Spinning Platters – Page 310 – Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds

Show Review: The Thermals, Thao with The Get Down Stay Down, and Grass Widow at Great American Music Hall, 2/5/10

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I agreed to cover Friday nights show at the Great American Music Hall. I wasn’t even aware of the set up of the show; co-headliners The Thermals (whom I had never even heard of before) and Thao with The Get Down Stay Down. Because of this, I arrived late thinking TWTGDSD was the opener, the real opener just finishing as I entered the venue. Sorry Grass Widow. I promise to check out one of your various shows in Austin at this years SXSW. Continue reading “Show Review: The Thermals, Thao with The Get Down Stay Down, and Grass Widow at Great American Music Hall, 2/5/10”

Week in Review: Top 5 Posts from 1/29/10 – 2/4/10

TempoNoTempoLIVE2 — This photo should help you understand Joel's line about a missing drum

Due to popular demand, this weekly Saturday column has returned! I can’t tell you how many people have clamored for its return because the writers have gone back to betting on the outcome. So which writer is collecting the pot? And which one is drinking from the king’s cup? Read on to see our top five most visited new posts of the last week. Continue reading “Week in Review: Top 5 Posts from 1/29/10 — 2/4/10”

Show Review: VV Brown with Ebony Bones! at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/4/10

I generally avoid Popscene when possible. There are myriad reasons for this, which needn’t be explained to anyone who’s been there. For one, it’s notoriously 18+, which: no thanks! Any club that needs to see my special grown-up wristband before letting me have a beer is a place I’m happy to avoid. Secondly, there’s the inherent wrongness of any establishment that bills itself as “San Francisco’s premier indie nightclub.” So. Much. Wrong. Third, it’s scene-y in a superficially obvious way that still makes me feel I’m Susan Boyle standing around at Danceteria or something (cue the glittery 18-year-olds: “Who at the what?”).

And finally, I resent their unassailable skill at booking the hottest, coolest young acts and forcing the rest of us to go all the way to 330 Ritch in Mission Bay to see them (plus, I’m still mad I couldn’t get tickets when they hosted Amy Winehouse for her only Bay Area show to date). But sometimes these various negatives can come together for a really amazing positive. Last night’s show was one such exception. Continue reading “Show Review: VV Brown with Ebony Bones! at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/4/10”

Album Review: Earl Greyhound – Suspicious Package

Earl Greyhound’s previous album, Soft Targets, blasted out of the box with “S.O.S.,” a dynamic mission statement that attempted to explain, in five minutes, what Earl Greyhound was all about. While the album didn’t live up to the high standards set by this blistering track, descending into middling bluesy rock numbers by the end, the promise of that one song alone has kept me interested in the band, and earned them all sorts of lauds as the “next big thing.” Now, the band’s new album, Suspicious Package, has arrived, and it also starts with I assumed to be a clear mission statement. What’s the mission this time? Continue reading “Album Review: Earl Greyhound — Suspicious Package”

Album Review: Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Deluxe 2

Oh Mr. Zombie, you’ve done it again. I guess that’s why Rob appropriately named his newest album “Hellbilly Deluxe” part deuce. BUT, for those of you who are expecting this album to be a sequel of the first Hellbilly, you will probably be disappointed. Back in November, I got a sneak peak of Zombie’s delayed production during his Hellbilly tour. Why such a long delay Rob? Although I must say the album was worth the extra three month wait, such a long delay was almost like burying the grave before putting in the coffin.

Continue reading “Album Review: Rob Zombie — Hellbilly Deluxe 2”

Show Review: Mos Def, Jay Electronica and Supernatural for Haiti relief at The Independent, 2/3/10

The character that is Mos Def never stops to entertain, on stage, in film or in person. His music is layered with decades of influence and years of knowledge wrapped up in a style that undoubtedly his very own. This night is no different than the Mos Def that we’d expect. Arriving ever so fashionable, and fashionably late, with an entourage to boot. He takes the stage with his bright red mic, circa 1960, and a perfectly knotted bow tie. Clean and smooth with a swagger that makes it clear that the show is completely under his control. Continue reading “Show Review: Mos Def, Jay Electronica and Supernatural for Haiti relief at The Independent, 2/3/10”

Show Review: The Downer Party, The Hot Toddies, Tempo No Tempo and Fighting the Villain at Bottom of the Hill, 2/3/10

Winter Music Fest. It’s a thing, and it’s happening right now. If Noise Pop is the Oscars, then perhaps Winter Music Fest is the Golden Globes. Last night four bands of varying talent took turns taking the stage at Bottom of the Hill, and the result was a cornucopia of cacophony. Sure. Continue reading “Show Review: The Downer Party, The Hot Toddies, Tempo No Tempo and Fighting the Villain at Bottom of the Hill, 2/3/10”

What You Need to Know from the San Francisco Musician and Promoter Workshop

Zambaleta on 19th and Florida in the Mission, SF

I’ll be the first to admit that I was a bit dubious when I initially heard about the first installment, via Twitter, of this San Francisco-based event back in November. How many seminars, workshops, and online tutorials are already out there promoting their take on the best practices in social media for musicians and managers? However, a closer look at the list of instructors, not to mention the partners including SonicLiving and the premier music technology event in the Bay Area, SF MusicTech Summit, revealed that the San Francisco Musician & Promoter Workshop promised to transcend your atypical music industry-related gathering.

Continue reading “What You Need to Know from the San Francisco Musician and Promoter Workshop”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/3/10-2/9/10

She's enjoying a hot toddy, why won't you tonight, too?

Thank you Gordon Elgart for handling last week’s list. He did a wonderful job. Sorry about this week’s list. I’m in charge again.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/3/10-2/9/10”

Show Review: Do Make Say Think with themselves at Great American Music Hall, 2/2/10

Do Make Say Think are one of the leaders of the instrumental rock genre, and have been for some time. Along with Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai and Godspeed! You Black Emperor, they’ve fought hard against the tyranny of lyrics to play dramatic and emotional music that’s all about the music. They’re the electric guitar era’s answer to classical music. And on Tuesday night, they brought their nine-piece ensemble to Great American Music Hall, which is a perfect venue for them. Continue reading “Show Review: Do Make Say Think with themselves at Great American Music Hall, 2/2/10”