Review & Photos: Hella fun rock tribute night, with the Minks, Jean Genies and Total B.S. @ The Starry Plough, 9/23/11
September 27, 2011
Why didn’t anyone tell me that SF had an all female Kinks cover band?! Well actually the bass player is a dude, but regardless the Minks stole the show. The pregnant singer loves her some Kinks and it comes through in her inspired vocals. The guitarist reminds me of the late, great Lydia Mendoza with a laid back intensity and some seriously funky guitar work. Minks covered the Kinks katalog from 1964′s “Stop Your Sobbing” to 1983′s “Come Dancing”, but more importantly they picked some shiny gems from along the way. “Picture Book” (from the amazing The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society) stood out. There was also a fantastic shout along to “Dead End Street”. Unfortunately they overlooked my favorite Kinks record, Muswell Hillbillies, despite our screams of protest. For the upcoming show at the Red Devil Lounge on Friday Nov 25 (mid turkey weekend) I’d love to see a cover of “Alcohol”, fuck I’d accept anything off that masterpiece. The singer should be quite pregnant by then! Be there.
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Elvis Christ – “Wild at Heart”
September 26, 2011
Oakland’s Elvis Christ will be releasing the band’s debut 7″ on 1-2-3-4 Go! Records soon, and “Wild at Heart” is upbeat garage pop with an endearing sentiment: “I’m wild at heart, but I’m doing the best I can.” Says the label:
Rock’n'roll savior from the heavens below! EC is the rotten lo-fi rock’n'roll brainchild of Jason Testasecca. JT is half of “Mandy & Jason” who’s tape you may have heard from Burger Records, a touring member of the Nobunny band in various roles at various times and recording engineer to the stars (Midnight Snaxxx, Goochi Boiz and many others). Get in this golden chariot and ride to salvation.
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Phantom Kicks remix “Sophia in Gold” by Letting Up Despite Great Faults
September 26, 2011
Sophia in Gold (Phantom Kicks Remix) by Phantom Kicks
Phantom Kicks have remixed “Sophia in Gold,” originally a song by Letting Up Despite Great Faults. Here’s a little insight on how this collaboration came about, straight from Phantom Kicks’ guitarist Tanner Pikop:
We have been in touch with LA’s Letting Up Despite Great Faults ever since we played The Rumble with them in February and as they were preparing to release their EP, Paper Crush at the beginning of August, they asked if we were interested in remixing one of the tracks. Once I finally got around to it, I took their upbeat, keyboard driven indie pop song, “Sophia In Gold,” and turned it into a sultry jam overflowing with sparkling guitars, fit for the boudoir.
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Mwahaha – “Sleep Deep”
September 26, 2011
Mwahaha — featuring three former members of Ned and currently accompanied by James Murphy of White Cloud on drums — just released a second new song from the band’s upcoming self-titled album, which comes out December 4th. Mwahaha’s part of a great all-local bill at El Rio on Saturday, October 15th, with Bad Bibles and Mist Giant. You can also find out more about the new band via this East Bay Express profile.
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Video: tUnE-yArDs – “Gangsta”
September 26, 2011
Merrill Garbus directed this tour-hijinks-filled new video for tUnE-yArDs’ “Gangsta.” A reminder that the band arrives back in SF for a performance at the Regency Ballroom on November 23rd. Tickets are on-sale now. (Via Pitchfork)
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Review & Photos: Mama Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, with Uzi Rash, Dikes of Holland and Battle Stations, 9/22/11
September 26, 2011
Dikes of Holland
Hatz off to Oakland’s Mama Buzz cafe. For tonite she brought the goodz. Fuck 1st Fridays, here’s to 4th Thursdays. 3 great bands, Lagunitas IPA, and a killer patio. Music 4 or 5 nights a week, and a hella-fine looking menu!
Battle Stations
Battle Stations opened. They hail from Seattle and might just be Washington’s answer to Uzi Rash (and I mean that in the best of ways). They tell me they closed the set with “I put a spell on you” but I’m not so sure… I felt a little Joy Division in the air, but not overtly so. Speaking of which, I wish Peter Hook would actually play his bass (as hard as he tried to be Ian Curtis last week at Mezzanine – and a nice job at that – it was sad to see that bass dangling around his neck untouched). Battle Stations possess warm, cheezy keyboards and screamy passionate vocals. Good stuff.
Austin’s Dikes of Holland took the middle slot. I’ve been hunting these guys down for 6 months and finally got ‘em where I want ‘em. A room with 20 people feels just right. They swapped vocals, instruments and sweat. The drummer was sportin’ a Fungi Girls shirt! Clearly these guys know what’s what. The myspace offers 16(!) tasty tracks. Check ‘em out. And get yer hotel room for SxSW while yer at it (it’s less than 6 months off!).
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RSVP for SF Mayoral Candidates Forum at The Fillmore on 10/3/11!
September 23, 2011
On Monday, October 3rd, join us at The Fillmore from 6-9pm for a free Recording Academy/CMAC-hosted forum featuring candidates for Mayor of San Francisco discussing music and nightlife-related issues. In addition to the forum, there will also be performances by Bob Mould and Zoë Keating!
Again, attendance is free, but you have to RSVP here.
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Saturday Secret Show: Melted Toys, Lilac, Talk Normal + Special Guest
September 23, 2011
This Saturday, Different Fur Studios is hosting an extra secret, extra special performance happening in an extra secret alley somewhere in the Mission. Joining Melted Toys, Lilac, and Talk Normal (Brooklyn), will be a fourth secret performer. Follow us on Twitter and we’ll reveal who that band is once they go on!
Melted Toys, “Rose Again” by The FADER
