A bit of great news for the day: The Jesus and Mary Chain and Gang of Four have both been added to the Download Festival hitting Shoreline Saturday July 19. That rounds out the lineup to the following: The Jesus and Mary Chain, Gang of Four, Brand New, Mute Math, Yeasayer M83, Mates of State, The Whigs, Datarock, RJD2, The Duke Spirit, Tapes n' Tapes, Blitzen Trapper, Louis XIV, The Airborne Toxic Event, Cut///Copy, De Novo Dahl, Vedera, Parlor Mob, William Fitzsimmons, and Alberta Cross. All for twenty clams. Pretty sweet deal in my book -- I'd pay that just to see JAMC alone. -- Jennifer Maerz
Some very sad news this week: Black Fiction multi-instrumentalist Anthony Marin (a.k.a. Big Ant) passed away this week. The tribute websites by his friends, fans, and Amoeba coworkers are already overflowing with kind words. A memorial is being planned in his honor. Our sincere condolences to his buddies and loved ones. -- Jennifer Maerz
Bonnie Prince Billy (aka Will Oldham from the Palace family of various indie-folk permutations) and Gogol Bordello are scheduled to appear at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 8 when it takes over Golden Gate Park this fall. The three-day fest — October 3-5, 2008 — always takes pains to expand beyond placid traditional bluegrass bands, and this year is no exception. Also included on the early lineup are Loudon Wainwright III, The Bad Livers, Asleep at the Wheel, Earl Scruggs, Robert Earl Keen, and many more to be announced. Keep an eye out for more news as the summer progresses. — John Graham
Photo of Gogol Bordello taken by Gretchen Robinette at the Warfield.
Can thrash metal survive a decade-and-a-half hibernation? Fans of Berkeley thrash originals Laaz Rockit will find out when the band — founded in 1982, broken up in 1993, and revived in '05 — releases Left for Dead in July. Europe's Massacre Records will distribute it on the Continent; U.S. availability via the band's MySpace page (see link above) seems to be your best bet in North America for now. East Bay suburban headbangers should also know the band has planned a record release party for August 23 at Betty's Rock Bar. But only the most hardcore fans will be able to survive the hairstyle horror of Laaz Rockit's 1980s promo photo — so we'll hide that image after the jump. Click though...if you dare!
Sad club news today. SF Gate reported that Holy Cow bouncer Germane Harris was killed in front of the Eagle at 2:13 a.m. this morning.
And SFIST added an interview with Eagle employee Patrock, who gave a first-hand account of the drive-by shooting that killed the SOMA club worker. -- Jennifer Maerz
“Then and Now @ Hang Art”
June 5, 2008
HANG ART (556 Sutter St.)
Notes and Photos by Edward Paik
Ten years ago Shanna McBurney couldn’t find what she was looking for, even in a metropolitan city with the cash to afford it.
So she built it herself - an art gallery showcasing the work of a variety of emerging artists.
From the conventional to the challenging, lavish oils to abstract collages, some of the artwork and artists McBurney encountered in 1998 for the opening of her gallery reunited last night for "Then and Now," a 10-year anniversary exhibit at Hang Art.
You can't feed them after midnight, but at least you can rock with Mogwai just about any time you want. Fortunately, you can do that this summer when the Brits jump across the pond for a North American tour that includes a stop at the Grand Ballroom Sept. 8. Joining them are the delightfully-monikered Fuck Buttons. Check back soon for ticket info. --Oscar Pascual
Here's a serious let-down for those who were expecting a summertime prog-rock throwdown courtesy of Yes -- The band has canceled their entire tour due to health concerns. From PR:
Legendary rock band YES announced today that the group will unfortunately be canceling their 2008 40th Anniversary Tour. The 26-city tour was scheduled to kick off in Quebec next month and run through the summer.Said Jon Anderson, "In the wake of my recent respiratory attack, doctors have advised me to spend the coming months resting and recovering. Unfortunately, this means I won't be able to tour with Yes this summer as originally planned. I'd like everyone know how deeply disappointed I am by this turn of events. I was looking forward to celebrating our music with the amazing family of Yes fans once again; but as we all know, health must come before anything else. Wishing you all the very best..."
Click 'More' for the entire release. --Oscar Pascual
Finally another long work week gives way to the weekend! Since there's no big blockbusters to check out (unless you count Kung Fu Panda and You Don't Mess With the Zohan). BUT everyone knows neither Jack Black nor Adam Sandler got shit on San Francisco's music and art scene.
If you're looking for a movie to see, the San Francisco Black Film Festival plays through Sunday around the city. Friday night head to the Bottom of the Hill for Firewater, the Audiophiles and Microfiche. The evening will certainly be full of Middle East flavor, Klezmer jam and lots of rock. If you're looking to get artsy, visit Lower Haters for a bad ass art show opening tonight at seven. Artists did their thing all over a great canvas -- vinyl. The opening is a great chance to check out the show and hear some great DJs. Looking to get your dance on? UK indie favorites Los Campesinos will have you shaking your booty all night at Bimbos. Still haven't found something you love? Frog Eyes, sweet experimental rockers from Canada, play Cafe Du Nord. The show is not to be missed.
