Another week of rock and roll… Because sleep is totally overrated.
Thursday, May 3rd
Sophie Barker (of Zero 7) at Red Devil Lounge
Sia may have been the first solo artist to break out of Zero 7, but Sophia Barker is more than ready to step up to the plate. She sang lead on what is arguably Zero 7’s finest track, and you’d be foolish to miss this chance to see her in such an intimate venue for such a low price ($10!)
Katie Herzig, Andrew Belle at The Independent
Devin The Dude, Coughie Brothers, David Faustino at The New Parish
Friday, May 4th
The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys at Oracle Arena
The last time I saw The Black Keys live was in 2003, opening for Sleater-Kinney at The Great American Music Hall. This show was will probably be a bit less intimate, but those riffs are big enough to feel a stadium, let alone an arena. Opening the bill is UK Garage Rockers’ The Arctic Monkeys, who, yes, were one of the most hyped bands on earth. These guys have proved that they are more than talented enough to survive the early 2000’s habit of over saturating bands til the point of breaking, and are ready to show the world that they are in it for the long haul.
Steep Canyon Rangers, Carrie Rodriguez at Slim’s
Early Man, It’s Casual, Shock Diamond, Satya Sena at Thee Parkside
Saturday, May 5th
Snow Patrol at The Fox Theater – Oakland
One man’s cheesy lite rock is another man’s dynamic and beautiful pop song. And, trust me, no matter how much you think you dislike this band, you are humming “Chasing Cars” right now.
Father John Misty, Har Mar Superstar at Bottom of the Hill
Sunday, May 6th
Meshuggah, Baroness, Decapitated at The Fillmore
Too many metal bands are trying to hard to legitimize metal in the eyes of pop music listeners. That’s a mistake- metal bands should really be trying to out heavy each other. Meshuggah are about as heavy as you can get, too. No hooky choruses or melodic dinosaur rock solos. Just pure brutality.
Portugal. The Man, The Lonely Forest at The Independent
Monday, May 7th
The Wombats, Static Jacks, The Neighborhood at Great American Music Hall
Mondays are terrible. Probably the worst day of the week. You know what makes Monday’s better? Dance parties. You know what band sparks a good dance party? Liverpool, UK’s The Wombats.
Drake, Waka Flocka Flame, 2 Chainz at Sleep Train Pavilion
Tuesday, May 8th
Carina Round at Cafe du Nord
Carina Round first came onto the scene in the early part of the last decade with a blistering record called The Disconnection. 9 brutal rock tracks, performed with the kind of intensity last seen from PJ Harvey. This record should’ve been huge, but wasn’t. So, she floundered in obscurity for a number of years until Maynard James Keenan from Tool invited her to join his Puscifer project. Happily, Round is back in the states as a soloist, and hopefully she will get some much deserved fame now that she’s gotten the Maynard bump.
Allo Darlin’, The Wave Pictures at Rickshaw Stop
Wednesday, May 9th
Silversun Pickups at Amoeba Music – San Francisco
When Silversun Pickups first broke through, it was one of the biggest surprises of all. No band sounded like them on the radio when they burst onto modern rock radio in 2005. They are still producing hits while still sounding like mainstream alternative rocks’ most interesting band on the radio.
Andre Nickatina, Fashwan, Mumbles at The New Parish
Why do you hate Death Cab For Cutie so much?
I have no negative feelings about Death Cab For Cutie. But, Zooey and I decided that it was in our best interest not to discuss that show.