Covers for a cause

Eddie October 19, 2006 0 Comment

It’s no secret that Americans have a morbid curiosity. The death of any musical icon is followed by an extensive album-reissue campaign and a sharp increase in sales. After this passing phase, it’s generally over—but not for Elliott Smith. Although Smith passed away several years ago, his family has created the Elliott Smith Memorial Fund to raise money for charities including Free Arts for Abused Children and Outside In, a nonprofit aimed at helping Portland’s homeless youths. Sacramento’s Elliott Smith tribute show, featuring Two Sheds, Kyoto Beat Orchestra, Daycare, Sherman Baker and others, is one of many for the not-forgotten songwriter taking place across the world this month. See it on Saturday at 9 p.m. at Old Ironsides, located at 1901 10th Street. Tickets are $7. For a full listing of bands, visit www.theoldironsides.com.
(SN&R)

From Woodstock to Winters

Eddie October 12, 2006 0 Comment

While most people know Richie Havens from his appearance at Woodstock and from his days playing the folk circuit in Greenwich Village, he still records and tours regularly. He’s currently on the road in support of his 26th album, Grace of the Sun, on his boutique label, Stormy Forest. Although his newer music is a bit of a departure from his formative years, songs like “Red Flowers” and “Pulling the Stone” reveal an artist with still more tricks in his handbag. If the spirited cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” doesn’t make you yearn for your inner flower child, perhaps you’re just too young. Fortunately, it’s never too late to get schooled. Richie Havens plays the Palms Playhouse, located at 13 Main Street in Winters, on Thursday, October 12. Tickets are $32, and the show starts at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.richiehavens.com or www.palmsplayhouse.com.

(SN&R)

Attention Hannon fans

Eddie October 5, 2006 0 Comment

The key to a successful club is diversification. Take The Boardwalk’s upcoming calendar. Hardcore metal and nu-metal helped rejuvenate the venue during its leaner years, but these days, a balance of different genres is bringing attendance numbers up. More importantly, there’s been a continued effort to bring back the musicians who helped put the club on the map almost two decades ago. Friday night features the Frank Hannon Band, with the guitar wizard from Tesla and Robbie Furiosi, one of this town’s most underrated drummers. If you like extended solos, classic rock and a little self-gratification, the band delivers one hell of a show. Also on the bill are locals Slight of Hand and Larisa Bryski. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door, and the show starts promptly at 8:30 p.m. The Boardwalk is located at 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale. All ages are welcome.
(SN&R)

Two can be an orchestra

Eddie September 28, 2006 0 Comment

As discerning music fans know, whenever down-tempo music draws comparisons to superstar bands such as Coldplay, U2 or the exhaustively referenced Radiohead, it’s often best to steer clear. Fortunately the similarly mellow Kyoto Beat Orchestra, which uses an amalgam of instruments to construct its music, sounds like none of the aforementioned acts. The duo manages to capture the finest moments of its obvious influences—Portishead, Subtle, Sigur Rós and Cocteau Twins—without sounding derivative and dated. From Northwest jaunts and monthly gatherings at the band’s favorite local haunt, Marilyn’s, Kyoto Beat Orchestra has garnered enough buzz to warrant an indie-label bidding frenzy. You can catch the band (again) at Marilyn’s, located at 908 K Street, on Friday at 8 p.m., opening for Dre. Do it now before the group gets whisked away forever. Tickets are just $8, and the hard-to-find Sac City beers are on tap. Who could ask for more?
(SN&R)

Shanks vs. Streaks

Eddie September 21, 2006 0 Comment

Some people just have good taste. Take, for instance, Tim Foster. While most people know him as the lead singer of Sacramento’s greatest garage band, Th’ Losin Streaks, few know he’s responsible for bringing most of the great acts that accompany them on any given bill. This week’s show includes the Armitage Shanks, the musical namesake of the overseas company that deals in exported bathroom products. Although the Shanks have flown quietly under the radar of most Sacramentans, chances are most Losin Streaks fans will find yet another band to worship. Catch both acts with Dirty Sister in tow at Old Ironsides, located at 1901 10th Street, on Saturday. The cover is a measly $7. The show starts at 9 p.m. Get there early to get properly liquored up.
(SN&R)

Not foiled

Eddie September 14, 2006 0 Comment

Let’s face it: There are just too many bands per square inch in the United States. With the proliferation of MySpace, it seems as though everyone (including your grandmother) is taking a shot at the record-industry big leagues. Blue October, however, has persevered—getting signed yet again by Universal, the very record label that dropped the band a few years ago. Now, with little more than persistence and a batch of new material, it has achieved headlining status—no easy feat these days—and is playing to 500-plus-capacity crowds. The band is on tour supporting its latest record, Foiled, and of course the hit single “Hate Me.” If you can afford a ticket after supporting Coldplay’s and U2’s recent tours, you should make the brief sojourn this Tuesday over to Empire, at the corner of 15th and R streets. All ages are welcome. Advance tickets are just $17.50, or you can pay $20 on the day of the show.
(SN&R)

Danza extravaganza

Eddie September 7, 2006 0 Comment

The Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza should win an award for the coolest band name ever. Not only is it a burn on one of the world’s worst actors, but also the name somehow evokes a sense of overwhelming madness. If you like your metal on the spastic side and enjoy a little hot sauce with your side dishes, perhaps this band is just what the doctor prescribed. From head-scratching acoustic ditties to full-on ragers, this band is not for the squeamish. The Extravaganza plays The Boardwalk, located at 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale, on Thursday with touring buddies Psyopus and Home Pharmacy, and locals Cyanide Era and Excoriate. It’s a damn good time to see a live band in Orangevale. Tickets are $12, which should leave you with just enough cash to pick up that Who’s the Boss? T-shirt you’ve been eyeballing at the local thrift store.

(SN&R)

Not a sit-down occasion

Eddie August 31, 2006 0 Comment

If you’ve ever been to a Sonic Love Affair show, you already know how hard these boys play. Unlike many local bands that change their sound to meet today’s hipster standards, this quintet delivers unabashed rock ’n’ roll in its most primitive form. One listen to “Problem Child” or “Street Preacher” should be more than enough to break even the stiffest crossed-armed stances. Lead singer Dylan Rogers is anything but sedentary, and he doesn’t like to see people sitting still. Should you hear your name or a description of yourself being called out midway through the set, consider yourself warned. (Note to fans: Word has it the band is in the throes of recording its next full-length.) Also on the bill are the Spores and the phenomenal BellRays, whose soul-infused live show is unrivalled. Catch all these bands and more Friday at 9:30 p.m. at the newly remodeled Blue Lamp, located at 1400 Alhambra Boulevard; $12 and a valid ID gets you in.
(SN&R)

Alternative jazz

Eddie August 24, 2006 0 Comment

Word of mouth on Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet has spread like wildfire. Skerik’s tenure includes time spent alongside such luminaries as Roger Waters, American Music Club’s Mark Eitzel, Tuatara and Les Claypool (with whom he is still actively playing). The band is on tour supporting Husky, its latest release on Hyena Records. It’s a veritable hodgepodge of junk-in-the-trunk jazz eclipsed by a worldly understanding of groove and hip-hop beats. Also along for the ride is the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, an improvisational trio with a penchant for pop culture. (The set list can include wild interpretations of the Flaming Lips, Björk and Brian Wilson). Get yourself over to Harlow’s, located at 2708 J Street, on Tuesday at 9 p.m. for a night of unabashed good-time music. Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door. Visit www.syncopatedtaint.com for more information.

(SN&R)

Do the math

Eddie August 17, 2006 0 Comment

If you placed a camera in live-music venues from downtown Sacramento to Orangevale, you’d notice one common theme: Nobody at the bar is paying attention. However, if you’ve ever attended a show at the artist-run Fools Foundation, chances are you went for the music. There’s no bar and no distractions; people convene there with the intent of listening. This Tuesday, instrumental math-rockers Don Caballero will hold court at the downstairs haven in support of their latest release, World Class Listening Problem on Relapse Records. Although drummer and co-founder Damon Che is the only original member left, this quartet still fires on all cylinders. Also along for the ride are Pennsylvania comrades Zombi, a crafty duo with an obvious penchant for Giorgio Moroder scores. O! The Joy opens the all-ages show. It all begins at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and the cover is $6 with a mandatory, one-time $2 membership fee. Fools Foundation is located at 1025 19th Street, in the basement. I’ll be listening.
(SN&R)