The Wheel's Still In Spin

Blitzen Trapper, Dawes & Belle Brigade – The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA – November 15, 2011

Blitzen Trapper and Dawes spent the months of October and November co-headlining a tour across the continental US. On Tuesday, November 15, the bands played San Francisco’s venerable Fillmore Auditorium to a nearly full – but not completely sold out – crowd as the penultimate show of the two-month tour.

Austin City Limits Festival 2011

The tenth annual Austin City Limits music festival took place over the weekend. Approximately 70,000 people listened to 125 bands on 7 stages for 3 days. The diverse lineup featured headliners Arcade Fire, Coldplay, My Morning Jacket, Kanye West, and Stevie Wonder.

I’ll Let You Be In My Dreams If I Can Be In Yours: Dylan Fest 2011

My wife had an East Coast work trip scheduled for the week before Memorial Day, with her last meeting in New York City. So we figured this would be a good time for a short, NYC vacation. We then started searching the events that were going on that weekend. And there it was:

Dylan Fest 2011

Built to Spill & Fauxbois – Slim’s, San Francisco, CA – July 15, 2010

Download Fauxbois – “Carry On” (mp3) (from Carry On)
Download Built to Spill – “Hindsight” (mp3) (from There Is No Enemy)

The stage of Slim’s was adorned with two bands from Boise, ID, on Thursday, July 15, 2010; one new, one tried and true. Fauxbois and Built to Spill share more than their town of origin. Both bands play guitar-based indie rock and are projects of their frontmen supported with a cast of deft musicians.

Pavement – Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA – June 25, 2010

There were rumors for years that Pavement would reunite. Those rumors finally manifested into the most anticipated reunion of 2010. The 90s indie band started a world tour in March. The first half of tour was mostly spent in Australia, Japan, and Europe. On Friday, June 25, Pavement took the stage at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA.

Thao Nguyen, David Dondero, Sean Smith, and Colossal Yes – Noise Pop – Swedish American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA – February 26th, 2009

Last year was a good one for Thao Nguyen. She and her band, The Get Down Stay Down, released their first album for Kill Rock Stars. We Brave Bee Stings and All, which was TWSIS’s #1 album of 2008, was met with strong praise. The band spent a good portion of the year on tour. And Thao played last year’s Noise Pop festival.

This year, she was invited back to Noise Pop as a headliner at the Swedish American Music Hall. Her set was originally billed as a solo performance. And that is how she began her set – just her guitar and vocals. After a few songs, however, she added two friends on background vocals.

The Mountain Goats (solo) and The Papercuts – Noise Pop – Swedish American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA – February 25th, 2009

When John Darnielle stepped onto the small stage at the Swedish American Music Hall the audience knew they were in for a special show. It was billed as a solo Mountain Goats show. Darnielle picked up one of the two acoustic guitars placed on stage and comfortably sat on his stool. The Swedish American Music Hall offered an intimate setting. But the true extent to which this show would be unique became apparent shortly into the set.

Darnielle opened with the song “Alphabetizing.” He then announced that there would be a lot of older Mountain Goats songs performed that evening. He expanded on this as the set went on. Darnielle explained that the songs were ones he doesn’t normally play live, even though they get requested. He also pleaded that the specifics of the setlist not be divulged. He doesn’t want fans on upcoming tours to expect these songs played. He went so far as saying he would personally hold this San Francisco audience responsible for future audiences repeatedly shouting out these requests.

Annuals, Jessica Lea Mayfield, and What Laura Says – Slim's, San Francisco, CA – February 21st, 2009

On tour for their second album, Such Fun, Annuals have been touring the country with a concert lineup that includes two strong supporting acts. Saturday, February 21st, Annuals, Jessica Lea Mayfield, and What Laura Says stopped in San Francisco to perform at Slim’s.

Two Gallants, Crystal Antlers, and The Tallest Man on Earth – The Fillmore, San Francsico, CA – December 26th, 2008

Friday, December 26th, Two Gallants headlined the Fillmore in San Francisco. This marked the first time I had seen the band since SXSW 2006, when I had the opportunity to interview Adam and Tyson. Also, as a new resident of the Bay Area, this was my introductory visit to the Fillmore.

The Fillmore is a great place to see a live show. After you climb the entrance staircase, there are free apples to enjoy. The bar areas are decorated with classic Fillmore posters from 40 years of live shows. Granted Live Nation now runs it, but you really feel that you are in a legendary venue. I had been to the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver shortly after it opened in 1999 and I completely understand what they are aspiring to.

The Heartless Bastards and The Broken West - The Independent, San Francisco, CA - November 8th, 2008

Saturday, November 8th, The Heartless Bastards played to a packed room at the Independent in San Francisco, CA. The past year has seen a handful of changes for the band. First, Erika Wennerstrom replaced the supporting members of her band. Then they relocated from Cincinnati, OH, to Austin, TX. In their new town, they began working on a new album with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of the Dead).

The new band consists of members of two of Cincinnati’s most consistent and popular local bands. Drummer Dave Colvin comes from Shesus, a now defunct band for which Wennerstrom once played bass. Jesse Ebaugh, who was a member of Pearlene, is now the bass player for The Heartless Bastards. These new members are familiar to Wennerstrom; both Colvin and Ebaugh played on the 5-song demo that got the band signed to Fat Possum Records.

The latest incarnation of The Heartless Bastards is a cohesive and powerful trio. The sound is a mixture of blues rock and riot grrrl. They take their influences from Sleater-Kinney, Janis Joplin, and The Black Keys.