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Smashing Surprise Big names at small clubs; local band in the big city; old rockers at Pebble By Sarah Quelland SECRET SHOWS at smaller venues are becoming quite the rage with the Miller Genuine Draft Blind Dates, the Marlboro Miles shows and other corporations hiring popular bands for private parties--and with big bands giving diehard fans a sneak peek at new material, warming up before the long haul and the big arenas in intimate club settings. Last Sunday (Feb. 6), the Smashing Pumpkins (with the current lineup of Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin and James Iha and a new member, former Hole bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur, who seems to be the new feather in Corgan's cap) took the stage at the Edge in Palo Alto as part of a 35-date promotion in small clubs and record stores. The band is about to release its fifth album, MACHINA/the machines of God, and is gearing up for its big tour. Watch for a return to this area come April or May. Local funk-rock outfit Triple Seven reports that more than 30 label representatives attended its Feb. 1 showcase at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood. Working with Smash Mouth manager Robert Hayes sure can't hurt this six-piece band. Its latest four-song demo ("Been Around," "My Good Friend Crazy," "Dreams" and "Reaction) really captures the band's upbeat blend of hip-hop, funk and rock, enhanced with samples and sound effects. Though Triple Seven takes cues from bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys and Limp Bizkit, it also has a distinctive sound due largely to the tag-team vocals of Bobby D and Eddy G, the turntable action of DJ KTA and the added beat of the congas. Triple Seven exudes confidence and enthusiasm when it performs live, and I wager the band would look as comfortable in an arena as it does in the clubs. The band has a show coming up next Thursday (Feb. 17) at the Usual. The Cure is putting on a stealth gig at the Fillmore in San Francisco the same night (Feb. 17). Though the show is hush-hush, according to Elektra Records' press department, it is open to the public and tickets should be available for purchase. The Cure is touring to support its latest album, Bloodflowers, which is due out on shelves in the U.S. on Feb. 15. A lot of musicians had their own day on the green last weekend at the AT&T Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach. Those taking the club in hand included Alice Cooper, Huey Lewis, Glenn Frey, Michael Bolton and Glen Campbell. Okay, so they may not be the hippest bunch, but didn't one of them have a hit in the '80s called "It's Hip to be Square"? Green Day, which hasn't released an album since 1997's Nimrod, is planning on taking part in this year's Warped Tour, which starts rolling in late June. With any luck, a new album will accompany the tour. ... The Fishbowl is back in action every Saturday night, 7-11pm, inside Le Boulanger bakery in Sunnyvale. The only teens-only venue in the area, the Fishbowl is organized by the City of Sunnyvale Teen Advisory Council, Sunnyvale city staffers and Eric Fanali of Grand Fanali Presents. The newly released schedule includes Monkey and the Peabodies (Feb. 12), OuttaLine, Agent 51, the Timeouts and Kung Fu Chicken (Feb. 19), the Huxtables and Manic Notion (Feb. 26), the Wunder Years and Grey Method (Mar. 4), Left Out Lamont (Mar. 11) and Boy Kicks Girl, Tsunami Bomb, California Redemption and Guilt Trip (Mar. 25). Shows are free for Sunnyvale teens with I.D. and $3 for all others. The third Phatty Patty Fish Fest is also in the works. This battle of the high school bands is scheduled for Mar. 18 at Fremont High School. Call 408.730.2780 for more information. Modern rock trio Kao Tao placed first in the Hayward Recreation and Park District's 37th annual Battle of the Bands. Twelve bands performed and more than 1,000 people were in attendance. Congratulations, guys! PLAN AHEAD: The Forgotten and others, Feb. 11 at the Cactus Club; True to Form, Stitch, Method 5150 and others, Feb. 12 at the Cactus; Goldfinger, Feb. 13 at Palookaville; Boy Kicks Girl, RxBandits and others, Feb. 16 at the Cactus; Papa Roach, Feb. 18 at Maritime Hall in San Francisco; Salmon, Stitch and others, Feb. 26 at Gaslighter's Music Hall in Gilroy; Korn and Staind, Mar. 3 at the Oakland Arena; Filter and Oleander, Mar. 4 at the Warfield; Third Eye Blind, Mar. 7 at the Warfield; Lords of Acid, Mar. 12 at Maritime Hall in San Francisco; Fiona Apple, Mar. 22 at the Warfield; Tina Turner and Lionel Richie, May 6 at the San Jose Arena. [ San Jose | MetroActive Central | Archives ]