Labor Day weekend is filled with musical adventures in the Bay Area… Including two of the very, very few worthwhile summer shed shows that seem to be timed out perfectly for the weather getting good. Here are the highlights:
Thursday, September 2nd
Jenny & Johnny, Sonny & The Sunsets, Farmer Dave Scherr at Great American Music Hall
I think that Jenny Lewis should be regarded as a national treasure. Her gift as a songwriter is second to none, and each record that she has put out has not only been amazing, but also radically different from the last. We have the power pop of The Initial Friend, the prog-folk leanings of Takes Offs and Landings, the chamber pop of Execution Of All Things, the traditional indie rock of Rilo Kiley’s major label debut More Adventurous, the spooky southern goth of Rabbit Fur Coat, the arena rock of Under The Blacklight, the 70’s country & western romp of Acid Tongue, and now she brings us a whole new identity. I’m Having Fun Now is a collection of duets between Jenny Lewis and her boyfriend, Jonathan Rice (an accomplished songwriter in his own right) I’ve spent a lot of time with this record in the last few days, and it fits in her discography quit nicely. I was expecting something along the lines of Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash, or maybe the Emmylou Harris/Graham Parsons duets. Instead, we have a record of bubbly, fuzzy 60’s guitar pop that sounds closer to the Matthew Sweet/Susannah Hoffs albums than anything else, only with it’s own unique identity that’s just plain good. (Also playing 9/3)
Stereo Total, Allister Izenberg at Slim’s
Friday, September 3rd
ZZ Top, Eagles Of Death Metal, .38 Special at Shoreline
Some things just make too much sense. One of those is the current kings of rock n roll sleaze (Eagles Of Death Metal) playing a gig with a band that wrote a song called “Tush.” Seriously, words can’t describe how awesome this show looks like it will be. I hate this venue, and I don’t have access to a car, so I’m thinking of hitchhiking my way down to it.
Plus, maybe, just maybe, this will happen:
The Limousines, Lilofee, Amp Live at Rickshaw Stop
Saturday, September 4th
Green Day, AFI at Shoreline
Growing up in the Bay Area in the 90’s meant that I have a long and storied relationship with both of these bands. I once did stage make up with a guy that threw a loaf of bread at Billy Joe. A friend of mine was asked to leave school one day because of her AFI shirt. (In 1995!) I cried sell out when both bands got to be too big for their hometowns, and now, I listen again, because I was an idiot for getting mad at them. Now we have a group of 7 guys, all of whom have lived some pretty hard lives and sacrificed quite a lot for their craft, capping off their victory tour at the largest traditional music venue around.
In tribute to the salad days:
La Plebe, Cobra Skulls, Good Neighbor Policy, 9:00 News, United Defiance, Death Wish V at 924 Gilman St
Sunday, September 5th
Martha Wash, Chaka Khan and many more at Oakland Pride
Yes, SF Pride was pretty killer, but the one thing that I know more than anything else is that the East Bay parties harder than that big, stuffy city across the water. Therefore, my hunch is that Oakland’s Pride celebration could very well eclipse the old standby across the pond. Plus, if everyone goes this year, that means we get it again, and we certainly can’t have too many street fairs with killer entertainment, can we?
Cold Cave, Abe Vigoda at Great American Music Hall
Monday, September 6th
Man Man, Let’s Wrestle at Great American Music Hall
A good friend of mine once said, moments after leaving a Man Man show, “I’m not sure if Man Man is a real band.” I think that sums them up nicely.
Panda Bear, Nite Jewel at The Fox Theater – Oakland
Tuesday, September 7th
Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions, Dirt Blue Gene, Mariee Sioux at Great American Music Hall
Although I still hold out hope for a Mazzy Starr reunion, anytime time the hopelessly reclusive Hope Sandoval is willing to share her stunning voice with the public is reason for celebration. These events are very rare, so don’t miss this if you know what’s good for you.
Beak> (Featuring Geoff Barrow of Portishead) at The Independent (also playing a free set at Amoeba – SF on 9/8)
Wednesday, September 8th
“Please Take Me Off The Guest List” reading at Uptown Nightclub
Please Take Me Off The Guest List is a book about the life and times of a scenester bartender living in NYC. The author, Zachary Lipez, will be reading from the book while the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Nick Zinner will be providing musical accompaniment along side noted layout artist Stacy Wakefield. Should be a fascinating evening for all!
Titus Andronicus, Free Energy at The Independent
One of the most underrated bands in rock opens for one of the most overrated bands in rock. Enough said.
jenny & johnny will be a show to see! i got a taste of their show at amoeba in hollywood earlier this week and the music sounded wonderful….plus they looked like they were having so much fun!
and i love the description for the titus andronicus/free energy show. summed that one up perfectly.