Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
For some silly reason, we’ve all decided that we need to spend the change over of the year in “party” mode. We count down til midnight, then pick somebody to make out with when the clock strikes 12. Well, I’m a firm believer in any excuse to go to a show, as well as any excuse to make out with somebody, so here’s a list of the best six shows to spend your New Year’s Eve with.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Ways To Spend New Year’s Eve In The Bay Area”
Comedian Greg Behrendt does a bit about the “grown up rock show.” A show where everyone is over 25, the band only plays hits, and the show is over in time for you to get home and watch Law & Order. No openers, no new material. It seems that the trend that’s been brewing for the last 5 years or so of playing a classic album front to back was inspired by this concept. The Matthew Sweet show at Yoshi’s, featuring Girlfriend in it’s entirety, definitely felt like this. There were few people in the crowd under the age of 30. Everyone showed up on time, a show that started at 8 PM on the nose, and ended shortly after 9:30. And it was beautiful.
Continue reading “Show Review: Matthew Sweet at Yoshi’s — SF, 12/27/11”
Yes, this is kind of a slow show week. Why? Because it’s Christmas week. Even venues need to take to occasional holiday. But, you know what, the biggest badass in America is coming to town! So, yeah, Merry Christmas.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 12/22/11-12/28/11”
I’d like to say this review was brought to you by Spotify. It’s not. They are not a sponsor on SpinningPlatters. But I like it. What I really like about it is the fact that they post what you are listening to on Facebook. That’s how I found Caveman. One of my coworkers at my day job, a person whose taste in music is pretty combatible with my own, was listening to this band a lot. So, of course I had to listen. And, well, my Spotifstalking paid off, because it was quite good. Even better was that I had an opportunity to see them live shortly after learning about them. For more on that, well, JUMP!
Continue reading “Show Review: Caveman, Carletta Sue Kay at Brick and Mortar Music Hall, 12/11/11”
With the holidays fast approaching most of your favorite venues are getting rented out for holiday parties… But, live music is still happening, and there is plenty going around this week so you can get out of the cold. (Special thanks to Chris Rogers for helping out with some of these this week)
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 12/15/11-12/21/11”
You know what’s great about living on Oakland, CA? You never know when you are going to end up at a Green Day concert. This was the second time that I saw Green Day play without even knowing that they were going to be performing until early evening that day. I highly recommend keeping your ears open fellow bay area folks, because these are their best sets. And, anyone that made it out to Live 105’s Not So Silent Night were treated to the best.
Continue reading “Show Review: Live 105’s Not So Silent Night 2011 at Oracle Arena, Friday, 12/9/11”
Yes, we all know that Metallica are taking over The Fillmore this week, and only very special people will be getting into those shows. Remember that Metallica also totally blow, and everything on this list is better. Or, at least tell yourself that, because you aren’t getting in. Don’t worry, I’m not getting in, either.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 12/8/11-12/14/11”
I have a live music bucket list. There are about a dozen or so musicians that I’d like to see before they call it quits. The number one band on that list is Melt-Banana. I first uncovered them working at the old Wherehouse Music on Geary in San Francisco. Somebody was selling back used CD’s, and there was a single loose disc left behind. It was Cell Scape by Melt-Banana. I put it on the overhead, and I was blown away. It was like nothing I’ve ever heard before. It was chaotic, weird, and beautiful. I instantly knew that I needed to see this band live. Sadly, it took almost 10 years before I was able to make that work.
Continue reading “Show Review: Melt-Banana, Retox, Peace Creep at Bottom Of The Hill, 11/29/11”
You know what to do. Go out and support your local live music venue. Buy your niece merch for Christmas. Join Boy George in encouraging Adele to quit smoking.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 12/1/11-12/7/11”
Happy Thanksgiving, loyal SpinningPlatters readers!
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 11/24/11-11/30/11”