This is a short week. I didn’t want to work on Independence Day. Still, there is plenty left to do this week, so I hope you didn’t party too hard last night!
Friday, July 5th
“Weird Al” Yankovic at Alameda County Fair
The career of “Weird Al” Yankovic defies any logic. He writes and performs comedy music, and the shelf life of musicians in this genre tends to be rather short. Instead, Yankovic has remained one of the most successful and well known artists for the last 35 years. He’s still releasing hit singles. and still is performing with the vigor of performers half his age. (He has also managed to not age in the last 30 year, either.) So, enjoy a hunk of fried watermelon and enjoy Mr Yankovic on a warm summer’s day.
Rx Bandits, Northern Faces at The Regency Ballroom
Saturday, July 6th & Sunday, July 7th
Burger Boogaloo at Mosswood Park
Northern California indie label Burger Records is one of those secret punk rock weapons. When Epitaph, Sup Pop, Lookout, and Dischord Records were dominating the world, Burger were secretly making some genius signing decisions, bringing upon us the current crop of the best of this world: Ty Segall, OFF!, and Thee Oh Sees, amongst others. So, they opted to book a two day festival in Oakland for July 4th weekend. We have Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin playing with days, with Cronin doing a solo set and Segall playing with his band Traditional Fools on Saturday, and the two of them doing their fiery garage band FUZZ on Sunday. We also have legendary punkers The Trashwomen, Jonathan Richman, Redd Kross, The Oblivians, and The Zeros. We have bouncy newcomers Peach Kelli Pop, Audacity, Shannon & The Clams, and many, many more. This is the best thing to do this weekend by far. Don’t skip out on this! It’s a solid bargain for this great event!
Monday, July 8th
Religious Girls, Gothic Tropic, El Elle, Golden Drugs at The Night Light
Tuesday, July 9th
The Go-Go’s, The B-52’s at Mountain Winery
The Go-Go’s and The B-52’s were both far more subversive and ground breaking than people gave them credit. The problem is that they both had huge mainstream hits, causing people to lose sight of their initial cult status. Happily, as a live act, both bands cull from their early, more eccentric sides, as well as their mainstream hits. So wear some shoes you can dance in and put on something colorful for an epic dance party under the stars!
Future Bible Heroes, Luxury Liners at The Independent
Wednesday, July 10th
The Flamin’ Groovies, Deniz Tek (Of Radio Birdman), The Chuckleberries at The Chapel
Sure, it’s exciting that power pop luminaries The Flamin’ Groovies are playing a gig. However, the real excitement here is the fact that we are getting a rare appearance by Deniz Tek, from legendary Australian punk band Radio Birdman! This is going to be a truly killer show, and to get it in such a lovely space as The Chapel? We are far too lucky.
