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Swarm returns to the Cactus Club as main support for Spike 1000. downside Tightens Up Local rock band debuted new drummer at the Cactus Club By Sarah Quelland FRESH FROM SPENDING some quality time in the studio with renowned producer Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Alien Ant Farm), Campbell's own downside sounded tighter than ever last Friday (March 8) when it played at the Cactus Club. The improvement is due in part to downside's new drummer, Adrian Robinson, who recently replaced Patrick Spain. This up-and-coming local band has more sessions scheduled with Baumgardner, who's helping it develop and hone its intense, dynamic and passionate style of melodic hard rock. Before that, though, downside is participating in a huge EFUCT.com house party Saturday (March 16) at a private residence in Los Gatos. The free, all-ages event is open to friends and fans, and promises live performances by downside and Disquiet, plus a DJ, a wet EFUCT T-shirt contest, an astro jump and free beer for those 21 and over. Bring ID. Visit www.downside.net for directions. ALL THE NEWS: Fu Manchu bailed on its show last Sunday (March 10) at the Usual, leaving fans disappointed and club management scrambling to refund tickets. This marks the third time the stoner rock band has canceled. It's doubtful they'll get a fourth chance at this SoFA club. ... After a revolving door of guest bass players filling in for out-of-town bassist Junior, Lavabone has just announced that Scott Proctor (formerly of Doomfinger) will now serve as its new full-time bassist. The group's next local show takes place April 4 at the Usual with Superchannel, Spun and Cadence Theory. ... San Jose's Triple Seven is searching for a new guitarist. Visit www.triple-seven.com or email [email protected] for more info. ... Sloe plays the Lido Thursday (March 14) with Veeda and the Fabulous Tuscaderos. After that the band heads on a short West Coast tour with Onelinedrawing, which starts Friday (March 15) at 924 Gilman in Berkeley. ... After noticeably avoiding the Cactus for quite some time, Swarm, one of San Francisco's best hard-rock bands, returns to the club Friday (March 15) for a big show with Spike 1000, Depths of Depression and Karate High School. ... JJ's Blues has a jumping weekend planned. René Solis & the Persuaders headline a two-day guitar extravaganza (March 15-16) with guests Shane Dwight, Terry Hiatt and Sammy Varela on Friday and Anthony Paul and Garth Webber on Saturday. ... On Sunday (March 17), the Usual hosts McUsual's St. Patty's Day Bash with live performances by the Odd Numbers, the Forgotten, the Shitkickers, the Feathers, the Cliftons, Horchata, Neon Lobster, Four Banger and more. For more St. Patrick's Day event listings, see the related article or search Metro's online calendar at calendar.metroactive.com. ... March 22 at the Usual, Latin entertainment company and record label Cielo Music Group Inc. debuts a number of artists from its roster, including Emaue, Los Superlitio, Desierto Negro and Orixa. Tickets are $10, and doors open at 8pm. ... Luckydog, featuring ex-Frontier Wives and "Survivor" Lex van den Berghe, performs at the Usual on April 5 and again on April 19 at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. ... The Van's Warped Tour is gearing up for its 2002 outing. The big event hits San Francisco's Pac Bell Park parking lot on July 13-14 with Bad Religion, NOFX, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, New Found Glory, Lagwagon, Reel Big Fish, Alkaline Trio, Something Corporate, Boy Sets Fire, Gob, Guttermouth, Riddlin Kids, the Damned, theSTART, Tiger Army and Ultimate Fakebook. ... *NSYNC played the Compaq Center last Friday (March 8). PLAN AHEAD: Screaming Silence, Don't Feed the Hippies, G9, Spun, March 14 at the Cactus; Sin in Space, the Cutters, Potion and Operation Interstellar, March 14 at the Stork Club in Oakland; Krenshaw, Rivals and Facelift, March 16 at the Pound in San Francisco; Keeping Ellis and Will Today, March 16 at Gaslighter's Music Hall in Gilroy; the Forgotten, Pressure Point, Ill Blooded, Miscreants and the Vex, March 16 at the Cactus; Best of the Bay with Osmium, Down Factor, Pro-Villain, Sick Machine and Scorched Earth Policy, March 17 at the Pound; Local H and Chevelle, March 19 at the Pound; the Faction, March 20 at the Catalyst; Echobrain, March 21 at the Usual; Sno-Core Rock, March 23 at the Warfield in San Francisco; Paul McCartney, April 3 at the Compaq Center; BRAINBUCKET: A Tribute to Helmet, April 20 at the Cactus; Flogging Molly, May 10 at the Usual; [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]