You know it’s a good week when Insane Clown Posse are playing an opera house in Oakland. Just sayin’…
Thursday, May 30th
!!! at Rickshaw Stop
Sacramento is, quite surprisingly, a really funky town. The city has brought us a lot of bass heavy groove acts, however none are quite is rich and deep as the unpronounceable !!!, who will be tearing the roof off the Rickshaw Stop tonight!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SCOAm6qiIpE
Insane Clown Posse at Oakland Metro Operahouse
Friday, May 31st
Alexander Abreu & Havana D’Primera at Yoshi’s – San Francisco
There was once a time when people went out dancing, and they’d go listen to the amazing huge ensembles filled with horns and drums that played fantastic high energy sets! I find it really hard to believe that people now think of a night dancing, and it means taking some mysterious pills and dancing while somebody hits a bunch of buttons on their laptop. I think it’s time for the bands to take back the dance!
 httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yTKfWhdBjN8
Breakestra, Monophonics at The New Parish
Saturday, June 1st
Junip, On An On, Barbarossa at Bimbo’s 365 Club
Swedish folk singer Jose` Gonzalez appeared out of nowhere a few years ago and into the hearts of critics and music nerds everyone. And, as soon as he introduced himself to the world, he seemed to disappear. Well, he put together a band that adds a nice, solid beat to his beautiful, Cat Stevens-esque voice, and is playing the classiest venue in town.
Devo, MuteMath, Shiny Toy Guns, Family Of The Year at Sharon Meadow – Golden Gate Park
Sunday, June 2nd
A Hawk and A Hacksaw, Barn Owl at Cafe du Nord
Originally a simple side project from Neutral Milk Hotel drummer Jeremy Barnes, A Hawk and A Hacksaw is something more than that. They do a beautiful, almost cinematic take on American Folk Music, taking some queues from legendary composer Aaron Copland along the way, creating a very unique and stunning sound.
Jewel, Steve Poltz at Mountain Winery – Saratoga
Momday, June 3rd
My Jerusalem, The Bruises. Sea Knight at Cafe du Nord
Former Greg Dulli co-conspirator Jeff Klein has a new band called My Jerusalem. And they do the best Southern Gothic Soul you have ever heard, and might actual be able to write a song that could scare Nick Cave.
Tuesday, June 4th
Fear Factory, Hate Eternal, Kobra and The Lotus at DNA Lounge
I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but Nine Inch Nails in the 90’s managed help re-invent what “industrial” music is to the masses, and helped bring the guitars up to the forefront, leading the way for bands like Fear Factory to do something that is essentially metal for robots.
Wednesday, June 5th
David Dondero, Tom Heyman, Rymodee at Rite Spot Cafe
Conor Oberst owes everything to David Dondero. His guitar style, singing style, even lyric style are all right out of Dondero’s playbook. Only you can see David Dondero for free, and you are stuck seeing Conor for way too much money at wineries in the middle of nowhere this year. This is better.
