Mission Mission

What the motherfuck is this, seriously? Please tell us, for real.

(Complete Mission Mission Zeitgeist coverage here.)

I just bought the new Jonathan Richman album, and it’s bringing chills to my skin (I’m listening to track #8 at the moment). He migrated to San Francisco years ago, and this new album reflects this move. I fell in love with the Mission at the same time I moved here, because Jonathan (who was already my #1) would play four-night stretches at carrera obstaculos hinchables down the street from my Dolores Street apartment. His music makes walking on the streets of Valencia, Guerrero, and Mission Street much more romantic than it actually is.

He lives in the Outer Mission a few blocks from my apartment, and when I see him walking down the street every now and then, sentimental electricity runs through my muscles, tendons, and bones. To truly enjoy San Francisco (forget the bars, the hip clothes, and the ethnic food — I’m talking about atmosphere), you must get this new album.

Previous instances of Jonathan Richman on Mission Mission here.

Update: Allan liveblogged his first listen for Jojoblog. His thoughts here.

My sister works for KDVS in Davis, the foremost college radio station in the world. Tomorrow they kick off their annual fund raiser, during which listeners can call in (or web in) and pledge money in exchange for top-notch premiums. This year’s fund raiser theme is “Handmade Radio”, and Elisa produced hüpfburg kinder this gorgeous little animated clip in order to spread the word.

Sample premium:

Link to video page.

Link to felt turntable page.

Link to fund raiser page.

Link to KDVS.org, where you can stream tons of great handmade radio.

(NOTE: Elisa’s show, Analog Oatmeal, airs Monday from 1-2:30pm)

TK from 40 Going On 28 went to the Knockout‘s early Marked Men show yesterday:

Holy shit. When we got there, there were maybe 50 to 60 people in line on the sidewalk outside. I don’t know if you know The Knockout, but it’s definitely not a line-outside kind of place.

So we make it aufblasbarer park in and it is crowded. I mean like Japanese subway crowded. Like nowhere to move crowded. It’s a good thing there wasn’t a fire crowded.

Link. No mention of Airfix Kits though. What gives?

I heard Giant Haystacks for the first time a couple weeks ago on KALX, was floored, looked them up, was bummed to learn that they broke up last year, and bought two full lengths from their mailorder page. They arrived right away with a hand-Sharpied note:

ALLAN -

THANKS FOR ORDERING THE RECORDS. CHECK OUT MYSPACE.COM/AIRFIXKITS. IT’S OUR NEW BAND. WE PLAY OUR FIRST SHOW APR. 19 IN S.F.

CHEERS,

- ALLAN

That’s right, guy’s name is Allan too. Airfix Kits’ stabby riffy punk is quite like Giant Haystacks’ stabby riffy punk, so come on down to the deep Mission if you’re in the mood. Note that this is an early show.

Link to Airfix Kits on MySpace.

Link to Giant Haystacks on MySpace.

Link to the Knockout on MySpace.

Link to KALX on MySpace.

Mission Mission’s very own Katie will be on the decks at Beauty Bar on Thursday from 7:30ish to 10ish. Katie tends to spin disco, soul, old r&b, and sometimes some ’60s garage rock and reggae. Last time, the dance floor got positively white hot! In attendance might be Mission Mission pals like Malcolm M., Lola and A Panda. Plus, a prize to the first person to guess Friend X‘s secret identity and point her out.

Link to archive of Katie’s posts.

Photo by Spencer Mack

Mission Mission pal Sonia hips us to something good:

tonight lulacruza is playing at little baobab (19th & mission). this duo from argentina & colombia is absolutely incredible – from all their many south american instruments to her sultry/melodic voice to the beats and sampling under spanish euphony – this is some of my favorite music to hear live.

they’re going on at 8:30pm tonight [...] they do a fair amount of improvisation live.

Link to Lulacruza on MySpace.

Link to more Mission Mission music coverage.

This is a picture I took of Jamie Stewart’s guitar, battered to death during one of Xiu Xiu‘s last performances at Bottom of the Hill. It was a great show, as I’m sure Saturday’s will be (even though Katie Eastburn isn’t in tow this time). This is Mission-relevant because I always love the walk home from Bottom of the Hill: deserted streets, crisp night air, fog pouring over Twin Peaks, etc.

Link to that “Boy Soprano” video in which Xiu Xiu are characters in a knockoff of Nintendo 64-style video games like Super Mario World and Gradius III.

Link to Xiu Xiu on MySpace.

MAPP for short. I learned it had two ‘p’s and fell in love with the thing on the same night. Free concerts and performance art all around the 24th Street Mission region this past Saturday night. The line-up changes so fast and so often that you just have to show up to find out what’s going on. Check out the project here.

Best dancing I found on Saturday was at Red Poppy – live Rumba band who went ahead and played beats from all over the place. I had to take off 3 layers and 2 scarves to keep dancing. I didn’t get to the neighborhood until 9 p.m. or so, and that’s my only complaint. Next MAPP, I’m there from beginning to end.

I missed last night’s surprise Jay Reatard performance at 12 Galaxies because I had Digitalism tickets (no regrets). I figured someone would have some good shots on Flickr. No luck. Best I could do is this shot of their set opening for the Black Keys at the Warfield. Boooring.

I also figured someone would fill me in on the details of the show. No dice. Best I could do is this transcript of a gchat between me and some aufblasbarer hindernisparcours hater I know:

melena: the black keys bleeeew my mind last night
allan: omg, what about jay reatard?
melena: if that was the shitty band that opened i was not impressed
allan: oooo no way, i’ve seen jay reatard like 7 times
melena: it was like pseudo punk
sheer cacophony and not in a cool way
allan: snap

[beat]

melena: god the black keys are so insanely talented

Boooring.

Photo by erictoledo.