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Backstage Pass

Skrillex is just killin’ it

Skrillex
Lots of usual suspects popped up on the just-released roster of Grammy nominations — Adele, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, the Foo Fighters. But who, folks might wonder, was the wild-maned artist who calls himself Skrillex, who logged no less that five coveted nominations? Read More

Motley Crue announces Vegas gig on ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’

Word was going around yesterday afternoon that notorious metal outfit Motley Crue were preparing to make a big announcement on — of all things — “Piers Morgan Tonight.” They did. They surely did. For the entire month of February, 2012, they’ll be performing a first-ever Hard Rock residency at The Joint, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Read More

The Roots have a hi-tech treat for you

It’s starting to happen much more frequently these hi-tech days — why should a band simply release a ho-hum old album when they can augment it with an elaborate complementary App, as well? Read More

The Killers doing their part to celebrate World AIDS Day

U2’s Bono has been popping up everywhere this week to call attention to the fact that today, Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day, and to shed light on his (RED) organization’s ongoing global fight against AIDS. But venerable Vegas outfit The Killers are once again doing their part, too, pausing long enough during their new album sessions to record their sixth consecutive benefit Christmas single, “The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball,” out today on iTunes. Read More

Get your Flogging Molly tickets early

Flogging Molly
Speaking of calendars, might as well grab next year’s while we’re penciling in special must-see events. Because the great Celtic-punk outfit Flogging Molly has just announced the itinerary for its Eighth Annual Green 17 Tour, their regular St. Patrick’s-themed juggernaut that careens across the country each March. Read More

Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson to appear at Amoeba Music next week

Get out your calendar — or sleek new smartphone — and save the date. Next Tuesday, Dec. 6. Don’t know where you’ll be then, you say? We do: At Amoeba Music, 1855 Haight St., in San Francisco, for a can’t-miss in-store event at 6:30 p.m. Read More

Okkervil River offers free download of cover tracks

Brainy alternative outfit Okkervil River has always boasted some rather arcane influences. Their name, for instance, was inspired by a short story by obscure Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. And now they’re proudly announcing their influences via “Golden Opportunities 2,” a free download available at their website, www.okkervilriver.com. Operative word here: “free.” Read More

Modestep ready to dubstep into America

Modestep
Their last three singles have all gone Top 10 on the UK dance charts. Their videos for “Feel Good” and “Sunlight” have been viewed on YouTube over eight million times apiece. And their high-octane live concerts — road-tested at festivals like Glastonbury, Download and the Isle of Wight — have become almost legendary overseas. Now, London’s new dubstep-inspired band Modestep is at last coming to these shores. Read More

Occupy Wall Street gets a soundtrack — ‘Occupy This Album’

You knew it was coming. You could feel it in the civil-disobedience wind. Read More

Rrazz Room offering Black Friday ticket deals online

Black Friday alert for all Bay Area cabaret fans! The Rrazz Room, San Francisco’s most cocktail-cool nightclub, is offering some special online deals, today only (www.therrazzroom.com; 800-380-3095). First, there’s a 30 percent discount on all gift card sales if you utilize the coupon code “Thanksgiving” when purchasing. A great deal in itself. Read More
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