More Shows: Deerhoof, Marc Ribot, Trainwreck Riders

I always thought the summer was the time to catch great live music, but it turns out that the fall is a better time.  In the last week I saw three show and I’m off to check out Monsters Are Waiting tonight.  It’s not like I have a ton of spare time, but I feel better about myself when I do go and if I get free tickets to go, that makes it all the easier.

This past Sunday of the three day Labor Day weekend I saw the young, enigmatic four piece Trainwreck Riders rock the basement of Cafe Du Nord. It was the first time I actually feared that a band rocking so hard would set off some chain reaction on the San Andreas and all of us in this very Closter phobic little club about 100 feet below sea level would be buried in some sort of Pompeii-like disaster. Everything was also heightened by a youthful crowd of college red necks cavorting around in a semi-civilized mosh pit (youíd think we were in Chico).  When the band played their much-touted jingle, “Christmas Time Blues”, the very recognizable singer from the Two Gallants, Adam Stephens (who is the harmonica-ist on the very fine debut album, “Lonely Road Revival” out on Alive) came out and played harmonica.  The two bands are off on a national tour now I believe. The first time I’d seen these guys I was a bit disappointed about not being able to discern the intricate melodies being played by lead guitarist and brother, Andrew.  This time I could hear it all.  Perhaps it was a better sound guy, but I think it’s the fact that these guys have aged and are truly learning their craft.  Singer brother Pete has come a bit farther with vocals, but could still nee some aging.  Perhaps a pack of cigarettes a day will do it.  If you like rock or if you enjoy punk or even if you allow country music into your collection and you are hoping for a catastrophic epiphany like the one I experienced while watching the other night, then go out and see them live first and buy their album after the show.  How’s that for a run on?

On Tuesday my wife and I headed out to my favorite San Francisco venue, the Great American Music Hall.  There is something very Americana about this place. The architecture is more classical European with its baroque ceiling and strange balcony over the stage.  It’s like a west coast Grand Ole Opry to me. Anyway, the bill this night featured Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog and headliners Deerhoof.  I think everybody in the place was hoping that local hero Time Waits would make an appearance alongside of his long time guitarist, Ribot, but tonight there was no vocal break suitable for such a cameo.  Ribot’s harsh and eclectic guitar masturbation left no room. Another local hero of the experimental rock world, Secret Chiefs 3 bass player Shahzad Ismaily and animal muppet like drummer Ches Smith joined him in a what seemed like an improvised set conducted by Ribot who at times seemed annoyed with the sound man for not turning his monitor volume up on command. This outfit seemed more in the vein of the John Zorn stuff Ribot has been experimenting with. The Ceramic Dog will continue their tour with Deerhoof as they play the Bowery Ballroom this week.

Deerhoof. Oh my. I’ve heard from many friends that Runner’s Four was a disapointment when compared to past classics like Milk Man and my favorite, Green Cosmos, but I disagree. I think Runner’s Four is not as sweet to the ear, but it’s a real step forward for what was once a four piece and now just three (so long Chris Cohen). The first three songs were a bit of a let down in terms of intensity. It was certainly not that way because of the musicianship, but instead it was a sound issue. It wasn’t until the fourth tune that either the sound man or guitarist John Dieterich turned it up to 11 that I felt comforable with the beefy sound I’ve come to expect. I was afraid of this since Cohen’s bass/guitar backup made up such an important part of the sound. Satsomi Matsuzaki was as quirky and cute as could be. She seemed pretty confident on bass, but what draws people is her wonderful dance bits and bunny hops. Drummer Greg Saunier is unbelieveable.  A very nice guy too. My wife and I adore this band and apparently so do the amazing array of folks they tour with like Wilco, Radiohead and the Flaming Lips. I also love the fact that they give away so much music.  Check it out:

Deerhoof : Wrong Time Capsule
Deerhoof : Milking
Deerhoof : Holy Night Fever
Deerhoof : The Great Car Tomb
Deerhoof : Sealed With a Kiss
Deerhoof : Gore in Rut
This is insane

Out to the show

I’m celebrating Labor Day weekend by going down to Cafe Du Nord to check out the most blue-collar bunch of musicians I know, the Trainwreck Riders.  I’ll post some comments down about that later this week.  But first, I’m very excited to recall a show I attended this past Monday. It was a fundraiser for 826 Valencia featuring Dave Eggers, Sarah Vowell, Patton Oswalt, Aimee Mann, Mark Kozelek, Zack Rogue and my new favorite artist, Jonathan Richman.  I’d seen Richman perform before, but I never felt too close to his music. The other night that changed because what I witnessed was a true performer. He only played four songs (all performers were limited to 15-20 minutes of playing time) but he kept the sold out crowd pleasently amused with his hip swaying antics.  He had a kind of Harpo Marx skip to him this evening without any in between song commentary.  I found out later in conversation with him that he hadn’t been speaking since December on doctors orders because of an excrescence in his throat. All of his words were conveyed to me via his handy notepad.  He even had a night light ready to to illuminate his writing in the dark pub we were drinking beers at. It was a strange exchange, but our conversation was much more direct and honest than talking over the loud chatter of drinkers would have allowed. And man, if you haven’t heard the Modern Lovers, Richman’s first band, go out and get it. Most of the album was produced by John Cale and featured musicians that later formed the Talking Heads and The Cars.  They only had one copy left at Amoeba Music yesterday.

It was my first time catching Mark Kozelek perform. He was every bit as depressed in person as his voice seems to project on recordings.  Don’t get me wrong, I love his music and I thought his shortened performance was strong. Perhaps he was a bit upset about Patton Oswalt mispronouncing his name when he was introduced, but I doubt it.

Here are some new folks that want you to hear their stuff. Good old fun punk from down under.  I especially like the length of the tunes, the longest a little bit over 3 minutes.  Reminds me of my old band, Patch (well at least the length of songs remind me of our stuff). They recently played a show with Mike Watt and the Stooges.  Could you imagine that? They do rock pretty hard and have a more refined and innovative punk sound than any bands I’ve heard lately.

We are Gallucci, soca punk band from convict hangout Sydney, Australia. Our new album is called “You-Wrecker” 21 performances by the above mentioned….I guess we just wanted to let you know that we exist and make sound, that is all.

That’s enough for me.  Thanks guys.  Here are some tunes for you perusal:

Gallucci : Stockade March
Gallucci : Pan, Pan, Pan
Gallucci : I Thought You Were Dead
Gallucci : Resc-You & Me