New Oakland-based label Guitars & Bongos – first release engineered by Greg Ashley
January 31, 2012
If you see a lot of live music in the Bay Area you certainly have encountered Eran Yarkon. Eran is from Israel but moved here in 1999. The Bay Area live music scene has no fan more dedicated. The guy has his finger on the pulse so to speak. Eran turned me on to Monotonix (from Tel Aviv) and their performances at Treasure Island 2010 and the Rickshaw in January 2011 were truly legendary. Eran is a laid back, friendly guy that seems to know everyone. It should be no surprise (except to himself perhaps) that he recently created his own record label – Guitars & Bongos. [More...]
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The Midnight Snackers release ‘Sudden Death’ EP recorded in 72 hours
January 31, 2012
Over one weekend this past summer San Francisco garage group Midnight Snackers locked themselves into the studio, and just 72 hours or so later, came out with their second EP Sudden Death.
The paradoxical concept of wanting to spark total creative freedom through implementing strict constraints lead the band to create the album in a short span of time. Their mission was to avoid the post-editing process and come out with something organic and unadulterated.
In a press release for the new record, the band’s singer Dylan Haas describes what his thoughts were going into recording:
Really, I just wanted to see what kind of music we would make if we were completely strung out on sleeplessness and pharmaceuticals, like the way people lose their shit when they’re stuck in a car together for 12 hours.
Sudden Death is a solid release showing the diversity the Midnight Snackers brings to a saturated Bay Area garage market. The album is available for download on the group’s Bandcamp.
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Photos: Two Sheds, Sands @ Amnesia 1/27/12
January 31, 2012
Last Friday, friends gathered at Amnesia for a rare performance from Sacramento’s husband-and-wife duo Two Sheds, who pulled together a full band including Sea of Bees guitarist/vocalist Amber and Chris Larsen, a Sacramento musician (founder of Buildings Breeding), who successfully met his fundraising goal to release his first solo recording under the moniker Flowerss.
Two Sheds opened for local pysch-folk band Sands, who invited Caitlyn Gutenberger of Two Sheds up on stage for a number.
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Review & Photos: Kids on a Crime Spree, Bad Bibles, Adios Amigo @ The Hemlock 1/27/12
January 31, 2012
The stage at last Friday night’s show at the Hemlock hosted an eclectic motley crew of understated indie crooners, confrontational post punk performers, and fuzzed-out pop embraces.
The night began with Adios Amigo, which features Johnny Major from another Spanish-named band, Il Gato. Their music is more low-key than in your face, with subtle crescendos and washed out three-part vocal harmonies. It’s the perfect music for the end of a day at the beach, when the late afternoon sun pales everything to a light golden hue. If that is your thing, their new album is available for a free download here. [More...]
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Video premiere: Future Twin – “Summer Song”; album release party Thursday 2/2/12 at Hemlock
January 31, 2012
Behold, the latest video from Future Twin for “Summer Song.” The video is one continuous shot of Jean Yaste, Future Twin’s singer/guitarist/bandleader, playing an acoustic version of a song called “Summer Song” in a very San Francisco-lookin’ backyard. The video was shot out in the wild by Adam Shaening-Pokrasso of 12 Frames Per Second and Heidy Petty of Yours Truly.
If you enjoy the video, make sure to catch them live for their EP release party at the Hemlock this Thursday with Exray’s and Death Cheetah (9pm, $6). The Situation EP is Future Twin’s first studio album, and was produced by Jon Bernson of Exray’s. There’s a show flyer that is nearly as gorgeous as the video above after the jump, as well as a video about the inspiration behind “Summer Song”.
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Oakland rockers B. Hamilton launch Kickstarter campaign
January 30, 2012
Originally self-released in November of 2011 as a free download, Oakland rock-and-rollers B. Hamilton are now looking to release their full-length Everything I Own Is Broken on vinyl through Kickstarter. Check out the campaign here.
With 5 days remaining, the band is about $650 short of their $2000 goal. Since pledges of $15 or more receive a copy of the vinyl, it’s a win-win situation — buyers get an awesome local rock record for $15 and B. Hamilton earn a well-deserved (albeit probably small) paycheck for their efforts. Bonus points: Anyone who donates a dollar or more will have their name pressed on the record.
According to the band, pledges over $100 will get a copy of the record “plus we’ll take you out for a night on the town, give you whatever merchandise we make in the near future, and give you a bunch of synthetic hair.”
Sounds like a deal to us. Don’t forget that you can stream (or download) Everything I Own Is Broken and enjoy B. Hamilton‘s bluesy rock before you buy. Try standout track “Turn Out The Lights” for some foot-stomping bass-heavy rock (and forget about the Black Keys for awhile):
Or check out this quality video of the band playing the C.A.M.P. festival in Guerneville.
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1-2-3-4-Go! Records’ King Lollipop coloring contest
January 30, 2012
Previously only available on cassette, Cody from Shannon and the Clams, a.k.a. King Lollipop‘s LP release of Woodland Whoopee Songs of Ol’ Callowhee! has officially hit the shelves, with a limited number of red vinyl pressed in addition to black. 1-2-3-4-Go! Records is giving away one of the five red vinyl test pressings to a lucky winner.
To enter, color the insert included in Woodland Woopie Songs, or a photo copy of it, and email a picture showing how well you can stay inside the lines (or not) to store@1234gorecords.com by February 13. The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day. You can also snail mail your entry to 1-2-3-4 Go! Records at 420 40th Street #5 Oakland, CA 94609, just so long as it gets there by the deadline.
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Snob Theater at SF Sketchfest, January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Local music-and-comedy show Snob Theater is hosting a night of laughs on January 31st at the Eureka Theater for this year’s SF Sketchfest. Produced and hosted by San Francisco comedian Shawn Robbins, Snob Theater places indie rock bands and comedians onstage together with intriguing results.
San Francisco’s own indie rock group Still Flyin’ are the musical guest (fun fact: two of the band’s songs were recently played on The Office “Pool Party” episode). Featured comedians include Chris Fairbanks (Fuel.TV, Comedy Central), Sheng Wang (Comedy Central), and Coree Spencer (Comedian on Comedian interviews). Tickets are $15, pre-order here.
We asked Mr. Robbins to recommend a few shows for readers to check out before the festival ends on Feb. 4. Read his thoughts below (after the jump): [More...]
