Mission Mission

I was so bummed when I missed them the last time they played! I thought they’d never ever return! But all I had to do was wait two-and-a-half years.

And what’s more, they’ve reunited in order to help celebrate (and fund) the forthcoming Clueless stage adaptation!

See you guys there!

[via heyambular]

I understand the impulse to show up late, just in time for the headliner. Have some cheaper drinks elsewhere, avoid the sweaty masses until the last possible moment.

Problem is, you just might miss out on something great, like Ed Schrader’s Music Beat. They opened for Dan Deacon last night and the night before, and slayed both times.

Dan ruled too, but you knew Dan was gonna rule. Ed Schrader and company were a surprise — and what’s more fun than a surprise? Also, their merch (see below) was better than any of Dan’s stuff by far.

I’m serious, you guys, it’s more fun to discover a new band in person than it is to discover them in the pages of Pitchfork.

How is that possible? Listen to this guy:

If you’ve ever seen Rob Reich play accordion with Gaucho at Amnesia on Wednesdays or 1st and 3rd Thursdays at Tartine Bakery, you are well aware of his genius. He’s a brilliant improviser with an impeccable human-jukebox ear. Call out any tune to the guy, seriously. Overworld theme to Super Mario Bros. 2? No problem. Jump by Van Halen? Easy. Not only that, he’ll work it into a solo later in the night just to make you feel special. He’s so good that he’s been muralized in front of Amnesia.

Rob also composes the best original circus music you’ve ever heard for local troupe Circus Bella. After 3 years of performing his compositions at their live events he’s hoping to raise the funds to record a record with the Circus Bella All Star Band, which includes a bunch of amazing local musicians you’ve probably seen around. If you enjoy the music, consider donating to his kickstarter campaign. If you donate $10 you get a digital copy of the record. If you donate $250, hold on to your slide whistle, because you get to be on the record!

Here’s his composition Abigail’s Waltz for arial artist High Flyin’ Abigail Munn:

Here’s the kickstarter page, which contains a cool video of Rob describing the project.

You guys! It’s a weird Monday night. Let’s go to the Knockout and see some rock ‘n’ roll! Wild Gift are playing first, at like 9:00.

They’re super fun, and perhaps they’ll explain what their song Alaskan Thunderfuck is all about. And look how cute they are!

This is Breezy Nix. She looks great in an animated GIF, she’s hot stuff in Berlin, her live set is deadly rad — and she’s making her North American debut Saturday night at Amnesia.

The show’s cheap, the rest of the bill looks funnn, and the B. Nix set will probably blow your mind. Let’s dance:

RSVP and invite your friends via the event’s official Facebook page.

[Animated GIF by A. Hough]

Gorgeous, right?

Now take a look at its skeleton:

Primo sure is multitalented! Keep an eye on his Flickr stream if you want lots more eyefuls of good stuff.

This is a picture of Nick Zinner and friends performing selections from their book Please Take Me Off The Guest List at the Uptown in Oakland last year. It was badass. Nick and the girl play trippy music while the other guy reads snarky hipster poetry. But it’s good snarky hipster poetry. Lucky for you, they’re coming back to reprise their performance at the Noise Pop Culture Club on February 26th. And we’re giving away a pair of free tickets.

Noise Pop describes its flagship event in full:

The Noise Pop Culture Club takes the Noise Pop experience and brings it all into one location over two very special days. The Culture Club brings together creative individuals from the community and beyond to participate in a series of exciting presentations on independent culture in its many forms. In addition to the talks there are plenty of hands on experiences and opportunities for participants to delve into their personal creativity. Pop ‘n’ Shop, our local designer fair, will also be a part of this very special weekend.

Confirmed Speakers and organizations include:
Kid Koala, No Age, Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), DJ Nickodemus, John Wesley Harding, Flavorpill, Isotope Comics, Cinemasports, The Masses, Rebar, Jason Jagel, Yak Films, Turf Feinz and many more.

Alright! For a full schedule and tickets see here.

To WIN a pair of tickets, leave a comment below explaining why you will benefit from the Culture Club’s workshop-style format more than anyone else. We’ll pick a winner based on merit by Friday at noon.

And if you’re still having trouble getting excited about the festival, The Bay Bridged recently published a pair of kickass mixtapes to help get you in the mood.

All of Them Witches explains why this’ll be a great show:

you have nothing to do on wednesday
you like The Knockout
you dig these bands, because they rock
you probably live in the mission anyway

I’m not sure if all of these are true for all of us, but I know we all need a break from Whiskey Wednesday once in a while, and I know Bare Wires are pretty good, and I know we all love the Knockout.

Previously:

KUSF Says Treatment ‘Unfair’

Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio [KUSF]?

Yeah, that was pretty badass when No Age were on Letterman last month. But you know what would be even more badass than that? WINNING free tickets to the No Age show at Rickshaw Stop on February 26th (part of Noise Pop 2011). (Ooooh, and Grass Widow are one of the openers!)

Leave a comment below explaining why you deserve a pair of tickets more than anyone else, and we’ll pick a winner based on merit by Thursday at 5pm.

More info and tickets here.