Nada Surf Great American Music Hall 859 O'Farrell St., San Francisco 800.225.2277 Tuesday–Wednesday, Sept. 2–3, 7pm; $21

Some musicians truly are gimmick acts—Weird Al Yankovic, Spinal Tap, Right Said Fred—but Nada Surf was unfairly dubbed as such following the success of its first single, "Popular." Of the five albums put forth by the trio since its 1996 debut, High/Low, one song is a mockery of the tiered social system in high school, and they are forever thought of as "that band"—a one-hit wonder with nothing else up their sleeve. But it's doubtful Nada Surf is crying, because even though it was a song that sarcastically stressed the importance of immaculate hygiene and rebelling against teenage monogamy, it was a song that launched opportunities to tour with Superdrag and Weezer. And in the years since, Nada Surf has continued to produce quality rock, releasing its three most recent albums on Barsuk Records, Death Cab for Cutie's former label. (CY)

Spoon The Fillmore 1805 Geary, San Francisco 408.998.TIXS Monday–Wednesday, Sept. 22–24, 8pm; $25

  Spoon is one of those bands that have flown under the radar for far too long. The quartet began in 1993, led by vocalist/guitarist Britt Daniel, but never received much notice until its 2002 release, Kill the Moonlight, from which the song "The Way We Get By" was featured in the film Stranger Than Fiction. That hint of success was soon followed up with the bass-happy "I Turn My Camera On" from the band's 2005 album, Gimme Fiction, finally giving Spoon the attention it deserves, including appearances on Austin City Limits and Saturday Night Live. And with last year's release of Ga Ga Ga Ga, Spoon staked its claim for hooky rock greatness with singles such as "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb" and "The Underdog." (CY)

Rock Band Live San Jose State University Event Center 290 S. Seventh St., San Jose 408.998.TIXS Saturday, Oct. 11, 7pm; $35.95

The formerly dark and ominous ones of Panic at the Disco have thrown in their top hats and thick black eyeliner, along with the exclamation point brazenly adding fear and excitement to their name, in favor of a decidedly Beatlesesque sound. The group's latest album, Pretty. Odd., was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and finds the band exploring more commonly trodden paths, stepping back from their previous lyrically driven works with 80-word titles a la Sufjan Stevens and instead relying on the strength of their music over flamboyance and showmanship. Emo poet Chris Carrabba and his band Dashboard Confessional, recent pop heartthrobs Plain White T's and fellow Las Vegas homeboys the Cab also perform. (CY)

Weezer San Jose State Event Center 290 S. Seventh St., San Jose 408.998.TIXS Monday, Oct. 13, 7:30pm; $49.50

First Weezer found monster success with mid-'90s hits like "Buddy Holly" and "Undone (The Sweater Song)," then lead singer/guitarist Rivers Cuomo freaked out amid lackluster response to the band's follow-up album, Pinkerton, first going into seclusion and then heading off to school. Apparently he lied in "Buddy Holly" when he sang "I don't care what they say about us, anyway, I don't care about that." Since the '90s, however, Weezer has bounced back to dominate the pop rock charts with a slew of hits beginning with "Hash Pipe" and "Island in the Sun" from 2001's self-titled album deux (a.k.a. "the green album"), following through 2002 with the album Maladroit and in 2005 with Make Believe, and ending up with a third self-titled album this past June (a.k.a. "the red album"). Honestly, how many self-titled records is one band allowed to have? There must be a cap on things like that. In any case, Cuomo and Co. reign supreme on the indie rock front, nerdy glasses, collegiate sweaters and all. Angels and Airwaves and Tokyo Police Club open. (CY)  )33  

Counting Crows and Maroon 5 Shoreline Amphitheatre 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy., Mountain View 408.998.TIXS Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7pm; $29.50–$125

It's hard to believe it's been 15 years since Adam Duritz and Co. gained popularity with the hit "Mr. Jones," a song that (similar to "What Would You Say?" by Dave Matthews Band of the same era) likely spurred more people to think of a band getting its 15 minutes of fame before heading to one-hit-wonder oblivion than of a future multiplatinum recording artist. In the decade and a half since, Counting Crows has proven any naysayers wrong, pumping out hit after hit, including "Round Here," "Long December," "Hanginaround" and "Colorblind." Also performing are the pop darlings in Maroon 5, a band that surpassed anyone's expectations, coming out of the gate running with its debut album Songs About Jane, which remained on the rock charts for 2 1/2 years, and nearly matching that success with the band's 2007 sophomore album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long. Augustana also performs. (CY)

Journey Shoreline Amphitheatre 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy., Mountain View 408.998.TIXS Saturday, Sept. 27, 7pm; $25–$125

Journey began as a Bay Area band, forming in San Francisco in 1973. The group went on to rule the pop rock charts with hits such as "Any Way You Want It," "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Open Arms" before lead vocalist Steve Perry opted to leave Journey in search of a solo career. Over the years since Perry's departure, Journey has had a slew of temporary lead singers, but in 2007 the group made headlines for choosing Philippines native Arnel Pineda after guitarist Neal Schon saw videos on YouTube of Pineda performing covers of Journey songs. Pineda's spark onstage has reignited Journey's fire, and the group is performing with more dynamism than fans have seen since the Perry years. Sister act Heart and '80s hair band Cheap Trick open. (CY)

Monterey Jazz Festival Monterey County Fairgrounds 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey 831.394.6534 Sept. 19–21; $45–$110

In the world of jazz, few events compare to the Monterey Jazz Festival. The event is the longest consecutively running jazz festival on earth and has hosted all but a few of the brightest stars in the genre. Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie all headlined—and that was only the first year! This year's installment features the inimitable Herbie Hancock, as well as a long list of jazz greats including Cassandra Wilson, Maceo Parker and Derek Trucks. The year 2008 has been a good one for Hancock—the master keys-man made it into Time magazine's "Time 100" list, and won a Jazz Journalists Award for "Musician of the Year." (GW)  )34

  New Kids on The Block HP Pavilion 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.998.TIXS Friday, Oct. 10, 8pm; $37.50–$77.50

Every generation has its heartthrobs; today tweens scream for the Jonas Brothers and Zac Ephron, 40 and 50 years ago they screamed for the Beatles and Elvis. In the late '80s and early '90s, New Kids on the Block dominated young girls' poster collections, wardrobes and bedspreads. But that rush of fame is generally short-lived, and NKOTB didn't hang tough after a backlash that came almost as fast and powerful as their rise to stardom. The boys disbanded, but the lure of the stage (and likely the cash flow that goes along with it) was too great, and Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood reunited in April of 2008. In its reincarnated form, New Kids on the Block have again found success via thousands of nostalgic fans and the bubblegum pop single "Summertime," the first release from their forthcoming album—the first from the band since 1994. Natasha Bedingfield adds a little present-day cool to the bill. (CY)

Sarah Brightman HP Pavilion 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose 408.998.TIXS Wednesday, Dec. 17, 8pm; $49.50–$250

Riding high on the new wave of classical crossover vocalists such as Charlotte Church, Sarah Brightman has risen to the top with a clear, bright tone and a peppy yet classy personality. However, Brightman has fought for her fame. Over the years, the 48-year-old has not only sung in famous operas and musicals including Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Phantom of the Opera but also had a six-year marriage to Andrew Lloyd Webber, toured with various dance troupes and performed the theme songs for the 1992 and 2008 Olympic Games. But the real test of her fame came just a few weeks ago: Brightman was mocked on E!'s The Soup after appearing on The Today Show and staring, um, bewitchingly at the camera before a commercial break. She can now proudly say she's among the ranks of Britney Spears ("Huh?") and Tiffany "New York" Pollard. Now that's how you know you've made it. (CY)

  Box  

Concerts

Music in the Park  The English Beat, Dave Wakeling, the Last Goodnight and Greg Camp of Smash Mouth perform for 20th anniversary show. Sep 4, 5:30-9:15pm. Free. Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose, 408.279.1775.

Willie Nelson Thu, Sep 4, 5:30pm. $55-$94. Mountain Winery, Saratoga, 408.998.TIXS.

Nine Inch Nails  Fri, Sep 5, 7:30pm. $39.50-$58. Oracle Arena, Oakland.

Luis Miguel  Sat, Sep 6, 8pm. $40-$150. HP Pavilion, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Lindsey Buckingham Sun, Sep 7, 5:30pm. $46-$61.50. Mountain Winery, Saratoga, 408.998.TIXS.

Rodeo de la Decada With Los Tigres del Norte, Pepe Aguilar and El Chapo de Sinaloa. Sun, Sep 7, 6pm. $40-$110. HP Pavilion, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Dave Matthews Band With Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Fri, Sep 5, 7pm, Sat, Sep 6, 7pm and Sun, Sep 7, 3pm. $65. Greek Theatre, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, 408.998.TIXS.

The Surf Coasters Sept. 7, 7pm. $10. The Blank Club, San Jose, 408.292.5265.

Mogwai Mon, Sep 8, 8pm. $22.50/$25. Grand Ballroom, Regency Theater, San Francisco.

Bad Religion  Wed, Sep 10, 7:30pm. $23-$25. Grand Ballroom, Regency Theater, San Francisco, 408.998.TIXS.

Peggi Young Band Thu, Sep 11, 8pm, Thu, Sep 18, 8pm and Thu, Sep 25, 8pm. $25/$28. Little Fox, Redwood City, 650.369.4119.

Judy Collins  Fri, Sep 12, 8pm.$45-$75. Fox Theatre, Redwood City, 650.363.8581.

Freestyle Old School Explosion Sat, Sep 13, 7:30pm. $24.50-$37.50. HP Pavilion, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Janet Jackson Sat, Sep 13, 7:30pm. Oracle Arena, Oakland, 408.998.TIXS.

Jefferson Starship Sat, Sep 13, 8pm. $38/$40. Little Fox, Redwood City, 650.369.4119.

Black Crowes Sun, Sep 14, 6:30pm. $39.50. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, 408.998.TIXS.

Neville Brothers Sun, Sep 14. $45-$65. Mountain Winery, Saratoga, 408.998.TIXS.

Living Legends  Mon, Sep 15, 7pm. $25. The Fillmore, San Francisco, 408.998.TIXS.

Styx Wed, Sep 17, 7:30pm. $45-$65. Mountain Winery, Saratoga, 408.998.TIXS.

San Jose Taiko  Fri, Sep 19, 8pm, and Sat, Sep 20, 2 and 8pm. $25-$35. Campbell Heritage Theatre, Campbell, 408.866.2700.

Rivals Sept. 19, 9pm. $8. The Blank Club, San Jose, 408.292.5265.

Herbie Hancock Fri, Sep 19. $55-$75. Mountain Winery, Saratoga, 408.998.TIXS.

Henry Rollins Fri, Sep 19, 7pm. $25. Zellerbach Hall, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, 510.642.9988.

The Tommy Castro Band  Fri, Sep 19, 8pm. $25. Fox Theatre, Redwood City, 650.363.8581.

Marco Antonio Solis  Sat, Sep 20, 7:30pm. $25-$125. Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, 408.998.TIXS.

Kim Gordon Meets Phantom Orchard Fri, Sep 26, 8pm. $20-$55. Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre, Saratoga, 408.961.5858.

Chris Botti Fri, Sep 26. $45-$65. Mountain Winery, Saratoga, 408.998.TIXS.

Cheap Trick  With Heart and Journey. Sat, Sep 27, 6pm. $25-$125. Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, 408.998.TIXS.

Neil Diamond Sun, Sep 28, 8pm. $55-$120. HP Pavilion, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Charlie Musselwhite  Thu, Oct 2, 7:30pm. $20-$35. Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre, Saratoga, 408.961.5858.

David Benoit Celebrates Montalvo Fri, Oct 3, 6:30pm. $250. Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre, Saratoga, 408.961.5858.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass  With Robert Plant, Loudon Wainwright III, Gogol Bordello, Hazel Dickens, Bonnie Price Billy, Asleep at the Wheel and more. Fri, Oct 3, Sat, Oct 4 and Sun, Oct 5. Free. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 408.998.TIXS.

Robert Plant  Sun, Oct 5, 5:30pm. $79.50-$199.50. Mountain Winery, Saratoga, 408.998.TIXS.

David Byrne Mon, Oct 6, 8pm. $59.50-$85.50. Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 415.864.6000.

Earth, Wind and Fire Tue, Oct 7, 5:30pm. $55-$149.50. Mountain Winery, Saratoga, 408.998.TIXS.

Rock Band Live With Panic at the Disco, Dashboard Confessional, Plain White T's and the Cab. Sat, Oct 11, 7pm. $35.94. San Jose State Event Center, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Santana Sat, Oct 11, 6pm. $31-$81. Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, 408.998.TIXS.

Kings of Leon  Fri, Oct 17, 7pm and Sat, Oct 18, 7pm. $41.50. The Warfield, San Francisco, 408.998.TIXS.

Tina Turner Sun, Oct 19, 7pm and Mon, Oct 20, 7pm. $59.50-$150. HP Pavilion, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Flogging Molly  Sun, Oct 19, 7pm and Mon, Oct 20, 7pm. $27.50. The Fillmore, San Francisco, 408.998.TIXS.

Patti Smith Mon, Oct 20, 8pm. $25. The Warfield, St, San Francisco, 408.998.TIXS.

Jimmy Buffet Tue, Oct 21, 7pm. $37-$127. Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, 408.998.TIXS.

Amy Grant Thu, Oct 23, 7pm. $36-$68. Ann Sobrato Performing Arts Center, Morgan Hill, 408.998.TIXS.

Madonna Sat, Nov 1, 7pm and Sun, Nov 2, 7pm. $70-$390. Oracle Arena,  Oakland, 408.998.TIXS.

Ray Lamontagne Mon, Nov 3, 7pm. $25-$49.50. Paramount Theatre, Oakland, 408.998.TIXS.

Rise Against Fri, Nov 7, 6:30pm. $29.50. San Jose State Event Center, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Laurel and Hardy  Fri, Nov 7, 8pm. $16-$25. Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre, Saratoga, 408.961.5858.

Blackest of Black With Danzig and Dimmu Borgir. Mon, Nov 10, 7pm. $27.50. The Warfield, San Francisco, 408.998.TIXS.

The Young Guns  With Chico Banks, Eddie Shaw, Michael Wheeler, Van Shaw and "Little Chris." Fri, Nov 14, 8pm. $20/$35. Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre, Saratoga, 408.961.5858.

Legends of Chicago Blues Sat, Nov 15, 6:30pm. $24-$40. Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre, Saratoga, 408.961.5858.

Alanis Morissette Mon, Nov 17, 8pm. $39.50-$65. Paramount Theatre, Oakland, 408.998.TIXS.

Celine Dion Sun, Nov 23, 8pm. $49.50-$185. HP Pavilion, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Vicente Fernandez Fri, Nov 28, 8pm. $55.20-$200. HP Pavilion, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Celtic Thunder Celtic music group. Wed, Dec 3, 7pm. $39.50-$68.50. HP Pavilion, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.

Richard Thompson  Fri, Dec 12, 8pm, Sat, Dec 13, 8pm and Sun, Dec 14, 7:30pm. $24-$40. Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre, 408.961.5858.

 

Send a letter to the editor about this story.