Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Well, I have returned from Texas ten pounds heavier, with several new calluses on my feet, and a slew of new bands for you to go see, and several old favorites. So, do yourself a favor and come see a few amazing bands this week.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 3/22/12-3/28/12”
This is my fifth year straight where I descended to the great city of Austin, Texas to enjoy the most insane week of live music you will ever enjoy. I took a little easier than most years, but I still had a very fulfilling week of music. I get to enjoy a wide array of great stuff, and, without further adieu, here are my thoughts on that time:
Continue reading “Spinning Platters SXSW Report: 25 Instant SXSW Gig Reviews”
As we near SXSW, we find that the quality of touring acts increases dramatically. This week is full of difficult decisions, and even a farewell tour by one of the most underrated and innovative bands of all time.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 3/1/12-3/7/12”
There aren’t enough artists like Nellie McKay in the world. Stylistically, she sounds like classic jazz pop, but she isn’t afraid to push those boundaries. Unlike many similar artists, her politics are always worn on her sleeve, and she isn’t afraid of offending people. Her records have explicit lyrics stickers on them, yet you wouldn’t realize it if you weren’t paying close enough attention. Which surprised me that she ended up booking the traditional jazz lounge The Rrazz Room, inside the upscale Hotel Nikko.
Continue reading “Show Review: Nellie McKay: “I Want To Live” at The Rrazz Room, 2/28/12″
Canada has had a very difficult relationship with hip hop in the US. It seems that very few acts can break through, despite all the talent that is brewing in our great white north. Aside from Drake, there has yet to be a true superstar to come from the great white north. Which means that such great acts like k-os, K’Naan, and Buck 65 are stuck cris-crossing America, playing small clubs on weekday nights to have full rooms. Which is a shame, because there is so much serious talent coming from our “America’s hat.” On a a cold Sunday night, San Francisco was treated to a performance from Nova Scotia’s Buck 65.
Continue reading “Show Review: Buck 65, Busdriver, Kristoff Krane at Slim’s, 2/19/2012”
For the last 20 years, the good folks of Noise Pop have turned a single show at Kennel Club (now known as The Independent) into a huge, weeklong festival that causes Bay Area music nerds to clear their calendar every year. In recent years, the fest has expanded beyond music- we have movies, craft fairs, and literary events in addition to one of the best programmed music fests you will ever go to. Go to 2012.noisepop.com for a full listing, but if you want to know what I think you should go to, follow the jump!
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Guide To Noise Pop 2012”
We are on our way to the beginning of Noise Pop… But, since you are addicted to show going like I am, I have prepared a list of warm up gigs that you should attend. I know that I will be!
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/16/12-2/22/12”
February is a pretty nutty month for shows in SF. And that’s not just counting Noise Pop… The weeks warming up to Noise Pop are pretty insane, too! So, clear your schedule, and go out to a few shows!
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/9/12-2/15/12”
Sketchfest, the three week long behemoth of a comedy festival came to a mind-melting close on Saturday night. Although there were some more popular events with bigger stars, nothing stood up to the sheer volume of “Bring The Rock.” This was, quite literally, the first time I ever needed to wear ear plugs at a comedy club.Yes, other shows were fun, but nothing could prepare you for this epic event.
When we started Spinning Platters back in 2009, we really weren’t thinking about the fact that our name could remind people of two ground breaking, classic R&B groups. We were really trying to get at a pun on records, CD’s, and hard drives. I’m not sure where the trigger came from reminding us of The Platters and The Spinners, but I decided that we needed to be there the next time either act played. Due to legal reasons, it seems that the likelihood of a Platters show is slim, but when Yoshi’s announced a three night stint with The Spinners, well, I had to seize this moment.
Continue reading “Show Review: The Spinners at Yoshi’s — Jack London Square, 2/3/12”