Why Isn’t Chris von Sneidern Famous?
October 23, 2009
Why Isn’t Chris von Sneidern Famous? – Trailer
Why Isn’t Chris von Sneidern Famous? is the titular question posed by a 2009 documentary showing as part of this weekend’s Cinema by the Bay festival. According to the fest:
Why do some artists garner mass adulation while others remain only cult heroes? Director Kathleen McNamara attempts to answer these questions in the aptly named, intimate portrait Why Isn’t Chris von Sneidern Famous? After hearing von Sneidern—known to his followers as CVS—perform at Mission District hotspot Bruno’s, McNamara began her quest, ultimately following CVS for four years, capturing candid and funny interviews and engaging performances. Her film doesn’t shy away from the poignant questions of offstage life, as CVS confronts middle age and attempts to reconcile his current station with the grand visions he and others continue to hold for him, even as dreams of rock and roll stardom begin to slip away.
The film is showing at the Landmark’s Clay Theatre on Saturday, October 24 at 6:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
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Important Hearing on SF Nightlife on Monday!
October 23, 2009
On Monday, October 26th at 1pm in Room 263 of City Hall, a San Francisco Board of Supervisors committee will be hearing legislation to expand the powers of the San Francisco Entertainment Commission. This isn’t the sort of thing we normally write about here, but it’s an important development and there are ways you can help.
Here’s some more background info from some Entertainment Commission supporters:
The Entertainment Commission (“EC”) was created in 2002 to take responsibility for the granting and oversight of Entertainment and Late Night permits. Before the EC, the granting, oversight and enforcement of these permits were all done by the police. Separating the authority was seen as a way to give citizen stakeholders a place in the decisions around entertainment. Enforcement remained with the Police and the granting and oversight was given to the EC.
Two years ago the Mayor’s office and the EC convened a “Nighttime Safety Summit†to hear recommendations from the entertainment community and the Police Department on how to strengthen the role of the EC in rewarding well managed venues and disciplining problem venues that were making the industry look bad. The legislation that is being heard on Monday the 26th comes from that summit and will give the EC emergency suspension powers to more quickly address a problem venue and the ability to write infraction tickets for lesser offences, like poorly managed lines in front to a venue or repeatedly leaving the door open causing a noise disturbance.
From where we sit, giving the Entertainment Commission more discretion to deal with club problems in a swifter, more dynamic manner seems like a no-brainer. Obviously, this change won’t completely solve the ongoing issues facing SF clubs, but, to us, it’s a common sense step in the right direction. More flexible power, entrusted to people charged with fostering SF’s entertainment culture, would be a welcome alternative to the heavy-handed use of lawsuits and club shutdowns that are all too commonplace.
We strongly encourage people to attend Monday’s meeting and voice their concerns about the need to protect and develop San Francisco’s nightlife. If you can’t attend, we’d also encourage e-mails to the Mayor and to members of the Board committee that will be hearing the legislation. Some standard talking points and details about who to e-mail are below.
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Why? and friends @ GAMH 10/17
October 23, 2009
Despite the festivities happening over at Treasure Island on Saturday the 17th, Serengeti & Polyphonic. The music was an interesting mix of dubstep/techno and hip-hop. They definitely had a sound that was unique and had a pretty solid crowd dancing along. Serengeti, who did all the singing, has great stage presence and danced and writhed as he spit lyrics, while Polyphonic deftly handled the electronic side of things.
AU (pronounced “Ay-youâ€) was up next and they brought something completely different to the stage. Dana Valatka is an exceptional drummer, pulling all kinds of tricks out of his bag and keeping the tempo with intricate polyrhythms that boggled the ears. Bandleader Luke Wyland kept up in fine style, banging out melodies on the keyboard and singing over everything. You can tell that no two shows are the same with these guys, as the songs seem to lend themselves to improvisation and reinterpretation.
As the night wore on the crowd got denser, the fabled Phil Elevrum of Mount Eerie took the stage. If one wanted to characterize this night as eclectic they need look no further than Mount Eerie’s place on the bill. I thought it was brilliant. What better way to counterpoint something so bombastic and lyrical as Why? than with the pastoral, distant sound of Elverum and company?
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Weekend Mix: 10/22-25
October 22, 2009
Thursday: Neil Morgan, Helene Renaut, Chloe Makes Music @ Bluesix (9pm)
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Chloe Makes Music – “Live at the Red Vic”
Friday: These Are Powers, Mi Ami, Gowns @ The Knockout (9:30pm)
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Mi Ami – “New Guitar”
Saturday: Stirling Says, Finest Dearest, System and Station @ Hemlock (9:30pm, $7)
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Finest Dearest – “Pendulum”
Rykarda Parasol (CD Release), Nero Nava, Murder of Lilies @ Cafe Du Nord (9pm, $12)
Sunday: Budget Rock Fest Presents Gris Gris, Thee Oh Sees, Dan Melchior Und Das Menace, The Fresh & Onlys @ Bottom of the Hill (9pm, $10)
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The Fresh & Onlys – “Invisible Forces”
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Budget Rock 8 begins today
October 22, 2009
Budget Rock 8 kicks off today, with shows at The Eagle, Thee Parkside, and Bottom of the Hill over the next four days. The festival features a bunch of the Bay’s best garage-influenced groups, including two reunion performances by The Mummies, who were pioneering lo-fi garage punk in the early ’90s. Head to Budget Rock’s MySpace page for more details, and check out some songs by some of our picks below: [More...]
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Phil Crumar and the Wonderfuls @ Makeout Room tonight
October 22, 2009
On his myspace page, singer/songwriter/rapper Phil Crumar lists Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy, early Police (see “not nearly as creepy as Sting playing overlong by himself; see also “extremely tired jokes”), and The Clash on the influence tab. Dag. Here’s a tip. Dig for yourself whether or not this white boy brings, or brings not, the gift of gab out his DC bag. We’re talking about live hip hop, people. Mixed with rock and jazz. Horns and shit! . . . Yeah.
Chances are pretty good he’ll be on his game tonight at the Makeout Room (7:30pm, $7). Anyway, the man keeps righteous company: Kristin Sobditch, famed keyboardist for the now defunct and sorely missed Little Fuzzy, and vocalist/guitarist for SF’s own The Hollyhocks, will be thumping bass for Crumar, a thoroughly hybrid affair it shall prove to be. We all know where the Makeout Room’s at, yes? Inca Silver to open.
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Phil Crumar and the Wonderfuls – “So Delighted”
“He’s gots hits from side to side like a Maryland blue crab”
– Phil Crumar
“He’ll take you back like Absolom Jones?”
— Chris DeMento
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The Dont’s, Finn Riggins at the Hemlock Tavern
October 21, 2009
Thursday night, Idaho indie rockers Finn Riggins join The Dont’s and Total Hound at the Hemlock Tavern (9pm, $6). The band’s fourth album, Vs. Wilderness, came out last week, and they really blew us away at the El Rio Fourth of July show. If you like art-pop with a touch of prog, do check them out, as their relentless touring suggests that they’re on their way to the big time. To wit: in November, they’ll be heading out with fellow statesmen Built to Spill.
Thursday’s show is also poised to be the last Dont’s show of the year, as the band is also putting the finishing touches on a new album. Did you hear the new song we premiered in our Live This Month podcast earlier in October? It’s seriously good stuff.
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Photos: 2009 Treasure Island Music Festival
October 21, 2009
