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• Needtobreathe W/ Serena Ryder & The Alternate Routes

  • Oct 23, 2009 | 12:29am
  • Needtobreathe w/ Serena Ryder & The Alternate Routes - Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco, CA 10/22/09:
    
    Karma was on my side tonight.
    Throughout the past week I have managed to get friends and co-workers into shows I was working for San Francisco's Live 105 (KITS) like the San Francisco debut of The Temper Trap, Brand New w/ Manchester orchestra in San Jose, Treasure Island Music Festival & Weezer's secret Myspace show, now tonight, as I finally prepared to hand over my $15 for Needtobreathe's first show in San Francisco in over 3 years, the man in line in front of me just happened to have a +1 he wasn't going to use.
    I got myself an unexpected free show, and it was a good one.
    
    The Alternate Routes took the stage promptly at 8 o'clock to a half-empty room. With only 3 of the 5 members present, I wasn't sure what kind of set we were going to get, especially after opening with an acoustic version of "Aftermath" from their old album "Good and Reckless and True".
    They plugged things in and turned things up and busted out some new songs and some old jams, set list:
    Aftermath (Acoustic)
    Rainbow Speaker
    Toe The Line
    The Future's Nothing New
    On and On We Whisper
    Asked You Twice
    
    Lead singer Tim Warren got the crowd involved rather easily and the band managed to have the room filled up by the end of their set. They left to one of the louder ovations I've heard for an opening band in the past few months.
    
    Next up was Atlantic Records singer/songwriter Serena Ryder who only continued the night of fantastic voices.
    A singer who can easily appeal to fans of Alanis Morissette, Michelle Branch, Toby Lightman, Vedera, and other female fronted bands, she won the crowd over quickly with an accapella song called "Melancholy Blue" followed by some songs from her upcoming album, "Is It Ok?" and a snippet of rapping into TLC's "Waterfalls".
    Serena has a great voice on her, and had people lining up to get her CDs for whatever price they were willing to pay, seriously, just put money in a bucket and get a CD. Not bad.
    
    Next up was the night's headliner, Needtobreathe.
    Making their first trip back to San Fran since a show 3 years ago at the same venue where they were direct support for the now defunct October Fall. Frontman Bear Rinehart acknowledged their absence over the past few years and mentioned a few times that it was nice to be playing a show at Cafe Du Nord, "to more than 17 people."
    I went into the show without being completely sold on the new album, "The Outsiders", so I was hoping we'd get a fair mix of old & new stuff, what we got, however, wasn't surprising. The new tracks did dominate the set, with some of "The Heat" sprinkled in.
    Set List:
    The Outsiders
    Streets Of Gold
    More Time
    Sweet Talk
    Stones Under Rushing Water (W/ Serena Ryder)
    Prisoner
    Girl Named Tennessee
    (A rockin track that I was not familiar with)
    Lay 'em Down
    I Won't Turn Back (Bo on vocals)
    Washed By The Water
    Let Us Love
    Something Beautiful (unplugged)
    Shine On (unplugged)
    
    The new songs they played were the ones I've already grown to love, and they were all a lot of fun to hear live for the first time.
    Bear said it was the first time they played "Shine On" in about a year, so it was nice to get at least 1 track from "Daylight", I thought an encore might include some more old tracks, but they didn't come back out after the unplugged set.
    
    Overall, a great group of acts and a damn fine show.
    Props to the fans who were so supportive of the openers, I got tired of hearing "YOU SUCK!" & "WEEZER!" at last night's show. They also managed to stay quiet during the final 2 songs of the set where the band wasn't even using a microphone.
    
    Hopefully Needtobreathe makes their way back to San Francisco in less than 3 years and brings along the same type of quality acts that won over the crowd at this show.
  
  

• Weezer W/ Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (Myspace Secret Show) San Francisco 10/21/09

  • Oct 22, 2009 | 10:31am
  • Weezer took over The Grand Ballroom @ The Regency Center tonight in San Francisco for a Myspace secret show.
    
    The show was free and they fit in as many people as they could into the place.
    
    Natalie Portman's Shaved Head took the stage at 7:45 and went through their usual fun set of songs about sideways ponytails, facial hair & slow motion tag teams. Always a fun live band and tonight was no exception.
    
    After a half hour wait, Weezer took the stage.
    Now, after their hit-filled, crowd pleasing set from the Blink tour I thought we might either be in for more of the same, or they would go the same route as Green Day had for their secret shows earlier this year and just play the new album in it's entirety before a 2nd set of hits.
    Emerging with all the guys donning white sweat suits, they jumped straight into the hits.
    
    Set List (In Order):
    Hash Pipe
    Undone - The Sweater Song
    Troublemaker
    Surf Wax America
    Perfect Situation
    (If You Are Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
    Say It Ain't So
    Why Bother
    My Name Is Jonas
    Island In The Sun
    Can't Stop Partyin'
    Photograph
    Song 2 (Blur Cover)
    I'm Your Daddy
    Pork N Beans
    Beverly Hills
    ---------------
    War Pigs (Black Sabbath)
    Kids (MGMT)/Poker Face (Lady Gaga)
    Buddy Holly
    
    Overall, damn good, high-energy, hit-filled show. I don't think anyone there could have been disappointed in that set list.
    Lacked some "El Scorcho" & "Dope Nose" among others, but for an hour & 15 minutes and a free show, I couldn't have asked for much more.
    Rivers saying "This is a secret show, so don't go tweeting or Facebooking about it" was a bit ironic, considering it was a MYSPACE secret show...he also danced around with a friend of mine's large pink bra that she threw on stage (she got it at a Tom Jones show).
    
    Go catch these guys on the upcoming tour. They're on their game and they are definitely crowd pleasers, and maybe even the most die hard Pinkerton & Blue Album elitists can bob their heads to some of their old school favorites and the rockin' new ones.
  
  

• Mountain View, CA Warped Tour 8/20/09

  • Aug 21, 2009 | 2:11pm
  • Mt. View warped 8/20/09
    
    In line: met InPassing from Florida, very cool band, also informed LoveHateHero that their album leaked earlier in the morning - they were previously unaware.
    
    Thrice (played @ 11:15):
    Of Dust & Nations
    The Weight
    Deadbolt
    For Miles
    At The Last
    Firebreather
    All The World Is Mad
    TAITA
    Helter Skelter
    The Earth Will Shake
    
    what I caught of Valencia (NOT their whole set)
    Better Be Prepared
    where did you go?
    The Good Life
    The Space Between
    (I don't know their old stuff)
    
    Innerpartysystem:
    Heart of Fire
    Obsession (bombs over Baghdad intro)
    Die Tonight Live Forever
    Last Night in Brooklyn
    Don't Stop
    
    Saw bits & pieces of Saosin, Single File & Alexisonfire (met Dallas Green and let him know he was an inspiration to all those who share his name, he's WAY cooler than any hockey player, tight end, or soap opera)
    
    Senses Fail was drowned out by bass, couldn't make out a damn thing Buddy sang.
    
    What I caught of silverstein (not in order):
    My heroine
    My Disaster
    Apologize (onerepublic cover)
    Smile In Your Sleep
    Sound of the Sun
    Born Dead
    I Am The Arsonist
    
    Early States (local band) - RIYL: Barcelona, Coldplay,
    An Answer
    New Song
    Smoke In My Eyes
    New Song
    
    All Time Low:
    Weightless
    Jasey Rae
    Poppin' Champagne
    Lost In Stereo
    Coffee Shop
    (missed this one)
    Damned if do ya
    Dear Maria
    
    Madina lake:
    House of Cards
    Never take Us Alive
    Here I Stand
    Lets Get Outta Here
    True Love
    
    This Providence's set included: That Girls a Trick, Selfish, Waste Myself, Letdown, and older tracks I'm not familiar with
    
    NOFX was entertaining as usual.
    Devil Wears Prada....for the lack of anything better going on (breathe Carolina & FTSK at that time...meh)
    
    3oh!3(also for the lack of a better act playing elsewhere) (not in order):
    Punkbitch
    Richman
    Hit It Again (new song)
    Starstrukk
    Don't Dance
    Colorado Sunshine
    Rich man
    Chokechain
    I'm Not Your Boyfriend Baby
    Don't trust Me
    
    Good times were had, got to go backstage after with friends with photo passes and basically sat and watched Dustin Kensrue, Dallas Green, Cove Reber, and many awesome others hang out.
    There was beer pong & BBQ going on back there.
  
  

• Producing Live 105 (San Francisco Alternative KITS) Soundcheck New Music Show

  • Aug 3, 2009 | 2:02pm
  • Tonight I got to produce Live 105 (San Francisco, alternative KITS 105.3) new music show Soundcheck w/ Music director Aaron Axelsen, here's what was played:
    
    7PM ARTIST TRACK
    White Lies - To Lose My Life
    Settle - Murder
    Audrye Sessions (Local) Relentless
    Freeland - Under Control
    Julian Plenti - Games For Days (Interpol side project)
    This Providence - Letdown (soundcheck premiere)
    Edward Sharpe&The Magnetic - 40 Days
    Band of Skulls - I Know What I Am
    The Freshmen (Local) - Hello There
    Silversun Pickups - The Royal We
    The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition
    The Matches (local) Wake The Sun
    Dragonette - I get around (for fans of Metric)
    Rancid - Up To No Good
    Hockey - Too Fake
    
    8PM ARTIST TRACK
    Nico Vega - Gravity
    Anberlin True Faith (New Order cover)
    Division Day - Chalk Lines
    Set Your Goals (local) - This Will Be The Death Of Us
    Spoon -Got Nuffin
    Blaqk Audio - No New Tale To Tell (Love and Rockets Cover)
    Manchester Orchestra - Shake It Out
    Rebelution - Lazy Afternoon
    NOFX- Creeping Out Sara
    Arctic Monkeys - Crying Lightning
    The Gossip -Love Long Distance
    Sleepnoise (local) Penance
    Muse -Plug In Baby
    War Tapes - Dreaming Of You
    Hey Champ - Cold Dust Girl
    I Am Empire (local) You're A Fake!
    
    9PM ARTIST TRACK
    The Magic Wands - Black Magic
    After Midnight Project - Take me Home
    The Action Design (local) - Chamber Of Hellos (Wire Train Cover)
    Passion Pit - To Kingdom Come
    All Time Low -Weightless (soundcheck premiere)
    Sonic Youth - Anti-Orgasm
    Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll
    MC Lars Feat. K. Flay (local) - Single and Famous
    Sea Wolf - Wicked Blood
    Owl City - Fireflies
    Beastie Boys Feat. Nas - Too Many Rappers
    The Hundred Days (local) - So What
    Leather Feather (local) The Future
    
    Another solid mix of new, local, unsigned, imports, independent and all around awesome music.
    here's the show's official page: http://www.live105.com/pages/74867.php
    
    Tune in every sunday night from 7-10 PM (PST) @ www.live105.com
  
  

• Butch Walker - San Francisco, CA (5/27/09)

  • May 28, 2009 | 11:38pm
  • Butch Walker returned to the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco last night.
    
    Openers: Ponderosa & Shovels & Rope (side project of The Films' Michael Trent)
    Set List:
    
    - Atlanta (solo piano)
    - Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car, Thought of You (solo piano)
    - Going Back / Going Home (solo guitar)
    - Closer To The Truth and Further From the Sky (solo, into full band)
    - Uncomfortably Numb
    - The Weight of Her
    - Vessels
    - Afternoon Delight (Cover)
    - Laid (cover)
    - Taste of Red
    - Ships in a Bottle
    - Don't Move
    - Here Comes The...
    - Far Away From Close
    - Ponce De Leon Ave.
    - Bethamphetamine
    - Race Cars & Goth Rock
    - Maybe it's Just Me
    - #1 Summer Jam
    - Best Thing That You Never had
    
    Encore:
    - Tiny Dancer (Elton John Cover)
    - Hot Girls in Good Moods
    - When Canyons Ruled The City (w/ Shovels & rope & Ponderosa)
    
    Another awesome set from Butch, not all that different from the show he played @ GAMH in Sep. '07 set wise, obviously it was a bit more Sycamore Meadows focused than the past show.
    Butch thanked our timid little "commune" crowd for being quiet during the soft tracks, which always sound better without the bar chatter.
    He sounded great as usual as did the band, he even had members Fran, and Chris Unk sing the first 2 verses of "Best Thing" before ripping into his usual drum-climbing, string snapping antics.
    
    I'd prefer a different LOSC staple than "Far Away From Close", but I guess when your first solo album is 8 years old, you gotta resort to the live records from the Letters days & the Live @ Budoken DVD for those tracks.
    
    "Tiny Dancer" has been the Butch cover of choice this year, he works it just as well as "Born To Run", "Go Your Own Way" & Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" from the past few years. "Afternoon Delight" was a nice surprise, I don't even think the band expected to bust into that one.
    
    "Hot Girls" has taken the place of "Lights Out" as the token, Butch-in-the-crowd-rock-the-fuck-out encore track as he made his way over to the bar and sang from there before standing in the middle with us to watch for a sec, then he proceeded to rock out as if he was still playing hair metal before bringing all the openers on stage for some "Canyons".
    
    Complete, and great show as usual from Butch.
  
  

• 2008 Recap & the future.

  • Jan 25, 2009 | 11:09am
  • This wasn't one of my better years, but musically, it felt just fine.
    
    I still work for San Francisco's alternative/rock station Live 105 on the Action Team which is a great great job that allowed for me to see many of the shows I did see in 2008.
    I also began writing for A&R blog www.crazedhits.com in March until July when I began writing exclusively for www.kingsofar.com
    
    My weekly column is called "Soundcheck" and I'll post those on here too in 2009. I'll start here with a little recap of '08 and then move onto what I see happening on 2009 as well as what I've been anticipating.
    
    Now, for what happened in 2008:
    Albums - Last year bands like The Arcade Fire and The National topped a ton of best of lists, while this year we saw TV on the Radio & Vampire Weekend represent that genre on the same lists...As for me, I still haven't grown to appreciate such critically indie rock & roll.
    
    Excluding my favorite album of the year, which was also my #1 album of 2006, from bay area piano rock band Thriving Ivory due to it being a re-release, I can compile this list of Top albums.
    
    In no particular order, because in 2008 we had many solid albums, but nothing that blew me away.
    
    Anberlin - New Surrender
    The Classic Crime - The Silver Cord
    Butch Walker - Sycamore Meadows
    Innerpartysystem - S/T
    Children 18:3 - S/T
    The Script - S/T
    People in Planes - Beyond The Horizon
    My Favorite Highway - How To Call A Bluff
    The Getaway Plan - [i]Other Voices, Other Rooms[/i]
    
    It feels like I listened to hundreds of albums in 2008, and this small list can represent what I listened to the most as a whole. Don't get me wrong, a lot of what I heard this past year was fantastic, but nothing that will really stick with me for years to come; in fact many of these may see re-releases in the next year and make their fair share of 'Best of '09' list
    
    Universal was also busy this past year and snatched up another talented female singer/songwriter in Erin McCarley who%s single "Pony" has already been featured in a Rhapsody commercial and as the years first iTunes free single of the week.
    
    Atlantic should see the release of Ryan Star. A great singer who can write some great hooks; I expect a single strong enough to make a splash on the Hot AC and Top 40 charts, try "Right Now". for fans of: Graham Colton, Tonic, Needtobreathe
    
    Virgin will see releases from power ballad rockers Adelitas Way (for fans of: Hinder, David Cook) and solid Virginia pop/punk band My Favorite Highway (for fans of: The Rocket Summer, The Maine. Both are potential big time bands that bring a familiar sound to radio.
    
    Trying some things that are a bit less formulaic is what I hear as a meshing of the sounds MGMT and Mickey Avalon in another Universal act (stateside) Iglu & Hartly hoping to establish themselves with a polarizing single called "In This City" that did well in the UK and looks to do the same at Alternative here in the early part of 2009.
    
    Some other notable signings to watch:
    CAVO - WB signed these St. Louis rockers and sent them into the studio with David Bendeth to record their full length. Check "Champagne".
    
    Barcelona & Paper Route are two more Universal signings that will see releases in 2009. Check Barcelonas first single, "Its About Time" & Paper Route "Are We All Forgotten".
    
    Notables from Across The Pond:
    Perhaps the band most likely to make a big name for themselves in the states this year is a band that has already experienced international success: The Script Check singles like The Man Who Cant Be Moved & Breakeven as well as former iTunes free single of the week, Before the Worst. (for fans of: OneRepublic, Maroon 5
    
    Glasvegas one of the bigger UK buzz bands these days is Glasvegas. Their first single Geraldine will help get them noticed stateside in the new year.
    
    Alphabeat - Fascination - innocent pop hasnt sounded this sweet for a long time. Hopefully a North American run opening for Katy Perry can help make a name for this Danish group. for fans of: The B-52s, Wham!, innocent pop
    
    Closure In Moscow - Equal Vision could see their next Chiodos/Circa Survive type with these Australians.
    
    What To Watch For, Who May See Deals in the New Year:
    
    Neon Trees - Utah indie rockers with lots of potential.
    
    runner runner - A band with radio friendly, surefire hits cant stay unsigned for too much longer check So Obvious & Believe.
    
    Settings - one of the most talked about unsigned bands of 2008 may get their chance at emo/synth rock glory in 2009.
    
    Middle Class Rut - Sacramento 2-piece who may make a name for themselves in the UK before they do so here.
    
    You, Me & Everyone We Know - a Warped Tour spot away from being well known.
    
    Dizzy Balloon - Young, bay area pop/rockers with a knack for head-bobbin melodies. Won Live 105s Not So Silent Night local band competition in December and opened the big winter concert at Oracle Arena, check Raise a Glass.
    
    Also See: Holiday Parade , TV/TV & Interscope signing lmfao's "Yes".
    
    2009 will certainly see its share of hits and misses from the majors and indies alike, and everyones crystal ball will see a different set of breakout artists. Heres to hoping we see great talent emerge and some revitalization in this suffering industry.