He's letting you know that person is you.
The first time I saw 311 was at the tender age of 18. I stood staring in awe outside at the Justin Herman Plaza at a band I had only ever seen on a TV screen back when MTV still called themselves “Music” Television. My first live show, for free, and they played for at least two hours. It was a show totally worth skipping my early morning chemistry lab for. I walked away with each band member’s autograph written in black Sharpie on my arms. I felt so cool at the time.
Seven years later I find that 311 can still rock my world. [read the whole post]
Standing in the shadow of the Beast.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I agreed to cover Friday nights show at the Great American Music Hall. I wasn’t even aware of the set up of the show; co-headliners The Thermals (whom I had never even heard of before) and Thao with The Get Down Stay Down. Because of this, I arrived late thinking TWTGDSD was the opener, the real opener just finishing as I entered the venue. Sorry Grass Widow. I promise to check out one of your various shows in Austin at this years SXSW. [read the whole post]
J. Tillman haunting the GAMH
Things started off looking kind of gloomy over at The Great American. It was 8:30pm, the opening act was set to go on at 9:00pm and there were approximately 30 people in the room (I counted). Sitting by myself at one of the tables that lined the floor, I couldn’t help but sulk at the fact that I was basically working on a Friday night. It took all my energy to keep from putting my head down on the table and taking a nap. Even my trusty sidekick, iPhone, couldn’t help ease my growing boredom. I shirked out of my responsibilities of doing any research prior to the show, so I basically had no idea what to expect. [read the whole post]
I usually never drink at shows. On occasion I might be up for a whiskey on the rocks, but rarely do I ever booze it up a show that I’m really into. I can’t tell you exactly why I decided to drink at this particular show; it could be because I was one of the handful of people over 21, or because I have the day off tomorrow (today) or whatever. The $7 it cost for a Red Stripe didn’t even deter me. It just felt like the right night to indulge, so I did. 2 beers, a whiskey on the rocks, and a shared Sex on the Beach with my companion later, I was thoroughly rocking out at the Paramore show.
[read the whole post]
Music to cry by
I’m what you might call an anomaly. I’m female; relatively young, and I enjoy the sensual seduction of the undead. And yet, the hold that Twilight gained over a generation of young (and young at heart) girls doesn’t apply to me. I came of age as a disciple of the great Anne Rice, and for me, there is no other leading man than Lestat. That being said, there’s no reason why I can’t enjoy the music inspired by the movie based on the novels by Stephenie Meyer. [read the whole post]
Accordion solos don't get any cooler than this.
Any trip to the Divisadero corridor always deserves a stop at one of the many excellent and inexpensive restaurant choices available. On this trip, the choice was half an order of BBQ chicken, mac ‘n cheese, and corn. I was still picking kernels out of my teeth when we walked in midway through the set of Damon and Naomi, the openers for the evening. The music was melancholy and wistful, with intertwining vocals from both musicians, Damon on acoustic guitar and Naomi on keyboards. I wasn’t too disappointed, but their brand of self-proclaimed “dream pop” wasn’t doing anything to help out my impending food coma. It was a surprise to learn that the duo did a stint on Sub Pop back in the mid-to-late 90’s. However, I wasn’t much into indie rock back then; rather, mainstream alternative, but that’s beside the point. The set ended a little after 10:00pm, and on to the waiting game. [read the whole post]
