You are currently browsing the archives for the Alameda County News category.

Breaking News

Band Spotlight #6: Poison Apple Pie

Robert Gammon @ July 3, 2010 # Comments Off

Poison Apple Pie includes the fresh ingredients middle school students from Oakland. The band emerged during the summer of 2008 after a session of Bay Area Girls Rock Camp (BAGRC).

Deemed “more precocious than precious” by SF Weekly, Poison Apple Pie’s original tunes combine spark and snark with lush three-part harmonies. This young band delights crowds with refreshing covers by The Clash, Green Day, REM, Amy Winehouse and the New Pornographers.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407419

Your Daily Lick: Cold Grave

Robert Gammon @ July 3, 2010 # Comments Off

Lycanthrope (Graveyard Records)

What you’ll get is fairly standard black metal from this local act. It’s not bad — actually it’s pretty good — it’s just not particularly original. Lycanthrope is solid and competent, though: Growly vocals, aggressive riffing, pounding drums. The werewolf theme may help these guys find an audience among harder edged goths, and the overall vibe is loud any powerful enough that they’d probably sound great live. It’s an album that grows on you.

At Oakland Metro (630 3rd St., Oakland) on July 3. 6:30 p.m., $17-$20

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407420

Slap Hitters: A’s Win with Bad Look

Robert Gammon @ July 3, 2010 # Comments Off

Major league baseball in its endless quest to fatten the goose who lays the golden eggs insists on the big leaguers outfitting themselves in patriotic red, white and blue caps. The A’s version is particularly unfortunate. Announcer Ray Fosse described a look that probably is its best on the radio. Red, white and blue hat, green tops and grey road pants.. No wonder Gio Gonzalez looks testy.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407421

No Verdict Today

Robert Gammon @ July 2, 2010 # Comments Off

The jury in the Johannes Mehserle murder trial went home at 4 p.m. after adjourning deliberations for the day, the Chron reports. Jurors will reconvene on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. after the three-day weekend.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407052

Fish Without a License on Independence Day

Robert Gammon @ July 2, 2010 # Comments Off

Sunday, July 4 is one of only two days a year on which Californians who don’t have fishing licenses can fish in any and all of the state’s freshwater lakes.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407053

Daily Roundup: White House Trolling for Dispensary Dirt; Bank of America Laundering Billions in Mexican Cartel Funds

Robert Gammon @ July 2, 2010 # Comments Off

Your Weekend Must-Reads: 1. The White House is sniffing around for dirt on crime related to medical cannabis dispensaries, the Denver Westword reports. Meanwhile a Denver Post analysis found pot shop robbery rates to be lower than banks’. More headlines after the jump.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407054

Stoner Video of the Week: Auto-Tune The News’ ‘weed. lesbian allegaytions.’

Robert Gammon @ July 2, 2010 # Comments Off

Widely acclaimed video comedy series Auto-Tune the News is a product of YouTube directors The Gregory Brothers, who reflect the banality of American cultural debate by recording voices of politicians and news anchors, then digitally manipulating the recording to make the talking heads sing. The Bros. often add their own characters, as well as extra hands and props to the existing footage. In their twelfth episode, which went live mid-June, Auto-Tune the News tackles the discussion about the effect of market forces on the price of cannabis, should it become legal. Bonus: A look at cable news’ nuanced discussion of our our next Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan. Video after the jump (Safe for work, but put some headphones on, just in case).

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407055

ACLU of Northern California Statement on Mehserle Trial and Upcoming Verdict

Robert Gammon @ July 2, 2010 # Comments Off

Statement of Kelli M. Evans, ACLU-NC Associate Director:

The shooting of Oscar Grant by BART police officers in January 2009 remains a tragic reminder of the need for serious efforts to rebuild trust between law enforcement and communities of color. No matter the verdict in the Mehserle trial, the need to rebuild community trust in law enforcement will remain. In too many American cities, racial tensions between the community and law enforcement run deep. Police oversight remains a critical issue in truly ensuring both public safety and public trust.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407056

Ziggy Marley Launches ‘Marijuanaman’ with Berkeley’s Image Comics

Robert Gammon @ July 2, 2010 # Comments Off

Grammy Award-winning musician Ziggy Marley is adding another title to his already impressive resume: comic book author. The first issue of Ziggy’s book, Marijuanaman, doesn’t hit store shelves till April 20, 2011, but Ziggy will make an appearance at Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 24, signing Marijuanaman posters with Berkeley publisher Image Comics from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407057

Your Daily Lick: Hawney Troof

Robert Gammon @ July 2, 2010 # Comments Off

Daggers at the Moon (Retard Disco)

Hawney Troof is a weird band. Not bad, just weird. Its style is sort of an indie/electronic hybrid, with occasional hints of classic video game music (although the band members somewhat inexplicably describe themselves as Jpop/Kpop). It’s a highly experimental style, and therefore not for everyone. But it’s more listenable than most experimental music. The vocals are pleasantly histrionic, and there’s enough of a pop sensibility to lend it some mainstream appeal.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Full Story 407058