Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 8/5/2010-8/11/2010

Born in Milpitas, Playing in San Jose.

I’m gonna go see the Old 97’s in 45 minutes… I actually am borrowing David Price‘s computer to do this, just so I get to the show on time! Peace out, yo!

Thursday, August 5th

The Old 97’s at Justin Herman Plaza

This is a free show today at 5 PM at Justin Herman Plaza. Which means stop reading this and run to the show right now! I love these guys, and you will, too after seeing the dreamy Rhett Miller show off his double jointed strumming elbow. It’s hypnotic!

Tussle, Ezeetiger & The Sound Guys, Death Sentence: Panda, Red Bennies at Eagle Tavern

Phish at The Greek Theater – UC Berkeley (Also 8/6 & 8/7, but all of these are sold out, SUCKERS!)

Friday, August 6th

The Frail, Stripmall Architecture, Ted Nesseth, Ryan Karazija at Uptown Nightclub

The first Friday of every month is a local spotlight show at the Uptown Nightclub. This venue is right across the street from The Fox, and is one of my favorite places to casually drop in on. They’ve almost always got something good going on, the vibe is great, and the bar staff is top notch. And this bill is pretty decent, too!

Impaled, Funerot, Population Reduction, Man Among Wolves at Thee Parkside

Saturday, August 7th

Stone’s Throw x Fool’s Gold Discotheque at Kelly’s Mission Rock

A-Trak, Peanut Butter Wolf, Mayer Hawthorne, J-Rocc, Nacho Lovers, and Jeffrey Paradise. Stone’s Throw is the best label out there for uncovering all of your rare soul & funk needs. Fool’s Gold is the hottest dance label out there, pushing the envelope as far as it can go and digging up some of the most imaginative artists in the field working today. This gig will be one of the fiercest parties ever, with label heads A-Trak & Peanut Butter Wolf doing what they do best, as well as bringing along a few friends for the ride.

We Are Scientists, Rewards at Slim’s

Hunx & His Punx, Tropical Sleep, Wrong Words at Uptown Nightclub

Sunday, August 8th

Ludacris, Erik The Jerk at Slim’s

I kind of want to check this show out…

McCabe & Mrs Miller, True Margrit, The Family Crest at Bottom Of The Hill

Monday, August 9th

Rush at Shoreline Amphitheater

Rush are the one prog band that people that hate prog rock like. The punkers are down with Rush. The emo kids are down with Rush. It’s the one band that socialists and teabaggers can agree on. Everyone likes Rush. It’s just a proven fact. You are also a Rush fan. I know that. It looks like you are going to this show, aren’t you? Everyone else is!

The Ataris, Gaslight Heart, Don’t Panic at The Blank Club

Tuesday, August 10th

“Weird Al” Yankovic at The Warfield

I believe that Mr Yankovic is the most important pop cultural figure of the last 30 years. That alone is reason to go. The fact that at 50 he looks like he might be pushing 25, and has the energy of a 14 year old on Twizzlers, and is a world class entertainer that NEVER plays San Francisco, only a complete fool would miss this show.

Frazey Ford, Bhi Bhiman at The Independent

Wednesday, August 11th

An Evening With Natalie Merchant at The Fox Theater – Oakland

It’s been far too long between visits from Natalie Merchant. She is one of the most unique voices in pop music, as well as one of the greatest songwriters in history. She is playing without support, so expect music from her dark and sparse new record, Leave Your Sleep, as well as material stretching across her acclaimed solo work & 10,000 Maniacs material, as well!

Porcupine Tree, Karnivool at The Warfield