​Had he not passed away on Feb. 10, 2006, beloved hip-hop producer J Dilla would have turned 38 years young Tuesday.

In honor of J Dilla's birthday, his passing (Dilla suffered from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, although is official cause of death is cardiac arrest) and his awesomeness, we are going to post one must-hear track every day until Friday.

Happy birthday J Dilla and rest in peace! More >>

​Had he not passed away on Feb. 10, 2006, beloved hip-hop producer J Dilla would have turned 38 years young yesterday.

In honor of J Dilla's birthday, his passing (Dilla suffered from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, although is official cause of death is cardiac arrest) and his awesomeness, we are going to post one must-hear track every day until Friday.

Happy birthday J Dilla and rest in peace!


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Andrew Youssef/OC Weekly

Morrissey at the Fox Pomona.

​Senate Bill 1070 architect Russell Pearce may have been recalled in Arizona, but the call for a boycott of the state remains. The latest manifestation comes in the form of Morrissey's Nov. 20 concert at Phoenix's Orpheum Theater. The singer once told an audience, "I wish I was born Mexican," and, as I've written before, had he been granted that request, in Arizona, he'd be putting up with all the revved-up xenophobia.More >>

Andrew Youssef/OC Weekly

​"Coyote Song," which Bright Eyes recorded for the Sound Strike, is out today. Created to support the coalition of artists who are boycotting Arizona after it passed the controversial SB 1070 bill, the song is for sale on the Sound Strike site for $2.

Proceeds go to the Florence Project, a non profit organization that provides free legal help to immigrants in the Arizona detention and deportation system.
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The late Bobby Espinosa was a vital part of Chicano music history

​On Saturday, Chicano music lovers young and old (but mostly old--respect to my elders!) descended upon Santa Ana's Delhi Community Center for a concert teach-in. The lesson plan for the day was on the History of Chicano Music in Southern California--spanning four decades, the concert chronicled the musical history that helped shape and characterize life in Mexican American barrios and colonias. Organized by the good gente of the Orange County Mexican American Historical Society (OCMAHS), the afternoon event featured the talents of the house band The Recessions! (aptly titled for these hard economic times and the concert teach-in's five dollar suggested donation!) .  More >>

On today's sunny celebration of the men and women who fought and died for American freedom, local band Ralph Hinkley Syndrome attempt to repay the troops the best way they know how: by giving them some free music.More >>

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​Remember about a week ago when we mentioned that Costa Mesa's The New Limb are bringing some shimmering indie rock tunes to the Gypsy Lounge through Dec. 17? Yes? Awesome. Hopefully that means you didn't miss last week's opening night of their free residency. More >>

​Until earlier this week, I couldn't say I gave half a shit about anything Morrissey did post-Smiths. But something changed as I got word that the Moz is teaming with designer Stella McCartney (her dad's a bassist who played in some band...starts with a "B" or something) for a line of vegan shoes. As a vegan who has a difficult time finding appropriate footwear, this is exciting for me.

Will the famed crooner be wearing said shoes at his appearance Monday at the Fox Theater in Pomona? No. That's because the line will be launched in early 2010. Maybe if you're lucky, he'll rock a prototype. Either way, kudos Morrissey. Can't say I know squat about your solo work, but I commend anyone doing vegan-friendly things.

P.S. If you read this Moz, please play "Panic" for me. I love that song.

P.P.S. And if you are reading this, I might as well point out the fact that you turned down a reported $5 million to reunite the Smiths at Coachella is either the dumbest or bravest move I've ever heard a musician make.

​If you ever hang around a group of aging punk rockers, you're ultimately going to get an earfull about the mayhem and magic of the glory days when legendary bands walked the earth and tore up the stage. Splice that in with a bag of comical life lessons, misadventures and a pinch of borderline psychosis and you have Joe Sib's one man "broken word" show, "California Calling." The show takes place tonight at The Boathouse in Costa Mesa at 8 p.m. More >>