White Denim play Bottom of the Hill tomorrow night (Thursday, 26 May)

the Austin based noise/grunge/psychedelic band is currently supporting their newest album, D

White Denim - At the Farm (live at the Ghost Room) [mp3]

join in on the fun for thirteen bucks and an ID with a birth year prior to 1990. Fake Your Own Death and Angel Island will open the show.

Houses play Bottom of the Hill this Wednesday

Houses - Soak it Up [mp3]

for fans of: Beach House

concert review: Grand Lake, Yuck, Smith Westerns

Last night at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, three midrange indie bands played their hearts' content to a packed crowd, as the show was completely sold out. Some was good, some was bad, and some was just plain melodic.

Grand Lake

All of the band's newer, soft songs have power on stage as lead singer Caleb Nichols has amazing stage presence, however, his stage banter was super humble as always. The band played mostly new songs from their forthcoming EP as well as one from their debut LP Blood Sea Dream ("Concrete Blonde on Blonde"...released by the brand new Hippies are Dead label, and previously on an EP). Grand Lake have had yet another line up change, and they're back to being a trio. Ex Port o Brien drummer Josh Barnhart is currently their drummer and John Pomeroy, who used to play drums for GL, is currently on bass and keys. They played two covers, including a heart wrenching version of "The Tourist" by Radiohead. Overall, a great set from one of the Bay Area's best local bands, even if they have relocated a few hours south.

Yuck

Spin heralded them as one of the best five bands of February, but at best they sound like an indie version of a power pop band a la The All American Rejects, acoustic songs interspersed and all. A few bearable riffs and the token chic on bass. "I could be your suicide on this one", the London frontman sang. Steer clear please.

Smith Westerns

The Chicago band was youthful and spirited, as the lead singer introduced "Dance Away" with "you should...fuck your girlfriend to this song". Somehow they sounded distorted and crisp at the same time. The vocals were confident, and the last part of "End of the Night" sounds a lot like 60's pop at its finest. The music is dreamy and feather light as well as melodic, and the band is not afraid to churn out a piercing Beatles-esque riff in nearly every song. They remind me a bit of MGMT at times, although substantially less weird. Do come out and see them.

concert review: Annuals, The Most Serene Republic, What Laura Says

Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco
14 May 2010

Bottom of the Hill rarely features shows with fewer than three bands, usually very varied in sound, so if you walk away dissatisfied with everything presented, you are just one hard-to-please customer. The night commenced with the Arizona based What Laura Says, an incredible band who combine Southern twang, Gospel roots, and totally sweet guitar work and present it with some of the best band chemistry I’ve ever seen on stage. What Laura Says is two parts badassery, one part Doors-inspired baby making music. Focusing a lot on the orgasmic sounds that can be made with the wondrous six strings of a guitar, the band pushed the limits of rock n roll well into the territory of 60s psychedelia, reviving the cosmic energy of some of the greats, like Hendrix. If you needed more proof, look no further than the flowing locks of hair in their sweaty, intensely focused faces.

4/5







Next up were Canadian indie rockers The Most Serene Republic who were exactly that: serene indie rockers from Canada. Nothing bad to say about this band except that they did not present anything out of the ordinary. They played the game by the rules down to the awkward dancing and delivered a solid set, but nothing to write home about. Except, perhaps, the often interesting layers created by lead singer Adrian Jewett’s trombone playing. But I guess that just filled the weirdness quota every indie band must meet, lest they tread into mainstream territory.

3.5/5

set list:

photos:







Annuals closed up the night quite nicely with an impeccable round of percussion. When they say that they are a band who appreciate the art of drumming, they are not kidding. Utilizing all six members on stage to the fullest extent possible, the Raleigh based band ensured that there was not a rhyme nor a measure that you could have wished they had covered ground on. Adam Baker delivered his lead vocal duties with an intense amount of passion, so much that it was mostly accompanied by a strained face throughout the night. There is little time to smile when you are singing your heart out.

3.8/5


set list:

What Laura Says - Training [mp3, RECOMMENDED!]

The Most Serene Republic - From Heaven to Purgatory [mp3]

Annuals - Sway [mp3]

concert review: Delta Spirit @ Bottom of the Hill (08 March)

Delta Spirit shows get me pumped like no other. They are real people making real(ly good) music and there is nothing more to it. You really don’t need anything else. Monday night’s show at Bottom of the Hill was their self dubbed trial run of songs from their forthcoming sophomore album, and it was fucking epic. The album, which will be called History From Below, was crafted as an ode to Howard Zinn before his recent passing. It was influenced by lead singer Matt Vasquez’s love for the late historian as well as Tom Waits and will see a release on June 8th. A supporting tour will follow.

Now for the good stuff. The band had me and the rest of the crowd completely mesmerized by their newer material. I was just spinning my copy of I Think I’ve Found It and realized how much Delta Spirit have honed their sound lately. The songs have a cleaner rock feel, which I realize sounds kind of bad but it really isn’t. The arrangements are more thought provoking, or as much as they will allow it to be, seeing as how noise making is their favourite thing. The only other band that makes music that makes me feel like Delta Spirit songs do is The Gaslight Anthem, but they’re in a completely different musical boat.

The second half of their set was composed mostly of older material, which the band nailed, no question. Damn it to hell I love them. They are definitely still my favourite live band, and will continue to be until August.

Dave Quon, the lead singer from opening band We Barbarians, has been filling the vacancy as guitarist since Sean left the band. He was really great and has my vote to become a permanent member of Delta Spirit.

Highlights of the set were “Strange Vine”, “Vivian”, and, of course, “Motivation" (which they closed the set with). When they encored with "Trashcan", I knew all was well in the universe. Bless them.

set list:

We Barbarians:




I’m still uploading videos so keep your eyes peeled for those, but here’s something to hold you guys over:

DELTA SPIRIT. BOTH. MARCH.

OH SWEET JESUS.



Delta Spirit will be back at Bottom of the Hill on March 8th.

my favourite live band + my favourite SF venue = blissblissbliss.

Winston Audio to play Bottom of the Hill + TOUR DATES

they'll be playing with Manchester Orchestra on Tuesday May 19. a band called Fun will also open. Audrye Sessions are also touring with Manchester Orchestra, but I don't think they're on the bill for the BOTH show.

their debut record The Red Rhythm is SOLID. read my review of their album HERE and an interview with the band HERE

Winston Audio - On My Trail [mp3]

here are more tour dates:

Mar 11 40 Watt - w. Anathallo Athens, Georgia
Apr 4 K Street Tullahoma, Tennessee
Apr 20 *TOUR W. MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA, FUN, AUDRYE SESSIONS* ATLANTA
Apr 21 Exit In w. Manchester Orchestra Nashville, Tennessee
Apr 22 40 Watt - w. Manchester Orchestra Athens, Georgia
Apr 23 Cat’s Cradle - w. Manchester Orchestra Carrboro, North Carolina
Apr 24 The National - w. Manchester Orchestra Richmond, Virginia
Apr 25 Ottobar - w. Manchester Orchestra Baltimore, Maryland
Apr 26 Trocadero - w. Manchester Orchestra Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 29 Bowery Ballroom - w. Manchester Orchestra New York, New York
Apr 30 Middle East - w. Manchester Orchestra Cambridge, Massachusetts
May 1 Water St. - w. Manchester Orchestra Rochester, New York
May 2 Mr. Small’s - w. Manchester Orchestra Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
May 3 Grog Shop - w. Manchester Orchestra Cleveland, Ohio
May 5 Eagle Theater - w. Manchester Orchestra Pontiac, Michigan
May 6 Skully’s - w. Manchester Orchestra Columbus, Ohio
May 7 Mad Hatter - w. Manchester Orchestra Covington, Kentucky
May 8 Subterranean - w. Manchester Orchestra Chicago, Illinois
May 9 Station 4 - w. Manchester Orchestra Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 12 Marquis Theater - w. Manchester Orchestra Denver, Colorado
May 13 Avalon - w. Manchester Orchestra Salt Lake City, Utah
May 15 El Corazon - w. Manchester Orchestra Seattle, Washington
May 16 Bitmore - w. Manchester Orchestra Vancouver
May 17 Hawthorne Theater - w. Manchester Orchestra Portland, Oregon
May 19 Bottom of the Hill - w. Manchester Orchestra San Francisco, California
May 21 Troubadour - w. Manchester Orchestra Los Angeles, California
May 22 Voodoo Stage HOB - w. Manchester Orchestra San Diego, California
May 23 Congress - w. Manchester Orchestra Tucson, Arizona
May 24 Clubhouse - w. Manchester Orchestra Tempe, Arizona
May 26 Emo’s Inside - w. Manchester Orchestra Austin, Texas
May 27 The Loft - w. Manchester Orchestra Dallas, Texas
May 28 Walter’s - w. Manchester Orchestra Houston, Texas
May 29 Spanish Moon - w. Manchester Orchestra New Orleans, Louisiana
May 30 Proud Larry’s - w. Manchester Orchestra Oxford, Mississippi
May 31 Bottletree - w. Manchester Orchestra Birmingham, Alabama
Jun 2 State Theater - w. Manchester Orchestra St. Petersburg, Florida
Jun 3 The Social - w. Manchester Orchestra Orlando, Florida
Jun 4 The Social - w. Manchester Orchestra Orlando, Florida

visit the band on MYSPACE

WINSTON AUDIO ON AMAZON

Band of the Week + concert review: Delta Spirit

ok, I know this is cheating as I have already posted about Delta Spirit as Band of the Week, but I don't care

this band is GENIUS. I thought their live show was excellent when they opened for Matt Costa, their headlining show surpassed even that. Best. Live. Act. Ever.

Seriously, one of the BEST BANDS OUT THERE TODAY. Their drummer Brandon Young has excellent rhythm (and is super friendly!), their bass player Jon Jameson is glorious, their lead guitarist Sean Walker busts out riffs that may make you convulse euphorically, their lead singer Matthew Vasquez will shock you with his ability to screech in perfect tune and then revert to singing softly, and finally, their keyboardist Kelly Winrich will surprise you by picking up various other instruments throughout the set, in addition to providing a great backbone to the music.

Delta Spirit - Gimme Some Motivation [mp3, HIGHLY FUCKING RECOMMENDED!]
this song is the closest they've come to capturing how awesome their live sound is.

Delta Spirit - People C'mon [mp3]

CONCERT REVIEW (Wednesday 04 February 2009 @ Bottom of the Hill, SF):


Opening band Dawes faltered on the first couple of songs, not grabbing my attention until the lead singer Taylor Goldsmith started actually engaging with his guitar. Midway through the set, I was sold, and thought "hey, this band is decent, I'll buy their CD on the way out". I had spoken to Taylor before the show and he had described the band as sounding like Bob Dylan and The Band. I definitely heard the latter in their set, especially with Tay Strathairn's solid effort on the piano. What is it with Southern California bands rediscovering more Americana roots (Dawes are from LA, Delta Spirit are from San Diego). I'm not complaining though.
3/5


The second set was rendered by Other Lives, a band from Oklahoma. Now I'll keep this simple: this band was boring as hell. I actually got SLEEPY by the end of their set. Yes, SLEEPY at a rock concert. I didn't like that they had a cellist and a violinist because in my opinion, if you're going to incorporate those instruments in your music, you better as hell make them sound stupendous (see Ra Ra Riot for further instructions). The violin was as flat as the lead singer's voice, which was like a less interesting Colin Meloy. The cellist was basically just their second bass player, which I wouldn't mind, if either of them actually were any good. Bass guitar is my favourite instrument but the problem with most bass players is that they only play a couple of notes and that doesn't even really matter, because you can't even really hear them.
1.5/5

Now, from the first verse of Delta Spirit's "Strange Vine", I decided that I didn't want to buy Dawes' record after all. I remembered how good Delta Spirit were when they were an opening band and that's ruined mediocre opening bands for me forever. They played a handful of new songs, and a lot off of their debut EP I Think I've Found It (2006), which I didn't own until after the show, because I couldn't find it anywhere. I am SO glad they had it at the merch table, it's genius. I took a video of their song "Streetwalker", as well as a couple of their new songs, I'll upload them to youtube soon and post them here too. "Streetwalker" also showed up on their re-release of Ode to Sunshine, which they originally self-produced in a cabin. I have the original from last year, it's one of my most prized possessions.







Matt sang a song about his grandmother ("Vivian"), which was slower the rest of the songs. For most of the set, everyone was dancing and having a great time. The band really went all out on their last song (before the encore), "People, Turn Around". At certain points in the set, Kelly and Sean joined Brandon on drums, and the result was explosive. I found the band after the show, and they were all way too drunk to be able to answer any of my pre-prepared questions, but I didn't even care, they were a lot of fun regardless. In short, it was a perfect set and if you miss seeing this band live you will kick yourself later. Do not be fooled by their albums, while both I Think I've Found It and Ode to Sunshine are genius, they don't come close to measuring up to their live sound. This is a band to fall in love and then spend a lifetime of awesomeness with.
5+/5



SET LIST: