[ Music Index | San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]

Good Night, Nitecry Local blues institution says farewell By Sarah Quelland AFTER NEARLY a dozen years on the scene, San Jose-based urban blues band NiteCry has called it quits. After multiple changes in its lineup, including an amicable parting of the ways with singer Steve Siacotis, the sextet--recently featuring blues guitarist René Solis, vocalist Dave Wilson Jr., keyboardist Richard Palmer, saxophonist Craig Detwiler, drummer Andy Thrall and bassist Harold Farrell--continued performing on the local and national circuit, playing popular blues clubs like JJ's Blues and various festivals. The band released two all-original CDs during its time together, including the well-received 1997 release Too Cool to Be Blue (produced by Joe Louis Walker), a solid collection of rocking West Coast R&B and blues. Before moving on to other projects, NiteCry is planning a blowout farewell/reunion show, which will include as many past band members as possible, to give friends and fans one last good-bye. More details on that when a date and place are announced. It was an eclectic night of music at the Usual last Tuesday (Nov. 30) with a local lineup featuring Stunt Monkey, Triple Seven and dredg. New Wave punk-rock outfit Other Star People was scheduled to headline the night, but the group canceled. While I still have reservations about dredg, the band does seem ambitious. Boldly taking a risk, its first album, Leitmotif, is an intricate concept album. dredg's music is complex and artful with rich tribal undertones. Triple Seven has sort of a Red Hot Chili Peppers vibe with its high-energy rap-rock-funk. Triple Seven's biggest strength is its confident stage presence, which could easily carry over to bigger venues. Stunt Monkey closed out the night with its upbeat, lighthearted brand of pop-punk. In addition to performing favorites like "White Trash Puppet Show," "Bachelor Pad," "Spy Girl" and "Cartoon," the band introduced a new song titled "Advice" and threw in a fun cover of the Herman's Hermits hit "I'm Into Something Good." If you saw MC Hammer's name on the marquee at the Usual last Wednesday (Dec. 1), it's because the rapper was shooting a video for a Japanese TV station inside the club. Keep an eye out in case the footage makes it stateside. ... Congratulations go out to Big Zen, who won the Outstanding National Artist award at the ninth annual Los Angeles Music Awards on the basis of the song "My Dear" from the band's five-song demo. True to Form has announced that guitarist Dave Fabris is leaving the band to pursue other interests. While Fabris will perform at upcoming shows through 1999--including the big show tomorrow night (Friday, Dec. 10) at the Cactus Club with SECURITY, Broken Vision and Implant--the band is seeking a replacement to start after the first of the year. Interested guitarists should contact Kevin Jackson at 408.206.7334 to set up an audition. After 30 years in business, Jose's Caribbean Restaurant & Night Club (located for the last 24 years at 2275 El Camino Real in Palo Alto) is closing due to a substantial rent increase. The popular eating establishment run by Jose Ibanez became famous for its empanadas (a type of meat pie). The restaurant shuts its doors Dec. 31 and will reopen briefly Jan. 7-8, 6pm-2am, for a reservations-only goodbye party. Call 650.326.6522 for reservations. There is talk of relocation. PLAN AHEAD: Boy Kicks Girl, the Huxtables and others, Dec. 9 at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz; Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Dec. 9 at the Flint Center; Maceo Parker, Dec. 9 at the Edge; Swarm and Venus Bleeding, Dec. 10 at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco; Morrissey, Dec. 10-11 at Maritime Hall; LIVE 105's Not So Silent Night with Bush, 311, Foo Fighters, Filter and Blink 182 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco; Salmon, Dec. 11 at the Cactus Club; Dee Dee Ramone, Dec. 11 at the Usual; Jonathan Richman, Dec. 11 at the Catalyst; Incredibly Strange Wrestling and Groovie Ghoulies, Dec. 11 at the Fillmore; Counting Crows, Dec. 12-13 at the Warfield; Marcy Playground, Dec. 13 at Palookaville in Santa Cruz; Fu Manchu, Dec. 14 at the Usual; Neosoreskin, Dec. 17 at Cactus; Barenaked Ladies, Dec. 17 at the Warfield; Crack, Dec. 18 at Cactus; Testament, Dec. 18 at the Usual; Slow Gherkin, Dec. 18 at the Catalyst; Buckcherry, Dec. 19 at Maritime Hall; Good Riddance, Dec. 19 at Palookaville; Red Hot Chili Peppers and 311, Dec. 28 at the Cow Palace. [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]