The lovely local ladies in Von Iva are gearing up to release a brand new CD called Our Own Island. They're doing their part to heat up the chilly San Francisco summer by having a special CD release party on August 4th at 12 Galaxies (in addition to tomorrow's party at the Blank Club in San Jose). They promise a bikini bonanza (use your imagination) so risque that you have to be over 18......

The Black Angels swoop down on San Francisco tonight to bring their grimy psychedelic swing to Cafe Du Nord. Listen to their self-described Electrified Native American Drone 'n' Roll here or download the song "Black Grease" and stream the video for it [high or low]. Enter to win a copy of The Black Angels EP (contest ends Weds. 2/15). Thursday 2/9 Popscene's Valentine's Day Party with DJ Mike Relm and Von Iva @ 330 Ritch......

You may have noticed that we're giving away 'Fisties this month. Did you read about our 'Fisties in the music category? We declared that the local boys in Two Gallants made the Best Career Move this year by signing with iesteemed indie label Saddle Creek Records. One of the perks of signing with an indie is artistic freedom, which the band exercised on the b-side of their just-released "Las Cruces Jail"/"Long Summer Day" 7-inch. Enter......

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......

Our concert picks for the week of 7/21-7/27. It's a good week of shows for those of us who love singer-songwriters, so let's celebrate by giving you something for free! Dark folk troubadour Chris Whitley has a new CD coming out on Tuesday on Messenger Records, and we want you to hear it. Enter to win Chris Whitley's new CD Soft Dangerous Shores. Contest ends 7/27. Tonight none other than the good Sir Mix-A-Lot is......

Our concert picks for the week of 5/26-6/1. Although Memorial Day should mean more than just a day off from work (if you get the day off, and, well, if you have a job), clubs do take advantage of the three day weekend by offering up an action-packed Sunday night. But of course, San Francisco offers up stellar music events all week long. You could spend tonight with the straight-from-the-bottle swillers in The Cuts at......

Okay, we've had a week to get over ourselves for the SF Weekly Best Blog thing, we're back to normal now. Last week's winner, the East Bay Express. Trippy Slow Wave dream comic! They could make a movie outta that! Bottom Feeder: Operation Rescue's at it again in Rockridge. Cover article: viral marketing in Emeryville with Internet scavenger hunts. Event of the week: Girlstock! With Von Iva! Performance (B)ART. Search the EBX food listings for organic. UK grime is overrated. And Savage Love: STDs (isn't that the band with Scott Weiland?). The Guardian: Tim Redmond says stem cells development will oppress. Hey, have you thought about public power this week? A frightening ad in the front section entitled "The Evolution of the Marina Woman" (so much flowy hair!) -- we think maybe the target demographic of the Bay Guardian is not the audience that SF Optics is aiming for. SF is anti-bike. SFist is ambivalent. Annalee Newitz on the Real ID act. The sex columnist with a letter about a lady who loves her parrot (fake? real? you decide!). And the cover article: movies by that guy who got kicked out of the SF Art Institute for making disturbing movies. Come up with a phrase for the female version of "cock block," and the pick of the week, after the jump! ...

Our concert picks for the week of 5/12-5/18. Welcome, welcome, hordes of new readers who have recently discovered what our loyal readership has known for months -- that SFist.com is our fair city's Best Local Blog. (This will not be the first nor last mention of this honor bestowed upon us by SF Weekly). But enough with the self-aggrandizing babble. Onto the concerts! Tonight Ivy conjures their dream pop at Slim's in support of their......

Our concert picks for the week of 4/21-4/27. If you're in the mood for something different tonight, Grupo Fantasma plays their genre-busting Tejano at Red Devil Lounge, or check out three new buzz bands, Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Phoenix and Joy Zipper, at Great American. Popscene is giving away free copies of the Dandy Warhols/Brian Jonestown Massacre documentary DIG! in honor of a performance by Joel Gion's new project The Dilletantes. Toots and the......

On Friday Noise Pop presented a matinee show with Ringside, Von Iva and Robbers on High Street at Cafe Du Nord. It's quite strange to head to a rock show at a time of day that's more appropriate for happy hour, but having the evening wrap up by 9pm was a bit of a treat. It leaves you feeling like you have extra time on your hands, Daylight Savings Time-style. We missed Ringside's set but......

We reckon a good percentage of San Franciso music-lovers will be at Great American Music Hall this week, whether it's at one of the three sold out Arcade Fire shows or Saturday's sold out X show. We commend you, SF, your taste is impeccable. While you're down at Great American, SFist Emily recommends stopping by the box office to purchase your ticket for the Tsunami Relief Benefit on January 28th. A $20 donation gets you......

Has everyone gotten into the holiday spirit, or are we all just hopped up on eggnog? Either way, there are some festive fetes, punk rock riots and buzzworthy delights coming to our neck o' the woods this week. Hold on to your knickers -- it looks like Tom Jones kicks off a three night stint at the Fillmore this evening! Actually, in that case you should take your knickers off and throw them at him.......

SFist is thankful that San Francisco has the greatest live music venues in the country, despite the bad news SFist Isaac gave us about the closure of seminal Lower Haight club The Top. If you're looking for an excuse to get away from visiting relatives, or a fantastic place to take them for some entertainment, read on for our suggestions. Tonight you can get your punk rock served up stadium-style with hometown boys Green Day......

[Ed. Note: If the site of cartoon-illustrated pubic hair offends you, go get a therapist. If the sight of the mayor and his wife's cartoon-illustrated pubic hair offends you, just take another Xanax with your Martini like we did.] The good people at Mesh, who share our obsession with a certain photograph, will be kicking out the jams tomorrow with a fete featuring Willpower of Imperial Teen, Madelia, The Mall and DJ Vin Solo at......

SFist was blown away by Von Iva when they opened for Metric at the Great American Music Hall in late October. This all-female Bay area-based band doesn't need no stinkin' guitars -- just bass, drums & keys mixed with the loud, proud blues-gospel-soul vocals of foxy, feral front-woman Jillian Iva. Love the Yeah Yeah Yeah's? Love PJ Harvey? Love your rock to make your heart pound and your shoulders shimmy? These ladies have just......