Elvis Give it up for Elvis, the original pop star. He’s popular on a global scale and was one of the fines performers the world has ever seen. Especially compared with pop stars these days, Elvis at least kept it real. What you saw was what you got. He didn’t pretend he wrote any of those songs he performed, because maybe, he was more interested in what you did with that song in front of an audience. Was he...

Check out Dave James’ coverage of the scorching Lagwagon show at the Sinclair last week. Follow him on Instagram...

Lenin’s Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empireby David Remnick I love Soviet Russia history. It’s my jam, something that helps me pass the time when I’m doing security at night for my office gig and I suspect it will ALWAYS be my jam. But, I have to admit it’s been mostly the Lenin-Stalin era that I’ve sought out: the beginning. Probably because it all plays out like a sad soap opera right up to Stalin’s death. With this...

WHO: Colleen Green WHAT: Cool WHY: They don’t come much catchier, chiller, breezier, and harmonically lovely than Cool. And we’re not just saying that because Colleen Green is a local gal. In her latest effort, Green’s focus is to satisfy and cater to your sweet tooth, whether you’re 2 or 82. There are highlights on this album (I Wanna Be a Dog is just a chef’s kiss), but regardless of where you look, these 10 tracks are fun, poppy, and…cool....

Photographer extraordinaire Kevin Salk was live at Descendents/Circle Jerks coheadlining show at the UC Theatre in Berkeley last Friday. Here are some pics of that extraordinary event. Follow Kevin Salk on Instagram...

It’s that time of year again! Time to strap in some new boots, put on some new gear, and start the new school year fresh. And as always, at Ground Control we’ve got some choice recommendations for some of the hottest most essential gear and accessories to power you through a successful year of learning. Because that’s what we’re here to do, right? LEARN. We’re incredibly lucky to be bringing you some tried and true accessories (read: old favorites) and...

As big fans of Brook Pridemore’s, we’re excited to bring you the new single from his new album “Glad to Be Alive.” Brook is one of the unsung heroes of modern music and damn near an underappreciated genius. If Wore Me Well is any indication, Pridemore has topped himself in this follow up to the wonderful Metal is My Only Friend. Bring it on, my friend! Listen to Wore Me Well: Here’s the press release: “Brook Pridemore has been an...

Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 2 What can I possibly say about Star Trek that hasn’t been said already. If you don’t know what it is, get a clue and get on board. I was very late to the party but have since gone very deep. Star Trek is a warm fuzzy place I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave. For a franchise that has done so much over so many years the idea of a Lower Decks...

The Batman Batman is treading some dangerous waters. I’m saying this because the franchise is coming close to being a punch line. How many times has it been “rebooted”? The better question is probably, “why does it keep getting rebooted?” It’s hard to say, but it probably has something to do with audiences only getting excited about superhero movies, and only wanting to see things they’re familiar with. I’m old enough where the original quartet of Tim Burton/Joel Schumaker...

WHO: Czarface WHAT: Czarmageddon! WHY: Czarface is on a run of making unfuckwithable records, and I’m not saying that because they’re local boys. I have not heard a Czarface album that wasn’t smart, witty, and full of craftsmanship. Their newest Czarmageddon! is no different. It follows the path you would expect, like tight flow, interesting beats, brevity (as in no-filler), and even throws in some curveballs like the agro punk “Big Em Up.” Hip Hop is alive and well with...