Pinback, a.k.a. Zach and Rob Crow with a rotating cast of characters, will close out 2010 for Abstract Entertainment, Brian McKenna’s live-production company who has consistently routed touring national acts to the Sacramento Valley. Although its pending release on the boutique label, Temporary Residence Limited, has been delayed for what seems like decades, this short run of December dates should whet the appetite of its fans. Over the course of 12 years, Pinback has released a bevy of EPs, four studio albums (Blue Screen Life is my favorite), and toured all too infrequently. Two thumbs way up. 2708 J Street, www.pinback.com. (SN&R)
Everybody has a little bit of white trash in ’em. We’ve all eaten white bread with yellow-matter mustard, played in our underwear out in front of house (when we were young, hopefully), and bought wine at the Dollar Tree. Antsy McClain embraces the value of being frugal and, moreover, welcomes all into his twisted world of trailer parks and ass-backward freak shows. If you’ve never been to a show, expect a kick-ass live band with a frontman who weaves tales like a drunken buffoon winds his way through the parking lot of a dilapidated national park. Confused? Curious? Just do it. 13 Main Street in Winters, www.unhitched.com. (SN&R)
Is that that guy from American Pie? And singing a duet with Autumn Sky? Why, yes: Thomas Ian Nicholas, a man with three first names, gigged Naked Lounge Downtown last Saturday.PHOTO BY STEVEN CHEA
Wear your holiday worst: Truth be told, I’ve never actually been to a bad-holiday-sweater party. But I’m quite intrigued as to which of the five performers at this Friday-night gig will take home the prize of ugliest damned Xmas sweater: Chris Twomey, Dean Haakenson of Be Brave Bold Robot (playing with full band), Ken Burnett or Adam Varona of the Inversions? If I had to put money on it, I’d bet on Haakenson, as he’s a man with a vision who’s sure to deliver some tacky-ass threads. Though I won’t underestimate Twomey, either. Or, hell, maybe I’ll have the best dang sweater? Find out this Friday, December 17, at the Fox & Goose, 1001 R Street; $5. (Nick Miller)
Lord of the ball-squeezing falsettos: I’m certain my wife and I were the only Sacramentans present at the recent Blind Guardian show in San Francisco at the hallowed Regency Ballroom. It’d be a good guess, as there were (maybe) around 300 metalheads in an area that safely holds three times as much on a good night. Even the balcony was closed. WTF?
Either way, as my luck would have it, her favorite band is Blind Guardian, that plays a brand of music that I, out of sheer hate, have dubbed “Mordor metal.” What is that? If you took the elements of Dungeons & Dragons, Lord of the Rings and all the bombastic, unnecessary singalong choruses you could (or couldn’t stomach), this would be the ungodly result.
As luck would have it, Holy Grail, a Pasadena-based five-piece old-school outfit, replete with ball-squeezing falsettos, was the highlight of the night. Touring in support of their latest release, Crisis in Utopia, these lads came out swinging to the near empty room with a dual guitar assault that would make any mom proud. James Paul Luna ran around the middle of their allotted stage (they’re openers, you know?) screaming at the top of his lungs, only pausing for brief interims to head-bang.
What about the headliner? Blind Guardian took the stage, and its drummer was shirtless before the first song even started. Enough said. (Eddie Jorgensen)
Pizza-parlor mosh pit: A crowd of guys—and two or three girls—wearing either plaid shirts and polos, emo glasses or uncomfortably tight pants, Vans or Chuck Taylors, and all with disheveled long hair, waited eagerly at the foot of Luigi’s Fun Garden’s stage for A Lot Like Birds.
The openers of the show—local bands So Stressed, the Speed of Sound in Seawater, and Oregon-based Duck. Little Brother, Duck!—managed to get a few shy head bobs at the beginning of the show. And the lineup was a pretty good mix: the Speed of Sound in Seawater boasted upbeat melodies and catchy bass lines; Duck. Little Brother, Duck!’s emo-rock instrumentals and memorable vocals, comparable to Taking Back Sunday’s Adam Lazzara, kept me interested and genuinely head-bobbing along with the crowd.
But when A Lot Like Birds’ Cory Lockwood’s scream vocals filled the room, a mosh pit was already in the making. The ridiculously long changeover almost had me indifferent by the last set, but A Lot Like Birds’ first song converted. Lockwood’s onstage antics, Ben Wiacek’s guitar skills and the stage presence of the entire band created an epic atmosphere.
The witty banter among the band’s members and some random guy’s failed attempt to crowd-surf were entertaining, but A Lot Like Birds’ ending performance was definitely the cherry on top. (Jamie Santiago)
“Home for the Holidays” is a benefit show for the Davis School Arts Foundation featuring a bevy of local talent. From the inimitable and ambidextrous Joe Craven to Little Charlie showcasing his live trio to Chris Webster (of Mumbo Gumbo fame) and her Gardenia Azul project, this is one concert that delivers a lot of bang for your buck. Also on the bill is Rita Hosking, whose infectious blend of country, folk and honest songwriting have earned her a devoted fan base in the area and outskirts. She’ll be playing with her Cousin Jack quartet, featuring a group of outstanding players that rival any in the surrounding areas. 203 E. 14th Street in Davis, www.ritahosking.com. (SN&R)
’Tis the season for a twisted yet talented group of Bay Area-based musicians, whose pedigree originates from such disparate acts as Commander Cody, Country Joe McDonald and Those Darn Accordions, to embark upon yet another regional tour. In their bag of tricks, campy Christmas songs aplenty, varying from “Santa As Seen on TV” to the family favorite “Santa Lost a Ho.” If you’ve never been to a Christmas Jug Band show, also expect loads of humor injected into even the holiday’s most popular tunes. For the better part of 20 years, CJB has delivered a good time and, of course, a reason to knock back a pint (or seven). 13 Main Street in Winters, www.christmasjugband.com. (SN&R)
Promoter Big Jay over at Club 916 has been bringing in some solid, left-of-center punk rock as of late. He’s also setting a world record for putting the most supporting acts on a bill. While some (myself included) prefer to show up at the very moment his/her favorite act takes the stage, others prefer to get their money’s worth and check out the entire show from start to finish. As of press time, it appears nine acts will appear before SoCal punk stalwarts Agent Orange take the stage. Although Mike Palm is the only original member, the band still packs a punch. Pack a lunch; it’s going to be a long night. 5525 Auburn Boulevard, www.agentorange.net.
Ninety-nine percent of the cover bands who traverse Interstate 80 to grace us with their presence suck. Most either lack solid musicianship or simply don’t know how to translate someone else’s music into something tangible. Notorious, thankfully, is the exception. For those who care about songs being played in their proper key or hearing their favorite chorus repeated the correct number of times, this band doesn’t let you down. For the uninitiated, its shows are not sit-down affairs, and copious amounts of liquor can and will add to the experience. This Friday support a band willing to go the distance to make fans happy. 614 Sutter Street in Folsom, www.notoriousrocks.com.
I grew up listening to Maria Muldaur’s music by sheer osmosis. My mother was a huge fan and played the hell out of her Southern Winds and Open Your Eyes albums until I soon knew every lyric. From blues to children’s music to folk to Christmas fare, let’s just say that she’s quite ambidextrous. After a steady stream of touring across the country, her small run of West Coast Christmas shows will include Sacramento Valley. A byproduct of the Greenwich Village scene that has only aged with grace, Muldaur is that rare singer that can win fans over from any ilk. Don’t miss this one. 2791 24th Street, www.mariamuldaur.com. (SN&R)
Some bands defy categorization. Take, for instance, the ever-changing sounds of the Graves Brothers Deluxe, a group that morphs rock with lounge jazz, alternative and sheer improvisation. This week, they’ll hold court at the Delta of Venus, a venue that purposely doesn’t have a traditional venue vibe. Saunter in an hour before showtime and you’ll wonder if you confused this health-conscious eatery with another locale. For those who like to witness their favorite bands while munching on chef Iwaca’s stellar Caribbean food, make sure to save a table and order me the 3 Flavor Fish. Two thumbs up for the music (and the food). 122 B Street in Davis, www.gravesbrothersdeluxe.com. (SN&R)
I’ll be honest: I’ve always hated the music of the Grateful Dead. I remember attending one of their New Year’s Eve shows at the then-Oakland Coliseum with the Neville Brothers (who I do love, by the way) and being so annoyed that I ultimately broke up with my girlfriend on the drive home. For those who do actually care, Dark Star Orchestra, on the other hand, do justice to the band’s legacy and satiate even the most discerning Deadhead’s appetite. Sacramento will host the third show on their winter tour, and fans of DSO can expect to hear a recreation of a past Dead show from the immediate area in all its splendor. I won’t be there—but you should. 1013 K Street, www.darkstarorchestra.com. (SN&R)
Eddie
