World Famous In San Francisco

Dynasty Handbag!

http://www.myspace.com/dynastyhandbag

Hello readers,

we will not be posting much, if at all, the next few days as we are going on a road trip. Back in action Monday the 25th of June.

thanks!
World Famous In SF

don't miss one of the best club nights in San Francisco, The Clap.

Tonight, appearing live, the excellent Judy Experience.

see more here

Really, either Elton or I should write something about last week's Chrome show at the Hemlock. It was great. Epic maybe. It was, most certainly, an event. Possibly it could have been a little louder, but whatever. Promotion around the shows last week seemed, oddly, nonexistent. I remember a few years ago Chrome played the Great American and this was definitely a big deal; I know I randomly saw this year's show on the Hemlock's calendar while looking for something else. Perhaps the kids are already too cool for Chrome? I doubt it, because not only were these guys better than many in the current crop of SF bands, but When I mentioned that I was going to see Chrome on Saturday the reaction was generally along the lines of "Chrome? No way! They rule! They're playing??".

In a way, it was kind of awesome that nobody knew Chrome was playing because first up was Battleship and I didn't want to have to see them. I'd seen these guys a few years ago at Balazo with The Mae Shi and had a really good time (although, The Mae Shi stole the show that night). However, I've contemplated seeing Battleship a few times since, but every time the songs on their myspace sound like so much post hardcore blah blah with vocals that I hate so, I find something else to do. The plan is, then, to try and show up at the optimum time. The time when the show hasn't sold out but Battleship has played. Which is silly. Even though nobody knows this show is going on I'm neurotic and have to show up early -- I mean, what if it sells out? We're firmly on time for Battleship, but I decide that's cool because I did really like them that other time I saw them. And the band itself ends up being pretty good. Dynamic, aggressive, angsty. But then the vocals kicked in and it was all macho and it did not work for me. And neither did the vocalist's haircut -- that's probably neither here nor there but I had to get it off my chest. Anyway, in the end it was a similar experience to the recorded material, the vocals won out and we had to find something better to do at the bar.

The second it's safe, we were back inside and upfront and ready for Chrome to take the stage. Helios Creed and company came out in white containment suits and bowler hats. They killed the lights, turned up the amps, and kicked out the motherfucking sci-if jams. Helios' guitar work is amazing, its simultaneously all over the place and holding down a three chord song. The vocals are treated even more than on the recordings, contributing to that paranoid closed in feel. Some of you may be wondering about The tape loops Chrome used. OK, there was a guy on keyboards and up until this moment I wondered what he was up to. At first I assumed he was running the effects for the band, but it seemed like everybody managed themselves, so he must have been providing samples or, maybe, actually playing keyboards. It didn't matter, it couldn't be heard. Maybe we were standing in one of those awkward spots up front where the mix is horrible, or maybe a certain venue needs a better PA. Whatever, it isn't that the tapes weren't missed, but there was a lot to take in. There was definitely early stuff and Helios Creed solo stuff, but over the course of the evening it all bled together. I mean that in a really good way. We were on a paranoid space exploration with a crazy light show and a rhythm section. This was easily one of the best shows this year.

Omewenne.

Check out the songs/demos posted. Recorded in the mid-90's by Joe Goldring (Touched By A Janitor, Wade) featuring Michael Richard (Jack's Loss) Carolyn Engelman (Chamber Strings) and Tom Marzella (Hard Place, Mon Cousin Belge). The incomperable Omewenne does the impossible. She makes beautiful, intelligent music that was often described as Gothic. Gothic is not quite an appropriate label, her music has as much in common with classical and opera as it does with Nico and punk. Omewenne currently resides in the U.K. where she is composing her memorable, haunting compositions. This music just needs exposure, the kids out there love it. I witnessed it on tour with Omewenne opening for Rozz William's and Eva O's wonderfully demented Shadow Project. Thousands of gothic kids cheering in adoration with, as always when performing with Omewenne, all of the heavily art-damaged kids up front.

http://www.myspace.com/omewennesounds

I'll start this by saying I think we should have waited for the Wooden Shjips show this Friday with Fuckwolf and Sic Alps. That show has more to offer in a the way of variety; all of the acts at the Edinburgh this evening specialized in the drone and I don't take the right drugs for three hours or four hours of that to hold my interest. I'm naturally wired for an hour at best. Apparently, though, Aquarius Records does take the right drugs as they featured gushing reviews of both Expo 70 and Metal Rouge on the front page of their last new release newsletter.

Anyway, back in time to when we parked in the sketchy alley behind the Edinburgh. We had arrived a bit late in hopes of missing Metal Rouge, not because we knew anything about them but because we're too old for bills with four bands on them. Unfortunately, we get upstairs and realize we haven't missed anything other than the fact that the show room had been rearranged since the last time we'd been there (which was... I don't remember when. My point is this might not be news). Metal Rouge sets up on stage -- electric guitar and amplified santur -- and proceed to play this one note for about twenty or thirty minutes. They must love that note. It must be the most awesome note because they played it for a long time. Its like all drone shows where eventually you get so into that note you become the note. I just wasn't into this note. The folks over at Aquarius report that everybody else was super into this note and were blown away, so what do I know? Here's a clip, you can tell me what I don't know:

Actually, I was kinda into that clip. I don't have any idea what I'm talking about!

Next was Rahdunes. Guitar + effects and bass. These dudes set up in two different places on the floor amongst the crowd and did their thing. It was like musical evolution: two notes. I was actually pretty into these dudes, the bass set up a nice rhythm (not really a groove, this was too academic for that) and the guitar made loud sounds over that -- what those sounds were really didn't seem to matter. These guys were having a ton of fun, laughing a lot of the time and it was fun to be on the floor with them.

Then there was much speculation as to whether the band setting up was Expo '70 or Wooden Shjips. It looked like Wooden Shjips but they're so mysterious because they don't play much so how could we know?? The band gets to playing and we convince ourselves it must be them and its kinda disappointing. The guitar was pretty awesome, but on the whole the band was kinda limp. The drummer didn't really seem to be up to the task of carrying us through their dirges. Its too bad, the seven inch I have rules and the songs on myspace are pretty good. I had read they weren't great live over on detailed twang so maybe that colored my opinion but I'm accused of being opinionated and hard to please so I don't think that was it.

After that we just couldn't stick around for Expo '70. It was late and we wanted to go hear the jams at Tubesteak Connection! But once we were outside we realized we were defeated by the drone and we were tired so we went back behind the Edinburgh to the sketchy alley and hoped nobody had camped out inside the car.

A message from the band-

The debut, yeah we did a few shows with the current line-up of Emile - vocals, Tom - Keyboards and Mat Cote on drums but they were just us doing the songs minus the fatties who quit the band via e-mail, basically fulfilling gigs that had already been scheduled. We've had a few weeks to put some new stuff together, new arrangements on old stuff and some new surprises. This is the debut of the lean and mean Mon Cousin Belge. The word is that we're up first so get there by 9:30.

Emile's flight from Brussels arrives at 9:00 hopefully he won't get stuck in customs. Oh yeah, it's Mat Cote's birthday. We're going to spank him.

Friday night in San Francisco, I got stuck working late which forced me to miss band practice, eat a completely nasty dinner in Millbrae, then crawl my way up the 101 back to the city. Once again, as the sun set, I saw the famous San Francisco fog completely engulf the peninsula and I couldn't wait to get home, get high and pour myself a stiff drink. Now what could get me out of the house on a chilly foggy Friday night after a long and tedious work week? A booty call? Perhaps. My dog crying for a walk? Most definitely. A local bands record release? Not so much, but when that band is the Passionistas you can count us in.

The Passionistas are like rappers in the sense that they know they're the best and like rappers even if they aren't the best they're still going to boast that they are the best because that's what you do. Well our hopes for this show were high. We saw Passionistas open for Hard Place in L.A. and we liked what we saw. They were young and cute and they told everybody in the audience to fuck off. Since then, we've become familiar with their material posted on MySpace and we liked it. When we heard the Passionistas debut album "God's Boat" was recorded and produced by Kelley Stoltz (if we have to tell you who he is go buy a copy of Mojo Magazine and then go fuck yourself) we were excited for us as fans and for them as a great band who deserve to be seen and listened to.

Well Friday night at Cafe Du Nord we come to find out that we actually are on the guest list (yay for Shameless in San Francisco!) and that we missed the first band, The Specs. However we were lucky enough to catch the Dilletantes featuring Joel Gion of BJM fame and we dug it. O.K., we were into the paisley underground in the early 80's so we like the psychedelic pop sounds that are a prominent influence with the band, plus they had an energy about them. Joel's poses and tambourine playing are the stuff of legend. I think they are much better than the Brian Jonestown Massacre who always had a faux fey British thing going on, whether it was Stone-sy blues, mimicking Spacemen 3 or wanna-be Oasis. When Joel sings he brings in shades of Lou Reed and Modern Lovers era Jonathan Richman, his own unique sense of humour and style and melds it all together with his British influences. The band, especially guitarist Jefferson Parker, bring in other uniquely American sounds like Byrds guitar and the punk jingle jangle of Arthur Lee and Love. There's nothing new going on here but they were a pleasant surprise and did a good job of warming up the crowd and making the music their own.

Awesome, time for the big event. Just from the stage props alone we can tell the the Passionistas went all out for their record release party. Helium balloons shaped like pizza slices and rainbows and a flag designed for when the band eventually form their own country adorn the stage. We quickly make our way up to the front. The band take the stage and begin with a punk number "God's Boat" slightly reminiscent of early B-52's Kleenex/Liliput and they have Kelley Stoltz on the drums. He sounds good but we weren't prepared for the bit of theater we were about to witness. Between songs the band announces that their drummer had to go to Modesto to attend his little sister's graduation (aww) and they thank Kelley for filling in. The Passionistas sound great, alternating lead vocals between Myles Benham-Cooper (was he born with a hyphen?), on songs like "One Foot On A Banana Peel" who at times sounds suave, think Bid (circa early Monochrome Set 1975) or Beach Boys with shades of Velvet Underground and Aaron Mayfield-Sunshine (again with the hyphen) on his numbers "So Rock & Roll" and the title track "God's Boat", Sunshine is responsible for a more herky jerky post punk feel with yelps and lots of start/stops. It a good combination that works well for the band who at times reach an absurd level of Beefheart/Yoko Ono inspired insanity. To everyone's surprise mid-song the drummer comes running in from his trek back from Modesto, throws off his backpack, grabs the drumsticks from old man Stoltz and gets down to business nary missing a beat, bringing the overall energy level up way past 11. Now the band really starts rocking. You can't plan stuff like this, it made everyone in the audience smile and the party was on.


How can these young kids reference all the rare great DIY music of the late 70's. At times the music they were playing could easily fit onto a Messthetics compilation (Steppes, TVP's) or Crippled Dick Hotwax' excellent "7-up Singles" comp (I-jog & the Tracksuits, Jerry and the Holograms). Do they have vast record collections? or are they just kids who like Mariah Carey and Rap? Kids who aren't the most skilled musicians in town, kids who write about stuff that's important to them (be it grandma or goin' gay). It is this crowning, unskilled approach which makes their music come completely out of left field (especially when compared to what else is happening in San Francisco these days), recorded somewhere on God's Boat floating in the middle of a vast ocean surrounded by nothing, creating something fresh, unique and new. This sophisticated release bodes well for the brand new "New & Used Records" label. We liked the Passionistas performance so much, we bought a CD.

Next up on the bill, Mr. Passionistas producer himself Kelley Stoltz. Here's the good part, a lot of Kelley Stoltz fans were in the audience, the place was packed and we were happy that the Passionistas had a good crowd for their record release. Even better, it was a very good crowd, cheering on the Passionistas almost to the surprise of the band who were quite pleased and somewhat amazed with the response. (also, Kelley did a great job producing Passionistas, the record is awesome review tk soon!) So why was his live performance pleasant yet uninteresting? I don't know, I mean you've got kids like the Passionistas breaking/ignoring and making up all the rules and you've got Kelley and his band of session musicians (Kevin Ink may be a studio whiz but he's hella dull on stage) boring us to the point of indifference. Stoltz, who's proved he's a fantastic songwriter, should get a new band to back him up, maybe they wouldn't be as technically precise as the monkeys he had on stage with him at du Nord (at times I felt we were watching them all go bald) but at this point we think Kelley could learn something from his proteges, long live the Passionistas!

Did you enjoy this review? Well, all we ask at Shameless in San Francisco is that you put us on the guest list and in return, we'll review your band. It's as simple as that.

Perfect Wieners and Butts



Wonderful Performance Art Rockers from Detroit. Check out the video for Night School. If you dig it search perfectwienersandbutts on you tube see below for an awesome version of Cher's Believe sung by Glen Danzig. What do we have to do to bring PWB to San Francisco?

http://www.myspace.com/perfectwienersandbutts

@hemlock w/ Battleship. 9:30. $12

Twelve bucks?? So expensive! I guess, maybe, Helios Creed has earned it. This should be so good!

Tomorrow, June 8th. @Cafe du Nord. 10 bucks!

-Kelley Stoltz (headliner)
brilliant Sub Pop recording artist, Passionistas producer, man who brought N&UR and the Passionistas together

-The Passionistas
stars of the N&UR label, the future of rock music, my favorite band

-The Dilettantes
fronted by Joel Gion of the Brian Jonestown Masscare, awesome "Nuggets"-esque rockers

-The Specs
the best reason EVER to show up for a show on-time, brilliant pop concoctions from Katie Ann (the Devilettes, the Girl Most Likely To) and Jym (Mr. T Experience)

10 bucks? Ok Passionistas, the pressure is on. First of all, this is an expensive show. Secondly, elton and I both like that one Kelley Stoltz record but he can be totally painful live. And thirdly, this is a SHAMELESS IN SAN FRANCISCO qualifying event so awesome or not, no matter how much we like you, its going down in print on the internet. Repository of all fact!

@Edinburgh Castle w/ Expo 70, Rahdunes, and Metal Rouge (nz/la)



I think we're going. Unless we go see them next week at the elbo room with fuckwolf. Be careful Shjips, you don't want to become overexposed like fuckwolf!

What cute but fussy drummer was just fired from his bartending job? Seems a patron known as "Castrobear" claims he was pushed by drummer boy. We know drummer boy pretty well and can't imagine him pushing anyone other than the lead singer of his band.

What local band, popular with Live 105 and at one time on a major label, has a new single up on their myspace page that is so BAD it makes their old stuff sound significantly better, and the old stuff wasn't so hot. Here's a hint, it's not Honeycut!

What semi-famous local musician likes to keep a lid on the fact that he's totally into same sex hanky panky? While we could criticise him for being closeted we kind of like that fact that there's a fag out there who you can shag and NOBODY will ever find out about it.

Not that this blog isn't awesome, but sometimes I think my posts could provide more insight rather than just vomiting up first impressions for (poor?) comedic effect. But that's the concept and I'm sticking with it. Here's some other San Francisco blogs about music and the scene that we've been reading:

http://www.mostlymeat.com
This blog makes me laugh fairly consistently. The posts may seem ironic (blue oyster cult, good times, pictures of cute cats) but he always talks about his kids and parenting skills and its pretty sweet. Besides, who doesn't like B.O.C., good times, and cute cats? This dude may be a regular poster to the sf indie list, but I don't hold that against him.

http://deadeyeisalive.blogspot.com
A new blog by the drummer of Mon Cousin Belge about being over the bear scene in San Francisco. I think, its what he wrote about in his first post. And I think he's right. The bear 'movement' is about rebelling against the gay uniform (muscled, blond on top, hairless everywhere else, following relentlessly bad fashion trends) and being more comfortable in your own skin. This should be awesome, I'm against any scene's uniform but these guys have ended up just like the gays they hated except in winter clothing (round belly, no hair on top, hair everywhere else, and anything that matches worker boots). Way to get it all wrong fatties!

http://detailedtwang.blogspot.com
I found this blog this morning when I was trying to figure out how much the Wooden Shjps show is tonight. It caught my eye because its named after an obscure art damaged British band from the seventies who do an excellent drums and vocals only cover of the Television Personalities' "Part Time Punks". It looks like lots of informative posts about music on the fringe, past and present.

Brimstone Howl: Kinda awesome live, but then I checked out their myspace page.

When I got to the hemlock these kids were playing, so apparently the show started on time. At first, I kinda hated them. Midwestern boys with garage rock haircuts playing garage rock. Aren't these corn fed cutie types supposed to be cute? These guys weren't so much, but they were endearing. I saw four songs total and over the course of these songs they won me over and got a little cuter. The songs were totally rockin, they almost had this fifties feel to them. During the last song, the two guitarists got into the crowd, one on the other's shoulders, and they each played guitar like some sort of GODZILLA rock destroyer. If that doesn't win you over, then I guess we're still looking for something that will.

I bought a seven inch because they asked nicely at the end of the set. At the merch table they told me it was recorded by Jay Retard. I went to their myspace page and it was on about dudes from the Black Keys and the Horrors recording them and other dudes from Pere Ubu mastering them and how Maximum Rock n Roll said they sounded like the Gun Club. Pere Ubu and the Gun Club are cool but I am irrationally against the Black Keys and it kinda rubbed off on these guys. Or maybe its because their haircuts are even worse on this page and they all have gross moustaches. Or maybe I'm just cranky today. I probably am cranky, I have a cold. These kids are probably OK. Bomp records thinks so!

Apache (the band): songs so stupid, they might change your life.

These guys look like Vietnam vets turned hippie. Dirty, seventies, washed up hippies. A friend of mine was standing behind this guy with long greasy hair, a head band, and a brown leather vest and asked "Does he really need to dress like that?". When Apache took the stage and that guy was their singer she said "Right, he does need to dress like that". And the guitarist needs his guitar with the intricate woodcarving to play a lot of songs about drugs (White Hammer, Crystal Clear) and crazy girls (Nazi Knife -- little nazi knife, she's not so nice. she's gonna cut you up!). Everybody sings the same words and the same notes and you should be doing that too. They ruled!

The High Strung: they get their name from the sound of his vocals!

Word on the street (literally, overheard on the street) is that these guys weren't so nice. I know this: it took them forever to set up. I hate that. And then every song they played sounded the same and was sung by this guy with some nasally ass vocals wearing that hat from the urban outfitters that I hate. The bassist wore goggles and bobbed up and down like a Muppet. I think he had a beard too. Its amazing how that can be charming for some bands and absolutely unbearable for others. We left early.

The cast of Texas Chainsaw 90210

Since we last ran the Units as the MySpace Page of the week, we thought we'd share a little more SF History with you all.

There once was (and I think there still is!) a theater troupe called The Sick & Twisted Players that graced various SF Stages with the most hilarious productions you can imagine. The brainchild and mastermind behind the troupe, Tony Vaguely, has to be one of the most brilliant and creative people I've ever met.

Tony was cool enough to put up some photos of Sick & Twisted classics like

Texas Chainsaw 90210
The Omen starring Mary Poppins
The Exorcist a Dance Macabre

and many more, there's also a hilarious blog. We salute Tony Vaguely and his Sick & Twisted Players. Check it out!

http://www.myspace.com/sickandtwistedplayers

We're gonna be there, are you?

@ the hemlock (on polk between post and sutter)
$8, 9:30
The High Strung
Apache
Brimstone Howl

So, I finally got around to posting some photos from MCMF. Yeah, they are kind of dark! But, my thumb isn't in most of them so I am way on top of my game with these!

I really wish I'd gotten some photos at all of the shows I went to, especially the Connie Fucking Francis/Wobbly/Total Annihilation/Fierce Antler show! This was a costumed extravaganza -- Total Anhilation dressed like it was halloween, fierce antler dressed for the gym, and the girl from CFF smears her eye shadow just right. No costumes for Wobbly though, his laptop is too academic for that!

Where are the rest of MCMF photos?

Also, is it just me or does flickr need a better way to post/share a set? Getting these up was annoying!

Hello Dear Readers! Awhile back we posted about Shameless in San Francisco. This is the concept, if you put us on your guestlist, we'll review your show and write about it on World Famous in SF! Well, we have been offered tickets to the Passionistas record release show as part of the Shameless in San Francisco campaign! We will write about every aspect of this show. You should check it out too! Say hi to us, we'll have clipboards and will be wearing glasses. We'll also be holding a microphone taping the show so we can compare our notes while listening to the Passionistas actual performance.

Here's the details!
Passionistas
Record Release
The Passionistas

June, 8 2007 at God's Boat record release with Special Guests @ Cafe Du Nord
2174 Market St., San Francisco, California 94114
Cost : Free if you are Shameless in San Francisco!

!!!****Special message from the Passionistas: "Our record God's Boat is coming out on New and Used Records. Really special guests. Sorry can't tell you yet."

We love Ashley. Her music and her voice are unbelievable.
http://www.laweekly.com/general/24-seven/dancing-in-tropical-snow/16466/

http://www.myspace.com/hardplace

Jeremy Smears is in love with this band right now. The Units were an early New Wave/Synthpunk band founded in San Francisco in 1978 and existing until 1984. Primary members were Scott Ryser and Rachel Webber.

http://www.myspace.com/warmmovingbodies

I really hate walking by this place everyday. Am I the only one?

mind bogglingly great:

HERE'S THE SUMMER AGENDA FOR LADY!!!

@KIMOS ON POLK ST.

JUNE 27 - STINKMITT!!! and ILL EASE!!

JULY 18 - TITS and THE JUDY EXPERIENCE (special guest DJ Secret Handshake aka Elton Tom!)

AUG 15 - FIERCE PERM and MON COUSIN BELGE

ADD LADY AS A FRIEND FOR MORE INFO

http://www.myspace.com/theladyparty
If you have a good band and you wanna play at Lady, you can contact them through their myspace page!

LOVE,

LADY M

What is up with boring music blogs? A quick search of the hype machine or elbo.ws reveals page after page of blogs talking about the exact same music that can be read about on pitchfork. Most of the time, and I know I'm out of step with the rest of the kids, I didn't care about it when I read it on pitchfork.

Here are two blogs out of SF which especially irk me:

www.stereoscope.fm -- why not just take this whole site down and put a link to pitchfork in its place?
www.indiebears.com -- the same could be said here, except these guys have the good sense to atleast inject their own personal stories into the mix. Hilariously, (unintentionally so?), the first thing these bears talk about is eating and the last thing they talk about is eating. Write what you know I guess...

Here's three blogs I like (one from SF, two from LA):

cobaininacoma.blogspot.com -- a radio show, music video mondays and entries about acts local to SF and LA make up for detailed reviews of the new LCD soundsystem record.
www.eggcityradio.com -- formally postpunkjunk. Apart from his prog fascination -- a cable access show, obscure album rips, themed semiweekly mixes. Fun!
www.donnalethal.com -- While this isn't really a music blog, ms. lethal is seriously funny and name checks Reid Paley, whom I don't really like but is a name I haven't heard since I left Pittsburgh.

wow, something to do in this ghost town!

this should be adequately retarded. see you there?

We never see any of you out at shows! Are you really that busy? Too shy to say hi? Or Life in the city has you so busy you forget when stuff is happening? Are we too wordy?

If you're forgetful, or don't like to read, our friend Lauren G can help you out! She's broadcasting (short) text messages full of show reminders and other timely news about the bands we're always talking about. She's got gig with this company called 80108.com and they call what she's doing a thumbcast. Isn't that cute and current and so tech savy? You thought you were hip reading a blog, but we'll show you yet!

Text SFANTIPOP to 80108 to get in on the fun.

A while ago mr. elton posted about a band we didn't love:

Excuses for Skipping (not to be confused with Kind Of Like Spitting) - there's some potential here, the drummer rules, but being an all dyke band isn't enough. Stop doing the Madonna cover now please and go practice some more.

Well, he's actually listened to the music on their myspace and liked it. O RLY? I'm still not sold, but if they do more songs that sound like early bangles then maybe! Keep trying ladies!

what can you say really, check it out!

http://www.myspace.com/deathsentencepanda

photo by Jim Newberry

Wow, thanks again to the Mission Creek Music Festival, in conjuction with Neil Martinson and SMILE! There's something to do in this town. One night only, from the Windy City! Chamber Strings. We can 't wait. Tonight Cafe du Nord! We hope it's not sold out. Also appearing, Persephonee's Bees and the Dilettantes. Ohhh! There's some history there. (Keep Mike Farrell and Kevin Junior apart from one another!)

http://www.myspace.com/thechamberstrings

Jeff Ray, what a maroon! Look what he posted on the SF Indie list!

Vincent Gallo's Backline

I need two fender showman's w/ 15" speaker cabs
you get in free.
This is for tomorrow show.
Take Care,
Jeff Ray
www.mcmf.org
(415)517-XXXX

Jeff, I've got news for you. They cost money and you can rent them here http://www.sirsf.com/Guitaramps.html...(but if anybody does have these rare and expensive amplifiers and you do lend them to Jeff/Vincent please write us and let us know, we will want to ask you how the free show was!) I have to say, it's almost kind of sweet that you'd think the humourless shrills at the SF indie list (not everyone, you know who you are!) would do anything other than self promote, list their Friday Five, and last but not least wreak psychological warfare and actually lend a visiting musician gear. The festival must be taking it's toll.

http://www.sirsf.com/Guitaramps.html
xoxo,
Elton Tom
World Famous in SF

http://www.myspace.com/totallyradd

Just a big thank you to our readers. We can't believe that in such a short time we've made some new friends through this blog. Thanks to everyone who's posted comments and written us with gossip and tips about good bands to check out.

Some of the feedback we've been getting has been pretty interesting, overall it seems like everyone thinks we need to be meaner, really go for the jugular when critiquing bands. We hear you and we'd like to say that we possess the ability to be really mean but we can't do it just for the sake of being mean, we really have to hate the band in question and believe you me we'll let it fly.

Yes, it's true. This blog was started out of spite. We were sick of sitting through the horribly long and boring Society of Rockets shows while either waiting to play or waiting for our friends to play, but hey, they are nice people, their studio recordings are pretty good, so we do not HATE them, we just really felt the need to tell them their set is too long and they need to tune so we started this blog.

Why do people do this? Why would anyone in their right mind start a band? It leads to this: paying for a practice space, gas $$$$ on the road, bad food on the road, hemorrhoids, std's, bitchy practices, crazy bandmates (i mean really crazy, need counseling now or rehab! ), crticism from guys like me, hauling heavy equipment around, dealing with sketchy promoters, small crowds, myspace spam, skipping dinner for practice, band drama, drug abuse, and worse the crazies on the SF Indie list. I really question why we do it.

It's because of the good times, the friends we make and the music we genuinely love. So again thanks to our readers. We love you,

A big thanks to Donna Lethal for adding us as a link on her awesome site.

http://www.donnalethal.com

have a great weekend and let us know about good shows we should check out.

Which SF festival has consistently scheduled shows at the LAB without telling the bands that rehearse below the venue that they need to cancel practice so they do not disrupt the performance. The "promoter" waits until the event is taking place, then send his lackeys (volunteers?) to quiet the rehearsals. This "promoter" has the bands e-mails, knows them on a first name basis, has their myspace info but for the past three years has refused to contact them in advance and ask them not to practice. Guess he doesn't realize that practice spaces cost money.

Which much loved keyboardist, who left both SF and his popular band for the L.A. life was famous in college for plugging his toilet? Seems it was a common occurrence. Worth mentioning in a gossip column? Maybe not, but from what we hear he wasn't good with a plunger to boot!

Which bassist for a L.A./S.F. based band has a serious crack problem? See the photo above as proof.

Tonight is the greatest club night in SF. Yes tonight you can catch the Clap!
read all about it at:

http://www.myspace.com/catchtheclapsf

One of San Francisco's newest and most enjoyable bands has been exposed! They want you to believe that they are young twenty somethings who have just begun to master their craft, however we here at World Famous In San Francisco have discovered the truth and are prepared to expose the Passionistas for what they really are!

The Passionistas aren't the fresh faced nubiles they'd like you to believe, in reality they are the Australian Band Air Supply. Study the two photos presented here as proof and let us know how you feel about their deception in the comments section below.

The mission creek calendar is (finally) up. Or, I guess it has been for a bit now. Whats this sonic living buisness anyway, and how is this molly chick going to every mission creek show? She's talented!

Speaking of going to shows, who's going to what?? I'm going to these this weekend:
Axolotl, The Deletist, Sheila Bosco, Lady Neigh
Fierce Antler, Total Annihilation, The Freddy McGuire Show, Connie Fucking Francis
Captain Ahab, Casy and Brian, Strength, Hard Place, Bizzart

A word of warning bands: I'm bringing my camera so you'd better look hot!

Elton Tom loves this blog, he kinda thinks its better than ours! It probably is, but keep reading ours anyway, we like our taste in music better.

Bookworms, Oaxacan, Triangle, and White Tigers (So So Many White? I dunno!).

We were there. (Some of) The Passionistas were there. Cobain in a coma was there (by default, but it counts). Were you there? More to come, but fyi The Mission Creek Music Festival is in full swing ladies.

What do you mean you have to work in the morning?

Hey kids, check out the hijinx over at cobain in a coma. Super fun!



Photo by matt irwin for dazed&confused.

Which female co-front person of a popular local band, who likes to wear extremely skimpy outfits while performing, used to be quite the chub when younger? Perhaps this explains the exhibitionism.

Which critically acclaimed local band recently had two members quit via e-mail? When one quitter had second thoughts and wanted back in, remaining members said no way. Seems the music was good but the drama bad.

Which 90's San Francisco band was approached by a well known festival to reform for this years May festivities. Seems everyone was into it, with some even agreeing to fly in from as far New York and Chicago, that is until the bands former guitarist poo-poo'd the idea. Maybe he doesn't like living in the past, (at various times he was romantically involved with not one but two gorgeous female members) or maybe he can only handle playing the festival with his latest project?

Yes, it's Apache! They rock and they're super fun. Check out their tunes on Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/apache

We braved the rain on Thursday and went to tubesteak, it was fun. Super fun even! There were many wonderous things:

• DJ Bus Station John did his thing
  
• a sixty seven year old man showed up and showed all those kids how to dance; then he hit on us!
  
• the dance floor was packed -- we don't see that enough.
  
• mass exodus from the dance floor -- maybe it was only a rumour that the guy in the corner had coke. (ok, i made that up)
  

Anyway, we had a blast but didn't see any of you there. Whats up with that?

Also, if you didn't know, busstation john's apartment building recently burned. There's a benefit tonight at the transfer. Only five bucks, help a dj out!

Happy Friday, Emile from Mon Cousin Belge make you presents!

'Cause we're going! What did all of you do this Thursday?

Hey all you san francisco bands! Blogs are totally the way to get famous these days, didn't you know? You need to be on as many as possible and we're going to make it as easy as possible to get on ours. Put us on your guest list and Jeremy Smears, Elton Tom or our friend Dominic, the handsome gentleman pictured above, will come to your show and write about it here, on worldfamousinssf!!! We'll come even if we don't like your band and we won't heckle you any more than we would our own friend's bands!

So come on, email us!

Ashley Huizenga, keyboardist and vocalist of the L.A./S.F. band Hard Place. Vice Magazine pretty much describes her complete opposite. They got one thing right. The girl is definitely a do!

It's that time of year again. Wow the 11th Annual Mission Creek Music Festival. We're impressed, 11 years old, that's almost legal!

San Francisco needs this festival, we've been scouring the listings as of late and it's been pretty grim.

Have no fear, the MCMF is here!

We're excited about the following:

White Tigers (yay!)
Ariel Pink
Wealthy Whore Entertainment
Hard Place
Strength (yay!)
Fuckwolf (word on the street is that they are over exposed but we love them!)
Fierce Antler
Connie Fucking Francis
Borts Minorts
The Chamber Strings (yay!)
DMBQ
Vincent Gallo

The fest is in need of volunteers
Especially ones to work the shows....
Email Jeff Ray if interested...
http://www.mcmf.org

Scoff if you must but if you really think LONG AND HARD about it, it's easy to surmise that Smokey the Bear is gay.

Here are the facts:

He hangs out in the bushes

He's totally on fire

and he's big and burly, next to Dan Blocker he's the penultimate bear.

All kidding aside, Smokey was voiced by character actor Roger C. Carmel, most famous for his role as Harry Mudd on the original Star Trek TV series. In Hollwood, it was no secret Roger was gay. Rumours of his cocaine fueled parties with various L.A. rent boys abound. Roger died in 1986 of a heart attack due to an enlarged heart. I'm sure the bolivian marching powder aka booger sugar did not help. So where is this all going? Coke has made a huge comeback on the scene and we here at World Famous in SF do not like it one bit! Let's face it, people on coke have absolutely no sense of humor. R.I.P. Roger, the world lost one hell of a mustache. Special thanks to fellow native Detroiter Scott Matthews and his mind numbingly entertaining website findadeath.com for the dirt on Roger, Smokey and Hoss!

http://www.findadeath.com