Full disclosure: We’re jealous as fuck of Gregg Allman for two reasons. No. 1: At Fillmore East. No. 2: Cher. The man was enjoying her dark, exotic favors back before plastic surgery turned her into Wayne Newton’s weird-looking sister. (Today, she looks to have had more touch-ups... More >>

Thou shalt not use the lord's name in vain, but thou shall head to Detroit Bar for May's Monday residency featuring Names in Vain. The indie progressive, alt rock team of Michelle Ashley and Richie Aquino have perfected tight beats and sleek sounds from regular instruments into a very laid back... More >>

The tagline reads "Remember Prohibition?" but, thankfully, most of us missed that cruel, cruel time when decent folks couldn't legally catch a proper buzz. As far as retro decades, though, the '20s and early '30s had some darling fashion, swingin' music and excellent dance crazes. Harvelles in... More >>

West Coast rap pillar Andre Nickatina has been in the game since the mid-'90s, and though albums like Cocaine Raps and Tears of a Clown shuttled him toward a certain national notoriety, Nickatina stayed just out of the spotlight of popping bottles and dating models. And that, we have to admire.... More >>

Devendra Banhart comes to OC with a wandering-troubadour backstory that took him from boho megacities like San Francisco and Paris to an official debut on Michael Gira’s Young God Records, which unfurled into a nice healthy career as probably the highest-profile and most versatile... More >>

Let's all get drunk and sing! Every Sunday night, Detroit Bar, one of OC's most prominent venues for stylish, up-and-coming musical acts, frees its stage for less talented hacks to come up and belt it out. At Sunday Karaoke, the alcohol is flowing, the mic is open and MC extraordinaire Bobby... More >>

As far as Seattle grunge bands go, Vendetta Red was a little late to the party. Formed from the same musical clay that bore the world Nirvana and Pearl Jam, VR didn't arrive on the scene until 1998. Still, they continue to strum guitars while the corpse of Nirvana continues to rot. They also... More >>

Though she's best known for her work in legendary LA punk band X, fans will want to catch Exene Cervenka's solo show. Rocking an acoustic, country-inflected folk style, she sings about life's heartbreaks and trials with wide-eyed youthful mind. More >>

Here's a blast from the past for all you grunge monkeys. Sponge is on the scene and ready to rock their debut album, Rotting Pinata, in its entirety. For those who listened to stations like KROQ in the post Nivana-era, Sponge was famous for the song "Molly," which enjoyed heavy rotation.... More >>

Those in search of a little catharsis should head over to Alex's and catch Zeke. Known for a full- throttle sound, this punk band has been at it since 1993. Signed to Relapse records, they manage to mix some classic rock nuances with their three chord attack. Dig the song "Down Payment Blues."... More >>

The Slow Forward are an aggressive sounding band with enough growling and screaming to appeal to hardcore ears. But their constant change-ups and complex style will appease the math set as well. Hailing from Fullerton, they've been at it since 2005. Catch their performance at the Glass House... More >>

Don Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers traffic in bluesy tunes with vocals reminiscent of Tom Waits. Rocking songs about late-night benders and other assorted debauchery, we can't think of a better sound track for sipping cocktails in the iconic Pike Bar. More >>

As stated in his bio, Kenny Sara is the real New Orleans deal. Born and raised in Louisiana, this performer has a sound that'll sweep you up and carry you right to the bayou. Stop by Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney for some Cajun cooking and the hearty rhythm of Kenny Sara & the... More >>

Calling all jazz aficionados, virtuosos and wannabes. Every Sunday at Steamer's, it's a free-for-all jam session for enthusiasts of all skill levels. Led by drummer Evan Stone and his trio, you are invited to join the veterans onstage. A particularly warm welcome has been extended to Cal State... More >>

Focus Tuesdays, the mid-week house music dance party at Tapas in Newport, might just the most underrated club in OC. With years (years!) of experience bringing in some of the best deep house DJs in the business, Focus attracts a young, beautiful crowd of house fanatics and party people each... More >>

Cosmic Slop is an event springing from the fevered mind of music-journalist Chris Zeigler. Editor in Chief for LA Record and a writer for OC Weekly, he'll be spinning rare vinyl as well as bringing in top-shelf indie and garage bands. This guy's got a golden ear and a love for music that rivals... More >>

Like parasites on a large whale, cover bands thrive in any city with bars. But with so many choices out there, it's hard to know which is worth risking alcohol poisoning and a DUI for. Take our word for it, the premier performer of cover jams is the self-proclaimed one-man legend Phil Shane.... More >>

Open-mic events always bring out the aspiring teenage folkies, workaday closet emo crooners and ill-conceived joke bands, but OC's best open mics—Gypsy Den's included—come with a cadre of older, more experienced, more awesome amateurs in addition to the twentysomethings. There's a... More >>

Twice a month, Downtown Disney's House of Blues manages to snatch the title of "Happiest Place on Earth" when it plays host to Club Lucky: Orange County's premier 18+ gay dance club. This month, Club Lucky will hold a special Halloween Bash that will have 1,000 strapping studs dancing the night... More >>

So you play an instrument. But maybe you're not sure if you're talented. Or you think you are and want other people to know it, too. Or you want to show off a song you just wrote to that cute girl who works behind the counter. Whatever the reason, come to Musician's Open Mic Night every... More >>

The self-proclaimed “greatest Elvis impersonator in Fullerton, Brea and Whittier,” Kirk Wall knows how to rock a white, sequined jumpsuit like nobody’s business (notice how no one ever mimics the sexy, surfing Elvis of the ’50s? It’s always the fat, tacky Elvis with the... More >>

Line-dancing lovers may be a rare breed, but they’re strong and prideful. Throughout most of the nation, country music runs wild and free, but this close to the Pacific . . . well, it’s damn near endangered. InCahoots is working on keeping the thrill alive—Wednesdays are now... More >>

"The Underground Lounge" couldn't be more apt of a phrase to describe La Cave (pronounced LA CAHV): Follow the stairs down to a dark bar and sometimes-venue that will be inevitably filled with college kids, hipsters and adults alike. Wednesday nights also mean a live DJ spinning everything from... More >>

Sundays are usually the day for brunchers. Everyone gets all dressed up in their “Sunday best”—it’s all a bit pretentious, if you ask us. But the House of Blues is looking to expand our collective preconceived notions on this popular midmorning meal by hosting a Reggae... More >>

Have you seen that cell-phone commercial in which the guy wants to rent a hotel room, but the clerk is all, “You don’t want that room. It’s a dead zone”? Well, the restaurant at the Prospector is sort of like that. Rumor has it the menu includes steaks, chicken and... More >>