The four, young Londoners of Wolf Alice headed up to the Bay Area between Coachella weekends To play two sold-out shows in a row on April 18th and 19th opening for CHVRCHES at The Fox Theater!
CHVRCHES@ The Fox Theater 4/19/2016 Photo by Marc Fong
Wolf Alice @ The Fox Theater 4/19/2016
Photo by Marc Fong
The stage stayed dim when they started their set at 8:00 on Tuesday night to a crowd smaller than I had anticipated for the popular up and comers. Setting the mood with an edgy guitar intro, they smoothly transitioned right into my favorite track off of their debut album, Your Loves Whore.
Wolf Alice @ The Fox Theater 4/19/2016 Photo by Marc Fong
Ellie Rowsell's rocking fierceness was surprisingly subdued as she strummed her guitar but the fire inside of her burned with intensity in her lush, roaring vocals. "You're a Germ", "Moaning Lisa Smile" and of course their hit single "Bros", had fans screaming and even lightly moshing while guitarist Joff Oddie's animated stage presence kept things light hearted in a sea of the band's raw emotions.
Wolf Alice @ The Fox Theater 4/19/2016 Photo by Marc Fong
Indie undertones dominated their predominately garage indie-rock sound at The Fox Theater and they seem to be coming into their own as far as being comfortable performing live but there is no denying that Wolf Alice rock! The venue was considerably more full by the time they said their final goodbye before exiting the stage, leaving a Fauxchella mood lingering in the air.
Before going back down to the Polo Fields in Indio for the second weekend of Coachella, Wolf Alice graced the stage at The Greek Theater in Berkley, opening for The 1975 two days after their show in Oakland! After playing the Music Festival circuit all over the States this Summer, their tour continues over seas until September!
I have been going to PopScene since I was 16 years old, back when it was an 80's night, dance club at 330 Ritch Street. Yep, you read right. I was getting into and getting my groove on two years before I was legally allowed to.
Thursday nights were our night and Popscene was our place. My girl-friends and I just wanted to dance and dance we did! We'd roll through when doors opened and dance the night away, closing the place down on most nights. It was always an adventure and we always had the best time. All 80's hits, all night, I mean how could you go wrong, right? Sometimes there would be a band or two that played and we really didn't like that because it interrupted our dancing and we usually had no idea who the band was...my how times have changed!
MSMR @ Popscene 5/7/2015 photo by Carlos Rodriguez
As the years went Popscene gradually became a band breaking, concert venue as oppose to a dance club. These days Popscene is hosted at The Rickshaw Stop and it's grown to be known is SF's premire indie night club. There are certain songs that will forever ring Popscene to my ears and conjure up some of my most fondest memories. Bloc Party's "Banquet" is by far my most favorite "Popscene song": Miles the DJ, an old friend of mine who use to DJ there, knew it was my favorite and he'd always play it for me whenever I went. It made me so happy to "stomp it out" on the dance floor. Some other classic Popscene tunes include:
Last Night - The Strokes
Boys and Girls - Blur
Are You Going to Be My Girl - JET
Friday I'm in Love - The Cure
How does it Feel - Orgy
Honest Mistake - The Bravery
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend - Black Kids
Anything/Everything by Morrissey or The Smiths
The Sounds @ Popscene 4/7/2011
photo by Marc Fong
Just as Popscene changed with the times and matured so have I and am always excited to see shows there now. It's such a great, intimate club where so many bands have played their debut show here in SF before blowing up. Plus, there's still a taste of the good ol' days before and in between the live music!
The Sounds @ Popscene 4/7/2011 photo by Marc Fong
One of the geniuses behind Popscene is the music director at LIVE105.3FM , DJ Aaron Axelsen. He's a new music virtuoso who co-founded Popscene with fellow resident DJ, Omar Perez and he's the one to thank for introducing show goers and music fans to new, up-coming bands because he's the brains who books the shows at Popscene. It was an honor to have worked with him at the radio station, even though we worked in different departments and it's always a humbling honor when I get to cover a Popscene show.
There's been some amazing acts at Popscene over the years and though I haven't been lucky enough to catch all of them like Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, I will forever be grateful for the great bands I have seen there, like: The Sounds, Funeral Party, M.I.A, The Killers, MSMR, The Wombats, The Soft White Sixties and The Cathedrals to name a few.
It's Popscene's 21st Anniversary this week and to celebrate there's two nights in a row of shows! Thursday night (the original Popscene night) is a surprise party because the band is still under wraps and Geographer will be doing a special DJ set on Friday night. I could not be happier for Aaron Axelsen and the whole Popscene team! Thank you for bringing us so much new music the last 21 years!
It's been seven years since indie-folk pioneers, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros played at The Independent. Yes, they've played in and around SF since then: May 2012 may have been the last time that the Bay Area saw the un-canny chemistry vocalist Jade sparked on stage with Alex Young when Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros headlined at The Fox Theater in Oakland.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Independent 4/11/2016 photo by Marc Fong
When America's Cup was here in 2013 they played at the edge of the bay, literally, at the America's Cup Pavillon that September and two years ago was probably the first time SF fans saw them perform without Jade when they headlined at the SF Oyster Festival before her devastating departure was officially announced.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Independent 4/11/2016 photo by Marc Fong
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero returned to The Independent Monday April 11th, four days before the release of release of their 4th studio album (the first album without Jade), PersonA. And I must say, what a great place to see them play. Seeing them at Coachella would be a blast and the best outdoor venue in the Bay Area on June 11th at The Greek Theater in Berkeley will make for an awesome show but those shows won't compare to an intimate show at The Independent.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Independent 4/11/2016 photo by Marc Fong
Fans trickled into the sold-out show slowly but the place was pretty packed by the time the un-disclosed opening act started. Bandmates Crash and Christian greeted the crowd before introducing the "openers" that night; a collection of local musicians a la open mic.
With only one person lined up prior to the show, they asked if anyone else wanted to preform and spots for a chance to open for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros filled up quick! Sharing the same guitar five local acts, six artists total, hit the stage and they were all really good!
The second open mic performer did a soulful, heartfelt cover of Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain" and aside from her rendition, everyone sang and played original songs. Even Crash was blow away by how good they all were saying that it was probably the best open mic of the tour yet! They did SF good and all of them even fit the indie-folk genre more or less! I go to a lot of shows and no band I've seen, big or small, has ever done anything like this. It was a really neat way for the band to genuinely connect with and truly celebrate their fans, the ones who performed as well as the ones who did not.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Independent 4/11/2016 photo by Marc Fong
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Independent 4/11/2016 photo by Marc Fong
It was the first time I'd seen Alex Ebert wear shoes at one of his shows when he and his gaggle of musicians hit the stage around 9:30. In a loose kaki trench-coat, messy man-bun and a flower-crown turned bracelet the lengthy lead singer's air was a comfortable one. You could feel the instant down to earth vibe they emitted as they got things going with the third song on PersonA, "Somewhere".
As Crash had mentioned before their set, they were playing PersonA in it's entirety but not in any particular order which is an interesting way to go about playing an album in full. I counted six people when they hit the stage, including multiple guitarists, a bassist. Like a hootenanny of sorts, the number of people on stage and the instrument that were played changed with every song played: additions of a corent horn, chimes and even some synths at times kept things fun. It was pleasantly engaging to watch how well all of them moved and grooved with and around each other on the small stage as fans fed off the band's free spirited energy. There was definitely an equal exchange of uplifting enjoyment throughout their set. The eclectic singer chatted up the crowd before playing "Free Stuff" because his hey-ho is so popular with band new to his familiar folk-indie genre (Lumineers' "Ho Hey" stood out in my head) and that's what the song was about. They did play PersonA in full and not from start to finish as Crash had said, but the encore included a very well received performance of "Man On Fire."
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Independent 4/11/2016 photo by Marc Fong
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Independent 4/11/2016 photo by Marc Fong
Alex's stage presence was a warm one with continuous interpret dancing all around the stage and heartfelt singing with his eyes closed, he is really the poster boy of a folk-indie hippie. PersonA and their live performance of it proves that this collection of inter-changing musicians has the ability to forge songs as rich lyrically as they are musically and seeing them do it live captivates you to your core.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Independent 4/11/2016 photo by Marc Fong
There's no denying that there's something missing, a fact they knowledge on the cover of the new album (with a red line crossing-out Edward Sharpe) but just as any and every other good band does over time, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros' over-all sound has changed and evolved. They had to morph into a new Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero and I'm sure like minded fans will agree with me when I say I am so happy that they did.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros @ The Independent 4/11/2016 photo by Marc Fong
It's been about one year since the release of his very first solo album, Cool It, and on March 30th Sam Cohen played at The Independent opening for White Denim!
The highly anticipated show sold-out almost as soon as it went on sale so not only was it a hot ticket to have but it was a hot bill to be on, too!
Sam Cohen @ The Independent 3/30/2016
Photo by Marc Fong
Sam Cohen left the band Apollo Sunshine to go solo with Yellowbirds in 2009.
His is latest solo project is self titled and found the multi-instrumentalist playing all of the instruments on the 2015 debut which caught the ear of musician/producer Danger Mouse.
A bassist, keyboardist and drummer are currently accompanying him on tour and joined him on stage for his set in SF. Sam took center stage with a three string guitar along side his synthesizers. The veteran musician's skills on both were sharp and fluid and the audience didn't seem to give a second thought to his rather reserved stage presence.
The layers of sparkly synth melodies and harmonious guitar over heavy, lo-fi distortion as heard on the album, crossed over live pretty well delivering a sound reminiscent of Tame Impala and Vampire Weekend at times.
Sam Cohen @ The Independent 3/30/2016 Photo by Marc Fong
The 8songs they played put a dreamy, outer space spin on their psychedelic indie-rock which was a great build-up for the Psych-Rock headliners, White Denim.
Sam Cohen and White Denim are wrapping up their tour on the East Coast in May.
Maybe next time Sam Cohen plays on the West Coast he'll be headlining!
It's hard to tell when their last tour ended and when The Color Before the Sun US Tour started but one thing is certain, Coheed and Cambria played at The Masonic last month. It was an early night with doors opening at 6:00 and the music starting at 7:00 with the first of three opening acts, Silver Snakes followed by I The Mighty then Glassjaw.
Coheed and Cambria @ The Masonic 3/23/2016 Photo by Marc Fong
The main floor at the refurbished auditorium on top of Nob Hill was busting with fans when Coheed hit the stage around 9:00 and as the band filled the air with progressive, post- metal rock, die hard fans sublimely whole-heartedly sang along. Claudio Sanchez's signature, tranquil, high-pitched vocals rose from under a veil of well groomed curls, highlighting their majestically cinematic sound. The captivated crowd applauded with excitement at the top of each song, many of which from Coheed's concept albums based on the science fiction storyline, The Armory Wars written by the lead singer himself.
Coheed and Cambria @ The Masonic 3/23/2016 Photo by Marc Fong
Somber tones heavy with deep bass chords and dramatic guitar riffs were un-intrusively loud, sounding clean over the venue's sound system. The bright, blinding lights flooded which the stage, hiding the band most of the time reminded me of extraterrestrial spaceship lights which was kind of neat because it fit with Coheed's theme.
Coheed and Cambria @ The Masonic 3/23/2016 Photo by Nikki DeMartini
Pausing for a few minutes to pull back his hair, Sanchez genuinely thanked fans for coming out to their 2nd to last show of their current tour. His sincere and humbling gesture was nice since they didn't stop between songs and was a perfect segue into new tunes from 2015's The Color Before the Sun.
Coheed and Cambria @ The Masonic 3/23/2016 Photo by Marc Fong
March 27th marked the last show of their US tour at The Fillmore Auditorium in Denver but they're gearing up to go back at it in May starting in Australia!
He played SXSW and recently released his highly anticipated sophomore EP Hard To Read, now Oakland based Day Wave (Jackson Phillips) is returning to the Bay Area to headline at The Independent Monday April 25th!
Day Wave's Jackson Phillips
After leaving LA based, electro-pop band Carousel, Phillips was diagnosed with Cipro Toxicity when he relocated to Oakland but that didn't stop him. Focusing on getting back to the basics he not only learned guitar but the multi-instrumentalist also started writing, producing, mixing and mastering every song on his debut EP Head Case all on his own. His hard work paid off: landing him gigs opening for Blonde Red Head and Albert Hammond Jr. which allowed him to create Hard to Read while on the road. Phillip's is on the road again but this time he's playing his own shows!
Technically, Day Wave is solely Jackson Phillips though he is accompanied by various, rotating musicians for his live shows. This will be his second headlining show in SF, after playing at The Rickshaw Stop with Harriet, Hot Flash Heat Wave and Dot Vom as part of the NoisePop Fest this past February!
Since blasting off into pop-rock icon status in 1995 with No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom, it's hard to believe that it's been a decade since Gwen Stefani's last solo album, The Sweet Escape. The last few years have beenweird times for the platinum blonde, rock-star/fashion designer/The Voice judge/Mom of three boys: the last album that No Doubt released in 2012, Push and Shove un-characteristically flopped, the vibrato style singer rather surprisingly became a judge on the singing competition TV show The Voice, her 20 year relationship and marriage to Gavin Rossdale abruptly ended very badly in the public eye and now she is on the rebound...errr...she's dating one of her fellow judges from The Voice, country music star Blake Shelton.
It's said that pain spawns growth and creativity and in the midst of swirling publicity, here we are with a brand new solo album from Miss Stefani, This is what the Truth Feels Like.
Back in October 2015 we got a taste of What The Truth Feels Like with "Used To Love You", which upon it's video release Gwen said it was written and recorded on the spot in her dressing room. If this mid-tempo, emotional, synthpop, heartbreak anthem didn't foreshadow what was to come, I don't know what would have.
On February 15th, Gwen made history at the Grammys when she recorded the music video for the 2nd single off of her (then) up-coming new album, "Make Me Like You" live! The very poppy song sparkles with layers of bubbly synth chords and hooks and it's silly/flirty lyrics carry you away to having High School crushes back in the day. It's dancey and catchy and fun and it serves as a single better than the uneasiness the very venerable "Used to Love You" leaves you with.
Being that the first single, "Used To Love You", is obviously about her Ex and the second single, "Make Me Like You" is blatantly about her current beau Blake Shelton, you can't help but wonder what song is about who when listening to the album.
Evoking an eighties aesthetic, the first track,"Misery"is laced with easy rhymes and a colorful chorus with upbeat tempo gives the song a bright vibe. It's a great introductory track about moving on and probably the closest No Doubt sound the album offers. Gwen leads us further into the world of glittery Pop from there.
Dreamy synths with an aquatic feel back the moody "You're My Favorite" a song that is presumably about vices used during the break-up: "but I've been there, done that, bought it, tried it more than I can count. Shook it, stirred it, broke it, smoked it more than I can count. Oh, but out of everything you're my favorite." It's pretty easy to guess what "vice" was/is her favorite.
"Where Would I Be" opens with slow reggae rhythms which are the first of the few times we get a taste of some reggae: the type heard on a lot of songs from No Doubt's 2011 Rock Steady and of course a key element in the band's SKA roots. They fade quick at the top of each verse wherein Gwen extends the last word of each line and, I'm not gonna lie, it's a little bit awkward. The reggae resurfaces with the chorus before things really get weird. More than half way through she completely flips the script and throws down some sass and sort of raps before the island vibe picks back up. The sassy rapping sounds like a throw-back mash-up of "Hollaback Girl" and "Crash" from her first solo venture L.A.M.B but it's out of place on this track. "Where Would I Be" sounds like it's confused about what type of song it is or wants to be because there's too much going on for one song.
"Send Me A Picture" is pretty silly: I do applaud Gwen for staying current and trying to target the younger demographic but I personally don't want to hear a song about a seemingly insecure, jealous lady wanting her man to send her a selfie. Sorry not sorry. Next!
Sadly, what comes next isn't much better.
"Red Flag" starts off with old timey violin, reminiscent of "Bathwater" off No Doubt's Return From Saturn. Then the beat drops and Gwen takes another stab at rapping. Remember when Madonna tried rapping on American Life? It's like that. As much as you want it to work it just doesn't. "Red Flag" kind of sounds like a rip off of (bad) Die Antwoord and E-40's line in Big Sean's "I don't F#ck With You": "Why you always coming around with bad news? Say you want me win, but hope I lose?"
The rap theme continues on the bass heavy "Asking 4 It" with the help of Fetty Wap and the fast tempo "Naughty" is paired with fast tempo, nasally sudo rapping.
The album ends on more of a mellow note with "Me Without You" and "Rare".
The over all theme of This Is What The Truth Sounds Like, not so delicately eebs and flows between emotions: a wilting love and a budding one and has you feeling all the feelings. It's Gwen's diary entries on her heartache.
Being a huge Gwen fan I was really excited for her new music but unfortunately not so excited about what I heard. I've read that she wasn't writing to write hits, she was writing to heal and to that I say you go grrl!
If I had to choose my favorite songs "Misery" and "Make Me Like You" are my top two.
The album artwork is my favorite part of This Is What The Truth Feels Like. As she does through out This IS What The Truth Feels Like, Gwen bares it all with "au natural" make-up look on the cover.
Inside, the CD is a plain matte black disc with her full name and the title of the album in shiny black. Behind it is a fun photo shoot collage of the beauty in retro curls. The booklet is full of notebook doodles and photos of her looking like Marilyn Monroe, it's fun.
I may not love her new album and that's ok, I still love Gwen Stefani.
You can listen to This Is What The Truth Sounds Like in it's entirety on Spotify as of yesterday, no fooling!
