Travis Barker & Mix Master Mike - San Francisco

Our adventure last night took us into San Francisco (shocking, I know) to the Independent, where we were to interview Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys) and Travis Barker (Blink 182).

Travis had been touring and performing as a duo with DJ AM under the name TRV$DJAM, until Adam Goldstein's death in 2009. Now back out on the road, Barker has been playing shows with Mix Master Mike to promote his solo effort, Give the Drummer Some.

The tour manager for Barker was something else... not in a good way. Details aside, we ended up waiting around until the end of the show to do the interviews (normally done after sound check). At this point, Mix Master Mike was very gracious and even went over-time with his interview. Afterwords, we waited back stage for Travis, only to have the tour manager finally come in and say "ok, so Travis isn't going to do the interview..."

At least Mike was accommodating, otherwise we spent all night in San Francisco for nothing. Glad I didn't have to pay the $30-$50 ticket!

Clay Lancaster with Travis Barker (Blink 182) and Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys)

Mix master Mike spins at The Independent in San Francisco

Drummer Travis Barker performs at the Independent in San Francisco, during his support tour for Lil Wayne.

Drummer Travis Barker performs at the Independent in San Francisco, during his support tour for Lil Wayne.

Mix master Mike spins at The Independent in San Francisco

Drummer Travis Barker performs at the Independent in San Francisco, during his support tour for Lil Wayne.

Mix Master Mike interviews with JC of theFIVE10.com

Cut Copy at the Regency Ballroom. San Francisco, CA.

Seeming to be our new Sunday routine, I caught a ride with JC of theFIVE10.com into San Francisco to interview and shoot photos for the Australian band Cut Copy. They were fresh off of playing Coachella last Friday, and had a two-night residency at The Regency Ballroom.

I didn't know much about these guys, other than they are super electro/dance fun stuff. But they rocked, and had a killer light show. I haven't been able to shoot in lighting like that since MuteMath in 2009 at the Fillmore.

Guitarist Tim Hoey was very gracious to spend some time with us after soundcheck, and you can hear what he has to say about their new record on theFIVE10.com in a couple of weeks.

JC interviewing Tim Hoey of Cut Copy in San Francisco

Cut Copy at the Regency Ballroom. San Francisco, CA.

Tim Hoey of
Cut Copy at the Regency Ballroom. San Francisco, CA.

Dan Whitford of Cut Copy at the Regency Ballroom. San Francisco, CA.

Tim Hoey of Cut Copy at the Regency Ballroom. San Francisco, CA.

Tim Hoey of Cut Copy at the Regency Ballroom. San Francisco, CA.

The Belle Brigade at the Fillmore. 04/10/2011. San Francisco.

Last night I hopped into a red Corvette with JC from theFIVE10.com and headed into San Francisco to shoot and interview The Belle Brigade at The Fillmore. They are currently touring with G. Love & Special Sauce, and will be hitting the road later this year with K.D. Lang.

Extremely fun and friendly brother/sister duo. Not to mention super talented.

Oh, and John Williams is their grandfather. Yes, the composer.

I guess the music gene runs in the family.

Ethan and Barbara Gruska. The Belle Brigade. The Fillmore, San Francisco.

Barbara Gruska. The Belle Brigade. The Fillmore, San Francisco.

Ethan Gruska. The Belle Brigade. The Fillmore, San Francisco.

JC of theFIVE10.com and Ethan & Barbara Gruska of The Belle Brigade.