Spinning Platters – Page 234 – Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds

Noise Pop Review: Body/Head, Horsebladder, Burmese at Rickshaw Stop, 2/26/13

When Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore split up last year, my heart broke. I always felt that they were the perfect rock couple- Moore was the pop yin to Gordon’s experimental yang. And, as expected, Moore’s post Sonic Youth output has largely been filled with guitar pop. And Gordon has been largely quiet. So, when Noise Pop announced that they were featuring her new project, Body/Head, on their opening night of Noise Pop, I was thrilled. When I learned that it was a “noise” project with east coast avant gardist Bill Nace, I had very high hopes for this performance. My favorite Sonic Youth moments have always been when Gordon vocalizes over thunderous guitar shredding. To have a band that strips them down to the just this part was practically a dream show. So, yes, I needed to be there.

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Spinning Platters Interview: Pat Spurgeon of Rogue Wave

Pat Spurgeon of Rogue Wave, not at my apartment.

Tonight at Bottom of the Hill, Rogue Wave is playing a sold out show for the 2013 Noise Pop Festival. This isn’t particularly newsworthy; they’ve done it before. What’s a big deal about this is that it’s Rogue Wave’s first hometown show in a couple of years, and it comes soon after the completion of their newest album, due sometime later this year. I sat down with Pat Spurgeon, Rogue Wave’s long time drummer to talk about the upcoming album, how musicians talk about their influences, and Gangnam Style, of course. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: Pat Spurgeon of Rogue Wave”

Show Review: Petty Fest at the Fillmore, 02/27/2013

If you’ve never experienced The Cabin Down Below Band, you quite literally don’t know what you’re missing. My advice? Remedy this error as soon as is possible! This week I got my chance to do just that with a night to remember: Petty Fest’s first ever stop in San Francisco! The evening was hosted by the aforementioned brilliant band, sponsored by the generous Jameson, and boasted a line-up well worth dragging one’s self out on a “school night” for: Boz Scaggs, Nick Valensi of the Strokes, Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers, Lucinda Williams, Jon Heder, Aimee Mann, and Matt Sorum, to highlight just a few… Continue reading “Show Review: Petty Fest at the Fillmore, 02/27/2013”

Farewell from Your Film Editor

Well guys, the time has come for me to give the world what it so desperately needs: another blog! After much soul-searching, I’ve decided to venture out on my own and start my own pop culture blog. It’s called The Binge, and I’ll be writing about film, music, and television. It’s live now, so you should visit it! And like it on Facebook! And what the hell, follow me on Twitter. If you’d like to continue reading the movie reviews and interviews I’ve been writing for Spinning Platters these last few years, you’ll find them there. Hell, I’ve already started! I may still pop up on this excellent website from time to time, but The Binge will be my home now. I can honestly say that covering film for Spinning Platters has changed my life, and I’m so grateful for having had the opportunity to share my completely unqualified opinions about movies with you. So let’s keep going, shall we?

Spinning Platters Interview: Chloe Chaidez of Kitten

Kitten at Bottom Of The Hill last June. Photo by Marie Carney

Kitten are a beast of a band. They play a furious blend of punk and new wave, while their lead singer, Chloe Chaidez, is at the tender age of 17, one of the most dynamic and aggressive front people in rock. We recently took the time out to speak Chaidez about their recently released EP, Cut It Out, the evolution of their sound and the logistics behind being in a teenage rock band. Kitten will be playing a Noise Pop Happy Hour show on Thursday, February 28th at Bender’s Bar & Grill as well as opening for Paramore at The Warfield on May 4th, and their debut full length is due to drop later this year. You’d be foolish to miss their live show.

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Show Review: The Revivalists, Great White Buffalo, Solwave at The Independent, 2/23/13

Saturday night, San Francisco. An unexceptionally brisk evening stood to be made swampy from down home revelry. The Independent, Alamo Square’s intimate, inky chamber, stood to facilitate the subdued, sweet swelter. Everything happened so fast. One stride past the evening’s threshold and…

“How we doing?”

Boom! A swell of supersonic rock-and-roll erupted inside the belly of The Independent; the backdraft of bowling bass and erratic electricity swooped through the venue’s history-laced entranceway. Continue reading “Show Review: The Revivalists, Great White Buffalo, Solwave at The Independent, 2/23/13”

A Music Nerds Guide To Noise Pop 2013

Every year, for one week, the good people of Noise Pop with their epically refined tastes put together the best week of live music program of the year. And, of course, it could be highly intimidating as well. So, here is a well thought out guide to Noise Pop 2013.

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Photo Gallery: Unknown Mortal Orchestra with Foxygen at the Great American Music Hall, 2/13/2013

Ruban Nielson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra

As of late, the ever-shifting tide of new music that continues to surge its way into existence seems to be drifting more and more into a haze of dreamy, warbly tunes, evoking the warm nostalgia of 60s psychedelia and fuzzy lo-fi rock, while also pulling from newer, contemporary songwriting styles. In addition to the snarling analog tidal wave of garage punk that has been barreling its way into the world, care of surf-cum-garage-rock acts like Ty Segall, FIDLAR, and Wavves, the good-time-loving, hippie-mindset tunes are bringing a gentle glee back into the musical world, happily paired with the shimmering, dissonant production of yesteryear. The intercontinental throwback rockers Unknown Mortal Orchestra bring their own take on the retro rock with their new record, II, and set off on tour with their Jagjaguwar label mates Foxygen, themselves hot on the heels of their sophomore release We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic. Spinning Platters took a little trip with them to the dimly-lit, hazy stage of the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco to document the action!

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Show Review: Pink, The Hives at HP Pavilion, 2/18/13

I wasn’t expecting to review this show. I went to see Pink because a good friend of mine is a fan of the support on this tour: The Hives. I thought we’d enjoy The Hives and then go home after a few Pink songs, just because we paid the money. Instead, we ended up entranced for nearly two straight hours, watching one of the greatest performers I have ever seen!

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Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/21/13-2/27/13

Headlining the Take Action Tour at The Fillmore on Tuesday

It’s the week before Noise Pop, so you might think “lemme get some rest,” but no! The world of live music in the Bay Area will never let you rest. Get out there and see some shows, because the band that wrote the best song ever is playing this week, and local heroes are all over town, playing farewell shows, covering classic artists, and generally being amazing. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/21/13-2/27/13”