The San Francisco based, goth-surf punk band, The Tunnel will be performing live at Hemlock Tavern on April 1st. They’ll be sharing the bill with the SF based alternative experimental noise band, Buzzmutt and Providence, Rhode Island based noise rock band The Ukiah Drag. This is going to be an awesomely weird show that you shouldn’t miss. Noisy, thrashy, off kilter, alternative underground experimental rock and roll will dominate your ears at this show on April Fool’s Day. What more can you ask for?

Experimental art pop musician, Lila Rose has released a new music video for her single, World on Fire from her upcoming full length album, WE.ANIMALS.. World on Fire is an intense video showcasing distinct imagery that can be considered reminiscent, if not direct nods to ’90s music videos like R.E.M’s Losing My Religion and Nirvana’s Heart Shape Box. The main difference in World on Fire are the feminine archetypes replacing traditionally masculine images of Christian and pagan belief systems.

This video is intense and Rose exudes a Sinaed O’Connor-esque presence and reveals herself in different elemental environments – fire and water. We like booming and bold art music videos as much as any other music lover. Check out Lila Rose’s World on Fire and look out for her upcoming album, WE.ANIMALS. which is due out on April 14th.

Rose wrote a personal note about her video:

"For me, the song World on Fire was written from a deep love and care and tenderness I’ve always felt for the environment, for the Earth, for the Holiest of Holy Mothers- the one we, and all our beautiful animal creatures could not survive without.

The song for me starts as a communication to Our Mother (the Earth), but then turns into a conversation with our fellow animal human people about what we are doing to our planet (destroying it essentially). The idea was to take the darkness and intensity the song brings forth musically and lyrically, and transform it into a sweet and loving moment, which is to me, the whole point of the song. "Can we hold this softly, this lovingly"… can we hold the Earth in a good, kind, loving, and gentle way? That is my plea, that is my message here with this song.

The video for the new song, World On Fire was largely envisioned by Daniel Garcia, my collaborator in just about everything art related. He brought up the idea of shooting under water, because of course, our Earth is mostly made up of water, and so are we. The video is basically a collage of my envisioned symbology and imagery of the story we are telling from the beginning with a water filled world (symbolized by a boiling flask most appropriately), to a slowly evaporating heated environment, to a space void of water, and only filled with darkness and fire. The video shows the disconnect, and the connect which can be there in a more human sense, in order to demonstrate the message we are sharing about our planet, and if one wanted to get really literal about it: global warming. This was a wonderful, fun, but intense video to shoot- it’s really really hard to breath under water- I just couldn’t do it (imagine that)!"

San Francisco based singer/songwriter and rock guitar aficionado, Mark Nelsen has curated a musical tribute night dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Smashing Pumpkins album, Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness. Nelsen has named the event Mellon Collie Unplugged: 20 Years of Infinite Sadness and will perform with an all star ensemble of Bay Area musicians including members of The Love Dimension, Void Boys, Gold Minor, Cannons & Clouds and more.

Mellon Collie Unplugged: 20 Years of Infinite Sadness will reinterpret the softer, more acoustic compositions from the 28-song Billy Corgan-penned opus, but will also feature some deep cuts and heavy surprises.

This unique special event will take place at Viracocha on Wednesday, April 8th. This wood paneled music venue is set in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District but upholds a rustic and intimate vibe and setting that is perfect for experiencing this extended and intentionally crafted show. Mark Nelsen puts a lot of time into his live compositions and is a talented arranger. Mark Nelsen & In The Fade are going to outdo themselves with this one.

The San Francisco based soul-gaze band, Future Twin will be performing live at Rickshaw Stop on April 7th. The band will be supporting the veteran 4AD Records experimental rock band, His Name is Alive who are touring in celebration of their 25th anniversary. This Michigan based music duo is totally legendary so it’s pretty cool that they’re coming through the Bay Area to play! Also, do your best not to miss the Oakland based ethereal rock band, Golden Drugs‘ performance that night. Their music is very chill and creative. All the bands are of super high quality. You won’t regret checking this show out!

The mod revivalist band, The Electric Magpie recently lost most of their gear and personal items in San Antonio, TX. They’ve put together an Indiegogo campaign to recoup the financial loss they experienced on their SXSW tour. A list of what they lost is posted below. If you see anything in San Antonio give them a shout at theelectricmagpie@gmail.com.

-Fender Mustang (white with red pickguard)
-Fender Telecaster (natural light wood, old and dirty, with added switches on the control panel)
-Nord 73 key organ
-Squire Jazz Bass (new,white with red pickguard)
-Old silver memory man, (2 prong cord attached, scratched up with a high pitch hum)
-Ibanez classic flange
-Electro Harmonix cathedral
-Fuzz Factory
-Boss tuning pedal
-Spaun snare drum (black and gold)
-Peter’s suitcase full of dozens of fantastic floral shirts and such

You can contribute to the band’s Indiegogo campaign HERE. Please pay it forward and help The Electric Magpie!

San Francisco based indie pop band, Smiles will be performing at Hemlock Tavern on April 12th. If you like Brian Jonestown Massacre and Jesus and Mary Chain, you’ll really enjoy checking this band out. Sub Pop Records artists, Strange Wilds will be traveling through from the northwest to headline the show with an oh so noisy and grungy set while Kiss Cam will perform their punky surf sounds!

Sometimes you have to keep it a little noisy and very underground to get your local music fix. Head down to Hemlock Tavern on April 12th to fulfill your independent rock addictions!

Hemlock Tavern is hosting a solid (mostly) local line up on April 18th. San Francisco based shoegaze band, Balms will headline the bill. East bay kraught rock band, Night Shapes and Olympia, Washington based no wave band, No Body will perform to round out the line up. Show up early to catch the SF based dreampop rock group, Sea Knight open the show.

This is simply going to be an awesome event that flows perfectly. Each band’s sound blends well with one another. This is a well curated show that you should definitely experience!

Kymberli’s Music Box Presents a stellar line up at Rickshaw Stop on March 23rd. San Francisco based garage surf rock band, Hot Flash Heat Wave will be supporting a national/international bill starting with Portland’s Daydream Machine. Daydream Machine is an awesome shoegaze band that has consisted of members of Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Warlocks. Headlining the event will be HINDS (formally known as Deers). The mellow, all female surf rock band from Madrid, Spain will tear down the house amidst their SXSW tour.

If we said it once, we’ve said it one million times: be a little voyeuristic and take a chance on seeing a unique line up that won’t ever be duplicated. The fun of living in the Bay Area is checking out local bands who move and shake and mix and match with bands from all over the world. On top of that, Kymberli of Kymberli’s Music Box is celebrating her 10th anniversary of putting on amazing psych and shoegaze shows. Head out and celebrate! Check out HINDS, Daydream Machine and Hot Flash Heat Wave at Rickshaw Stop on March 23rd!

Trans Van Santos (bka Mark Matos) will always and forever be a fixture of the San Francisco music scene. Throughout this transient season of his artistic career, he has managed to compose a score for a new James Franco documentary called I Think You’re Totally Wrong, signed a record deal with Royal Oakie Records and released a full album entitled, Moon Mirage. Not half bad for an artist who had to jump in a van and roam away from the Bay Area for a couple of years to truly find his way back.

Matos’ album release show will take place on March 28th at Amnesia Music Hall in the Mission District of San Francisco. We suspect he’ll be playing a long and heady set with his revolving door of west coast/Bay Area musicians. This time, the band will feature a very special guest, longtime Patti Smith guitarist Oliver Ray. Trans Van Santos will be in full celebration and performing the entire night…at least we don’t see a supporting act on the bill, which is a-okay with us.

It’s never smart to miss a Mark Matos show, but this one is a pretty triumphant event. Head down to show and enjoy the psych-folk vibes and cozy atmosphere of Amnesia. –je

The San Francisco based folk band, Hidden in the Sun has recently experienced a jolt of success. Reeling from their widespread exposure from NPR Music, the band has recorded and released a music video for their single, San Francisco Blues from their full length debut album, Seven Seasons. The video was locally shot at the cozy, underground acoustic music venue Viracocha and gives you a chance to watch this ensemble of musicians give a great performance on the night of their album release show.

The blending of beautiful vocals, the song’s smooth blues folk instrumental vibe and the excitement of the audience makes you feel like you’re in the room while watching this video. Get a taste of this stellar live performance and keep your eyes on this local musical outfit for their future endeavors.

Pass Go and Counter Culture Management are putting on a showcase featuring three cool local bands at El Rio this week! If you’re into somewhat odd and invigorating indie alternative rock music, you should go to this show. Bear Lincoln will headline the night and Bay Area based Zip Zilch Nada will support the line up along with the titillatingly experimental electro rock band, Heart Sweats. It all goes down on Thursday, March 12th!

This is another uber local line up and these bands need your support to have a successful show. Check out the music and if it’s your cup of tea, roll down to El Rio and show your face!

San Francisco based art rock band, Growwler will be performing live at their album release show at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on March 12th. The impressive psych/experimental line up will include: Cellar Doors, Golden Void and JJAAXXNN.

We’re premiering a new song from Growwler’s upcoming full length album, Even Tenor called Song of Songs pt ii (got to be-good). This song is free to stream, but if you pre-order the album on either “sunburst” colored vinyl, CD or digital format, you’ll get an instant download of this track! Sounds like a good deal!

Listen to Growwler‘s awesome new single, Song of Songs pt ii (got to be-good) and enjoy the sludgy underground rock sound that will blare from your speakers!