Tag: San Francisco

Show Review: The Noisettes, Princeton at The Rickshaw Stop, 7/28/09

The bass drum is the world's most perfect foot rest.
The bass drum is the world's most perfect foot rest.

The last time I saw The Noisettes, they were opening for TV On The Radio at The Fillmore in early 2007.  They played a solid set of soul-inflected garage rock, similar to The Dirtbombs and The Detroit Cobras, only a touch noisier.  They were also very shy on stage.  They didn’t talk to the crowd, and stayed pretty reserved throughout the set.  Two years, and several UK hits later,  we have a completely re-identified band.

Continue reading “Show Review: The Noisettes, Princeton at The Rickshaw Stop, 7/28/09”

Show Review: Jay Brannan at Bottom of the Hill, 7/25/09

Witness the death of Jay Brannan's kashaka during his a capella version of Blowin' In The Wind
Witness the death of Jay Brannan's kashaka during his a capella version of Blowin' In The Wind

Jay Brannan has the kind of voice you dream of at night.  Silky smooth and beautiful.  My first voice teacher used to prod me to imagine a string, and while singing you’re slowly pulling the string out of your throat in this smooth never ending line.  That’s what Jay Brannan sounds like, that elusive smooth perfect voice flowing on and on into the night.  He backs that voice of his up with some great songs, good guitar playing, hilarious stage banter and a whole lot of hotness.  

Continue reading “Show Review: Jay Brannan at Bottom of the Hill, 7/25/09”

Show Review: La Roux, io echo at Cafe du Nord, July 22nd

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The secret to this hairdo? 1 part mousse, 1 part hairspray, 1 part gel, 1 part wax, and a mysterious secret ingredient that she wouldn't give me...

In this economy, it’s rare for shows to sell out, especially well in advance. Even some of the most hyped acts are playing to 2/3 empty rooms.  So how did La Roux sell out Cafe du Nord so far in advance? Was it based on Glastonbury reports? Is it her sophisticated style and well crafted hooks? Or was it the $12 ticket price? Continue reading “Show Review: La Roux, io echo at Cafe du Nord, July 22nd”

PJ Harvey and John Parish at The Warfield, 6/19/09

The spotlight was on PJ for much of the night, as seen in this shot.
The spotlight was on PJ for much of the night, as seen in this shot.

It’s been almost five years since PJ Harvey has graced San Francisco with her electric energy.  Without a tour in the States for her previous release, “White Chalk,” the barest and probably quietest of all her records, she reemerged alongside old writing mate John Parish, with guns blazing and a fire simmering in the belly. Continue reading “PJ Harvey and John Parish at The Warfield, 6/19/09”

Bat for Lashes at the Great American Music Hall, 6/13/09

The Great American stage dressed up fancy. Thanks to Flickr user smazurov for sharing.
The Great American stage dressed up fancy. Thanks to Flickr user smazurov for sharing.

It’s pretty easy to see why this show was so sold out.  Bjork and Radiohead endorsements aside, people always seem interested by an artist who opens up a portal into a construct they can deeply explore.  Natasha Khan who is, Bat For Lashes, carries you into her songs in the same way an author submerges readers into the lush world of their own creation.  Full of fairies, birds, ghosts and howling wolves, her thoughtful and refreshingly imaginative music invites you into a world you’re not sure she discovered, envisioned, or simply grew up in. Continue reading “Bat for Lashes at the Great American Music Hall, 6/13/09”

Patrick Wolf at Slim’s, 6/8/09

Red Jacket
Patrick looks a wee bit evil here.

Describing Patrick Wolf is hard. I was just asked, “what kind of music is he?” I did not have a quick answer. I hemmed and hawed. I know I like it, and I know it should make for an interesting live show, so there I was at Slim’s on a Monday night seeing the Nylon Summer Tour with headliner Patrick Wolf. Little I did know how crazy the night would actually get. Continue reading “Patrick Wolf at Slim’s, 6/8/09”

Queensryche at The Fillmore, 6/4/09

One more time around is all he asks for now.
One more time around is all he asks for now.

In Queensryche’s heyday, they were an awesome force of a band.  Geoff Tate was an absolute beast, a singer with an incredible voice and an incredible range.  The twin lead guitars of Michael Wilton and Chris Degarmo alternated heavy riffs and bright solos with the greatest of ease.  And the solid, spectacular rhythm section of Eddie Jackson and Scott Rockenfield carried the whole thing forward with fierce momentum.  That was 1990 or so.  This is 2009.  What are they like now? Continue reading “Queensryche at The Fillmore, 6/4/09”

Jens Lekman at Bottom of the Hill, 6/2/09

Was Jens Lekman as serious as I expected?
Was Jens Lekman as serious as I expected?

For some reason, I thought Jens Lekman would be very serious.  I’m not sure why I thought this, but I assumed he’d stand up at his microphone, quietly singing his songs by himself.  So I was more than pleasantly surprised to see him dancing happily along with his 5-piece band right from the very beginning of the show.  He had a smile pasted on his face the whole time, and so did I. Continue reading “Jens Lekman at Bottom of the Hill, 6/2/09”

This Week In Shows That We Think You Will Enjoy

Animal Collective Will Be Playing At The Fox Theater In Oakland
Animal Collective Will Be Playing At The Fox Theater In Oakland

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Dredg at Great American Music Hall, 5/19/09

This photo from a different show pictures the agressive cellist. Thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/drop_dead_ed/ for the photo.
This photo from a different show pictures the agressive cellist. Thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/drop_dead_ed/ for the photo.

Dredg was nice enough to schedule two hometown shows on their tour with Torche and Judgement Day.  Because of this, neither one sold out and I was able to go to the show at the Great American Music Hall.  Hometown shows are usually great because the band will play longer and bring a lot more energy into it.  So how did this one stack up? Continue reading “Dredg at Great American Music Hall, 5/19/09”