Show Review: PJ Harvey at The Warfield, 4/14/11

PJ Harvey is simply an artist.  It just so happens her medium is music.  Every tour for each new record is an engrossing sensory experience, completely different than the last.  Having seen her perform at the Warfield for every record, minus White Chalk, (she left SF off the tiny tour), since 1998, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to experience more than my share.

All of the shows up until now, have been full of the energy, gusto, and a hauntingly excitable sound that had left fans floored.  Every show ends with just about the biggest display of genuine applause I’ve ever seen or been apart of for an artist.  PJ Harvey fans seem to connect with the music fully in both a primal, intellectual, and emotional level, which doesn’t always happen with most artists.

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Film Review: “The Conspirator”

Robin Wright and James McAvoy in THE CONSPIRATOR. © 2011 - Roadside Attractions

starring: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Alexis Bledel, Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson, Justin Long, Norman Reedus, Danny Huston, Jonathan Groff, Johnny Simmons, Stephen Root, Colm Meaney

written by: James Solomon (screenplay/story), Gregory Bernstein (story)

directed by: Robert Redford

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some violent content.

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Show Review: Keaton Simons with Curtis Peoples and Whitney Nichole at Hotel Utah, 4/13/2011

Keaton Simons at the Hotel Cafe in LA

Keaton Simons has a degree in ethnomusicology (the study of world music). Curtis Peoples calls his style of music “coffee shop/arena rock.” At first glance, these two may seem an odd pair for a mid-week one-night stint at the Hotel Utah. The truth is, though, that the two have been friends (and sharing stages) for years. Both are LA-based singer/songwriters with mostly acoustic sets and guitars, sprinkled with a little piano here and there, and both have been so hard at work on new albums that neither has been to the Bay Area in at least a year. And both have fans that were happy to skip the Giants game in favor of a night’s worth of their music. Continue reading “Show Review: Keaton Simons with Curtis Peoples and Whitney Nichole at Hotel Utah, 4/13/2011”

Show Review: Lightning Bolt, T.I.T.S., High Castle at Rickshaw Stop, 4/13/11

Noise is probably one of the most varied genres of music out there. It can cover simple clanking if anvils, carefully executed pieces of experimental classical music, or just a thunderous barrage of sound played be traditional rock instruments. Tonight’s show at Rickshaw Stop concentrated on the latter, but was still a widely varied evening of sounds. We had the pumped up, nearly punk rock sound of Oakland’s High Castle, feminist no wave throwbacks T.I.T.S., and to cap things off, a highly anticipated reunion gig from Lightning Bolt.

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Show Review: Bright Eyes with Farmer Dave Scher at The Fox Theater, 4/12/11

In sharp contrast to the last show I went to at Oakland’s beloved Fox Theater, the crowd was overwhelmingly mellow, especially considering this could be the last time Bright Eyes plays the Bay Area.  Luckily this ended up being more telling about Bright Eyes’ fans maturity than their level of worship.  Just like every other time I’ve seen Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis and their team of talented musicians (this was number nine if anyone’s counting), the audience still fell into a hush while a sense of quiet worship filled the room as the band took the stage.  And they held that stage for over two hours of intensity. Continue reading “Show Review: Bright Eyes with Farmer Dave Scher at The Fox Theater, 4/12/11”

Show Review: Scala & Kolacny Brothers at The Independent, 4/12/2011

Guess which 2 of the 24 people on stage are the Kolacny Brothers

Scala & Kolacny Brothers need marketing help. They admitted during their set on Tuesday night that the had sold “500,000 units in Europe, and about 50 in the U.S.,” and asked us, “tonight, let’s make it 60!” Part of this is probably due to piracy, but part of this must be name recognition. I told many people beforehand that I was going to see them tonight, and they said, “who?” I said, “Y’know, the group that does the cover of ‘Creep’ from the Social Network trailer.”

“Oh! Them! I bet that’ll be good.” But none of them came. The crowd was made up of people more likely to be seen at a classical music event than at the Independent. But then again, the Independent has proven itself to be a versatile venue. So how would a Belgian choir go over on a cold San Francisco night?

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Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/14/11 – 4/21/11

Duran Duran will be at The Fillmore on Saturday. Jane Fonda is not as likely to be there.

 

Are you looking for an incredibly busy week? Because we’ve got one brewing!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are way too many things happening in the bay this weekend. Fauxchella for the win! (See, I spelled it out!)

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Film Review: “Scream 4”

Neve Campbell and Emma Roberts in SCREAM 4. © 2011 - The Weinstein Company

starring: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Alison Brie, Marley Shelton, Rory Culkin, Mary McDonnell, Adam Brody, Anthony Anderson, Aimee Teegarden, Shenae Grimes, Kristen Bell, Anna Paquin, Nico Tortorella, Erik Knudsen, Marielle Jaffe, Brittany Robertson, Lucy Hale

written by: Kevin Williamson

directed by: Wes Craven

MPAA: Rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some teen drinking.

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Show Review: Brian Posehn with Ngaio Bealum at Cobb’s Comedy Club, 4/8/2011

Most of you know Brian from his various comedy roles on shows like Mr. Show and Just Shoot Me, and a few of you might know him as that creepy guys next door who enjoys night-digging. I know him as the funny stoner guy who enjoys vintage arcade games and SF strippers. Continue reading “Show Review: Brian Posehn with Ngaio Bealum at Cobb’s Comedy Club, 4/8/2011”

Show Review: Henry Rollins Turns 50 at The Independent, 4/9/2011

Henry Rollins, from last week at the Triple Door in Seattle.

Henry Rollins is a Black Flag speed-demon driven by fear of falling into the cold reaping hand of hypocrisy. In his efforts to keep it real, Rollins embarked on a massive 50th birthday tour that covered close to 40 appearances around the country, wrapping up with his final show, here at The Independent. As always, Rollins’ brand of storytelling and humor is fresh and fascinating, which often leaves the bartender short-changed by the end of the evening. Continue reading “Show Review: Henry Rollins Turns 50 at The Independent, 4/9/2011”