Music & Nightlife

LED Zeppelin’s shark sex legend. Axl’s riot in St. Louis. Burzum’s church burnings. Ozzy biting the heads off bats and doves. » Read More

THE SOUTH BAY seems to be getting more and more places to listen to good music. They are sprouting up in little corners where you don’t expect them. One newer venue that is trying to bring good blues to San Jose is Poor House Bistro. This New Orleans restaurant can be found near the downtown train station. » Read More

WHEN Leonard Cohen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, he appeared at the podium with the serenity of a Zen monk and humbly declared: “This is a very unlikely occasion for me. It is not a distinction that I coveted, or even dared dream about. So I’m reminded of the prophetic statement of Jon Landau in the early ’70s. He said, ‘I have seen the future of rock & roll and it is not Leonard Cohen.’” » Read More

OUTSIDE of the Latin music world, some people don’t realize Marc Anthony isn’t just Mr. Jennifer Lopez. In fact, the guy is in the Guinness Book of World Records for most salsa albums sold. He had been recording Spanish-language albums for years before releasing his first, self-titled crossover hit. » Read More

MICHELLE CHAPPEL’S song “Screw you, Yahoo,” from 2008, is a jaunty, acoustic number on how bad it feels to be laid off and think it’s your fault when it’s not. An accompanying video posted to YouTube featuring the diminutive Chappel showing flashcards with key words from the song became a brief Internet sensation, garnering 17,000 viewers on its peak day. “I think the video’s more relevant now than it was then,” Chappel says. » Read More

HUBERT SUMLIN is a national treasure. Not just because he played with Howlin’ Wolf for almost 25 years, including on what is to my mind the best blues record ever made, 1962’s Howlin’ Wolf (a.k.a. the “Rocking Chair album”). Or because he also played with Muddy Waters, most notably on the 1957 single “Got My Mojo Working.” Or even because his incredible and unmistakable guitar style influenced everyone from Eric Clapton to Jimmy Page to Keith Richards. » Read More

THERE COMES a point in every artist’s life when he or she simply hits a wall. Picasso’s hiatus following World War II, John Lennon’s “Lost Weekend” from 1973 to 1975 and Hemingway’s 10-year literary absence after writing For Whom the Bell Tolls are all examples of an artist’s need for a temporary departure from the creative realm. For San Jose songwriter Angie Thurman, that time is now. » Read More

JOHN CLEESE performs Sunday, Nov. 8, at 8pm at the Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City. Tickets are $50–$66; 800.745.3000. » Read More

I MUST ADMIT, I’m not the biggest fan of ultralounges. But I was recently at Fahrenheit in San Jose, and I have to say I had a really good time. » Read More

CASH’D OUT plays Friday, Nov. 6, at 9pm at the Blank Club, 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose; cover is $12. (408.29BLANK) » Read More