6.22.2009

Fluffernutter

Just watch... and laugh.

6.18.2009

Seen today's International Herald Tribune?

A very special edition of the International Herald Tribune has hit the streets today. It's dated "Saturday, December 19, 2009" — the day after the UN climate talks end in Copenhagen — and it reports the news we're hoping to see that day. Check it out:

(Click the image to view the online version of the paper; click here to download a low-res PDF.)
IHT.Greenpeace.org: Heads of state agree historic climate-saving deal


Personally, I'm especially fond of José Chingu's piece on the Amazon. (Because I wrote it.)

Bay Area venues under siege

All ages clubs in the Bay Area are under attack from state regulators at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). At issue is a regulation — that is not even part of state law and has never been enforced before — stating that all-ages venues have to get half of their revenue from food sales. And of course these being venues, that isn't always feasible.

This SF Chronicle article spells it out:
Bay Area natives probably can recall their first show at the Fillmore, one of San Francisco's most famous music halls and the site of performances that span generations of music - from Jimi Hendrix to The Roots. These days, music fans might go to Potrero Hill's Bottom of the Hill club, the Tenderloin's Great American Music Hall or Cafe du Nord in the Castro.

Those venues could be forced to close, owners say, if the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, better known as ABC, continues to impose rules that club attorneys argue are legally questionable and often unrelated to booze or safety issues.
Those are absolutely some of the finest clubs in the city. The Great American Music Hall in particular is one of the most beautiful venues in the world, at least in my opinion. I've seen everyone from Neurosis to Explosions in the Sky and Joanna Newsom there, and the time I got to play there was one of the highlights of my life to date.

From the standpoint of a 7-year resident of San Francisco, it would be tragic if these clubs shut down. It would certainly lessen the appeal of this fantastic city.

And on another tip: Where the hell do these nosy ass bureaucrats get off trying to make life harder for small businesses in these economic times? Talk about tone deaf and heartless.

This video explains the case well too (or in case you can't read):

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/video.



The Great American Music Hall is asking folks to email the state legislator interviewed in the video, Mark Leno, and "let him know that you support all-ages clubs in their fight against the ABC." Email him here: senator.leno@senate.ca.gov.

The venue is also asking people to buy their "Rock-n-Roll is not a crime" shirt (pictured above) to help defray their considerable legal fees resulting from this nonsense. If you live here in the Bay Area, stop by the GAMH box office to pick yours up — and if you don't live here but want to help out by buying a shirt, email here and arrange to have one shipped to you.

Personally, I'm buying eight. I'll do anything to keep these places in business. I wouldn't recognize this city any more, or feel nearly as comfortable in it, if these places were gone. They're bona fide San Francisco institutions.

6.03.2009

6.02.2009

My new show on BTR! Plus, musings on political music (I couldn't help myself)...


Well, my new show is actually just my old show, Bay Area Music, with a new name and a slightly new format. We're calling the show Wiretap Music on BTR cuz I brought in my partner in running WiretapMusic.com, the Bay Area's music resource, to help DJ my show. Her name is Olivia Parriott and she extends the reach of my show even deeper into the scene.

If you didn't catch the first ever Wiretap Music on BTR show, click here and check it out. We featured an interview with Bonfire Madigan, an inspiring musician who is equal parts activist.

As a web editor at Greenpeace and musician myself, I am impressed by just about anyone who melds the worlds of music and activism. People criticize groups like Rage Against the Machine for putting their politics into their music, but to me that's asinine. Not being political is a stance with political implications all the same.

There's a really cool project here in the Bay Area called ArtfulChange.org that I think is doing cool stuff. I got me one of their t-shirts, yeah boy.

So check out our first Wiretap Music on BTR show for the interview with Bonfire Madigan and check out WiretapMusic.com if you want to see the full interview/profile video that Olivia made.

And remember to listen locally!