My Year in Lists: Top 10 Albums of 2009

#10 - Girls
Album
Listen here


#9 - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
Up From Below
Listen here


#8
Miike Snow
Miike Snow
Listen to their track 'Animal'

#7
Heartless Bastards
Mountain
Listen to their track 'Be So Happy'

#6 - The xx
xx
Listen here


#5 - Raveonettes
In and Out of Control
Listen here


#4
Passion Pit
Manners
Listen to the track 'The Reeling'

#3 Portugal. The Man -
Satanic Satanist
Listen here


#2
Metric
Fantasies
Listen to their track 'Gold Guns Girls'

#1
Phoenix
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Listen to their track '1901'

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My Year in Lists - Top 10 Concerts 2009

I am officially declaring the end of the 2009 concert season. I'm done for this year. Now, although I've been documenting most of my concerts for the last 2 1/2 years now, it's only been this year that I started to actually keep a count of all the concerts i go to... you know, for tax reasons. And so here it is. The final count is 80. Here are some some numbers:

22 shows @ The Independent
10 shows @ The Fillmore
7 @ Bottom of The Hill
6 @ Rickshaw Stop
6 @ Mezzanine
5 guys in a band crashed in my 1BR apartment.
3 shows in London, UK
2 in Los Angeles
1 game of pop-a-shot with Nate Mendel of the Foo Fighters.

Choosing the top 10 shows was much easier than I thought it would. I've also added links to videos or my reviews of the concerts where available. If you were at any of these shows I want to hear from you! Reply with comments.

So here are my top shows of the year:

#10 - Starfucker @ Bottom of the Hill (10/07)
#9 - Portugal. The Man @ Independent (09/23)
#8 - Passion Pit @ Bimbo's (05/26)
#7 - Eagles of Death Metal @ Fillmore (02/05)
#6 - Wolfmother + Heartless Bastards @ Fox Theatre (11/23)
#5 - Los Campesinos! @ Slims (04/15)
#4 - Metric + Silversun Pickups @ Bimbo's 365 Club (11/06)
#3 - Phoenix @ The Warfied (09/17)
#2 - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Great American Music Hall (12/12)
#1 - Does It Offend You, Yeah? @ Heaven nightclub in London UK (10/29)



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2009 Concert Archive

MY 2009 CONCERTS

01/23 - Raveonettes (Bimbo's)
01/25 - Jay Reatard (Independent)
01/30 - Devotchka (Fillmore)
01/31 - Social Studies (Hemlock)
02/05 - Eagles of Death Metal (Fillmore)
02/21 - Murder by Death + The Builders And the Butchers (Bottom Of The Hill)
02/24 - Deerhunter (Mezzanine)
02/25 - French Kicks (Independent)
02/27 - RA RA Riot (Independent)
02/28 - Portugal The Man..
03/01 - Les Savy Fav (Mezzanine)
03/05 - Fujiya & Miyagi + Pop Levi + Project Jenny, Project Jan (Independent)
03/13 - Asobi Seksu (Independent)
03/21 - Karl Denson's Tiny Universe + Robert Walter's 20th Congress (Independent)
03/24 - Bishop Allen (Rickshaw Stop)
03/27 - Marnie Stern (Bottom of the Hill)
04/01 - RATATAT (Fillmore)
04/15 - Los Campesinos! (Slims)
04/21 - Black Kids + Mates of State (Independent)
04/24 - Vivian Girls (Independent)
04/30 - Ladytron + The Faint (Fillmore
05/12 - Cloud Cult + Ice Palace (Independent)
05/15 - Kraak & Smaak (mezzanine)
05/16 - Michael Franti & Spearhead, Greyboy Allstars (Oyster Fest)
05/19 - The Kills (Fillmore)
05/21 - Pelle Carlberg, Oh No! Oh My!
05/22 - Ghostland Observatory (Mezzanine)
05/25 - Flight of the Conchords (Paramount)
05/26 - Passion Pit (Bimbo's)
05/28 - Black Moth Super Rainbow + School of Seven Bells(BOTH)
05/29 - Jenny Lewis (Fillmore)
05/30 - Pretty Lights (Independent)
06/04 - CLUES (former Arcade Fire + Unicorns) @ Rickshaw
06/05 - Submarines (Independent)
06/06 - Airborne Toxic Event, Designer Drugs (Popscene)
06/06 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Crystal Castles, Airborne Toxic Event, DJ AM, Mike Relm (Live 105 BFD, Shoreline)
06/08 - Camera Obscura (Fillmore)
06/10 - Rodrigo y Gabriela (Mountain Winery)
06/12 - DataRock (Independent)
06/13 - Bat For Lashes (Great American Music Hall)
06/15 - Art Brut (Independent)
06/18 - Miike Snow (Popscene)
06/20 - White Rabbits (Independent)
07/03 - Lovemakers + Amazing Baby (popscene)
07/09 - Rural Alberta Advantage (Bottom of the Hill)
07/14 - Blonde Redhead (Indepenedent)
07/15 - The Builders and The Butchers (Bottom of the Hill)
07/21 - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Rickshaw Stop)
08/03 - Bowerbirds, Megafaun (Cafe du Nord)
08/18 - Scrabbel (Hemlock)
08/19 - Crocodiles (Rickshaw Stop)
08/28 - Outside Lands // Los Campesinos!, Silversun Pickups, Thievery Corporation, West Indian Girl, Pearl Jam
09/10 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Fox)
09/11 - The Lovemakers (Independent)
09/17 - Phoenix (Warfield)
09/18 - Frightened Rabbit + We Were Promised JetPacks
09/23 - Portugal. The Man (Independent)
09/25 - Portugal. The Man (Troubadour)
09/30 - LadyHawke + Ida Maria
10/02 - Asobi Seksu (Slims)
10/03 - Miike Snow (Bottom of the Hill)
10/04 - Jolie Holland (Independent)
10/06 - School of Seven Bells (Slims)
10/07 - Starfucker (Bottom of the Hill)
10/13 - Sunny Day Real Estate (Fillmore)
10/15 - Pretty Lights (Independent)
10/16 - MGMT (Independent)
10/24 - The Sounds + Foxy Shazam (Warfield)
10/28 - Los Campesinos (Garage, London)
10/29 - Does It Offend You, Yeah? (Heaven, London)
10/30 - Amanda Blank, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, We Have Band (Proud, London)
11/06 - Metric + Silversun Pickups (Bimbos)
11/09 - Raveonettes (Bimbo's)
11/13 - They Might Be Giants (Fillmore)
11/20 - The Juan Maclean (Mezzanine)
11/22 - The XX + Friendly Fires (Independent)
11/23 - Wolfmother + Heartless Bastards (Fox)
12/10 - Gossip, Passion Pit, Hey Champ (Mezzanine)
12/12 - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (GAMH)
12/14 - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Mayan Theatre, LA))

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Silversun Pickups & Metric rock Droid Launch Party @ Bimbos

The Motorola Droid Launch event came with special launch party events in several cities last Friday. Completely taken by surprise, I found out on Friday morning that two of my favorite bands, Metric and Silversun Pickups would be playing the event. I scrambled to get tickets but I discovered that the only way to get in was to be invited. And you could only be invited if you bought a the new phone or won a lottery from street teams handing out invites. It turned out that not everybody buying a Motorola Droid was interested in seeing Metric or Silversun Pickups, and I able to acquire a pair of tickets for the show.. The event drummed up a lot of hype in a very short amount of time, but, as events go, the venue was sparsely attended. This was fine by me, as it made the performances by both bands very intimate. Click on the images for video.

Silversun Pickups:


Metric:




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October 2009 archive

10/01 - Datarock (Slims)
10/01 - Ian Fays + Hot Toddies (Bottom of the Hill)
10/02 - Asobi Seksu (Slims)
10/02 - Geographer (Rickshaw Stop)
10/03 - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (Golden Gate Park)
10/03 - Miike Snow (Bottom of the Hill)
10/04 - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (Golden Gate Park)
10/04 - Jolie Holland (Independent)
10/06 - School of Seven Bells (Slims)
10/09 - MUTEMATH (Fillmore)
10/10 - Bob Dylan (Greek)
10/11 - Bob Dylan (Greek)
10/13 - Devotchka (Warfield)
10/13 - Junior Boys (Mezzanine)
10/14 - Devotchka + Pogues (Regency Ballroom)
10/14 - Great Lake Swimmers (Great American Music Hall)
10/15 - Gogol Bordello (Fox)
10/15 - Moby (Warfield)
10/15 - Pretty Lights (Independent)
10/16 - Snow Patrol (Fox)
10/17 - Treasure Island Music Festival // MGMT, Mstrkrft, Girl Talk, Brazilian Girls, Passion Pit
10/17 - Why? (GAMH)
10/18 - Treasure Island Music Festival // Flaming Lips, Decemberists, Beirut, Grizzly Bear, Yo la Tengo, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
10/19 - Jay Reatard (GAMH)
10/20 - Stone Temple Pilots (Fox)
10/21 - Blind Pilot (GAMH)
10/22 - Noah and the Whale (Swedish American Hall)
10/23 - Islands (Bottom of the Hill)
10/24 - The Sounds + Foxy Shazam (Warfield)
10/29 - The Dodos (Bimbos)
10/30 - Amanda Blank, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, We Have Band (Proud, London)
10/30 - Art Brut (Cafe du Nord)
10/30 - Paul Oakenfold (Regency)
10/30 - Regina Spektor (Fox)
10/31 - Built to Spill (Fillmore)
10/31 - LMFAO (Regency)

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The Sounds + Foxy Shazam @ Warfield

Foxy Shazam - "Introducing Foxy" -= There's a lot of shit happening here. Pay particular attention to the keyboardist.



The Sounds - "Queen of Apology"



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Sunny Day Real Estate @ The Fillmore

Perhaps it was the opportunity to sit in the headliner's dressing room among the ghosts of the musicians that have graced the Fillmore Auditorium? Perhaps it was the great company?


Perhaps it was playing 'pop-a-shot' with Nate Mendel (Bassist for SDRE and Foo Fighters") at my favorite local dive bar?



Or perhaps it was just a rocking show? I don't know... but evening will go down as one I will never forget.

MGMT @ The Independent

In anticipation of the Treasure Island Music Festival this weekend, MGMT announced a surprise show at the Independent which sold out in minutes. I was fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to get one of these tickets.

I'm not sure if I was just tired and cranky, but after seeing the combination of BLK JKS and MGMT, I was seriously questioning why on Earth these bands get the hype that they do. Specifically MGMT. It may not have been the worst concert I have ever seen... but it was certainly close.

Boo. MGMT. Boo.

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Starfucker @ Bottom of the Hill

Strength and Deejay Ceejay opened for Starfucker. Here's a clip from Strength.

School of Seven Bells @ Slims

SVIIB - 'Iamundernodisguise'


SVIIB - new song from their upcoming album


SVIIB - 'Connjur'


SVIIB - 'My Cabal'

Anna Ternheim shines @ Slim's

Asobi Seksu and Loney Dear co-headlined Slim's last night. Unlike the last time Asobi Seksu came to town (march 13, 2009), I was quite indifferent about their return to SF. It's partly because I wasn't really dazzled by their newest studio album, and their last live show was just meh. Well, i had nothing better to do, so I went to Slims early, got myself a cheeseburger, a PBR, and some great conversation with the bartender.

The first opener was Anna Ternheim. She is a Swedish singer-songwriter who's apparently huge... in Sweden. Well, if she keeps doing what she's doing, she's going to turn some heads in the U.S. too. Every one of her songs was unique and original yet accessible and very catchy; she's cute, and she has a terrific voice. If it weren't for her dark-ish lyrics, she could follow The Submarines, Feist, and The Ting Tings in the long line of cute voices selling iPods.



Loney Dear, also a singer-songwriter from Sweden, didn't blow anybody's mind, but wasn't terrible either. Kinda sounds like Conor Oberst.



I was lucky to be able to get a glimpse of the setlist as Asobi Seksu took the stage. This way, i knew how to time the beer runs and cigarette breaks without missing the songs I was there to hear.



check out more videos from this show on my YouTube channel


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Music Graph - June through September 2009

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September 2009 Archive

09/09 - Vivian Girls (Rickshaw Stop)
09/09 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Fox)
09/10 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Fox) ** THS Show**
09/11 - The Lovemakers (Independent)
09/17 - Phoenix (Warfield) **THS Show**
09/18 - Citizen Cope (Fillmore)
09/18 - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart (Great American Music Hall)
09/18: Frightened Rabbit + We Were Promised Jetpacks (Independent) **THS Show**
09/19 - Citizen Cope (Fillmore)
09/23 - Portugal. The Man (Independent) **THS Show**
09/25 - Portugal. The Man (Troubadour) **THS Show**
09/23 - Rodrigo y Gabriela (Fox)
09/30 - LadyHawke + Ida Maria **THS Show8*

Portugal. The Man + Drug Rug rock my face in two venues

It's been a busy and exciting week for me. The concert schedule is heating up and my new job at blip.tv is keeping me incredibly busy. I always make time for music, though, especially when it is Portugal. The Man. This band has been melting my face for two years, and I'm really excited that they are drawing such amazing crowds. Last year, they made it to the top of the 'Best Concert of 2008' list with the help of opener Foxy Shazam.

Though it is hard to keep raising the bar, they may be able to defend that title again this year, this time with the help their tour support, Drug Rug. Drug Rug is pretty straightforward rock'n'roll with exceptional stage presence and great chemistry. I had the good fortune of being able to see them in San Francisco @ the Independent on Wednesday and in Los Angeles at the Troubadour on Friday night. Here are some videos:

Drug Rug @ Troubadour




Portugal. The Man @ Troubadour

They opened with Colours


People Say


Church Mouth


encore


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Phoenix @ Warfield

Yesterday I got a brand new Flip Video minoHD camera just in time for the Phoenix concert. Enjoy the following clips!














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August 2009 Archive

08/02 - Japandroids (Hemlock Tavern)
08/02 - Sonic Youth (Fox)
08/15 - N.A.S.A. (Independent)
08/18 - Scrabbel (Hemlock) ** THS Show
08/19 - Crocodiles (Rickshaw Stop) ** THS Show
08/26 - The Dodos (Rickshaw Stop)
08/28 - Outside Lands // Los Campesinos!, Silversun Pickups, Thievery Corporation, West Indian Girl, Pearl Jam ** THS Show
08/29 - Dirtbombs (Rickshaw Stop)
08/29 - Outside Lands // Portugal. The Man, The Dirtbombs, Bat For Lashes, Deerhunter
08/30 - Outside Lands // Matt & Kim, Lenka, Cage The Elephant, Heartless Bastards, The Dead Weather, Band of Horses, Modest Mouse, Ween, MIA, Beastie Boys.

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Music Graph - May through July 2009

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Tenacious D to replace Beastie Boys at Outside Lands

As previously reported on this blog, the Beastie Boys cancelled several tour dates due to Adam Yauch's cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, this included Another Planet's Outside Lands Festival in Golden Gate Park. Another Planet Entertainment announced today, "The “Greatest Band In the World,” Tenacious D featuring Jack Black and Kyle Gass is joining the world’s greatest line-up of artists for the 2nd annual Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. Slotted as the closing act on Sunday evening, this will mark the legendary band’s first appearance in the Bay Area in three years and their United States Festival debut. Tenacious D’s unforgettable performances, groundbreaking videos and sheer charisma, energy and inspired songwriting will make this one of Outside Lands’ most memorable performances."


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SF Concert Schedule heating up!

08/18 - Scrabbel (Hemlock)
08/19 - Crocodiles (Rickshaw Stop)
08/26 - The Dodos (Rickshaw Stop)
08/28 - Outside Lands // Los Campesinos!, Silversun Pickups, Thievery Corporation, West Indian Girl, Pearl Jam
08/29 - Dirtbombs (Rickshaw Stop)
08/29 - Outside Lands // Portugal. The Man, The Dirtbombs, Bat For Lashes, Deerhunter
08/30 - Outside Lands // Matt & Kim, Lenka, Cage The Elephant, Heartless Bastards, The Dead Weather, Band of Horses, Modest Mouse, Ween, MIA, Beastie Boys.
09/09 - Vivian Girls (Rickshaw Stop)
09/09 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Fox)
09/10 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Fox)
09/11 - The Lovemakers (Independent)
09/17 - Phoenix (Warfield)
09/18 - Citizen Cope (Fillmore)
09/18 - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart (Great American Music Hall)
09/19 - Citizen Cope (Fillmore)
09/23 - Portugal. The Man (Independent)
09/23 - Rodrigo y Gabriela (Fox)
10/01 - Datarock (Slims)
10/02 - Asobi Seksu (Slims)
10/03 - Miike Snow (Bottom of the Hill)
10/04 - Jolie Holland (Independent)
10/06 - School of Seven Bells (Slims)
10/14 - DeVotchKa (Regency Ballroom)
10/17 - Treasure Island Music Festival
10/18 - Treasure Island Music Festival
11/09 - Pixies (Fox)
11/09 - Raveonettes (Bimbos)

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July 2009 Archive

*** indicate shows THS went to.

07/03 - Lovemakers + Amazing Baby (Rickshaw Stop) ***
07/07 - Dirty Projectors (Independent)
07/07 - Miniature Tigers (Cafe du Nord) ***
07/09 - Rural Alberta Advantage (Bottom of the Hill) ***
07/10 - Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Fillmore)
07/11 - Death Cab for Cutie, Ra Ra Riot, Andrew Bird (Greek Theatre)
07/14 - Blonde Redhead (Independent) ***
07/15 - Blonde Redhead (Independent)
07/15 - The Builders and The Butchers (Bottom of the Hill) ***
07/17 - Tussle (Bottom of the Hill)
07/21 - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Rickshaw Stop) ***
07/24 - Of Montreal (Fox)
07/26 - The Mighty Underdogs (Stern Grove)

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New Builders and Butchers Video - Golden and Green

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Beastie Boy's Yauch Diagnosed With Cancer - Cancels Tour Dates

From SFist

Well, this is some depressing news on this oddly gloomy summer day. The Beastie Boys are canceling their upcoming tour, as well as postponing their new album release, because doctors discovered a cancerous tumor in Adam Yauch's left parotid (salivary) gland. Yauch explains his treatment and the band's future in the video above.

In a statement, Yauch also explained, "I just need to take a little time to get this in check, and then we'll release the record and play some shows. It's a pain in the neck (sorry had to say it) because i was really looking forward to playing these shows, but the doctors have made it clear that this is not the kind of thing that can be put aside to deal with later."

If you recall, the Beastie Boys were supposed to headline one of the days at the Outside Lands Festival in August.

See the complete guide to 2009 music festivals here.

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Treasure Island Music Festival 2009 Lineup

Treasure Island Music Festival 2009 Lineup:

Saturday October 17, 2009:
MGMT
MSTRKRFT
Girl Talk
Brazilian Girls
The Streets
Passion Pit
LTJ Bukem Feat. MC Conrad
DJ Krush
Federico Aubele
Dan Deacon
Murs
Crown City Rockers
The Limousines

Sunday October 18, 2009:
The Flaming Lips
The Decemberists
Beirut
Grizzly Bear
Yo La Tengo
The Walkmen
Bob Mould
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
Vetiver
Spiral Stairs
Sleepy Sun
Tommy Guerrero
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros



See the complete guide to 2009 music festivals here.


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Top 10 Albums of 2009... so far.

#1
Phoenix
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Listen to their track '1901'


#2
Metric
Fantasies
Listen to their track 'Gold Guns Girls'


#3
Miike Snow
Miike Snow
Listen to their track 'Animal'


#4
Heartless Bastards
Mountain
Listen to their track 'Be So Happy'


#5
The Builders and The Butchers
Salvation is a Deep Dark Well
Listen to the track 'Devil Town'


#6
Passion Pit
Manners
Listen to the track 'The Reeling'


#7
Bat For Lashes
Two Suns
Listen to their track 'Sleep Alone'


#8
Camera Obscura
My Maudlin Career
Listen to the track 'French Navy'


#9
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Listen to the track 'Young Adult Friction'


#10
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
It's Blitz
Listen to the track 'Zero'


These albums are definitely worthy of being on many lists too.. so you should check them out as well.

Art Brut
Grizzly Bear
Dirty Projectors
Silversun Pickups
Dark Was The Night
Animal Collective

June 2009 Archive

06/04 - CLUES (former Arcade Fire + Unicorns) @ Rickshaw
06/05 - Peaches (Regency Ballroom)
06/05 - Submarines (Independent)
06/06 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Crystal Castles, Airborne Toxic Event, DJ AM, Mike Relm (Live 105 BFD, Shoreline)
06/07 - Rogue Wave (Independent)
06/08 - Camera Obscura (Fillmore)
06/09 + 10 - Neko Case (Warfield)
06/10 - Rodrigo y Gabriela (Mountain Winery)
06/12 - Datarock (Independent)
06/13 - 1990s (BOTH)
06/13 - Au Revoir Simone (Bimbo's)
06/13 - Bat For Lashes (Great American Music Hall)
06/13 - Jay Reatard (Independent)
06/15 - Art Brut (Independent)
06/17 - Andrew Bird (Mighty)
06/18 - Cut Off Your Hands (BOTH)
06/20 - White Rabbits (Independent)
06/26 - David Byrne & DeVotchka (Greek)
06/27 - Phoenix + Amazing Baby (Grand Ballroom)

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The Builders and The Butchers - New Album, Tour Dates!

Earlier this week, The Builders And The Butchers release their second full length album called, "Salvation is Deep Dark Well". As many readers of this blog know, this is one of my favorite bands. Hailing from Alaska via Portland, these guys play a southern-grime-rock that returns to classic rock and roll roots. Everyone feels they need to draw comparisons to what/who they sound like which is a testament to its familiarity and one of the reasons I believe this band to be accessible to all listeners. Those in the indie community draw comparisons to the Decemberists.. though I disagree. Personally, I have described this bands sound to Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, The White Stripes, and the Cold War Kids. Lead singer, Ryan Sollee is quoted in an interview with the Seattlest, "The era of songs that drive and influence the majority of the Builders' material is early Depression-era blues, folk, and gospel, and weirder stuff like Tom Waits."

I've introduced many people to this band by taking them to their live performances and I've never had anybody leave saying, "Yeah, that was OK." Instead they blather superlatives for weeks on end. And I love it because It's true... you feel really really great while listening to The Builders And The Butchers... which is ironic because their songs are about death, poverty, betrayal, death, heartache, and more death. It's story telling at its best.

The Builders and The Butchers are currently on Tour and will be playing at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco on July 15, 2009. Tickets are $10. Buy your tickets now.




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Art Brut @ The Independent

"Ready Art Brut!" This was the battle cry heard before every song played before a near-sold-out crowd at the Independent. Since first being introduced to Art Brut in 2006, my passion for this band has steadily increased with every play of nearly every track this band has produced. The show exceeded my already high expectations from a musical standpoint. The band's stage presence was among the best I've ever seen... and the banter between songs was funny as hell.

Here's a clip of the band covering the Ramone's "KKK took my baby away"


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Hotel Utah Documentary

The Hotel Utah Saloon has a very storied history. The bar dates back to 1908 and though it has seen the city go through many changes, the bar itself has not changed much at all over the years except for the building of a small stage in 1977. That stage has been host to many rising stars thanks to their open mic night. The folks over at Bricks and Mortar Media are creating a documentary about music, from the perspective of the Hotel Utah open mic. In the process, they are sharing the dailies from the open mics at the Utah. The dailies are filled with live music and interviews. It's worth checking out. They're having a sneak preview at the Utah on June 27th.

In the meantime, go check out the dailies. Here's one interview with Eric McFadden and Pandora founder, Tim Westergren.

Hotel Utah Dailies 3.11.09 from Bricks and Mortar Media on Vimeo.

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Vampire Weekend + Ra Ra Riot = Discovery

Bacon Ice Cream... Two things that are great individually, but when you put them together they taste wholly different, yet still delicious. Discovery is the name of the new collaboration between Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot. Turns out that the two bands are pretty close and they have a bunch of ideas that don't fit into either band's repertoire. So, they created a new band. I'm 50/50 on side projects and collaborations, but I think Discovery has legs. I just don't want to see another disappointment like Clues (Unicorns + ex-Arcade Fire members). And on that note... why is it that these seemingly genius musicians who come up with great names like Vampire Weekend, Unicorns, Arcade Fire, Ra Ra Riot, etc... suck at picking band names for their collaborative efforts? I mean.. Discovery? really?

Well anyway, for your enjoyment... Here is a free mp3 download of "Orange Shirt" by Discovery.

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Metric @ BFD

Check out Jessica Jardine's interview with Emily Haines at the Decider.com

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Submarines @ The Independent

photo courtesy of headshaker.

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Clues disappoint @ The Rickshaw Stop

There are many blogs and music sites that take it upon themselves to write detailed reviews on albums and concerts, so you may notice that when I add my two cents, its usually to gush about a band who either achieved or exceeded my high expectations. I generally avoid writing a banal review of a band who doesn't dazzle and I rarely waste my time on negative reports. But for some reason, I am compelled to document on my humble blog that Clues are crap.

When I first heard of the band and its members' roots in the Unicorns and Arcade Fire, I clearly had high expectations. I listened to the album the same week I heard new releases from Phoenix, Metric, and Passion Pit (all albums that brought me great joy). My first go-through with the album was lackluster, but since it had been muddled with several other stellar new releases, I thought I would give it another shot when the hype of the aforementioned albums wore off. After a few weeks, a friend of mine encouraged me to listen to it with headphones to accentuate the intricacies of the album, of which there are many. However, I couldn't help but wonder if the album was poorly produced or if the band just missed the mark with what it was shooting for. I would wait to see them live to make my final judgement. And last night it all became clear to me.

Clues headlined the Rickshaw Stop with support from San Francisco local bands Geographer + Birds and Batteries. Though the show was not sold out, the floor filled quickly once the first opener Birds and Batteries began to play. Their unique style of rock-synth-pop was enough to get the crowd moving. Geographer then took the stage with an amazing display of talent and vibrant sound and filled the main floor with shifting bodies and bobbing heads.

The crowd was really energized as they waited for Clues to take the stage. However, a surprise duo called Jerusalem In My Heart (an extension of Clues) played a slow noisy interlude that killed the mood. The remaining band members shuffled on stage as the noisemakers exited and the anxious crowd waited in anticipation. What ensued was truly disappointing. Clues were neither entertaining, nor were they tight as a group. While there were moments of greatness and inspiration, they were few and far between. The majority of the performance was tedious and haughty, as if the members in the band were really only interested in playing for each other. Their self-involvement was probably the only thing keeping them from noticing that over half of the audience cleared out of the venue by the time they played their fourth song.

My judgement on the production of the album was clearly off target. This mess of talent was produced the best it could have been, and it is shame that they have to use the names of the Unicorns and Arcade Fire to sell themselves.


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Phoenix - Lisztomania 80's Video Mash-up

Here's a gem I found from fellow blogger, Persona Sauna who says:

I can't believe I never saw this until today. Oddly enough, whenever I've listened to "Lisztomania" I can't help but find myself pulling out some of the same moves. The homemade YouTube video features classic dance scenes from 80's brat-pack movies mashed together such as The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Footloose, and Mannequin. Phoenix has even admitted they prefer this version to their own official video, calling it "our best video".

The new Phoenix album is getting heavy rotation on my iPod these days and will surely make my top 10 list for 2009. If you live in San Francisco, you can catch them on June 27 at the Regency. Amazing Baby will be opening for them and it is a show that should not be missed... unless you are out of town that weekend, like I am. Boo. At least i have the video to enjoy.






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Live Nation Announces Wednesday Specials

LOS ANGELES, June 1 (Reuters) - Concert promoter Live Nation said on Monday it will waive service fees for general admission at hundreds of concerts on sale for a 24-hour stretch this week.

Live Nation's no service fee offer will happen as a one-day-only event on Wednesday. The company said it plans other offers every Wednesday through the summer as a recession year break for customers, such as waving the fees on certain bands or offering regional discounts.

OK.. I suppose this is a step in the right direction... but I'm more concerned about small capacity venues that generally charge $20 or less for tickets with an additional $12 in fees.

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Treasure Island Music Festival 2009 Rumors

UPDATED 7/13 - Treasure Island Music Festival 2009 Lineup



Consequence of Sound reports that the following bands are confirmed:

Beirut
The Decemberists
The Flaming Lips
Girl Talk
HEALTH
Miike Snow
MSTRKRFT
Monotonix
Murs
No Age

Others report rumors of Joanna Newsom, Grizzly Bear, St. Vincent, Bon Iver, Calexico, School of Seven Bells, Ghostland Observatory, Chromeo, MGMT, and Ben Harper as rumored participants in this year’s lineup.

UPDATED 6/17 - FULL ARTIST LINEUP SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED WEEK OF JULY 13.

See the complete guide to 2009 music festivals here.


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May 2009 Archive

05/01 - Asobi Seksu (Great American Music Hall)
05/01 - Chris Cornell (Regency Ballroom)
05/01 - Matthew Dear (Mighty)
05/12 - Deerhoof (Fillmore)
05/16 - Sean Hayes (Independent)
05/19 - The Kills (Fillmore)
05/21 - Kings of Leon + The Walkmen (BG Civic Aud.)
05/21 - Pelle Carlberg, Oh No! Oh My! (Rickshaw)
05/22 - TV on the Radio (Fox)
05/24 - Luka Bloom (GAMH)
05/25 - Flight of the Conchords (Paramount)
05/26 - Animal Collective (Fox)
05/26 - Passion Pit (Bimbos)
05/26 - Peter Bjorn & John (GAMH)
05/27 - M83 (Mezzanine)
05/28 - Black Moth Super Rainbow + School of Seven Bells(BOTH)
05/28 - Jenny Lewis (Fillmore)
05/29 - jenny Lewis (Fillmore)
05/29 - Langhorne Slim (Independent)
05/30 - Thermals (BOTH)

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Jenny Lewis @ Fillmore

photo courtesy of Tenacious Handstamp Field Correspondent, HRH
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School of Seven Bells @ Bottom of the Hill

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Backstage with Bob Dylan

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Cloud Cult @ The Independent

I have to admit that until last week, I was not familiar with Cloud Cult. After a friend of mine bought tickets for the show and gifted the album to me via iTunes, I gave it a listen and loved what I heard. What I didn't know was that the show I was about to see was going to be performance that bound musical and visual art together to create an unforgettable experience.

As the performers picked up their instruments, the artists picked up their brushes and gave life to two empty canvasses which flanked the stage. The paintings were auctioned off after each show.. making a couple of lucky bidders the owners of the coolest concert poster one could ever wish for. Here's the progression of what we saw.









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