Your guide to the best shows that bay area has to offer for the week of June 8th-14th:
Monday, June 8th:
Jason Lytle, Ramshackle Romeos at Cafe du Nord, 9:30 PM
For those that do not own a time machine, but still wish to see Grandaddy, this is the closest you’re gonna get. For the lucky ones, Grandaddy drummer Aaron Burtch may show up, as he did a few months ago at a gig at SFO.
Patrick Wolf, Living Things, Plasticines, Jaguar Love at Slim’s, 7:30 PM
Handsome Furs, The Cinnamon Band at Great American Music Hall, 8:30 PM
Tuesday, June 9th
Iamx, Hypernova at Slims, 8 PM
Iamx is Chris Corner, mastermind behind 90’s trip-hop group The Sneaker Pimps. His solo work comes off as a sort of new wave/emo with hints of caberet, almost as if Stephin Merritt wrote for Duran Duran.
Kevin Seconds at Bottom Of The Hill, 9 PM
Neko Case, Jason Lytle at The Warfield, 8 PM
Wednesday, June 10th
Neko Case, Imaad Wasif at The Warfield, 8 PM
The Billboard charts have been a bit strange for the past few years, with top 10 debuts by critical darlings such as Wolf Parade, Animal Collective, and Spoon; finally, Neko Case’s #3 debut of her latest record, Middle Cyclone. Expect the most reverb in the history of the Warfield.
Secret Chiefs 3, Kay Dot at Great American Music Hall, 8 PM
No Use For A Name, Only Crime, Pour Habit at Bottom Of The Hill, 9 PM
Thursday, June 11th
The Von Bondies, Glasvegas, Audrye Sessions at The Blank Club, 8 PM
The band most famous getting signed after Jack White gave their leader a black eye at a bar in Michigan has regrouped after about 5 years away, significantly stronger and wiser. New record “Love, Hate, Then There’s You” is a very consistent piece of punky, soulful garage rock.
Nikka Costa, JD Webb at The Independant, 8 PM
DJ Quik (Full Band!), Kurupt at Ruby Skye, 8 PM
Friday, June 12th
Christopher Lawrence at Ruby Skye, 8 PM
Trance has been dead for many years now, primarily because it was a pretty boring genre of music. The main reason Christopher Lawrence is still spinning records and producing is because he’s managed to both respect the genre’s traditions, while also being willing to inject some creative juice into it.
Testament, Unearth, Lazarus AD at The Fillmore, 8 PM
Telepathe, Nite Jewel, Hawnay Troof at Bottom Of The Hill, 10 PM
Saturday, June 13th
Bat For Lashes, Hecuba at Great American Music Hall, 9 PM
Natasha Khan is the heir apparent to Kate Bush’s throne. Her music is colored by a wonderful blend of whimsy and melancholy, and she has managed to woo the masses with it. This show has been sold out for weeks, so prepare to be jealous of the 400 people who will enjoy this show.
Guana Batz, Plan 9, Switchblade Riot at Uptown Nightclub, 9 PM
Sunday, June 14th
The Germs, Krum Bums at Uptown Nightclub, 9 PM
Shane West was featured in the classic teen musical, “Get Over It”, about a young boy who attempts to woo Kirsten Dunst by auditioning for the school musical. Not only did this epic film serve as inspiration for Disney’s High School Musical series, it caught the attention of LA punk veterans The Germs, where his clean-cut good looks and smooth vocal delivery made him the perfect replacement for former vocalist Darby Crash, who passed away in 1980.
A Camp (Nina Peerson of The Cardigans), Gentleman Reg, Rubies at The Independant, 8 PM
Skerik, Scott Amendola, Will Bernard, Will Blades at Cafe du Nord, 8 PM
