Author Archives: Daniel J. Willis
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REWIND: Kick off the Halloween season with five classics of horror punk
In modern America, any holiday with profit potential gets a whole season, and those seasons last for an unbearably long time. Valentine’s Day decorations go up at CVS in early January, for example, and it…
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Babymetal adds new twists to its kawaii metal formula on ‘Metal Galaxy’
Babymetal, the kawaii metal pioneers who parlayed viral hits into international fame, already plays a mashup of seemingly incompatible genres, backing upbeat J-pop idol vocals with pure uncut power metal. With its third album, Metal Galaxy,…
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REVIEW: Babymetal rocks the Warfield with a visually spectacular show
SAN FRANCISCO — In an era when concert audiences tend to be fairly homogenous, Babymetal drew what may be one of the most diverse crowds the Warfield has ever seen. Not just racially diverse, though…
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REWIND: Remembering Bay Area legend Gary Bogue
Last week the Bay Area lost local legend Gary Bogue, longtime pets and wildlife columnist for the Contra Costa Times. In his years with the Times, along with his work with the Lindsay Wildlife Museum…
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REWIND: It’s apparently National One Hit Wonder Day, so let’s do that
Did you know Sept. 25 was National One Hit Wonder Day? Because I didn’t until someone suggested it as a column topic. It was kinda a busy news week so I was preoccupied with… everything.…
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REVIEW: Social Distortion confuses, Flogging Molly wows in Berkeley
BERKELEY — As the banner at the back of the stage proclaimed, Social Distortion has been around for 40 years. Not 40 continuous years of course—they are a punk band so there have been haituses for…
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REVIEW: Brandi Carlile reaches new heights at the Greek
BERKELEY — Sometimes everything just lines up. Something happens between an artist and the audience, and between the audience and the artist; something about the venue is just right; something in the artist’s life inspires…
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REWIND: Let’s roast five of the worst songs of all time
Like I said in my Worst of 2018 in Music column back in December, RIFF as a media outlet tries to stay positive. Our philosophy is that there’s enough negativity in the world and we…
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REWIND: Appreciate the Beach Boys, you philistines
This week RIFF has published an interview with the legendary Brian Wilson, musical genius and creative force behind The Beach Boys, as well as a review of his show in Oakland. I covered the show…
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REVIEW: Brian Wilson mixes Beach Boys hits with deep cuts in Oakland
OAKLAND — Brian Wilson, founder and creative force behind the Beach Boys, changed American music in a way few ever have, with genres as diverse as indie rock and punk considering him an inspiration. In…
