Summer is a great time for some rock n roll. So this weel brings you some excellent Summertime rock options.
Thursday, June 27th
Bosnian Rainbows, Sister Crayon at Great American Music Hall
Bosnian Rainbows is the surprisingly poppy supergroup made up of Les Butcherettes’ amazing frontwoman Teri Gender Bender and The Mars Volta’s guitar hero Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Despite the avant garde world these two folks come from, this band is full of hooky ear worms, but still retains the live danger of the two folks day jobs. Opener Sister Crayon aren’t anything to shake a stick at, either.
Paper Route, HalfNoise, Via Coma at Bottom Of The Hill
Friday, June 28th
Defiance, Ohio, Japanther, Psilovision at Bottom Of The Hill
The problem with being named Japanther is that, as a catchy punk rock outfit, you are going to be second fiddle to Japandroids. It’s an unfortunate name since this other band became so huge in the last year. However, that does mean you get to still see them in a small venue for $10, which is a steal for this price.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=a39kC5qp_dQ
Richmond Sluts, Prima Donna, Cash For Gold at Hemlock Tavern
Saturday, June 29th
Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds at Alameda County Fair
The county fair circuit has improved in quality of entertainment quite a bit in the last few years. However, I wasn’t expected such a huge name as Babyface. Not only was Babyface the founder of LaFace Records, a label the single handedly defined R&B in the 90’s, he also wrote several of the biggest songs of the era. The man is a bona fide superstar and musical legend, so the notion of seeing him in the relatively intimate Alameda County Fair Amphitheater.
Erykah Badu at Mountain Winery
Sunday, June 30th
Deltron 3030, Kid Koala DJ Set at Stern Grove
In the year 2000, a record that changed the face of underground hip hop was released. It was a full fledged concept album- sort of hip hop’s answer to Radiohead’s OK Computer. Well, that project, made up of Del The Funkee Homosapien, Dan The Automator, and Kid Koala, was taken over by Damon Albarn and essentially swallowed by Gorillaz. Well, 13 years later, they are back with a new single, and doing a proper tour for the first time. They have also brought along horns, strings, a choir, and a full band on top of the orchestra. It’s going to be the trippiest hip hop show you’ve ever been to.
Jessica Hernandez at The Deltas at The New Parish
Monday, July 1st
Prince Rama at The Chapel
Brooklyn avant pop duo Prince Rama are the experimental bridge between The Residents and Animal Collective. They are, by far, one of the strangest things you will ever see or hear, but if you open your mind, you will experience great joy at this show.
Tuesday, July 2nd
Beyonce` at HP Pavilion
Yes, the woman that sang “Miss Independent” is on tour under the name “The Mrs Carter Tour.” As much as I want to be offended by that name, still, it’s Beyonce. The woman has more charisma than anyone else on Earth, and she has both the voice and the moves to back up her dynamic presence.
Wednesday, July 3rd
Face to Face, Teenage Bottlerocket, Blacklist Royals, Joshua Black Wilkins at Bottom Of The Hill
What better way to ring in Independence Day Eve than some fine punk rock. Face To Face were a pat of the 90’s alternative revolution, but added a touch of pure roots punk to the mix, which might be why they never got as big as some other bands. Of course, that means you can still experience this great joy at Bottom Of The Hill for a reasonable price, instead of $50 at an arena. (Sorry Green Day, I love you, but those tickets are awfully pricey)
