I’m going to be completely honest: I never was particularly interested in concerts where DJs were the main act. Granted, my experience in those types of concerts was very limited, I was never as captivated as when seeing what one would call a “traditional band” (guitars, bass, drums, etc.). However, Read More…
The turntable has been used as an instrument since the early days of hip-hop in the 1970s. The days of analog vinyl scratching have evolved into the digital era, in which physical records are no longer needed. French turntablist group C2C have brought together an eclectic collection of sounds spanning Read More…
Few things will more reliably bruise your ego and inspire awe than a sick person doing something better than the healthy you ever could. At Friday night’s sold-out show at The Independent, this person was He’s My Brother She’s My Sister frontwoman Rachel Kolar, who, despite her fever, managed to Read More…
1. ‘Bullet to the Head’ opens in theaters Considering that the title of this movie is “Bullet to the Head,” I doubt there will be any confusion on what this movie is about. Starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by Walter Hill, whose last decent action movie was “The Warriors,” Read More…
Toro Y Moi brought waves to the Noise Pop Festival at The Independent in San Francisco on Saturday, but they weren’t exactly chill. He is one of the main acts attributed to chillwave. As a “genre” that has its validity constantly questioned, it evokes the idea of listeners apathetically lounging Read More…
VISUAL ART As a center for innovation, renewable energy solutions, art and communal education, Oakland seems like the perfect home base for nonprofit organization Kinetic Steam Works. Since 2005, it has worked to preserve steam power heritage, presenting art and performance pieces to the public, highlighting the merits of this Read More…
Japandroids, occupy the opposite end of the musical spectrum from Green and his classic soul. Whereas Green was in tune with the channels of love, Japandroids summon the triumph, anxiety and inhibitions of youth. The duo made up of Brian King and David Prowse, delighted a jam-packed crowd at the Independent last week. Read More…
Brendan Benson’s infectious pop rock has been around for more than 15 years, beginning with 1996’s under-the-radar release One Mississippi. He gained minor recognition in 2002 with Lapalco and then broke into the big time after hanging out with Jack White and forming the Raconteurs. He proved a perfect complement Read More…
It’s hard to believe that just 20 years ago, Noise Pop was a small concert consisting of five bands playing in one venue. Unlike other festivals, like Outside Lands, that started out in the concert big leagues, Noise Pop has steadily grown from an unknown show to a city-spanning behemoth Read More…
Legendary cowpunk outfit The Meat Puppets brought their incendiary show to the Independent in San Francisco on Friday, June 17th. Marrying country, folk, punk and alt-rock to Les Paul cock rock, the Meat Puppets concocted an eclectic and expansive sound. Playing in a beautiful theater, the subdued lighting and smokey Read More…
