330 Ritch – Spinning Platters

Show Review: MNDR at 330 Ritch – Popscene, 12/09/10

I don’t know what’s happened to Popscene over the years. When I was in my early and mid-20s, it was pretty much just a dance club. Then every once in a while, a really awesome band would come play. It was a fabulous treat, but really, it was still a dance club with lots of dancing before and after the band played (if there was one that night). Moved away to LA, moved back, basically fast forward to a world where I’m now 31 and haven’t been going out dancing as much. But I have been coming for shows every once in awhile. But maybe that’s what happened, more and more relevant bands have been playing this venue, so its turned more into a place for great late night shows than it is a place for dancing. Because there was sure no dancing going on this past Thursday night, well besides me with my recovering foot dancing almost by myself, when all the young kiddies were being lame and hanging out by the walls. Continue reading “Show Review: MNDR at 330 Ritch — Popscene, 12/09/10”

Show Review: Marina & The Diamonds at Popscene, 330 Ritch, 7/8/10

Marina&band — Marina & the Diamonds - Stripped down

Four songs into the set, Marina Diamandis, the songstress that is Marina & the Diamonds (the Diamonds being you, the fans, duh!) announces boldly that this is “the last chance you’ll get to see me like this.” Whether or not this is true, at this moment in time, Marina & the Diamonds is bigger than the packed dance floor of Popscene at 330 Ritch. Of course, Popscene is notorious for giving you the opportunity to say “I saw them when” but could Marina really back up her claim that she will be one of the greats, or will she just fade out once popular culture is done with her? Continue reading “Show Review: Marina & The Diamonds at Popscene, 330 Ritch, 7/8/10”

Show Review: Mumford & Sons at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/11/10

Popscene is known for getting its share of buzz bands on the way up. Marcus Mumford, lead singer of Mumford & Sons, the newest such band to grace the Popscene stage, commented on this as well.

“There’s a wall of fame downstairs, and it’s a bit intimidating.”

Will Mumford & Sons follow in the footsteps of such past performers like Muse, Bloc Party, Amy Winehouse, The Killers, and countless others? I’m guessing yes. I’m also guessing it’s not going to be cool to like this band in a few years. I should explain. Continue reading “Show Review: Mumford & Sons at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/11/10”

Show Review: VV Brown with Ebony Bones! at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/4/10

I generally avoid Popscene when possible. There are myriad reasons for this, which needn’t be explained to anyone who’s been there. For one, it’s notoriously 18+, which: no thanks! Any club that needs to see my special grown-up wristband before letting me have a beer is a place I’m happy to avoid. Secondly, there’s the inherent wrongness of any establishment that bills itself as “San Francisco’s premier indie nightclub.” So. Much. Wrong. Third, it’s scene-y in a superficially obvious way that still makes me feel I’m Susan Boyle standing around at Danceteria or something (cue the glittery 18-year-olds: “Who at the what?”).

And finally, I resent their unassailable skill at booking the hottest, coolest young acts and forcing the rest of us to go all the way to 330 Ritch in Mission Bay to see them (plus, I’m still mad I couldn’t get tickets when they hosted Amy Winehouse for her only Bay Area show to date). But sometimes these various negatives can come together for a really amazing positive. Last night’s show was one such exception. Continue reading “Show Review: VV Brown with Ebony Bones! at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/4/10”

Show Review: The Drums at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 11/12/2009

Sitting at a table alone with two strange boys, I toyed with my drink, waiting for my friend who fell asleep to show up. I saw a girl on the dance floor throw her cell phone on the floor, pick it up, then storm off leaving her two friends with stupefied looks on their faces. Boy trouble! Don’t I know it.

Which is where I was at when I first heard The Drums on KALX last week. Continue reading “Show Review: The Drums at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 11/12/2009”

Show Review: Dragonette at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 10/22/09

Actually seeing the band at Popscene is a nice change

The setting: A 27 year old dude sitting in a bar where the definition of cool can no longer legally apply to him. He is sitting in an 18+ club. The clientele ranges from creepy E-ridden middle-aged men in sports jackets to fresh, young 18 year-old girls trying to define their sexuality.

Imagine the scent of pickled matter slowly overpowering your senses. Imagine confusion. Continue reading “Show Review: Dragonette at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 10/22/09”