Show Review: Sonic Youth, Awesome Color at The Fox Theater, 8/2/09

The ever-so-youthful sonic band.
The ever-so-youthful sonic band.

Sonic Youth released their first record in 1982. Since then, they have averaged a new release every year and a half or so. (15 full length releases, in case you are keeping track.)  This doesn’t include eps, singles, benefit compilation tracks, soundtrack work, side projects, parenting, eating, sleeping, or other such things that take up time.  And, arguably, none of them have been “bad.”  Sure, you might not have listened to Murray Street in a few years, but it’s still a good record.  They are without peer in terms of longevity and consistency.  They have a  live presence that has always been a force to be reckoned with.  The youngest member of the band is 47, but they still play like they are in their early 20’s.

Continue reading “Show Review: Sonic Youth, Awesome Color at The Fox Theater, 8/2/09”

Show Review: The Noisettes, Princeton at The Rickshaw Stop, 7/28/09

The bass drum is the world's most perfect foot rest.
The bass drum is the world's most perfect foot rest.

The last time I saw The Noisettes, they were opening for TV On The Radio at The Fillmore in early 2007.  They played a solid set of soul-inflected garage rock, similar to The Dirtbombs and The Detroit Cobras, only a touch noisier.  They were also very shy on stage.  They didn’t talk to the crowd, and stayed pretty reserved throughout the set.  Two years, and several UK hits later,  we have a completely re-identified band.

Continue reading “Show Review: The Noisettes, Princeton at The Rickshaw Stop, 7/28/09”

Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet: July 28th-August 3rd

Follow these tracks to the Great American Music Hall on Sunday.
Follow these tracks to the Great American Music Hall on Sunday.

This is part 10 of a continuing series… Next week, we will discuss how race relations affected the reconstruction.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet: July 28th-August 3rd”

Show Review: La Roux, io echo at Cafe du Nord, July 22nd

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The secret to this hairdo? 1 part mousse, 1 part hairspray, 1 part gel, 1 part wax, and a mysterious secret ingredient that she wouldn't give me...

In this economy, it’s rare for shows to sell out, especially well in advance. Even some of the most hyped acts are playing to 2/3 empty rooms.  So how did La Roux sell out Cafe du Nord so far in advance? Was it based on Glastonbury reports? Is it her sophisticated style and well crafted hooks? Or was it the $12 ticket price? Continue reading “Show Review: La Roux, io echo at Cafe du Nord, July 22nd”

Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet: July 21st-27th

This is Zoey, and she would like to see La Roux at Cafe du Nord with me tomorrow night, but she doesn't like loud noises, and I think they have a no cats policy. Who wants to take her place? At the show, not my home...
This is Zoey, and she would like to see La Roux at Cafe du Nord with me tomorrow night, but she doesn't like loud noises, and I think they have a no cats policy. Who wants to take her place? At the show, not my home...

Another week, another installment of our continuing series of me telling you what to do. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet: July 21st-27th”

10 Quick Questions for Hiroshi Narita, Manager of The G3 Lounge

He's consumed by the music...
He's consumed by the music...

Hiroshia Narita is one of the 1st people I ever encountered in San Francisco. I was working at a music store in the financial district of San Francisco, and he was working in the mailroom at Universal Music & Video Distribution. Since my store closed and he was laid off from Universal, we’ve kept in pretty good touch. He’s managed to survive a lot of the changes in the industry, and still manages to work for the art form he cares deeply about. He currently manages the G3 Lounge at 3rd Ave and Geary in San Francisco! He took the time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for you, the reader. Continue reading “10 Quick Questions for Hiroshi Narita, Manager of The G3 Lounge”

Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet July 14th-20th

 

Flipper at Cafe du Nord Friday Night! Bring swim trunks!
Flipper at Cafe du Nord Friday Night! Bring swim trunks!

Let us continue to guide you to high quality live musical performances in your greater civic area. Provided that your area is the same as my area. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet July 14th-20th”

Show Review: Death Cab For Cutie at The Greek Theater 7/11/2009

Hey Cutie! Wanna Ride In My Death Cab? (Actual pick up line heard outside of venue)
Hey Cutie! Wanna Ride In My Death Cab? (Actual pick up line heard outside of venue)

So, in a bit of autobiographical information, I was recently “relieved of my working duties.”  In fact, that was on Friday, July 10th. I was going to have to work a very long day on the 11th initially, and now I suddenly had the day off. So, I sat around and sulked all day.  After I was done sulking, I decided take BART to Berkeley, and go see a show before I couldn’t afford to pay my way in to shows anymore. (This is an exaggeration. I am eligible for unemployment, so I will have some money.) Well, as I am walking towards the show, it starts raining.  I see a couple of scalpers, and I talk to one of them that I have seen at shows before.  I buy a ticket off him very cheap, because he wanted to get out of the rain.

Continue reading “Show Review: Death Cab For Cutie at The Greek Theater 7/11/2009”

Spinning Platters Unofficial Guide to $7.11 Tickets

Oh thank heaven this is the most disturbing picture of a slurpee I can find on the internet... Got better? E-mail me: dakin.hardwick@gmail.com
Oh thank heaven this is the most disturbing picture of a slurpee I can find on the internet... Got better? E-mail me: dakin@spinningplatters.com

So, as some of you may know, 7-11 is giving away free slurpees on July 11th this year. What you may not know, is that those slurpees come with a coupon code that allows you to buy tickets to select LiveNation tickets for a deep discount. These are all GA tickets, and most of them are for $7.11. Some are for a bit more, but all are very cheap. Since neither Livenation nor Slurpee is telling people what tickets will be discounted, we did the research for you.  Here is a list of the events that they will be selling in the bay area. Go to LiveNation.com on July 11th. Remember, these events are subject to change, and only a small quantity will be available at that price. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Unofficial Guide to $7.11 Tickets”

Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet July 7th-14th

Another week of shows to keep you occupied at nights, instead of spending it looking for a job or spending time with loved ones.

The Dirty Projectors are playing tonight.
The Dirty Projectors are playing tonight.

Another week of shows to keep you occupied at night, instead of spending it looking for a job or spending time with loved ones.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet July 7th-14th”