I have to confess, I was completely in the dark about Wax Trax! Records, which seems criminal to me now considering my music tastes. So, what better way to learn the whole story than a documentary screening followed by a concert?
Category: Show Reviews
Show Review: Bikini Kill, The Linda Lindas at The Hollywood Palladium, 4/26/19
When I was 16, I was heavily invested in the world of punk rock. But it was the commercial version of it that was found on the local alternative radio station Live 105, 120 Minutes on MTV, and PBS documentaries of a bygone era.
Then I got a job at a telemarketing company, and a coworker began introducing me to the lovely world of riot grrrl. I was given tapes of music by Team Dresch, Sleater-Kinney, and Bikini Kill. The pure ferocity of it all spoke to me. It opened so many sonic doors for me, and helped me realize that I preferred listening to female voices—and found that women writers were easier for me to relate to than men.
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Film and Show Review: Murder in the Front Row -and- Metal Allegiance on 4-20
Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @ConcertGoingPro
April 20 in San Francisco is celebrated annually like a national holiday. Commonly known simply as 420, the day consists of 15-20,000 people basically sitting on a hill in Golden Gate Park smoking pot all day. Coincidentally, the 2019 version actually was a national holiday, as Good Friday preceded, Passover started, and Easter Sunday was the next day. This year’s 420 also had one more reason for San Franciscans to celebrate, and that was the world premiere screening of the documentary Murder in the Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Story.
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Show Review: Dennis Lloyd with Ryan Caraveo at Great American Music Hall, 4/11/19
The first time I heard Dennis Lloyd’s single, “Nevermind,” I was intrigued. I started hearing the song a lot on satellite radio, and on the music channel I turn my TV to when I’m in the kitchen. A month or so ago, Lloyd’s name came up on my radar: he was coming through the Bay on tour. I requested to cover the show and quickly forgot about it. I didn’t find out that I had a ticket until the day before the show. The next day, I realized I only knew that one song, so I spent several hours listening to Spotify’s This is Dennis Lloyd playlist. Unfortunately, I wasn’t into it. I’m a girl of my word, though, so I headed to Great American Music Hall on Thursday in hopes that Lloyd live would change my mind.
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Show Review: Dermot Kennedy with Luca Fogale at Fox Theatre Oakland, 4/10/19
You know how sometimes all it takes is the first listen to a great new song by an artist you’ve never heard before, and you’re in? That’s how it was for me the first time I heard Dermot Kennedy’s “Power Over Me.” Not long ago, I was in my kitchen cooking dinner, with a music station playing on my TV. Before the lyrics of the song could even register in my brain, Kennedy’s haunting voice had drawn me in. I remember literally stopping what I was doing and turning around to gape at the screen so I could make a note of the artist. And then the lyrics hit me: “you’ve got that power over me… my, my… everything I hold dear resides in those eyes… you’ve got that power over me…” I’ve been obsessed with the song ever since. As soon as I could, I took a deep dive through Kennedy’s music, and accordingly made a note to catch him live as soon as possible. Last night, my chance came as Kennedy graced the stage at Fox Theatre in Oakland for the very first time. To say it was mildly earth-shattering is: an oxymoron, a little hyperbole, and also still somehow true.
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Show Review: SRSQ, Uniform, and The Black Queen at The Regent 03/28/19
“Maybe we could just…”
After a long work period it’s nice to have an evening to cut loose and check out some damn good music. It was this thought that ran through my head as I navigated through traffic on a Thursday night from Sherman Oaks to downtown Los Angeles to see The Black Queen perform at the Regent. It wasn’t too cold, though that may have been from all the traffic, and something in the air just said that tonight was going to be a good night for some dark and synthy dream pop.
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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”
Noise Pop Review: Anemone, Sugar Candy Mountain, Li Xi at Bottom Of The Hill, 2/27/19
The night’s NoisePop lineup at the always intimate and enjoyable Bottom of The Hill was an inspired collection of complementary bands, each unique but playing through similar sugary grooves. We just caught the tail end of the first act, Agouti, but as first acts go, they were delivering capably. The crowd was good and warm by our arrival. Continue reading “Noise Pop Review: Anemone, Sugar Candy Mountain, Li Xi at Bottom Of The Hill, 2/27/19”
Noise Pop Review: illuminati hotties, Club Night, SOAR, and Bobby at Starline Social Club
illuminati hotties and SOAR have different capitalization strategies, but collectively with Club Night, they blew the doors off the Starline Social Club.
Theater Review: Role Players Ensemble Presents Award-Winning Off Broadway Hit Honky
Honky is a play that explores race relations in modern day America. What could be a timely piece, however, falls victim to one-dimensional characters who appear to be caricatures of the very topic that the author is trying to advocate. Because of this, the play, although highly entertaining, does not quite send the proper message about what it means to be a person of color in America. It is very much from the perspective of playwright Greg Kalleres, and, unfortunately, there are a lot of playwrights out there who are discussing the topic of race with much more clarity. That being said, director Katja Rivera does an incredible job bringing the play to life. Rivera has an incredible eye for detail; there’s intention behind every move. Under a less skilled director, the material could’ve been a mess, but Rivera’s vision brings the clarity that the play’s words often lack. Continue reading “Theater Review: Role Players Ensemble Presents Award-Winning Off Broadway Hit Honky“