This week is the beginning of Sketchfest. We already have that covered, so how about some music? Eh? How about Styx? Did you know Styx were playing? I think it’s awesome that you will get to see Styx.
Wednesday, January 13th
Scott Amendola, Thomas DiMuzio, Jon Evans & Ava Mendoza, Dominque Leone Band at Cafe du Nord, 9 :30 PM
Scott Amendola is the greatest jazz drummer in indie rock, with a brutal super group featuring former bandmates of Carla Bozulich and Tori Amos. This should be a wonderful evening of wicked insanity that should be both a pleasure and a challenge to the ears.
The Funk Revival Orchestra, Skins and Needles at The Elbo Room, 9 PM
Thursday, January 14th
Little Teeth, Odawas, Powerdove at Cafe du Nord, 8 PM
Words can’t begin to describe the genius that is Little Teeth. The blissful melodic chaos, influenced by great acts such as Caroliner, Stockhausen, and Mr. Bungle, but also contains a pure folk sound of it’s own making. This may be the greatest band to ever come out of Stockton, all apologies to Mr. Malkmus & co.
Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy), Avi Buffalo at Bottom Of The Hill, 9:30 PM
Friday, January 15th
Hockey, Asa Ransom, Fake Your Own Death at Bottom Of The Hill, 9 PM
Hockey are a great disco punk band. Yes, you’ve heard that genre before. There are a lot of disco punk bands. And, whenever it’s done right, it’s good fun in concert. This show will keep your dancing shoes a-movin’, and Hockey may in fact surprise you with how they keep the genre fresh.
Agnostic Front, Death By Stereo, Hightower at Thee Parkside, 9 PM
Saturday, January 16th
Alberta Cross, Hacienda, Acacia at Bottom Of The Hill, 10 PM
ATO Records is the vanity label operated by Dave Matthews. I, personally, do not care for Dave Matthews, but his record label has a pretty impressive roster, and Alberta Cross in one of the greats. This will be a fun show filled with dirty blues rock.
The Whispers, The Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards at The Fox Theater – Oakland, 8 PM
Sunday, January 17th
Styx at The Regency Ballroom, 8 PM
They may be missing Mr. Roboto these days, but this will still Sail Away. Usually Styx play sterile amphitheaters on packages with other bands, but this is a rare intimate performance, as well as a rare full length set that few people ever see.
Asobi Seksu, BeatBeat Whisper at The Swedish American Hall, 7:30 PM
Monday, January 18th
Between the Buried and Me, Cynic, Devin Townsend Project, Scale The Summit at Slim’s, 7:30 PM
This is a prog metal dream lineup. There are more great musicians playing at Slim’s tonight than will play at all the other venues in San Francisco combined. From the Fuze TV stars Between the Buried and Me to the reunited legends Cynic to a new “commercial” project from the man behind Strapping Young Lad to an instrumental prog powerhouse, Scale the Summit, this is a night for tasteful, tuneful shredding, with very little 4/4.
The Yummy Fur, The Mantles, Sonny & The Sunsets at Cafe du Nord, 9 PM
Tuesday, January 19th
Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Psychedelic River Chicken at Thee Parkside, 8 PM
Lagwagon were a dramatically underrated band from the early 90’s pop-punk era. Catchy songs with a little bit of humor and a lot of heart, and those songs will be even better in a stripped down manner.
An Evening With Joseph Arthur at The Rickshaw Stop, 8 PM
