The Raveonettes

The Raveonettes are considered one of the biggest rock events in recent Danish history, and according to David Fricke from Rolling Stone Magazine they make “tight blazing pop of the top order”.

Sune Rose Wagner (guitar and vocals) and Sharin Foo (bass, guitar and vocals) drew inspiration from 1950s American rock'n'roll, 60s girl groups and surf guitar from California. Back in the Noughts they were part of the new garage rock movement that included bands like The Strokes, The Hives and The White Stripes. Their unique contribution was especially Wagner and Foo's 'vocal candy’. Wagner and Foo sing together in a compressed, modal boy-girl blend that,

against hurricane feedback and booming trebled bass guitar, sounds like the Jesus and Mary Chain with Blondie’s Deborah Harry at the

mike. Or the Ramones fronted by a Gregorian Shangri-Las.

The Raveonettes have been a source of inspiration for a wide range of bands, and according to NME, helped spark the American pop renaissance that took place in the 2010s with bands like Best Coast, The Drums and Dum Dum Girls finding inspiration in the Raveonettes' classic pop sensibility.

Joan Jett

There is a new board game that's just out with lots of music trivia. There is a question about tequila and cantinas and the answer is obviously Sammy Hagar. Duh. The better question is name a singer who has gold records as a member of three different bands and as a solo artist? Same answer, Sammy Hagar. Now name another voice who can equal that. Sorry, there is only one. Sam's in a league of his own. Surprised? OK, but now let's throw in all the multi Platinum soundtracks and a whole list of other records that haven't gone Gold, but are still loaded with great songs. Sure we all know about the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame induction, but now they need to find a special place in there for this guy. Hello Cleveland?
From the Montrose albums that are an essential part of the foundation of what became heavy metal, through a solo career that produced I Can't Drive 55, an icon of car culture in American music, Sammy Hagar is a force. Undeniably his Van Halen years are the summit of hard rock's transition into the mainstream. Now with a new group, Chickenfoot, Sam has reestablished his roots in a blues based rock band one more time.

Perhaps tequila and cantina are not the best answer to a trivia question, but they are really great answers to how to turn your passion for great food and drink into businesses that you totally love. Sammy has done that. The continued success of the Cabo Wabo Cantinas in Cabo San Lucas and Lake Tahoe has led to the latest Cabo Wabo Cantina in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sammy and the Wabos will be there to celebrate the opening of the new Cantina in early December. But that will be Sam's second Vegas watering hole, the first is Sammy's Beach Bar and Grill in the McCarren International Airport. This is the start of a chain of restaurants, in partnership with Host International, that will bring a welcome dining experience to airports across America. Sam's profits fund local children's charities in these cities and continues a relationship with his fans of giving to those in need.

So with a new band, new restaurants opening, and a premium tequila that continues to grow in popularity, Sammy has a lot on his plate. No problem. He has the energy to power a small town and continues to expand the envelope of possibility. What's next? A new brand? A new song? Whatever it is will probably be a part of our lives as he has been a part of us for decades now.

Chris Isaak

Thee Oh Sees

The Dwarves

The Dwarves are a punk rock band, formed in Chicago, Illinois. They are currently based in San Francisco, California. They are known for their simple, loud, yet nuanced punk repertoire, and controversial lyrics. Since the hardcore punk/scum punk sound of their early days, they have recently developed more of a pop-punk influence. Their shows have been notable for some aggressive fights on stage (with the audience and even a cop), and because "He Who Cannot Be Named" performs either in nothing but a jockstrap or totally nude, and makes no attempt to hide behind his guitar. Their album covers are unusual - naked women, and a naked dwarf sodomizing a rabbit covered in blood, for their 1990 album "Blood Guts & Pussy" - followed up a decade later, with a similar theme, this time covered in soap suds, for "Come Clean". The band was sacked from their previous label, Sub Pop over pranks such as the long-lasting hoax contending that guitarist "He Who Cannot Be Named" had died. They have recorded on several labels and recently joined Sympathy For The Record Industry. They also have a track listed on the Punk you compilation album. The original members of the Dwarves began making music together in the mid 80's as teenagers in the Chicago garage rock outfit Suburban Nightmare. The group's original Paisley underground sound was evident on the band's 1986 Voxx Records debut Horror Stories, an album which, like many of its Paisley underground contemporaries, contained a number of mid 60's Pebbles-inspired garage rock covers, including The Avengers' "Be a Cave man", and Shag's "Stop and Listen".

The Raveonettes

Flytjendur