The Bam Team

SF Shows of the Week // GO4FREE to Ghostface Killah, EOTO or Dream Police

December 4, 2014 by The Bam Team 1 Comment

Written by Josh Herwitt & Scotland Miller //

Win a pair of free tickets to one of our SF Shows of the Week by entering your name and email below.

• EOTO: December 5th (FRI) @ The Independent
• Dream Police: December 6th (SAT) @ Brick and Mortar Music Hall & December 7th (SUN) @ Leo’s Music Club
• Ghostface Killah: December 7th (SUN) @ The Independent

EOTO: December 5th (FRI) @ The Independent // BUY TICKETS
The livetronic side project made up of two String Cheese Incident members — multi-instrumentalist Michael Travis and drummer/percussionist Jason Hann — returns to The Independent for a Friday night headlining slot as part of their nine-date “Outer Orbit” mini-tour during a busy two-week stretch. Travis, who incorporates keyboards, bass, guitar and vocals into EOTO’s songs, and Hann haven’t actually released a studio album in five years, but they’ve come to be known as two serious road warriors, having gone on to play more than 100 shows a year since forming in 2006. If you want to groove your way into the weekend, The Independent is where you’ll want to spend your Friday night this week. -JH

Contest ends Friday, December 5th at Noon.

Dream Police: December 6th (SAT) @ Brick and Mortar Music Hall and December 7th (SUN) @ Leo’s Music Club // BUY TICKETS (Brick and Mortar show) // BUY TICKETS (Leo’s show)
Dream Police will be on patrol for this weekend in the Bay Area starting on Saturday night at Brick and Mortar in SF and then at Leo’s Music Club in Oakland on Sunday. Serving as a cauldron of sonic leftovers from their main project The Men, Nick Chiericozzi and Mark Perro released an LP earlier this year by the name of Hypnotized. Care to bounce around to some psychedelic electro-dance rock? -SM

Contest ends Friday, December 5th at Noon.

Ghostface Killah: December 7th (SUN) @ The Independent // BUY TICKETS
OG member of The Wu-Tang Clan Dennis Cole, aka Ghostface Killah, aka Tony Starks, aka Starky Love, aka Ghostdini, aka The Wallabee Kingpin is out on tour in support of his new album (and accompanying comic?!) entitled 36 Seasons. It is an exciting time for fans of the Wu, as they are preparing to once again deliver an undoubtedly masterful album called A Better Tomorrow. Drop by The Independent and get your lean on with the Bam Fam on Sunday night. -SM

Contest ends Friday, December 5th at Noon.

Pick the show you would like to attend from the dropdown, then enter your name (First and Last) along with your email. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: Brick and Mortar Music Hall, Dream Police, EOTO, Ghostface Killah, Leo's Music Club, SF Shows of the Week, The Independent, The Men, The String Cheese Incident, Wu Tang Clan

The 25 best live music acts of 2014

December 2, 2014 by The Bam Team 6 Comments

It’s that palpable sense of excitement in the crowd, how musicians can seize the moment and make you feel something unexpected or enlightening. Being able to connect with music through a collective experience is breathtaking when it happens, especially when you can tell fellow fans (and sometimes the artists themselves) are affected similarly. Nothing beats a transformative show that takes you to another place — or one that just fucking rocks.

Showbams covered many excellent bands, musicians and DJs throughout 2014 — the following 25 acts are our favorite live performers of the year.

Showbams’ Top 50 Albums of 2014
The Bam Team’s 5 Favorite Shows, Albums & Songs of 2014

Listen to The Bam Team’s favorite songs of 2014:

25. Sylvan Esso

Singer Amelia Meath’s voice sparkles with the tone of Feist and the intonation of Regina Spektor, while Nick Sanborn’s live production hits the sweat spot of trending sound in 2014 — the wobbles and looping vocals are somehow familiar and fresh all at once. -Mike Frash, photo by James Nagel

24. Fucked Up

Now, it’s hard to not say that [Damian] Abraham is the show here. Not only because he is a musical madman who would rather be in the pit with his fans than on the stage with his longtime band, but also because frankly, the rest of the band seemed aloof at times. Sure, all but one help in the vocal department, but trying to compete for attention with Abraham would be a futile effort. The frontman, now shirtless (which is tradition), was cruising all over The Indy like a whirlwind. First, he was up in the seats on house right, and the next thing you know, he is having a full-blown mock-luchadore wrestling match with a fan in front of the stage. I kid you not. -Kevin Quandt, photo by Pedro Paredes

23. Parquet Courts

Andrew Savage and his newly-grown Sideshow Bob-esque afro couldn’t help but remark on the younger members of the crowd having the time of their life; “Sure like watching you boys move around out there,” he stated with a smirk. “Stoned and Starving” was oddly missing from the night’s set, possibly a product of not being awarded the headlining set on this night. Whatever, Parquet Courts don’t give a fuck. -Kevin Quandt, photo by Kory Thibeault

22. Disclosure

It was refreshing to witness intelligent dance music prospering, playing to an enthusiastic & packed Greek Theater Berkeley for the first ever “Wild Life”. Disclosure are revamping contemporary dance music by repurposing past elements into poppy, progressive packages, which is consequently influencing mainstream music in a meaningful way. -Mike Frash, photo by Sam Heller

21. Blood Orange

Dev Hynes and company gifted us with a performance abundant in groove and energy. The crowd intensity quickly translated from the stage onto the entire venue, with the London-native acting as the master of ceremony, surrounded by talent. Samantha Urbani’s (Friends singer and Hynes’ girlfriend) vocals on “It is What It Is” were beautiful and hypnotic, and put the audience in a soothing stage that was only broken when Dev Hynes decided to bring the house down with an explosive version of “Uncle Ace”. -Pedro Paredes, photo by Pedro Paredes

20. Deerhoof

The ever evolving musical dialect that Deerhoof have created for them, and them alone is a big takeaway. The four members share a vernacular on stage that only they speak. Greg Saunier’ musical training allow him to ebb and flow with the other members on stage; never playing over Satomi’s dainty vocals while allowing Dietrich to expand on his freakish chords. -Kevin Quandt, photo by Greg RaMar

19. Rubblebucket

It should be stated that Kalmia Traver is one of the best frontwoman in the business. She truly is the full package as she sings with a rigorous passion, dances joyously, plays baritone sax and wins the adoration of nearly every member of the audience. Her dedication is refreshing and infectious. The group’s sound has evolved to a more varied palette as comparisons to Arcade Fire could begin to fester in one’s mind. -Kevin Quandt, photo by Kory Thibeault

18. Volcano Choir

It was the minimalist songs, complimented by reverent crowd silence and attention, that were the memorable highlights…attempts at discovering new sound spaces is an absolute success for Volcano Choir, making Bon Iver seem almost boring in retrospect. It’s understandable why Vernon said this might be his new band — Vernon’s claim to fame almost seems superfluous now. -Mike Frash, photo by Chaya Frash

17. Connan Mockasin

It’s about time that the US markets pay a little more attention to this dream-psych export that has made waves in a handful of international markets, and for good reason. Sure, the likes of Ariel Pink and Animal Collective are hailed as gods in the genre, but Connan has something a little more unique to offer us. -Kevin Quandt, photo by Pedro Paredes

16. Sun Kil Moon

Before launching into “I Watched the Film The Song Remains the Same”, something rather extraordinary happened. He looked at a young male fan in the front and asked why he had headphones on his head. Then Kozelek forcefully stated, “You look like a fucking douchebag”, filling the venue with tension and a bit of laughter. This happened right before playing a track about coming to terms with once bullying a kid on the playground in his youth. In the song he discusses the incident, “though I grinned, deep inside I was hurting.” It appears this whole incident was a creative, effective way to foreshadow and show his contradictory nature, as opposed to him being horribly passive aggressive. -Mike Frash, Photo Courtesy of Sun Kil Moon

15. Sharon Van Etten

Despite her songs being so often daunting and bleak in nature, Van Etten was able to break up the heaviness with the levity of her between song banter. One crowd member shouted to Van Etten that she should do standup comedy, to which Van Etten responded, “So you’re saying my music career is over,” to even more laughter…Songs from her new release are much fuller in comparison to earlier Van Etten offerings and the benefit was instantly felt when performed with her talented band. -Mark E. Ortega, photo by Pedro Paredes

14. The National

Grown to be more comfortable with themselves, poised and energetic with precise control, The National’s music is more accessible and impactful than ever before, and the group is pulling it off in front of the biggest audiences of their career. Slowly winning over fans for 15 years, The National have earned it. -Mike Frash, photo by James Nagel

13. Flume

In the past year, Flume’s set has become more sophisticated, led by a restrained approach that intermingles hip-hop, trap, R&B and rap. The drops are inverted in their intensity compared to traditional EDM, offering slight delays and unpredictable syncopation…his ability to curate a festival-sized mega party cannot be questioned at this point. Fortune favors the bold. -Mike Frash, photo by Josh Herwitt

12. Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams impressed this year with sets laced full of cuts from his remarkable self-titled album, his 14th and newest. At his headlining show at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Adams transitioned his endearing goof-spaz stage banter into an impromptu gem of a song revolving around a someone holding balloons in the back of the show taking place in Golden Gate Park. -Mike Frash, photo by Pedro Paredes

11. OutKast

OutKast was the reunion tour of the year, hitting a festival in nearly every region of the world. While Big Boi is the consistent, poised professional day after day, his partner André 3000 a bit of a wildcard, as we all witnessed as he turned his back on Coachella audience on opening night. But Dré’s rhymes were clean and on point as he sported a jumpsuit that told you how he really felt night to night. -Mike Frash, photo by Marc Fong

10. Future Islands

Sam Herring is in no rush, and he takes it slow while the bass line marks a steady beat. He wants the people not just to feel, but to listen as well, and he takes time to give some context before commencing a new song.It became clear that Herring is all about making a connection with the audience…his style seems to draw inspiration from multiple sources, and I can’t help but to be reminded of the insane intensity of Ian Curtis, the shamanic charisma of Jim Morrison, and the storytelling skills of Johnny Cash. -Pedro Paredes, photo by Pedro Paredes

9. DARKSIDE

Simmering melodic-based atmosphere moved to dramatic slow-builds, and Nicolas Jaar would introduce a track along the way — all while creating tension. Then well-deserved bass drops revealed themselves in both sneaky and progressive ways, establishing a prolonged release in the form of the crowd losing their shit to four on the floor house beats and body-shaking bass…One of the most memorable transitions came deep into “Paper Trails” when the drop developed over four quick beats in a measure, from no bass to full on bass domination. It was a striking example of Jaar’s original, crafty abilities in the moment. -Mike Frash, Photo by James Nagel

8. tUnE-yArDs

Driven by percussion, vocals and ecstatic hyperactivity, tUnE-yArDs win with a lighthearted, quirky mentality that skewers conformity…this show had all the indications of an essential live performance; the music was thoroughly impacting, and the crowd was completely immersed and wide-eyed throughout, taking in tUnE-yArDs’ breathtaking sonic concoctions. -Mike Frash, photo by Pedro Paredes

7. Mac Demarco

DeMarco’s fans screamed in sheer delight as he transformed himself into some sort of pop-slacker, earning hoots and howls from a bevy of females in the crowd. His rise to King Weirdo status has been swift, and it’s been for good reason. His likeability, coupled with his unique playing style, is pretty damned infectious, after all. -Kevin Quandt, photo by Pedro Paredes

6. Arcade Fire

Throughout the Reflektor tour, Arcade Fire premiered a new cover each night. For example, halfway through their epic Coachella set, the band broke into the opening notes of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass”, only to be joined by Debbie Harry of Blondie fame for this full rendition. Arcade Fire successfully cultivated a party atmosphere, adding to the high level of revelry already there. -Molly Kish, Photo courtesy of Arcade Fire.

5. Run the Jewels

Much like at a Phish or Die Antwoord audience, most everyone in the room at Run the Jewels was there in “full buy-in” mode, not worried about what someone might think of you by getting a bit too into the moment. Which, when you think about it, is pretty elusive for a rap act that is beloved by the indie blogosphere and its readers. Yet, there is a collective acceptance, a mentality that has bubbled up from impromptu social media memes, gifs and videos that are moving RTJ into mainstream mentality. -Mike Frash, photo by Alfonso Solis

4. St. Vincent

Captivating an audience has never been much of an issue for St. Vincent due to the incredible musical talent Annie Clark possesses. Her amazing skills as songwriter, lyricist and guitar-shredding icon are nearly unmatchable in contemporary pop. This tour however is incredibly unique, in that it finally showcases these undeniable aspects of Clark on a grand scale. From the production elements to various costume and instrument changes amidst an encapsulating set design, Clark has finally emerged as a true rock star. -Molly Kish, photo by Pedro Paredes

3. The War on Drugs

Adam Granduciel has arrived to the next level, as The War on Drugs have broken through the underground in a big way with their latest release entitled, Lost in a Dream. The subsequent, and long awaited, tour has been nothing short of fantastic as an expanded band has led to their most sonically pleasing tour to date. -Kevin Quandt, photo by Sterling Munksgard

2. ATOMIC BOMB! The Music of William Onyeabor

Luaka Bop founder and musical virtuoso David Byrne unearthed Onyeabor’s self-released eight album discography and organized a top secret live music project called “ATOMIC BOMB! The Music of William Onyeabor”, bringing it to life on stage at the Warfield Tuesday for the third time ever.

With an all-star cast of incredible artists, the Atomic Bomb! band took the stage in a handful of lucky cities to provide a near-religious experience (mock-secular program included), reviving the spirit of Onyeabor’s body of work. Lending their various talents to the incredible performance, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Kele Okereke (Bloc Party), Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), Joshua Redman, Money Mark, The Lijadu Sisters and Sinkane (the musical director) were accompanied by Byrne (along with a full horn section and backing band). -Molly Kish, photo by Marc Fong

1. Jack White

It’s been Jack White’s year on the live music circuit. His endless Bonnaroo headlining set this year is now a recognizable career milestone based on word of mouth alone. He severely twisted his ankle in SF and kept touring against the advice of his doctor. Jack seemed more focused and engaged than on prior tours, while also appearing authentic, positive, comfortable and likable. Labeled as grumpy, sad and controlling in the past, White embodied the ambassador of fun, and a sharp haircut seemingly signified the “new” Jack White further. The newest item of actual substance is that the man is in the prime of his career, playing truly epic shows, proving to be the biggest rock star in the world with grit night after night. Without question, Jack White is one of the best live artists of 2014 — and now with a humble, inclusive attitude, his stock should only rise further. -Mike Frash, photo by David James Swanson

Filed Under: Best of, Best of 2014, Featured Tagged With: Arcade Fire, Atomic Bomb, Blood Orange, Connan Mockasin, Darkside, David Byrne, Death from Above 1979, Deerhoof, Flume, Future Islands, Jack White, Mac Demarco, Nine Inch Nails, OutKast, Parquet Courts, Rubblebucket, Run The Jewels, Ryan Adams, Sharon Van Etten, St. Vincent, Sun Kil Moon, Sylvan Esso, The National, The War on Drugs, tUnE-yArDs, Volcano Choir

Sky Ferreira ends tour in SF hiding under a huge jacket

December 1, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

By Diana Cordero //

Sky Ferreira with Cherry Glazerr //
The Independent – San Francisco
November 25th, 2014 //

She said it herself: “this jacket is so fucking hot”, followed by a shouting wave demanding to “take it off!!” But she didn’t. It almost looked like it was her lucky blanket, her shield, but against what?

It was Sky Ferreira’s third (due to popular demand) and last show at The Independent — the first two were sold out — and few tickets were left for the ending night. People were certainly looking forward to being there, but Sky seemed cold (literally) and distant, often standing under that foggy low-key light behind her bandmates, riding the “eccentric, unapproachable, misunderstood rock star” wave, which was unnecessary, but then again, it could all have been due to exhaustion after all that touring. She did get an ulcer caused by stress while touring with Miley Cyrus this past summer.

On the bright side, Ferreira played a new song titled “Guardian”, which already has fans wondering about the route of her new album, although no official statements have come from the singer.

LA trio Cherry Glazerr kicked off the evening with a short set of lo-fi pop rock.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Cherry Glazerr, Sky Ferreira, The Independent

A brotherhood led by Chris Robinson conjures connectedness & growth

November 30, 2014 by The Bam Team 2 Comments

By Kory Thibeault //

Chris Robinson Brotherhood //
Great American Music Hall – San Francisco
November 23rd, 2014 //

Chris Robinson Brotherhood, otherwise known as CRB, wrapped up a spectacular run at the Great American Music Hall, the obvious venue of choice for the Los Angeles-based band.

I was fortunate enough to catch two nights of what I can only assume were four spectacular nights in SF. Rather than attempt to create some “new” sound, CRB root themselves deep in psych-rock while exploring the genre with their own flair. Is there a better place to do so than right here in the San Francisco Bay?

Frankly, there may not be. Our venues were so often graced by the likes of Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead, groups that redefined the concert experience. In that same tradition, CRB pushes the boundaries of the very songs they pen, inviting their audience along for the aural journey that seems to flow out of them so effortlessly. Is this why they are called the Brotherhood rather than the Chris Robinson Band? I certainly believe so.

A brotherhood conjures notions of connectedness and growth. After enjoying CRB’s music upwards of eight hours this weekend, I feel confident when I say that is exactly what this band is doing: growing together. The kinship of Neal Casal and Chris Robinson’s guitar is certainly telling of this, but the congruence does not end there.

Keyboardist Adam McDougall crafts an ethereal layer of sound, which infuses CRB with the psychedelia needed to push the group into those outer dimensions of space. This group is undoubtedly the sum of its parts.

Currently on tour promoting their third full-length album Phosphorescent Harvest, CRB has fortified lead singer Chris Robinson’s claim of being “a farm-to-table psychedelic band,” a self-defining statement that plays well off this concept of a “Phosphorescent Harvest.” The palpable excitement of their audience cultivated more-than-noteworthy performances that radiated throughout the weekend. And so it seems that CRB have a far greater idea of who they are and where they are heading than even the most prudent of fans.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Great American Music Hall

PHOTOS: X Ambassadors at The Independent 11/19

November 30, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

By Scott Martin //

X Ambassadors with Grizfolk, DOE EYE //
The Independent – San Francisco
November 19th, 2014 //

On this night at The Independent, the weather outside was wet and cold. But inside, it was hot thanks to the X Ambassadors, a four-piece band from Ithaca, N.Y. Frontman Sam Harris told the crowd how excited he was to be playing in SF, and it showed throughout the night.

Setlist:
Down With Me
Free & Lonely
Love Songs Drug Songs
Stranger
Shining
Giants
Unsteady
Litost
The Business
Jungle (Jamie N Commons cover)

Encore:
Lowlife
Unconsolable

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Doe Eye, Grizfolk, The Independent, X Ambassadors

SF Shows of the Week // GO4FREE to Sky Ferreira at The Indy, Hot Chip (DJ) & The 2 Bears at Mezzanine

November 25, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Mike Frash //

Win a pair of free tickets to one of our SF Shows of the Week by entering your name and email below.

• Sky Ferreira: November 25th (TUE) @ The Independent
• Hot Chip (DJ) with The 2 Bears: November 28th (FRI) @ Mezzanine

Sky Ferreira: November 25th (TUE) @ The Independent // BUY TICKETS
When an artist can take on a three-night run at a room like The Independent, you take notice. The buzz has been at a consistent hum for a good while now on Sky Ferreira. The pop starlette-in-the-making has an EP and a critically acclaimed long player under her belt that she’s been touring on for many moons, and in some ways, her celebrity status, social media following and scandals have preceded her innovative pop songs. Ferreira’s music holds up to the spectacle, and her third and final show at The Independent on Tuesday night (also her last of the tour) ends months of playing festival and a string of appearances opening for Miley Cyrus. Here’s your third and final chance — tickets are still available for the Tuesday night show, or you might be able to go for free if you enter below.

Contest ends Tuesday, November 25th at 1 p.m.

Hot Chip (DJ) with The 2 Bears: November 28th (FRI) @ Mezzanine // BUY TICKETS
It’s going to be a night of four-on-the-floor excitement, infused with a double dose of familiar indie-dance brethren this holiday weekend at Mezzanine. The 2 Bears, a dance-duo offshoot led by Hot Chip co-founder Joe Goddard and his compadre Raf Rundell, are currently on the circuit promoting their new LP The Night Is Young. Their signature sound skewers toward playful house disco, but the unit dabble in two-step, hip hop and soul as well. The other co-founder and frontman of Hot Chip, Alexis Taylor, will hold down headlining duties. One thing seems certain — we should see some cross pollinating between the two acts throughout the evening.

Contest ends Wednesday, November 26th at Noon.

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests, Featured Tagged With: Hot Chip, Mezzanine, SF Shows of the Week, Sky Ferreira, The 2 Bears, The Independent

TV On The Radio – Seeds // Community Review

November 19, 2014 by The Bam Team 2 Comments

TV On The Radio – Seeds

TV On The Radio is responsible for one of the best indie records of all time with Dear Science, and their follow-up Nine Types of Light was largely underrated. So, how does the groups’ fifth LP Seeds — their first as a foursome — hold up?

Leave your own quick review as a comment below to win a pair of free tickets to our SF Shows of the Week. Under your review, write which show you are interested in attending.

• Cold War Kids with Avid Dancer: November 21st (FRI) @ Fox Theater Oakland
• Fred Falke with Midnight Magic: November 22nd (SAT) @ Mezzanine
• Chris Robinson Brotherhood: November 23rd (SUN) Great American Music Hall

BAM TEAM RATING:

This is a solid addition to TVOTR’s incredible body of work, with running themes of lost love, second chances and the transitory nature of modern relationships. Focusing heavily on “the feels,” lyrically the album plays out as a series of questions experienced through trials and error, in the context of an internal dialogue happening between a lover and the objects of his affection. A much more pop-driven album than TVOTR’s previous electronic and punk rock full lengths, Seeds is a polished product drawing formulaic inspiration from contemporary R&B and dance records. Top tracks include, “Careful You,” “Happy Idiot” and “Right Now,” which sonically alludes to the emotionally stunning “Family Tree” off of 2008’s Dear Science. It’s my favorite track hands down and personal pick for track “most likely to be remixed into a club banger” by the first DJ smart enough to pick up on the gem. -Molly Kish
3 BAMS // Top Track: “Right Now”

With expectations at an all-time high after the release of Nine Types of Light, TV On The Radio had to know that following up one of 2011’s best albums would be no easy task. But the Brooklyn-based art rockers can certainly be proud of what they have devised on their fifth studio effort Seeds. Serving as the group’s first record since the death of bassist and keyboardist Gerard Smith, the 14-track LP remains its most diverse yet as TVOTR flirts with funk (see “Quartz” and “Right Now”), synthpop (see “Careful You” and “Seeds”), indie rock (see “Happy Idiot,” “Winter” and “Lazzeray”) and something in between them all (see “Test Pilot,” “Love Stained” and “Trouble”). While lead vocalist Tunde Adebimpe continues to captivate listeners with one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most unique voices, Dave Sitek shows once again that he’s the brains behind the band, not only recording Seeds at his Federal Prism studio in LA, but also serving as its producer. Even though TVOTR has always proved to be more than a respectable act in the studio, it’s no secret to their fans that they still excel most in a live setting. -Josh Herwitt
3.5 BAMS // Top Song: “Careful You”

WOW! TV On The Radio have released the album that the world needs right now. Right out of the gate, Seeds delivers the tasty and eclectic sounds that the band has been known for throughout their previous albums. Within the first three tracks, you’re seeing just how dynamic and cool this band can be. Through the album you are presented with a soulful, delightfully progressive set of songs that also fall on traditional arrangement in a way that totally works. Perhaps not the best album you’ll hear all year, but VERY GOOD!! -Andrew Pohl
4.5 BAMS // Top Songs: “Could You”, “Careful You”

On their fifth full album release, TV On The Radio failed to hit the high water mark they’ve set for themselves. This isn’t to say the album is terrible by any means, but the songs run together blandly and only three or four of them really stick out to me. I can see myself being a little bored at the live show if they strung a few of these together, patiently waiting for a blissful earlier cut. -Steve Wandrey
3 BAMS // Top Song: “Winter”

Filed Under: Community Review, Featured, New Music Tagged With: Community Review, Seeds, TV on the Radio

SF Shows of the Week // GO4FREE to Deerhoof, Cold War Kids, Fred Falke or Chris Robinson Brotherhood

November 18, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Molly Kish //

Win a pair of free tickets to one of our SF Shows of the Week by entering your name and email below.

• Deerhoof: November 18th (TUE) @ Great American Music Hall
• Cold War Kids with Avid Dancer: November 21st (FRI) @ Fox Theater Oakland
• Fred Falke with Midnight Magic: November 22nd (SAT) @ Mezzanine
• The Chris Robinson Brotherhood: November 23rd (SUN) Great American Music Hall

Deerhoof: November 18th (TUE) @ Great American Music Hall // BUY TICKETS

Bay Area noise staples Deerhoof headline the Great American Music Hall on Tuesday night alongside the indie rock supergroup Crystal Skulls and Oakland’s own GO DARK. Promoting their twelfth studio album released on Polyvinyl Records at the beginning of this month, the punk rock veterans kick of the Western span of their tour making their only hometown stop at the Great American. With the current band members working on projects in several locations around the world, this tour marks an extremely rare chance to catch the band’s explosive live show in such an intimate venue and hear the new material from La Isla Bonita firsthand.

Contest ends Tuesday, November 18th at 1PM.

Cold War Kids with Avid Dancer: November 21st (FRI) @ Fox Theater Oakland // BUY TICKETS

Tapping into the gritty nature of the human experience, through the pervasive dialogue of rhythm and blues, Cold War Kids bring their modern interpretation of roots rock to the stage this Friday night at The Fox. Celebrating the release of their fifth studio album Hold My Home, the Fullerton, Calif., natives headline an impressive lineup that features ex-Marine, former fundamentalist Christian and percussionist extraordinaire Jacob Dillan, otherwise known as Avid Dancer. Fresh off the release of his debut EP I Want to See You Dance, which has been recognized as a meeting ground between “laid back synth and super cool scuzz”, Dillan’s sound evokes influences from Hot Chip, The Dandy Warhols and Elliot Smith. Be sure to arrive early to catch his distinctly-individual performance that’s sure to be gracing the stages of similar venues as headlining material very soon.

Contest ends Friday, November 21st at Noon.

Fred Falke with Midnight Magic: November 22nd (SAT) @ Mezzanine // BUY TICKETS

French DJ and producer Fred Falke closes out the final date of his 2014 Fall tour this weekend at Mezzanine in SF with the cosmic disco ensemble Midnight Magic (live)! Most noted for his collaborations with Alex Braxe and Kris Menace, Falke has remixed the work of artists such as Röyksopp, Justice, U2, Lykke Li and more. Paired with the live electronic dance party fronted by Midnight Magic’s fiery vocalist Tiffany Roth, Saturday night will be raging in the SOMA, and we’ve got your chance at tickets right here.

Contest ends Friday, November 21st at Noon.

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood: November 23rd (SUN) Great American Music Hall // BUY TICKETS

Formed as a side project by The Black Crowes lead singer Chris Robinson, CRB developed as an attempt to configure a California based house band, touring leisurely throughout the state simply “to have a good time and see where the music takes (them).” Three years later with a trio of albums under their belt, they return as Chris Robinson’s primary band to the Great American Music Hall this Thursday for a four night residency. Following up their 2013 five night stay at the venue, this weekend’s CRB run holds the high possibility of guest appearances from their immense repertoire of friends, family and Bay Area music legends.

Contest ends Friday, November 21st at Noon.

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Cold War Kids, Deerhoof, Fred Falke, SF Shows of the Week

The 15 best stage banter spewing musicians in live music today

November 13, 2014 by The Bam Team 10 Comments

Photo by Sam Heller // Written by Mike Frash & Kevin Quandt //

For better or worse, these 15 artists entertain, control and impact the collective mindset of a capacity crowd with between-song bantering as much as their music. Here’s a hint: we like our banter dry.

What did we miss? Drop us a comment to to continue the flow.

15. Dan Deacon
Dan Deacon’s stage banter serves the purpose of helping to curate a mad, collective experience. If you’ve never taken the Dan Deacon plunge, do it. And come with an open heart and mind. -MF

14. Samuel Herring (Future Islands)
Samuel Herring’s motivational banter nicely segues into Future Islands’ songs, combining over-the-top crowd engagement, fully-committed dance moves and passion that boarders on possession. For example, when introducing “Lighthouse” (watch above at 4:24), Herring says “this is a song about those dark moments in our lives, and the friends and the family that bring us back.” Here the introduction makes you ponder about the song’s lyrical meaning, magnifying its importance. -MF

13. Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)
Billie Joe Armstrong has already had a long, epic career on stage and has seen it all and has done it all. After one logs as much time as Green Day on stage, some epic moments in banter/antic history are bound to happen. In the early days, they egged on the crowd to pelt them with clumps of mud, while more recently Billie Joe has decided to take his anger out on the teleprompter crew and likely be extension, Clear Channel. -KQ

12. Tom Waits
Tom Waits is no doubt one of a kind, and the man surely isn’t a road warrior these days on the live circuit. But he did perform at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit last year to steal the show with his banter as much as his iconic, raspy voice. -MF

11. Dave Matthews
If the whole music thing doesn’t work out for Dave Matthews, he can likely take up a career in being an aspiring stand-up comedian as he has entertained crowds between songs for decades. The stream-of-conscience delivery that Matthews regularly launches into has become a fond pastime for longtime fans, even going as far to create an endearing term for it known as “davespeak”. -KQ

10. Jack White
White can talk up a storm during his gratifying live performances — no doubt he’s in the running for best live musical act of 2014. The biggest rock star in the world made headlines earlier this year at Fenway Park when he trashed Rolling Stone while also dumping on the Foo Fighters. But White’s banter can also be fun, lighthearted and engaging, something most everyone can appreciate. -MF

9. Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age)
Ya don’t fuck with Josh Homme when he is onstage. Period. However, if this happens, you should be prepared to be entertained, as he will fully launch into a tirade of epic proportions upon his deserved target. I weep for those who have been on the receiving end of these legendary diatribes. -KQ

8. Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams’s passion flows from him like an angst-filled teenager, often spastic and random. But at his headlining show at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass this year, Adams transitioned his banter into an impromptu gem revolving around a someone holding balloons in the back of the park in SF. If you haven’t yet, listen to his new album — it’s wholly deserving of being his self titled record. Also, watch this montage of banter highlights from the aughts. -MF

7. Les Claypool
Les Claypool is weird in all the right ways. And he’s willing to stop mid-show and comment on circumstances that surround him, whether he gets spit on from the pit, gets hit with an empty water bottle by some spunion or if he witnesses two chicks brawling front and center. -MF

6. Jeff Tweedy
Tweedy has interpreted Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” as historical spoken word poetry. There’s the time the Wilco frontman told the story of ending up two doors down from former bandmate Jay Farrar in Mexico. No matter the show, his banter contains the all important element of surprise, even that time he said “I’m trying to balance fun with crushing depression. Always a challenge.” Dry wit and wisdom define the man, yes indeed. -MF

5. Run the Jewels (Killer Mike and El-P)
El-P and Killer Mike are two of the most creative minds in music, plain and simple. You hear it in their rhymes and in El-P’s production, but also in how they grasp control of the crowd between songs. A perfect example: El Producto’s recent story about meeting Mark Kozelek before they took to their competing sets at Fun Fun Fun Fest. El got his crowd to yell “Suck My Dick Sun Kil Moon”, injecting Run the Jewels into Kozelek’s war on The War on Drugs. And the duo’s banter about finding your own 36″ Chain is an empowering lesson of personal pride and swagger over materialism. On top of that, count on Killer Mike and El-P to crush every moment with excitement and ownership. Just never forget, Run the Jewels is not for your children. -MF

4. Mac Demarco
Mac Demarco holds a mellow, irreverent spirit that is contagious. He can also stage dive like a boss, too. Then there was that time he performed naked and semi-attempted to stick the mic up his bum. He’ll never live it down. He often introduces his songs with a healthy dose of charm, and you gotta love his propensity for spontaneity. The key ingredient: Demarco ain’t afraid to engage with his audience and among the band, creating a spoken word moment out of nothing. -MF

3. Kanye West
Stage banter usually means an epic rant or four when it comes to Yeezus live, and some of the soliloquies this year have lasted longer than a Type II Phish jam. At London Wireless Festival, Kanye gave a 20 minute-plus speech, he addressed the “Fuck Kanye” mantra, attacked the media and proclaimed he’s the No. 1 fucking rock star on the planet in his return to Bonnaroo. And at Outside Lands this year, West commanded that we “make some circles … and push whoever is next to you and shit.” In most all cases, Kanye’s stage banter collects both awes and boos, while at the same time, signifying his narcissistic tendencies better than any South Park joke or comedic parody. -MF

2. Father John Misty
I know it’s early, but J. Tillman is on a legendary path. Sure, he’s a captivating storyteller, but he also has the uncanny ability to add improvised, add-on words and phrases at the end of each line at a whim (particularly with his acoustic performances). You get the sense that Tillman looks to keep things interesting for himself above all else, a quality that churns out memorable performances night after night. Most impressively, Father John Misty has created a performance space that consistently questions our collective reality, hoisting his freak flag high and daring you to come along for the adventure. What’s ultimately so captivating is how he doesn’t let you in on the joke, if there even is one to begin with. -MF

1. Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon)
Kozelek has had a career-defining year that has spanned beyond the brilliant Benji. His stage banter included telling one festival audience “all you rednecks, shut the fuck up”, and in the musical feud of the year, Koz fought a one-sided battle against The War on Drugs, going on a relentless campaign against the band when their overlapping festival sets sent the WOD speaker sound across the field to invade Sun Kil Moon’s set.

To commemorate the beef, Kozelek wrote a song, “War on Drugs: Suck My Cock”, which describes how the whole thing began — with stage banter, bringing the whole thing full circle by creating a song that he promised on the stage that day. Talk about manifesting reality. By the way, Mark, I was at The War on Drugs show at The Fillmore that night, and I didn’t take no bridge or tunnel.

It’s improvised stage banter on a genius level while also often abrasive, cruel and surly. But holy shit does it suck you in like a controlling bully on the schoolyard, forcing you to stand still so you aren’t the next target. And if you’re doubting Kozelek’s banter at all, just listen to these wise words. -MF

Filed Under: BAM of the Week, Featured Tagged With: Beck, Dan Deacon, Father John Misty, Haim, Jack White, Jeff Tweedy, Kanye West, Les Claypool (Primus), Mac Demarco, Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon), Phish, Run The Jewels (Killer Mike & El-P), Ryan Adams, Samuel Herring (Future Islands), Tom Waits

Mariachi El Bronx enjoy each moment in SF

November 12, 2014 by The Bam Team 1 Comment

By Marc Fong //

Mariachi El Bronx with Tijuana Panthers, Pounded By The Surf //
The Independent – San Francisco
November 8th, 2014 //

The world needs more mariachi bands. Matt Caughthran and crew know how to throw a party, which they proved at the sold-out Indy on Saturday. Classic mariachi tinged with an LA punk feel that’s easy on the ears. Horns, violin, accordion = fun. They’re an amiable band that’s grateful to be where they are, showing graciousness to the SF crowd even though they are still proud Dodgers fans.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Mariachi El Bronx, The Independent

GWAR’s bloodbath marks a bittersweet return to the Bay

November 12, 2014 by The Bam Team 1 Comment

By Scott Martin //

GWAR with Decapitated and American Sharks //
The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco
November 5th, 2014 //

The Regency Ballroom hosted the triumphant return of the mighty GWAR. This show was the first the band has done in the Bay Area since the death of their longtime leader and vocalist Dave Brockie (aka Oderus Urungus).

The crowd was ready for a BLOODY good time, and that’s what they got.

Setlist:
Fly Now
Madness at the Core of Time
The Years Without Light
Hail, Genocide!
The Private Pain of Sawborg Destructo
Tormentor
I, Bonesnapper
Black and Huge
Hate Love Songs
Saddam a Go-Go
Bloodbath
Horror of Yig
Metal Metal Land
Let Us Slay
Mr. Perfect

Encore:
The Road Behind
West End Girls (Pet Shop Boys cover)

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Decapitated and American Sharks, GWAR, The Regency Ballroom

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to The Presets at The Warfield 11/13 (THUR)

November 11, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Mike Frash //

The Presets with Antwon, Chela, Franki Chan, Marco De La Vega & Chauncey //
The Warfield – San Francisco
Thursday, November 13th 2014 //

Win a pair of free tickets to one of our SF Shows of the Week by entering your name and email below. Contest ends Wednesday, November 12th at Noon.

The Presets last full length, Pacifica, was one of our top 10 albums of 2012, and lucky for us the captivating Aussie duo return to SF this Thursday at The Warfield.

We were there for their return to touring at The Independent, when they blew minds sub-headlining at Treasure Island Music Festival, along with their appearance last year at Fox Theater Oakland, so we can promise one thing: you will dance.

And if you don’t find yourself dancing while taking in The Presets, perhaps it’s time to check yourself.

This couldn’t be more true than right now as The Presets wrap up the Check Yo Ponytail tour, where the party-starting electro-house outfit have joined forces with a dynamic group of dance and rap upstarts that includes Le1f, Antwon, Chela and Frankie Chan.

The Presets are busy at work on their fourth LP, but that didn’t stop Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes from releasing two excellent singles this year.

First came “Goodbye Future”, a tech-house blaster that slightly signals a return to a song structure reminiscent of “This Boy’s in Love”.

“No Fun” balances a wonky breakbeat with a four-on-the-floor chugger, until it blasts off into a refrain that crescendos into the euphoric stratosphere.

The Presets are one of our favorite dance acts that incorporate live instrumentation and singing, and you can win big by seeing them for free courtesy of Showbams. Enter your name below.

Buy tickets if you know you want to go.

Recommended Shows in SF this week:
*We’ll be giving away free tickets to all shows marked in italics below. Follow us on Twitter to be the first in line to win tickets to these events.

Mac DeMarco on Tuesday, 11/11 at The Fillmore
Hiss Golden Messenger on Tuesday, 11/11 at The Independent
Slayer on Tuesday & Wednesday, 11/11 & 11/12 at Fox Theater Oakland
Shakey Graves on Wednesday, 11/12 at The Independent
First Aid Kit on Thursday, 11/13 at Fox Theater Oakland
Les Sins (Toro y Moi) on Thursday, 11/13 at 1015 Folsom
Generationals on Thursday, 11/13 at The Chapel
Run The Jewels on Friday, 11/14 at Mezzanine
*Jacques Greene on Friday, 11/14 at Rickshaw Stop
*The Sam Chase on Friday, 11/14 at The Chapel
Greensky Bluegrass on Friday & Saturday, 11/14 & 11/15 at The Fillmore
Tame Impala with Delicate Steve on Saturday & Sunday, 11/15 & 11/16 at Fox Theater Oakland
SOHN on Saturday, 11/15 at Mezzanine
The Stone Foxes on Saturday, 11/15 at The Chapel
RAC on Saturday, 11/15 at The Warfield
*Los Straitjackets on Sunday, 11/16 at The Chapel
Field Report on Sunday, 11/16 at Brick & Mortar Music Hall

Contest ends Wednesday, November 12th at Noon. Enter your name (first and last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on Wednesday afternoon.

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests, Featured Tagged With: SF Shows of the Week, The Presets, The Warfield

SF Shows of the Week // GO4FREE to Daedelus, Lagwagon or Mirah

November 6, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

By Mike Frash //

Win a pair of free tickets to one of our SF Shows of the Week by entering your name and email below.

• Daedelus: November 7th (FRI) @ Mezzanine
• Mirah: November 9th (SUN) @ The Independent
• Lagwagon: November 9th (SUN) @ Slim’s

Daedelus: November 7th (FRI) @ Mezzanine // BUY TICKETS

Alfred Darlington is a producer and instrumentalist (he holds his keyboard for proof in his press shot!) that isn’t afraid of duality. Just look at his 2014 record The Light Brigade, a contemplative work that balances ambiance and moments of intensity, then compare it to his upbeat, raucous live Boiler Room set from a year ago (embedded above). This prodigious music maker isn’t afraid to take the listener on a journey based in weirdness, and I mean weird in a very good way — think along the lines of Flying Lotus and Animal Collective.

Contest ends Friday, November 7th at Noon.

Mirah: November 9th (SUN) @ The Independent // BUY TICKETS

Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter Mirah is kicking off a West Coast tour this weekend, making a Sunday night stop at The Indy. Touring in support of Changing Light, her fifth full length, Mirah’s experimental pop traverses a musical landscape that explores existence and the ever-changing nature of life. Sounds like a deep way to start a new week!

Contest ends Friday, November 7th at Noon.

Lagwagon: November 9th (SUN) @ Slim’s // BUY TICKETS

Lagwagon was one of my favorite acts when I first discovered punk rock in the mid 90’s, and the Fat Wreck Chords staple from SoCal has been putting music in its place for over 20 years. Even though the touring has never stopped, Lagwagon’s first album in nine years, Hang, was just unleashed last week. End your weekend with some scorching melodic punk that never got soft (we’re looking at you Blink).

Contest ends Friday, November 7th at Noon.

Pick the show you would like to attend from the dropdown, then enter your name (First and Last) along with your email. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on Friday afternoon via email.

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: Daedelus, Lagwagon, Mezzanine, Mirah, SF Shows of the Week, Slims, The Independent

Aussie psych rockers Pond deliver perfection at The Indy

November 5, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

By Patrick Kelly //

Pond //
The Independent – San Francisco
October 30th, 2014

I have little idea how, but last week, Pond snuck into SF with limited fanfare. Months ago, when the show was announced, I had assumed it would be one of the buzziest shows of the year. With these Aussies rolling off the success of their sister group Tame Impala (the bands share a couple of members) and the psychedelic rock scene making a little comeback, I figured The Independent would be a scene within itself, resplendent with those calling out for a Tame Impala cover while trying to talk over the extended shredding.

What I got, thankfully, was the exact opposite: It was entirely about the music. I’ve known bands to be tighter at the end of their tour, but calling Pond’s performance “tight” would be an understatement. They nailed the licks and the jams; they had the confidence that everyone in the room knew how tight they were playing. And most importantly, they played it looooouuuud from the start. The fans, and they were true fans, ate up every minute of the hour-plus show –- the unheard tunes off the upcoming Man, It Feels Like Space Again, the complicated and catchy favorites off of Beard, Wives, Denim as well as Hobo Rocket and of course, the extended jams.

I had measured expectations coming in: Pond’s albums are forceful, interesting and catchy. But until you see the heart behind the tunes in person, it’s hard to predict if the force of their studio digs will show through live. With all of the heart they put forward last Thursday, it’s easy not only to say that they wildly exceeded my expectations, but also that they’ll almost surely be among my Top 10 shows of the year.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: Pond, Tame Impala, The Independent

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Courtney Barnett & San Fermin at Slim’s 11/3 (MON)

October 29, 2014 by The Bam Team 3 Comments

Photo by Pedro Paredes // Written by Mike Frash //

Courtney Barnett & San Fermin with Mikhael Paskalev //
Slim’s — San Francisco
November 3rd, 2014 //

We’ve got a tasty co-headlining show for you this Monday in SF at Slim’s. Enter your name below to win a free pair of tickets to this show.

Courtney Barnett has a pretty unique angle on the whole singer/songwriter concept. Deadpan lyrical delivery and post-grunge elements over surf rock sounds smack you on the surface, but it’s the stream-of-conscious-inspired songwriting that bounces around in your brain long after listening.

Take for example “Avant Gardner”, one of the best songs of 2014. Like the exposition of a David Lynch film, everything seems happy and normal, until you strip below the surface.

Barnett reveals her inner monologue with a mix of daily details and deeper thoughts, explicitly copping to feelings of anxiety and maybe even a bit of an existential crisis.

One of my favorite lines of the year will likely be, “The paramedic thinks I’m clever cause I play guitar, I think she’s clever cause she stops people from dying.”

The Australian native has relentlessly toured all over the world this year in support of her breakthrough album The Double Ep: A Sea of Split Peas, including at Outside Lands’ 2014 edition (read our festival review here), making waves wherever she goes.

Sharing the bill with Barnett is San Fermin, Ellis Ludwig-Leone’s emotionally resonant and theatrical project. Their show earlier this year at The Chapel was a wondrous experience, as word of mouth has definitely gotten out on San Fermin. See these guys and gals before they move on to bigger venues.

It may be on a Monday, but this double-banger is our prescribed “Show of the Week.”

Buy tickets if you know you want to go.

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

CONTEST CLOSED.

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: Courtney Barnett, Mikhael Paskalev, San Fermin, SF Shows of the Week, Slims

Run The Jewels – Run the Jewels 2 // Community Review

October 28, 2014 by The Bam Team 2 Comments

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2 //

It’s thrilling to see Run The Jewels become more than a one-off project. El-P & Killer Mike clearly recognize they are stronger together, as they’ve now released their second record in two years — and once again, Run the Jewels 2 has been given away for free. Between this and inspiring a crowd-funded all-cat remix record of Run the Jewels 2 (we can’t wait), it’s safe to say El Producto & Michael Render get the internet and the king-making power they will continue to have by embracing and entertaining fans online.

What do you think of RTJ2? Leave a comment or quick review below to win free tickets to shows in SF.

BAM TEAM RATING:

So often sequels don’t deliver, but ascending hip hop stars Killer Mike & El-P have simply progressed their brilliance as Run The Jewels one year removed from their first collaboration. So what’s the difference this time? From the top, Michael Render manages to set a higher bar for pumped up aggression, there’s more social activism laced throughout, more special guests (that don’t ever distract) and a handful stand-alone gems. Like a championship baseball team, the songs in the two hole through cleanup hitter serve the biggest impact, wreaking instant classics with masterful experimental production from El-P that emits new surprises with subsequent listens. RTJ have peaked awareness with the best PR campaign of 2014, using crowdsourcing and social media as a weapon while capturing our love of cats to a point of absurdity — something that ideally signifies these future headliners’ brand of fun, weird rap. -Mike Frash
4.5 BAMS // Top Song: “Oh My Darling Don’t Cry”

Hip-Hop duo EL-P and Killer Mike drop an aggressive release with their sophomore effort, Run the Jewels 2. It’s unapologetically in your face with dark, grimy beats and fervent lyrics that will raise the hairs on your middle fingers. They immediately set the tone on the second track, “Oh My Darling Don’t Cry” as EL-P boasts “Fuck the law, they can eat my dick” and don’t look back, following with collaborations from Zach De La Rocha, Travis Barker, Isaiah “Ikey” Owens (RIP) and Gangsta Boo. While there’s an angst on this record that will inspire the meanest of mean mugs and an underlining “fuck you” anthem that gives it elements of rock n’ roll and punk rock, it’s smoothed out by genuinely thoughtful compositions. These dudes aren’t just careless pissed off amateurs; they’re pissed off veterans that demand respect. If they don’t get some recognition after this record, then real hip-hop, as we know it, is doomed. -Anthony Presti
4 BAMS // Top Song: “Lie, Cheat, Steal”

One of the best hip hop albums of the last few years sees its follow up with Run The Jewels 2, starring nearly 40-year-old men Killer Mike and El-P. As unlikely as it sounds, these two are making some of the most progressive rap around. While not quite hitting the mark of their debut release, RTJ2 is a solid effort and the bass heavy production is sure to get heads nodding and trunks rattling unnecessarily loudly. -Steven Wandrey
3.5 BAMS // “Oh My Darling Don’t Cry”

Show me two rappers having a better time than El-P and Killer Mike. I dare you. They return along with producer Little Shalimar in tow for their second full length as Run The Jewels and up the ante on all that was awesome from their free-to-download debut. RTJ2 drips with brash aggression and trunk banging beats but equalizes with tones of seriousness that keeps the record diverse. El-P and Killer Mike are beyond skilled on the mic and when they get in a flow like this, just sit back and enjoy the show. Definition of a damn fun record. -Dale Johnson
4 BAMS // Top Song: “Oh My Darling Don’t Cry”

What do you think of RTJ2? Leave a comment or quick review below to win free tickets to shows in SF.

Filed Under: Community Review, Featured, New Music Tagged With: Community Review, Run The Jewels, Run the Jewels 2

Caribou – Our Love // Community Review

October 25, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Caribou – Our Love //

The newest album from Dan Snaith as Caribou, Our Love (Merge), debuted on October 7th, and three members of the BAM team weigh in below with quick reviews.

What’s your take on Caribou’s latest? Leave your own Quick Review or comment below — if we like it, we’ll give you your choice of show ticket giveaways this week in SF.

BAM TEAM RATING:

Ah, welcome back to the fold Mr. Snaith, we have missed you. Caribou has returned after about a half-decade absence with the stellar release entitled Our Love. Dan Snaith has traded in some of psych-rock chops (as heard on Andorra) for a more electric-leaning album that is sure to please most palettes. We hear some influence from forward-thinking beat producers smattered in for good taste and are taken to lush landscapes that swell with beauty. The manner in which Snaith traverses styles is simply refreshing and leaves you wanting more née you finish the 10 tracks. -Kevin Quandt
4 BAMS // Top Track: “Silver”

Though this kind of music is not really my cup of tea, I really enjoyed listening to the latest offering by Caribou (aka Dan Snaith). It comes on strong and carries you along for a smooth ride. There were a few lulls in the momentum, and like a lot of electronic/house albums it can be a bit repetitive, but overall I think it album makes for great driving music. -Andrew Pohl
3 BAMS // Top Track: “Can’t Do Without You”

What we have here is one of the most addictive albums of 2014. Our Love keeps deep house in its front pocket with steady beats per minute and an introspective mantra-centric lyrical conceit, but it’s also exploratory in nature, finding success in consistantly building toward intense, euphoric plateaus. A steady flow of pleasant sounds ascend into impacting transcendence with “Can’t Do Without You”, “Silver”, and “Your Love Will Set You Free”, and you must give Snaith extra credit for the masterful pacing and song sequencing — there is never a ‘skip ahead’ moment. Like most classic albums, it opens up and becomes more pleasurable with subsequent listens, even though this collection of songs is mostly presented in poetic simplicity. -Mike Frash
4.5 BAMS // Top Song: “Our Love”

Filed Under: Community Review, Featured, New Music Tagged With: Caribou, Community Review, Our Love

Culture Collide Festival invades SF, LA with talent far and wide

October 23, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

By Marc Fong and Josh Herwitt //

Culture Collide Festival //
Various venues in San Francisco and Los Angeles
October 14th-15th in SF; October 16th-18th in LA //

Culture Collide Festival stopped off in SF for the first time ever before making its way down to LA last weekend, bringing bands from around the globe to celebrate music, food and well, culture, of course. With U.S. headliners Cloud Nothings and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah leading the way, the festival also boasted plenty of international talent, from Israel’s SKYROADS to Colombia’s Quantic. Marc Fong hit up the festival in SF and Josh Herwitt was in LA to give their own takes on a dozen different acts.

Rock N Roll Radio

Rock N Roll Radio (Korea): Though the vocals were a bit muffled and its English was rough, this Korean band communicated fun in the most basic of ways — through catchy, poppy riffs.

Go Back to the Zoo (Netherlands): The lyrics were a little repetitive, but their melodies were strong and soulful. Think early Kings of Leon.

Kamp! (Poland): Kamp!’s synth-heavy songs were fun, yet mellow, making for a slow ride into the night at the Elbo Room.

SKYROADS (Israel): Of Monsters and Men meet Freelance Whales. A little rough around the edges, this band has a strong radio sound, plus an amazing performance. Don’t be surprised to see and hear more from SKYROADS in the near future.

Everyone Is Dirty (USA): Gritty tunes from a gritty band by way of Oakland. They sound like garage rockers but with a lot of flare, great vocals and most notably, some kick-ass violin playing.

Cloud Nothings

Cloud Nothings (USA): Cleveland pop-punk outfit Cloud Nothings brought a grisly sound to The Chapel with catchy hooks and fun, crunchy riffs. If you haven’t checked out their latest album Here and Nowhere Else (read our review here) yet, you should.

Nervous Nellie (Sweden): This four-piece out of Stockholm brought some fun indie-rock tunes from its Scandinavian homeland.

Beat Connection (USA): Reminiscent of early M83, these four guys from Seattle offered a fun way to fade into the night and close out the SF edition of the fest.

De Lux (USA): Fans of this burgeoning LA act got their weekend started early in Echo Park, moving and grooving to a funky set chock full of post-disco, dance-punk cuts that have drawn comparisons (and rightfully so) to Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip. After releasing their debut LP Voyage in April to much fanfare, Glendale natives Sean Guerin and Isaac Franco appear to have a promising career ahead of them.

MØ (Denmark): Dropping their debut album No Mythologies to Follow in March, Karen Marie Ørsted and her sidekicks electrified the Echoplex with one electropop hook after another during their nearly hour-long show. It should be only a matter of time before the 26-year-old singer-songwriter is selling out venues all across the country. Her growing popularity, in fact, could very well skyrocket following her performance with Iggy Azalea on Saturday Night Live this month.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (USA): After revolutionizing independent music in the mid-2000s thanks to the interwebs, the Philly-based group has endured quite a few changes. Frontman Alec Ounsworth remains the only original member still in the band, and for all intents and purposes, it is clearly his band at this point. But the recent release of their fourth full-length album — and a relatively lackluster one — Only Run has CYHSY living off many of their earlier hits that once earned the attention of legends like David Bowie and David Byrne back in 2005.

Quantic (Colombia): Multi-instrumentalist, DJ and record producer Will Holland may be one of music’s biggest hidden talents. As one of Holland’s most prolific projects, Quantic pulls from a variety of styles, including cumbia, salsa, bossa nova, soul, funk and jazz, while the UK native works his way from one instrument to the next (his current arsenal includes guitar, bass, double bass, saxophone, accordion, piano, organ and various percussion instruments). Inside the diminutive and sweaty Echo Park United Methodist Church, Holland and his ensemble got some eager fans out of their seats just seconds after taking the stage. Though Holland said it would be Quantic’s last show for some time, they won over at least a few new fans that night, too.

Rock N Roll Radio

Go Back to the Zoo

Kamp!

SKYROADS

Everyone Is Dirty

Cloud Nothings

Nervous Nellie

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Beat Connection

MØ

MØ

MØ

MØ

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Quantic

Filed Under: Editor's Picks, Featured, Festivals Tagged With: Alec Ounsworth, Beat Connection, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cloud Nothings, Culture Collide Festival, De Lux, Echo Park United Methodist Church, Echoplex, Everyone Is Dirty, Freelance Whales, Go Back to the Zoo, Hot Chip, Kamp!, Karen Marie Ørsted, LCD Soundsystem, M83, MO, Nervous Nellie, Of Monsters and Men, Quantic, Rock N Roll Radio, SKYROADS, Talking Heads, The Chapel, Will Holland

Treasure Island Music Festival 2014 Mix: Matt Haze

October 16, 2014 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Co-founder at MoreSF and Slayers Club DJ/promoter/event producer Matt Haze will be manning the decks on this weekend’s Rock The Boat party courtesy of The Bold Italic, shuttling Treasure Island Music Festival attendees across the Bay in style.

Check out his latest mix below, where in just over an hour, he features 29 of the festival’s top acts, perfectly designed to get you through the rest of the work week and into a "Rage the Bay" mindset.

Matt Haze — TIMF Artist Mix

TRACK LISTING:

Classixx – A Stranger Love (Salva Remix)
Alt-J – Fitzpleasure (The Internet of Odd Future Remix)
Zedd – Stay the Night (Yung Wall Street Flip)
Ryan Hemsworth with UV boi – Gods
Massive Attack – Teardrop (Sanxion & Vinyl Junkie Remix)
Moby and Damien Jurado – Almost Home (Washed Out Remix)
Chet Faker – I’m Into You (# Remix)
MØ ft. Diplo – XXX88 (Joe Hertz Remix)
Tobacco – Side 8 (Big Gums Version)
Cathedrals – OOO AAA
XXYYXX – Alexis
Bit Funk – Beside
Quantic y Anita Tijoux – Doo Wop (That Thing)
Jungle – Platoon
Luxxury – The Sound of Garfunkel
TV on the Radio – Will Do (Mylo Remix)
Janelle Monae – Dance Apocalyptic
Ásgeir – King and Cross
St. Lucia – Elevate
Poliça – Dark Star
Painted Palms – Hypnotic
Talking Heads – City of Dreams (MoPo’s 2011 ReBoot)
Outkast – Wheels of Steel (The Polish Ambassador Remix)
MPHD – Brooklyn
Ratking (feat. Wavy Spice) – Puerto Rican Judo
Tom Thump – I Got Cash
Bleached – For the Feel
White Denim – Anvil Everything
The Growlers – Someday

Also, be sure to register here for your chance at a pair of weekend passes to get down with Matt Haze and the rest of the party boat crew, courtesy of The Bold Italic and Showbams!

Fill out your full name and email address below.
Contest ends Thursday at 4 p.m. The winner will be picked at random and notified by email on Thursday. Your email will be kept private –- we will share your email with no one.

Like Showbams on Facebook and follow Showbams on Twitter to be eligible to win.

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Filed Under: Featured, Mixtapes Tagged With: Matt Haze, Treasure Island Music Festival

17 reasons to rage in the bay at Treasure Island Fest 2014

October 14, 2014 by The Bam Team 2 Comments

Photos by Marc Fong // Written by Mike Frash, Molly Kish, Kevin Quandt and Marc Fong //

Treasure Island Music Festival //
Treasure Island – San Francisco
October 18th-19th, 2014 //

The Festival in the Bay returns this weekend with its progressive mix of indie rock, electronic/dance, hip-hop and (now) soul. Treasure Island Music Festival is always adept at curating under-card acts that are in the process of emerging into collective consciousness while crowning the bill with well-known musical entities that most independent-minded music fans will enjoy.

View the full schedule. Tickets are still available (for now), and you can buy them here.

Here are 17 reasons why you should rage in the Bay at TIMF this weekend.

BONUS CONTEST: Enter below to rock The Bold Italic’s party boat to & from TIMF for FREE!

17. Not familiar with every act on the bill? Well, that’s half the fun at these contemporary music festivals, as your next favorite band is just waiting to be discovered.

16. Discover why Janelle Monáe is a headliner of the (very near) future. She’ll likely join OutKast as well, more specifically Big Boi, for their collaboration “Tightrope”. This treat was only viewed by a handful of crowds on the reunion tour, including during Coachella Weekend 1 and at OutKast’s hometown spectacular in Atlanta last month.

15. Jean-Philip Grobler and company put on breathtaking performances as St. Lucia. The Brooklyn-based band has a familiar electro sound, but simultaneously has a playfulness that will wonderfully fit with the TIMF crowd.

14. Stumbling across the Silent Disco, tucked away in the eastern corner of the festival ground, can be a surreal experience. Filled with festival crowds of anywhere between 20-200 people, this TIMF staple allows DJs to perform through Wi-Fi-enabled headphones that are passed out to festivalgoers as they enter the designated dance space.

13. Poliça is must-see music at TIMF. Their dark synth will fit ideally with the setting of the music-infused October sun. Channy Leaneagh’s haunting vocals are fantastic live and are not to be missed. Get close for this one.

12. Carl Newman’s outfit The New Pornographers can easily be classified as a supergroup — Destroyer’s Dan Bejar and the lovely Neko Case heavily contributed to their wonderful 2014 album Brill Bruisers — and you can watch them all perform in the flesh at TIMF.

11. TIMF is one of the most unique festival locations around, and it gives way to even more creative ways to get on and off the island. TIMF offers an extremely convenient and free shuttle service between the island and a main point of transit at the City’s Civic Center. Or you could book a party bus or ride The Bold Italic’s party boat! (Enter below to win free tickets to Rock The Boat)

10. One of our favorites, White Denim, will take to the Bridge Stage early on Sunday for their mind-melting prog rock. Along with Cathedrals, Bleached and Ásgeir, there are lots of musical reasons to get to the island early on Day 2.

9. We finally get the return of the UK-based, modern funk collective that goes by the wild name of Jungle. Bursting from the seams a few months ago, these guys have taken the festival circuit by storm, igniting stages and crowds with an incendiary stage presence coupled with devastatingly catchy tracks off their debut LP. Dancing shoes? CHECK!

8. Ana Tijoux isn’t super popular yet in Northern California, and her lyrics are in Spanish, but none of that matters. Her MC skills are impacting, and her production straddles multiple genres, including hip-hop and soul. Expect this to be a standout performance on Saturday.

7. Convenience is key when it comes to keeping festival crowds satisfied, and TIMF spares no expense in that matter. Easy navigation between stages, ample access to bathrooms, food/beverage vendors and helpful on-site staff members work together to elevate the flow of the festival experience.

6. It’s been a while since the Bay Area has seen TV On The Radio, and hopefully these gritty indie rock geniuses will play some tracks off their upcoming album Seeds. TVOTR has no better place than TIMF to give us a taste of things to come.

5. This will be alt-J‘s first performance in the area in support of their second album, and we’re sure to hear all the exciting new songs off of This Is All Yours (Read our community review here). Ready to sing some Miley samples?

4. Landing Massive Attack to headline Sunday is a mondo feat for Noise Pop and APE Entertainment — 3D and Daddy G will playing their only 2014 U.S. festival at TIMF (and only two other shows in the U.S. this year). The electronic duo might normally be a Saturday headliner, but we get to finalize an action-packed Sunday with these influential trip-hop legends.

3. No set conflicts means no stress, no making tough festival decisions and no missing out on an act you love. You get to see everything.

2. The “Summer of OutKast” is coming to a close as Bay Area fans will bear witness to what is expected to be their third-to-last performance ever. Did ya hear us on that one? Big Boi and Dre have pretty clearly stated that this is it, so there’s little reason for any fan to miss this banner, headlining performance.

1. It’s on an island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. ‘Nuff said.

ROCK THE BOAT TICKET CONTEST

For the 2014 installment of Rock the Boat, our friends at The Bold Italic have teamed up with Hornblower Cruises & Events to rent out the San Francisco Spirit luxury yacht, equipped with a full bar and live entertainment provided by premiere Bay Area DJs to get you to and from TIMF like a boss. For a full lineup and more details on the trip, click here and enter below for your chance to win a weekend pass aboard the party boat courtesy of Showbams.

Like Showbams on Facebook and follow Showbams on Twitter to be eligible to win.

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