‘Not Fade Away’: a film review by Gary Chew Coming-of-age films are as common a genre as a staged car chase on a hilly street in San Francisco or anywhere else in United States. This latest one, “Not Fade Away,” occurs on the other end of the continent near the Jersey Shore. David Chase (there's that word again) is at it again … not with a successful long-running series about wiseguys in Jersey, but a two-hour feature about British-Invasion-obsessed teenage Jersey guys smitten with Mick, Dylan, the blues, long hair and amplified guitars. Our story begins on the day a president is assassinated in Texas. A New Jersey family sits at the kitchen table, listening to and watching the aftermat

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

I had the opportunity to meet with Troy Carlson, CEO of Stage Nine Entertainment Store and Exhibit Design, the creators of probably the most impressive exhibit at the California State Fair this year. “Rock U: The Institute of Rock ‘N’ Roll,” is located in building 5. This custom designed exhibit is an interactive adventure into one of America’s greatest institutions - Rock ‘n’ Roll. Admission is free with your entrance to the fair. According to Carlson, “This really is a mix between a museum and an Exploratorium.” The exhibit provides attendees museum style displays such as vintage posters and photos, while also providing plenty of hands-on exhibits. The exhibit features interactive sta

There’s a lot more to Sacramento City Treasurer Russ Fehr than you might think. Yes, he knows all about municipal finances and wears a suit at City Council meetings. But he also plays guitar in a rock band with fellow city employees. Fehr, age 58, is one of six members of The Newz Makers, a city-employee band that started rocking in 2006.  For band gigs, Fehr exchanges his suit for casual garb and goes by the stage name “Luke.” He loves Tom Petty and the Rolling Stones, and was a member of a Sacramento group that was the precursor to the Rutabaga Boogie Band. Fehr’s band mates are Joe Valenzuela, a police captain; Jim Berg, an information technology supervisor; Tom Moore from Human Reso

It was a who's who of legendary rock n roll music on Monday night at Pearl on the River in Sacramento.  Starship's Mickey Thomas and the legendary Mickey Dolenz from the Monkees graced Sacramento fans with a patio jam.  Handfuls of fans crammed into the gorgeous eatery to sip on vino from various local wineries including Frank Family Vineyards, while listening to the nostalgic music of an era gone by.  Dolenz is in town cutting a tribute album with songs from Carole King at Gigatone Records for the my record fantasy contest.     

The Slackers are coming to Sacramento! On their 2010 tour, The Slackers will be performing at Harlow’s Sunday. They guarantee an awesome time, because their style of music has a little bit for everyone: ska, rock, reggae and soul, to name a few. Formed in Brooklyn, NY, this American band has been around since 1991. They are promoting their newly released 12th studio album, “The Great Rocksteady Swindle.” With tracks like “Mr. Tragedy” and “Cheated”, their new album is a collaborative effort that shows their music creativity and longevity in the music scene. Their members are Marcus Geard (slaps the bass), David Hillyard (Sax), Vic Ruggiero (Lead Vocals, Organ), Glen Pine (Trombone, Vocals)

  "You moved where?"    "Sacramento"  "Why?"         Sacramento is not thought of very highly by a lot of Bay Area-ites.  I'm not entirely sure why.  I suppose many cannot separate the town from the stink wafting up from the State Assembly and Capital.  Politics as a whole is repugnant to your average person, and California's is especially loathsome. It's an unfortunate metonymy, "Sacramento" for the sludge that leaks out of the State Assembly, but it is to be expected.  When one considers "Washington DC", its a rare soul who thinks of the Smithsonian first and the politics second.   I grew up in Menlo Park, decidedly Bay Area-centric.  In the circles I came of age in, Sacramento wasn't