Not gonna lie. It’s a slow week on the local live music front, you guys. Of course, in San Francisco, that just means there’s a million good shows to see, as opposed to a bazillion, give or take.
Rogue Wave, Tuesday, Space 174
Oakland’s Rogue Wave has a new album out for the first time since 2009, and it’s time to celebrate. The album is called Nightingale Floors and they’ll be starting up the tour bus any day in support of it. The storied band continues to rely on jangly melodies and Zach Rogue’s thoughtful whispers and howls. We first fell for these local darlings back in 2007 when punk-emo gave way to a more sophisticated brand of dudes playing love songs. And our love has matured into dependence.
Crystal Fighters, Wednesday, Great American Music Hall
The Spanish band has some world-class catchiness in its arsenal, and they may have perfected the pop electro-rock algorithm. Here’s what Consequence of Sound had to say about their recent album Cave Rave: “(It) boasts some of the flat out catchiest tracks you’ll hear all year, and might just be the party album of the summer.” Lofty words. Decide for yourself:
Scott Weiland, Friday, The Fillmore
Good god, “Plush” is over 20 years old. That would make Scott Weiland … well let’s see…ah, that would make him old as dirt. The Former Stone Temple Pilots lead singer isn’t handling midlife all too well either. He had a bit of a meltdown at The Palms in Las Vegas over the weekend, but that’s pretty much part of why you see Scott Weiland these days. Kinda like going to a NASCAR race to see a crash. See the wreck-in-the-making for yourself, and pay homage to a shell of an alt-rock legend.
Parquet Courts, Friday, Rickshaw Stop
Brooklyn buzz band Parquet Courts has edge. Of course, you don’t. But good news! You can retrieve some of that lost swagger just by showing up at Rickshaw on Friday and letting the cool-kid indie rock rub off on your senses. The band’s 2012 album Light Up Gold is a good place to start your homework. Lo-fi energy abounds in songs like “Caster of Worthless Spells” and “Borrowed Time.”
Alkaline Trio, Sunday, The Regency Ballroom
Thirsty? Looking for a soundtrack to motivate the boozy devil within? For over a decade, Alkaline Trio has been inspiring toasts among punk rockers who gave up on the straight edge thing early. Not much has changed, other than the contents of our liver. The band’s output has been remarkably consistent for a bunch of dudes “drinking to keep from heaving,” as they sing on — what else? — “San Francisco,” a song they’re not allowed to not play here.
Follow @ChrisTrenchard for more words like these.
