Mission Mission

These guys totally ruled. I first saw them open for the Willowz at the Make-Out Room… holy shit… ten years ago, in ’04, around the time the Willowz had that song in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and were poised to become the biggest rock band in the world, but were still playing the Make-Out Room. For $6:

I didn’t have any friends here really, so I was standing alone in a corner between bands, and the show was sort of poorly attended because it was on a Monday night, so Myles (the drummer then but the singer in this new video) came over and made friends with me. We were both going to SF State, and we were both drummers, and I think we both lived in the Mission. It sure was a different time back then. Delfina was the only fancy restaurant. There was a KFC on Valencia. And bands like the Passionistas could still afford to live here.

They were a bare-bones rock ‘n’ roll band, a little arty but not too arty, with Myles’ slightly off-kilter drumming style and Aaron’s definitely off-kilter crooning. I would see them every chance I could after that. And I bought a lot of their (usually homemade) merch. Eventually they got another drummer so Myles could better help front the band, as you’ll see in a second.

They broke up in 2009 I think, and Aaron and Myles went on to do some amaaazing solo projects. But there was never anything quite like the Passionistas, so I was extremely pleasantly surprised to find this newly available song and video in my Facebook feed last night. It totally rules too:

(The Willowz were okay, but not as good as they got 5 years later on their killer album Everyone.)

Now check out all these old Passionistas-related Mission Mission posts…

Noise Pop are presenting this bill at Public Works on Wednesday night, and I think it’s gonna be pretty chill:

Get tickets here, or for a chance to win a pair, tweet about this post and tag @missionmission and @noisepop. Winner will be selected at random; contest ends at 5pm Tuesday.

This one begins at the beach, exactly in the spot where YOU should have been last night because it was so damn hot, then hops on over to Secret Studios to hang out with ALL THE BANDS.  Guest-starring the aforementioned Social Studies, Two Gallants, and a whole bunch of other rad SF bands, this little ditty should help you make it through this sultry day.  And if you want to hear more, Luke’s playing again on Friday, May 30th at the Starry Plough.

Btw, for those of you loving this lovely Ocean Beach bonfire weather, know that your days of burning desiccated Christmas trees on the beach may be numbered if the National Parks Service goes through with their proposed ban on bonfires after 9pm.  WE MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN.

I see. But it’s so good when Helen does an impression of it. Or when Mission trees dance to it.

[via Mills]

I’m DJing this party tonight in the Lower Haight! Like the poster says, nothing but Ramones all night! Also, you get in free if you wear a Ramones t-shirt!

It’ll be plenty of hits (probably at least five albums in their entirety, right?) and a helping of lesser-known stuff too. Let’s rock:

P.S. “der Nutzeffekt” means “the effect of the nuts” in, I think, Chinese.

That signature ‘stache, getting down during that signature sax solo! Two local karaoke legends, shredding as one!! What a sight!!! (Paul elected to perform “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” last night at Purple’s regular Thursday night gig at Slate, and together they nailed it.)

Btw check out the line to get into the party last night (at 12:45 no less!):

Tonight!

(Thanks, Rocky!)

During “Careless Whisper” obviously.

[via Corntard]

King Parrot are an amazing band from Australia. They are playing at Thee Parkside tonight.

I can’t stop listening to this haunting melody from our pal Luke Sweeney.  It kind of reminds me of the Kinks, but at the same time establishes its own distinct sound.  I guess I’ll just have to go and check out more of his stuff on May 1 when he’s playing at the Eagle!