Wednesday, May 12th

Fuck Buttons and Clipd Beaks at Great American Music Hall [$16]

While Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion may have been the go-to critic's pick last year, Fuck Button's sophomore LP Tarot Sport was a more than worthy contender for 2009's album of the year. Armed with an array of drum machines and synths generally associated with electro, the duo inexplicably managed to create a post-rock masterpiece in the spirit of Mogwai, God Speed You Black Emperor! and Explosions in the Sky -- if you slept on this one, we strongly recommend giving it a listen. Be sure to catch the Bristol, England-based duo tonight at Great American Music Hall.

Other picks:

Beehive Spirit, Common Loon and Alright at Elbo Room [$6]

Neighbors, Organ Trail and Psychic Handbook at Uptown [free]

Jakob Dylan and Three Legs, Neko Case, Kelly Hogan and The Felice Brothers and honeyhoney at The Regency Ballroom [$25]

 

Thursday, May 13th

Rank/Xerox, Western Hymn and Awesomes at Eagle Tavern [$5]

We were pretty bummed when the news broke earlier this year that SoMa's famed Eagle Tavern was up for sale. Let's just hope the new owners don't do away with the legendary Thursday Nite Lite concert series -- with regulars like Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall and The Fresh & Onlys, it is easily one of the city's most consistently solid parties. This week's show features gritty post-punk revivalist Rank/Xerox, a rising local trio we expect big things from in the coming year.

Other picks:

Tempo No Tempo, Fake Drugs, Starfucker (DJ set), oOoOO (DJ set) and Bye Bye Blackbird (DJ set) at Milk [free - $5]

Goapele at New Parish [$22] Diane Birch and AM at Independent [$20]

Friday, May 14th

Starfucker, The Butterfly Bones, Silver Swans, Fake Drugs at Rickshaw Stop [$10]

Rickshaw Stop has quite the show lined up for us Friday night with Portland's electro-pop heroes Starfucker and 7x7 favorites Butterfly Bones -- this one is a guaranteed dance party. Bonus points for anyone who catches both NSFW-titled bands this week; triple-word-score if you also headed to Fucked Up last Sunday.

Other picks:

Snob Theater w/ Grand Lake, Michael Zapruder and comedians at Dark Room [$10]

Lucky Dragons and Eats Tapes at Berkeley Art Museum [$5]

Tortured Genies, Gravid Wives, The Lambs and Sean Smith at Amnesia [$5]

Saturday, May 15th

Oysterfest w/ Cake, The Raveonettes, Jackie Greene, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down at Great Meadow [$30]

This year's Oyster Fest boasts an unusually solid lineup with Sacramento legends Cake and the deservedly hyped locals Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. And you know what's better than pounding oysters while listening to the best in indie-pop? Doing so for a good cause -- proceeds from the event will be donated to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Other picks:

Casy and Brian at Red Devil Lounge [$10]

Gil Mantera's Party Dream, Triple Cobra and The Go-Going-Gone Girls at Bottom of the Hill [$10]

Converge, Coalesce, Lewd Acts and Black Breath at Slims [$16]

Sunday, May 16th

Clipd Beaks, Vampire Hands, Daughters of the Sun at Hemlock [$6]

While we will most likely be passed out somewhere in Golden Gate Park, Hemlock has an excellent show for those of you still looking to rage post-Bay to Breakers with Oakland's Clipd Beaks. The ever-so-unclassifiable band is getting nothing but love for their recently released LP To Realize -- think Drums Not Dead era Liars, with a sharp focus on the drums and drone.

Other picks:

Set Your Goals, Comeback Kid, Title Fight, The Story So Far at Slims [$16]