Mission Mission

I hadn’t been out to El Rio for KJ Paul Karaoke in a few months, so when I went last night my mind was blown. KJ Paul has seriously upped his game by adding in multiple wild disco lights and a fog machine, which makes singing feel way cooler than it already is. And if you’re nice to him he may even give you the remote to blast the fog freely. So fun.

It’s been 5 years since Jay Reatard died at 29. I made a list of Jay Reatard memories to post on Tumblr and then I realized it’s all very SF-related, so:

• Going to a Lost Sounds show at Bottom of the Hill in ‘03 or ‘04 and being TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY
• Listening to the original version of “Oh It’s Such a Shame” when he first put it up on MySpace and being TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY
• Seeing him at the Knockout on his first solo tour and being bummed the set was only like 14 minutes long
• Seeing him at Delta of Venus (in Davis) and laughing when the set was literally 10 minutes long
• Skipping his last-minute show at 12 Galaxies in ‘08 (with openers “The Ohsees” and Ty Segall) because I had tickets to see Digitalism at Mezzanine (—‸ლ)
• Being totally blown away by my cousin Jojo’s totally impromptu “Death Is Forming” cover
• Crying at the end of “Better Than Something” when it premiered at the Roxie
• Crying at the end of “Better Than Something” when the Roxie brought it back a year later

Who the fuck is Digitalism, am I right? Anyway, long live Jay. Here are a few more links and a video:

Here is a Mission Mission post announcing the semi-secret 12 Galaxies show in ’08.

Here is the short obituary I wrote in ’10.

And here is the story of the making of the “Better Than Something” poster my pal Al Pal made for the Roxie. (And if you haven’t seen the movie, see the movie!)

And how about some video of Jay rocking the Knockout? It’s really dark and the sound sucks, but, that’s basically what it was like seeing him at the Knockout:

[Epic photo of Jay performing at the Hemlock by Jake Thomas]

Chain and the Gang is the latest project from Ian Svenonious, a true rock ‘n’ roll legend. And they’re playing at a little local club right here in the Mission. Check it OUT!

Here are a couple of my favorite jams by them:

RSVP and invite your gang!

Another gem by Ticklefight (author of Elbo Room Rap and Muni Rap):

New Year Rap Up
The year is here, my check just cleared
Cook my burger, make sure it’s seared
I like my Vienna wieners with catsup packets
Went to Thrift Town got 5 new jackets
The streets are ruff, the ladies are tuff
4 a.m. poker, don’t call my bluff
Stroll down Bayshore get some Jack
The Box is hoppin, tacos 2 to the pack
All in all the triple five is alive
My ponytail is loose and I gotta hot wive

[link]

[Photo of Lou Reed jacket at Thrift Town by Mission Mission]

Now you know. Apparently the first night sold out, but the others have not. Tickets here.

I’ve seen a lot of Weezer shows over the years:

1. Opening for No Doubt at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, 1996.
2. Headlining the Crest Theater in Sacramento, 1999, after a couple years of hiatus following Pinkerton but before the Green Album hit.
3. The big pre-Green Album tour stop at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 2000, right before the Green Album hit.
4. September 12, 2001, at the Oakland Arena. The Cal marching band played Weezer hits during the break between bands.
5. November 2014 at Slim’s. They played an acoustic set of classics before turning off the lights and ripping into their latest album in its entirety.

All the shows were great, particularly that most recent one (pictured). Seeing them up close and personal, playing new shit they were all really excited about was a gas. Up until then, the most intimate, fiercest Weezer shows I’d seen were not performed by Weezer at all, but by a band called My Name Is Jonas Brothers at various Debaser Christmas parties at the Knockout. I’m pretty sure they just stick to Blue Album and Pinkerton, and they rip! And they’re doing it again this weekend. Here’s the info:

DJs Jamie Jams and Emdee return with an extra helping of Weezer to get you in the mood for the holidays.

It’s like your favorite compilation of Spike Jonze videos or that one tour with That Dog!

Special guests “My Name is Jonas Brothers” play all the Weezer classics, so come early.

$5, Free w/ your worst holiday sweater before 11 pm.

RSVP and invite your friends!

[Photo of Weezer at Slim's by Kat]

It’s World Series-themed, so we’re posting it a little tardily, but oh well:

The pipes on these two!

Last night I had the privilege to catch Angel Olsen‘s sold out solo show at The Chapel. I have been following her music for a while, and while her most recent album Burn Your Fire For No Witness leans more towards being a rock album with a full band (and it’s really good), her slower acoustic songs have always been my favorite, and this concert was solely those songs and possibly solo versions of new songs, too. The most enchanting part of Angel Olsen’s music is her shockingly booming and haunting voice, and you get to hear it in its full glory when it’s just her and her guitar. She sat there quite still, strumming and singing, and these explosive waves of song would sneak out of her. Props to the Chapel also for creating the beautiful, magical lighting that went with the music so perfectly. A lovely, rainy Tuesday night…

Jason from local band Maus Haus wrote in to tell us about a new solo project:

i just finished a “solo” album of sorts, called Rent Control, essentially documenting my life in the mission district circa 2013 (when i wrote all the songs), shortly before relocating to west oakland.

i lived on harrison and 24th from 2003 to 2013, from age 21 to 31, and saw the neighborhood change drastically.

the record goes on personal tangents, but there are definitely some subjects of interest that your readers can relate to:

track 2 “retro city” kind of takes a look at the reinvented garage rock bandwagoneer

track 5 “life on the other side” daydreams about moving to oakland, albeit with fear

track 6 “ice cream” is about how resentful my friends and i were that humphrey slocombe moved in, bringing all these lame-os, but then we ourselves can’t resist the treats either

track 7 “in jets” quite literally tells the story of the neighborhood changing overnight, millionaires moving in, without you even realizing it, and then it’s too late.

track 8 “reasons” is an ironic spoken word meets guitar noise tirade against the new neighbors

Let’s listen:

UPDATE: They’re playing a show this weekend in the Mission! Here’s the deal…

This Sunday November 23:
J. Kick & Rent Control
(plus 3 secret bands)
AMNESIA (Valencia @ 20th)
7pm doors
FREE
FREE
FREE

This Sunday night, San Francisco’s own Diana Gameros will be opening for Argentine singer-songwriter Sofia Rei at The Addition (formerly Yoshi’s SF, located at 1330 Fillmore St). These two extremely talented Latin vocalists on one night is going to be such a treat for lovers of beautiful songwriting, passionate vocals and intricate arrangements that blend everything from jazz to folk to traditional Latin music. Originally from Juarez, Mexico, Diana Gameros delightfully mixes her musical heritage with a fresh, whimsical indie infusion, that’s just so darn beautiful to listen to. Gameros also just received the 2014 Emerging Leader Award from the Chicana/Latina Foundation for her music and activism. She is truly an artist worth supporting.

You can listen to Diana’s full length album, Eterno Retorno, on her bandcamp.

So come on out, here are the details:

Show: Sofia Rei plus Diana Gameros

When: Sunday, Nov 16, 7pm (doors at 6pm)

Where: The Addition, 1330 Fillmore St., SF (formerly Yoshi’s SF)

Get Tickets: HERE!