6.9.2025-6.15.2025
Full circle with Social Distortion, plus Wiz Khalifa, Kita Mahal, a book launch party, Flyana Boss, The Halloween Show Part 2 for the second time and more!
Hello all! Welcome to June, where I say “..during Pride Month?!” whenever anything inconveniences me! We have awesome music options this week and as the weather warms up, the city comes to life in a way that is really nice to see. Being outside is enjoyable. I understand it’s hot but music supersedes temperature. Without further ado, let’s talk about music for this week!
Monday, June 9th: Wiz Khalifa at Ace of Spades (sold out but resale options!) - I feel that if I need to explain who Wiz Khalifa is to you, you’re beyond saving. The man is legendary in rap and R&B circles, and has given us classics, such as: Young, Wild & Free, Black and Yellow, Taylor Gang and more. These social anthems usually include odes to weed, Chuck Taylor Converse, and the camaraderie of you and your friends having a good time. Summer music in other words. As mentioned, his show is sold out, however, I bet there will be some fairly priced tickets available close to the show starting. I am always touting rappers and Wiz actually is a really cool dude, he’s a staple to the genre and it’s worth seeing.
Tuesday, June 10th: Dead Bob with Ultrabomb at The Starlet Room (featuring members of Members of Husker Dü, Social Distortion, and Soul Asylum) - So, here’s one of our punk rock, post-hardcore, noise rock options. Dead Bob, formerly Nomeansno, plays dark and mysterious punk jazz-esque noise rock. Playing with them will be Ultrabomb, featuring members of other famous bands, Husker Dü, Soul Asylum, and Social Distortion, who make a surprise appearance in our fair hamlet later this week! This is the show to see if you want to relive some glory years, headbang gently and see some industry veterans.
Wednesday, June 11th: Matt Corman at Harlow’s - Taking the term “bedroom pop” and shifting it to “dorm room rap” explains Matt Corman’s journey pretty well. If you’re unfamiliar with the term bedroom pop and you’ve never heard of dorm room rap (I literally made that up, so that makes sense) then here’s your intro.
Musicians make this kind of music in their bedroom, with limited resources, and it usually has a lofi, toned-down aspect, reflective of the smaller space and less expensive equipment. Matt Corman started out making dorm room rap, and then progressed to rap rap. He’s performed with artists like Fetty Wap, Lil Xan, and Post Malone. This guy could be the next big thing in the genre. I heard someone say “he’s like Drake and G-Eazy rolled into one person” so do with that what you will. Support rappers!
Thursday, June 12th: Kita Mahal at The Starlet Room or The Pseudo Mystics at The Golden Bear - Alright, we’re on our rap game this week, and you guys know I am always saying, support ‘em! However, when it’s a local woman rapper (queer too?!)? I am practically screaming at the top of my lungs: SUPPORT THEM! Kita Mahal is a Filipina rapper based out of Sacramento and has been on the scene for years now. She blends genres, presents lyrical realism, and does it all looking good. You should be there.
If you’re tapped out for rap, then head to The Golden Bear for dinner then catch The Pseudo Mystics there at 8 PM. You know I love catching a show at GB, and The Pseudo Mystics are fun. As they define themselves, they say “Whatever We Want Rock” as their genre. Who doesn’t like the sound of that? If I had to genre-lize them (get it?) I would say garage rock-esque. It’ll be good.
No tickets needed in advance for The Golden Bear, show starts at 8 PM, $5-10 at the door
Friday, June 13th: Ryan Seng's "Love it All, F**k it All" Launch Party at The Citizen Hotel or Spring Breeding at The Red Museum - Ok all, something a bit different here, but there will be music, so it still counts!
Ryan Seng, a staple of this town in the cocktail scene and the entertainment sector, is releasing a book! Seng, creator of Can Can cocktails, former long-term head bartender of The Grange, recent opener of the Historic Star Lounge, is diving into urban fantasy noir literature. Check out the fun launch party at The Citizen Hotel and hear the music of Sophia Seng and hopefully she will bust out her jazz saxophone.
However, if urban fantasy noir that leads to lizard men and wolf-head enforcers isn’t ringing your bell, then head to The Red Museum for Spring Breeding. Self-described as angular sound and dance-punk, we can expect some upbeat and loud sounds. You know I like a local situation and supporting The Red Museum should be high on your list of things to take care of in this town. They brought you The Halloween Show after all.
Party will be at The Citizen Hotel’s Scandal Bar, located at 926 J Street, no tickets needed
Saturday, June 14th: Loose Engines at The Torch Club or Flyana Boss at Capitol Mall or Social Distortion at Channel 24 - Ok, our Saturday is stacked. Granted, these events are all happening around the same damn time, but, we have to make choices people.
Firstly, Loose Engines (local band alert!) plays mostly original Americana style music. If this is your vibe for Saturday then head to Torch Club, where it’ll be a nice night, with a cheap cover.
However, it is Pride Month. And you should support your gays and theys and all the other groups on the spectrum. And a great way to celebrate will be to see Flyana Boss at Capitol Mall for the official Pride 2025 Celebration. Flyana Boss does pop rap, and I have to say, they are pretty gifted at all. Granted they have a small discography, but they are steadily building their reputation and hits. This show will be a hype moment for Pride Weekend.
Lastly, and full circle from Tuesday, we have Social Distortion at Channel 24. Social Distortion is a classic American punk rock band. The band has been doing this gig for 47 years. That’s a long time! They twist punk rock into other genres nowadays, blues and country get roped into it. They are a classic and it’ll be pretty damn cool to see these legends in action.
No tickets needed in advance for Loose Engines, show at 9 PM, $15 at the door
Sunday, June 15th: Sac Halloween Show Part 2 Part 2 at The Golden Bear - Ok guys, I have no knowledge of which amazing bands will be playing at The Halloween Show Part 2 Part 2 (since this is the second installment of the Part 2 option) but if you went to the first part of Part 2, you know who played at GB last time, so you can eliminate them. It’ll be a surprise but it’ll be a great time. Enjoy!
No tickets needed in advance for The Golden Bear, show starts at 8 PM, $5-10 at the door
Ok all, thanks for tuning in and reading this newsletter. I am getting like perilously close to 100 subscribers, so as always, if you have a friend who might like this, send it to them and tell them to subscribe! Get me to 100! Nothing special will happen when I do get to 100 but it will make me feel special and that’s a lot of what I care about 😜
Interviews with more industry professionals forthcoming!
Giveaways forthcoming!
As usual, if you have a tip, text me at (209) 565-1629 and I’ll investigate 🕵🏻♀️