School is back in session soon, right? So you should go out and enjoy some shows before you have to return to the old grind!
Thursday, August 22nd
Roky Erickson, Cellar Doors at Great American Music Hall
Roky Erickson was the brainchild behind 13th Floor Elevators. One of the greatest psychedelic rock bands of all time. Yes, he had some issues for a bit. He may have enjoyed the 60’s a little too much. But he’s back, and in probably better form than EVER! This is going to be a positively epic show in one of the best rooms in the city for psychedelic rock.
Social Studies at Converse Store – 838 Market St
Friday, August 23rd
My Bloody Valentine, Beachwood Sparks, Lumerians at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
We are lucky here… LA are stuck with MBV playing an outdoor festival set. We get the full length show in a room that they can get as loud as they want in! Don’t sleep on this gig, either… It’s not like they come around every Summer.
Rhett Miller, Nancarrow at The Chapel
Saturday, August 24th & Sunday, August 25th
First City Festival at Monterey County Fair and Event Center
I try to avoid talking about shows that aren’t in the bay area proper. This one is an exception to that rule. This is a two day music festival in the legendary site of Monterey Pop. In addition to popular headliners Modest Mouse and Passion Pit, we will get to experience great sets from Father John Misty, Neko Case, Purity Ring, Bleached, Okkervil River, Akron/Family, and many, many more. Bonus points to any band that lights a guitar on fire in the middle of a cover of “Wild Thing.”
Saturday, August 24th
Two Gallants, Mac DeMarco, Quinn Deveaux & The Blue Beat Review, James & Evander, San Francisco Rock Project at 20th Street Block Party
Jack White pulled his kids out of a school because The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach kids were also going to school there. Neither of them realize that Two Gallants were there first. And did the blues rock things much better. Today you get to see them for free!
MDC, Nihilist Cunt, Bum City Saints, The Judas Brunch at Thee Parkside
Monday, August 26th
Black Sabbath, Andrew WK at Shoreline Amphitheater
There are few bands more important and innovative than Black Sabbath. They essentially created “metal” as we know it, and rarely play live. Their new record is on par with their classic material, which is highly unexpected for a band this far into their career. Warming up the crowd is a DJ set by the world’s greatest party starter, Andrew WK.
Tuesday, August 27th & Wednesday, August 28th
The Breeders at The Fillmore
Remember when Kelley Deal quit The Pixies and the entire world wept? I didn’t. Because, to me, that meant The Breeders were back in full form. This tour features the 1992 line up of the band doing their classic record, The Last Splash, in it’s entirety. A record that not only changed my life, but was stolen from me in high school by a dude that used it to help pump himself up while lifting weights.
