wednesday, Nov. 14. From unique female vocalists to experimental post-hardcore, three bands gave Sacramento a great show. Emotion-stricken vocalist Nina Diaz and her band, Girl in a Coma (Phanie Diaz, drums and Jenn Alva, bass), were first to take the stage. All the way from San Antonio, Texas, Girl in a Coma showed a strong and fun female presence. Nina Diaz has a rockabilly style of vocals that, paired with their indie rock sound, puts Girl in a Coma in their own genre. With four studio albums, Girl in a Coma has a mixture of fast-tempo rock songs like “Say” off their first album “Both Before I'm Gone” and slower and more emotional track

When you walk in the door of Tim’s Music you immediately notice that the space is open, clean, visually appealing and staffed by friendly folks. That’s the impression that owner Scott Mandeville wants people to have. He designed the space to be warmly inviting and wants his staff to understand that kindness and personal interaction are the first step in creating a relationship with each person who enters the door. Mandeville and his wife Melissa bought the business in 2005 from its founder and namesake, Tim Lawrence. Lawrence opened Tim’s Band Instrument Service in 1977 and when nearing retirement, he joked repeatedly with his friend about buying the shop. One day, Mandeville asked, “How

Dogs in costume and their people companions are invited to a Howl’o’ween event presented by the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band. The Oct. 27 event will feature a pet fair and a canine costume contest with prizes for the cutest, funniest, scariest, ugliest and most original dog costumes. Prizes include a Spoiled Spa Package (for dogs) from Trends-n-Treats and free dog physical exams from Summer Hills and Hazel Ridge veterinarians. The Citrus Heights K9 team will be on paw to demonstrate their police skills, and the marching band will give a free musical performance. Award-winning Citrus Heights Community Marching Band has 70 performing members, from kids to seniors. Members volunt

Blondie and Devo will be playing in Sunrise Mall on Friday night. See the famous 1970s stars perform live at 7 p.m. Blondie is a rock band started by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein that saw several hits in the 1970s that still resonate today. Devo came together in 1972 and is most famous for the 1980 hit “Whip It.” Concert tickets run from $39.50 - $82.50. Click here to buy. The concert starts at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Passionate and success-hungry artists swarmed the Ace of Spades stage on Tuesday. Three rappers, all with different styles of hip-hop, gave an unforgettable performance opening for headliner Chiddy Bang. Starting off the night was hip-hop artist Brodi Nicholas. Originally from Rocklin, Nicholas currently resides in Irvine. Nicholas (vocalist and guitarist) and Dustin "D" Woelk (guitarist and producer) brought the crowd a medley of genres, including reggae, hip-hop and instrumental. Their versatile performance started the night off well, and got the crowd pumped for the show. From bongos to keyboard and drums, Nicholas had plenty of talent on stage. "New Kid," a song about girls, perfo

Habibi Hookah Lounge off Fair Oaks Boulevard brought live music and entertainment to Sacramento Thursday. Although smaller in size, the lounge offers customers a more intimate feel for entertainment as well as a great hookah selection. Though it opened five years ago, Habibi has recently taken to hosting "College Thursdays," presented by P-Crew Events. P-Crew Entertainment, a local events group who also works with nightclub The Park, were responsible for booking Starting Six. Coming out of the East Bay, these six guys write music based on what they love doing: partying and having fun. With a sound similar to The Cataracs and Tyga, their music gets everyone of out of their seats and dan

Rock 'n' roll filled the stage Sunday at Ace of Spades thanks to Eve 6, The Audition, Hero’s Last Mission and Taking Not Stealing. Chicago-based band The Audition performed right before headlining Eve 6 and came out with a large amount of energy. Lead vocalist Danny Stevens brought passion and artistry to the stage. Alongside Stevens was drummer Ryan O'Connor, guitarists Jimmy Lopez and Timmy Klepek and bassist Joe Lussa. Performing an eight-song set, The Audition gave the audience a mixture of their four albums paired with some of their material from their newest EP, “Chapter II.“ From the beginning, Stevens rocked the stage with strong vocals, opening with the lyrically fierce song "

Appearing behind a sheer shadow box a top the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts stage on Wednesday night, Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine, launched into her lilting “Only if For One Night,” the starting track off her 2011 record release “Ceremonials.” The crowd, captivated by Welch’s charisma and gold-studded cloak, cheered as the singer reverently raised her arms like a black bird and crooned the chorus line: “But you came over me like some holy rite, and although I was burning, you're the only light! Only if for a night!” Her graceful, yet guttural vocals permeated the theatre full with Florence aficionados. Behind her, a tapestry of stained glass cathedral windows and ce

With the aroma of coffee in the air and couches to lounge upon, Shine, located on 14th and E, offers the community great coffee and a great venue for musicians. Coffee shops aren't the norm when it comes to live music, but Shine gives a great alternative to the traditional music venue. There is plenty of space, so enjoy a cup of coffee and listen to music and what it is Shine aims to do. Bringing touring bands into the shop at least once a week, Shine welcomed indie band Is It Is and rock 'n' roll band Sioux City Kid this past Friday. Opening the night was San Francisco based seven-piece band, Sioux City Kid. The band is composed of lead vocalist Jared Griffin, Dave Odell (guitar), Adam

Indie music ruled the night at the California State University, Sacramento Union Ballroom this past Monday. Both the opening and feature band gave the audience great performances and showed their eclectic sound. Opening the show was New Zealand group, Avalanche City, originally started as a solo project by Dave Baxter. The multi-instrumental band now includes musicians Ben Duncan, Strahan Cole, Romelei Rodriguez, Ben Tolich and Johnny Brock. From violin and accordion to banjo and ukulele, Avalanche City is anything but an ordinary band. Released in 2011, Avalanche City's debut album, “Our New Life Above The Ground,” had great success in both New Zealand and Australia. Avalanche City has

Expect horns blowing and savory sauces simmering at the Spaghetti Feed fundraiser for the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band (CHCMB) this Saturday. Band members are hoping for a full house at their main fundraising event for the year. The Spaghetti Feed will be held on March 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Citrus Heights Community Center. Entertainment will be provided by the CHCMB and by the Golden State Accordion Club. The event will also include a silent raffle with over 70 items donated by local businesses and community members. Epitomizing community spirit, the band embraces players of all playing levels and ages and performs at public events throughout the Sacramento region. In 201

“Take your time to shine!” encouraged the band evaluator. The shy saxophone player nodded and jumped back into her jazz solo. Constructive feedback and encouragement were the focus of Saturday’s Traditional Jazz Youth Band Festival held at California State University, Sacramento. The event brought elementary school through college level jazz players together for a day of performances, evaluation by professional musicians and educators, clinics and opportunities to jam with the pros. Approximately 200 youth musicians in 30 bands filled the music building with the lively sounds of traditional jazz. Band names were as improvisational and free as the jazz form they play. “Stinky Cheese Hobo

Armed with 20 vocalists, six band members and four crew members impersonating the legends of Motown, RPM Crown Productions brought their Hitsville USA Legends of Motown Tribute Show to Thunder Valley Casino Resort on Saturday. There was a sold-out crowd of diehard Motown fans there to enjoy some of the greatest hits from the Motown era. It was perplexing that more people weren’t up on their feet during some of the performances. However, after each performer finished their set they were met with more than a few people giving them a standing ovation. The all-star lineup included acts such as The Four Tops, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and even a brief break from Motown for a little bit of

Sixty-two-year-old veteran rocker Eddie Money brought his Jingle Bell Rock tour to Thunder Valley Casino Resort on Thursday. Scheduled to appear was former Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm and former Jefferson Starship lead singer Mickey Thomas. The day before their performance at Thunder Valley, it was announced that Gramm would not be performing for the remaining tour due to acute laryngitis, so Gramm was not in attendance. As the concert kicked off with Money and Thomas taking the stage, the audience immediately started chanting, “Lou! Lou! Lou!” Money responded by explaining the situation and said they had added a couple of songs to their setlist to make up for the missing Gramm. This wa

Wow. What the hell happened out at Thunder Valley Casino Resort Friday night? It seems soft rock group Air Supply, playing to a packed house of lovesick fans, actually came out and rocked the house. I know. I still don’t believe it, but it’s all true! It was bedlam, I tell you. “Here I Am” thinking “Sweet Dreams.” What are the “Chances” I would find myself in a “Sanctuary” where “Me Like You” can feel “The Power of Love” “Everywhere,” only to have a real rock concert break out. Seriously! Air Supply started out innocently enough with “Even the Nights are Better,” and then segueing into “Every Woman in the World.” OK so far, but as veteran performers Russell Hitchcock (lead singer) and

Public Broadcasting’s KVIE studios in Sacramento was transformed into a concert venue Saturday night as Blame Sally took the stage for a fundraiser. This was not your run of the mill fundraiser either. KVIE recorded the performance and will be using the footage to produce a PBS Special, which will ultimately be used in pledge drives across the country and made available in DVD format. So why choose Blame Sally for such an event? KVIE is using Blame Sally to show women of all ages, middle age in particular, that you can accomplish so much more. In their 30’s and 40’s they put their individual careers on hold to start Blame Sally. As a role model, Blame Sally proves that women in their 30’