Featured – Showbams

Ghostface Killah slays SF crowd stacked with Wu-soldiers

December 12, 2014 by Molly Kish 1 Comment

Photos by Justin Yee // Written by Molly Kish //

Ghostface Killah //
The Independent – San Francisco
December 7th, 2014 //

A mere two days before his brand-new album 36 Chambers dropped, Ghostface Killah gave a packed audience at The Independent a career-spanning performance of a lifetime. Running through nearly 20-plus years worth of genre-defining material, the hip-hop legend slayed an enthusiastic crowd full of Wu-Tang soldiers and solo fans alike. Dropping hit after hit with fellow clan members and getting the crowd involved with his signature call-and-response flow, Ghostface kept the venue ablaze throughout his entire two-hour performance.

With Ghostface’s latest LP out less than a week after the release of Wu-Tang’s new album A Better Tomorrow, we can only hope that there will be plenty of more Wu-related performances in the near future. If Sunday’s show was any indication, the Bay Area is definitely ready to have some more Wu members come through soon.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Ghostface Killah, The Independent, Wu Tang Clan

Thee Oh Sees pummel fans in return to SF

December 10, 2014 by Kevin J Quandt Leave a Comment

Photos by Pedro Paredes // Written by Kevin Quandt //

Thee Oh Sees //
The Chapel – San Francisco
December 5th, 2014 //

This past week, the City was graced by a pair of sold-out shows from former SF music royalty. John Dwyer’s Thee Oh Sees returned to the Mission to pummel old fans and the new kids with a mix of old and new. This reasonably new trio (Tim Hellman on bass and Nick Murray on drums) configuration has their chops well dialed-in at the moment as they blazed through favorites like “I Come From the Mountain” and newer tracks such as “Encrypted Bounce”.

As any savvy local fan could deduce, there was a cavalcade of the usual rowdy antics that accompany this show. Some highlights were a crowd surfer who may have been collecting Social Security checks and bartenders showering those lucky enough to be in the back with assorted carbonated beverages. Dwyer rewarded attendees with a wide smattering of new, unreleased material that was plentiful in the driving guitar sound that has recently put him on the map. San Francisco loves, and misses, Thee Oh Sees.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: The Chapel, Thee Oh Sees

Moving Units celebrate rise of dance-punk in their hometown

December 10, 2014 by Josh Herwitt Leave a Comment

By Josh Herwitt //

Moving Units (10th anniversary show for Dangerous Dreams) //
El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles
December 5th, 2014 //

As the days count down to 2015, it’s sometimes easy to forget that the early 2000s marked a seminal time in the evolution of rock ‘n’ roll. But for fans of dance-punk, a subgenre that fuses punk rock, new wave and disco all into one cohesive sound, there may have been no bigger year than 2004.

A year after the Yeah Yeah Yeahs broke into the scene with their first full-length record, the Grammy-nominated Fever to Tell, dance-punk exploded into mainstream pop culture as young, emerging bands like !!!, Liars and Death from Above 1979 all released albums to predominantly positive reviews.

Yet, that same year, there was another dance-punk outfit — a much-lesser-known one by way of Los Angeles — that was also leaving an imprint on the dance-rock landscape.

Moving Units, a four-piece fronted by lead singer and guitarist Blake Miller, would end up playing a key role in the post-millennium renaissance of dance-punk thanks to their 2004 debut Dangerous Dreams.

The album, which embodies the dance-punk spirit as well as any studio recording to this day, would eventually find its way into more traditional media, including a television spot in 2007 for the deodorant brand Secret. But for those who were already fans of Moving Units, TV commercials weren’t necessary to justify the respect and admiration they had for Dangerous Dreams.

So, when the band announced that it would be celebrating the 10th anniversary of Dangerous Dreams by performing the album in its entirety, there were plenty of Angelenos who knew where they would be on the evening of December 5.

At the El Rey Theatre, Moving Units did exactly what they said they would, playing the 12-track LP from start to finish, as Miller let it all hang out, leaning into the microphone to deliver his lyrics with passion and force. The songs may have been more than a decade old, but you would have never known by how tight the band sounded.

For their encore, Miller and his three sidekicks — bassist Mike Delgado, lead guitarist Boz Bosgieter and drummer Danny Deleon — dipped even deeper into their catalog, going back to the start of it all by playing three songs from Moving Units’ self-titled EP. It was a nice surprise to see, considering the group dropped its third full-length Neurotic Exotic just a little more than a year ago.

Because these days, in this go-go-go world we find ourselves living in, it’s OK for a band to celebrate the past once in a while.

Setlist:
Emancipation, Between Us & Them, Available, Going for Adds, Unpersuaded, Anyone, Scars, Submission, Birds of Prey, Bricks & Mortar, Killer/Lover, Turn Away

Encore:
X and Y, I Am, Melodrama

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: !!!, Death from Above 1979, El Rey Theatre, Liars, Moving Units, Yeah Yeah Yeah's

James Blake pulls a stunning audible with diverse set at The Chapel in SF

December 9, 2014 by Molly Kish Leave a Comment

Photos by Pedro Paredes // Written by Molly Kish //

James Blake with special guest Airhead //
The Chapel – San Francisco
December 7th, 2014 //

Rolling into the Valencia Street house of musical worship this past Sunday night, a guest list-heavy, sold-out crowd packed it in tight to check out UK experimental R&B artist James Blake. While the venue is set up in a way that creates intimacy and direct engagement with virtually every act that comes through, Blake reached a whole new level of spellbinding closeness with those present. Playing new material as well as an impressive set that pulled from both his solo and collaborative records, Blake commanded the stage with his touring mates by washing over the venue in sights, sounds and sensory overload.

Whether inspiring pin-drop silence with his stripped-down ballads or conversely rattling the walls of the secular setting, Blake utilized the venues’ rich history and audible dimensions to his advantage throughout the performance. An exercise in the emotive range of his body of work, the setlist varied from spine-tingling performances of “Limit to Your Love” and Joni Mitchell cover “A Case of You” to crowd-stirring and extended renditions of “Life Round Here” and “Voyeur”.

Interspersing goose bump-inducing vocal tracks with an equally compelling bass-heavy, strobe-blinding trap set is no easy feat. Blake, however, did so effortlessly, only stopping intermittently to introduce his bandmates twice and playfully cover up a brief consistency glitch when debuting a new track off of his recently released 200 Press EP.

Teasing at the potential of new material dropping in 2015, buzz surrounding Blake has continued to escalate, leading into this small run of tour dates and West Coast DJ sets. Talks of possible high-profile collaborations with Kanye West, Justin Vernon and others following the release of his latest EP have started to stir up industry speculation in anticipation of the artist/producer’s next step.

If Sunday night’s show was any indication of the direction Blake’s artistic path is headed in, big things should be expected in 2015. Blake continues to breach expectations, something he seems comfortable doing well into the next phase of his career.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: James Blake, The Chapel

EOTO take live improvisation to next level with special guests

December 8, 2014 by BenJamin Wallen 1 Comment

By Benjamin Wallen //

EOTO featuring special guests Tea Leaf Green and Leftover Salmon //
The Independent – San Francisco
December 5th, 2014 //

EOTO came back to the Bay Area with their 100-percent improvised show following a full set of super chill, downtempo music from Bluetech at The Independent. This duo of drummers, also from the percussion section of The String Cheese Incident, make up EOTO.

While their sound has evolved over the years by fiddling with many genres of electronic music, hard-hitting beats, high energy and lots of dancing always come in hot for Michael Travis and Jason Hann.

This night brought special guests from Bay Area favorite Tea Leaf Green and friends from Colorado jam band Leftover Salmon. Leftover Salmon was in town for the Rex Foundation’s “Standing on the Moon” dinner and performance the next night at The Fillmore, but EOTO fans got to taste some of that magical talent a night earlier with almost three sets of music — and to say the least, the vibe and sounds were spectacular.

Accompanied by an amazing light and laser show, it was a night not to be missed, reminding everyone out there the true talent of real musicians, the evolving nature of what we like to call “instruments” and the never-ending evolution of influence and style.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Bluetech, EOTO, Leftover Salmon, Tea Leaf Green, The Independent, The String Cheese Incident

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

The Regent Theater brings new life to LA’s music scene

December 1, 2014 by Josh Herwitt 2 Comments

By Josh Herwitt //

Say what you will about Los Angeles — maybe the traffic, the pollution and the people aren’t your cup of tea — but the city where the Kim Kardashians and the Justin Biebers of the world happen to roam is still one of America’s most important music cities.

With its ties to the film and entertainment industries, LA continues to be a hotbed for young, emerging artists and well-established stars across all genres, whether it’s hip-hop, electronic, punk or rock ‘n’ roll. Maybe it’s why we have more music venues than we know what to do with here. Sporting music venues of all shapes and sizes, LA has no shortage of options, particularly between Hollywood and downtown.

But it is downtown where LA continues to thrive at an exponential rate these days, marking one of the most exciting times in the city’s history, certainly when you consider what downtown LA looked like 20 years ago. One of the latest examples of the gentrification process downtown comes along Main Street, where sought-after, forward-thinking restaurants like Bäco Mercat and Pete’s are now calling home.

Yet, the facelift Main Street has been undergoing over the past five years wasn’t completely solidified until last month’s official opening of The Regent Theater, a 1,100-capacity venue with a gourmet pizza joint (Prufrock Pizzeria) and trendy watering hole (The Lovesong Bar) right next door.

Inside The Regent Theater

While it’s not as if Main Street was completely missing a music venue prior to The Regent’s opening, the new space provides a much different dynamic than what came before it. Just a few blocks up the street and tucked away in an adjacent alleyway, The Smell has long catered to underground punk and weird, experimental electronic acts as one of the few all-ages spots left in LA. But with no bar inside, it boasts an attitude unlike most music venues today, dating back to a time when punk was sweeping the nation for the first time.

You won’t find those anti-establishment vibes at The Regent, where local promoter Mitchell Frank, who also operates The Echo and Echoplex, and his company Spaceland Presents have already sold out shows for Death from Above 1979, Cold War Kids and FKA twigs (two nights). And although there are other suitable options nearby with historical movie palaces like The Orpheum Theatre, The Tower Theater and the newly renovated Theatre at Ace Hotel all lining Broadway within a block of each other, The Regent has quickly found its place amid the crowded, yet booming confines of downtown LA.

Cold War Kids at The Regent Theater

At first glance, the venue has everything to make it a successful addition to LA’s live music scene. Once a grindhouse and adult movie theater before more recently serving as a pop-up store/venue for Jack White’s label Third Man Records and his band The Dead Weather, The Regent fits in quite nicely with its immediate surroundings, evoking a feeling of “old downtown” (the building celebrated its 100th birthday this year, in fact) despite it still bearing that brand-new look and smell. Its sloped dance floor, perfect for any vertically-challenged music fan, is a refreshing change to the club-style venues that dominate LA’s scene. Though the floor area can become difficult to maneuver throughout when shows sell out — as I found out for myself during Cold War Kids’ headlining gig one night — the horseshoe-shaped balcony provides some respite while offering a close view of the stage. There are even a few high-top tables near the stairs for those needing to take some weight off their feet. No need to worry, though. The Regent’s custom-fitted sound system makes it plenty easy to hear the performance from the very back of the room.

If there’s one thing The Regent has going for it, it’s that there aren’t many “bad seats” in the house. Yes, the bar downstairs can easily become inundated with thirsty patrons (quick tip: you’re better off going to the bar upstairs) and the lack of air conditioning at times can make things uncomfortable for some, but with any new music venue nowadays, there are always pluses and minuses. Instead, it will come down to how The Regent resolves these smaller — however, noteworthy — grievances that will determine whether or not it becomes a favorite among LA music fans.

COLD WAR KIDS – NOVEMBER 20TH, 2014

Setlist:
All This Could Be Yours
Miracle Mile
Hair Down
Louder Than Ever
First
Audience
Hot Coals
Santa Ana Winds
Hear My Baby Call
Hang Me Up to Dry
Relief
Minimum Day
Hotel Anywhere
Royal Blue
Drive Desperate
Hold My Home
We Used to Vacation
Hospital Beds

Encore:
Harold Bloom
Mexican Dogs
Saint John

Filed Under: Editor's Picks, Featured, Show Experience Tagged With: Cold War Kids, Death from Above 1979, FKA twigs, Jack White, The Dead Weather, The Orpheum Theatre, The Regent Theater, The Smell, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, The Tower Theater, Third Man Records

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

Killer Mike’s emotional soliloquy on police brutality starts St. Louis show with a heavy dose of real

November 25, 2014 by Mike Frash Leave a Comment

Photos by James Nagel // Written by Mike Frash //

As El-P has pointed out on twitter today, “far as I can tell me and my squad are the only Motherfuckers who fought tooth and nail to get IN to STL Last night.”

Run the Jewels, the dynamic duo of El-P and Killer Mike, are the closest thing America has to some form of political protest in music these days, so it’s only appropriate that one of the biggest breakthrough acts of the year would be performing in St. Louis mere hours after the Ferguson grand jury decided to not charge Michael Brown’s killer, policeman Darren Wilson, with murder.

So as rioting began in nearby Ferguson, and before the National Guard was sent into Missouri, Michael Render took the stage to deliver one of his most powerful speeches ever:

“It’s not about race, it’s not about class it is not about color — it is about what they killed him for. It is about poverty, it is about greed & it is about the war machine…it’s us against the mother fucking machine.

While this must-see speech isn’t too much of a surprise — Killer Mike has made multiple appearances on cable news outlets in the wake of the Michael Brown tragedy and Ferguson protests and Run the Jewels are on our “best stage banter spewing musicians in live music today” list – the content of Mike’s speech should go down in history as the quintessential reaction to the Grand Jury not indicting policeman Darren Wilson for murder. There’s anger, passion and lust for revenge, but ultimately a call for non-violent protest.

El-P and Killer Mike will be donating the proceeds from the forthcoming Meow The Jewels remix project to the families of Michael Brown and other victims of police brutality.

Listen to “Ddfh’ for more on Run the Jewels’ take on police brutality.

Filed Under: Editor's Picks, Featured, Trends & Culture, Video Tagged With: Ferguson, Killer Mike, Police Brutality, Run The Jewels

Minus the Bear show they still bring it after rocking Slim’s

November 25, 2014 by Andrew Pohl Leave a Comment

Photos by Diana Cordero // Written by Andrew Pohl //

Minus the Bear with Mansions //
Slim’s – San Francisco
November 20th, 2014 //

Becoming attached to any particular album by an artist is a natural event, but not always so easy to do. For fans of Minus the Bear, it could be tough to say that any of their fantastic albums is really their “best”, but I think it’s fair to say that their most fun album would be They Make Beer Commercials Like This. The seven-song EP turns 10 years old this year, and along with promoting the release of their latest album Lost Loves, the band has been celebrating with a tour that has featured the EP in its entirety and a grip of tunes from their vast catalog.

They Make Beer Commercials Like This was the first album that I had every heard by Minus the Bear, and I have always loved it, so I was very excited to be able to see the album performed live from front to back. Opening up the evening was Mansions, an indie-rock trio from Seattle by way of Louisville, Ky. They were a perfect pairing for the night, bringing an alt-centric set of songs at just the right length. Singer/guitarist Christopher Browder’s refreshingly clean vocal approach set nicely atop the steady drums and fuzzed-out bass. I would highly recommend this band for fans of Death Cab for Cutie, HUM, Ume and Placebo — just to name a few.

As Minus the Bear took the stage, the sold-out crowd let out a mighty roar in approval, ready to rock. Singer Jake Snider greeted the crowd and said, “They Make Beer Commercials Like This”, to which the crowd gleefully responded in delight. As the band maneuvered through each track on the album, the crowd gladly sang along and at many times began dancing (it is OK to move around at indie-rock shows, FYI). Every member of the band was on point. Guitarist Dave Knudson’s signature tapping and guitar-pedal manipulation has always been a focal point for (musical) gearheads out there — yours truly included. The sounds he is able to create and replicate live are continually impressive. Bassist Cory Murchy and fill-in drummer (and drum tech for the band) Kieffer Matthias kept the rhythm high and tight while synth player Alex Rose filled in the gaps with spacey pads and buzzy square waves. A key ingredient in the Minus the Bear mix has always been the smooth vocal stylings of Snider. Never abrasive, but also never subdued, Snider lets you know that tonight is going to be fun — and you believe it.

Following the completion of the album, the band continued with cuts from Menos El Oso, Infinity Overhead, Planet of Ice, Omni, and from its latest album Lost Loves. Lost Loves is actually a collection of never-before-released tracks, all of which bare (but not bear, haha) that familiar Minus the Bear quality of dynamic instrumentation, crystal-clear vocals and high-quality production. Ending the night was the song “Knights”, which in this guy’s opinion, may be one of the best songs ever written. It’s the perfect length, has a hook that just kills and is just damn fun to move your feet to.

As the band left the stage, they thanked the crowd and the crowd responded in kind. Overall, it was a very enjoyable evening and proof that Minus the Bear are still bringing it live.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: Mansions, Minus the Bear, Slims

Gruff Rhys goes on a conceptual adventure, East India Youth demand aural attention at The Chapel

November 25, 2014 by Brooks Rocco Leave a Comment

Photos by Diana Cordero // Written by Brooks Rocco //

Gruff Rhys with East India Youth //
The Chapel – San Francisco
November 18th, 2014 //

The lead-in to last Tuesday night’s show at the Chapel was one of uncertainty. How does former-Super Furry Animals lead Gruff Rhys command an audience with a table full of gizmos and contraptions? Who is that English bloke in the herringbone suit? Why is there a book on the merch table? Where is everyone?

All of these questions were answered in due time, as the room began to fill, and the schoolboyish East India Youth opened the show. With an eager but refined presence, he began his set arpeggiating on his Roland MIDI keyboard with a pulsing, triumphant piano, which slowly morphed into a beautifully enveloping wash of fuzz and color.

This, the opening of his brilliant 2014 record Total Strife Forever, was an equally impressive introduction to his set, which, much like the album, spanned the lay history of electronic music, from Detroit techno, to acid house, to Merzbow-like noise, to the more ethereal moments of Jon Hopkins, or Thom Yorke’s solo music.

There was no reason for East India Youth to stray from material from the aforementioned record, as the flow of the album, with it’s ups (the lush pastiche of ‘Dripping Down’) and it’s downs (the sublime and warmly ambient ‘Heaven, How Long’), and it’s absolute whoppers (the furiously pounding ‘Hinterland’), were already plotted marvelously.

Throwing a Fender bass around his neck, he whipped his body around while pounding the strings, adding a nice dose of live-ness to the electronic set – though how much the physical bass actually came through the sound system was a curio.

After the newcomer’s set, most were converted to East India Youth’s unique take on modern minimalism and sound-scapery, as they awaited the eccentric, though decidedly less dark Gruff Rhys to take the stage.

Taking the stage with a un-inflated life preserver around his neck, and after notifying the audience of the routes to all fire escapes, Rhys cooly requested that we all watch a short film, which would lead us towards the evening’s theme. A late 70’s BBC-esque documentary about the Welsh claim of American settlement pre-Revolution set the mood, with a dense conviction of the absurdity of the claim. To say that a loony Welshman had hopped in a boat, travelled to the Gulf of Mexico, befriended the Indians, and built castles in the 15th Century New World is historically batshit, but just rife for a concept record.

And Gruff recorded that concept record earlier this year with American Interior, a surreal journey through the American heartland by a character named John Evans, a Welshman seeking these Welsh-Indians, through song and spoken word. The show, mostly acoustic, was enhanced by multimedia in the form of an iPad controlled by Rhys, focusing on a slideshow and conversation, leaving the crowd laughing along with the extremely dry sense of humor of the Welshman on stage.

A varied night of unexpected aural and visual delights, brought to us by two visionaries from across the pond.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: East India Youth, Gruff Rhys, The Chapel

Bassist Alana Rocklin is sparking a creative revival with STS9

November 25, 2014 by BenJamin Wallen 1 Comment

By Benjamin Wallen //

STS9 with Michal Menert //
Fox Theater Oakland – Oakland
November 22nd, 2014 //

Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) returned to the Bay Area last Saturday to rock the Fox Theater Oakland with their high-energy, electronic-infused show.

To kick off the night, the Santa Cruz five-piece booked Colorado electronic producer Michal Menert, whose music pairs fairly well with STS9’s. Repping his label Super Best Records on his T-shirt and exhibiting a sound reminiscent of his childhood friend and colleague Derek Vincent Smith (aka Pretty Lights), Menert got the audience warmed up before STS9 hit the stage for three hours.

With STS9’s newest member Alana Rocklin driving home the bass, there was something about the band that felt different, yet strangely familiar. Having attended many STS9 shows before, this one felt a tad heavier on the electronic side than in previous years, but the quintet dialed it down a few times to transition into some rock jams that had me forgetting I was listening to STS9. As someone who toured with My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James during his 2013 solo tour, Rocklin’s command of her instrument, along with her stage presence, seemed to fuel the group’s path throughout the night.

The old Sound Tribe is still there, but the fresh format is sparking a creative revival — and you can hear it in the music. During STS9’s second set, drummer Zach Velmer and percussionist Jeffree Lerner broke out into a drum battle using a Cajon, a wooden percussion instrument, and a single drum. The flow and energy of the band’s rhythm section was a highlight for me, as I’ve never seen such a cool moment at a Sound Tribe show.

The crowd was friendly all around — hugs and happiness abound. With the band members smiling from ear to ear and spreading such good, happy energy throughout the venue, it reminded me of why I love seeing STS9 live. Even though we may never hear another token “What’s up, San Francisco?!?! How ya’ll feeling tonight?!?!” from former bass player David Murphy, Rocklin has far surpassed what I was hoping for in breathing a new, rich beam of light into one of my favorite bands.

Set 1: New Dawn New Day, Golden Gate, Ramone & Emiglio > Monkey Music, Poseidon, Walk to the Light, Frequencies Peace 2 > 3, World Go Round

Set 2: Dance > Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) > Dance, Vapors, Only Light Remains, Kamuy, Orbital > Hubble, Abcees > No Quarter (Led Zeppelin cover) > Abcees > No Quarter > Abcees

Encore: Circus

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Fox Theater Oakland, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9), STS9

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.

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

Cold War Kids, WATERS & Avid Dancer bring the fun to Fox Theater Oakland

November 24, 2014 by James Nagel 1 Comment

By James Nagel //

Cold War Kids with WATERS, Avid Dancer //
Fox Theater Oakland – Oakland
October 21st, 2014 //

Friday night’s show began with fans trickling in as the first opener, Avid Dancer, took the stage. Stoic front man Jacob Dillan Summers gave a solid performance that held the attention of the crowd, and even garnered loud cheers as the band returned to the stage after the set to retrieve their equipment. They seemed a bit stiff though, sticking close to their mic stands like a baby cub to its momma bear. This was especially evident as Summers concluded the show with a The Who-inspired guitar slam, which looked more like an apathetic drop. That said, they were still entertaining.

Local talent-on-the-rise WATERS was up next and actually drew more media to the photo pit than Cold War Kids. Flowers embellished the stage as the SF locals woo’ed the audience with their engaging banter. Towards the end of the set they led a sing along, encouraging fans to literally ‘Woo” to the tune of “I Feel Everything” – it was a nice touch. It was also a great set, and fun to shoot.

*Side note, someone left a water bottle on the stage so I tried to get the band and the bass drum in a shot together. See for yourself below. I thought it was super clever, though some may disagree.

After some time between sets, fans pried their eyeballs from their cellphones to take in the experience provided courtesy of Cold War Kids. The stage featured a backdrop of a giant Skeleton, which changed colors throughout the show. Things really picked up with “Hang Me Out to Dry”, which was played about halfway through the set.

Subsequent songs were met with loud cheers, which might lead one to believe the half-full (or half-empty, depending on your disposition) venue was actually sold out. For those who did make it out to the Fox Theater – Oakland on Friday night, they got exactly what they wanted.

Editor’s Note: James Nagel is a Bay Area Photographer that writes from a mostly visual POV because, well, that’s what he enjoys.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Avid Dancer, Cold War Kids, Fox Theater Oakland, Waters

Deerhoof continue to redefine themselves

November 21, 2014 by Kevin J Quandt Leave a Comment

Photos by Greg RaMar // Written by Kevin Quandt //

Deerhoof with Crystal Skulls and Go Dark //
Great American Music Hall – San Francisco
November 18th, 2014 //

It’s been about 20 years since the formation of Deerhoof, and the San Francisco natives show no sign of slowing down, in fact, quite the opposite is in process. One cannot think of this band in conventional terms as they truly are not conventional in any way; they don’t fit into any genre, they don’t follow traditional timing and basically shatter their fans expectations with each album and tour. Helmed by rhythmic mad scientist, Greg Saunier, Deerhoof’s show on Tuesday at the Great American served as an extension of the boundary-pushing tendencies these locals have cultivated over the past couple of decades.

A sold out crowd welcomed the act with revelry as they started out the show in a jazzy, dreamy intro (“Mirror Monster”) before launching into the blistering track, “Exit Only”. This one-two punch fully demonstrated the range of sound that band has always exhibited, and continues to pump out via their latest release on PolyVinyl, La Isla Bonita. The juxtaposition of thrashed-out instrumentation, insanely tight drumming and mousy vocals of one Satomi Matsuzaki creates something fully unique that words do little justice to describe. John Dietrich and Ed Rodriguez are the 2-man guitar team who blanket attendees in a pysched-out wave of prog-leaning segments.

One of the biggest take-aways from this show was the ever evolving musical dialect that Deerhoof have created for them, and them alone. The 4 members share a vernacular on stage that only they speak. Greg’s 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. While the band played heavy off the 2014 release, they sprinkled in some crowd favorites in the form of “Dummy Discards a Heart” and the ever-popular, “Twin Killers”.

As Saunier addressed the adoring crowd, it was clear that San Francisco loves Deerhoof and they love us right back. The audience was treated to some hilarious fits of banter from multiple band members as they took a stroll down memory lane, regaling in tales of the early days of the act. One can hope they continue on for another decade as they are truly the definition of indie DIY while continuously keeping their listeners on their feet, whether that’s on their self-produced records or in the fiery heat of their live show. Deerhoof cannot be cast aside anymore.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: Crystal Skulls, Deerhoof, Go Dark, Great American Music Hall

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

The Presets bring intimate club vibes to The Warfield

November 19, 2014 by Molly Kish Leave a Comment

Photos by Diana Cordero // Written by Molly Kish //

The Presets with Antwon, Chela, Frankie Chan //
The Warfield – San Francisco
November 13th, 2014 //

Australian electronic duo The Presets headlined The Warfield on the first West Coast stop of their 2014 “Check Yo’ Ponytail” tour last Thursday. Presented by the IHEARTCOMIX and Topshelf Management teams, the tour aimed to showcase an “open-genre, multimedia-driven” event, highlighting cutting-edge artists, stage design and an over-the-top concert-going experience.

Although the tour sentiment may have gotten overshadowed by the sheer magnitude of the large-scale venue, fans in attendance didn’t seem to mind in the least bit. With many gearing up for a jam-packed night at The Warfield, we were pleasantly surprised by the ample amount of dance space and ability to casually traverse the theater’s several tiers, solidifying the best vantage point to take in the evening’s performances.

All four of the strategically-curated acts played to a mixed-bag audience, composed of fans not only there to catch their favorite performer of the night, but also willing to expand their horizons to enjoy the entirety of the lineup. Each of the artists played with an intent to impress and did so with their respective fan bases as well as their brand-new demographics.

Following the smooth vocal stylings of the Los Angeles-based Chela, Antwon’s thickly-laced, web-core hip-hop tracks and IHEARTCOMIX owner Franki Chan’s DJ set, The Presets took the stage. The entire audience immediately rushed their way onto the main floor, as the introductory sirens of “Push” blared out of the theater’s massive speakers. A perfect opening anthem to warm up the intimate crowd for a “non-stop party, party, party, party, party …”, the Australian duo of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes followed up with back-to-back hits from their 2012 gold record Pacifica. Having recently released a pair of new songs over the past few months and teasing a possible album-in-the-making, Hamilton and Moyes seamlessly embedded “No Fun” and “Goodbye Future” into a master mix of crowd favorites from their two previous full lengths midway through the set.

The pair closed with the crowd communally losing their minds and vocal chords to “Kicking and Screaming” and “Talk Like That”, followed by an electrifying encore of “Surrender” and “Anywhere” that further enlarged the tired and sweaty audio blue balls of the “CYP” audience.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: Antwon, Check Yo' Ponytail, Chela, Frankie Chan, IHEARTCOMIX, The Presets, The Warfield, Topshelf Management

Tame Impala offer more of the same at Fox Theater Oakland … and we still love it

November 18, 2014 by Mike Frash Leave a Comment

Photos by James Nagel & Sam Heller // Written by Mike Frash //

Tame Impala with Delicate Steve //
Fox Theater Oakland – Oakland
October 15th, 2014 //

One of the greatest bands currently creating new music and going out on epic tours, Tame Impala put on shows Saturday and Sunday at Fox Theater Oakland. So why did our favorite Aussies launch a mini-tour without any significant differences in their show since they last visited San Francisco and Oakland just over a year ago?

Saturday’s show featured the heady songs semi-inspired by the psychedelic movement of the 1960’s that we’ve come to love, and they’ve perfected the art of the improvisational interlude (when Tame Impala puts a song to bed, only to explode with two more intense minutes of the same song). These extended jams aren’t on record, but they help to spice up the group’s live experience.

One new element to the show on Saturday was enhanced visuals — the background screen extended from the floor to the ceiling, and Kevin Parker turned away from the audience to face the screen multiple times to concentrate on creating visualizations from his lead guitar playing. Parker’s instrument was represented on screen by a green line that circled, zigged, zagged and gets completely chaotic based on what notes he plucked and how intense they were struck. Granted these visuals look like something out of the first version of a Winamp visualizer, but it was still exciting and noteworthy.

Also, Parker ain’t afraid to represent. He was sporting swag that Tame Impala were selling at the merchandise booth. Next time Tame Impala come to town, I suspect it will be with a fresh scoop of new material.

Delicate Steve gave an exciting, powerful set steeped in emotive instrumentals that nicely set the stage for Tame Impala.