Category: Show Reviews

Show Review: Chaka Khan with Steel Pulse at Stern Grove, 8/25/24

Stern Grove is one of my favorite places, but I have never make it out there enough. It’s a sunny oasis in the middle of the foggiest reaches of San Francisco’s Sunset District, and every year, they commit to a Summer’s worth of amazing free shows. (Donate here to help keep these shows coming) I often feel intimidated by the commute, traveling from Oakland to the city’s furthest reaches across the bay. However, whenever I get here, I remember how magical this place is. And it doesn’t hurt that our show this afternoon features one of my bucket list artists, recently Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee Chaka Khan. 

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Show Review: Bikini Kill with Frightwig at The Warfield, 8/19/24

We were there for the first Bikini Kill reunion shows in 2019.  They were a profound and moving experience. We didn’t know what COVID was yet, which upended this tour and, well, still upends everything. I’m grateful that they managed to find a way to get back on the road. Everything feels really hard and continues to feel hard, and this band has always been the thing that gives me the strength to persevere and find reasons to be hopeful in the face of hopelessness. Continue reading “Show Review: Bikini Kill with Frightwig at The Warfield, 8/19/24”

Show Review: Foo Fighters + L7 at Toyota Pavilion in Concord

Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @AlanHasPicks

Having not been to Toyota Pavilion in Concord at all during this 2024 season, Spinning Platters made the long journey twice in four days (see also Megadeth + Mudvayne)! It really is a trek too… from our satellite penthouse office in San Francisco, there’s a thirty-minute MUNI bus followed by a fifty-minute BART ride followed by a twenty-minute Pavilion shuttle, and traveling back after any show typically takes even longer.  All that said, it certainly is worth it to be able to bring these shows to life to the readers with our photos and words… it just takes longer to travel than some of these bands’ headlining sets are!

Except for Foo Fighters…

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Show Review: King Buzzo and Trevor Dunn w/JD Pinkus and Field at The Lodge Room, 08-06-2024

I’ve been so immersed in the metal world lately that sometimes I forget that I like other music. I especially forget that weird thrill of going mostly blind into a show. Sure, I may not know an opener or two, but it’s pretty rare for me to cover a band I haven’t listened to beforehand. It’s both exciting and nerve-wracking and, let’s face it, no one wants to be disappointed. Luckily for me, I at least knew of the other music projects of the artists on the night’s lineup, but even knowing that, did not prepare me for what I was about to experience.

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Outside Lands 2024: 21 Instant Gig Reviews

I really love Outside Lands. It’s funny because my heart genuinely lies in the world of Punk, and something this big *shouldn’t* be my thing, but I love being able to disconnect from the outside world and just take in music with strangers and friends, and the best part- strangers that became friends that I only see at this event. And, yes, a fellow writer recently referred to Outside Lands attendees as “norms” (I saw what you did there, Alan!), but, man, I had such a wonderful, blissful time, dancing with strangers, eating amazing food, enjoying nearly perfect weather, and taking in some amazing music. I honestly can’t wait for next year, and hope I’m able to keep coming to the park for many years to come. Continue reading “Outside Lands 2024: 21 Instant Gig Reviews”

Show Review: Alex G at Stern Grove, 8/4/24

Last Sunday, August 4th, 2024, Stern Grove was buzzing with excitement as fans gathered for an unforgettable performance by Alex G. The picturesque setting, surrounded by vibrant nasturtiums, towering eucalyptus, majestic redwoods, and winding sandy embankments, provided a perfect backdrop for the afternoon concert. Continue reading “Show Review: Alex G at Stern Grove, 8/4/24”

Show Review: Megadeth + Mudvayne at Toyota Pavilion in Concord

Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @AlanHasPicks

San Francisco Bay Area did a good job on this particular weekend keeping everyone segregated to their respective tribes.  Outside Lands Music Festival catered to the norms and the hipsters in the middle of The City in Golden Gate Park, Vice Prez Kamala Harris had a fundraiser for the wealthy 1% at Fairmont Hotel way up on top of Nob Hill, and Megadeth, Mudvayne, and All That Remains brought the metal and goth and punk kids (and adults) all the way out to Concord at Toyota Pavilion, for their Destroy All Enemies tour.

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Mosswood Meltdown – An Epic Punk Rock Festival

 

Mosswood_Meltdown_2024_John-Waters_PhotoCredit_Emily-Anderson-05760
John Waters Opening Commentary 

Warning!  This article has unsponsored, unfiltered tales from the Photo Pit. I’m excited to share highlights of Mosswood Meltdown, an absolute pinnacle event. I’m ever grateful for its return each year and its host, John Waters.    Continue reading “Mosswood Meltdown — An Epic Punk Rock Festival”

Show Review: Death To All 6/27 and 6/28/2024 @ The Regent (Downtown Los Angeles)

I often hesitate before I type certain statements. Of course, what writer doesn’t, but more often than not, I find myself questioning how much truth I’m putting down. No self-respecting writer wants to publish hyperbole; it is the enemy of serious writing. With that, I think it is safe to say that heavy metal music has been experiencing a renaissance. With festivals like Sick New World, Mayhem, Metal Injection’s inaugural Summer Slaughter (upcoming), and massive world tours with sonically packed lineups like Chaos and Carnage, it’s a hell of a time to be a metal fan.

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Vinyl Reissue Spotlight: Bratmobile’s Lookout Records Era

Remember the 00’s? It was such a hopeful time. The activism community was really fired up against Bush and his so-called “war on terror.” It felt like we were making real headway as progressives, and it felt like there was a real unified front. Sadly, at the same time, the Tea Party managed to devolve into the frighteningly authoritarian MAGA movement, and, to be frank, I’m feeling a little hopeless right now. BUT! I opened my inbox to find two records that really motivated me during that era and are coming back into circulation: Bratmobile’s Ladies, Women, and Girls and Girls Get Busy. These two records mean the world to me, and without Bratmobile playing shows again (including an appearance at Pitchfork Music Festival THIS WEEKEND!)

Colored Vinyl and CDs are coming to you on October 25th (two days before my birthday!). You can preorder here, including a really cool-looking shirt with the classic logo. 

And you can stream these two classic records right now for a nice hit of ambition for your day: 

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