Show Review: Failure, Swervedriver at The Fillmore, 4/23/19

I found myself in the violet music tank again, half way through Swervedriver’s set. This British alt-rock favorite from the ’90s was delivering their murky dirges to a full house of murmuring English accents, The band engaged the crowd occasionally, dropping out to a full and discordant organized distracted sound. I liked it a lot. Continue reading “Show Review: Failure, Swervedriver at The Fillmore, 4/23/19”

Show Review: Cass McCombs, Sam Evian at The Fillmore, 4/5/19

 

When Entering the iconic SF Fillmore, you are immersed in the 60’s & 70’s rock n roll scene, familiar whether you were there or not. Technicolor posters swirled with psychedelic, lettering illegible to sober eyes, line the walls from floor to ceiling.  Bill Graham’s spirit awaits guests at the top landing of the stairs with a barrel of shiny red apples — for free of course. Bill created the perfect container for musical adventurers. Continue reading “Show Review: Cass McCombs, Sam Evian at The Fillmore, 4/5/19”

Show Review: Future Islands, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, 9/14/18

All Photos by Tiffany Black Darquea

If you haven’t had the opportunity to acquaint yourself with the picturesque Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma, you ought to.

The venue’s main stage is a cozy, dark, and ambient-lit renovated barn. However, that wasn’t the setting for Friday’s show. Future Islands and ESMB played to a steep grassy hillside of wine sipping mid 30’s and 40’s hill bouncers.

Gundlach’s second stage features exquisite views of sprawling vineyard property. It is intimate but comfortably open and spacious for moving about during the show.

The opener, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat (ESMB), sauntered out anxiously, compensating with awkward stand up and 90s references. But the folks on the hill stood to attention when ESMB drilled forward at a fast pace into their avant garde post-punk set. Continue reading “Show Review: Future Islands, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, 9/14/18”