Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Elvis Costello debuted new songs from his record “Secret, Profane, and Sugarcane” at Amoeba Music on Haight Street in San Francisco.
I consider myself to be a music fan. I enjoy listening to music quite a bit. When I’m not listening to music, I am usually talking about music or reading about music. I consider myself to be pretty good at appreciating music… but I will never be as good at it as Elvis Costello. Continue reading “Elvis Costello at Amoeba Records SF”
I’m on my way from Heathrow to Reading, due to arrive at about 15:15. Then I have a 15:44 train to Castle Cary, arriving in a couple of hours from then. Finally, I get on an official Glastonbury Festival shuttle bus, which takes anywhere from 15-45 minutes according to various reports. Continue reading “Glastonbury Diary, Part One”
It’s been almost five years since PJ Harvey has graced San Francisco with her electric energy. Without a tour in the States for her previous release, “White Chalk,” the barest and probably quietest of all her records, she reemerged alongside old writing mate John Parish, with guns blazing and a fire simmering in the belly. Continue reading “PJ Harvey and John Parish at The Warfield, 6/19/09”
It’s pretty easy to see why this show was so sold out. Bjork and Radiohead endorsements aside, people always seem interested by an artist who opens up a portal into a construct they can deeply explore. Natasha Khan who is, Bat For Lashes, carries you into her songs in the same way an author submerges readers into the lush world of their own creation. Full of fairies, birds, ghosts and howling wolves, her thoughtful and refreshingly imaginative music invites you into a world you’re not sure she discovered, envisioned, or simply grew up in. Continue reading “Bat for Lashes at the Great American Music Hall, 6/13/09”
Cut Off Your Hands live sound like their record turned up to 11. While the record sounds clean and poppy, live they are like madmen, jumping about, playing intensely and not missing a single note (including the four part vocal harmonies). It is wonderful to watch a band who really cares about what they are doing and sees the value in putting on a good show. This was their fourth to last show of their four month American tour, which is where most bands would have phoned it in just thinking of home (they hail from New Zealand); but they played as passionately as they did four months ago at SXSW.
Continue reading “Cut Off Your Hands at Bottom of the Hill, 6/18/09”
After seeing We Be the Echo play this last Sunday, I caught up with drummer Ilk after the show and asked him if he’d do 10 Quick Questions with us. He and guitarist Graeme Nichols answered our questions. After reading, be sure to clear your schedule for this Friday night and catch the band at the Hemlock in San Francisco as they celebrate the release of the new album.
SP: Tell us a brief history of the band.
Graeme: We’ve been playing in this incarnation for 4-5 years, having emerged from a murky past of hardcore punk, post-rock improv and teenage metal.
Ilk: Our new album “MASKS” (coming out this Friday) is our second full-length, and we’ve also released two EPs. We’ve toured both coasts and the Midwest, and will be in Europe this summer to spread the mayhem worldwide.
SP: Where does the name come from? Continue reading “10 Quick Questions For We Be the Echo”
Art Brut is much better live than on record; and their records, particularly 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll, are really good. Front man Eddie Argos’ witty vocals are brilliant on record, but live he is able to take you to another level. There is no other band who can make my cheeks ache from smiling and laughing so much. All there is to say at the end of the evening is “Art Brut: Top of the Pops!”
Many an hour in my life has been spent hunting down classic music moments on Youtube. From live performances that have never been released on home video–only a moment from being removed by a copyright holder–to modern-day music videos, Youtube is a treasure trove of musical moments. So although I’m picking only six today, you can be sure that I’ll be picking six again. Here are six Youtube music videos I can watch over and over again, and do. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Hidden Music Gems on Youtube”
This past weekend, I spent my Bay Area Sunday hanging out, drinking some beers, and seeing a seemingly random assortment of four local bands. When I was seeing the second one (an Alameda combo playing covers of Finnish pop songs), I decided that blogging about it was in order. Before the night was over, I’d also be seeing a Christian emo band from Fresno, and a local ska-core band of Asian teenagers who referred to their trumpet player as “the white guy.” The day started, however, with an insanely talented instrumental power trio. Continue reading “A Sunday Spent With the Locals, 6/14/09”
Bay Area show tips for the week of June 15th to the 21st.
Another Installment Of Our Continuing Series In Which We Control Your Social Life!
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Official Weekly Tip Sheet For the Week of June 15-21”