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SFist Reviews... Eskimo Joe

Spencer Williams — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:00:00 GMT

We featured Eskimo Joe in our weekly column a few weeks ago and stated that "Hands down, one of the best CD's of 2007." We still completely agree with that sentiment - even more so, now. Eskimo Joe played mostly songs from their current release, Black Fingernails, Red Wine with a couple of songs from their first record, A Song is a City. We have a feeling that the band members are used to rocking it out in huge venues with thousands of fans since their performance had such a great energy and was significantly polished especially compared to self-absorbed opener, Jeff Klein. (Yikes!)

"Now we shall rock," Temperley said at the beginning of the show and he did exactly as promised - he rocked. His vocals were spot on and the talent oozing from every band member was impressive. (Joel Quartermain, the guitarist, at one point played simultaneously with the pianist and then moved on to play with the drummer as well.) "London Bombs" and "New York" were highlights of the performance but "Black Fingernails, Red Wine," the title track, was definitely the show-stopper which finished out their perfect set. Stars of the Track and Field headlined the show (and they were pretty good - we downloaded their CD today) but they seemed to get completely overshadowed by the real stars: Eskimo Joe.

Picture taken by author

Take the jump to check out videos from the concert...

Contest: Great Northern @ BotH 11/9/07

Spencer Williams — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:00:00 GMT

Back in May, we were introduced to a great indie-pop band called Great Northern. We quickly fell in love with their latest release, Trading Twilight for Daylight and have been trying desperately to see one of their shows to no avail (they have been touring constantly since their release). They've been through San Francisco several times so we're sure you've already heard about them. (We hope!) Even our own Aaron Axelsen from Live 105 has been touting them since their debut release, "My #1 album of 2007 so far! Beautiful, lush, orchestrated indie-pop from new 2 boy, 2 girl LA 4-piece." (One of our favorites of the year as well.)

This time we are giving away one VIP Great Northern prize pack including a pair of tickets to the show, Great Northern t-shirt and signed copy of their debut album, Trading Twilight For Daylight. Clear your schedules - they'll be headlining at the Bottom of the Hill this Friday, November 9th starting at 10pm. (Contest will run till Thursday morning - then be sure to check your email to see if you won!)

To enter to win a VIP Great Northern prize pack, fill out the form in its entirety below. Good luck!

Contest: Trick or Tunng

Spencer Williams — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:00:00 GMT

In light of it being Halloween, we thought instead of candy, we would give out two tickets to another concert. This week has been full of giveaways (see here and here), so why not more?

This time, it's two tickets to see Tunng, a London-based experimental/folk/electronic band, at Bottom of the Hill on Monday, November 5th. The press release says that, "If you're into rustic acoustic-based folk, kitchen sink experimentalism, delicate electronics and pop melodies that don't let go, you'll probably really enjoy Tunng's latest record, Good Arrows." Honestly, we couldn't think of anything catchier, plus it describes their unique sound perfectly.

Enter to win two spots on the guest list at Tunng's Nov. 5th concert at Bottom of the Hill. (Winner will be chosen Friday - so make sure you check your inbox)

Good luck and Happy Halloween!

Sfist Reviews... Eulogies

Spencer Williams — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 12:05:55 GMT

“Eulogies are most commonly designated for those who have passed, but really they are just words of praise, and in this case they are for the living,” explains musician Peter Walker. “The name, for me, represents the saying of the unsaid, the voicing of the unexpressed, to someone you care about.”

Though familiar with their latest release, entitled Eulogies, several of their songs they played were still unfamiliar. They were still good, just unfamiliar. The song that blew us away and made everything worth it was, "If I Knew You." Reynolds played a three-note, syncopated bass-line on the drums that created tension with it's repetitive nature. At the same time, Peter Walker carefully questions, "If I knew you, would you do the same to me? Should I say good-bye again? Should I stick around?" Three questions; that's all - yet it remained powerful and the highlight.

You'll have another opportunity to check Eulogies out when they play at Hotel Utah on November 21st with San Francisco native Chris Hanson. Working with only three musicians, Eulogies showed that they were an emotional powerhouse with their creative musical riffs and streamlined vocals. We definitely only have "words of praise" for them - a perfect eulogy - this time for the living.