DOWNTOWN’S LEGENDARY MUSIC SERIES IS BACK!
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Friday, SEPT 19, 2025 | 5-10pm
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT
with Eagles of Death Metal & Super Cassette
For more than five decades, Blue Öyster Cult has been thrilling fans of intelligent hard rock worldwide with powerful albums loaded with classic songs. Indeed, the Long Island, NY-based band is revered within the hard rock and heavy metal scene for its pioneering work. Blue Öyster Cult occupies a unique place in rock history because it’s one of very few hard rock/heavy metal bands to earn both genuine mainstream critical acclaim as well as commercial success.
The band is often cited as a major influence by other acts such as Metallica, and BÖC was listed in VH1’s countdown of the greatest hard rock bands of all time.
Upon the release of BÖC‘s self-titled debut album in 1972, the band was praised for its catchy-yet-heavy music and lyrics that could be provocative, terrifying, funny or ambiguous, often all in the same song. BÖC’s canon includes three stone-cold classic songs that will waft through the cosmos long after the sun has burned out: The truly haunting “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” from 1976’s Agents of Fortune, the pummeling “Godzilla” from 1977’s Spectres and the hypnotically melodic “Burnin’ for You” from 1981’s Fire of Unknown Origin. Other notable BÖC songs include “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll,” “Then Came the Last Days of May,” “I Love the Night,” “In Thee,” “Veteran of the Psychic Wars,” “Dominance and Submission,” “Astronomy,” “Black Blade” and “Shooting Shark.”
The intense creative vision of BÖC’s original core duo of vocalist/lead guitarist Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser, and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Eric Bloom are complemented by Richie Castellano on guitar and keyboards, and the longtime rhythm section of bass guitarist Danny Miranda, and drummer Jules Radino.
We realized we’re a ‘classic rock’ band. That’s what we are, that’s what we do best, and that’s what we know. The band members are proud of BÖC’s classic sound, and pleased the band is creating vibrant work for disenfranchised music lovers who don’t like the homogenized, prefabricated pop or sound-alike, formulaic rap-metal, which monopolizes the radio airwaves and best-seller charts.
BÖC has always maintained a relentless touring schedule and an album of new material THE SYMBOL REMAINS was released October 9th 2020 to rave reviews.
Their most recent studio album GHOST STORIES was released in April 2024.
Opening for BÖC will be Eagles of Death Metal—which, despite its humorous name, is not a death metal band. With a sound that’s a combination of “bluegrass slide guitar mixed with stripper drum beats and Canned Heat vocals,” and a frontman in Jesse Hughes who is known for his over-the-top stage histrionics and evangelistic interaction with his fans, the band’s live performances are a sight to be seen.
EODM has released four studio albums to date — Peace Love Death Metal, Death By Sexy, Heart On, and Zipper Down — and has toured the world extensively over the past two decades. A brand-new studio album is in the works for a worldwide release in 2025.
An American rock band from Palm Desert, California, EODM was founded in 1998 by Hughes and his best friend, Joshua Homme. The group has included a wide range of other musicians that appear on the band’s studio albums and live shows. EODM’s current touring lineup includes the ever-present Hughes, Jennie Vee on bass, Leah Bluestein on drums, and Scott Shiflett on guitar.
While the band was on stage at the Bataclan in Paris, on Nov. 13, 2015, terrorists stormed the venue and attacked the audience. Only 3 weeks later, the band returned to the stage with U2 in Paris in their first concert appearance since the attack. The bands performed a cover of Patti Smith’s “People Have the Power” together before EODM performed “I Love You All the Time.”
Formed in 2016, Super Cassette is an Oakland indie rock outfit fronted by Max Gerlock.
Super Cassette is the manifestation of years of songwriting and jamming between brothers Max and Nick Gerlock. The band was formed originally to play Max’s solo project “Maximillian” live, but their first gig sparked such an energy that they felt obligated to continue the band as its own project. Compositionally, Nick and Max draw heavily from video game soundtracks and 90s alternative rock. The pop forms and tight harmonies that Nick and Max gravitate toward are grounded by the rhythmic chemistry of Devin Hollister (bass) and Zach Briefer (drums), who have honed an intense rapport playing in their own band Pistachio.
S. Market St. btw. W. San Carlos & W. San Fernando St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Saturday, Sept 20, 2025 | 11am-4pm
Bay Area Parent
Kids Day in the Park
with Lisa Loeb & The Hollow Trees
Alphabet Rockers (Emcee Tommy + DJ Roza)
Lisa Loeb and The Hollow Trees bring their nostalgic, feel-good collaboration to Bay Area Parent Kids Day in the Park 2025 in San Jose! Catch them live at Plaza de César Chávez (1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113) on Saturday, September 20, as they perform separately and come together on stage for a special set. Their new album, That’s What It’s All About, is a heartfelt tribute to timeless tunes and family traditions, blending Loeb’s signature storytelling with The Hollow Trees’ playful folk sound. Sing, dance, and celebrate the magic of music with Lisa Loeb and The Hollow Trees at Kids Day in the Park.
S. Market St. btw. W. San Carlos & W. San Fernando St.
San Jose, CA 95113
ANNOUNCEMENT COMING!
Sunday, SEPT 21, 2025 | 4-11pm
LaRussell
with Souls of Mischief, Ruby Ibarra
& Kung Fu Vampire
Rising star LaRussell makes his Music in the Park debut on September 21, 2025 and it will be a date to remember in San Jose music history.
The Vallejo rapper with an authentic, heartfelt flow, LaRussell Thomas is also the founder of Good Compenny, an organization that helps promote rising Bay Area artists.
Born and raised in the northern part of Vallejo, California, a city with a rich vein of individual hip-hop talent, he began to rap at the age of eight but found his early education to be uninspiring. He was subsequently enrolled at Vallejo’s Peoples’ High School, where he blossomed in comparison.
Upon graduating, he became a father to a baby girl, causing any tentative hope of a music career to be put on ice. Instead, to provide for his daughter, he took on a well-paid job at an aerospace company. LaRussell remained in the position for six years—occasionally releasing music on the side under the moniker Tota—before deciding to quit to pursue full-time involvement in the music business.
Souls of Mischief is a hip-hop group from Oakland, California, that is also part of the hip hop collective Hieroglyphics. The Souls of Mischief formed in 1991 and is composed of rappers A-Plus, Opio, Phesto, and Tajai.
East Oakland native Tajai began rhyming with future bandmate A-Plus at age 8, while both were in elementary school. Tajai and Phesto met later in junior high school. Tajai recruited his best friend Phesto in middle school. A-Plus brought Opio into the budding act in high school before making its major label debut on Jive Records with the group’s well-received album, 93 ’til Infinity, in 1993.
The group is part of the hip-hop collective Hieroglyphics, along with emcees Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Casual, Pep Love, Jaybiz, and producer Domino. The group participated as full members in all three of Hieroglyphics’ studio albums: 1998’s 3rd Eye Vision, 2003’s Full Circle, and 2013’s The Kitchen.
93 ’til Infinity is the group’s highest charting album to date (#17 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums; #85 Billboard 200) and, in January 1998, was named one of the Top 100 Rap albums by The Source magazine.
Ruby Ibarra is a rapper, spoken word artist, and director from the Bay Area, CA who has toured across the United States and the Philippines, including universities, empowerment conferences, music venues, and spaces such as – the National Mall in DC, the Getty Center, and The Ford. Ruby has been featured on notable publications such as NPR, Huffington Post, Paper Mag, Vogue Philippines, CNN Philippines, XXL Magazine, the Today show, T Magazine, NY Times, LA Times, and the SF Chronicle. On May 2025, Ruby was declared the winner of NPR’s 2025 Tiny Desk Contest.
Since 2022, Ruby was a songwriter and soundtrack artist for Seasons 1-3 of the FOX Network’s hit TV show, The Cleaning Lady. Ruby’s songs, “US” and “Switch,” were included in the widely popular video game, NBA2K23 and NBA2K24, respectively. Her music is available on all digital platforms and can be heard in several museum exhibits, films, and television features. Her latest release, “Bakunawa” is the first single from her forthcoming sophomore album.
Bay Area native, billboard charting, Hip Hop artist currently celebrating 20 years since the first release back in 2004.
Kung Fu Vampire, started breakdancing at age 5, discovered his lyrical talent at 14 while drumming in high school Jazz Band. A clash with a teacher eventually led to the formation of Kung Fu Vampire in 2001.
In 2003, “Blood Bath Beyond” CD/DVD laid the foundation, followed by the acclaimed “Dead Sexy” in 2009, featured in Rolling Stone’s “Top 500 Album Covers.” His impact extends to film and TV, contributing to E-40’s “Zombie” in 2013 and appearing on The Discovery Channel’s “Oddities.” KFV’s music graced Netflix movies like “Tales Of Halloween” and “Mother’s Day both directed by Saw franchise legend Darren Lynn Bousman.”
A live performance maestro, Kung Fu Vampire left an indelible mark at The Playboy Mansion, Saw 3 Movie Premiere, and Insane Clown Posse’s “Gathering” (7 times since 2010). Across 19 tours since 2009 (US, Mexico, Canada), his “Come Dawn” album (2023) hit Billboard’s Top 200 and #18 on iTunes Hip Hop charts, featuring collaborations with Futuristic and recently released from prison after 26 years, X-Raided.
2023 brought Kung Fu Vampire’s most recent release “Black Heart Machine” with heavy production from his drummer Action Paxton, The return to headlining tours and joining forces with Tech N9ne on his West Coast run. His acting debut in “Four Hour Layover in Juarez” has won several awards for “Best Action” Short directed by Wesley Alley (Star Wars Mandalorian lighting designer/grip)
In 2024 Kung Fu Vampire continues to evolve at full steam, bringing the Black Heart Machine to a city near you with another west coast Tech N9ne run, a new supporting acting roll in a horror film called “Scissors” and rumor has it the Year Of The Dragon is bringing a brand new Double Dragon album from Louisville legend Bukshot and KFV.
S. Market St. btw. W. San Carlos & W. San Fernando St.
San Jose, CA 95113
PAST SHOWS:
Sunday, July 27, 2025 | 4-10pm
Island Party: FIA
with Western Conference and ACARI
Five-time Island Music Award winner, FIA, is a rising singer/songwriter originally from Hawaii. Of Samoan descent and a native to Nanakuli, FIA has always had a deep love of music, especially of R&B and soul, which can be heard in his music and performances.
Individually, they’re BigBodyCisco and Westafa. Together, they form Western Conference, a dynamic duo renowned for electrifying music festivals, concerts, and events worldwide. With BigBodyCisco as the charismatic host and Westafa as the master vibe curator, they bring
unmatched energy, creating unforgettable experiences for audiences everywhere.
Born in the Philippines and raised in the bay area, Acari is an emerging artist whose unique sound and emotionally charged performances are quickly making her a standout in the music scene.
S. Market St. btw. W. San Carlos & W. San Fernando St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 4-11pm
The Psychedelic Furs
with Special Guest Rooney
The Psychedelic Furs may not have invented rock & roll per se, but their influence since arriving on the post-punk scorched-earth landscape four decades ago has reverberated and resonated among all those who cherish the sweet-and-sour spot where rawness and romanticism meet.
Born out of the UK post-punk scene and led by vocalist and songwriter Richard Butler, and his bass-wielding brother Tim, the Furs quickly developed as one of the premiere bands at college and alternative radio scoring a flurry of major hits with “Love My Way,” “Pretty In Pink,” “Heaven,” “The Ghost In You,” and “Heartbreak Beat” in all releasing eight studio albums, spawning several compilations, a boxed set, a live concert DVD and inspiring one of the most iconic motion picture soundtracks of all time. Decades later, their latest release “Made Of Rain”charted in a multitude of countries and became the Furs’ second highest ranked UK Album ever. It was prominently featured in the end of year “Best Albums” chart roundup in dozens of publications worldwide. But, the Furs especially thrive live in concert having headlined at the U.K.’s famed Glastonbury Festival, and more recently at esteemed venues including the Hollywood Bowl, London’s Royal Albert Hall, New York’s Radio City Music Hall, and Nashville’s Grand ‘Ole Opry among others. With a dazzling live show, they continue to tour quite regularly across the globe.
The Psychedelic Furs touring lineup remains Richard Butler (vocals); Tim Butler (bass); Rich Good (guitar); Amanda Kramer (keyboards) and Zachary Alford (drums).
S. Market St. btw. W. San Carlos & W. San Fernando St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Friday, July 25, 2025 | 5-10pm
Stevie B
with Jaya, Shannon, Cutso
Get ready for the “King of Freestyle,” Stevie B in his first Music in the Park appearance! Known for his chart-topping hits “Spring Love,” “Party Your Body,” and the timeless classic “Because I Love You (The Postman Song),” Stevie B brings the energy, emotion and rhythm that defined a generation of dance club music.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the sound of freestyle, this is your chance to experience the electrifying performance of an ’80s and ’90s icon. With his smooth vocals and infectious beats, Stevie B will have the whole park dancing and singing along all night long.
Stevie B will be joined by Jaya and Shannon. Known as the “Queen of Soul” in the Philippines, Jaya has captivated audiences with hits like “Dahil Tanging Ikaw,” “Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig,” and “If You Leave Me Now.” With her exceptional vocal range, heartfelt performances and commanding stage presence, Jaya bridges classic soul influences with contemporary music.
A true icon of the freestyle movement, Shannon burst onto the scene with her smash hit “Let the Music Play,” a track that helped define the sound of ’80s dance-pop and continues to fire up dance floors today. With her distinctive voice, synth-driven beats and timeless hooks, Shannon is a pioneer of the genre and a fixture in the era’s club and radio milieu—and beyond.
Her performances are an energetic mix of high-octane rhythm and emotional flair. From the first beat to the last chorus, Shannon will have fans moving and grooving.
Stevie B., Jaya and Shannon will be supported by an all-star roster of Bay Area DJs: Hugo & Chuy Gomez, DJ Looney Tunes & DJ Cris Campos, Brotha Reese and local legend Cutso, of The Bangerz.
S. Market St. btw. W. San Carlos & W. San Fernando St.
San Jose, CA 95113