Month: August 2022

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Aftershow thoughts

Friday is the sweet spot for aftershows….early enough in the weekend to make it through the night. For this year, The Maine at Bottom Lounge jumps out…it’s a cool venue with pinball. But I need to listen more to The Maine (they’re from Tempe for godsakes). The Get Up Kids at the Chop Shop (from the pizza party last year) may be good too. Anberlin at Reggie’s is also considerable. All of the Metro shows are big deals but I’m not sure we need to pull that off, but Jimmy Eat World at Metro Saturday will be a KKJ bet. Also for Saturday, Thursday at Reggies is ponderous. And I know we won’t pull Sunday, but Jeff Rosenstock was on my wish list. And it’s the Bottom Lounge. Cobra, always a favorite venue for its walking distance has PVRIS (meh…) and Jawbox (maybe).

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Sunday Preview – Sleater-Kinney

Here’s a preview for my top draw for Sunday.  Sunday didn’t jump out me but these ladies coupled with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs really elevate Sunday.   I have to admit I didn’t follow them that closely during their first run.  They click many of the boxes…Riot grrrrl, Pacific Northwest, SubPop label, punkish females.  But when I became a fan of Portlandia I went back and listened.  For those unaware, Carrie Brownstein co-starred with Fred Armison on Portlandia.  She’s also Sleater-Kinney’s guitarist and co-singer.  Here’s a sampling of Portlandia…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4_rE1lTPLg

Ok, about Sleater-Kinney.  They started as a three piece and their drummer left a few years ago leaving Carrie and Corin as the only members, backfilled by touring musicians.  They’re named after an exit south of Seattle. 

Formed in the early nineties and active for about 10 years putting out seven albums before going on the dreaded “hiatus” after playing 2006 Lollapalooza in Grant Park (with The Raconteurs, RHCP, Death Cab, Violent Femmes).  Reformed in 2014 and have put out three new albums.  We should be more familiar with them.

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Riot Fest ’22 – The Aftershows?

If history proves correct, we’re close to getting out Riot Fest Late Night (aftershows) lineup.  And as we’ve seen before it can be a game changer; from discovering new bands to seeing someone in a more intimate setting to compensating those dreaded scheduling conflicts that are bound to occur.  Every year there’s a pretty stout slate of shows.  And they’re at some of the coolest venues…Cobra, Reggies, Bottom, Concord.  But what are the shows you’re hoping for?  And no, you’re not gonna get Nine Inch Nails at the Cobra.  And this year we have a sure fire bet for Friday or Saturday.  It would take a great lineup for both.  And for Sunday…we’re talking Green Day at the Metro kinda show.  Here’s what I’d like to see.  These are sure fire we’ll make it work:

  • Descendents
  • Jeff Rosenstock
  • Marky Ramone
  • Bad Religion
  • The Front Bottoms
  • The Joy Formidable

These are would be great if no other options:

  • Rocket From the Crypt
  • Wonder Years
  • Boston Manor
  • Menzingers
  • Skating Polly
  • The Maine
  • Real Friends
  • Bombpops

Of course there are others that would be good but I’ll need to do some research.  These are top of mind knee jerk.  And also the venue has a lot to do with it…is it close…does it have late night Mexican food right down the block….does it have a rooftop bar…does it have pinball?

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Saturday Preview – Sunny Day Real Estate

An early emo band from Seattle on the famous Sub Pop label.  They broke up early and have reunited a couple of times.  But this reunion is a big deal.  But what makes them a big deal for us is that their drummer, William Goldsmith, and their bassist, Nate Mendel, are who Dave Grohl first recruited for Foo Fighters.  Of course Goldsmith quit/was fired early leading the way to Taylor Hawkins.  But Mendel is the most senior member of the Foos except for Dave.  Not sure Mendel is joining for the reunion.  It doesn’t look like it but it’s unclear who is playing bass for them.  Regardless, their place in the influence of music is undeniable.