The Wheel's Still In Spin

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.

Audrye Sessions and Wild Sweet Orange - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - Oct 14th, 2008

Audrye Sessions and Wild Sweet Orange have spent the month of October sharing shows. With a few more shows left on the schedule, their tour will be capped of a showcase at CMJ with both bands, Margot And The Nuclear So And So’s, Love As Laughter, and Cory Chisel.

Tuesday, October 14, brought Audrey Sessions back to their home in the San Francisco Bay Area for a show at Great American Music Hall with Wild Sweet Orange and Poor Bailey. The Oakland band was celebrating the release of their self-titled EP.

Noah And The Whale and Lindi Ortega - Popscene, San Francisco, CA - Oct 2nd, 2008

Thursday, Oct 2, the UK band, Noah And The Whale, played their first show in San Francisco. Actually, their first show of the evening was at Amoeba Records. For their first proper show, Noah And The Whale waded through the packed audience to make their way to the stage. Still wearing their Amoeba stickers, Noah And The Whale immediately filled Popscene with their chamber pop sound.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Elefant, and The Morning After Girls - Bogart's, Cincinnati, OH - February 9th, 2006

The content of this live review was originally posted on the online music and popular culture magazine I See Sound on 11 Feb 2006.

Back in September, [I See Sound writer] Jeff Snyder had a chance to review his first Black Rebel Motorcycle Club show for I See Sound. Now it was my turn. Owning BRMC’s last two albums, I was excited to see how the band would alternate from their earlier to more recent material.

The 500 or so people in attendance slowly trickled in throughout the first two bands’ performances.

It all started with The Morning After Girls, from Australia. The PA began by playing a phased out intro. Sacha Lucashenko walked out, picked up his acoustic guitar and began playing under the recorded intro. Soon it was just the acoustic guitar. Then Aime’e Nash walked out. She sang a beautiful song. Their bass player, Scott Von Ryper, played a synth part. Then the other members walked out. The show was starting out mellow, but showed signs of complexity and diversity.

As soon as the first song was completed, someone yelled out, “Your guys album kicks ass,” and requested the song “Hi-Skies,” which they didn’t play.

Islands and Human Reunion - Elbo's, Dayton, OH - December 3rd, 2005

The content of this live review was originally posted on the online music and popular culture magazine I See Sound, which has been dormant for the entirety of 2008 thus far.

The night of this show became a memorable, live-changing evening for me. It was the events that took place after Island’s live performance that had an altering result on my life, but it is just as commonly referred to as “the night of the Islands show” as it is “when my truck rolled over.”

I wasn’t sure how to start this. I could use some quirky line about how a lot of people say, “I would die to see that band.” Or I could explain how uncomfortable the backseat of a police car is, for those of you who have never had that experience. Maybe I could talk about Divine Intervention (not the Matthew Sweet song – okay maybe I could talk about the lead track to his “Girlfriend” album). Or I could just burst out and tell the ending right away. But none of those beginnings are appropriate. This is a review of the Islands show at Elbo’s in Dayton, not the story of how I got there and back. I will explain what happened to me, but first let me explain how amazing this concert was.

It was an all ages show, build as being from 5-7:30 PM. I got there about 5:15 and the first band, Human Reunion, was finishing its sound check. Apparently Islands was running a little late. The show started around 6 with the headlining band not yet in the club.

Okkervil River and The New Pornographers - Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH - April 11th, 2008

Okkervil River and The New Pornographers will complete their tour together on Tuesday, April 22, at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, OH. Two days later, on Thursday, April 24, Okkervil River will perform at The Mad Hatter in Covington, KY, with two prominent local bands, Wussy and Turnbull ACs. The Wheel’s Still In Spin highly recommends this show and will definitely be present for a double dose of live Okkervil River this month. Buy tickets here.

Bands focus the majority of their sets on their more recent works. Therefore, logic would propose that it is best to witness a performance after the band’s best work. With that said, the double billing of Okkervil River and The New Pornographers posed a dichotomy. For this reviewer, The New Pornographers’ best album was 2000's Mass Romantic. The band’s three subsequent releases were not as strong as that debut. Okkervil River, on the other hand, released their best album, The Stage Names, in August of 2007. Each of their four full-length albums has been a step up in production, skill, and songwriting.

Okkervil River, however, was in the first position in the lineup. As they took to the stage, a majority of the audience was present and prepare for a spectacular double bill. The evening opened with “The President’s Dead,” from a 12 inch single, as singer Will Sheff played the first verses solo on his acoustic guitar. They also selected songs from all four of their full-length albums while concentrating the majority of the set to tracks from The Stage Names.