Starting next Wednesday, we're wishing the Rickshaw Stop a very Happy 3rd Anniversary! In the last three years the venue has presented shows with everyone from Jonathan Richman to Silversun Pickups and has hosted all manner of wacky special events. Our favorite memory was an early show by Phosphorescent, and a pretty fun time on New Year's Eve in '05. They're celebrating their anniversary with a three day festival featuring a different style of......

It's been a few months since we raved about Ratatat and gave away their CD, so we figure it's time again to extol their greatness. Like we said last time, RATATAT's music is so melodic, varied and compelling that it makes vocals and lyrics seem superfluous. The Brooklyn duo expertly mixes snakey synth lines with sneering guitar, cello, sleigh bells and samples like the appropriately primal roar in "Wildcat". File under: Things That Make......

SFist Interviews Nate Grover, Singer of Love is Chemicals...

How's this for a normal pre-teen existence: school, soccer practice, homework, gig with Pearl Jam. It's all in a day's work for the sisters in Smoosh. At the ages when most teenage girls are locked in their rooms distraught over the politics of popularity or some unrequited crush, Chloe (12) and Asya (14) are out in the proverbial garage writing edgy pop songs on keyboard and drums. The best part? It's not a novely act.......

After travelling to Austin to see about 30 great bands in three days at SXSW, next week we don't even have to leave town for a phenomenal music festival. Monday brings the start of Noise Pop 2006, San Francisco's annual indie rock smorgasbord. All-festival passes and several shows are already sold out, but SFist will be bringing you coverage so not to worry. On Friday one of our favorite bands, Metric, brings their erratic art......

Before anyone accuses us of having a soft spot in our hearts for bands from Texas, let us just go ahead and admit we do. That leads us to this week's giveaway featuring Pilotdrift, a band from Texarkana. Don't get any ideas about their sound from their hometown though. Their music is atmospheric, symphonic, theatrical, and the singer even sounds a bit like Bowie. Their debut album is out now on Good Records Recordings, owned......

This week we're giving away an EP by promising up-and-coming local band Finest Dearest. We're excited to watch where this comely and talented co-ed group's bright future takes them. Fans of female-fronted indie rock should preview a few tracks here or here and pick up your own copy of their EP when they play the Hemlock this Friday night. (Contest ends Wednesday 10/12.) Hipsters unite at the Bill Graham Civic Center tonight for Franz......