Oh No! Oh My! (The Independent, 22 August 2006)

I first heard of Oh No! Oh My! through Brooklyn Vegan and was immediately impressed with the sampling of MP3s they offered for download. I heard the rest of the album and I was pleased. So, what the hell I checked out their show.

Shapes and Sizes opened up. I have never seen a bunch of fuck ups like these guys. Don't get me wrong, I like yelping and dissonance if artfully done. But these guys have no musical talents whatsoever. Finger picking guitars as if they just learned how to play two days ago. Playing the keys as if it was just there to bang on. Singing and harmonizing so off key that dogs will howl in disgust. At least the bass player and drummer had some skills, but the girl and the other guy? No way. And playing the banjo? Look, playing the banjo is all good if done right and in the right time. But, there was no right moment to play the fucking banjo in any of your songs. Alright? Geez. I was pissed that I had to sit through that crap.

A friend said that I should harshly review Shapes and Sizes but make a disclaimer just in case they get better. That way I will save face. Fuck that. They're horrible and I will not change that stance. But, prove me wrong, you know?

Oh No! Oh My!, thank God, finally came on. They started off with "Skip the Foreplay" from their self-titled album. I like that song, and glad they played it. They followed it with "I Have No Sister." After that, everything else was a wash. I think I was still pissed with Shapes and Sizes that I truly didn't appreciate Oh No! Oh My! I was literally falling asleep after the 3rd or 4th song. So, I left.

Don't get me wrong, Oh No! Oh My! are pretty good. They don't have the stage presence that will keep your eyes focused on them. But, their music will keep your ears attentive.

Beer Rating:

More New Shows

October:

8 & 9: The Killers @ The Warfield

November:

11: Riott Festival @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium featuring:

Metric
Explosions in the Sky
Asobi Seksu
The Wrens
Diplo
Girl Talk
Tokyo Police Club
Clipse
Sage Francis
SA-RA Creative Partners
Saul Williams
Breakestra
RX Bandits
Visionaries
The Presets
Weird Science
Showbread
Busdriver
Fall of Troy

More New Shows Added

August:

22: The Mountain Goats @ Amoeba S.F.

September:

16: Ima Robot @ Mezzanine

October:

7: Futureheads @ Mezzanine

November:

18: The Slits @ Mezzanine

New Shows Added

August:

24: The Killers @ Popscene
31: The Otherside @ Cafe du Nord

September:

20: Guns N Roses @ The Warfield
21: Guns N Roses @ The Warfield
29: Drunk Horse @ Rickshaw Stop

October:

5: The Stills @ The Independent
5: Billy Bragg @ GAMH (late show)
13: Kasabian @ The Independent
20: The Dresden Dolls @ Bimbo's
21: The Dresden Dolls @ Bimbo's
23: Cursive, The Thermals & Chin Up Chin Up @ The Fillmore
24: She Wants Revenge & Placebo @ The Warfield

November:

21: Mates of State @ GAMH
22: Mates of State @ GAMH

Secret Band for Popscene Party

I think it's pretty damn obvious who Popscene's secret band is.

Don't you?

If you don't know....



....it's the Killers.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs (McCarren Pool, Brooklyn, NY 12 August 2006)

New Yorkers have this term called "summering." It's like "simmering", given that New York summers tend to be hot and humid, but there is also certain non-essential factors involved in that term. For Brooklynites living in Williamsburg, it involves wearing hipster clothes, a bottle of rosé, oversized sunglasses, shorts that are either (a) American Apparel or (b) altered from a pair of old jeans and, of course, either (a) cool hair or (b) one of those communist hats that Castro would wear.

In 2006, another factor was added to the term "summering" for Brooklynites: a concert at McCarren Pool.

McCarren Pool is, obviously, in McCarren Park. It's nothing but an abandoned pool that looks like shit. However, the place has a certain charm to it. Given the amount of people in there and the festive mood.

And it was fairly obvious that a majority of people there were "summering" even before the show. I know I was at P.S. 1.

The YYYs and Sonic Youth were the next installment in this summer concert series at said pool. Unlike the others this is a paying show, which makes sense because it subsidizes the free shows. There was a fair amount of people at McCarren today, basking in the warm NY sun. The temperature, atmosphere and the crowd couldn't have been better.



YYYs came on and they opened up with "Black Tongue." Karen O. was dressed up in her (un)usual dress. Nick is the same as always. And so is that other guy. Oh, and the second guitarist was there too. The YYYs didn't exactly move the crowd much other than getting them to stand up instead of sit down.



A plethora of new songs from the rather "okay" record Show Your Bones was played. My personal favourite, "Cheating Hearts" was great although it didn't quite move me as much as before. "Gold Lion" was also quite good, but it wasn't necessarily groundbreaking by any means.



I think the reason why the YYYs were so "ok" was: (1) I was summering way too long before the show and (2) the fact that they played when the sun was still out detracted from the usual panache that accompanies each YYYs show. I mean, how can one appreciate Karen O's dress and theatrics without the lights colorful lights shining on it? You can't. At least that much.

Beer Rating:

More New Shows Added!!! (Updated 10 August)

August:

29: Cat Power @ GAMH (8:30 p.m.)
29: Cat Power @ GAMH (10:30 p.m.)
31: Razorlight @ Popscene

September:

22: DJ Shadow @ Greek Theatre
28: Silversun Pickups @ Rickshaw Stop
29: Scissor Sisters @ The Warfield
30: Scissor Sisters @ The Warfield
30: Supersystem @ Rickshaw Stop

October:

5: The Dears @ Popscene
12: Lily Allen @ Popscene
16: Badly Drawn Boy @ GAMH
20: Secret Machines @ The Grand
21: Two Gallants @ Bottom of the Hill
22: Two Gallants @ Bottom of the HIll
26: The Kooks @ Popscene

November:

1: MSTRKRFT @ Mezzanine
3: The Knife @ Mezzanine
10: The Beautiful South @ The Fillmore
14: Lady Sovereign @ Mezzanine

New Shows Added

Very excited for this one:

November:

3: The Knife @ Mezzanine

It's on sale now. So, go buy it!

---------------------

Another addition:

October:

20: Secret Machines @ Grand Ballroom

New Shows Added

August:

4: Club Loaded @ Rickshaw Stop
25: Fischerspooner @ Mezzanine

September:

6: Cocorosie @ GAMH
8: Feist @ The Fillmore
13: Adam Green @ The Independent
28: Mojave 3 @ Slim's

October:

2: We Are Scientists and Art Brut @ The Fillmore
7: Magnolia Electric Co. @ GAMH
8: Keane and Midlake @ Berkeley Greek Theatre
10: Sufjan Stevens @ Zellerbach Hall
13: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ The Warfield
17: The Hold Steady @ GAMH
18: Boris @ Slim's
19: The Decemberists @ The Warfield
19: Yo La Tengo @ The Fillmore
20: Yo La Tengo @ The Fillmore
21: Yo La Tengo @ The Fillmore
30: Tricky @ The Independent
31: Tricky @ The Independent

November:

21: Hot Chip @ Mezzanine

New Shows Added (Updated 29 July 2006)

August:

30: Jeremy Enigk @ GAMH

September:

1: Sparta, Silversun Pickups and Communique @ Popscene
14: Tortoise @ GAMH

October:

2: Art Brut and We Are Scientists @ The Fillmore
11: Calla, Longwave @ Slim's
19: The Decemberists @ The Warfield
20: Detroit Cobras @ Bottom of the Hill
24: Be Your Own Pet @ Bottom of the Hill
27: ESG @ Mezzanine
30: Bonnie Prince Billy @ GAMH
31: Bonnie Prince Billy @ GAMH

November:

4: Voxtrot @ Slim's
5: Mojave 3 @ Bimbo's
18: TV On the Radio, Kiss Me Deadly @ Slim's

More B&S Hollywood Bowl Photos

I found these pics of me dancing with Stuart on Flickr. Thanks to spartus for taking these shots!



Me asking my friends to take a picture of me!



Is that Stuart?



Looks like I'm slapping him.



I think we were conversing at this point.



Thanks for dancing!

Camera Obscura (GAMH, 20 July 2006)

I walked into the Great American Music Hall just in time to catch Camera Obscura play their first song. I forgot what that first song was (probably something off of their new album Let's Get Out of This Country) but it was apparent that this was going to be a good show. The band's insturmentation complimented Tracyanne Campbell's angelic voice almost instantly. It also helps that the GAMH's mixing desk was in top form tonight.

Songs from the new album dominated the set. Definite highlights was the upbeat Lloyd Cole inspired song "Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken" and the dancey, with that Green Day sounding opening bass, song "If Looks Could Kill." The 60's infused pop sound was just all over these songs and the crowd danced in their own little, confined space way. The live versions of these songs was a little bit more rough than the album (obviously) but it was still very enjoyable. Synchronized clapping happened during "I Need All the Friends I Can Get," again with its 60's pop sounding guitar.

Older songs from Underachievers Please Try Harder include the slow and pretty "Suspended from Class" and "Keep it Clean." The crowd also got a kick when the band ended their encore with the Stuart Murdoch produced "Eightie's Fan" from Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi. Lyrics like "tell me, do you wash your hair with honeydew?" just makes this song ooze with tweeness.

Just twee. Twee all over the place. Everyone was twee. Even the tough looking Camera Obscura members looked way too twee. It was just twee-tastic.

Beer Rating: 1/2

New Shows Added

July:

28: Rademacher @ Hotel Utah

August:

6: Peaches & The Herms w/ Eagles of Death Metal @ Fillmore
8: Jason Lytle (Grandaddy) @ Cafe du Nord
9: Jason Lytle (Grandaddy) @ Cafe du Nord

September:

9: Cold War Kids @ Cafe du Nord
22: Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton @ Cafe du Nord
30: Birdmonster @ Cafe du Nord

October:

12: The National @ GAMH
19: The Decemberists @ The Warfield
28: Devo @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

November:

11: Wolf Eyes @ Bottom of the Hill

New Shows Added

August

5: Peaches w/ Eagles of Death Metal @ The Fillmore

September

4: The Brian Jonestown Massacre w/ The Tyde @ The Independent
5: The Brian Jonestown Massacre w/ The Tyde @ The Independent
18: Ratatat @ Great American Music Hall
23: Phoenix @ Slim's
28: Starsailor @ Great American Music Hall

October

4: Band of Horses @ The Fillmore
20: Beirut @ Great American Music Hall

November

9: Islands @ Great American Music Hall

Belle & Sebastian w/ the L.A. Philharmonic; The Shins (Hollywood Bowl, 6 July 2006)

I just saw the best Radiohead show ever. Now I saw the best Belle & Sebastian show ever.

Belle & Sebastian were something else at the Hollywood Bowl. Accompanied by the full L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra, B&S shined like no other band I've ever seen at the Hollywood Bowl. Every single minute of that show was special. Not only because of the orchestra, but because the band was in great spirits and Stuart was as interactive as ever.

I bought these tickets ages ago and secured a prime spot in the Garden Boxes. Possibly the best seats I've ever obtained through Ticketmaster for the Hollywood Bowl. They were ridiculously expensive, but every moment there was worth every penny.

My friends and I arrived a few minutes before the Shins came on. We just took in the sights of the Bowl and admired where we were sitting. We were also nibbling on our Whole Foods snacks.

The Shins were good, but my attention was somewhere else. I wanted to see B&S and how they their songs would translate with the L.A. Phil. The Shins played some of their great songs, like, you know, that song that was in Garden State. I like the Shins, and they were entertaining. They made remarks about "dinner theatre" and how this is their first, and not their last, Hollywood Bowl show. The crowd liked them as well, with everyone pretty much applauding and laughing along with them.



After the Shins played, the barrier was slowly removed to reveal the huge orchestra set-up. It was similar to the L.A. Phil's set-up with Air at the very same venue a year ago. It was amazing and I was at the edge of my seat.

At around 9pm, the band came on sans Stuart and with a full orchestra. They started off with "Fuck This Shit," a standard B&S opener. Although the band alone would have been good enough, the orchestra just added so much more character to the song with the deep sounds of strings accompanying each of Stevie's harmonica play.




Stuart then walked in with his striped shirt and hat. "I Fought in a War" was played with strings and percussion from the L.A. Phil. "Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie" then followed, with the full orchestra playing.

At this point, everyone was sitting down and Stuart remarked that he hoped everyone would be up and dancing soon. Well, the drunk guy in my section started off early, right from the get go. Yes, he was annoying as all fuck, but at this point, I didn't care. He was just a minor inconvenience. I was fully entrenched in this show.

"The Model" with full orchestra came on next. At this point, I can feel my feet just tapping away and itching to get up and dance. I told my friends that once "Your Cover's Blown" is on, I'm going ape shit.

I took a bathroom break as B&S played "Sukie in the Graveyard." No orchestra for this one, with Stuart describing the story of the song (yeah S.F. Art Institute!) and giving props to the orchestra.

One of the more beautiful songs played was "Don't Leave the Light on Baby." With the full orchestra, it was the most beautiful rendition I've ever heard.

"I'm Waking Up to Us" with full orchestra followed. Then "Jonathan David" was next, with Stuart recruiting the services of a dummy named "Baby Beeyotch" to help them. She was entertaining, but did she really need to give that name. Stuart and Stevie thought it was funny.

"If She Wants Me" and then "Lord Anthony" came on. "Lord Anthony" was just magnificent. At this one, Stuart requested from the audience some mascara (blue preferred) and a dress. I nearly cried at this song. Here's a clip:




After "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" (full orch) and "If You're Feeling Sinister" (strings only) were played, the dance party began with "Your Cover's Blown." With the orchestra playing brass, percussion and strings, it was a lot dancier than your usual version. At this point, I was dancing in the aisle and encouraging my friends to do the same. As Stuart made his way in the pool area, I followed with my digi cam. And then, Stuart stepped out and went towards the audience!


YouTube Credit for "Your Cover's Blown": mschecht

At this point, I freaked out because Stuart was coming my way! I didn't know what to do, except to have my digi cam in my hand and take pics. As Stuart ran up the stairs, I ran up with him and was right behind him throughout the song. I didn't know what I was doing, but I was just doing it on impulse. I was just in such a B&S high that I have no control (or logic) of what I was doing.



Here's how close I was:



Dance! Dance! Dance! "Dirty Dream #2" came on with full orchestra. Unfortunately, during the three lines, Stuart was about to hand the mic to an audience member but the mic didn't work. I clamored for it, but to no avail.

I took a break for "I'm a Cuckoo" since the security guards were urging all of us to return to our seats. Same thing with "The Wrong Girl" and "If You Find Yourself Caught in Love." But when "Sleep the Clock Around" came on, we didn't care and we were filling the aisles and dancing! Dance! Dance! Dance!

Stuart thanked the orchestra and then returned for "The State I Am In."



As the opening tunes of "The Boy With the Arab Strap" came on, it was a full on dance party in the elevated area of the pool. I decided to join in and I was far stage left. I was dancing by myself, and then I turned around and STUART WAS BEHIND ME!! I danced with him for what seemed like an eternity, with all the audience just focused on us. I was amazed and I was just grinning with joy, amusement and bewilderment. I tried to follow his dance moves, but Stuart is a slick dancer.



They ended their set with that. It was amazing. It was surreal. I can't believe how crazy I was during the entire time. My friends had a fantastic time and were throughly amused by my antics and some of theirs. Audience members were giving me props for a job well done. A random girl gave me a hug saying that I was fantastic! Oh, B&S. Something about B&S and L.A. makes me smile.

Beer Rating: O Beer

Band of Horses (The Independent, 1 July 2006)

After seeing Radiohead in L.A. the night before, and seeing all the beautiful people in L.A., how can I go see Band of Horses? It was just an injustice really. But, Band of Horses are excellent, but it's just a shame that I had to see them after Radiohead.

The Independent was sold out tonight. And it was hot in there with all the bodies in the crowd. Opener Mt. Egypt was alright, but I just wanted them to get done so Band of Horses could come on.

Band of Horses was good. Their hits like "Great Salt Lake" and "The First Song" were great. There was just too much reverb though in the songs, as if the sound guy had something to prove. It was just too much. If they did it sparingly, then maybe it would be alright.

They also played a bunch of new songs. They were good, but at this point I was just tired.

But the lead singer's voice was just amazing and you can really see how talented these guys are.

Beer Rating:

Radiohead (Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, 30 June 2006)

I haven't been to the Greek Theatre in L.A. since 2003. That's when I saw Belle & Sebastian and I actually got to sing on stage. Tonight was a little different. I don't have a pit ticket this time. Instead, I was relegated to the far stage left side of the venue, where I can only see Thom, Ed and, on occassion, Jonny and Colin. Forget about Phil. With that in mind, my expectations for this show was low. I mean, how can Radiohead top Berkeley night two?

Well, they didn't. But it was still a good Radiohead show.

Radiohead started off with a bang with "Airbag." The crowd really received the band well in the beginning, and continued to do so throughout their 23 song set. "National Anthem," followed by my favourite "There There" came on next. I love "There There" soooo much. Jonny and Ed doing the drums was just as amazing as always.

"15 Step," and then another magical rendition of "Exit Music (For a Film)" followed. In the beginning part of the song, Thom told someone in the crowd to "shut up" and something like "you're not the one up here." I don't know what the idiot crowd person said, but I got a laugh at Thom's reaction. It didn't ruin the song one bit.

Skipping a few songs, "Videotape" followed. This is, hands down, my favourite new Radiohead song. I guess the other favourites include "All I Need" and "Down is the New Up" which they also played. The beginning parts of each of these songs is what captures me. Like what Dr. Dre said, "the first 15 seconds of the song are critical to catching people's attention." Indeed, Dr. Dre. Indeed.

There wasn't really any surprises in their set list unlike the Berkeley shows. I guess them ending with "Bones" was a surprise. It was a rather awkward ending, but I like hearing songs off The Bends.

I think it was somewhere shortly before or after this song that I saw Marilyn Manson walk into the pit area from my vantage point above. Weird.

"Paranoid Android" was the last song they played in the second encore. "True Love Waits" followed with the usual closing song "Everything in Its Right Place" followed. I didn't want them to play "House of Cards," but they did much to my dismay.

Overall, it wasn't a bad Radiohead show. But I wanted more surprises like the Saturday Berkeley show. But still, well worth the trip down south to see these guys.


Beer Rating:

Cold War Kids (The Independent, 27 June 2006)

I was so impressed with the Cold War Kids when I saw them open up for Tapes n' Tapes a couple of weeks ago that I had to see them again. This time, they supported Apollo Sunshine at the Independent. Unlike their Cafe du Nord show, there was a lot more people there and the venue was a lot bigger. But that didn't detract from how great these guys were on stage.

Like last time, the Kids played all their songs with a lot of soul, feeling and spunk. Also, like last time, my favourite songs were "Hang Me Up to Dry" and "Hospital Beds." There were a few songs in there that I didn't recognize, but they were quite good as well.

And what's with the San Pellegrino bottle? That's probably one of the most understate music instrument these guys use. And I'm not being sarcastic either.

I urge you all to check this band out if you haven't done so. If you want to give these guys a listen, click:

Here
Here

Beer Rating: 1/2

New Shows Added

July:

14: Bardot a Go-Go @ Rickshaw Stop
22: Album Leaf @ Cafe du Nord

August:

22: Oh No!! Oh My!! @ The Independent

September:

2: Deerhoof @ GAMH
2: Citizens Here & Abroad @ Bottom of the Hill
10: Silver Jews @ Mezzanine
26: Junior Boys @ Bottom of the Hill
30: Lambchop @ GAMH

October:

5: Adult. @ Mezzanine
9: The Bluetones @ Cafe du Nord

November:

7: Pet Shop Boys @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

A Look Back: Radiohead (Coors Amphitheatre, San Diego, 23 September 2003)

Back in 2003, I won the Capitol Records' Radiohead contest whereby the winner from each tour city receives a pair of tickets to see Radiohead, a photo pass and a new 2.0 megapixel Canon digital camera. I was the lucky guy for the San Diego show and here's a video I took of "Sit Down, Stand Up."

Some Radiohead Photos (Berkeley Greek Theatre, 24 June 2006)

-- Photos by #1

Some Black Heart Procession Photos (The Fillmore, 16 June 2006)

-- Photos by #1

Radiohead (Berkeley Greek Theatre, 24 June 2006)

I am going to make a bold declaration: Best Radiohead Show Ever!

Saturday night's Radiohead show at the Berkeley Greek Theatre was, hands down, the best Radiohead show I've ever seen. It easily made the Friday night show look mediocre. And the best thing amongst best things: Radiohead played an entirely different setlist (sans a couple of songs).

Unlike Friday's slow start with "You and Whose Army?', Radiohead started off with "Airbag", a thunderous and boisterous start to their set. This was a foreshadow of great things to come. Thom, complete with a "Thank You" baseball-ringer tee and accompanying black vest, was not only happy to be in Berkeley, but he was also in much better spirits compared to last night. During the rockin' part of the next song, "2+2=5," me and my friends jumped around like crazy. Unheard of in a Radiohead concert, let alone having genuine Radiohead fanatics doing such a thing.

"Where I End and You Begin," followed by new song, "15 Step" came on next. Then a rather peculiar choice in playing "Kid A." I don't think I ever heard Radiohead play this song live.

Thom had some technical difficulties during "Nude". He stopped the song mid-verse and told the crowd to "stay where you are" and that to forget what just happened.

Boisterous applause during "Paranoid Android" with the crowd jumping like crazy in the pit area. Which was good for me because I was able to push a bunch of drunken girls away from my friends and I.

One of my favourite songs from OK Computer, "No Surprises" was played much to my surprise. But then they played "The Gloaming," which weirded me out a bit.

New song "All I Need" returned to the Radiohead set. I don't have this song in my collection, and it was amazing live! Thom on piano with Jonny behind him was a classic moment. Thom crooning "You're all I need" just made me grip my parka in giddiness.

"Climbing Up The Walls," followed by a new song called "Go Slowly" came on next. Then two songs I don't really care for, "Myxomatosis" and "Bangers 'N Mash" came on. The only consolation with "Myxomatosis" is Thom's crazy dancing. That alone makes that song worthwhile. Otherwise...

Two so-so songs were followed by two heartwrenching and beautiful ones. "How To Disappear Completely" is a Radiohead classic that I first heard back in the OK Computer tour. It was gripping then, it's even more gripping now. Then, a surprise! "Fake Plastic Trees" was played. My friend Jason called the song once Thom put on the acoustic guitar. I told him, "No way!" And then Thom played the first words and I was just dumbfounded. In utter disbelief.

But my disbelief didn't end there. "Black Star" was played two songs later. At this point, I was like a teenage boy in the 1960's when the Beatles came to America: both hands covering mouth, jumping for joy, and just yelling out "OH MY GOD!!!" There is a huge significance to this song, and people who know me know why. When I heard this song, I was soooo happy yet soooo sad. This song isn't my favourite, but the favourite of someone else. And I was so happy that she finally got to hear this song live again after all these years. It was played so well, so tight, it was as if I was listening to The Bends. My only qualm about this song is that Thom looked bored singing it. Or was he just being cocky? Or was he just doing a pseudo-Liam Gallagher with his hands inside his vest pocket? I don't know...

I think it was also at this point where some idiot went on stage and boasted his "accomplishment." He was properly tackled by security.

"True Love Waits," another Radiohead classic that they barely play, was done with Thom on the keyboards while the rest of the band was in their "Everything In Its Right Place" position. Although "True Love Waits" was played with guitar in the Live EP, it's prettier with keys. The song then transitioned into "Everything In Its Right Place" and that was the bands first encore. I thought that it would end there, but it didn't.

"Bodysnatchers" followed by "The Tourist" were the last two songs. "The Tourist" is such a fitting song to end with, and it broke the monotony of having "Everything..." be the last song.

After the show, my friends and I agreed that this was Radiohead at their finest. Armed with a whole catalogue of fantastic songs, Radiohead did the right thing by completely altering the setlist, unlike some bands (ahem Oasis!) that just play the same setlist over and over again. It truly made the Saturday experience very, very different from the Friday one.

Cheers Radiohead!

Beer Rating: 0 Beers

Radiohead (Berkeley Greek Theatre, 23 June 2006)

Radiohead made a triumphant return to the Bay Area last night, and their first live show in California since Hail to the Thief was released a couple of years ago. Without a record contract in hand, the band seemed a lot more relaxed and easy going than usual. The sold out crowd was full of excitement, electricity and any other adjective you can think of synonymous with those.

The band kicked off their set with "You and Whose Army?", a rather odd choice since that song is typically in the middle of most Radiohead sets. But, this is Radiohead, and they like to spice things up a bit. There were 10 screens on-stage, each looking like shattered pieces of glass and whose images projected a member of the band. For this song, it was all Thom, complete with theatrics and the occassional eye brow raising and eye winking.

"The National Anthem" was on next. I thought this would be the first song because, before the band came on, blips of radio interviews were played in the P.A. (something about Hillary Clinton's candidacy for president). As usual, as loud and amazing as always, with Jonny twiddling with the gadgets he has up front.

The first installment of the new songs, "15 Steps" was played next with Thom saying "OK California" with an American (or is it Californian?) accent.

"Morning Bell" followed next, which I didn't pay attention to. "Exit Music (For a Film)" caught my attention, and it shent shivers down my spine everytime I hear Radiohead play it.

"Arpeggi" was the next new song played. It was beautiful, but it didn't quite capture me as the next song, "Videotape." My God, "Videotape" is an amazing song, with fantastic lyrics:

when im at the pearly gates thisll be on my videotapewhen Mephistopholis is just beneathand he's reaching up to grab methis is one for the good daysand i have it all here in red blue greenyou are my centre when i spin awayout of control on videotape

Skipping a few songs from the setlist, a song they played from the Bends called "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" was played. Again, shivers down my spine. Although I was pretty far away, and thought the sound was so-so, this song got my full attention.

I didn't start going a little crazy until me and my friends hopped on the wall and got a better view. "Bangers N Mash" was played, complete with Thom in the little drumkit (Jonny also played the mini drums in another song, but I don't know which that was). I got really into the show with "There There". There's just something about that song that makes me want to dance and go crazy.

After the main set, I went to the WC and listened to "Wolf at the Door" from the queue. My friends and I decided to go on the floor, which was much more of an amazing experience. "4 Minute Warning" was the song played, and just seeing Thom up close and personal is SO MUCH BETTER than being afar. Plus the sound was just dumbfounding from up close.

As usual, they ended with "Everything in Its Right Place." I didn't notice this before, but Ed was talking on the phone when he played the blips. I don't know who he was calling, or if the phone just served as a listening device, but it was really cool. The screens flashed "Ever and Ever" when the sound was winding down (as opposed to "Forever" like in the last tour).

Although the setlist was alright, Radiohead was amazing as always. Complete setlist:

You And Whose Army?

The National Anthem

15 Step

Morning Bell

Exit Music (For a Film)

Arpeggi

Videotape

I Might Be Wrong

Street Spirit (Fade Out)

Nude

Down Is The New Up

Pyramid Song

Like Spinning Plates

Bangers 'N Mash

There There

Spooks

Idioteque
A Wolf At The Door

4 Minute Warning

Bones

Lucky
House of Cards

Everything In Its Right Place

Beer Rating: 1/2

New Shows Added

June:

24: The Hacker @ BOCA
24: The Hatch @ Brainwash Cafe
28: Apollo Sunshine, Cold War Kids @ The Independent
28: Neko Case @ Bimbo's
29: The Grates @ Popscene

July:

6: One Republic @ Popscene
7: Club Loaded Presents: Rock N Roll Soldiers @ Rickshaw Stop
20: Ima Robot @ Popscene
27: Scissors for Lefty @ Popscene

August:

3: Margot and the Nuclear So and So's @ Popscene
7: Tricky @ The Independent
8: Tricky @ The Independent
9: Dirty Pretty Things @ Slim's
10: Diplo, CSS @ Mezzanine
10: Gris Gris @ The Independent
10: The Subways @ Popscene
18: French Kicks @ Cafe du Nord
19: French Kicks @ Cafe du Nord
24: Popscene's 10 Year Anniersary Party @ Popscene
26: Herbert @ Mezzanine
29: Zero 7 with Jose Gonzalez and Sia @ The Fillmore
30: Zero 7 with Jose Gonzalez and Sia @ The Fillmore
31: Silversun Pickups @ Popscene

September:

21: Film School, Serena Maneesh @ Bottom of the Hill
22: Serena Maneesh, Film School @ Bottom of the Hill
23: Miss Kittin @ Mezzanine
24: Snow Patrol @ The Warfield
29: M. Ward @ The Fillmore

October:

12: Vitalic @ BOCA

Tapes n' Tapes, Cold War Kids (Cafe du Nord, 17 June 2006)

Minnesota's Tapes n' Tapes are getting so much hype in the blog world recently that it's driving my head in. Yes, The Loon is a good album, but it's not *that* good. I'm not saying that they are not worth the price of admission, but these bloggers all over the place are just raising my expectations to heightened levels. Only two bands have really "wowed" me with the hype: The Arcade Fire and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! Tapes n' Tapes are not quite there yet.

Tapes n' Tapes played in front of a sold out crowd at Cafe du Nord. They were energetic and played a majority of their songs from The Loon. Biggest crowd pleasers included "More Cowbell," "Ten Gallon Ascots" and "Insistor" (my personal favourite -- since I was yelling out my favourite line "Just hold my lips and say good lies"). At times, the sound at Cafe du Nord didn't cooperate because I could barely decipher what the lead singer was saying. Regardless, they were excellent.

However, I think Cold War Kids overshadowed Tapes n' Tapes. I have read about Cold War Kids through various blogs (duh!) but never heard any of their songs until that night. These guys were awesome! Not only were they so energetic on stage, but the lead singer was very soulful in his singing and in his mannerisms. The guy was really into the music and the music was really into him. "We Used to Vacation," from their album Up in Rags was just full of conviction and feeling. "Hospital Beds" was also full of soul. This may sound like an insult, but it isn't, but the song sounded a bit Keane-ish. "Hang Me Up to Dry" was the absolute highlight with its unique guitar chords and damn that voice. A truly magnificent surprise. So much so that I will again go to their show at the Independent.

Beer Rating:

The Black Heart Procession (The Fillmore, 16 June 2006)

Black Heart's The Spell is one of the great albums released this year. Unfortunately, nobody really knows it. This San Diego band has been around for years and deserve more notoriety than what they are given. However, I doubt that they care much about fame and popularity -- epsecially since such things come naturally when you write fantastic songs.

Black Heart was on early at the Fillmore. The venue barely had 50 people inside when they went on stage to play their first song. They played a good range of songs from their discography. I'm only a newcomer to Black Heart, so I didn't really know song titles or some of the songs they played. I know though that they didn't play anything from Amore del Tropico which is a shame since I like that album a lot.

From the songs that they did play from The Spell, I recognized "Tangled," a beautiful "Not Just Words", the haunting sounds of "The Letter", a slow and meandering "Return to Burn," the heart pounding "GPS", and a rather poppy version of "The Fix".

For several songs, they also utilized an oboe sliding through a saw for extra sounds. I could barely hear it however.

What Black Heart lacks in stage presence makes up tenfold with their songs. This was a great show, despite the lack of theatrics. The songs spoke for itselves and everyone knew it.

Beer Rating: 1/2

Jakob Dylan (GAMH, 14 June 2006)

So...

Jakob Dylan. Yeah, that guy who's dad is that old, wrinkly guy named Bob (apparently, Bob is pretty good). And, yeah, the J.D. (as my friend calls him) is the lead singer of that band the Wallflowers. Who? You know, the guys who did a cover of David Bowie's "Heroes" and had that huge hit called "One Headlight" back in the 1990's.

Well, he played as the opener for T-Bone Burnett. Yeah, who the f*ck is that guy? I still don't know what he's all about and I really don't care.

GAMH was sold out for this show. I lined up in line with my friend (who's the big J.D. fan) and chatted it up while various crackheads passed us by and the gaggles of the 40+ yr. old crowd we were to be a part of. We made our fair share of old people jokes, and some didn't take it too lightly, but we were just having fun...loosen up pops!

J.D. played an acoustic set while the numerous waiters and waitresses were handing burger platters to the audience. Even the J.D. thought that this was rather awkward with all the scents of burnt cow flesh coming his way (he's vegetarian apparently).

He played a bunch of songs I didn't know. But I waited and waited for "One Headlight" but to no avail. The set list is as follows:

1. Letters From The Wasteland
2. Up From Under
3. Here in Pleasantville
4. Closer To You
5. How Good It Can Get
6. God Says Nothing Back
7. Here He Comes
8. Empire In My Mind
9. The Beautiful Side of Somewhere

I have to admit, the J.D. was surprisingly good. He is an excellent musician and songwriter. And he's not bad looking either after all these years.

We didn't say for T-Bone. I opted to watch T.V. instead.

Beer Rating:

New Shows Added

July

14: Sonic Youth @ The Fillmore
15: Birdmonster @ Bottom of the Hill
19: Hard-FI @ GAMH

August

9: Dirty Pretty Things @ Slim's

September

24: Snow Patrol @ The Warfield

Liars, The Apes (Bottom of the Hill, 5 June 2006)

Damn Liars!

This has to be one of the loudest shows I've ever been in. Even now, three days since the show, my ears are ringing like crazy. And the Apes also played a loud set, so my ears are doubly injured.

The Apes came on in between Rabbits and Liars. The Apes are from Washington, D.C. and they were loud. They have a new singer, who looked like a mix of Dizee Rascal and Dave Chapelle. They opened up their set with this hooded figure talking on the mic in some distorted voice. I was surprised to see that this hooded figure was a woman, but I should have expected it. I didn't know anything about these guys, but their music was full of energy and they were a lot of fun to watch. Even the youngsters in front were moshing around like crazy.

Liars came on and they just emitted so much noise from their instruments. I'm not that well versed with the Liars but I do know some of their songs. And for the life of me, I only really recognized one ("Be Quiet Mr. Heart Attack" from Drums Not Dead). I was so hoping they'd play "Mr. You're on Fire, Mr." but they didn't. THAT would have been fun. Instead, Angus and Co. played loud ass noise to the point where my ear drums will be dead. Angus and the drummer also wore these ridiculous outfits for no apparent reason. Angus also flashed the crowd several times by lifting his skirt.

The odd thing is: they played the YYYs after the Liars' set. Why they would do that, considering that Angus and Karen O. were lovers for a while, I have no clue.

The Liars were alright. That's about it.

Beer Rating: 1/2

Pretty Girls Make Graves (GAMH, 4 June 2006)

I think I've bought tickets to Pretty Girls Make Graves three times in the last two years, and I sold all of them because I was either too lazy or forgot about it. Such a waste. This time, I was determined to go to their show. However, come show day, I was so exhausted from my bronchitis that I almost didn't go. Luckily I was convinced to go and so I did.

Their new album, Elan Vital, is pretty good actually. I haven't listened to it for a while, but from what I remember, it was similar to their other albums, The New Romance and Good Health.

Overall, the band was super entertaining. They played all the good stuff I liked from The New Romance including "Something Bigger, Something Brighter", "This is Our Emergency," "All Medicated Geniuses," "The Grandmother Wolf," and "Blue Lights," which they ended with.

From Elan Vital, they played "The Noctural House," a very entertaining and energetic "Domino."

As enjoyable as the show was (and the countless dedications they gave to support band Giant Drag, which I missed), the show had a pretty sour ending with the guitarist tossing his guitar to the crowd. Although one lucky audience member walked away with a guitar, another walked away with a huge gash on his forehead. I think that's a lawsuit waiting to happen, don't you think?

Despite the sour ending, PGMG were very entertaining and I will never, ever miss their shows ever again.

Beer Rating: 1/2

New Shows Added

June:

8: The Raconteurs @ Amoeba S.F. (FREE at 9:30pm)
10: BFD After Party featuring Rock Kills Kid @ Mezzanine

July:

1: Hey Willpower @ Cafe du Nord
16: The Rakes @ GAMH
18: Gnarls Barkley @ The Fillmore
19: Gnarls Barkley @ The Fillmore
22: The Raconteurs @ The Warfield

August:

1: Hot Chip @ The Independent
24: Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes @ The Fillmore
31: Radio Bird Man @ GAMH

October:

10: Ladytron, Cansei de Ser Sexy @ The Fillmore
12: Vitalic @ BOCA
18: Matmos @ GAMH

The Boy Least Likely To (GAMH, 2 June 2006)

This is the second time I've seen Boy Least Likely To (BLLT). The last time was with stupid, crap ass James Blunt. Thank goodness they didn't come with him this time. Instead, BLLT headlined their own gig in front of a good sized crowd at the Great American.

The first band that played was Bicycles from Toronto, Canada. They were amusing at first, but their twee-ness just got so old at the end. Clever stage outfits with the big "B" on the shirts, ala Sufjan Stevens with the "S" on his band mates' shirts. However, these guys just got really old and all their songs started to sound the same.

BLLT came on afterwards, with Jof and Peter wearing the exact same outfit they did when I saw them with Blunt. Not that it's bad, but I just found it funny, de javu even. They played all their songs from their album, along with a handful of old ones. Throughout their set, Jof and Peter talked playfully with the crowd, and cracked jokes at one another.

They also did a cover of a George Michael song, which was entertaining. I think it was "Faith" but I'm not too sure.

Definite highlights were "Papercuts," "Be Gentle with Me" and "I Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon to Your Star." Which, oddly enough, is a song about them traveling to Nashville although they've never been there before.


Beer Rating:

Mogwai (The Fillmore, 27 May 2006)

I am so behind with this blog thing. I blame laziness and the bronchitis for this one.

Mogwai were awesome a couple of weeks ago. I haven't seen these guys since they played 'Canes in San Diego back when I was in college. *gasp*. And a lot has passed since then. Before, I didn't really care much for them. I didn't particularly like their music, but didn't hate them either. I just remember my friend would play them constantly in her room and I would just shrug.

Now, my ear is a little more atuned (and a little more deaf) to music and Mogwai are in there with my good bands now. And after interviewing Barry, I like them even more.

They opened up with "Christmas Steps" with each band member arriving at different points during the song. All of them wore matching green track jackets in the beginning, but those were gone right quick once the show moved on.

This was a testosterone filled show, with the audience raising their fists in the air in approval of each song played. "We No Here" was loud but beautiful. "Friend of the Night" was beautifully done, and a welcome to all the noise that they played. But the definite highlight was "Glasgow Mega Snake" which was so damn loud but yet so invigorating that it made me feel alive.

Mogwai also played this one song whose title I don't recall. It's where they scared the living shit out of everyone. It didn't scare me that much, since I kind of knew what was coming. So, if you know the song, post a comment.

The last song they played dragged on for 20 minutes, with just noise and nothing else. I stayed 'til the very end, hoping they'd play more. They didn't. Nor was I rewarded with a poster. Nonetheless, it was a fantastic show and it made a Mogwai fan out of me.

Beer Rating: