Spinning Platters – Page 345 – Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds

Show Review: Andrew W.K. & Calder Quartet at Swedish American Hall, 10/7/09

The Swedish American Hall was host tonight to an experiment in both performance and audience, as Andrew W.K. brought Calder Quartet with him on a small tour to promote an album of piano improvisations called Cadillac 55. Standing outside the hall waiting on some friends, I watched the crowd go in. First, I saw some former meatheads who made up much of Andrew W.K.’s audience during his major label days. Then I saw a large group of senior citizens go in, having come to see the Calder Quartet, who are a reknowned classical group. And of course, there was a large music nerd contingent. So how would all of this mix? Continue reading “Show Review: Andrew W.K. & Calder Quartet at Swedish American Hall, 10/7/09”

Show Review: School of Seven Bells, Warpaint and Phantogram at Slim’s 10/6/09

I had only a passing familiarity with School of Seven Bells before it was suggested I would like them. I believe I was told, “If you like Murder By Death, you should check out School of Seven Bells.” That’s a poor “RIYL,” but it turned out fine in the end. Still, this is a band that needs my help to take their show to the next level. I hope they’re listening. Continue reading “Show Review: School of Seven Bells, Warpaint and Phantogram at Slim’s 10/6/09”

10 Quick Questions with Gary Houston of Voodoo Catbox

Visit Gary Houston at the TRPS show, for he designed the poster!

Gary Houston of Voodoo Catbox has been doing great rock posters for many years now. The first two rock posters I ever bought were from Voodoo Catbox: a diamond-shaped Foo Fighters than you can see on my wall when you come visit, and a Bad Religion poster made to look like an E.C. Comics cover. Gary designed the TRPS poster that you may have seen in our sidebar for the last couple of weeks, and I caught up with him this week for an email interview.

Spinning Platters: What was the first work of art you did for money? Continue reading “10 Quick Questions with Gary Houston of Voodoo Catbox”

Album Review: Jeremy Warmsley – How We Became

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How We Became is the album everyone forgot to notice when it came out last fall. Then again, the only people that could have noticed it live in England. America, I present to you the Jeremy Warmsley.

I stumbled upon Jeremy Warmsley on my quest to go through as many Blogotheque take-away shows as possible. There Jeremy Warmsley was hidden, gangly and unassuming in front of a church, armed only with his acoustic guitar and his warbley voice. I was smitten. And so I found my way to How We Became. Continue reading “Album Review: Jeremy Warmsley — How We Became”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide To Bay Area Concerts: October 6th-October 12th

Appearing Saturday with Thursday. Huh? Yeah, that's right.

October is upon us, which means everyone is playing all the time. I guess it really is Rocktober! Lotsa great shows this month, all on the same day. Happy decision making!!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide To Bay Area Concerts: October 6th-October 12th”

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Journal, 10/04/09

The masses huddled together for warmth, because miss Neko Case is gonna send chills down your spine

I have come to the second and final day of my adventure in the lovely Golden Gate Park. I have refilled my water bottle, stocked up on trail mix, and am ready for music.

This day already feels a bit different from the previous day. It’s still very crowded, but it’s noticeably easier to navigate. I can’t quite tell if fewer people came, or if people are spread out better. It might just be that people have the bearings down, because the crowd is moving a bit better.

Anyways, on with the show:

Continue reading “Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Journal, 10/04/09”

Show Review: Fever Ray at The Regency Center

Fever Ray

A friend of mine and I were having a discussion about what makes a show a “good” show, or a “great” show, and what makes for an “incredible” show. We came to the following consensus: a “good” or “great” show is one you go to because you know and love the band, and you will be there to sing every note of their songs until your throat is hoarse. An “incredible” show may include elements of a “great” show, but more often than not, it will be more than 50% surprise and unexpectedness; it’s even more incredible when it is able to knock even the casual listener off their feet.

So, to preface this review: Fever Ray gave an incredible performance. Continue reading “Show Review: Fever Ray at The Regency Center”

10 Quick Questions with Gregg Gordon of GIGART

Just one of many great prints Gregg has done

This weekend brings the TRPS Festival of Rock Posters in Golden Gate Park. To celebrate, I’ll be going as both a journalist and a customer, bringing back interviews with artists, photos of the proceedings, and more posters to add to my flat file. To kick off our coverage, I caught up with local artist Gregg Gordon who goes professionally by GIGART. I first met him at the Ledson Winery when he was walking around with his portfolio, showing off some of his earlier work, and I’ve been following his career ever since. Thanks to Gregg for answering our questions.

Spinning Platters: What was the first work of art you did for money? Continue reading “10 Quick Questions with Gregg Gordon of GIGART”

Review and Photo Gallery: LovEvolution 2009

Who doesn’t love colorful outfits, pounding bass and 19 year old drunk girls? Yeah, that’s right I’m talking about LoveParade, I mean, LoveFest, no no I mean LovEvolution, It’s LovEvolution now, so don’t get confused! I enjoy this confusion, even. (I’ve been going to it since three names ago.) This is my fifth year going to this event, and in some respects it is my favorite of the year, and in others the least.

I live right downtown at the start of this shindig, granted I am ten floors up but the wattage supported by most of the floats simply laughs at the idea of traveling ten stories up. Right around 9:30 AM, the sound check for the floats stated. I had been playing with the idea of ditching work and going, but up until this point I was less then 100% sure about it; that is, until I heard the music. I don’t really know what it is or how it works, but there is something that i absolutely LOVE about electronic music: it simply summons me! As soon as I heard the music I was dressed and armed with my camera and ready to have a blast–I assumed–all my my lonesome. Continue reading “Review and Photo Gallery: LovEvolution 2009”

Album Review: Bad Lieutenant – Never Cry Another Tear

Badl

If you’re my age and grew up in the UK then you are a New Order fan. You may no longer like them or remember them that well, but as soon as you hear their songs it takes you back. If you want to be cool you claim to be a Joy Division fan; or knowledgeable. you’ll play the Electronic, or better still, Monaco card. Over the years New Order matured and came back towards a pretty traditional but always entertaining pop music sound but sadly appear to have closed up shop for the last time due to disputes between Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook. I am huge fan of Bernard Sumner, especially his singing voice. I recently saw him on the UK based Songbook show discussing his songs and revealing that he would soon be releasing an album with his new band, Bad Lieutenant, and after a long wait it’s here. Continue reading “Album Review: Bad Lieutenant — Never Cry Another Tear”