Xavier Johnson

Xavier Johnson is a Bay Area writer by way of the beautiful Southwest. He's a proud alumni of Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA where he served as the Arts and Entertainment Editor of the award-winning college newspaper, The Advocate. He's a diehard fan of extreme metal, small local shows with bad sound systems, and telling anyone who will listen about the very real punk rock and roots music connection.

Kenny Beats infectious solo debut a hip-hop gem

BY XAVIER JOHNSON The producer solo album became a lost art throughout the 2000s, but the unique form of hip-hop has reemerged over the past few years with a young crop of talented producers creating their own artistic vision after helping solidify other artists’ for so long. Prolific producer Kenneth …

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Collective Soul drops solid Vibrating album

BY XAVIER JOHNSON Since its formation in 1992, Collective Soul carved out its place in rock music’s canon during the 90’s post-grunge movement that combined their weighty tones and unpredictable sound with more familiar, melodic mainstream rock sensibilities. The groundwork laid by groups like Pearl Jam, Collective Soul, and Bush …

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