sine qua non

Russian Circles, 11.15.2009, Bottom Of the Hill, San Francisco

They are promoting their new album (Geneva, which we bought at the show), and because of that I thought it strange that it didn't seem like they played much new stuff. A friend said afterward that is because the new songs make use of a string section (!). Very excited to take a listen.

Anyway, as per usual, they ROCKED. Their sets are unbelievably tight and full of intensity, and they play their songs like they haven't played them a million times before.

Okay, and I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- this guy is a complete badass on the bass:

Excellent night!

Labels: bass, Bottom of the Hill, metal, rawk, Russian Circles

Caralee McElroy and Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu, Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, April 12, 2008

I love Xiu Xiu so much and have written so extensively about them here that I'm almost spent when it comes to pimping them. Dear readers, trust -- they are mind-blowing multi-instrumentalists who create unreal tapestries of sound, with lyrics so brutal and honest you won't know what to do with yourself.

Bonuses: watching Ches Smith hit the skins will make you cry. Caralee McElroy is the nicest person you'll ever meet. Jamie Stewart gargles with beer.

Their show was $12. What are you waiting for?

Labels: Bottom of the Hill, music, Xiu Xiu

Better late than never: a few pics from Wednesday's Red Sparowes show at Bottom of the Hill.

As to be expected, it was superb. Recorded, Red Sparowes are really impressive, but live they're epic.

The show itself was amazing, but the crowd a little trying, as it was again an all-ages show. Don't get me wrong, I am all about the all-ages show and give mad props to venues and bands who swing this way, because it can be a pain in the ass to negotiate. But it's been a long time since I was in high school, and as you can tell by that first shot I had to relinquish second row and beat it to the back as I dislike being reminded of what teenage boy smells and acts like, especially when multiplied by 200.

BTW, can you tell what a sausage party this was? I think I was one of about 10 chicks in attendance. Too bad, because this is monumental RAWK that should know no gender lines.

Dig it that both the man and I, unbeknownst to each other, were oddly annoyed by the bass player, and upon conferring afterward realized it was because we both thought he looked like Gaius Baltar. Nerds!

I also have a new favorite, opening band Russian Circles from Chicago. Check this band out now, yo, before they are super-huge.