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Surging L.A. band with Southern roots hits Monterey Live.
Stuart ThorntonA little more than a month ago, on a Friday night at Monterey Live, a group of Los Angeles musicians calling themselves Truth & Salvage Co. held the audience’s full... read on»
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Ostrich Head grinds out clubbable beats.
Stuart ThorntonFormerly based in Monterey, the five man hip-hop outfit Ostrich Head is a wildly ambitious group. Their latest CD, I Love Head, is an 18-song release that dives into underground... read on»
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Hipster folkie Ryan Bisio has a new CD – and a new attitude.
Adam JosephRyan Bisio sits at one of the outdoor tables in front of Osio Cinemas sipping on his coffee and smoking a cigarette. He has the looks of a pop superstar... read on»
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Bodyguards and hard bodies at Metal Blood Fest.
Adam JosephWith horror-inspired lyrics, voices that are half Freddy Krueger and half Cookie Monster, skull-splitting guitar riffs and drums that sound like machine guns on crank, the two-day, nine-band Monterey Metal... read on»
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Visiting fiddlers revive tradition with new spirit.
Maureen DavidsonMy grandpa was a rascal and a fiddler. Now, it’s not absolutely necessary to be a rascal in order to play the Scottish fiddle, but “attitude” is definitely required. That’s... read on»
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Maria Muldaur merges swamp-funk and political passion.
Paul WilnerShe’s a playa, not a preacher, but Maria Muldaur can’t resist speaking out on the state of the world in her most recent album, Yes We Can! (TelArc). The former... read on»
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Mike Beck regularly returns to join the Bohemian Saints at P.G.’s Pelican.
Stuart ThorntonThese days, Mike Beck lives two lives. Most of his days and nights are spent in the tiny Montana town of Willow Creek (population: 200). There, he lends his guitar... read on»
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James Hurley found his career with the help of a Salinas rodeo accident.
Stuart ThorntonAfter sifting through ample biographical data and conducting an in-depth interview, I’ve determined that there were two instances in James Hurley’s life that led him towards his career as a... read on»
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David Lowery and Cracker unleash their clever-saucy rock on Monterey.
Stuart ThorntonRichmond, Va.-based musician David Lowery is lucky enough to have two great outlets for his quirky, irony-laden rock songs. There’s Camper Van Beethoven, the eclectic ’80s band that incorporated world... read on»
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The home-sown Mystery Lights release their debut.
Stuart ThorntonA lot has happened to the Salinas garage-rock band The Mystery Lights over the last two years. The group – 19-year-old singer/guitarist Mike Brandon, 20-year-old drummer Steve Miller, 21-year-old lead... read on»
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MJF’s Next Gen Fest still attracting eager students, savvy mentors of swing.
Andrew GilbertAt a time when belt tightening is the order of the day, the Monterey Jazz Festival’s student showcase Next Generation Festival is moving in the opposite direction, offering more of... read on»