Past, Present & Future Shows (For This Week)

Another week behind us, another weekend ahead. At least this week was fairly slow in the show department, making my life easier, both in terms of posting and not having to go out. I did, however, make it out last night for the Tortoise and Curtains show. The Curtains were disappointing, given my enjoyment of their ‘Vehicles of Travel’ album. What came across on the album as quirky experimental pop, came across as sloppy experimental pop when played live. Tortoise played a solid set (or at least the hour of it that I stayed for), touching on different parts of their ten-year catalog. Seeing them in small venue like the Great American was great, but the set seemed to lack that special “something” that they had when I saw them a few years ago. Not quite sure what it was, could have even been just me being tired at a show by myself, who knows.

That’s the past, on to the future. I apologize in advance for typos and lack of links, but am quite busy.

Friday, September 15, 2006

For those of you who like totally just wanna have fun and just wanna drop some serious cash, head on over to the Palace of Fine Arts and see Ms. Lauper herself. Couldn’t resist mentioning that.

Mezzanine’s got Radio Soulwax, featuring Belgian brothers David and Stephen Dewaele (a.k.a. 2manyDJs) rocking the turntables with a full band as Nite Versions Live and doing a 3 hour DJ set as 2manyDJs. Expect a little bit of everything in the mix, just like they did on their excellent release, ‘As Heard on Radio Soulwax, Pt. 2.’ At $20 in advance and $25 at the door, it’s pricy, but for a proper Firday night out in the club, this is my top pick.

If shock rock of the punk variety is your thing, head over to Annie’s Social Club and check out the Womentors, an all-female Mentors tribute band. Apparently the last time they played, each of the women in the band (including KUSF”s Carolyn) had a slave on a leash. And with song titles like “Sandwich of Love” and “Wine You, Dine You, 69 You,” what’s not to like?


Saturday, September 16, 2006

If Beach Boys-informed pop punk with teenage lyrics about girls, farts and your parents making you do shit you’d rather not is your thing, The Queers play 924 Gilman in the East Bay. Just be prepared to stick your middle finger up a lot, as it’s the thing to do whenever “fuck” is sung. And “fuck” is sung a lot. P.S. The Queers’ ‘Love Songs for the Retarded’ will always have a special place in my heart, so I feel pretty strongly about these guys.

Good old Prefuse 73 (a.k.a Scott Heren) plays Club Mighty. Hopefully his experimental hip hop will sound better than it did when I saw him a few years ago at Coachella. I’m a huge fan of his albums, with their deconstructionist cut-up hip hop, so maybe it’s worth a chance?

If more traditional hip-hop is your thing, with conscious lyrics and great MCs, the Fillmore has Zion-I with the Team, Gift of Gab, and Turf Talk. Unlike so many “Blackalicious” shows, you may actually get to see Gift of Gab. Wow!!!

Haven’t heard anything material from Lulacruz, but the description from Luis Maurette, the male half of the duo, at a party a couple of weeks ago sounded quite interesting. The Red Poppy Art House (where the show is) says that Lulacruz “weaves female vocals, South American instrumentation, found sound objects, and field recordings with electronic manipulation.”

Chicago DJ duo Flosstradamus plays Milk. I know very little about them, except that they bust out the hip hop and r&b remixes and their live set is supposed to be killer (or that’s what my friends in Austin say). They’ve got a myspace page, but I’m not doing any linking today, so I can get all this stuff out there.

Last thing I want to mention for Saturday night is a Kontrol night at Rx Gallery, featuring Scottish DJ Alex Smoke who does the minimal house thing that Kontrol concentrates on. Rx is a great space for a low key club night (it’s not really a club even, just a small art gallery), and minimal house is the perfect music for a low key club night. Low key club night anyone?


Sunday, September 17, 2006

Finally getting close to the end here, folks. The Queers are in the city tonight at Café Du Nord.

If prog-rock NES covers are your thing, The Advantage is playing Bottom of the Hill. I just downloaded a bunch of actual NES music the other day, and it fucking kills. No wonder these guys do what they do. And they’re great live.

Breakestra plays the Independent, busting out funk of the variety we have come to consider “breaks,” i.e. the kickass part of a record that makes you move your goddamn ass. So get ready to move your ass, because Breakestra loves the breaks. And so will your ass.


Monday, September 18, 2006

OK, this show is sold out, but I mention it because you should try and go anyway. Just try and score one at the door. Ratatat at Great American. Soaring guitar lines over funky electro beats. Their new album ‘Classics’ is killer, as is their self-titled debut, which also features tons of classics. Having seen them a couple of times, I promise you will not be able to not dance. At least I couldn’t help myself. Maybe you will be able to resist. Some people at the show did. In fact, come to think of it, I was one of a handful of people breaking it down like goobers when I saw them open for Mouse on Mars.