Yes, we all know that Metallica are taking over The Fillmore this week, and only very special people will be getting into those shows. Remember that Metallica also totally blow, and everything on this list is better. Or, at least tell yourself that, because you aren’t getting in. Don’t worry, I’m not getting in, either.
Thursday, December 8th
Alice Bag at Modern Times Bookstore
Alice Bag was the lead singer of LA Punk legends The Bags. She hasn’t played music in a long time, sadly, although we still get the pleasure of being graced by her presence at Modern Times Bookstore where she will be hosting a reading and book signing. She promoting her autobiography Violence Girl, From LA Rage to Hollywood Stage.
The Naked + Famous, The Joy Formidable, Grouplove at The New Parish
Once again, Live 105 blows us away with an amazing line up for their Not So Silent Night pre-party. I’m even happier that they have brought the party to Oakland’s criminally underrated The New Parish, one of my personal favorite venues. It’s high time people started learning that Oakland isn’t all pepper spray and medicinal pot cafes, but a great place to party. Well, I guess pepper spray and medical pot are ways to party, too…
Friday, December 9th
Fela! Cast Band at Brick & Mortar Music Hall
Yes, Fela! The Musical is getting great reviews. It’s also an expensive night out. And, anyways, the most important part of the show is the music, and for the low price of $10, you can get down to the great music from that show, and more Fela Kuti music, as well as whatever the band feels like doing, which consists of several members of Antibalas, which is a fantastic band in it’s own right.
Erykah Badu, Theophilus London at The Warfield
Death Cab For Cutie, The Airborne Toxic Event at Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium
Saturday, December 10th
Sister Crayon, James & Evander, Elephant & Castle at The Uptown Nightclub
Sacramento doesn’t exactly have a great reputation as a music town. Which is kind of silly, because it did give us both Cake and The Deftones. It’s also where Sister Crayon reside, who are definitely bound for greatness. This band fuses together elements of R&B, new wave, hip hop, and Kate Bush/Tori Amos/Florence into there own very unique sound.You should spend a Saturday night with them in Oakland for $12 before you are stuck spending $30 seeing them at a much larger venue.
Sara Bareilles, Joshua Radin at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Sunday, December 11th
Caveman, Carletta Sue Kay at Brick & Mortar Music Hall
This fairly young band out of New York are crossing over to the other coast for the first time, and they are here to treat us to their delightful brand of percussive & harmony heavy rock music. They are filling the void left behind by The Beta Band, taking that sound, but letting it evolve into it’s own.
Grass Widow, Erase Errata at 924 Gilman St
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Bay Area no wave heroes Erase Errata, but they are coming out of hiding for this special benefit show for Bay Area Girls Rock Camp.
Charlie Hunter, Bhi Bhiman at The Independent
Monday, December 12th
Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa at The Warfield
The reason for this tour? Snoop & Wiz made a movie together where the play high school students. Will the movie be awesome? Yes. Will this show be awesome? Yes. I feel this way, and I don’t even smoke pot!
Tuesday, December 13th
Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, The Watson Twins, Sean Smith at Bottom Of The Hill
This show features two of the most fascinating, dark, and hypnotic acts that have somehow been labeled “alt.country.” Jesse Sykes psychedelic folk music is perfectly paired with the delicate harmonies of The Watson Twins.
Selena Gomez, Pitbull, LMFAO, Gym Class Heroes, Taio Crux, Breathe Carolina, Jessie & The Toy Boys at HP Pavilion
Yeah, I kind of want to go to this… Is that wrong?
Wednesday, December 14th
Brandi Carlile, The Secret Sisters at Slim’s
Brandi Carlile is an underrated talent. She has a stunning voice, and she also puts on one of the finest stage shows I’ve ever seen. And this show is special, because it’s a rare, intimate club gig, and only a fool would stay home from this.
Jay-Z, Kanye West at HP Pavilion
