By Jason Genegabus

Star-Bulletin file

Of all the watering holes in the University/Puck’s Alley neighborhood, Eastside Grill was known as the spot for University of Hawaii sports fans of all ages.

As of this week, Warrior/Wahine/Rainbow fans will have to look elsewhere to watch their teams play on pay-per-view. And any post-game celebrations will have to move to The Varsity or Red Lion University.

Following months of declining sales, Eastside Grill shut its doors this week and posted signs that announced it was “closed indefinitely.” The move coincided with a posting on Craigslist that advertises the bar for sale.

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By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

I had a feeling it was going to get a little nuts at Pipeline Cafe on Saturday.

Maybe it was the MySpace bulletin from the BAMP Project crew that warned procrastinators just NINE tickets were left by Friday afternoon. Or maybe it was the feeling I got while doing some background research for my cover story in last week’s HiLife.

After more than a decade on the grind as independent artists, it seems that “If Life Gives You Lemons…” and the “Paint the Nation” tour are the final steps Atmosphere needs to take before reaching critical mass with mainstream listeners.

During their third visit to Hawaii last weekend, Slug and Ant gave longtime followers what they needed while gaining fans with a high energy set of both new and old material.

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By Jason Genegabus

By Jason Genegabus

The Toadies performed in Dallas, Tex. earlier this year. (Peter Marince photo)

Judging by the results of a quick Google search, the last time Pau Hana Productions was in the news was last year, when Reel Big Fish returned to the islands for a concert at Pipeline Cafe.

When I ran into promoter Nikki Robinson at a press conference for this year’s Kokua Festival, we did the usual catching up (we worked at the same radio station years ago) before I asked when she’d be putting on her next show.

I didn’t get a solid answer. Robinson’s been doing well outside the concert game, and she’s always been one of the few promoters who always put family first.

That’s why I’m happy to report that Pau Hana Productions will return to the scene in 2009 with the Toadies at Pipeline on Jan. 9 (doors open at 6 p.m.). The Texas-based band reunited in 2006, more than a decade after their debut album, “Rubberneck,” was released.

Tickets, priced at $25 and $50, go on sale Nov. 29 at all Ticketmaster outlets.

I’ve got a sample off their latest album, “No Deliverance,” after the jump.

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By Jason Genegabus

Photo courtesy Michael Magliulo

After three rounds of competition in “Music City Madness” on country cable network CMT, Oahu-born and Big Island-raised Michael Magliulo (pictured) is one of eight musicians left in the user-generated talent search that gives winners a chance to get signed with Warner Bros. Records and an appearance on CMT’s online series, “Unplugged at Studio 330.”

You can watch the video for his entry, “American Dream,” on YouTube and listen to more music on his MySpace page. Voting for the fourth round of competition ends Nov. 24.

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By Jason Genegabus

By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photo

Head to Chinatown on Saturday night for a chance to take part in the next generation of music distribution.

Established in 2004, L. Records makes its Hawaii debut Saturday with “L. Bar” at thirtyninehotel.

According to Dorian Wright, the label’s director of marketing and promotions, the party is the latest step in “off the grid music production,” following the establishment of a solar/wind-powered production studio on the North Shore earlier this year.

Along with generating all power from solar and wind energy, L. Records also prints all their merchandise on recyclable material. Physical CDs have been replaced by biodegradable download cards (pictured above), that when planted, grow into “an array of wildflowers.”

Wright and DJ Wish will be on the decks tomorrow; the debut party starts at 9 p.m.

By Jason Genegabus

By Jason Genegabus

Gloria Estefan performs at the Ahoy Arena in Holland (Roy Borghouts photo)

Tom Moffatt announced today that Gloria Estefan will return to Honolulu in January, nearly 12 years after her last public appearance in the islands.

Estefan reached superstardom with the Miami Sound Machine in the 80’s before embarking on a successful solo career. Her latest album, “90 Millas,” was released in 2007 and is the 11th studio release for the singer.

The Jan. 17 show at Blaisdell Arena will be the fourth time she performs in Hawaii, following concerts at Aloha Stadium in 1997 and a sold-out Waikiki Shell in 1988.

Tickets, priced at $65, $85 and $125, go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday at all Ticketmaster outlets.

By Jason Genegabus