In Live This Month, we sample some of the great local and out-of-town bands performing in the coming month in the San Francisco Bay Area.
It’s probably not that surprising that this month’s mix includes two bands each from Portland (Other Lives, Wishyunu) and from Brooklyn (San Fermin, Ava Luna), but Memphis? Supported by stellar local label Goner Records, the Tennessee city’s garage rock scene is brimming with talent, and Nots and Ex-Cult both deliver intense, raucous rock and roll likely to make for some excellent live shows.
Speaking of raucous, we’ve heard the words “insane” and “scary” thrown around to describe performances by UK punk oddballs Fat White Family, which gives this recommendation an accompanying “you’ve been warned” as well. If you’re looking for something a lot calmer, consider the acclaimed folk-pop of The Tallest Man On Earth. Touring behind new album Dark Bird Is Home, Kristian Matsson is being accompanied by a full band for the first time on this run.
Plenty of local bands are celebrating new albums with dates this month, including SF quartet Plush, introducing themselves with Pine, an LP of engaging dream-pop. Bay Area vets The Orange Peels are back with their sixth album of finely-crafted indie pop. Oakland singer-songwriter Lila Rose just released WE.ANIMALS, an album incorporating themes drawn from her passions for environmentalism and animal rights advocacy.
As far as we know, Bells Atlas doesn’t have a specific release date for the Hyperlust EP, but “Future Bones” is a dynamite slice of electroacoustic pop. And here’s hoping that the return of FUZZ means we’ll be getting a new LP of heavy psych from the trio soon.
Enjoy the podcast and then go see some concerts!
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About the bands:
San Fermin – “Jackrabbit”
San Fermin and Natalie Prass come to The Independent on May 21
The Orange Peels – “Head Cleaner”
Headlining Bottom of the Hill on May 9; Curious Quail and Arts & Leisure support
Fat White Family – “Is It Raining in Your Mouth?”
Playing The Chapel with LA Drugz on May 17
Other Lives – “Easy Way Out”
Riothouse Royale joins the band at The Chapel on May 9
Ex-Cult – “Cigarette Machine”
The band comes to the Hemlock Tavern on May 16; Useless Eaters, Scraper, Love Moon also perform
Vaadat Charigim – “Ein Li Makom”
The group’s US tour hits Bottom of the Hill on May 15 with Cotillon and The Soonest
Bells Atlas – “Future Bones”
The Oakland band’s next show is on May 8 at The New Parish with The Seshen and Zakiya Harris featuring Elephantine
The Tallest Man On Earth – “Dark Bird Is Home”
Hiss Golden Messenger opens the show at The Fox Theater on May 21
Ava Luna – “Coat Of Shellac”
Coming to the Brick & Mortar Music Hall with O and Harriet Brown on May 20
Plush – “WAYN”
Performing at Bottom of the Hill on May 7 as part of an all-local bill with Wander, Void Boys, and Pardoner
Nots – “Reactor”
Touring with Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Nots arrive at the Elbo Room on May 23; Tony Molina opens the show
FUZZ – “Raise”
Playing the Great American Music Hall with Lamps on May 20
Slow Season – “Sixty-Eight”
Coming to El Rio on May 20 with Hot Lunch and Blackout
Lila Rose – “Stars”
LYNX and Mariee Sioux support Lila Rose on May 7 at The Independent
Wishyunu – “Photoplay”
On May 14, Linear Downfall and Li Xi join the band at Amnesia
