I saw the Afghan Whigs last night at the Fillmore in San Francisco, with tickets I was stoked to receive as part of a package deal while supporting the KALX Berkeley fundraiser.

This is the era of the reunion tour, and I have seen some seriously shite, purely money-making, insult-to-the-fans tours lately where the band hates themselves, their fans, and their songs. Not so with the Afghan Whigs -- they killed it! Not only was the band in top form, rocking like it was 1994, but genius singer and songwriter Greg Dulli's voice has not aged. For a man who yells a lot of his lyrics, that is saying something!

So. good.

Not a fan of Dave Eggers at all, to the point of not wanting to promote any of his stuff, but my friend John put this together for McSweeney's, and it is just too good to lock away.

What Your Favorite Classic Rock Band Says About You

The descriptions for Deep Purple and Rainbow are hilarious, but I found the Eagles' description especially LOL, yet so seriously apt.

P.S. I don't own any of these, but I do have the 90s version of these. Close enough?

A.A. "Neil Young" Bondy, The New Parish, Oakland, 9.7.2010













His last show at Cafe du Nord in January was a sedate affair; holy RAWK this time around. This is 'A Slow Parade' -- wait for it. (Or, if you're familiar with this song, you can forward to about 4:28 to see what I mean...)



But though it was different, it was excellent once again. First time in Oakland for Mr. Bondy -- hopefully not the last.

And hot damn, what an awesome venue.

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!

Pixies, 11.08.2009, Fox Theater, Oakland.



















They were AWESOME.












Kim Deal's bass skills, up close and personal: AWESOME.















Black Francis' voice: AWESOME















Joey Santiago and David Lovering were also AWESOME, but we were on Kim's side, and drums obscure David's face, so the pics we have of them are quite limited. But if you're interested, see more of Trevor's excellent photos here.

Anyway, the awesomeness was in large part because I think they are getting along, and happy.



















Even Joey Santiago smiled a couple of times. Really!

Terrific show. Well worth the $30 t-shirts (!) I know, I felt kind of like a sucker buying one, but it had a crab on it! And the band's gotta get paid, yo.

They were also offering "USB sticks" (or flashdrives) that you could buy after the show with video and recordings of the performance. I've never seen that before, but what a cool idea. I didn't get one, but then lo and behold, your friendly Bad Librarian posted how you can get an official and totally Pixies sanctioned live recording of Doolittle.

P.S. -- I wore my David J shirt because Black Francis is playing with David 12.08.2009 at the Echoplex in LA. I thought he might say something, but my big surprise instead was Kim Deal cheering at my shirt when they did their farewells after the last encore. Badass (Fender) bass players unite!

Happy Halloween!

KMFDM, The Regency Ballroom, San Francisco 10.15.2009

Trevor and I kept asking ourselves, "Were we ever really this angry?" :)









































This guy was in front of me, and he was so stoked he was pumping his fist the entire time. He was, and probably continues to be, completely awesome:



















While they played a couple of songs from my favorite album, Nihil, they didn't play my favorite from that album, 'Juke Joint Jezebel.' And they didn't have cool girl shirts. Boo. But it was still a fun show. Haven't been to a show in a while where I got other people's sweat on me, and where there was a pit!

Still life: Wine and Lasagna Before a Show With Friends Makes Old People Older and Unable to Hit the Pit

OR

Sonic Youth at the recently renovated Fox Theater, Oakland 8.2.2009















First time at the Fox, and it is stunning. So impressed. Smoking sections are on every floor and easily accessible, big screen teevees are in the lobbies and restrooms so you don't miss any action, friendly and helpful staff abound, and the place has 7, yes 7, bars. And while the Paramount gives you a plastic cough syrup cup for whiskey, you get a decent pour here. Heard the gin and tonics were strong stuff too.

But...not really that impressed by the show; in fact, I was a little bored. It's not them, it's me: energy from the band was great, but I'm not familiar with their new album, and I'd never seen them before and was hoping for more old stuff. Again, am getting OLD!

I did get to do some reconnaissance for the best vantage point for the Echo and the Bunnymen show in October though. So excited: they're doing Ocean Rain with an orchestra. No wine and lasagna this time around -- I'll be down front and center!

Spires record release party, Oaktown, 3.13.2009

six degrees of Sanchez:















Wilcox surfs and screams:















The W and Trevor:



















Support these hardworking Oakland boys and order the record here.

My friend Shoko rocks the drums -- 4 months after picking them up -- in her band Experimental Dental School:

Haha!

University of Calgary, Department of Economics Discussion Paper 2007-08 -- On the Efficiency of AC/DC: Bon Scott versus Brian Johnson

I would, however, argue that the superior lyrics to "Shoot to Thrill" are at the root of any effect deemed more desirable vs. "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock & Roll)."

BlöödHag at Dark Carnival, 5.10.2008.

Geek Love:














At the ready:


















Bruce Sterling guitar salute:














Book distribution to the unread masses:


















Philip Pullman headbang:














And the only acceptable Croc sighting in my life:














Setlist:

Lewis Carroll
Phillip Pullman
Daniel Pinkwater
Roald Dahl
Douglas Adams
Orson Scott Card
Anne McCaffrey
William S. Burroughs
Jack Womack
Bruce Sterling
Anthony Burgess

The faster you go deaf, the more time you have to read.

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.














Their bassist was the fucking man. He brought the dirty fuzzy and the epic metalscape with equal badassity. Plus, cute beard!














Russian Circles at Crepe Place in Santa Cruz, 3.25.2008

Does Iggy Pop ever put on a shirt? Especially, and at least, for last night's 2008 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City?


























Am I the only one who finds this official, post-award photo op bizarre? EDIT: Apparently not.

I know The Stooges performed that night, and I do respect Iggy for bringing it with the fuck you shirtless rawk, but come on! I think we all get it now, Ig -- you look amazing, especially for a 60 year old man who did enough heroin to kill numerous herds of elephants. Now put on a t-shirt, a jacket, a wifebeater, anything! Thanks.

P.S. Love Madge's dress. Thought it was Gaultier, but no! Spring 2008 Chanel. Not that I would ever pay the outrageous price for it. Reminds me very much of a structured sheer yellow vintage dress I had in high school. I bought it for two dollars!

Molded by RAWK!










































(click on pic to embiggen, and find out where you fall on the DLR Awesomeness Meter, yo!)

For the record, my first concert was on August 16, 1988 at the Cal Expo Amphitheatre (thank you, internets!).









I was newly 14, and I held my own amongst a bunch of mulleted dudes a mere 100 or so feet from the stage. Joe Elliott wore the same outfit he wears here. It was a week before my freshman year in high school, and I wore the concert tee the first day of school.

So yeah, I think I can safely say I fall solidly in the 101-200 range.

BTW, check out the Hysteria World Tour at Wikipedia. Def Leppard were on tour for a solid 16 months! And even though I was at a tail-end show, they rocked. After discovering this I must say I never want to hear any bands play uninspired shows at their last stops nor whine about touring exhaustion after 30 shows over 2-3 months ever again. The bar has been set!

Whoa. A bar in my world has been set by Def Leppard. Just making a note of where I'm at.

This kicked ass this last weekend!
























Take a listen.

Also kicking the booty: seeing The Twins (squee!), Woody, and Kirstyn. Who would've thought our alma mater's Homecoming weekend (unbeknownst to us) would be so fruitful?

god how I miss good old-fashioned hardcore shows. The Bay Area is making me soft before my time! There was no feigned indifference or emo apathy or $10 whiskey shots here -- just pure skanking and moshing, beer and rawk!

I am getting old though. I hate feeling 18 inside but really feeling almost twice that when called to the mat. 3 beers and a few Shermans in and it was already pumpkin time for Cinderella. Boo.

NP: The Pogues, 'Turkish Song of the Damned' (RIP Joe Strummer and Kirsty MacColl)

Boris last night was amazing! I think it was the loudest show I've ever been to. I took one of my earplugs out for a second and I thought I might convulse. That means it was good.

Plus I have never in my life seen a person play a double-necked guitar, let alone a bass and guitar double-necked combo.




















That is some seriously wild shit.

But even more amazing to me was their addition of guitarist Michio Kurihara.















Holy smokes, can that man play guitar! At times he looked like he was having a violent seizure, and at others, I swear only his fingers were moving. The sounds he produced were so layered and technical, but with a healthy dose of brain melting dirty psychedelics. We were so impressed with his guitar work we bought Boris' collaboration with him, Rainbow (Drag City US version).

And my sweetie snagged one of Kurihara's heavy-duty picks for me. It has a badger playing a guitar on it, and is trashed all to hell from his ferocious skills, but I can still strum a ditty on my bass should I be so inclined.

BTW, those super-cool Japanese never changed their expressions, even when totally bringing the rawk. Except for their drummer, who I dubbed Tommy Lee for his perfectly coiffed wild mane of hair and intense drumming style, as well as his habit of standing on his bass drum with his mouth wide open while making the devil horns, or pointing his drumsticks or gong beaters at the audience.

Oh yes, Boris had a gong.

Finally, check this for something else to blow your mind...















Those are the pedals (some homemade, according to Ash, who took this photo) for one guitarist. All 5 gajillion of them. Okay, maybe there were more like 15 or 20 pedals, but c'mon, whoa.

Fantastic live band. Highly recommend you check them out if they come through your town.

Also, sidenote: had dinner at the super hyped Nopa before the show. Believe the hype, it was fantastic! Wood-fired sardines, grass-fed Gruyere cheeseburger on a perfect crunchy housemade bun, and thick-cut crispy fries with a roasted red pepper and feta dip. Washed down with Foret Organic Saison Ale (my new favorite). Yum!