July 6, 2023
Soul Asylum, Living Color, and Tommy Stinson perform open air show downtown July 21
San Jose’s Music in the Park series will kick off its 34th year in the heart of Silicon Valley on July 21 with a triple bill of rock acts Soul Asylum, Living Color and Tommy Stinson.
Headlining is Minneapolis alt-rockers Soul Asylum. The band’s 1993 single “Runaway Train,” won a Grammy for Best Rock Song, and musical contributions to the Kevin Smith films Clerks, Clerks II and Chasing Amy. Despite some lineup changes, lead vocalist and songwriter Dave Pirner still fronts the band, which now features drummer Michael Bland (formerly with Prince), guitarist Ryan Smith and bassist Winston Roye.
Rounding out the bill is Living Colour and Tommy Stinson of the Replacements. Living Colour pioneered American rock music in the late 80s. Led by guitarist Vernon Reid, the band formed in New York in 1984, with Corey Glover on vocals, Will Calhoun on drums and Muzz Skillings on bass. Their sound is an amalgamation of elements of jazz, funk, hard rock and heavy metal with lyrics ranging from the personal to the political, tackling issues like racism in the United States.
The band’s debut album, “Vivid,” was certified double platinum by the RIAA on its release in 1988. Featuring the widely acclaimed single, “Cult of Personality,” the hard-hitting rock song went on to earn the band the first of many Grammy Awards for Best Hard Rock Performance. Today, Living Colour continues to push the boundaries of the genre, more recently in their latest album “Shades,” with the introduction of many elements of thrash metal, blues and industrial rock.
Finally, Tommy Stinson—founding member of Minneapolis alternative rock pioneers the Replacements—will be taking the stage at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Stinson not only once played bass for Soul Asylum but also for Guns N’ Roses during the Chinese Democracy recording and subsequent tours. Stinson has released albums and toured as a solo artist since 2014.
The former member of hip hop’s Goodie Mob, and one half of the enigmatic duo Gnarls Barkley, CeeLo Green makes his way to San Jose on August 18 for the second Music in the Park show this season. Heads know Atlanta-born singer-songwriter CeeLo Green is more than just a genre-bending wordsmith. Thomas DeCarlo Burton, better known as the “Indomitable Showman” CeeLo Green, climbed to the top of international charts as Gnarls Barkley’s powerhouse vocalist and is known as the charismatic judge and mentor for emerging performers on NBC’s The Voice. Since then, CeeLo has returned to his urban and alternative R&B roots, engaging audiences with prolific retro-soul releases including “Lead Me,” “Doing It All Together” and “People Watching.”
With another act still to be announced, the last show of the season will take place on Sept 22. The performer’s name will be revealed mid-July. All shows take place from 5pm to 10pm at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. A limited number of early-bird tickets are available now at $35. General admission is $45, and VIP Lounge tickets are $75. Season tickets are available prior to the first show at $99. Tickets available at CalTix.com.
