Fri 6/2 - Mike Stinson / Flash Express / Stax of Women @ El Cid ($7) – Mike Stinson is one of LA’s finest practitioners of honky tonk music. He’s obviously a huge Gram Parsons fan, but also pays tribute to Parsons’ heroes like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Dwight Yoakam opened his Population Me album with Stinson’s “The Late Great Golden State.” His extremely talented guitarist, Tony Gilkyson (X, Lone Justice) has an effortless style that’s absorbing live. If you like Jon Spencer’s high energy garage-blues, then check out The Flash Express. Download “The Beat That Kills” Stax of Women is a talented cover band that keeps changing their name. The members have big record collections, so they’ll pleasantly surprise you. Or if you’re a Journey fan, check out Infinity at Spaceland. more ›

Fausto Vitello passing out Thrasher stickers circa way back when. more ›

Seattlest saw a house party get senselessly attacked with a shotgun and end in seven dead. A local senator is debated and their version of the big dig is investigated. To truly get to the bottom of it they interview the writer Jonathan Raban. more ›

Buck Owens, Bakersfield's favorite son, passed on yesterday at the age of 76. The Bakersfield Californian has a lengthy obit, including: more ›