MIST AND MAST
Mist and Mast
Oakland Petting Zoo; 2007

Mist and Mast's self-titled debut, released on their own Oakland Petting Zoo label, is an impeccably made indie folk rock record. Jason Lakis wrote and recorded the entire album himself during and after his time in The Red Thread, his now-defunct former band. Though Mist and Mast was entirely written and performed by one person, the record never gets stale or boring, and never plods its way through uninspired filler. Rather, it cleverly weaves a mix of styles and layers lush keyboards, bass, and guitars underneath Lakis'soft, almost whispery vocals so finely that the album sounds crafty and fresh throughout. ...

VOWS
Hotel Utah
Jan. 23, 2007

A four-band lineup is a lot to take in on a school night, and to make sure everyone got their stage time on Wednesday at the Hotel Utah, things had to start early. Unfortunately, that meant by 10pm when I arrived MasterSlashSlave had just finished their set. I was disappointed to have missed out on their drums, guitar, and synth jams, with Matt Jones shouting out over the top, describing and reliving fights with a thousand exes. MasterSlashSlave is onto their third drummer in as many years, and I always look forward to seeing how Matt and Serge, the new drummer, have coalesced their styles. ...

VOWS
Hotel Utah
Jan. 23, 2007

A four-band lineup is a lot to take in on a school night, and to make sure everyone got their stage time on Wednesday at the Hotel Utah, things had to start early. Unfortunately, that meant by 10pm when I arrived MasterSlashSlave had just finished their set. I was disappointed to have missed out on their drums, guitar, and synth jams, with Matt Jones shouting out over the top, describing and reliving fights with a thousand exes. MasterSlashSlave is onto their third drummer in as many years, and I always look forward to seeing how Matt and Serge, the new drummer, have coalesced their styles.

Seattle's Feral Children

Vows

It was almost Thursday morning before Vows took the stage. Right away I was thrilled by their cowboy hats and tucked-in button down rancher's shirts. It seemed like a nod to the Hotel Utah's western vibe, and though the hats were a bit cheeky, Vows really delivered on that classic Western rock sound. Their sound is like the Kinks' country-tinged work, with a more hard-edged psychedelic feel, but still within the boundaries laid down by bands like CSNY and the Byrds. Vows' mix of three vocalists, each taking turns leading songs and singing their homemade harmonies together, kept the set feeling fresh and lively. It really felt more like a party than a concert. A particular highlight was a song about the modern bohemians around the City; it suggested that Vows aren't putting on an act but that they're really living the West Coast country-psych-rock tradition.

[Jeff Bissell]

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[STREAM] The Vows: Various Tracks
[STREAM] Hazelden: Various Tracks
[STREAM] Feral Children: Various Tracks 

JUDGEMENT DAY
SILIAN RAIL
PARKER STREET CINEMA
The Hemlock Tavern
Jan. 24, 2008

A night of pure instrumental rock bliss: Parker Street Cinema and Silian Rail opening for Judgement Day ?!?!?! Fuck yes.

Judgement Day plays an acoustic set at The Hemlock.

THE BRUISES
Connected
Black Heart Blue Starr Music; 2008

Connected, The Bruises'new full-length album, will be released on January 22nd on their own Black Heart Blue Starr Music label. The album is a guaranteed fun time full of solid and entertaining pop punk tunes. ...

THE BRUISES
Connected
Black Heart Blue Starr Music; 2008

Connected, The Bruises'new full-length album, will be released on January 22nd on their own Black Heart Blue Starr Music label. The album is a guaranteed fun time full of solid and entertaining pop punk tunes.

Led by duel singer/songwriter/guitarists Jen Black and Aja Blue, The Bruises have shed their acoustic sound, plugged in, and cranked up the volume for Connected. Black & Blue (sorry, had to do it… it's how they got their name) showcase their respective talents by creating a polished, extremely catchy and listenable album full of hooks, memorable choruses, and ample guitar.

Comparisons to The Donnas, Sleater-Kinney and Teagan and Sara run rampant. But The Bruises don't have the angry edge of Sleater-Kinney; they remind me much more of The Donnas due to the sugary sweetness of the tracks on Connected. In all honesty, I'm not a Donna's fan. I like my rock less sweet pop and more dark, enraged, dirty, and edgy, so this album doesn't really speak to me. I could like it perhaps if it were a little more raw.

Jen Black and Aja Blue of The Bruises

[STREAM] The Bruises: Various Tracks and Video  

TIGON
SILIAN RAIL
JAPANDI
LANTERNS
PLANETS
The Bike Kitchen
January 11, 2008

Friday night's show at the Bike Kitchen started with the frightening and pummeling onslaught of the band Planets. Planets is a two man band from Napa who play heavy instrumental math and prog rock using drums, bass and some sound effects. They wore full-body white spandex suits and screened creepy videos throughout. Each song featured amazingly technical bass playing that was dark and melodic while the drummer went ballistic on his white-painted kit with a hardcore intensity. Everything was played extremely clean and tight and the audience was staring with slack jaws at the bassist's Steve Vai-style two handed tapping and the drummer's uncanny sense of rhythm as, in a blur, his arms produced incredibly delicate poly-rhythms. The sound effects and visuals during their few quiet moments only created suspense for the next blast of pounding industrial drums and demented frenetic bass. ...

TIGON
SILIAN RAIL
JAPANDI
LANTERNS
PLANETS
The Bike Kitchen
January 11, 2008

Friday night's show at the Bike Kitchen started with the frightening and pummeling onslaught of the band Planets. Planets is a two man band from Napa who play heavy instrumental math and prog rock using drums, bass and some sound effects. They wore full-body white spandex suits and screened creepy videos throughout. Each song featured amazingly technical bass playing that was dark and melodic while the drummer went ballistic on his white-painted kit with a hardcore intensity. Everything was played extremely clean and tight and the audience was staring with slack jaws at the bassist's Steve Vai-style two handed tapping and the drummer's uncanny sense of rhythm as, in a blur, his arms produced incredibly delicate poly-rhythms. The sound effects and visuals during their few quiet moments only created suspense for the next blast of pounding industrial drums and demented frenetic bass.

The Planets pretty nearly stole the show. The band that followed, the Lanterns, had an uphill battle because their emo rock jams couldn't help but sound like a wet noodle compared to the Planets. But they quickly loosened up and the crowd got used to their SoCal party vibe (they'd driven up from San Diego) and they gave a solid performance. Their sound was cool but familiar, shouted lyrics and wall-of-sound guitars that swell to "epic" melodies before fading out. By the time their set finished, the place was packed and the Lantern’s were really happy and grateful to the Bike Kitchen and everyone who came out.

The Bike Kitchen is a rad place with a sweet location. Outside the night was cold and clear and groups of people poured out onto Laskie St, an alley between 8th & 9th off Mission, for a smoke and to chat while still being able to hear the music clearly. It was from out on Laskie St. where I listened to Janpandi, another San Diego group who probably felt their 500 mile drive was worth it to play for such an enthusiastic all-ages crowd. Japandi has an angular guitar-driven sound that's melodic but not in a cheerful way. Their chopped up sound reminded me of the Battles and was probably better suited to match up with Planets.

Silian Rail

[STREAM] Silian Rail: Various Tracks