Mesh Magazine

Good music champions itself. That’s how San Jose’s The Mumlers were able to cram The Blank Club on an ugly rain-swept night, packing in great music and good vibes. Apparently Bay Area favorites Gojogo and The Morning Benders opened. We missed Gojogo because drinks at a neighboring bar [the Caravan] aren’t overpriced like they are at The Blank. By all accounts, Gojogo’s set was spearheaded by a great violinist who jumpstarted the evening. We braved the muck of cigarette smoke and hella perfume in the front, and the timing was perfect, as we caught the tail end of The Morning Benders’ set. And if those few minutes were indicative of anything, The Morning Benders’ are smooth performers with nice arrangements and warm melodies–I should have picked up a CD, but Jamesons at The Blank are 9-bucks. Fucking ridiculous. (more…)

Caught High on Fire at 12 Galaxies last Saturday. As usual, the band was completely epic. Here are a few crappy photos I took.

(more…)

I caught Chuck Gonzalez at The Make-Out Room Friday night. His brother, former board of supervisors president Matt Gonzalez, joined him onstage to play bass for a few songs along with keyboardist Bill Cameron and drummer Charlie Knote of The Winechuggers. Chuck played some songs off his new album, You Are On My Radar

Matt Gonzalez, Charlie Knote and Chuck Gonzalez

Frank Chu was also in the house.

On an unusually warm December evening, Two Ton Boa made their way into the Hemlock Tavern, and like the last time they slithered into town, were greeted by a criminally small, yet devoted audience and put on an epic performance. Here are some photos of Sherry Fraser and crew:

(more…)

When Hubby announced that he purchased Cat Power tickets I was somewhat conflicted. On one hand her albums are pretty good, on the other hand, watching her perform live can be a very uncomfortable experience. On my third hand, her latest release The Greatest has a permanent spot in my car door, plus she was touring with a southern style rhythm back-up band, which definitely piqued my interest. Hubby convinced me that with a proper band keeping her in check, there was no way she could get away with acting like a lunatic. He was right. Despite ridiculous off-beat dancing, and some slightly awkward interactions with fans, the show was well worth the thirty-eight fifty. It was almost all about The Greatest, opening with the title track and playing the album mostly through, a couple of transitions with musicians here and there, plus a few stylized cuts from Nude as News and What Would the Community Think.

The Memphis Rhythm band is a legitimate rhythm and blues outfit, complete with jovial back-up singers, a organ/piano player acting as lead, horn section, multiple guitar players, drummer, and don’t forget about the fresh-faced seemingly timid violinist. Together, playing on stage, they gelled. There was even some intimate piano moments where Chan was able to genuinely offer the audience her brand of clever musical expression without stopping or mumbling or acting like a damn fool. Despite the fact that Chan was only partially retarded, it was a good thing that Hubby bought the tickets, Cat Power’s solid performance at the Fillmore offered some much needed professional redemption.
Lolly G.