Matthew Welch

After a successful summer tour in 2011, Nikka Costa is back at it again. The soulful powerhouse will be making a stop in Los Angeles and, from what we hear, is preparing to put on one hell of a show. Collaborating with some of the industry's most talented musicians (Mark Ronson, Eric Clapton and Adam Lambert to name a few), the Motown-inspired artist has an impressive musical repertoire, to say the least.

With a career spanning 30 years, Costa not only knows what it takes to put on a great performance, but she also knows what it takes to make incredible music. Over the weekend we were lucky enough to catch up with Costa to chat about her latest EP, PRO★WHOA, and her show at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex this Saturday.

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Yesterday, Offspring announced it will be performing its 1992 album Ignition in its entirety at a "special show" on May 3 at Alex's Bar and that the 200-or-so tickets will be sold through a lottery system.

This morning at 10 AM, a lottery sign-up form was placed on the band's official website and it will remain active until 10 AM tomorrow. Winners chosen at random will be notified by the end of the day and allowed to purchase one pair of tickets.

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The lineup for this year's the Hootenanny at Oak Canyon, set to take place July 7, was announced today. The annual rockabilly festival is in it's 18th year and has brought legends of rockabilly, punk and everything in between to this fair county. Joe Strummer, The Cramps, Social Distortion, Chuck Berry and Wanda Jackson have all graced the outdoor stage in previous years.More >>

Courtesy of Daniel Muller

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After six studio albums, Cursive is at it again. The Nebraska natives will be releasing a new album titled I Am Gemini on Feb. 21, that tells the classic story of good versus evil represented by twin brothers who are separated at birth. Collaborating with music producer Matt Bayles (who's also worked with Mastodon, Minus the Bear and Iris), the album is a lot heavier than the music Cursive has put out in years, making their up coming tour an event to look forward to. Over the weekend we were lucky enough to catch up with Cursive's lead singer, Tim Kasher, to talk about their new album and upcoming Glass House show on Feb. 25.

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Mary Bell/OC Weekly

Scott Weiland and the Stone Temple Pilots at the Fox Theater Pomona on February 26, 2011.

​ Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver fans (...you're out there, right?): We just got a tip that Scott Weiland will perform at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana on December 8.
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Courtesy of Parallel

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It has been a busy few weeks for Anaheim's Parallel. They were voted Best Hip-Hop Act of 2011 by the Weekly's readers in our Best Of issue in October. Now, they're on the heels of their record release, Dont Sleep [sic], set to drop Friday. The crew will celebrate the release at the Rhythm Lounge in Long Beach.

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​The whole "band playing a classic album in its entirety" schtick is beaten to death by now, but regardless, the format works--aging bands stay on the "still relevant" side of the nostalgia spectrum, and casual fans don't have to sit through post-prime material generally reserved for piss-and-beer runs. It's a win for everyone involved.

This time, it's Peter Hook on tour performing Joy Division's final album Closer, its sprawling magnum opus released in the wake of Ian Curtis' suicide in 1980, and also, on different dates at different venues, the band's landmark debut Unknown Pleasures. It's Hook on vocals and bass, backed by his studio band, The Light.

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It's no secret that Irvine's Playground Festival was a catastrophe Saturday. Among some of the larger acts at the festival, including a headliner failed to show up. The Game and Too Short were among the MIA musicians, but they're giving fans who missed them another chance to see them at the Galaxy in Santa Ana on Oct. 16. Chances are, unless the building catches on fire it's going to be a better show than Playground.

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John Gilhooley/OC Weekly

​Catalina Island is about to get a boost in its entertainment options via a musical performance from Huntington Beach stoner crew the Dirty Heads. The band will be playing July 29 at the Decanso Beach Club courtesy of the Santa Catalina Island Company who hooked up with local promoter Ashley Eckenweiler to help bring big name talent to the island outpost.

 
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​Zombies! Is wrinkly and stiff clothing keeping you up at night? Well, fear no more! Announcing Woolite as the official fabric softener for the sensitive-skinned zombie! No, but seriously, the horror movie and metal mastermind himself, Rob Zombie, recently directed the latest commercial for Woolite and it is quite freaking awesome.

"It's a very bizarre TV commercial for a product like this" Zombie said. "Honestly, I was shocked when they called me to do it." More >>