Regency Center – Spinning Platters

Show Review: Broken Bells with The Morning Benders at The Regency Ballroom, 5/21/10

brokenbells3 — Broken Bells are to be taken seriously

Long live the super group. Established producer Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) and his musical pal, James Mercer of The Shins, made their way to the Grand Ballroom in San Francisco Friday night to showcase their new experiment, Broken Bells. After what seems to have been the season of all star groups such as Them Crooked Vultures and Atoms for Peace, did this long anticipated show live up to all its hype? Continue reading “Show Review: Broken Bells with The Morning Benders at The Regency Ballroom, 5/21/10”

Show Review: Keith Emerson and Greg Lake at The Regency Ballroom, 4/26/10

Moog — The most photographed keyboard setup in the history of the world?

Before the show even started, and long after it ended, fans were gathered around the stage to take photographs of the famous synthesizer on stage at The Regency Ballroom on Monday night. This is the actual synthesizer that was used on “Lucky Man,” the classic track by Emerson Lake & Palmer that both kicked off their career and ended this concert. That prog nerds (like me; I was taking a photo, too) worship equipment is well known, but what about the people playing it? What about Emerson Lake & … well … nobody?

Continue reading “Show Review: Keith Emerson and Greg Lake at The Regency Ballroom, 4/26/10”

Show Review: Styx at the Regency Ballroom, 1/17/10

Styx gets a bad rap. They’re one of those punch-line bands that people claim to like ironically. This is both unfair and stupid. There’s a subset of great classic rock bands that are being kept out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for having the gall to be too popular. Along with Journey, Kiss, Rush, Boston and Chicago, it seems that success and longevity have worked against them. No matter, though, because an evening with Styx is what rock n’ roll is really all about. Continue reading “Show Review: Styx at the Regency Ballroom, 1/17/10”

Show Review: The Gossip and MEN at The Regency Ballroom, 10/25/09

Can I take a nap instead of writing this review? Believe it or not, that’s a complement to last night’s show by The Gossip. I’m exhausted and that’s often the most tell-tale way for me to know I had fun at a show. Continue reading “Show Review: The Gossip and MEN at The Regency Ballroom, 10/25/09”

(Secret) Show Review: Weezer and Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head at The Regency Ballroom, 10/21/09

Rivers is excited to be wearing this jacket

The thing about secret shows is that they never stay secret for long, especially when they are produced by organizations like MySpace that harness the power of the blabbermouths. I was fortunate enough to hear about Weezer’s appearance the day before, but most importantly, I didn’t have to work the next day so it left with the whole afternoon to stand in line. Continue reading “(Secret) Show Review: Weezer and Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head at The Regency Ballroom, 10/21/09”

Show Review: Fever Ray at The Regency Center

Fever Ray

A friend of mine and I were having a discussion about what makes a show a “good” show, or a “great” show, and what makes for an “incredible” show. We came to the following consensus: a “good” or “great” show is one you go to because you know and love the band, and you will be there to sing every note of their songs until your throat is hoarse. An “incredible” show may include elements of a “great” show, but more often than not, it will be more than 50% surprise and unexpectedness; it’s even more incredible when it is able to knock even the casual listener off their feet.

So, to preface this review: Fever Ray gave an incredible performance. Continue reading “Show Review: Fever Ray at The Regency Center”

Show Review: Living Colour and Fishbone at The Regency Center, 9/25/09

Corey Glover is dressed like a serial killer because he murdered it.

Seeing Living Colour and Fishbone on the same bill is my 1991 fever dream. Put Primus on there, too, and I may have passed out from excitement. As it is, I was pretty darned excited to be seeing these bands together. While I’d seen Living Colour a couple of times recently, I hadn’t checked in on Fishbone for more than a dozen years. I was ready for a loud funky night in the city. Continue reading “Show Review: Living Colour and Fishbone at The Regency Center, 9/25/09”