I have returned from Florida, and I am back to control your life… Here are a few suggestions:
Wednesday, November 4th
Puscifer, Uncle Scratch’s Gospel Revival at The Fox Theater – Oakland, 8 PM
Maynard James Keenan first unleashed Puscifer on to the world on the first episode of Mr. Show. As time went on, this project became more real, and increasingly more bizarre. I’m not even certain that we can call it music anymore. It’s musical theater of the strangest kind, where only Mr. Keenan’s imagination can spawn. (Also appearing 11/5)
Little Dragon, Nite Jewel at The Independent, 9 PM
Thursday, November 5th
Hanson, Hellogoodbye, Steel Train, Sherwood at The Regency Ballroom, 6:30 PM
Hanson don’t get very much respect from the masses. They made the mistake of becoming successful far too young. This means that they will probably never become as popular as they should be. You are reading this right now, and will never read my column again because of this. You, the reader, are flat wrong about Hanson. They have amazing chops, write a great pop rock song, and are one of the best live bands ever. Just listen to this:
mum, Sing Fang Bous at The Indepedent, 8 PM
Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School Of Medicine: Alternative Tentacle 30th Anniversary Incest-A-Thom at The Great American Music Hall, 8 PM
Also appearing 11/6 & 11/7: 3 nights of classic Bay Area punk rock with a closing appearance by Jello Biafra and his current band of doing whatever he pleases…
Friday, November 6th
Dropkick Murphys, Youth Brigade, The Flatliners, The Insurgence at The Fox Theater – Oakland, 7:30 PM
Everyone knows about Dropkick Murphys. The reason to go to this show is to see Youth Brigade. Not to be confused with the DC hardcore band of the same name, Los Angeles’ Youth Brigade created the highly influential BYO Records as well as helped originate the melodic hardcore sound later made famous by bands like Bad Religion and The Offspring. It’s rare to get a show by this legendary band, so please take this opportunity.
Devo (Performing Q:Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo), Reggie Watts at The Regency Center, 9 PM
Also performing Freedom Of Choice on 11/7
Saturday, November 7th
Vampire Weekend at Town Hall Theater – Lafayette, 8 PM
Sorry, I know you didn’t get tickets. Seriously, this is a tough show to get in to. Last winter, it seemed that nobody cared anymore, but they’ve managed to drum up interest the best way possible- play obscure facilities in out-of-the-way California towns. So, you will get to read about this show the next day on our website, then you can drive to Santa Cruz and see them at The Catalyst!
Los Dryheavers, Get Dead!, Stagger & Fall, Punk Rock n Schlock Karaoke at Annie’s Social Club, 9 PM
Sunday, November 8th
Panther, Death Sentence:Panda!, Shakes Gown at Hemlock Tavern, 9 PM
Panther, in a nutshell, are what you would get if Cake were locked in a room and only allowed to listen to Neu! and Can for a decade.
Pixies (Playing Doolittle), Rain Machine at The Fox Theater – Oakland, 8 PM (Also 11/9 & 11/10)
KUSF Rock N Swap at University of San Francisco, 10AM-3PM (6 am opening for $20)
Monday, November 9th
Ian Anderson at The Warfield, 7:30 PM
This legendary flutist won the first every Heavy Metal Grammy as a member of the baroque-prog band Jethro Tull. I don’t really think that sentence made sense.
Tuesday, November 10th
Paramore, Paper Route, The Swellers at The Warfield, 7:30 PM
Paramore is the best band that your little sister listens to. Pure, raw emotional punk rock. I don’t understand how they ended up being the tween band of the moment, but they are really good, and this may be the last time they play a venue this size.
Over The Rhine, Katie Herzig at The Great American Music Hall, 8 PM
