The week is going to be a glorious week of rock n roll madness.
Thursday, July 11th
Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon, Fastball at Mountain Winery
There are two types of people in this world: People that think this show will be the most fun thing on earth, and people that are too cynical to every be happy again. Because, seriously- this is going to be super fun. Like, super, duper fun. You will know every song they play, and they will each fill you with an obscene amount of joy.
Japonize Elephants at Amnesia
Friday, July 12th
Sonny & The Sunsets, SK Kakrabi Lobi, Pure Bliss at The New Parish
There is an amazing garage rock revival happening in the Bay right now. So many killer bands and all of them paying the sound of 60’s garage rock proper tribute. Tonight’s show at The New Parish is going to be a smashing good time!
New Kids On The Block, 98 Degrees, Boyz II Men at HP Pavilion
Saturday, July 13th
Phono del Sol at Potrero del Sol Park
July used to be a pretty empty month for music in this town, as the festival season used to take a lull, and a lot of the local bands tended to use this time to hit the road. Happily, we have been blessed with not one, but two great festivals in the month of July in the bay, lending a bit of appreciation to the rock n roll underground. Last week’s Burger Boogaloo was a blissful garage rock triumph. This week, however, is Phono del Sol. Taking place in the largely under utilized Potrero del Sol Park, Phono del Sol boasts two stages, an impressive array of food, and a line up that- dare I say it- rivals Treasure Island Fest in quality. We have local stunners K Flay, B Hamilton, and Social Studies. We have coming in from out of town Marnie Stern and Bleached, who have put out two of my favorite records of the year the far, and we have capping the whole thing off garage punkers Thee Oh Sees and electroclash torch bearers YACHT! Don’t forget your sunscreen, because this show is going to be muy caliente!
Palms, Crypts at Slim’s
Sunday, July 14th
Kronos Quartet, Geographer at Stern Grove
Stern Grove has been pretty epic this season, however, this wins for the weirdest double bill. Opening the show is Bay Area new wave act Geographer, who are definitely doing quite well for themselves. Headlining is another local act, classical music experimentalists and all around legends, Kronos Quartet. This show is gonna be a strange one, but it will also be down right amazing!!! (The comments on one YouTube clip of Kronos playing: “This music can make eating a banana intense”)
The San Francisco Album Project presents OK Computer at The Chapel
Peaches Christ presents drag queens lip syncing OK Computer in it’s entirety? WTF?
Monday, July 15th
The B 52’s at The Fillmore
Who would have thought that one of the most innovative bands of the 70’s would have come from Athens, GA? The angular disco punk art rock of The B-52’s are simply one of the most important acts of all time.
Shannon McNally Band, Rachel Efron, Highway Poets at Cafe du Nord
Tuesday, July 16th
Dessa, Open Mike Eagle, Aby Wolf at Cafe du Nord
Dessa is the kind of intellectual singer rapper that has put out an amazing and consistent body of work. She’s as good, if not better than we expected Lauryn Hill to grow to be. Happily, she’s not likely to go off the deep end like Ms Hill did.
Huey Lewis & The News at Wente Vineyards
Wednesday, July 17th
The Cat Empire. That 1 Guy at The Fillmore
Australia’s The Cat Empire are crossing America on a very, very rare US tour. These guys do an amazing blend of ska and latin rhythms. This is going to be a fun and fantastic show filled with epic, sweaty dancing.
Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, B.o.B. at Shoreline Amphitheater
