Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 6/10/10-6/16/10

Summer is starting to kick in to gear, and the shows are starting to push in to high gear… Keep an eye on the space so you can get a better idea as to which shows you should be going to, and which shows will be super-boring loads of crap.

Thursday, June 10th

mewithoutyou, David Bazan (Pedro The Lion), Rubik at Regency Ballroom

Emo is one of the most misunderstood genres in rock music. Most people tend to think of it as a version of power pop with painfully off-key vocals. This is simply not the case. There are some truly excellent bands that are both emotionally direct and musically proficient. mewithoutyou is one of the bands, but the real star of this show is David Bazan, a man that hasn’t played much since he ended his Pedro The Lion project, but is always a treat to see.

Filth, Verbal Abuse, Fracas, One In The Chamber at Uptown Nightclub

Friday, June 11th

Woods, Kurt Vile, The Art Museums, The Mantles at Slim’s

Woods were my biggest SXSW find. They play a stunning blend of art-punk, psychedelic, and country music that is consistently interesting and fresh, and have managed to be the one band to truly carry on what the Velvet Underground started, and takes that sound into the 21st century.

Mariee Sioux, Foxtails Brigade, Judgement Day & Friends at Swedish American Hall

I make you read about why you should  go to this show, but I’d rather you listen to us talk to some of the players, instead. Let them sell you on it!

Saturday, June 12th

Exodus, Heath, Anvil Chorus, Passive Aggressive at Slim’s

San Francisco may no longer look like the home of speed metal, but at one time we were just spitting out great bands left & right. And, despite what some bands whose name rhymes with Craptallica, may say, Exodus were, by far, the speediest of the 80’s bay area metal. This guess played at breakneck speeds, and 20+ years later, are still breaking the BPM barrier.

Forrest Day, Battlehooch, 7 Orange ABC at Great American Music Hall

Sunday, June 13th

Real Estate, All Saints Day, Young Prisms at Independent

Real Estate are the perfect California summer band. They are equal parts fun surf rock and lofi “take a nap in your hammock while sipping on a watermelon aqua fresca” indie rock, and will go really compliment what promises to be a hot sunday night very nicely.

Austin Lounge Lizards at Freight & Salvage

Monday, June 14th

Local H, Left Brain Heart at The Independent

Long before we had The Black Keys and The White Stripes showing the world how loud a two piece rock act can be, we had Local H. Despite many considering them a 90’s one hit wonder act, they’ve actually managed to hold strong, touring consistently for the last 15 years, and putting out records regularly the entire time! Just watch this video, and you will be there, too:

Jenny Owens Young, April Smith and The Great Picture Show, William Tell at Bottom Of The Hill

Tuesday, June 15th

Freight Train, Gemini Six, Concrete Marshmallow at Bottom Of The Hill

Matt Pond PA, Wintersleep, The Lonely Forest at The Independent

Wednesday, June 16th

Jay Brannan, Terra Naomi, Jhameel at Bottom Of The Hill

Have you never heard Jay Brannan? Cause he’s really fucking good. Disturbingly good. You will stop trying to write songs when after you listen to him.

Merle Haggard & Kris Kristofferson at Mountain Winery