Happy Thanksgiving music lovers!
Apologies for yet another Showy McShow hiatus. I've been getting around a bit.
I'm finally back in town this weekend though, and I'm thankful that's the case because one of my favorite bands in the whole damn universe—Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, in fact—will be throwing down both nights at the Independent this weekend. Robert Walter opens, which is icing on this funkiest of cakes.
I'm down, are you?
| | | | | | | | | | FRIDAY 11/27 | | | | | | | | | |
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe | Robert Walter's 20th Congress @ the Independent - $25
Friday & Saturday shows, I'm catching one of 'em for sure! Shake out them turkey legs and rock with the funkiest sax machine this side of Maceo Parker. Karl is always a ball of fire on the stage, possessing equal parts explosive energy and virtuoso chops on the saxophones and flute. But the fun doesn't stop with him, the entire band is just as ridiculous to a man. If nothing else go just to see Karl and trumpet player Chris Littlefield match each other note-for-note on the most blazing-hot impossibly-fast horn lines imaginable. Greyboy Allstars founding father (along with Karl) Robert Walter opens with his fantastic Hammond Organ groove jazz outfit the 20th Congress.
http://karldenson.com/
http://robertwalter.com/
| | | | | | | | | | SATURDAY 11/28 | | | | | | | | | |
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe | Robert Walter's 20th Congress @ the Independent - $25
Friday & Saturday shows, I'm catching one of 'em for sure!
http://karldenson.com/
http://robertwalter.com/
| | | | | | | | | | UPCOMING | | | | | | | | | |
12/1-12/2 - Black Crowes @ Fillmore
12/2 - Realistic Orchestra @ Yoshi's SF
12/3 - Split Lip Rayfield @ Rickshaw Stop
12/3-12/6 - Goapele @ Yoshi's SF
12/4 - Dragon Smoke (Staton Moore/Ivan Neville)
12/4-12/5 - Black Crowes @ Fillmore
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tonight: Support the Swoop
Howdy folks-
Friday is almost upon us, and there is an amazing band playing at Coda this weekend that you should know about. Before that though, I hope you'll join in the fun tonight and show some support for one of our local funk favorites. Swoop Unit has their first Coda gig tonight, and if all goes well they'll have more to come. So join me down in front for some horn-laden grooves tonight in the Mission!
| | | | | | | | | | THURSDAY 10/15 | | | | | | | | | |
Swoop Unit @ Coda - $7
Our man Adam Willis has been rockin' hard with these cats for a few years now, and they've never sounded better! This 7-piece funk outfit fills the room with foot-stompin' grooves everywhere they go. C'mon down and get funky tonight, this is an important one for this hard-workin' band.
http://swoopunit.com/
| | | | | | | | | | SATURDAY 10/17 | | | | | | | | | |
Dead Kenny Gs @ Coda - $15
Saturday and Sunday shows, woohoo! A seriously dangerous band in the absolute best sense of the word, the Dead Kenny Gs feature saxophone maniac (and one of my personal heroes) Skerik who will be matched in sonic ferocity by stellar vibraphonist and percussionist Mike Dillon and bass playing madman Brad Houser. They will destroy this room, and it WILL be awesome to see. Not sure which night I'm going, so let me know if you're game!
http://www.thedeadkennygs.com/
| | | | | | | | | | SUNDAY 10/17 | | | | | | | | | |
Dead Kenny Gs @ Coda - $12
Saturday and Sunday shows, see above.
http://www.thedeadkennygs.com/
| | | | | | | | | | UPCOMING | | | | | | | | | |
10/21 - Jake Shimabukuro @ Davies Symphony Hall
10/21 - Supertaster @ Royale
10/22 - Chris Dejohn/Jordan Feinstein/Jazz Mafia Horns @ Boom Boom Room
10/26 - Maceo Parker @ Herbst Theater
10/28 - Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer/Zakir Hussain @ Palace of Fine Arts
10/29 - the Dodos @ Bimbo's 365
10/30-10/31 - Orgone @ Elbo Room
10/31 - Marco Benevento/Reed Mathis/Andrew Barr @ Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
10/31 - Supertaster @ Coda
11/7 - Dr. Lonnie Smith/Donald Harrison/Reuben Wilson/Bernard Purdie/Grant Green Jr. @ Herbst Theater
11/9 - Jake Shimabukuro @ Palace of Fine Arts
11/12 - Joe Bagale @ Amnesia
Friday is almost upon us, and there is an amazing band playing at Coda this weekend that you should know about. Before that though, I hope you'll join in the fun tonight and show some support for one of our local funk favorites. Swoop Unit has their first Coda gig tonight, and if all goes well they'll have more to come. So join me down in front for some horn-laden grooves tonight in the Mission!
| | | | | | | | | | THURSDAY 10/15 | | | | | | | | | |
Swoop Unit @ Coda - $7
Our man Adam Willis has been rockin' hard with these cats for a few years now, and they've never sounded better! This 7-piece funk outfit fills the room with foot-stompin' grooves everywhere they go. C'mon down and get funky tonight, this is an important one for this hard-workin' band.
http://swoopunit.com/
| | | | | | | | | | SATURDAY 10/17 | | | | | | | | | |
Dead Kenny Gs @ Coda - $15
Saturday and Sunday shows, woohoo! A seriously dangerous band in the absolute best sense of the word, the Dead Kenny Gs feature saxophone maniac (and one of my personal heroes) Skerik who will be matched in sonic ferocity by stellar vibraphonist and percussionist Mike Dillon and bass playing madman Brad Houser. They will destroy this room, and it WILL be awesome to see. Not sure which night I'm going, so let me know if you're game!
http://www.thedeadkennygs.com/
| | | | | | | | | | SUNDAY 10/17 | | | | | | | | | |
Dead Kenny Gs @ Coda - $12
Saturday and Sunday shows, see above.
http://www.thedeadkennygs.com/
| | | | | | | | | | UPCOMING | | | | | | | | | |
10/21 - Jake Shimabukuro @ Davies Symphony Hall
10/21 - Supertaster @ Royale
10/22 - Chris Dejohn/Jordan Feinstein/Jazz Mafia Horns @ Boom Boom Room
10/26 - Maceo Parker @ Herbst Theater
10/28 - Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer/Zakir Hussain @ Palace of Fine Arts
10/29 - the Dodos @ Bimbo's 365
10/30-10/31 - Orgone @ Elbo Room
10/31 - Marco Benevento/Reed Mathis/Andrew Barr @ Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
10/31 - Supertaster @ Coda
11/7 - Dr. Lonnie Smith/Donald Harrison/Reuben Wilson/Bernard Purdie/Grant Green Jr. @ Herbst Theater
11/9 - Jake Shimabukuro @ Palace of Fine Arts
11/12 - Joe Bagale @ Amnesia
Hardly Strictly Showy Bluegrass
Hold on tight, it's gonna be a hell of a weekend.
My top picks for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass are all below. The stuff in bold is the really really really can't miss shazzle.
See you in the park!
| | | | | | | | | | SATURDAY 10/3 | | | | | | | | | |
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park - $FREE
11:00am - the Wronglers @ Porch Stage
Warren Hellman's band! Banjo player and financial mogul Warren is the man we have to thank for this very festival—he puts it on OUT OF POCKET. The band is nothing stellar, but damn, he deserves a hearty cheer from us all!
1:05 - Austin Lounge Lizards @ Arrow Stage
A satirical country band that should be a kick—good musicianship with lots of hilarious lyrics and themes.
2:30 - Boz Skaggs & the Blue Velvet Band w/ a Ton of Great Guests @ Rooster Stage
The funk bass playing legend is apparently pulling together an enormous ensemble for the festival. Whatever has cooked up, I'm sure it'll be interesting.
2:40 - Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers @ Banjo Stage
We all knew Steve Martin (yes, THE Steve Martin) played some banjo, but damn, here's your chance to see him with a full bluegrass band instead of in the middle of an old stand-up routine! Sweet.
3:30 - Old 97's @ Towers of Gold Stage
These guys sounds really good—kinda like an badass indie country-rock band. Great energy and creative rock arrangements combine well with a bit gritty authenticity.
4:05 - Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder @ Banjo Stage
Hands-down the BEST traditional style bluegrass band I've ever seen live. They do EVERYTHING right. Simple as that.
5:25 - Gillian Welch @ Banjo Stage
One of the sweetest and most iconic voices in all of American roots music, she will melt your heart.
5:40 - Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives @ Towers of Gold Stage
One of the fastest-pickin', most-impeccable-harmonied traditional style bluegrass bands I've ever heard, color me STOKED to finally get the chance to see them live!
6:45 - Robert Earl Keen @ Rooster Stage
I've been wanting to catch this man for some time. His flavor of country/folk is very rootsy, very honest, and very clever.
| | | | | | | | | | SUNDAY 10/4 | | | | | | | | | |
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park - $FREE
12:15 - Booker T. & the Drive-By Truckers @ Arrow Stage
Wow, what a hybrid! Booker (of Booker T. & the MGs) is an old school R&B legend. He's teaming up with one of the best alt-country rock bands on Earth. Should be very interesting.
1:15 - Billy Bragg @ Rooster Stage
A talented genre-hopping alt-rocker who has a serious sense for proper roots music and a snarky hilarity to his lyrics.
1:25 - Doc Watson & David Holt @ Banjo Stage
The elder statesman among bluegrass elder statesmen. He is a flat-picking guitar legend and a living storybook.
2:45 - Earl Scruggs @ Banjo Stage
The man who invented the bluegrass style of 5-string banjo is still a total badass.
3:05 - Galactic @ Star Stage
New Orleans jam-funk-rock all up in here! Hero Staton Moore and crew will work to make you dance and put the 'Hardly' in 'Hardly Strictly.'
4:00 - Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys @ Banjo Stage
Yet another living legend, Ralph's voice embodies the term 'high lonesome.' He is straight out a western film and has to be heard to be believed.
4:25 - Todd Snider @ Arrow Stage
A brilliantly clever songwriter (B double E double R U N!), Todd is a great performer too. Soulful, honest, and full of energy and edge.
5:20 - The Del McCoury Band @ Banjo Stage
One of my very favorite traditional bluegrass bands, Del's high-toned nasal voice is unmistakable and the picking of his sons is nothing short of ferocious.
5:20 - Neko Case @ Star Stage
Another one in the 'Hardly' category, Case is an indie rocker whose richly layered music is hauntingly beautiful.
6:45 - Emmylou Harris @ Banjo Stage
Emmylou's voice IS bluegrass. And she sings with the vigor and genre-bending creativity of a woman half her age. She's a legend, and she damn well deserves every bit of it.
6:50 - Amadou & Miriam @ Star Stage
This one is Hardly Hardly bluegrass! A duo from Mali, I have it on good authority that these two are really something to see. They merge traditional music of their homeland with rock guitar and several other instruments and styles from around the world.
7:00 - Old Crow Medicine Show @ Rooster Stage
Woohoo! Finally gettin' the chance to see these guys. They're an earthy, crew of bluegrass and country miscreants with a bit of punk attitude. They get me just right with what they do.
My top picks for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass are all below. The stuff in bold is the really really really can't miss shazzle.
See you in the park!
| | | | | | | | | | SATURDAY 10/3 | | | | | | | | | |
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park - $FREE
11:00am - the Wronglers @ Porch Stage
Warren Hellman's band! Banjo player and financial mogul Warren is the man we have to thank for this very festival—he puts it on OUT OF POCKET. The band is nothing stellar, but damn, he deserves a hearty cheer from us all!
1:05 - Austin Lounge Lizards @ Arrow Stage
A satirical country band that should be a kick—good musicianship with lots of hilarious lyrics and themes.
2:30 - Boz Skaggs & the Blue Velvet Band w/ a Ton of Great Guests @ Rooster Stage
The funk bass playing legend is apparently pulling together an enormous ensemble for the festival. Whatever has cooked up, I'm sure it'll be interesting.
2:40 - Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers @ Banjo Stage
We all knew Steve Martin (yes, THE Steve Martin) played some banjo, but damn, here's your chance to see him with a full bluegrass band instead of in the middle of an old stand-up routine! Sweet.
3:30 - Old 97's @ Towers of Gold Stage
These guys sounds really good—kinda like an badass indie country-rock band. Great energy and creative rock arrangements combine well with a bit gritty authenticity.
4:05 - Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder @ Banjo Stage
Hands-down the BEST traditional style bluegrass band I've ever seen live. They do EVERYTHING right. Simple as that.
5:25 - Gillian Welch @ Banjo Stage
One of the sweetest and most iconic voices in all of American roots music, she will melt your heart.
5:40 - Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives @ Towers of Gold Stage
One of the fastest-pickin', most-impeccable-harmonied traditional style bluegrass bands I've ever heard, color me STOKED to finally get the chance to see them live!
6:45 - Robert Earl Keen @ Rooster Stage
I've been wanting to catch this man for some time. His flavor of country/folk is very rootsy, very honest, and very clever.
| | | | | | | | | | SUNDAY 10/4 | | | | | | | | | |
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park - $FREE
12:15 - Booker T. & the Drive-By Truckers @ Arrow Stage
Wow, what a hybrid! Booker (of Booker T. & the MGs) is an old school R&B legend. He's teaming up with one of the best alt-country rock bands on Earth. Should be very interesting.
1:15 - Billy Bragg @ Rooster Stage
A talented genre-hopping alt-rocker who has a serious sense for proper roots music and a snarky hilarity to his lyrics.
1:25 - Doc Watson & David Holt @ Banjo Stage
The elder statesman among bluegrass elder statesmen. He is a flat-picking guitar legend and a living storybook.
2:45 - Earl Scruggs @ Banjo Stage
The man who invented the bluegrass style of 5-string banjo is still a total badass.
3:05 - Galactic @ Star Stage
New Orleans jam-funk-rock all up in here! Hero Staton Moore and crew will work to make you dance and put the 'Hardly' in 'Hardly Strictly.'
4:00 - Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys @ Banjo Stage
Yet another living legend, Ralph's voice embodies the term 'high lonesome.' He is straight out a western film and has to be heard to be believed.
4:25 - Todd Snider @ Arrow Stage
A brilliantly clever songwriter (B double E double R U N!), Todd is a great performer too. Soulful, honest, and full of energy and edge.
5:20 - The Del McCoury Band @ Banjo Stage
One of my very favorite traditional bluegrass bands, Del's high-toned nasal voice is unmistakable and the picking of his sons is nothing short of ferocious.
5:20 - Neko Case @ Star Stage
Another one in the 'Hardly' category, Case is an indie rocker whose richly layered music is hauntingly beautiful.
6:45 - Emmylou Harris @ Banjo Stage
Emmylou's voice IS bluegrass. And she sings with the vigor and genre-bending creativity of a woman half her age. She's a legend, and she damn well deserves every bit of it.
6:50 - Amadou & Miriam @ Star Stage
This one is Hardly Hardly bluegrass! A duo from Mali, I have it on good authority that these two are really something to see. They merge traditional music of their homeland with rock guitar and several other instruments and styles from around the world.
7:00 - Old Crow Medicine Show @ Rooster Stage
Woohoo! Finally gettin' the chance to see these guys. They're an earthy, crew of bluegrass and country miscreants with a bit of punk attitude. They get me just right with what they do.
Hardly Strictly Friday and Friday Night Stuff
Alright folks, it's gettin' late, and I still seem to be recovering from the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me, so my picks for the fantastic Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival this weekend will have to wait 'til Friday's lunch break.
For now though, I'll give you my take on a hell of a musical Friday in our fair city.
Not sure I'll be able to get outta work in time to make it to the festival today, but I will definitely be at the Independent tonight for some funky hip-hop. And of course this weekend it is SO on. Everything you need for Friday, dear reader, is below:
| | | | | | | | | | FRIDAY 10/2 | | | | | | | | | |
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park - $FREE
2pm - Poor Man's Whiskey @ Banjo Stage
Though I've yet to see 'em, people tell me this local bluegrass rockabilly crew do a really fun and high energy show.
3pm - Tom Morello the Nightwatchman @ Banjo Stage
The Rage Against the Machine guitarist will apparently be doing a mostly acoustic set with stuff that sounds to me like a gritty, edgy take on Americana roots folk-rock.
4:15 - John Prine @ Banjo Stage
One of the most legendary (and clever) singer-songwriters in the folk/country genre, John can apparently lay claim to being an influence on Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Roger Waters among others.
5:45 - Lyle Lovett & his Large Band
I am almost completely unfamiliar with Lyle's music, but I do know that it's widely regarded as some of the most high quality and idiom-bending stuff in the world of country music, and apparently this large band is indeed quite large.
Ivan Neville/George Porter Jr./Zigaboo Modeliste/Eric Krasno @ DNA Lounge - $25-30
WOW. Whatta lineup. Three legends of New Orleans funk (Neville Brothers and Meters type legends, they don't get bigger than that) along with Soulive's stellar guitarist Eric Krasno. This promises to be one ridiculously nasty gig with a metric ton of funky music in the space of a metric thimble of a venue. Just awesome.
http://www.dnalounge.com/flyers/2009/10/02.html
Crown City Rockers | Breakestra | Spaceheater | Lyrics Born @ Independent - $20
Join me for a hot night of hip-hop and funk at the Indy! Crown City is maybe my favorite Bay Area hip-hop outfit, they've got just enough melody and funk/jazz influence to keep me really into their rootsy rap style. But Breakestra is a band I've been wanting to see for years. They're reputedly a super badass crew that rocks nasty old school funk grooves with power and authenticity. Kicking things off are the Jazz Mafia's Spaceheater crew with their Afro-Latin beats and melodic horns. Oh, and the always brilliant Lyrics Born will be on hand as host extraordinaire.
http://www.crowncityrockers.com/
http://www.breakestra.com/
http://www.myspace.com/spaceheater
| | | | | | | | | | SATURDAY 10/3 | | | | | | | | | |
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park - $FREE
Picks of the litter coming to your inbox before Friday is out!
| | | | | | | | | | UPCOMING | | | | | | | | | |
10/2-10/4 - HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park
10/2-10/4 - Dark Star Orchestra @ Fillmore
10/7 - Adam Deitch's Breakscience | Lotus @ Independent
For now though, I'll give you my take on a hell of a musical Friday in our fair city.
Not sure I'll be able to get outta work in time to make it to the festival today, but I will definitely be at the Independent tonight for some funky hip-hop. And of course this weekend it is SO on. Everything you need for Friday, dear reader, is below:
| | | | | | | | | | FRIDAY 10/2 | | | | | | | | | |
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park - $FREE
2pm - Poor Man's Whiskey @ Banjo Stage
Though I've yet to see 'em, people tell me this local bluegrass rockabilly crew do a really fun and high energy show.
3pm - Tom Morello the Nightwatchman @ Banjo Stage
The Rage Against the Machine guitarist will apparently be doing a mostly acoustic set with stuff that sounds to me like a gritty, edgy take on Americana roots folk-rock.
4:15 - John Prine @ Banjo Stage
One of the most legendary (and clever) singer-songwriters in the folk/country genre, John can apparently lay claim to being an influence on Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Roger Waters among others.
5:45 - Lyle Lovett & his Large Band
I am almost completely unfamiliar with Lyle's music, but I do know that it's widely regarded as some of the most high quality and idiom-bending stuff in the world of country music, and apparently this large band is indeed quite large.
Ivan Neville/George Porter Jr./Zigaboo Modeliste/Eric Krasno @ DNA Lounge - $25-30
WOW. Whatta lineup. Three legends of New Orleans funk (Neville Brothers and Meters type legends, they don't get bigger than that) along with Soulive's stellar guitarist Eric Krasno. This promises to be one ridiculously nasty gig with a metric ton of funky music in the space of a metric thimble of a venue. Just awesome.
http://www.dnalounge.com/
Crown City Rockers | Breakestra | Spaceheater | Lyrics Born @ Independent - $20
Join me for a hot night of hip-hop and funk at the Indy! Crown City is maybe my favorite Bay Area hip-hop outfit, they've got just enough melody and funk/jazz influence to keep me really into their rootsy rap style. But Breakestra is a band I've been wanting to see for years. They're reputedly a super badass crew that rocks nasty old school funk grooves with power and authenticity. Kicking things off are the Jazz Mafia's Spaceheater crew with their Afro-Latin beats and melodic horns. Oh, and the always brilliant Lyrics Born will be on hand as host extraordinaire.
http://www.crowncityrockers.
http://www.breakestra.com/
http://www.myspace.com/
| | | | | | | | | | SATURDAY 10/3 | | | | | | | | | |
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park - $FREE
Picks of the litter coming to your inbox before Friday is out!
| | | | | | | | | | UPCOMING | | | | | | | | | |
10/2-10/4 - HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL @ Golden Gate Park
10/2-10/4 - Dark Star Orchestra @ Fillmore
10/7 - Adam Deitch's Breakscience | Lotus @ Independent
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