Today, we’re going to party like it’s 1989 + take you back to the alternative, punk, and rock scene that once had Downtown jumpin’ and thrashin.’ Here are five bands you should know about.
We’ve also got a Spotify playlist for you auditory learners out there. 🎧
Get the party going with our hand-picked favorites from these bands. | Screen capture by SJtoday staff
🎶 Skankin’ Pickle
Made up of students from Westmont + Los Gatos High School, this 1980s band combined ska, punk, dubstep, swing, and new wave. They went on to form Dill Records in 1991, based out of Monte Sereno, to release their debut album “Skafunkrastapunk,” and toured until 1996.
🎶 Jupiter Sun
This band formed in 1992 out of an East San Jose garage and played at SJSU’s amphitheater + popular SoFA concert venue, F/X. Their indie, shoegaze sound appealed to the rising pop scene, until they eventually split in 1998. Give “Zookeeper” a listen.
Sleep performing at the Fillmore in Detroit in 2018. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
🎶 Sleep
This doom metal trio debuted in San Jose in the 1990s, and most notably coined the term “stoner metal,” for their psychedelic + heavy sound — comparable to Black Sabbath. When they released “Sleep’s Holy Mountain” in 1993, they were heralded as the leaders in the genre.
🎶 The Forgotten
Before touring across the US, Europe, and Japan, this punk band started in the South Bay in 1997. They brought their alternative, punk revival sound to Downtown clubs like Johnny V’s — and some members still perform occasionally at Las Vegas’ annual Punk Rock Bowling Music Festival.
🎶 T9
Formed in 2002, this garage band began playing in a studio on the corner of Taylor St. + Ninth St. (hence the name)and mixed styles of reggae, ska, funk, blues, and R&B. The band often played at the Voodoo Lounge, Agenda Lounge, and Toons. As far as tunes, we’d rec “Spend My Life.”
Free Movie Night | Thurs., Aug. 4 | 6-10:30 p.m. | Welch Park, Clarice Dr. + Huran Dr. | Free | Adventure through San Fransokyo with Baymax + Hiro. 🎥
Gordon Biersch Night Market | Thurs., Aug. 4 | 5-9 p.m. | Gordon Biersch Brewing Co., 357 E. Taylor St. | Free entry | Spend a night enjoying food trucks, local vendors, and live entertainment. 🍺
Friday
Summer Origami Series | Fri., Aug. 5 | 3-4 p.m. | Rose Garden, 1580 Naglee Ave. | Free | Make a boat, heart, frog, or finger puppets at this paper-folding class.
First Friday | Fri., Aug. 5 | 5-9 p.m. | San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, 520 S. First St. | Free | All ages are invited to view three galleries of diverse textile pieces in “New Directions.” 🧶
Saturday
Block Party & Pack-A-Back Drive | Sat., Aug. 6 | 1-5 p.m. | 304 N. 6th St. | Free | Donate school supplies + join the African American Community Service Agency for an afternoon of family fun. 🎒
Sands Speakeasy: A Tribute to the Rat Pack | Sat., Aug. 6 | 8 p.m. | Tabard Theatre, 29 N. San Pedro St. | $25-35 | Travel back to the time of Sinatra + Martin with Grammy nominated vocalist Jamie Davis and The Modesto Briseno Septet. 🎶
Sunday
Jeff Allen Tour – “Are We There Yet” | Sun., Aug. 7 | 7 p.m. | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St. | $30+ | Find the humor in everyday family life + marriage in this standup performance.
Campbell Farmers Market | Sun., Aug. 7 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Along E. Campbell Ave., between Central Ave. + Third St. | Free entry | Shop from local farmers, craft vendors and food trucks at this year-round, weekly market. 🍊
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
The San Jose Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced that it will be hosting its first annual San Jose World Series on Sept. 2-5 at the Arcadia Ballpark. Ten little league teams will face off in a double-elimination tournament that is free + open to the public. All of the Foundation’s proceeds through this series will benefit community-based organizations. ⚾
Development
A 1930s-era building that once held a bakery — located at 145 S. Montgomery St. — will soon be bulldozed by Google, in preparation for its Downtown West neighborhood. The Art Moderne-style entryway + arched window openings will be salvaged, and other remaining materials will be made available for the public to claim. Those interested should contact Google by Thurs., Aug. 18. 🧱 (The Mercury News)
The “Services For Brain Injury” building — located at 480 N. First St. — may be convertedinto a new middle school for up to 236 students. Plans will be presented at a community meeting being held tonight from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. ✏️
Civic
The Parks and Rec Department has increased its Park Concerns customer service hours to seven days a week — in order to address maintenance issues in a more timely fashion. Residents may report concerns by calling (408)-793-5510 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. every day except for holidays. 📞
Environment
Silicon Valley Power has launched its EV Charging Technical Assistanceprogram, which aims to increase access to EV charging stations for multifamily properties, small to medium sized businesses, and schools in Santa Clara. Learn more about eligibility + how to apply on the website. (San Jose Inside)
Sports
Yesterday, the San Jose Barracuda announced that they have signed forward Patrick McGrath — who spent the 2021-22 season with AHL’s Utica Comets. In his nine-year professional career, he’s appeared in 132 games, collecting 440 penalty minutes. 🏒
Get ready for the Friday Night Lights… the San Jose State football teamis offering the “Brew & Vine” season ticket combo pack — which includes six home game tickets and admission into their special Brew & Vine event on Fri., Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Grab your season package at the official website. 🏈
Try This
SJ Roll Call is inviting the community to join its “Free Open Skate” at Roosevelt Rink this Fri., Aug. 5 from 7-9 p.m. There will be a DJ + roller dance lessons — just BYO skates. 🛼
Community
There are only four more weeks left of Thursday’s Gordon Biersch Night Market held in Japantown. Be sure to check out the local SJ Made vendors, grab a bite from local food trucks, and dance to live music before it ends for the year. 🍻
Travel
Recent numbers show that Mineta Airport saw a 132% increase in passenger traffic over the previous fiscal year. Since June 2021, 9.8 million passengers flew SJC — a large jump from 2020-2021’s 4.2 million passengers, but still shy of SJC’s 15 million pre-pandemic travelers. ✈️ (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
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In case you haven’t heard… Star tennis players from around the globe have touched down in San Jose and are battling it out on the courts of San Jose State University for the 2022 51st Annual Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic — being held from Aug. 1-7. 🎾
The Classic is the longest running, women-only professional tennis tournament + the first stop of the US Open Series. 🏆
Tonight, American tennis player Cori “Coco” Gauff will face Japanese four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16 — it will be their fourth time going head-to-head in their careers, with Osaka leading 2-1. 👀
Get schedule updates, current stats, streaming information, and more through the Mubadala SVC’s website or Twitter page.
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Editor’s Pick:In case you haven’t heard, Dr. Funk has introduced its new Sunday Brunch, which will happen every Sunday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Specials include Loco Mocos, banana pancakes, bottomless Island mimosas, and more. I’m stoked because I’ve been trying to find new brunch places — got any other suggestions on where I can get my brunch on?
Also, shoutout to readers Elizabeth L., Jax M., Jenna B., and John B. for letting us know about the local bands spotlighted in today’s story. 👏
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