By DONNA BALANCIA
Honest Thieves, Them Guns, Rock DTLA’s 5 Star Bar
DOWNTOWN LA — There are few times when we are as impressed as we were at 5 Star Bar in downtown LA last weekend. The 5 Star Bar makes it a new experience to meet […]
Musicians
Auctions
Joe Strummer’s 1963 Ford Thunderbird Goes Up for Bid
By DONNA BALANCIA, BEVERLY HILLS — Want to cruise around like The Clash frontman Joe Strummer did in Los Angeles? Then you can buy Strummer’s 1963 Chalfont Blue Ford Thunderbird, going up for sale by […]
concerts
Armisen’s ‘Dead Men Walking’ Play the Troubadour Sept. 14
Fred Armisen’s “all-star” punk band Dead Men Walking will perform at Doug Weston’s Troubadour on Sept. 14. The band is led by Armisen, known for his portrayals of punk and rock musicians including our […]
concerts
Outside Lands Fest Adds Sparkle to Golden Gate Park
By DONNA BALANCIA in SAN FRANCISCO – Death Cab for Cutie, Arctic Monkeys, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and The Flaming Lips headline the 7th annual Outside Lands Festival in Golden Gate Park. The Outside […]
concerts
Weapon-X Sets Summer Dates in Santa Ana, San Diego
By DONNA BALANCIA – LOS ANGELES — Coming off a successful performance at the Black Rose Tavern in LA, WEAPON-X has announced two new summer dates. On July 26, the Victory Music Academy, founded by […]
Musicians
Heather Reid takes ‘Cross Words’ on the Road
Family Comes First for California Rocker By DONNA BALANCIA in LOS ANGELES – Heather Reid’s new solo album Cross Words is an emotional map that takes us through her journey of new beginnings. The music […]
concerts
Merle Haggard Headlines 2014 Ink-N-Iron Fest
LONG BEACH — It’s everything a lover of tats, cars, music and girls could want, all in one big location. The 10th annual Ink-N-Iron Kustom Culture Festival will be held aboard the Queen Mary in […]
By DONNA BALANCIA
Jesus The Bus Driver Inspires With His Music
BY DONNA BALANCIA — Jesus played Chilean folk music on the side of a Southern California road. He was waiting for help in Carlsbad after his bus broke down en route to San Diego from […]
Musicians
Record Store Day in SoCal Scores a Hit with Collectors, Music Lovers
Across the globe, limited and special editions abound during annual vinyl celebration By DONNA BALANCIA – CARLSBAD — Record Store Day has evolved into the busiest day of Ken Kosta’s year as the […]
Musicians
Kim Gordon’s ‘Coming Soon’ Installation at Schindler’s Fitzpatrick-Leland House
By CARREN JAO — When two art forms meet, there is always a negotiation. Artist and musician Kim Gordon, best known as a founding member of the rock band Sonic Youth, wrestles with this in […]
Musicians
Study: Internet Radio Provides New Ad Opportunities
A new report by BIA/Kelsey shows that Internet Radio is changing consumer listening habits and the industry economics are starting to follow. Recognizing new opportunities to reach and engage with these audiences, national and local advertisers […]
Musicians
Coachella 2014 Kicks into High Gear as Opening Weekend Wraps
INDIO — Coachella Valley and Arts Festival was off to a rousing start as Cage The Elephant performed an all-acoustic version of its hit “Come A Little Closer” in the 94.9 House, and was part […]
By DONNA BALANCIA
Johnny Winter’s Interview with California Rocker
Guitar Great is ‘Just having fun again.’ By DONNA BALANCIA, Oct. 13, 2013 – Johnny Winter has learned to become a great teacher — and a student — of time’s lessons. “I never knew my […]
East Coast Rocker®
Lake Street Dive and The Congress In a Small Venue – Not For Long
By BOB BUSBY — WEST HOLLYWOOD — On a recent memorable evening Lake Street Dive the jazz foundation-turned-R&B Pop quintet led by power siren Rachael Price delivered a fabulous smile-inducing performance to a sold out […]
Concert Advances
Elton John: The Million Dollar Piano Screens tonight and March 26
Elton John: The Million Dollar Piano will play on movie screens nationwide on Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 26 at 7 p.m. local time, it was announced. The film, presented by Fathom Events, CinemaLive and […]
Musicians
Neil Young’s Pono Surpasses its Kickstarter Goal
By BOB BUSBY — LOS ANGELES — “Come a little bit closer, hear what I have to say.” So sang Neil Young some 22 years ago. Now he’s out to show he was serious. Harboring […]
Musicians
How Rock Stars Pick Their Guitars: Stevie Salas
By DONNA BALANCIA — Stevie Salas has worked with world-class musicians but stays true to his humble Southern California roots. He was selected to play guitar for Mick Jagger, has toured with Rod Stewart and […]
Awards
Offspring Doesn’t Go Far for OC Award
Local Fave Receives the 2014 OC Impact Award HUNTINGTON BEACH — With more than 40 million records sold and fans across the globe, The Offspring has been named winner of the 2014 OC Impact Award. […]
Musicians
Music is Medicine for ‘King of the Surf Guitar’
By DONNA BALANCIA — SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — For The King of the Surf Guitar, music is the medicine. “I have to perform to stay alive,” said Dick Dale, whose trademark surf sound defined a […]
interviews
Bob Ezrin Tells NAMM Attendees to be Precise on Music Terminology
Industry must call music ‘art.’ After all, Ezrin says, ‘A rose by any other name would NOT smell as sweet’ — By DONNA BALANCIA – ANAHEIM – Legendary producer Bob Ezrin told music retailers Thursday that the industry […]
Musicians
Jason Mraz, Raining Jane and Bushwalla in Oceanside
Mraz teams with Pals for Feeding The Soul Foundation OCEANSIDE, Calif — Jason Mraz and friends put on an upbeat show with the Feeding The Soul Foundation Sunday night in North San Diego County. Proceeds […]
Awards
Todd Rundgren to Receive Les Paul Award at 2014 NAMM Show
By DONNA BALANCIA — Todd Rundgren will receive the Les Paul Award at the National Association of Music Merchants Show, and fans say it’s been a long time coming. Todd will be presented with the […]
Musicians
More Music Releases via Social Media on Horizon?
OPINION – With the overnight success of Beyonce’s latest album it’s a sure bet that more artists will use the “surprise” social media method to sell records. But while analysts are singing the praises of Beyonce’s marketing […]
Musicians
Joan Jett: Social Media Would Have Killed The Runaways
By DONNA BALANCIA – U.S. Rocker — Joan Jett said the pressure of 24-7 social media scrutiny has completely changed the music business. Before a live studio audience on the CBS daytime show “The Talk,” Jett […]
Musicians
Lou Lou Reed dead at 71: New York City Rocker, Velvet Underground Music Pioneer, Dies
Lou Reed’s passing was not entirely unexpected, but it was sobering news on this post-Halloween Party Sunday. From The New York Daily News: By David Hinckley / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Lou Reed, the founder of the […]
East Coast Rocker®
The Original Wailers Bring Delight to Reggae Fans at Milliken’s Reef
By DONNA BALANCIA – The Original Wailers are still cranking out the reggae and continue in Bob Marley style. The Original Wailers put on a lively show the other night and will likely continue to satisfy […]