When The Lights Go Down In The City
Who saw We Are Scientists at the Warfield last night? Perhaps the thing we like most about W.A.S. is how they make the most out of what they've got. They've trimmed the fat. There are no five-string basses or extraneous conga players. The drummer's kit is tastefully small. Everyone in the wiry trio does double duty, playing their instrument and singing along on harmony. And even though a lot of their sound relies on of-the-moment disco beats and dancey guitars, there's thought behind their songs and melodies. As much as we love their current record, we expect big things from the next one.
Did you catch the We Are Scientists giveaway we announced yesterday? Hey, that's some prize pack.
Last Tuesday we were treated to a stadium show in a tiny venue when we saw the Sam Roberts Band at Cafe Du Nord. Back in his home country of Canada, he regularly picks up Juno Awards and his 2002 debut release, The Inhuman Condition, was one of the highest selling indie releases in Canadian music history (according to Wikipedia). Surely the band is used to playing to a lot bigger crowds than the hundred or so people there to see them at Cafe Du Nord. A few of their big rock elements that seemed out of place in the tiny club: a dedicated roadie tuning instruments and running around with a flashlight, set lists duct-taped neatly near microphones, a synchronized light show, $25 t-shirts. But the Sam Roberts Band was gracious about bringing their big show to the small stage; they seemed to play with just as much energy and commitment as they would have for an audience of 5,000. And the fans were loving it. When Sam held his guitar up by the neck in a classic rock pose, we think someone in the front might have fainted, eh? We highly recommend SRB's latest record, Chemical City, as a great mix of singer-songwriter Americana and old fashioned rock with just enough psychedelic keyboards to make you feel nostalgic (and not violently annoyed -- because it's a fine line with psychedelia.) We have no review for 30 Seconds to Mars, because it turns out we weren't on the guest list as promised. Oh Jared Leto!! You will pay!!
This week's recommended shows, after the jump!
On Friday you can check out darlings o' the blogosphere Boy Least Likely To for free at 6pm at Amoeba, and then blog about it. The band plays later that night at Great American. Locals Thriving Ivory celebrate an album release at The Independent. If you miss the show you can buy their album here the next day. If you're in the market for a true adventure, head to Bottom of the Hill to see Danielson performing songs off of the new album Ships. We came late to the Danielson party after seeing the documentary about him, Danielson: A Family Movie (read our review), but now we know that Daniel Smith was a huge influence on luminous talents like Sufjan Stevens and Jeff Buckley.
Listen to Danielson
On Saturday, wholesome twosome The Ditty Bops bring their band of washboards and stand up bass to Slim's. This show is just one stop on their madcap Bike Across America tour; you can follow their adventures on their blog. Celebrate World Memphis Three Awareness Day (we didn't know such a day existed!) at a WM3 benefit featuring Mark Kozelek, Chuck Prophet, Tarnation, Jonathan Richman at Great American.
There's a lot to choose from on Sunday, starting at noon with the San Francisco Accordion Festival and Main Squeeze Pageant at The Cannery. This free event celebrates San Francisco's offical musical instrument (for real?) and includes bands like Bella Ciao (retro Italian swing), Big Lou's Polka Casserole, Those Darn Accordions and benefits Music in Schools Today. You have a choice between two great indie rock shows that night: Pretty Girls Make Graves, Giant Drag and Whale Bones at Great American or Murder By Death, Rocky Votolato and William Elliott Whitmore at Cafe Du Nord. Fans of true blue, dug-it-up-from-the-grave roots music should pay attention to William Elliott Whitmore, who sounds 3 or 4 decades older than he looks. Also that night Lady Sovereign is in town to open for The Streets at The Fillmore, which reminded us of that guy's stunt. Turns out she's agreed to hang out with him after her June 9th show if he raises $10,000 and meets her demands. Still we wonder, what's in it for the people who are donating the money? They should at least get invited on the yacht.
Watch this short video of William Elliott Whitmore. It's worth it.
Listen to Rocky Votolato's "White Daisy Is Passing"
Monday night at Bottom of the Hill we recommend Liars, Apes and Rabbits (oh my!).
Photo of Danielson from his website.