Now that Labor Day has come & gone, and the bridge is fully functioning again, here’s another guide to a week’s worth of rock & roll that you might enjoy:
Tuesday, September 8th
Ralph Carney’s Serious Jass Project at Yoshi’s (SF), 8 PM
The go-to woodwind/horn guy in the bay area. He’s worked with Tom Waits, The B-52’s, and Bonfire Madigan, as well as helped score the movies Night On Earth, Chuck & Buck, and the documentary A Hard Straight. He can play anything one can blow in to, and will probably pick up a few things you’ve never seen before, maybe even a few things he’s never seen before. In a nutshell, this guy is a badass, and if you don’t have anything to do, and you’ve got an extra $14 in your pocket, this is the thing to do.
The Knux, Kev Choice, J-Billion at The Independent, 9 PM
Wednesday, September 9th
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, YACHT at The Fox Theater (Oakland), 8 PM
For those that haven’t given “It’s Blitz” a chance yet, please give it a listen. It’s a fantastic piece of synth rock! And, few live bands put out the consistent show that these folks do. (Also appearing on 9/10)
Cass McCombs, The Papercuts, Girls at The Great American Music Hall, 9 PM
Glay at The Fillmore, 8 PM
Thursday, September 10th
HEALTH, Mi Ami, Pictureplane at Bottom Of The Hill, 9 PM
Pounding electronic noise. Pure aggression, pounded out by synthesizers. This is the band handpicked by Trent Reznor open the final Nine Inch Nails show EVER! Enjoy an evening of brutality!
Brendan Benson, Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven at The Great American Music Hall, 8 PM
Friday, September 11th
The Lovemakers, Jonas Reinhardt, DJ Miles (Lisa Nola’s Music Listography book release party) at The Independent, 9 PM
It’s been a while since The Lovemakers burst out on the scene, ready to become the biggest band on earth. Then, they had a major label deal that went nowhere, and it seemed for a while that we weren’t going to hear from them again. They almost broke up, but it seems that they are determined to press on. I am expecting a rejuvenated Lovemakers tonight, ready to impress again.
Flogging Molly, Hepcat, Fitz & The Tantrums at The Fox Theater (Oakland), 8 PM
Saturday, September 12th
Michael Franti & Spearhead, Alanis Morissette, Sly & Robbie, Cherine Anderson, Vieux Farka Toure`, and more at Speedway Meadows (Golden Gate Park), Noon
Michael Franti puts on the 2nd best party in Golden Gate Park every year, and this year may be his best line up yet. We have the son of legendary Malian guitarist Ali Farka Toure` opening the show, as well as the greatest production team to come out of Jamaica, Sly & Robbie doing a rare live show, and the great Alanis Morissette playing a show during her off time, which means nothing to promote, which is always the best way to see an artist.
The Honey Brothers, Soko & His Orchestra at The Independent, 9 PM
Sunday, September 13th
blink-182, Weezer, Taking Back Sunday, Chester French at Shoreline, 6:30 PM
Chester French do super-sleazy synth funk. They are great, and don’t make any sense on this bill. The rest of the bands do pleasant & catchy power-pop, with a little bit of punk-rock mixed in. Every song you will know by heart, even the new ones.
Monday, September 14th
Monks Of Doom, Penelope Houston Band at Cafe du Nord, 8:30 PM
What about The Killers and New York Dolls, Sept 12th at Shoreline ?
Oh yeah and the bridge is not fully functioning LOL
I believe Spinning Platters would have supported seeing The Killers in 2004-2006. Now? They could pay me to go… lol.
*note* the opinions presented in this comment are not endorsed by spinningplatters.com
I do like the idea of a Mormon glam rock showcase… (if anyone has any questions about this comment, rent the film “New York Doll” only movie coproduced by Morrissey and the LDS church)