By a show of hands, who has started their holiday shopping…
Nobody? Good. Let’s keep it that way.
Wednesday December 16th
Adam Stephens, Two Sheds, Honey at Rickshaw Stop, 7:30 PM
Adam Stephens, as front man for the band Two Gallants, created the most glorious fusion of electric punk rock and old fashioned delta blues (not that Chicago nonsense that most blues/rock bands employ) that’s both disturbingly gritty and heartfelt. As a solo artist, he turns down the actual electricity, but remains equally as strong and tender. It’s the emotional equivalent to Bob Dylan going electric, only in reverse.
The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Shaky Hands, Sonny & The Sunsets at Bottom Of The Hill, 9 PM
Thursday, December 17th
El Vez, Los Straitjackets, The Lovely Elvettes at The Independent, 8 PM
A Mexican Elvis impersonator doing Christmas Carols. A surf rock band dressed as Mexican wrestlers. And, well, the Lovely Elvettes are beyond description. What are you doing this night again? Seriously? That’s better than this? Christmas is utter crap without the wonderful ways people make fun of it. Go support that behavior!
Scrabbel, Seventeen Evergreen, Amores Vigilantes at Cafe du Nord, 8 PM
Friday, December 18th
Death Angel, Skinlab, Walken at Slim’s, 9 PM
There has been talk about the lack of respect for the metal on this site. Maybe it’s because there hasn’t been much good metal as of late. This show, however, will indeed melt your face off. Death Angel are local legends and heroes of the genre, and though they date back to the 80’s, this isn’t the kind of metal with the hairspray and the make up that Mariah Carey covers. This is pure assaultive thrash.
Pink Mountain, T.I.T.S, Arrington De Dionyso, Work, Pink Canoes, Al Qaeda, Seven Lies About Girls at Cafe du Nord, 8 PM
Saturday, December 19th
Lee “Scratch” Perry, Heavyweight Dub Champion at The New Parish, 9 PM
Dub is one of the most divisive musical genres known to man. Either it’s a layered fusion of reggae and psychedelia that’s great for dancing, or it’s a repetitive and dull version of reggae music. Either way you look at, Lee “Scratch” Perry invented it, after he helped create Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, and every other genre of music to come out of Jamaica. He has recorded with such non-reggae artists like No Doubt, The Beastie Boys, and Andrew WK, and that resume alone means it will be a great show.
Rickie Lee Jones at The Fillmore, 9 PM
The Velvet Teen, Litany For The Whales, Build Us Airplanes at 924 Gilman St, 8 PM
Sunday, December 20th
Against Me!, Roll The Tanks, O? The Pioneers!!!, Hard Girls at San Jose Art Works, 8 PM
This show is a food drive. It also was supposed to be at 924 Gilman, but was mysteriously moved to an Art Gallery in San Jose, and I have a funny feeling that the poor promotion of this show could hurt the chances of getting the food to the people that need it. So, yeah, the cause is a good reason to attend, but it doesn’t hurt that you get to see Against Me!, the Warped Tour-crowd’s Billy Bragg.
Brian Setzer Orchestra, Lavay Smith & The Red Hot Skillet Lickers at The Warfield, 8 PM
Monday, December 21st
Punk Rock Sideshow at Hemlock Tavern, 10 PM
Because of the upcoming holiday, it seems that every live music venue is taking the night off. So, why don’t you enjoy a wonderful punk rock dance party on Polk St? No cover!
Tuesday, December 22nd
Lord Love A Working Man, Cheetah’s On The Moon, The Devil’s Own at Bottom Of The Hill, 9 PM
Big, old fashioned soul music by a big old fashioned soul band. It’s gonna be good.
Death Sentence: Panda, No Babies, snowsuit*, Busy Lights at 925 Apgar St – Oakland, 9 PM
Started shopping? I’m done boy!
It’s not nice to gloat.
yeah, i started my shopping, my immediate family is done.
Seriously, what’s wrong with all of you people?
I haven’t bought anything, except for my secret Santa and one stocking stuffer… So I’m right there with you Dakin!