Grupo for You, Bro?

Yeah yeah, terrible title, I know. It's late, okay?

And honestly, I'm still recovering from one of the most incredible weekends of music I've had in a long time. That last email turned out to be right. It was so good that it hurt.

All title lameness aside though, I want to call your attention to the fact that Grupo Fantasma, certainly one of my favorite bands right now, is dropping into Yoshi's San Francisco this week.

'What?' you say? 'A dance-crazy band like Grupo is playing stodgy ol' Yoshi's?' you say?

Oh hell yeah they are. And dig this: there will be an open dance floor waiting for them at Yoshi's SF.

I'll be away this weekend, so my only chance to catch Grupo is Thursday night. If you wanna get your socks knocked completely off by the crazy Latin funk band that's been backing Prince up lately, or if you just wanna see what the hell Yoshi's looks like with a dance floor, please join me for the occasion!

One more quick note: Phish tickets are going on sale for Red Rocks Amphitheater this Thursday morning, and for Shoreline Amphitheater on Sunday morning. They're gonna be a challenge, so don't drop the ball if you're into these boys. It's been a long time. I'll be shooting for Sunday at Red Rocks and for good seats at Shoreline, in case you wanna do the same.

The action never stops...


|||||| THURSDAY 3/26 ||||||

Grupo Fantasma @ Yoshi's SF - $18
8pm open dance floor show. I'm all over this! Grupo is a SMOKIN' hot, horn-heavy, rock-your-face-off Latin funk orchestra that simply destroys every room that's silly enough to try to hold them. They've never failed to blow me away, and once you see them you probably won't miss the chance again. They're so damn hot that Yoshi's is opening up a dance floor for them. Yeah, dance floor, at Yoshi's.
http://grupofantasma.com/


|||||| FRIDAY 3/27 ||||||

Grupo Fantasma @ Yoshi's SF - $18
8pm & 10pm open dance floor shows. Hot stuff! See above.
http://grupofantasma.com/

Ronkat Spearman w/ Broun Fellinis @ Boom Boom Room - $12
Spearman is an old school guitarist from Parliament Funkadelic who seems to get regular gigs together with interesting Bay Area funk players on the regular. What's wild about this Boom Boom Room gig is that he has the entire Broun Fellinis trio backing him up. A force to be reckoned with on any night, the Fellinis do a very unique brand of powerful, aggressive, hip-hop jazz. This should be a really interesting show.
http://www.myspace.com/ronkat
http://www.myspace.com/brounfellinis

Goapele @ Yoshi's Oakland - $28 (sold out, hit Craigslist)
A powerful and entrancing soul/jazz singer with one of the most seductive voices I've ever heard. She is quite captivating even in an outdoor setting, so I'll bet these Yoshi's gigs will be magical.
http://www.myspace.com/goapelemusic

Robert Earl Keen @ the Fillmore - $25
I've gotta see this guy someday. His music is some of the most soulful, raw, and authentic roots Americana out there. Have you seen him, what's he like?
http://www.robertearlkeen.com/


|||||| SATURDAY 3/28 ||||||

the Wood Brothers @ Swedish American Music Hall - $16
Chris Wood (of Medeski, Martin, and Wood) is literally the most incredible upright bassist I have ever witnessed. Over the past couple of years Chris has rediscovered playing with his brother, who took a path towards roots music while Chris was playing jazz. Saturday brings a rare chance to get on down with some folksy traditional bluegrass from the good Brothers Wood.
http://www.thewoodbrothers.com/

Goapele @ Yoshi's Oakland - $28 (sold out, hit Craigslist)
See above.
http://www.myspace.com/goapelemusic


|||||| SUNDAY 3/29 ||||||

Goapele @ Yoshi's Oakland - $28
See above.
http://www.myspace.com/goapelemusic

This One's Gonna Hurt. Probably Quite a Bit...

...It's a good kinda hurt though.

Like when you climb Mt. Tamalpais on your bike.

Or when something falls behind the sofa, and it seems like it's just barely out of reach, but you stretch EXTRA hard, and somehow, miraculously, grip it between two fingers and draaaaag it back.

Sure it hurts, but you accomplished something. You did it. You should be proud. You ARE proud.

This weekend will be something like that. The only relaxation I can see happening will be a seated Bela Fleck show at Yoshi's, possibly Sunday evening, to catch him dueling it out with a man from Mali who is master of a crazy instrument called the Kora. But the real pain will begin with the back-to-back monstrous musical happenings on Friday and Saturday night. Some of the world's funkiest players are gracing us with their infinite musicality this very weekend.

It's gonna hurt a little, but with you as my witness (and hopefully my cohort), I will see them all...

Speaking of stellar musicians, one last note: PHISH has announced their West Coast summer tour dates. These dates include four delicious nights at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheater, a place I've been dying go to for years. There is one night at Shoreline, and also two nights at Seattle's iconic Gorge. The last time the boys reunited, some of the results were mixed. But listening to the downloads of their comeback Hampton shows from two weekends ago, I have to say I am STOKED. They sound fantastic, and Trey is only forgetting a few things here and there...

Anyway, the shows go on sale next week and will sell out immediately, so get on your shit if you wanna see 'em. Schedule is here: http://www.phish.com/news/ I will be trying for Red Rocks (hoping for Friday or Saturday) and Shoreline if any of y'all out there interested.

Also, there is a simple pre-sale lottery ending THIS SUNDAY that you can find here: http://phish.portals.musictoday.com/ Do that for sure!

Now, on to more pressing subjects. Time to give 'til it hurts...


|||||| THURSDAY 3/19 ||||||

Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate @ Yoshi's Oakland - $30
8pm & 10pm shows (who's up for it Thursday or Sunday?). Hot on the heels of the release of a documentary about his musical sojourn around Africa, banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck is bringing a little slice of Africa to us! Joining him in a rare duo for the Yoshi's gigs is Toumani Diabate, a world-renown master of the Malian Kora instrument. Apparently Diabate can give our man Fleck a good fight in the versatility department, so I'm sure they're amazing to see. I think I wanna go Sunday evening and I'd love some company...
http://belafleck.com/
http://www.myspace.com/toumanidiabate


|||||| FRIDAY 3/20 ||||||

Will Bernard, John Medeski, Stanton Moore, Andy Hess @ Great American Music Hall - $20
Early show! 8pm! Uhhhh, yeah, this is gonna be just effin' ridiculous. Four powerhouses and no weak links. I think we're in for some of the nastiest groove jazz going today with this crew. Bernard has been a Bay Area funky jazz guitar institution for decades, John Medeski (of Medeski, Martin, and Wood) is quite simply the most brilliantly creative freak-jazz pianist I've ever seen, Stanton Moore (of Galactic) is my favorite New Orleans drummer, and Andy Hess (of John Scofield, etc) is a bass playing force to be reckoned with. No excuses, this will be STELLAR. I'll See you there. Some friendlies are meeting at Edinburough Castle around 6...
http://willbernard.com/
http://www.mmw.net/
http://stantonmoore.com/

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe | Robert Walter's 20th Congress @ the Independent - $25
Friday & Saturday shows (I'm goin' Saturday). FUNK YEAH! The short dude with the long tall soul is back and on the attack! Karl is one of the nastiest soul jazz sax players you'll ever hear, and his smokin' band is finally back from a long break. What's most amazing to me about seeing him with these guys is the incredible interplay between Karl and trumpeter Chris Littlefield. They match each other note for note while ripping through intensely complicated horn lines, and frequently improvise super tasty melodies together on the spot. The rest of his band are also straight-up badasses, and it all makes for a hell of a party. Oh, and one of the best organ players touring today, Robert Walter (along with Karl a Greyboy Allstars alum), brings his absurdly funky heavy-organ band to get the room rockin' before Karl does. You know, 'cause you needed one more reason to go. Join me on Saturday, and don't be late!
http://www.globalimaging.us/kdtu/news.php
http://robertwalter.com/

Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate @ Yoshi's Oakland - $35
8pm & 10pm shows, see above.
http://belafleck.com/
http://www.myspace.com/toumanidiabate


|||||| SATURDAY 3/21 ||||||

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe | Robert Walter's 20th Congress @ the Independent - $25
Friday & Saturday shows, see above. I'll catch you down in front for this one!
http://www.globalimaging.us/kdtu/news.php
http://robertwalter.com/

Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate @ Yoshi's Oakland - $35
8pm & 10pm shows, see above.
http://belafleck.com/
http://www.myspace.com/toumanidiabate


|||||| SUNDAY 3/22 ||||||

Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate @ Yoshi's Oakland - $18-35
2pm & 7pm shows, I wanna go at 7! See above.
http://belafleck.com/
http://www.myspace.com/toumanidiabate

Fancy a Fleck Film on Friday?

...A 'Bela Flick' perhaps?

That was awful, I know, but I'm doin' the best with the time I have.

Banjoman of the world Bela Fleck has apparently teamed up with a documentary maker to, well, document his recent trip to Africa. The film is showing this weekend at the Roxie theater with both Fleck and the director in attendance. Megan and I are heading to the Friday 9:20 show, and you should join us! Looks like he'll be at Yoshi's next weekend with one of the musicians from the film as well...

Also, I IMPLORE you to get your tickets to the crazy double header of shows on 3/20 and 3/21. I just listened to a recent Karl Denson show on Archive.org in fact, and holy CRAP, they're funkier than ever. I can't wait for this:

3/20 - Will Bernard/John Medeski/Staton Moore/Andy Hess @ Great American Music Hall
3/20-3/21 - Karl Denson's Tiny Universe | Robert Walter's 20th Congress @ Independent

Still don't believe me? Go here and don't miss Track 5: http://www.archive.org/details/kdtu2009-01-10.spyder9.flac16

Briefly (yeah, really) here are the deets on the Fleck flick and some other good bets for your musical weekend:


|||||| FRIDAY 3/13 ||||||

Bela Fleck: Throw Down Your Heart (film) @ the Roxie - $10
Multiple showings Friday through Sunday (I'm goin' Friday at 9:20). This documentary follows our favorite banjo virtuoso as he travels around Africa discovering the roots and culture that gave birth to his instrument of choice. Fleck has long been known to travel to far flung lands to expand his playing, so I'm sure we'll be treated to many amazing moments on this journey of his. AND for the Friday and Saturday shows, Mr. Fleck himself and the director of the film will be there presumably for some Q & A. Come with!
http://www.roxie.com/events/details.cfm?eventid=AE4E392E-F1F6-5CD4-1A0464F1F51A0ECF
http://belafleck.com/

the New Mastersounds @ the Fillmore - $22.50
The young Brits who have been coming closer and closer to giving the Greyboy Allstars a run for their soul-jazz money are all grows up! Catch 'em in the big room for a dance-happy good time.
http://www.newmastersounds.com/

G. Love and Special Sauce @ the Warfield - $22.50
G. Love is just damn good times. He's a little rock, a little hip-hop, a little soul, a little folk, and a whole lotta fun to see live.
http://www.philadelphonic.com/

BLVD w/ Adam Deitch & Break Science @ Great American Music Hall - $15
I still haven't caught this high-energy livetronica outfit yet, but people tell me very good things. Add stellar drummer/producer Adam Deitch from John Scofield's band among others, and I think this'll be a pretty smokin' gig.
http://www.blvdsource.com/
http://www.myspace.com/adamdeitch


|||||| SATURDAY 3/14 ||||||

Bela Fleck: Throw Down Your Heart (film) @ the Roxie - $10
Multiple showings Friday through Sunday (I'm goin' Friday at 9:20). See above.
http://www.roxie.com/events/details.cfm?eventid=AE4E392E-F1F6-5CD4-1A0464F1F51A0ECF
http://belafleck.com/

Monophonics @ Boom Boom Room - $14
Another funky soul-jazz outfit that's on the up-and-coming trip. These guys are young, have some great energy, and solid chops to back it all up.
http://www.monophonics.com/mp_bio.html

2/20/2009: Friday, Showy Friday. And Saturday... and Fat Tuesday...

And what a Friday it is!

I only have a few minutes to hit you with some very important musical happenings, so try to read this as fast as you can, OK? Like in that super-fast legalese radio announcer voice. Good, you're doin' great.

To put it simply, you need to join me for a few things:

TONIGHT, some local shredders from Teal Leaf Green and ALO are throwin' down at the tiny little Connecticut Yankee for ten damn dollars. Into it? Lemme know. TOMORROW, punky bluegrass maniacs Split Lip Rayfield are swinging through on a rare SF visit. They're a hillbilly spectacle if ever there was one. And finally, Tuesday, FAT TUESDAY in fact, holds a smokin' hot Mardi Gras ball featuring the Brass Mafia and Extra Action Marching band. If you can only do one, make sure that's it. I'll bring some shiny beads for you. Oooh. Shiny.

Oh, and since I've been caught off guard with some shows selling out lately, may I humbly recommend you buy a ticket for both of these madatory events next month:
3/20 - Will Bernard/John Medeski/Staton Moore/Andy Hess @ Great American Music Hall
3/21 - Karl Denson's Tiny Universe | Robert Walter's 20th Congress @ Independent. See? Mandatory.

No purchase necessary, for a limited time only, void where prohibited, not legal in the state of Virginia... Deets are all below, and happy Goddamn Friday!


|||||| FRIDAY 2/20 ||||||

Andrew Bird @ the Fillmore - $28 (or like a million bucks on Craigslist)
Unfortunately, this show SOLD OUT weeks ago. It slipped under the McShow radar, and you all have my apologies. Luckily, Mr. Bird seems to like this town, and I have no doubt he'll be bringing his monstrous talent and virtuosity here in again in the very near future. Since it's a tough ticket to get, I won't prattle on about him. You've heard me sing his multi-instrumentalist, brilliant songwriting, incredible vocalist praises before. Oh, and if you do have the scratch for a CL ticket ($80-100), I hear he's with a full band, and horns... (sigh).
http://andrewbird.net/

CounterClarkWise (Josh Clark / Steve Adams / Steve Molitz / Scott Rager) @ Connecticut Yankee - $10
Well damn! Just when I thought I had my Friday night figured out, I had read about this. Tea Leaf Green's Josh Clark is a pretty rippin' guitarist, drunk or not, and I've always dug ALO bassist Steve Adams' style. Joining these two hometown heroes is Steve Molitz, a really nasty keyboard player from Particle and Phil & Friends, and Tea Leaf drummer Scott Rager (best name in show business? maybe). Dang, that's a LOTTA rockin' in a TINY room. Who wants to go? C'mon!
http://www.jambase.com/shows/event.aspx?EventID=900625


|||||| SATURDAY 2/21 ||||||

Split Lip Rayfield @ Cafe du Nord - $15
yeeeeEEEEEHAAAAAW! These guys freakin' rip! One of their key members, Kirk Rundstrom, died tragically and suddenly of cancer last year, but I'm guessing the band will still be as nasty as ever. Picture the most smokin'-fast hillbilly bluegrass you've ever heard, then add a healthy dose of punk rock edge, and make sure to keep it as authentic and real as possible, and you're approaching Split Lip Rayfield. Complete with the most stellar single-string upright bass playin' you've ever seen. On a Ford Ranger gas tank. With a Weed Wacker handle. Yeah.
http://www.splitliprayfield.com/

Kinky @ Regency Center Grand Ballroom - $23.50
One of the true gems of High Sierra a few years back, these guys are a super high energy blend of Latin rock and funky electronic dance music. Utterly original, and an all around blast to see live.
http://www.kinkymusic.com/

Dropkick Murphys @ the Warfield - $22.50
Another one of these damn sold out shows. I'll just say that I've always thought the Dropkick Murphys' Celtic-hybrid music was some of the most out-and-out fun punk rock I've ever heard, and I've been wanting to catch 'em live for many years.
http://www.dropkickmurphys.com/

Monophonics @ Mission Rock Cafe - $15
Local up-and-comers on a tear, the Monophonics are a funky jazz band with mountains of energy and soul.
http://www.monophonics.com/mp_home.html


|||||| FAT TUESDAY 2/24 ||||||

Brass Mafia / Extra Action Marching Band @ the Indpendent - $15
Let's roll, SON! Sunset Promotions is puttin' on a hell of a Mardi Gras ball with two big, brassy, bad-ass bands. Extra Action is force to be reckoned with—a full-contact mob of marching band madness. Oh, and they're great players too, just in case you needed something more than getting your beer spilled by a scantily-clad flag dancer to keep your interest. Closing the night is the always ridiculous Brass Mafia, who you might remember from that little birthday happening a few months back. The only reason I remember through the boozy fog is that they're so damn GOOD with their lineup of SF's very best horn talent, arrangements by award-winning composer Adam Theis, rippin percussion by Pat Korte, and vocals ranging from freestyle rap to funky soul. Can I breathe now? Are you convinced?
http://www.sunsetpromotions.net/evinfo.php?eventid=32047&sid=
http://www.jazzmafia.com/bands/brass-mafia/
http://www.extra-action.com/

Marco Benevento, Joe Russo, Peter Apfelbaum, Josh Roseman @ Yoshi's Oakland - $16-20
Daaaaamn, if you're in the mood more for crazy jazz than you are for funky brass, this show is your only excuse for missing the one above. Briefly, Marco - ridiculous keys/piano/trippy effects and Joe - absurdly powerful drums (Russo/Benevento Duo, Bustle in Your Hedgerow, etc). Peter Apfelbaum - naaaasty sax player (New York Heiroglyphics, Trey Anastasio, Josh Roesman Unit, etc). Josh Roseman - trombone powerhouse (see Peter's bands and other absurdly good stuff). This will be madness, but will involve more sitting than the Brass Mafia show, you know, if you're into that...
http://beneventorussoduo.com/
http://www.peterapfelbaum.com/
http://joshroseman.com/index.html

2/9/2009: Late Show, Daddio.

Yep. That's right. As in the late show this Tuesday night at Yoshi's Oakland.

It would be veeeery foolish of you to miss out on some of the most badass musicians on the planet playing together for just ten bucks. TEN BUCKS.

You can't even buy drugs these days for ten bucks. I don't know what other argument I can make.

Well, okay, other than the one you'll find beneath the Tuesday header down there. Seriously though, check out the gig, it's ridiculous.

Oh, one little teaser to drop on ya before I get on with it here. Our pal and alleged Jazz Mafia ringleader Adam Theis noted in a recent email that Jazz Mafia Tuesdays will be triumphantly returning in the near-ish future...

at... a... new... LIVE... MUSIC... VENUE... in the Mission.

Do I wear my excitement on my keyboard? Apparently I do...


|||||| TUESDAY 2/10 ||||||

Marco Benevento, Skerik, Billy Martin, G. Calvin Weston @ Yoshi's Oakland - $10-16
Early & late shows (join me for the late one, it's CHEAP). I'll be shocked if this isn't some of the most mind-blowing freaky jazz we'll see all damn year. Piano/keys madman Benevento (of Russo/Benevento Duo) continues his Tuesday night residency, and for this night he'll have TWO of my musical heroes joining him. At this point I'm sure you're well aware of the badassery of Skerik, the evil sax player from Garage a Trois, et al. Adding to the ferocity on stage will be Billy Martin, the virtuoso drummer from Medeski, Martin, and Wood. The fourth man G. Calvin Weston is supposed to be quite the powerhouse on drums as well. Uh, yeah, pretty healthy dose of awesome right there.
http://marcobenevento.com/


|||||| THURSDAY 2/12 ||||||

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey @ Yoshi's Oakland - $10-16
Early & late shows. Evolution seems to always be the word with Jacob Fred. Years ago they were a real challenge to wrap your head around, their jazz improv was so loosely tied together and so cerebral. Since then they seem to have made steps towards accessibility, and last time I saw 'em they were pretty damn funky. Now the band has a new bassist and guitarist/lap steel player, and from the tunes on their website apparently have a new kind of electro-indie, or even Radiohead, type of influence. It's pretty cool actually, because they back it all up with ridiculous jazz chops that turn the simple stuff inside out to make it nasty.
http://jfjo.com/


|||||| FRIDAY 2/13 ||||||

Papa Mali | Delta Nove @ Mission Rock Cafe - $17
A hot and sweaty Mardi Gras double bill if ever there was one! Papa brings a huge, heavy, swamp-guitar funk to the stage that rumbles around in your gut like only Bayou-bred music seems to do. And Delta Nove, with their dance-crazy Afro-Cuban brand of funk rock, posses an infectious energy that's impossible to sit still for. Hot stuff.
http://papamali.com/
http://www.deltanoveband.com/

Bill Kreutzman/Oteil Burbridge/Scott Murawski @ the Independent - $25
One of the pitfalls of the Grateful Dead was that on a bad night (or all the time, depending on your perspective), the band was too big and unwieldy to make for improvisational tightness. It looks like Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann is out to change all that with this hot little lineup. He has stellar Allman Brothers bassist Oteil Burbridge holding down the rhythm, and gritty frontman and guitarist from Max Creek Scott Murawski adding the punch. Listening to their tight, quick-moving, energetic versions of Grateful Dead songs makes me wonder what could have been if the Dead had this kind of agility...
http://www.myspace.com/billkreutzmann


|||||| SATURDAY 2/14 ||||||

Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk @ the Independent - $22
Big, powerful, FUNK. Served hot, uncut, and straight outta New Orleans just as the Good Lawd intended. Ivan and his brother Ian set the stage on fire when they bring their crew of Crescent City funk masters out to play. If you wanna dance, there is no better choice this Saturday night...
http://www.dumpstaphunk.com/


|||||| SUNDAY 2/15 ||||||

Warsaw Poland Bros @ Elbo Room - $
It's been far too long since I've seen these punky ska rockers, and I just might have to get out and dig 'em this weekend. Renais? You in? A super fun band that has a very listenable west coast punk rock root with just about the right dose of bouncy ska horns to take the edge off and make ya get a little skank on.
http://www.myspace.com/warsawpolandbros

1/26/2009: The Dap Kings and Other Rad Things

Well hi there, strangers!

A belated Very Funky New Year to you all. Hope you're every bit as sexy as you were when last we spoke. Sexier in fact, as long as that's even possible. Which in your case it might not actually be, because you're already so damn sexy anyway.

Everyone here at McShow Global Enterprises wants to express to you the fact that we're not the least bit concerned with this little economic downturn that's happening of late.

Why not, you ask? The most obvious reason is that no matter what kind of shape the economy is in, it doesn't seem to have had even the slightest effect on the overwhelming amount of fantastic live music that's in our immediate future.

And, well, since we don't actually have any staff per se, and since we (and by 'we' I mean 'I') don't actually get paid at all for anything, we figure the chances of staff and/or pay cuts are drastically reduced in our case.

Relieved now? I know I am.

On to that overwhelming music thing, then. This week brings us the rare chance to see Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, a band I've been dying to catch for years. From what I'm told there is no truer representation of the roots of funky soul music, James Brown kinda funky soul music, on tour today than Sharon and her band. They're at the Warfield Wednesday night and you should be too.

I'll be away this weekend, so I need to include some stellar stuff from next week too. Marco Benevento kicks off a 4-week Tuesday residency at Yoshi's in Oakland, rippin' on the keys with a different and stellar band every week. Then the weekend of February 6-7 we'll be treated to the New Orleans funk powerhouses of Trombone Shorty and the Dirty Dozen Brass band doing double nights of double bills at the Independent. Oh, yeah, and 7-string guitar wizard Charlie Hunter plays an intimate gig with nasty drummer Scott Amendola that weekend too.

See? Told ya...


|||||| TUESDAY 1/27 ||||||

Baba Ken & the Afro-Groove Conexion @ the Elbo Room - $7
No credit for the lame-ass name, TONS of credit of the HOT-ASS music. Always on the lookout for a new Afrobeat band, I hit their Facebook link below on a whim. And damn, if the live show is anywhere near as good as the tunes on their website this is a band I've gotta see. Any takers for rockin' out on a Tuesday (sans Jazz Mafia for once)? Give the stuff a listen if you doubt me...
http://www.facebook.com/agx

|||||| WEDNESDAY 1/28 ||||||

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings @ the Warfield - $22.50
GO TO THIS SHOW. If there is a more authentic funk-soul act on the planet than Sharon Jones, since James Brown passed of course, then I haven't heard of 'em. Hailing from James' hometown in Georgia, Sharon is a 100% pure, not from concentrate, soul singer extraordinaire. Her band the Dap Kings are supposed to be the creme de la creme of funk players, literally second to NONE. Think Stax, think Motown, think about your favorite James Brown tunes. I've been wanting to see Sharon and the Dap Kings for years, and they rarely come around because they tour worldwide, so I REALLY wanna hit this one. I think it'll be somethin' truly special.
http://www.myspace.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings

|||||| SUNDAY 2/1 ||||||

Ska is Dead Tour: the Toasters | Voodoo Glow Skulls @ Slim's - $16
Skaaaank ON! Damn straight ska isn't dead. Headlining a four act bill are two legends of the genre that I've always wanted to see. The Toasters are bouncy, funky, high energy, and a blast. The Voodoo Glow Skulls have a harder edge, more of a punky ska-core outfit, and also a high energy rockin' good band. Bummed I'm gonna be outta town. If you go to this, I wanna hear all about it!
http://www.toasters.org/
http://www.myspace.com/voodooglowskulls

|||||| TUESDAY 2/3 ||||||

Marco Benevento w/ Reed Mathis & Andrew Barr @ Yoshi's Oakland - $10-16
First night of a 4-week Tuesday night Yoshi's residency with players various and sundry, hell yeah! Pianist Marco Benevento is one of my heroes. As half of the stellar Duo with Joe Russo, he has proven himself time and time again to be a freaky monster who can think and create on the keys in ways most players never even dream of. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey bassist Reed Mathis is another hero of mine and he's one of the few players who is just crazy and skilled enough to keep up with Marco...
http://www.marcobenevento.com/

|||||| THURSDAY 2/5 ||||||

Fiction Family @ Independent - $20
Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek and Jon Foreman of Switchfoot are both incredible multi-instrumentalists and fantastic singers. The tunes I've heard from this collaboration are entrancing somehow, it's like a post-roots or electro-acoustic type sound. Very unique stuff, I'll bet this partially-seated show will be pretty wild.
http://www.fictionfamily.com/

|||||| FRIDAY 2/6 ||||||

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave | Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ the Independent - $22
Friday and Saturday shows (I'll be there Sat). Funk it UP y'all! This is one serious double dose of New Orleans funky fantasticness, and they're switching the headliners for each night. Shorty and his band are monstrously funky. The man himself is a bit of a prima donna, but you can't knock him too much for it because he just freakin' rocks the hell out of the place. Smokin' horns and a funk rock rhythms are what Shorty's band is all about. Opening this night are the legendary Dirty Dozen, a 12 piece New Orleans funky brass band institution if ever there was one. I say they're even better than that other big Crescent City brass band, what do you say..?
http://www.tromboneshorty.com/
http://www.dirtydozenbrass.com/

Charlie Hunter, Scott Amendola, & Friends @ Cafe du Nord - $20
Big, BIG men in a small, s m a l l room is a recipe that I'm rather hooked on. This night is drumming madman Scott Amendola's 40th birthday and he has 7-string guitar virtuouso/freak of nature Charlie Hunter along with a handful of other jazz powerhouse players joining him. This'll be a TON of talent in a tiny space. Eeeexcellent.
http://www.charliehunter.com/
http://www.scottamendola.com/

|||||| SATURDAY 2/6 ||||||

Dirty Dozen Brass Band | Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave @ the Independent - $22
Join me on this night, it'll be hot! See above.
http://www.dirtydozenbrass.com/
http://www.tromboneshorty.com/

12/10/2008: A little bit of bad news, with a whole bunch of good news...

First, the bad news (don't worry, the good news is VERY good while the bad news is only temporary)...

As some of you know by now, the funky music institution Jazz Mafia Tuesdays at Bruno's is now a thing of the past. This news is weeks old at this point, but I've been slackin' on writing about it in the Showy McShow. Maybe I was refusing to believe it, I wouldn't put that past me really.

Jazz Mafia ringleader Adam Theis gives the whole story here, so give it a read to learn what happened.

I first met the fine Jazz Mafia folks after Swoop Unit drummer Adam Willis took me to a Cannonball show about seven years ago. That one show got me completely hooked on their Tuesday gigs, which were at the tiny Blue Bar in North Beach. When I told them how badass I thought they were one night after a gig, they gave me a laminated card that got me into the club for free—the beginning of a beautiful and funky friendship. Much like what we've seen at Bruno's this year, the various Jazz Mafia bands eventually outgrew the place, becoming so popular that it was sometimes tough just to get through the door. The Blue Bar was eventually sold and closed, and the band established their long running residency at Bruno's.

The new Bruno's gigs had some stellar nights, along with ups and downs due to the club closing, changing hands, and undergoing two remodels. The unfortunate thing about the current owners is that they seem to be uninterested in what built the roots of the club—live music. Years ago you could walk into Bruno's any night of the week and see fantastic jazz at a reasonable price. The room got some amazing acts over the years, and the setting was always intimate and filled with character. While it had been a relief to me that the Jazz Mafia had carried on a tradition of spectacular Tuesday night shows under the new owners, much of the character of the old club was gone with the repeated remodels, and it was painfully obvious that they weren't interested in booking live music. Still the Jazz Mafia rocked on and took Tuesdays by storm. Several gigs sold out this year, which is quite something on a Tuesday night when music starts at 10:30. It's a testament to how good the bands were, as the club sure wasn't helping.

All of that is recent history now, I'm sad to say. But the good news is that whatever the next venue for Jazz Mafia Tuesday is, and I'm told there is no doubt there WILL BE a next venue, it'll be the start of a whole new chapter of spectacular music ready to make you hate getting up for work on Wednesday all over again. I can't freakin' wait.

End/Rant!

Now to the more immediate good news. HOLY CRAP is there some great music landing on us this week! Since I seem to have spent an absurd amount of time ranting about the whole Bruno's thing, I've gotta be quick with this stuff (yeah, right). Here goes:

|||||| THURSDAY 12/11 ||||||

Ozomatli w/ Chali 2na @ the Fillmore - $26.50
Thursday through Sunday shows. Two (non-gramatically-correct) words for you: CHALI 2NA! That's right kids, the deep-voice emcee with the big smile you know and love from Jurassic 5 and from Ozomatli's early recordings will be joining them for all four of these Fillmore gigs. And I am freakin' stoked. Adding Chali to the high-energy percussion-happy Latin funk powerhouse that is Ozomatli will make for one hell of a good time. Don't bother working out that day, I think you might need your energy... Oh, and there is rumor of an appearance by Lyrics Born and an after-gig at the Boom Boom Room as well. Life is hard in San Francisco.
http://ozomatli.com/

|||||| FRIDAY 12/12 ||||||

Dead Kenny Gs | Mike Dillon's Go-Go Jungle @ Boom Boom Room - $18
WOOOOOT! Saxophone madman Skerik and vibraphone/percussion wizard Mike Dillon are both virtuoso players... and they're both certifiably insane. That's what makes all of their bands (Garage a Trois, Critters Buggin', and the ones listed here among others) such an incredible experience. They take their instruments to new sonic heights while creating their own definitions of what jazz and funk music actually are to begin with. It's really amazing stuff, and for this night Critters Buggin' bassist Brad Houser will join them in the attack. Dillon's Go-Go Jungle (opening) was actually one of the best surprises in music that I had last year. They're powerfully funky, like really really powerfully funky. I'm not missin' this, and if you're anywhere else this Friday night, you're in the wrong place, trust me...
http://www.thedeadkennygs.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mikedillonsgogojungle

Ozomatli w/ Chali 2na @ the Fillmore - $26.50
Thursday through Sunday shows. See above.
http://ozomatli.com/

|||||| SATURDAY 12/13 ||||||

Rex Foundation Benefit @ the Regency Center Grand Ballroom - $40
With Americana roots legends the Rowan Brothers and Ramblin' Jack Elliot, reggae stars Fully Fullwood and Tony Chin, electro-new-grass rockers Panjea (with Michael Kang of String Cheese Incident), and SF horn funk superstars the Brass Mafia all on the bill, this annual benefit for the Grateful Dead's philanthropy organization should be pretty darn spectacular. And hey, it's for a good cause, so you've got that goin' for ya too.
http://www.rexfoundation.org/25_anniversary.html

Ozomatli w/ Chali 2na @ the Fillmore - $26.50
Thursday through Sunday shows. See above.
http://ozomatli.com/

|||||| SUNDAY 12/14

Ozomatli w/ Chali 2na @ the Fillmore - $26.50
Thursday through Sunday shows. See above.
http://ozomatli.com/

Fishbone @ the Independent - $15
It's no secret that Showy loves him the ska music. First wave, second wave (mostly), or third wave, the more uptempo and danceable the more I dig it. I never got the chance to see Fishbone in their '90s heyday, but the live stuff I've heard sounds like a pretty damn good party. So yeah, they may be so, like, last decade, but I'll bet this show will be a skankin' good time.
http://www.fishbone.net/

12/9/2008: Ridiculous Fees at the Fillmore

Emailed to Ozomatli and their booking agent:

I'm a live music lover writing to let you know that ticket fees at the Fillmore in San Francisco have gotten to be completely out of control. A $26.50 Ozomatli ticket purchased online now gets a mandatory fee of $14.30, which means that fans have to pay more than a 50% upcharge to see a band like Ozomatli. In a tactic that can only be described as absurd, fees are charged even when tickets are purchased directly from the Fillmore box office.

Anyone who goes to see live music expects some kind of surcharge from a venue, but this level of fees is exorbitant, ridiculous, and insulting. These charges that do not benefit the band in any sense, are actually preventing people from going to see their shows. Folks I know who can well afford to go to shows like the upcoming Ozomatli gigs are refusing on principle.

I'm writing in hopes of encouraging Ozomatli and Paradigm booking to seek out venues that are much more friendly to the fans that make them what they are. The Independent by comparison would add about less than half of the fees that the Fillmore (and Ticketmaster I assume) are currently charging.

Thanks for your time.

-Davin Pukulis in San Francisco

11/26/2008: Pass the Peas, Jive Turkey.

Ever happen to notice that your sporadically-disseminated Showy McShow email has an 'Upcoming' section down at the bottom of it? No? Well, it's not a bad thing to glance at once in a while, 'cause it usually lists stuff that I might not scrap up the time to write you about. Case in point was last week, when I didn't send anything at all about Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Medeski, Martin, and Wood, and the Drive-By Truckers. Last week was kinda nuts, musically speaking.

See what you could miss if you don't skim that Upcoming part? Just a lil' public service announcement, because I care about you. Really, I do.

Speaking of announcements, there is some spectacular music this weekend that you need to know about. Bustle in Your Hedgerow is here...

|||||| FRIDAY 11/28 ||||||

Benevento/Russo Duo @ the Independent - $18
Part indie rock, part freaky jazz, all power, and all virtuoso, all the time. That's what organ and drums duo Benevento Russo are all about. As always, they'll destroy the room and take a bit of your mind with them for good measure.
http://beneventorussoduo.com/

Delta Nove @ Mojito - $8
No strangers to the Showy pages, Delta Nove always brings the party BIG time. They're a hard groovin' Afro-Latin funk band that just crackles with dance-happy energy and great musicianship. This is some serious bang for your musical buck.
http://www.deltanoveband.com/index.cfm

Monophonics @ Boom Boom Room - $15
A local band on the up-and-coming train, the Monophonics are a straight-up jazz/funk outfit that manages to break the mold with young players and high energy authenticity. They did a rockin' set of soul-flavored funk at High Sierra this year that had everyone dancin' their asses off.
http://www.myspace.com/monophonics

|||||| SATURDAY 11/29 ||||||

Bustle in Your Hedgerow | Guitarmageddon @ the Independent - $18
Bustle is AWESOME. Just GO. It's Benevento and Russo, teamed up with stellar guitarist Scott Metzger of Rana and Dave Dreiwitz, bassist from Ween, to create the most badass instrumental recreation of Led Zeppelin you could possibly imagine. If you like Zeppelin (and I'm not quite sure why you're getting this email if you don't), you will be completely floored. It's uncanny the power these guys have, and it's exactly what Led Zeppelin was all about. Guitarmageddon with Josh Clark of Tea Leaf Green starts the rockin'.
http://www.myspace.com/bustle

Supertaster w/ Karyn Paige & Joe Bagale @ Mojito - $8
With the multi-instrumentalist badasses of the Jazz Mafia holdin' down the grooves and soulful vocals, this'll be a hot night in North Beach. Expect special guest troublemakers throughout the evening too.
http://www.jazzmafia.com/

11/13/2008: Stellar. Just stellar. INTERstellar, even.

I've always loved Galactic.

It's hard not to dig everything that New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore is involved with, but Galactic is certainly one the best of his many bands.

One of the key things about them is that they CHANGE. This is a big problem with bands in the 'jam/funk' realm—though I would argue Galactic is a funk band more than anything else. Even if a band lays down a great groove, you can get stuck seeing them do the same damn thing over and over, for years and years (Tea Leaf Green, I'm lookin' at you). In fact, it's why lots of people hate 'jam bands.' In fact, it's why I sometimes had jam bands. Dougie B. coined the term JAJB some time ago that described this phenomenon... Just Another Jam Band.

Anyhoo, Galactic takes the JAJB concept, knocks it flat with a smokin' horn line, stomps on it with a deep New Orleans kick drum, and raps it soundly about the face and neck with a syncopated, snarling snare. This time around these guys will have two brand new horn players on the bill. Their new album 'From the Corner to the Block', which is powerfully addictive, features a who's-who of funky rappers, many of whom are Bay Area locals. This means that there should be some pretty badass guest appearances this weekend. Color me stoked.

Oh, and Crown City Rockers are awesome too, just in case you need another reason to go.

At this point it looks like Saturday night is sold out (sorry), but there are Friday tickets available and Craiglist may help for Saturday. Not sure which night I'm going yet, lemme know if you're up for some gettin' down...

|||||| FRIDAY 11/15 ||||||

Galactic | Crown City Rockers @ Fillmore - $28.50
Friday & Saturday shows. New Orleans funk powerhouse Galactic, with a fresh new horn section, and hopefully some kickass guest MCs, will be killin' it this weekend. Bay Area funky hip hop kings the Crown City Rockers will open it up, and they're great, so get there early!
http://www.galacticfunk.com

|||||| FRIDAY 11/15 ||||||

Galactic | Crown City Rockers @ Fillmore - $28.50 (sold out, try Craigslist)
Friday & Saturday shows.
http://www.galacticfunk.com

10/28/2008: Be a Mafia Anniversary Accomplice Tonight (and Halloweeny Stuff too)

Howdy strangers-

You look great! Been workin' out? Well it shows, keep it up gorgeous.

Any apologies for my lack of communication are probably just falling on deaf ears at this point, so I won't even bother with that crap. Let's just get down to business. Appropriately enough, there is a SCARY amount of music ahead on our horizon:

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones will be doing a SUPER rare run of shows at Yoshi's here in SF next month. I'm still trying to figure out which night I'm going, your input is welcome. Medeski Martin and Wood are coming to the Fillmore, Old Crow Medicine Show (who I STILL haven't seen), ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, the list goes on...

But all that jazz is on the horizon. Tonight I'll be swingin' over to Bruno's to catch the 5th anniversary party for the Shotgun Wedding Quintet. They'll have all the troublemakers in attendance along with a full string section packed into the little room that could. Join me for a rad night of hip-hop and smokin' jazz.

And then of course there are a slew of fantastic choices in funky live music for your Halloween. I've listed a few below in brief, and any one of 'em would be a hell of a way to ring in the evening. Whatever trouble you end up getting into on Halloween, or the night after (http://www.spacecowboys.org/articles/2008/10/09/ghostship-dia-de-los-muertos-on-treasure-island), just make sure to get enough sleep afterwards to crawl outta bed and vote in one of the most important elections in recent history. Even though a California vote may not matter too much for the prez, there are certainly some crucial ballot issues that require your input this time around.

And me? I'm voting for the Taste We Can all Believe In of course: http://www.zazzle.com/donuts_and_bacon_taste_we_can_believe_in_blue_shirt-235503205979919999

|||||| TUESDAY 10/28 ||||||

TONIGHT! Shotgun Wedding Hip Hop Symphony 5-Year Anniversary @ Bruno's - $10
Join me for some room rockin' tonight as the boys and girls celebrate five years at the top of their game. Along with 14-piece live hip-hop jazz Shotgun Wedding insanity, local hero Dublin will be debuting his solo project in 10pm slot with some backing help from the Shotgun rhythm section. This'll be a funk of a party kids. Bring it.
http://www.jazzmafia.com/

|||||| FRIDAY 10/31 ||||||

Lunch is over and I've gotta be brief...

Umphrey's McGee | the New Deal @ the Fillmore - $24
This should be awesome! Supercharged electronica crazies the New Deal, which we don't see around here EVER, opening a Halloween gig for the most high-energy prog-influenced band in the jam world? Party time kids. Party time. With Umphrey's being known for some of the wildest covers of any band this side of Phish, they'll be mashing shit up all night long. They've even got a mash-up theme costume contest, dig it:
http://blog.umphreys.com/cs/blogs/thefloor/archive/2008/08/18/halloween-mash-up.aspx

Morris Day and the Time | Nino Moschella @ the Grand Ballroom at the Regency Center - $44
Jungle Looooove, Oh-Ee-Oh-Ee-Oh! What an old-school funk trip! I had no idea these dudes were around, but with a gig this big, and the seriously talented and soulful Nino Moschella opening up, I'll bet they're gonna bring a pretty serious good time to the Grand.
http://www.morrisdayandthetime.com/

Albino! | Toubab Krewe @ the Independent - $16
You all know Albino! as the horn-driven Afrobeat band from my birthday 2 years back and from numerous gigs around the city. They're great, always a super funky good time, and Toubab I remember being very impressed with at High Sierra a while back. Percussion driven world beaty party music if ever there was some.
http://albinoband.com/

|||||| SATURDAY 11/1 ||||||

Umphrey's McGee @ Slim's - $28
How these dudes are surviving another night of music is beyond me...
http://www.umphreys.com/

10/3/2008: Strictly Showy Bluegrass - Saturday and Sunday

This damn festival. It's hard work I tells ya!

Here, for your reading pleasure, are the rest of the McShow Must-Sees at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass this weekend. Print this out or somethin', I worked my ass off.

I'll see you there music lovers, rain or shine!


Hardly Strictly Bluegrass @ Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow - $FREE!
http://strictlybluegrass.com/

|||||| SATURDAY 10/4 ||||||

12:05 - Waco Brothers @ Star Stage
These guys friggin' ROCK. They take their country roots and smash 'em up with a fiery tongue-in-cheek punk rock attitude that gets the whole place hootin', hollarin', laughin', jumpin' up and down and yellin' for more.
http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artists/wacobrothers/

12:55 - Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band @ Banjo Stage
Multi-instrumentalist Peter (and his brothers in fact) is a bluegrass legend. With a long and storied career including the seminal band Old and In the Way (with Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, and Vassar Clements). I've never seen Peter so I'll be jumping at this chance.
http://www.peter-rowan.com/

1:05 - Bad Livers @ Arrow Stage
Bluegrass and punk rock need to be just elope already. I mean seriously, they were meant to be together. Rough and raw, the Bad Livers sound as if they'll do a pretty good job puttin' the ass in bluegrass.
http://www.myspace.com/badlivers

2:05 - Three Girls and Their Buddy @ Banjo Stage
An army of bluegrass divas take the stage, this should be wild. Dig the lineup:
www.buddyandjulie.com www.emmylouharris.com www.shawncolvin.com www.pattygriffin.com

2:20 - The Gourds @ Arrow Stage
Made famous by their hilarious bluegrass cover of Snoop Dogg's Gin and Juice, the Gourds do soulful alt-country with blue collar American authenticity.
http://www.thegourds.com/

3:25 - Hot Rize @ Banjo Stage
A bluegrass institution, Hot Rize is going on year 30 with no stoppin' in sight. Catch them for some soulful, traditional bluegrass with a flavor of country swing.
http://www.hotrize.com/

4:10 - Del McCoury Band @ Star Stage
The who's-who of bluegrass that is Hardly Strictly wouldn't be complete without Del and his sons. One of the most distinctive high-honey voices in the genre, expect the very sweetest of traditional harmonies and fast-pickin' musicianship.
http://www.delmccouryband.com/

5:40 - Global Drum Project w/ Mickey Hart & Zakir Hussein @ Star Stage
Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and virtuoso tabla player Zakir Hussein are quite the unique pair. They'll be anchoring an armada of percussionists from around the world.
http://www.rockpaperscissors.biz/

6:00 - Steve Earle & the Bluegrass Dukes @ Banjo Stage
Yet another legend in the house, Earle is a singer/songwriter/guitarist who embodies the soulful heart of American roots music.
http://www.steveearle.com/

|||||| SUNDAY 10/5 ||||||

11:00am - The Wronglers @ Porch Stage
The man we have to thank for this whole crazy festival takes the stage with his band to kick off the day on Sunday. Warren Hellman describes himself as a modestly talented banjo picker, but if I can get there early enough I'm sure as hell gonna cheer like mad for the man whose gift to the city (out-of-pocket) is the gift of 3 days of amazing music.
http://www.myspace.com/thewronglers

2:15 - Bill Evans' String Summit @ Porch Stage
5-String banjo picker Bill Evans is known (like Bela Fleck) for bringing jazz and other uncommon influences into his acoustic string compositions. His band are all accomplished players, so expect some pretty serious musical fireworks and challenging arrangements out of this crew.
http://www.nativeandfine.com/

2:30 - Elvis Costello's High Whines & Spirits @ Star Stage
Elvis is bringing a country tone to his unique and soulful brand of roots music to Hardly Strictly this year. Rumor has it several special guests are on tap for this set as well...
http://www.elviscostello.com/

2:55 - Earl Scruggs @ Banjo Stage
Pioneer of the three-finger style of picking Banjo, the 84-year-old 4-time Grammy winning Scruggs is one of the forefathers of bluegrass. From his work with Bill Monroe and the Foggy Mountain Boys, he is largely responsible for how banjo instrumentation is used in all bluegrass music.
http://www.earlscruggs.com/

3:20 - The Waybacks @ Arrow Stage
A good times roots band if there ever was one, the Waybacks play strings-based rock, folk, and bluegrass with an bent for authenticity and improvisational skills.
http://www.waybacks.com/

3:25 - Iron & Wine @ Rooster Stage
Okay, I've gotta say, I think the name is goofy as hell. BUT I've heard several people rave about how dramatic and intense this live show is that I've gotta say my curiousity is piqued. The man uses several types of sting instruments to make compositions that get compared to people like Elliot Smith and Simon and Garfunkel.
http://www.ironandwine.com/

4:15 - Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder @ Banjo Stage
ARGH! Decisions! Ricky and Kentucky Thunder's set in 2006 was literally the BEST bluegrass show I've ever seen in my life. From the sweet, soulful harmonies, to the perfectly captivating musicianship, bluegrass just doesn't get better than this in my opinion. It kills me that they're opposite Gogol Bordello, but I think I may have to side with Ricky on this one...
http://skaggsfamilyrecords.musiccitynetworks.com/

4:15 - Gogol Bordello @ Star Stage
Damn conflicts! What do you call a huge honkin' 10-piece gypsy punk rock wall of sound? Gogol Bordello apparently, and they are a friggin' BLAST to rock out with. When your frontman has a sticker on his guitar that says "drum machines have no soul," you're my kinda band. Since catching them last year I've been dying to see 'em again, buy why oh festival Gods, why must they be opposite Ricky Skaggs?
http://www.gogolbordello.com/

5:45 - Emmylou Harris @ Banjo Stage
What can you say about the incomparable Emmylou Harris? Her 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.
http://www.emmylou.net/

5:50 - Tea Leaf Green @ Arrow Stage
If all this bluegrass has left you hankerin' for a little bit of straight-up blues based rock n' roll, Tea Leaf is your answer. This SF jamband brings some great guitar chops and a fun, approachable style every time they hit the stage.
http://www.tealeafgreen.com/

10/3/2008: Strictly Showy Bluegrass - Tonight! (and the next day, and the next...)

It's that time again folks. Bluegrass philanthropist extraordinaire Warren Hellman is dragging his favorite musicians to town and footin' the bill for all of us spoiled-rotten music lovin' freeloaders. This weekend, you'd be outta your mind to miss...

HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS @ Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow - $FREE

I'll be there Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday because, well, you'd have to be nuts to be anywhere else. Hit me up with a text if you're wandering around the festival.

What's great about this festival is that since you're not paying a cover, you can just stroll around and stay at whatever sounds good. Count on lots of surprises from bands you've never even heard of. Bring your own beer and food, no fences, no hassles!

I'm far from a bluegrass expert, but below are some of my best bets on what to see. Friday picks are first, I'll get you Saturday and Sunday later on.

Here comes one of my favorite weekends in SF... WOOT!

|||||| FRIDAY 10/3 ||||||

11:30am - MC Hammer @ Star Stage
Wha?!? Hammertime? In the morning? The early Friday shows are educational performances that will have school kids in attendance as well as being open to the general public. I have absolutely no idea what Hammer is up to these days, but if you stroll down this morning you'll have a legit chance at finding out.

3:35 - Jerry Douglas @ Banjo Stage
Jerry is one of the best bluegrass acts I've ever seen. He's a dobro virtuoso and the music is rich, soulful, and absolutely gorgeous. I'm gonna try like hell to get down there early enough to see him.
http://www.jerrydouglas.com/

5:15 - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss w/ T. Bone Burnett @ Banjo Stage
This is going to be AWESOME. Plant (Led Zeppelin's lead singer) and Krauss (a bluegrass superstar) have made an amazing album that's won more awards than just about any other in the past year. They're quite a team, and T. Bone is the man largely behind the incredible O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. Color me stoked for this. I'll be right in the thick of it and you should too!
http://www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com/site.php

9/9/2008: TONIGHT: So Bad, they're GOOD.

What the hell are you doing tonight?

Jazz Mafia Tuesday at Bruno's featuring the funky hip-hop crew Felonius? Good choice, good choice.

If, however, you're more in the mood for some CRAZY jazz music, then I have a last minute invite for you. The BAD PLUS is an incredible trio, and they're playing at Yoshi's tonight and tomorrow night. I'm going tonight, not sure yet on 8pm or 10pm. Drop me a line if you want to join me. It really doesn't get much nastier than these cats. You've gotta see it to believe it.

Been away the past few days, so I hope you'll accept my deepest apologies on the belated notice here.

Let's face it, you've been plenty good lately. It's time for some baaaad...


|||||| TUESDAY 9/9 ||||||

The Bad Plus @ Yoshi's SF - $10-16
8pm and 10pm shows. It's probably impossible to categorize this jazz trio, but I'll see what I can do. Whether they're playing hugely expansive, powerful, and completely group-improvised original compositions, or systematically deconstructing songs like Tom Sawyer (Rush), Heart of Glass (Blondie), Ironman (Black Sabbath) or Chariots of Fire (huh?), they will not fail to completely captivate the entire room. The skill, dexterity, and telepathic creativity of these guys knows no bounds. They are truly a spectacle, and not to be missed. Seriously. If you're into it, lemme know pronto 'cause I'll be ordering tickets in a few hours and Yoshi's SF has assigned seats...
http://www.thebadplus.com/

|||||| WEDNESDAY 9/10 ||||||

The Bad Plus @ Yoshi's SF - $10-16
8pm and 10pm shows, see above.
http://www.thebadplus.com/

8/21/2008: Showy McShow Guide to Outside Lands Music Fest: FRIDAY

Dang. It's here.

The biggest, craziest music festival this town has seen in recent memory is finally here. And it is EXPENSIVE.

Well, about as expensive as one might expect three days worth of top-tier acts playing in San Francisco might be I guess. The sheer caliber of talent out there this weekend is kind of mind blowing, that's for sure. It's challenging for yer Uncle Showy though, with time and funds tied up in a trip to the desert that's just a few days away. All this damn fun, gettin' in the way of other fun... For that reason, and that reason alone, I may only be able to join y'all for Friday night at Outside Lands. But what a crazy night that will be.

I'll also do my best to scrape together a minute or 90 to give you some recommendations for Days 2 and 3. The short answer is: see everything.

Simple, right?

That said, the STELLAR Garage a Trois shouldn't be missed at the Independent on Saturday night (Outside Lands after party). You can read about that at the bottom of this here message.

Drop me a note if you're heading to the park tomorrow. It's gonna be absolutely nuts. And with that, let's dive into Friday night, shall we?

Oh yeah, and if I were you I'd PRINT THIS SHIT OUT. I know I'm gonna...

|||||| FRIDAY 8/22 ||||||

OUTSIDE LANDS FESTIVAL, Golden Gate Park (in and around Speedway Meadow)
http://sfoutsidelands.com/index.php
There is a lot of really cool stuff happening that sounds well worth taking a chance on. The ones in ALL CAPS are my opinions of a sure thing, though. In chronological order:

Carney | 5:00–5:25 | Presidio Stage
What? A 25 minute set? Really? I've never seen this LA four piece rock band but listening to 'em makes me want to get there early and see what they're all about. It's some hard-hittin', soulful, gritty rock music that rings with power and authenticity to my ears.

Howlin' Rain | 5:00–5:30 | Panhandle Stage
Another great sounding rock band that I'd like to check out. The sound bite gives me a bit of a funked-up Black Crowes kinda feel. Driving rhythms section, heavy guitars, and enough organ to get a little funk in there too. Good stuff.

Cold War Kids | 5:25–6:10 | Sutro Stage
Wiley and trippy pop rock, something about the sound of these guys kinda gets me. The lead singer tosses his voice around wildly and with heavy drums and some weird-enough-to-keep-me-

interested, yet simple, instrumentation I've gotta say they're worth checkin' out.

The Dynamites w/ Charles Walker | 5:45–6:15 | Avenues Stage
Charles is a funky soul singer who cut his teeth in the late '60s opening up for all the big boys. One listen to this humongous horn funk band tells me that I'll need to get me some of that boogie fo' sho'.

Felice Brothers | 6:10–6:40 | Presidio Stage
Sweet, home brewed, soulful, and often tongue-in-cheek Americana roots music is what the Felice Brothers are cookin'. They have a song called "Whiskey in My Whiskey." Rad.

BENEVENTO/RUSSO DUO | 6:10–6:50 | Panhandle Stage
This is the band I was blathering on about in my last email. Since their North Beach club gigs were so crazy free-form, I have to believe they're gonna pull it back to some more danceable stuff at Outside Lands. But with these two nut-jobs, who knows? All you need to know is that they're a drummer and an organ player with enough power and chops to equal bands 10 times their size. Dig this shit, it's freakin' crazy.

MANU CHAO | 6:15–7:15 | Lands End Stage
This dude (and his band) are just wicked. He somehow manages to be equal parts Latin roots and punk rock, while also bringing one hell of a serious party. His music is driving and infectious and he'll keep you jumpin' up and down from beginning to end. It's a freakin' spectacle, and it's awesome.

BECK | 6:40–7:50 | Sutro Stage
I still can't believe I've never seen Beck, but now is my chance. Eeeexcellent. His maniacal, multi-instrumental blend of psychadelic rock, folk, rap, and lord knows what else is utterly unique. And super fun. I'll bet this'll be a blast.

Lyrics Born | 7:15–7:55 | Avenues Stage
Sometimes more hip-hop (okay, usually more hip-hop), and sometimes more funk, Lyrics Born never takes himself seriously even though his skills are no joke at ALL. This MC knows how to bring the party—by keepin' it funky of course.

RADIOHEAD | 8:00–9:55 | Lands End Stage
This is how you do a finale, kids, and I'm psyched to see what I've been missing all these years. Not only is Radiohead's music utterly creative, dramatic, and powerful, but I haven't ever heard someone say that they WEREN'T blown away by the live show. The lights alone are supposedly about the best you'll ever see out of a rock band. Hopefully they've taken the trouble to drag the whole rig out to the park, 'cause I'm ready for these guys to just destroy the place. I'd wager they won't let us down...

|||||| SATURDAY 8/23 ||||||

OUTSIDE LANDS FESTIVAL, Golden Gate Park (in and around Speedway Meadow)
http://sfoutsidelands.com/index.php
I'll do my best to get some notes out to y'all that are headed down for Day 2 of the action. It sure as hell ain't lettin' up.

Garage a Trois @ the Independent - $25
WOOT! With Stanton Moore (drums, Galactic and others), Skerik (sax, Les Claypool and others), Mike Dillon (vibraphone/percussion, Hairy Apes BMX and others), and special guest Marco Benevento (organ, Benevento/Russo and others), Garage a Trois brings and turbulent and distructive force to any stage they hit. From dance-crazy high-energy funk to smokin' hot jazz-based lunacy, these crew of literally FOUR of my FAVORITE musicians on the planet will wreck the Independent, and likely wreck your soul should you dare to witness them.
http://garageatrois.com/

|||||| SUNDAY 8/24 ||||||

OUTSIDE LANDS FESTIVAL, Golden Gate Park (in and around Speedway Meadow)
http://sfoutsidelands.com/index.php
Yep, predictably, Day 3 kills it too. I'll try to keep you in the know.

8/18/2008: Duo for You-oh

I had a feeling that the Outside Lands Festival that's happening this weekend in Golden Gate Park would bring us some rockin' ancillary gigs.

A glance at the listings reveals one hell of a great one (that I almost missed!) The incredible Benevento/Russo Duo will be gracing us with Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night shows at intimate Mojito in North Beach. I'll be there Tuesday, join me if you can! Buy your ticket NOW.

And don't you worry, I'll be doing a full write-up on the Outside Lands Festival in another day or two. There is an act or two on that bill that might be worth your time...

|||||| MONDAY 8/18 ||||||

Benevento/Russo Duo @ Mojito - $12
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday shows. One drummer, one organ player, one HELL of a huge sound. I've been hooked on these guys for years, and they just keep getting better and better. Their music varies from explosive experimental jazz to stuff that almost has an instrumental Radiohead or Postal Service feel. Regardless of what they're playing it's done with telepathic improvisation and incredible power and skill. Russo smashes away at his drum kit like a jazz-savvy version of John Bonham, and Benevento's virtuosity on the keys is fierce enough to sell out Yoshi's on a weeknight. If you were at High Sierra, you saw these two play as half of Bustle in Your Hedgerow in addition to their own set and sit-ins with almost every other band up there. This will be captivating stuff, and you're outta your mind if you miss it.
http://beneventorussoduo.com/

|||||| TUESDAY 8/19 ||||||

Benevento/Russo Duo @ Mojito - $12
I'll be going on Tuesday. Get it all over ya.
http://beneventorussoduo.com/

|||||| WEDNESDAY 8/20 ||||||

Benevento/Russo Duo @ Mojito - $12
Miss it at your unfunky peril.
http://beneventorussoduo.com/

7/21/2008: Naaaaaasty.

Nasty, nasty, nasty, naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasty. That's about the only way I can describe the North Beach Jazz 'Headhunting' show last night.

To be perfectly honest, that was one of the best jazz shows I've seen in MY ENTIRE LIFE. Yeah yeah, I know, I'm just a kid. But don't let that fact deter you. GO TO MOJITO tonight or tomorrow if you are at all interested in having your MIND COMPLETELY BLOWN. Seriously, what those guys do is pure magic, and you'll be so close to them it feels like they're playing in your living room. Amazing. If I didn't have a crazy work project on my hands, I'd be there again tonight for sure.

Continuing the Cavalcade of Stars, I'll be dropping into Yoshi's for the 8pm Robert Walter show tomorrow night. And if it's not sold out, we may just be staying for the late one as well. Drop me a line if you're heading that way. Though, like I said, Mojito will be a fine way to spend your evening as well.

Which brings us to Wednesday. Ah, Wednesday. One of the most fun nights of music that ever happens in San Francisco is, in fact, this Wednesday. It's Jazz on Grant, it's 25+ FREE shows all over North Beach, and it's so friggin' cool you'll think you're in New Orleans. Except you'll be wearing something on with long sleeves. Seriously though, the action starts with the Jazz Mafia's big honkin' Realistic Orchestra which will be somehow packed into Mojito this year. 7pm suckas. The whole thing goes down pretty early actually, so don't wait 'til 10 to leave the house...

I'll try to hit y'all with some more recommendations for Thursday and the weekend if I can scrape together a free minute. The lineup is here: http://nbjazzfest.com/

For now, you'll just have to make due with...

|||||| MONDAY 7/20 ||||||

Headhunting (Skerik, Mike Clark, Paul Jackson) @ Mojito - $15
Monday and Tuesday shows. Absolutely effin' incredible. Mike Clark and Paul Jackson are the drummer and bassist from Herbie Hancock's Headhunters among other really dope bands. Last night they tore the place completely apart with the most jaw dropping display of groove-jazz virtuosity I have ever witnessed. And there simply is no saxophone player like Skerik, even though he's actually playing the support man on this nutty bill. The intensity, the sheer creativity of the guy is utterly unique. You've seen him do his evil thing with Garage a Trois, Critters Buggin', and about 80 or 90 other nasty bands. It kills me that I can't buy each and every one of you a ticket to see this, it's really something special...
http://www.sunsettickets.com/calendar2.php#25838

|||||| TUESDAY 7/21 ||||||

Headhunting (Skerik, Mike Clark, Paul Jackson) @ Mojito - $15
Monday and Tuesday shows, MANDATORY attendance.
http://www.sunsettickets.com/calendar2.php#25838

Robert Walter Trio @ Yoshi's Oakland - $10-16
8pm and 10pm shows, Tues and Weds. I'm thinkin' 'bout Tuesday. I loooooves me some Robert Walter. This man just wrecks the Hammond organ in the funkiest, most soulful ways. When he's not killin' it with the Greyboy Allstars, you can find him tooling around New Orleans looking for trouble. And with powerhouse Crescent City legends Johnny Vidacovich (drums) and James Singleton (bass) sharing the Yoshi's stage, this will be a stellar night of music well worth crossin' the bridge for. Take it to the bridge y'all, take it to the bridge.
http://robertwalter.com/

|||||| WEDNESDAY 7/22 ||||||

North Beach Jazz Fest JAZZ ON GRANT @ 25 bars and cafes all around Grant St. - $FREE!
Oh SNAP. Get on out early to get on down with Uncle Showy, 7pm, Mojito, Realistic Orchestra, bitches! The schedule is below, but the beauty of this night is that you can stroll around and just venue hop up and down the street. Go wherever the music takes me? Yeah, that's the way to roll SON. Some good bets will be: Realistic Orchestra (of course), the Park, the Ritual, and Boca do Rio. It's ON:
2007 Jazz on Grant Schedule:
· Mojito 7pm: Realistic Orchestra - 1630 Stockton St, 7pm
All subsequent shows run from 8-11pm
· Mojito 10pm: Realistic Orchestra (7-9) the Jazz Mafia (10-2) - 1337 Grant Ave
· Royale: the Park - 1326 Grant Ave
· Ristorante Ideale: Gregory James - Grant Ave
· Cafe Trieste: TBA - Grant @ Valejo
· Savoy Tivoli: The Ritual - 1434 Grant Ave
· Live Worms Gallery - New Orleans Trio (6-9) and Boca do Rio (10-2) - 1341 Grant Ave
· Dell'Uva: Blues in the Pocket - 1534 Stockton
· Tony Nic's: Matt Moorish - 1534 Stockton
· Cafe Divine: Craig Ventresco & Meredith Axelrod - 1600 Stockton
· Columbus Cafe: DUUY Quintet - 562 Green
· Amante: Stephane Wrembel- 570 Green
· Café Roma: TBA - 526 Columbus Ave
· Joe Dimaggio's Chophouse: TBA - 601 Union
· Pasta Pomodoro: Marcus Stephens - 731 Union
· King's ChaCha: Mingo's Tribe 3 - 601 Union
· Trattoria Pinocchio: Nova Jazz - 401 Columbus Ave
· Steps of Rome: Snake Plisskin Quintet - 348 Columbus Ave
· Giordano Bros: Jugtown Pirates - 303 Columbus Ave

Robert Walter Trio @ Yoshi's Oakland - $10-16
8pm and 10pm shows, Tues and Weds. I'm thinkin' 'bout Tuesday.
http://robertwalter.com/

7/17/2008: Yikes! (seriously, yikes)

Hotasses:

Achtung! Danger! Listen the fuck up!

Just when you thought it was safe to attempt a full night of sleep, a perfect storm of monstrous musicality has been spotted on the horizon. And we're DIRECTLY in its path. Yeah. Yikes. Batten down those Goddamn hatches kids, the next couple of weeks are gonna have you clinging to the deck rail and beggin' for musical mercy. Your author is shakin' in his dancin' shoes.

The madness starts tonight (Thursday) with a CD release party for our boys Swoop Unit. If you caught them playing in the backyard of McShow HQ a few weeks back, you know what's what. Their new album is a rockin' slice of instrumental jazz-funk, with artwork designed by someone very close to you and me. The gig is in the big music room at the back of Rassela's on Fillmore, there will be a huge crowd of friendly folks in attendance, and you should definitely join me for some funky good times.

Then the weekend will drop on us one of my very favorite bands, Lettuce, throwin' down Friday and Saturday nights at the Independent. I'll be there Saturday for this rare treat. They're one of the most kick-ass, hard-hittin' funk bands you'll ever rock out to. Seriously folks, we never get to see this band 'cause they're all in other successful projects, and if you miss it I sure can't be held accountable for your sleepness nights of regret.

Sunday night marks the start of North Beach Jazz Fest shows, and what a way to kick this shit off. Virtuoso sax-a-maniac Skerik will be doing three nights with Mike Clark and Paul Jackson, two of the most bad ass members of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. Sunday through Tuesday at Mojito in North Beach, that shit will be ILL, SON. Overlapping this absudity will be a visit from Hammond Organ master Robert Walter (of Greyboy Allstars) with his trio on Tuesday and Wednesday out at Yoshi's in Oaktown.

As of right now I'm leanin' towards Skerik on Monday and Robert Walter on Tuesday...

Remember how I said this was gonna be a marathon? Well the action continues on Wednesday with one of the BEST MUSIC NIGHTS of the year in San Francisco. It's the North Beach Jazz Fest's Jazz on Grant. With over 20 FREE shows all over North Beach, it's a night that makes our town feel like New Orleans with music streaming out of every bar and club you walk by. I'll give you a report on all things North Beach Jazz next week, but you might want to start some kind of training regimine in the meantime

Can I breathe now? Please?


|||||| THURSDAY 7/16 ||||||

Swoop Unit CD Release Party @ Rassela's Jazz Club (on Fillmore) - $FREE
7pm–11pm Show, so get on up in there early-like. Funky drummer Adam Willis and Swoop Unit have cut one hell of a great album, and now it's time to celebrate! They'll be rockin' the crap out of the big music room in the back of Rassela's, with an army of fun folks in attendance. School night, schmool night, I'll see ya there.
http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=ITOKGUADXNQJFXKWEXNO

|||||| FRIDAY 7/17 ||||||

Lettuce | Trombone Shorty @ the Independent - $20
Friday and Saturday shows (I'll be there Saturday). Don't hem, don't haw, just go. Seriously. Lettuce is absolutely ridiculous. The band that gave the start to most of Soulive, and with heroes from John Scofield's best band, there really isn't a better funk show coming through our humble little town anytime soon. And these cats are so busy that Lettuce basically never happens these days. In fact, it's been at least four years since they've been here. They'll have you jumpin', jivin', shakin', and whatever the hell else you're inclined to do when you can't control yourself at all. Oh, and Trombone Shorty (opening) is a certified New Orleans funky sensation, just in case you needed another reason. GO. And get advance tickets too.
http://www.lettucefunk.com/

|||||| SATURDAY 7/18 ||||||

Lettuce | Trombone Shorty @ the Independent - $20
I'm SO there. See above.

|||||| SUNDAY 7/19 ||||||

Headhunting (Skerik, Mike Clark, Paul Jackson) @ Mojito - $15
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday shows (I'm leaning towards Monday). This should be outta control. There simply is no saxophone player like Skerik. None. The intensity, the sheer creativity of this madman, is utterly unique. You've seen him do his evil thing with Garage a Trois, Critters Buggin', and about 80 or 90 other nasty bands. Mike Clark and Paul Jackson are the drummer and bassist from Herbie Hancock's Headhunters among other really dope bands. I was lucky enough to see them with Herbie and I can tell ya they're both montrous musicians in their own right. I can't think of anyone better to back up that whacko on sax. Get advance tickets for this one too, and lemme know if ya do. It'll be wicked.
http://www.sunsettickets.com/calendar2.php#25838

|||||| MONDAY 7/20 ||||||

Headhunting (Skerik, Mike Clark, Paul Jackson) @ Mojito - $15
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday shows (I'm leaning towards Monday).
http://www.sunsettickets.com/calendar2.php#25838

|||||| TUESDAY 7/21 ||||||

Headhunting (Skerik, Mike Clark, Paul Jackson) @ Mojito - $15
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday shows (I'm leaning towards Monday).
http://www.sunsettickets.com/calendar2.php#25838

Robert Walter Trio @ Yoshi's Oakland - $10-16
8pm and 10pm shows, Tues and Weds. I'm thinkin' 'bout Tuesday. I loooooves me some Robert Walter. This man just wrecks the Hammond organ in the funkiest, most soulful ways. When he's not killin' it with the Greyboy Allstars, you can find him tooling around New Orleans looking for trouble. And with powerhouse Crescent City legends Johnny Vidacovich (drums) and James Singleton (bass) sharing the Yoshi's stage, this will be a stellar night of music well worth crossin' the bridge for. Take it to the bridge y'all, take it to the bridge.
http://robertwalter.com/

|||||| WEDNESDAY 7/22 ||||||

Robert Walter Trio @ Yoshi's Oakland - $10-16
8pm and 10pm shows, Tues and Weds. I'm thinkin' 'bout Tuesday.
http://robertwalter.com/

North Beach Jazz Fest: Jazz on Grant @ All over North Beach - $FREE
DO NOT miss this ridiculous night of music. I'll have a full North Beach Jazz report for y'all next week, but pencil, no pen, no marker, no spray paint this night all over that planner of yours. Trust yer Uncle Showy on this.

6/19/2008: Get Your Kicks at Greeks and Groves...

Top o' the afternoon funky folks-

Once again compelling music has implored me to drop what I'm doing and push it on you. This weekend brings us two very special outdoor musical occasions, and if you missed them it would probably keep me up at night. Especially with the weather we're havin'. So don't miss 'em. I need my sleep.

The Greek and the Grove, night and day (in both time and cost). If either of these spots had roofs, they'd likely get torn completely off...

First up is the Outernational Festival Friday night at the Greek Theater. Thievery Corporation will grace us with a full live band and a slew of supporting South American acts on the bill. Sure, $45 is a lot of money. But here's what I propose: Pony up the loot and catch the show. THEN go to Stern Grove on Sunday afternoon to rock the hell out to some big crazy-funky Afrobeat for FREE, then divide your $45 by 2 to get your weekend music expense algorithm.

I mean $22.50 each for these ridiculous shows? Bargain, I tells ya!

I'll save a nice early spot at Stern Grove on Sunday, but you should get there by noon to at least get past the gate. You can do it slacker, I believe in you. Hit me on a communication device to see where we are.

Without further babble, your weekend awaits...

|||||| FRIDAY 6/20 ||||||

Thievery Corporation | Bebel Gilberto | Los Amigos Invisibles | Federico Aubele @ Greek Theater - $45
Yet another epic night of music at the Greek! Thievery is amazing when they have the full live band. Their gorgeous thickly-layered rare-groove soundscapes sweep you up and take you away. It's lush shit to say the least. Joining them will be ethereal Brazillian Bossa Nova songstress Bebel Gilberto, along with funky Venezuelans Los Amigos Invisibles and South American singer-songwriter Federico Aubele. Not cheap, but one hell of a night of music.
http://www.outernationalfestival.com/

|||||| SUNDAY 6/22 ||||||

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 | Sila & the Afrofunk Experience @ Stern Grove - FREE
I'll be there EARLY, and so should you! The youngest son of seminal Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and brother of the amazing Femi Kuti, Seun's gene pool is overflowing with African roots music. This will be a rare chance to see him, as his stomping grounds these days are primarily Africa and Europe. The Egypt 80, who backed up Fela Kuti in the '70s, are a 20 piece powerhouse of smokin' funk horns, powerful vocals, and driving, foot stomping African percussion. When it's done right, there is nothing better to move your feet than Afrobeat. Nothing. I won't sugarcoat this though, opening act Sila is pretty underwhelming. He's never impressed me. But that won't matter by the time Seun takes the stage...
http://www.planete-aurora.com/en-seun/a.php
http://www.myspace.com/seunkuti

That's it for this quickie, stay tuned for lots more REAL soon!

6/2/2008: Tuesday Night: An Epic Battle

Evenin' music fans!

Tomorrow night will be a Jazz Mafia Tuesday for the ages, AND there is a bonus in it for you as well. Read on...

|||||| TUESDAY 6/3 ||||||

PRICE VS. JAMES BROWN
A Realistic Orchestra Birthday Tribute @ Bruno's - $10
This shit will be ridiculous. Ridiculous I tells ya! Last month's Stevie Wonder gig was amazing, and they were just gettin' warmed up. It'll be 22 of our city's finest jazz musicians, along with five oustanding vocalists, bustin' big funky grooves from these two heavyweights all night long. Come in comfy dancin' shoes, you'll definitely need 'em.

And as if that weren't enough to get you off yer ass, the FIRST PERSON to respond to this email gets a FREE guestlist spot. Why? 'Cause Showy loves ya, baby.

Judging by the Stevie night, this gig could fill the room up easily. I'd advice getting there by 10pm if you can, music will probably start around 10:15-10:30.

Ya dig?

Good. Glad we had this little chat.

5/5/2008: TONIGHT: Two of My Favorite Things

Well hi there strangers!

Where the hell have you been?

Oh, wait, that's me.

Where the hell have I been anyway? Here... there... everywhere. That's the short answer. Long answer is this: http://flickr.com/photos/showymcshow/sets/72157603832457915/ That crazy event is actually happening this weekend in fact, so I'm not even gonna begin to glance at the show listings. Don't wanna know what I'm missing, don't wanna!

I'll tell ya what I'm NOT missing though.

BAD ASS FUNKY SOUL MUSIC. That's what.

|||||| TUESDAY 5/6 ||||||

Realistic Orchestra Stevie Wonder Birthday Celebration @ Bruno's - 10:15pm - $10

This was AWESOME last year, and it looks like they're kickin' it up about 10 notches this time around. I'll be at Yoshi's earlier (see below), but after about 11 or 11:30 it's all Bruno's for me. The music will be out standing, and I'd love to see you there. Here's the skinny from our local Jazz Mafia ringleader:

Hey peoples, tis time for our second annual Stevie Wonder show celebrating his 58th birthday this month (he was born May 13th, 1950). Stevie, as many of you know, is a prolific songwriter, someone who has touched peoples hearts and minds with his music with incredible consistency for so many years, and we're celebrating his genius with an ALL STEVIE SHOW!! I think this may be the first time we've done this actually, almost all Stevie tunes, with a couple of surprises thrown in for good measure. This month Adam and other Jazz Mafia members are bringing in the fruits of their hard work transcribing and arranging Stevie Wonder tunes and we have the Jazz Mafia soul choir joining us to sing many a tune, but we'll have a few instrumental arrangements to stretch peoples minds and move some butts as well.
I hope you can join us, this is going to be a special show.

And, just a bit earlier:

Marco Benevento/Reed Mathis/Matt Chamberlain @ Yoshi's SF - 8pm & 10pm - $20
I'll be at the 10pm show. Three of the most incredible freak-jazz musicians on Earth, these guys are ALL personal heroes of mine. If you're into the concept of mind blowing virtuoso players busting up the fence at the outer limit of jazz's sonic boundary, you sure as HELL don't wanna miss this. Yeah I'm being melodramatic, and yeah you should take me seriously. Bummed I have to miss a little Jazz Mafia for it, but since Yoshi's shows are short it shouldn't cut in too much.

Double header Tuesday! It's on, Donkey Kong.

Oh, and get your damn High Sierra ticket already. The lineup this year is RAD.

2/22/2008: Decisions Decisions Decisions

Whew, my head is spinnin'.

As usual, the reason you haven't heard from me lately is not because there has been a lack of shows (if only). Nope, it's that my life has once again been broadsided by the busy train. Busy in all the best ways, but absurdly busy none the less.

On that note, I'm in desperate need of some sleep, so I'll be as brief as I possibly can (while hopefully managing to effectively communicate the sheer awesomeness of the music that is slamming straight into our town this weekend).

Okay, screw the effective communication. I just need to get to bed.

Hit me up if any of this stuff sounds like your bag, baby. I'm as yet tempted and undecided...

|||||| FRIDAY 2/22 ||||||

Fishbone @ Independent - $15
A big ol' skankin' bouncin' ska party. Should be a blast. It's time for a fourth wave if you ask me.
http://www.myspace.com/fishboneisredhot

Digital Underground @ Red Devil Lounge - SOLD OUT, CraigsList?
It's freakin' Humpty, dude. HUMPTY. Pronounced with an Umpty. And I think I heard somewhere he's calling it quits real soon...
http://www.shockg.com/

|||||| SATURDAY 2/23 ||||||

Chris Thile's Punch Brothers @ Independent - $22
6:30pm and 9:30pm shows. One of my musical heroes, Chris is the virtuoso mandolin frontman for Nickel Creek. He is nothing short of absolutely captivating in his soulful and technically stunning bluegrass roots music. From the sound of things he'll be getting more into the realm of jazz composing with this new band (Bela Fleck comes to mind). Anyone wanna join me for this?
http://www.punchbrothers.com/

Maceo Parker @ the Fillmore - $28.50
Hot damn, the maestro of the funky saxamaphone is back and on the attack! This is why this city is such a bitch - two musical heroes competing for my attention (and limited supply of money) on the same damn night. Maceo is James Brown's legendary sax man, and no one brings the funk more powerfully or authentically than this man. His band is absolutely ridiculous as well, they're literally the tip of the funky iceberg. Hip hop/electronica experimentalist/poet Celena Glenn opens. Who out there is goin' to this one?
http://maceoparker.com/

Stymie & the Pimp Jones Luv Orchestra @ Mojito - $10
Stymie is a big old school funky soul band a la Sly Stone. Word is they're getting better and better these days, but even if that's just a rumor they're still fun as hell.
http://stymieluv.com/index.php

|||||| SUNDAY 2/24 ||||||

Built to Spill | Meat Puppets @ the Fillmore - $25
Sunday and Monday shows. Rock and effin' roll, bitches. Been wanting to see Built to Spill for quite some time now. They're a straight up rock band, and are really creative, skillful, and inventive in their compositions. A little punk, a little indie, a little melodic, a lot cool. And shit, I freakin' loved the Meat Puppets when I was a flannel wearing disgruntled teenie grunge rocker. I bet they're still great.
http://builttospill.com/

1/23/2008: Breaking news: SMOKIN' HOT show on Saturday night!

TWO messages in ONE week?

What can I say? Showy loves you baby. Don't ever doubt it.

A huge thanks to Texas expatriate and music lover Dave Sheridan for tipping me off to this one. AMAZING musicians all, and rare to see them around these here parts. I do hope you'll join me in getting awesome on the dance floor this Saturday:


|||||| SATURDAY 1/26 ||||||

Brownout @ El Rincon - $10
Austin's Grupo Fantasma has blown me away with their rippin' take on Afro/Cuban/Latin Jazz on several occasions. They're one of Prince's favorite bands in fact. True story, and seeing them is a rare treat here in SF. This Saturday these same musicians are bringing their side project, Brownout, to blow the roof off El Rincon in the Mission. Brownout takes the same Latin jazz base, and infuses it with a healthy dose of deep, heavy funk. Just the thing to keep your feet movin' and your ass shakin', this will be a hell of a good time. The party also includes funky jazztronica DJ Chicken George. The price is right, the grooves will be hot, get your sexy ass down and rock the hell out!

If you're not convinced yet, check THIS shit out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xHwl3hxUwqE

http://myspace.com/brownoutmusic
http://www.djchickengeorge.com/events.php

1/21/2008: Anyone up for some Tuesday night tunes?

Showy McShow, man of mystery.

When will he appear? What will draw him near? Could it be a beer?

Probably.

This is a theory that only time, and relentless, rigorous testing, may be able to prove. In the meantime, I'd like to tell you about a band that you should join me in seeing on Tuesday night:

Sol'Jibe @ Elbo Room - $7
This six piece band was one of my favorite new finds at High Sierra Music Festival this past year. They're an acoustic-based roots/world mix of rock, flamenco, Latin, jazz, gypsy, bluegrass, and other styles I'm sure I'm forgetting. Fronted by an amazing violinist and a finger picking flamenco guitarist, they're just the ticket to rock the crap out of your Tuesday night. Things'll probably start around 9:30, I'll see you there!
Dig the violin around 2:20: http://youtube.com/watch?v=n5pIBzP1IOU
http://www.soljibe.com/

I'll return to you next week dear reader, with a much less brief update on all kinds of music that will surely leave your musical appetite more satisfied than this note has. Until then...