When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, it’s a good core workout. If you’re sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More
Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More
December is almost over - the New Year is coming up and everyone is busy drying off from the rain or holiday shopping. Let's take a look at what's happened this month.
Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"
Despite being named after the flammable solvent, Acetone is not the kind of band you'd call "on fire" (which may explain the ice caps on its logo). Nor does Acetone go out of its way to let people know the…
Meet Jim Greer, one of the most sincere, idealistic, and committed people you're likely to come across in the music business. Much like the hero in the Frank Capra movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Greer just recently came to…
While the New Amsterdams are a Get Up Kids offshoot, the band doesn't belong to the same dreaded indie subgenre as its emocore parent. Instead, songwriter Matthew Pryor's side project has plenty in common with that harbinger to all things…
Growing up in the shadow of Disneyland in Downey, Calif., future Blasters Dave and Phil Alvin found their own magic kingdom at thrift stores and swap meets, rifling through stacks of out-of-print blues and country records. Their early finds sparked…
You just gotta do things. There was unfinished business with the Plimsouls and it still seemed like there was a lot of life in it. I just went for it," says singer/songwriter Peter Case on what he was thinking when…
"Hey Julie, I'm on that interview we have and I'll buzz you up for your portion in a minute 'cause that's what I'm doin'," says guitarist and singer/songwriter Buddy Miller to his wife Julie Miller, singer/songwriter and occasional guitarist. "We…
"Unmarried housewife and mother" is a job description that probably rates a couple of points higher than "folk singer" in the current job market, and Suzzy Roche is all three, which makes her pretty much screwed. But that doesn't seem…
What distinguishes Silver and Gold from among the 30 or so other studio albums in Neil Young's massive catalog is that it belongs in the handful that tills the ground known in Young parlance as "country Neil." Since 1969, Young…
You could get the idea from his songs that Peter Case is obsessed with his past: From the first song on the first Plimsouls record, "Lost Time," to the first on his seventh solo album, "Paradise Etc," Case is still…
The cover of Donner Party Complete Recordings 1987-1989 includes a primitive drawing by the band's chief songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, Sam Coomes. It's a picture of the sun and moon, some fantastical animals, and the Casa Sanchez guy riding his…
After 1998's full-blown XO, Elliott Smith has pulled back a couple of notches for Figure 8. In the tradition of the DIY record maker -- albeit with a bigger budget -- the majority of the album's 16 songs are spare,…
Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"
It's a Wonderful Life
Jim Greer fights the shrinking music scene and an indifferent industry with a smile and a song
November 15, 2000
