Most people know Steve Martin for the "Wild and Crazy Guy" image that helped make him a household name in comedy. Whether you are familiar with his stand-up comedy career (which he left 30 years ago), his movie career (that has included hits including 'The Jerk', 'The Three Amigos' and 'Father of the Bride'), or his numerous television appearance on Saturday Night Live (or most recently, 30 Rock) you likely have an instant association of Steve Martin and comedy. Well, it turns out there is another side to Steve Martin. Steve Martin the musician.

Steve Martin is a banjo player. Martin originally picked up the banjo about 45 years ago just to add another talent to his one-man show and stand-up routine. Over time he added original banjo songs. His comedic career took off, but he never stopped playing the banjo. In 2001, he played with Earl Scruggs on the tune "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," for the album Earl Scruggs and Friends, which won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance. In January of this year Martin released his first solo banjo album, The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo. The album has 15 bluegrass style songs, 14 of which are originals written by Martin.

Continue reading Steve Martin Review: Pickin & Grinning..

As the members of There For Tomorrow rummaged through their van and trailer a line started to form outside Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. The up-and-coming band was at yet another gig, at yet another bar. The thing about this particular venue though, was that by the time they made it onto the tiny stage the place was packed to the rafters. This was a night full of pop punk music from fledgling bands trying to stamp their name and very own style onto the fickle, cold music business.

Sparks the Rescue, This Time Next Year, Fireworks and head liner Hit The Lights all took the stage. There For Tomorrow had been sandwiched between the opener and the heavyweights of the night. A very good place to be. The opening bands, especially in venues like these, get accustomed to playing to either diehard fans or those that arrived a little too early. And by the time Hit the Lights hit the stage a good percentage of the bar was on its way out. It was a weeknight after all. This tour had been good for the Florida natives. They had actually sold out of cd’s which was a good problem to have and the live show had started coming together. After multiple hours in the van the night before, coming into California from Portland, the group was ready to launch into another set.

Continue reading There For Tomorrow Review: The Next Big Thing?..

Fresh off their summer gig opening for No Doubt, Paramore is back on the tour circuit. This time headlining a tour of their own. The Warfield Theater in San Francisco was filled to capacity as fans crammed onto the general admission floor shoulder to shoulder. With the recent release of their third studio album "Brand New Eyes," sold out gigs are becoming more and more common.

Fellow Nashville, Tennessee natives Paper Route hit the stage first. The four piece band was surprisingly different. Their mix of electronica and pop rock was perfect as they sailed through their allotted 30 minutes. Although, both Chad Howat and J.T. Daley stayed anchored to center stage and held down the vocals, they still made the set entertaining enough to keep the audience's attention. The unique sound that this young band has is reminiscent of Coldplay and so is their light show. The most difficult task of opening acts is getting the waning audience's attention. Paper Route had no issues in that department. Look for these talented musicians to break out of the supporting act role very soon.

Continue reading Paramore Review: An Amazing Show..

It was a flashback for the flocks of fans that flooded into the Fillmore Auditorium for the sold out Foreigner concert. The band, which formed in 1976, has a relatively new lead singer in Kelly Hansen. That didn't deter any of the thousands that crowded into the general admission venue from spending their Friday night with the legendary rock band.

With no opening act Foreigner was obviously the main draw and was expected to put on quite a show. At least one worthy of the cost of admission. The band did not disappoint. Hansen fits in perfectly with the group and has the quintessential eighties rock voice. With a history of heavy metal, and stints with a slew of bands under his belt, the front man put on quite a performance. He had no problem leaving the stage and getting up close and personal with the fans, as he did numerous times throughout the two hour set.

Continue reading Foreigner Concert Review: Stands The Test Of Time..

It may have been the first time that an artist has ever been introduced with the words Oscar winning, at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord. Jamie Foxx, the Oscar winning, grammy-nominated, jack of all trades, hit the stage amidst a barrage of smoke and lights. The entertainer is currently traveling the country on his Blame It Tour.

Foxx had multiple personalties on stage during his two hour set. There is one side of Foxx, the more popular side, that sings with help from auto tune and features Lil Wayne on all of his singles. Then there's the other side, the more talented one, that channels Ray Charles and is straight up blues. Jamie himself is very aware of this and took time out midway through the set to apologize for the hit singles that are in heavy rotation on hip hop radio nationwide.

Continue reading Jamie Foxx Concert Review: Jack Of All Trades..