SF Weekly's Hiya Swanhuyser hit last night's Slits show at Bottom of the Hill, only to inform us this morning that there was a celeb in the crowd. The groundbreaking female act from the early days of punk has had an impact on another groundbreaking female in the modern punk world: Gossip's Beth Ditto, who--along with guitarist Brace Paine--hit the Slits gig, only to be kinda mobbed by happy Gossip fans. (Gossip was in town to also play a show last night, over at Mezzanine).
Hiya reports:
The Gossip showed up in the audience. The. Fucking. Gossip. Sweet force of nature, Beth Ditto is gorgeous. She had short pink hair, tons of eyeliner, and An Aura of Stardom. She looked a little freaked out. And sure, she was mobbed by fans who were understandably grinning like monkeys, but not too much. We hope we did not freak you out, Beth! We hope that the love of San Francisco is not worse than the attention of British tabloids! Brace Paine was there too, looking like an international superstar but walking around like a guy who was just excited to see the Slits. I didn't see Hannah Blilie, but maybe you did.
As for the actual show itself, Hiya writes:
The show opened with a two-woman powerhouse band called Sassy! in which the drummer/singer was wearing a full-on white rhinestoned Elvis jumpsuit with her flowing Afro. I also had my first experience (I know I'm late to this party) with the Go-Going-Gone Girls, who, holy shit, are a John Waters movie come to life, like the Devil-Ettes got drunk and decided to sing like mean rock 'n' roll teenagers, backed up by the Dead Kennedys' Klaus Fluoride on guitar.
The headliners, who changed rock music forever with "Typical Girl" and other early punk-lady songs of ferociousness, are still so mighty! The current Slilts lineup is the original hurricane of a lead singer, Ari-Up, whose looped dreadlocks and huge voice got everyone's eyes wider, plus the original bass player Tessa, who looks like your mom and plays like your loud neighbor kid's entire garage band put together, plus a young drummer and guitar player who are both maniacally talented. Ari-Up often demands 'more bird sounds!' from the audience; this is a big plus in my book. And she likes to show her belly, also a thumbs up. And she staged fake fights with everyone onstage during "Fight!" and encouraged the audience to start a mass melee.
Talking about how goddamn cold is in in San Francisco is free, but that got old on Tuesday. Now it's Friday and you need other ideas for how to entertain yourself and your buddies on the cheap. Here's our list of recommendations below.
Mi Ami w/ Inca Ore, Jozef Van Wissem, & DJ Tristes Tropiques @ The Lab (Fri.)
"Looking for a record-release party without the rock-club vibe? Head over to the Lab to hear what the dubby art-punks in Mi Ami have been cooking up lately. Though Quarterstick/Touch and Go Records more or less ceased operations the day after releasing the band's debut album in mid-February, that proved that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Mi Ami simply made the jump to another well-respected Chicago indie, Thrill Jockey, which just issued a 12-inch with the songs 'Cut Men' and 'Out at Night.' According to the band, the lyrics on these singles focus on 'an alienation with American male/'dude' culture and the barely repressed sexual violence that informs so much of daily life.' Sounds like a party-starter to us! Also on the bill: Inca Ore, Josef Van Wissem, and DJ Tristes Tropiques, who got some love in All Shook Down back in April." ($5; free with membership, 8 p.m.) -- Marc Hawthorne
Mission Holiday Block Party @ Various Locations (Fri.) Last weekend the late night art/shop walks hit the Lower Haight and Hayes Valley, with retailers open past closing time, offering specials, and giving up free wine and treats. Tonight the block party moves to the Mission, where FunCheapSF reports businesses will host live music, pour hot cider (bring mugs) and generally spread good deals and good stuff between 5p.m.and 10 p.m. (Free)
Olde Tyme Craft Faire @ Mollusk (Sat.) How much do you hate the mall in December? So much that it's really only safe to go there at night. Or skip it completely and buy gifts on Esty until your eyes bleed. Better yet, shop local and support the arts while you're at it. Mollusk Surf Shop spends the year showcasing a ton of great art, both in the items (books, shirts, boards) it sells and in the shows it curates. On Saturday the store will have a Holiday Celebration featuring live music from Kyle Field and Sonny Sunset as well as works for sale by nearly two-dozen artists. (Free, 7p.m.-10p.m.; music at 8 p.m.)
