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!

The organic folk duo, Tidelands has just released a new EP entitled, Old Mill Park. This San Francisco based musical outfit incorporates acoustic folk and bluegrass with a down to earth indie rock sound. Out on Redgummy Records TODAY, this new album is breathing new life into traditional folk music. You can check out their single, Dog Named Bart below.

You can also check out their album release show at Underwood Café in Oakland on March 7th!

San Francisco based Beatles-esqe indie rock band, Cool Ghouls are playing their last show in San Francisco before they embark on an extensive month long national tour. After last year’s release of their current LP, A Swirling Fire Burning Through The Rye this crowd favorite of a band will be gracing The Chapel with their presence on March 4th along with San Francisco’s folktastic rock band, Sugar Candy Mountain and O, the band formally know as Black Cobra Vipers.

You may not be able to see Cool Ghouls play another local show for a while, so don’t sleep on this opportunity to see them perform!

San Francisco based self proclaimed "swamp funk" band, Hibbity Dibbity is gearing up to release their sophomore full length album, Tinctures, Potions & Elixirs! This popular band will be performing live at The Chapel in San Francisco on March 5th with the talented alt swing band, Royal Jelly Jive. As always, we encourage you to support local bands, particularly when they release albums. Help Bay Area music continue to thrive!

This show is going to be an energetic and super fun soiree. Don’t miss the excitement!

The San Francisco based garage rock band, The Stone Foxes have released a new single entitled Cold Like A Killer. This new track is a smoldering rock anthem that cooks and simmers, showcasing the band’s bold signature garage soul sound that is reminiscent of The Black Keys. We’re always happy to cover such a hard working band! If you like what you hear, you should attend their show at Leo’s in Oakland on March 7th!

The talented synth pop band, San Francisco based Panic Is Perfect has released their new EP, Behind Your Eyelids TODAY! Their new album is innovative and unique. We like this album because it grabs from different genres and sounds from international music as well as local and American pop rock music styles.

Initially formed when Mike Hoffman went to southern India to visit his long-time friend Jeremy Belzer, Panic is Perfect started out as an acoustic duo, traveling India by train with a backpack and broken guitar. Four months later, Jeremy joined Mike in San Francisco to officially pursue the band. Mike and Jeremy write and produce both independently and in collaboration. As multi-instrumentalists, they both play most of the instruments on their recordings. They each sing lead vocals on the songs that they contribute as writers, adding more diversity to the overall sound. The eventual additions of Ty Parker (drums), Joey Hassid (synth) and the newest member, 21 year old David Monzon (guitar) completed the 5-piece live band that bring Panic is Perfect to life onstage. 

You’ve got a chance to see Panic is Perfect perform live in San Francisco and at South by Southwest! Until then, check out their awesome music video for "Go Go Go", a single from their new album!

Panic Is Perfect On Tour

Feb 28- San Francisco, CA @ Slims
Mar 16- Austin, TX @ The Rattle Inn
Mar 18- Austin, TX @ Capitol Factory
Mar 20- Austin, TX @ Jackalope
Mar 21- Austin, TX @ Waterloo Ice House (w/Acoustic Minds)
Mar 27- San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge

San Francisco based experimental noise band, Impuritan will be performing at 50 Mason Social House in SF on Friday, February 27th. They will be supported by the SF based funk jam band, Tiny Massive, the Oakland based rock band The Daze and Nights and the psych blues rock band, Overland will be headlining the night. Head out to support this full local line up! Don’t miss this show!

It’s that time of year again! Noise Pop 2015 is putting on dozens of events all over the city and the East Bay. We’re here to share some choice shows of what is overall an amazing season of live music in the Bay Area. You can take our word from our highlighted events below, but we completely encourage you to check out Noise Pop’s Full Live Music Schedule so you can get a full picture of what is going on! Enjoy Noise Pop this year and do your best to experience every event you can!

Tuesday, February 24th

Rickshaw Stop
The Black Ryder
King Woman
Vinyl Williams
Creepers

Wednesday, February 25th

Brick and Mortar Music Hall
TV Girl
Monster Rally
Yalls
RZN8TR

Thursday, February 26th

Rickshaw Stop
Tony Molina
Nude Beach
Cold Beat
The Younger Lovers

Friday, February 27th

Fox Theater
Geographer
K.Flay
Empires
Bells Atlas

Saturday, February 28th

Bottom of the Hill
Cherry Glazerr
The Shivas
Dirt Dress
Rich Girls

Sunday, March 1st

Rickshaw Stop
Deafheaven
Bosse-de-Nage
Mortal Bodies
Cloak

The popular East Bay post punk band, Mall Walk will be performing live with fellow Bay Area based band, Dead Meat (Dead Meat recently moved to San Francisco from Miami, Fl.). The bill is eclectic due to the 50/50 local and out of town spilt. The influential Olympia/Seattle, Washington band, Naomi Punk will be traveling to play at Brick and Mortar Music Hall on March 11th, along with NYC based avant punk band, PC Worship.

Brick and Mortar is hosting a show that is bringing together bands from all over the US. Make your way out and support local and touring bands! DJ Al Lover will be spinning the night away between sets. Don’t miss this show!