Hemlock Tavern, a small bar that features great music acts, will be hosting a night of some bands bringing stylistic twists to the well-known rock and roll genre. Lemme Adams, who just released a new album, “Gorilla Back” this August, will be bringing some experimental psychedelic rock to the bill, bringing a trumpet and trombone twist to an otherwise eclectic daze sound. Hungry Skinny takes the classic blues rock sound and adds a dirty twist to it. Fox and the Law, coming from Seattle, bring a garage rock sound to the line-up, while mixing very unorthodox, but enchanting, vocals to the mix. Electric Shepherd, who just released their new single, “Glass Devil Blues,” use classic psychedelic riffs and breakdowns, a funky rhythm section, and a large amount of heavy drive to create their heavy psychedelic rock sound.

It’ll be a good night to catch some good ol’ rock n’ roll! Be sure to head on out! –Victor Casillas Valle

Congratulations to Bay Area based folk rock outfit, Buckeye Knoll for winning The Deli Magazine San Francisco‘s Artist of the Month Poll! The fans have spoken and we’re really excited to learn that this band came out on top with the most votes from the Deli readers! This polished and down-home folk rock outfit composes clean and traditional music that is hard to find in a world of ambiant and experimental underground music.

We encourage you to check out their great songs and attend Buckeye Knoll’s shows. We wish them the best on their musical endeavors! –jordannah elizabeth

San Francisco based musician, Sophia Knapp has just released an alternative version of Close To Me, which was released on her 2012 album Into The Waves. The new version, which takes on a funk aesthetic of the original, brings together a very catchy bass riff, a disco-esque sound, while cutting off the first half of the original song. This technique creates an overall dance-centric feel. While a bit different from her usual acoustic dreamy sound, it’s refreshing to see an artist take on such a huge change in sound and do it well.

Be sure to listen below and provide your feedback in the comment section to let us know what you think!– Victor Casillas Valle

Finding a steady middle ground between The Black Keys and QOTSA, Mt Hammer’s charmingly gritty vocals and reverberating guitar solos enrapture after the first listen. Formed in February 2011 in San Francisco, the duo brings a classic sound revamped to the table. Their track “John The Revelator” features an aggressive intro that grabs you by the shoulders and snaps you to attention, only to be sat back down once lead Alex McInturff contributes gospel-esque vocals (“Down to the river/ remind him of the day/that God came down in the cool of the day/he was naked and afraid”).

“Icarus” features a riveting guitar-led theme, accented by beautifully soulful lyrics reminiscent of Kurt Cobain (“Why would you want to be the one who lived behind the sun/why would you want to be the one who lived inside the sun”). Their premiere album also features a dark, revamped cover of “House of the Rising Sun” with an edge. Classically innovative and refreshingly grungy, Mt Hammer is hitting hard. – Kat Collins

The Night Light in Oakland will be bringing you a line-up TONIGHT of some great acts, including, our very own Assistant Editor, Jordannah Elizabeth! Jordannah Elizabeth brings together folk, psychedelia, and hints of R&B into one concoction full of encapsulating experimental sounds that get you lost in Elizabeth’s voice and dreamy instrumentation. Smoota, who just released his debut album “Fetishes” last month, truly delves into a myriad of genres. Just be sure to expect tons of organs & synths, a large amount of sound effects, and some great vocals provided by Smoota himself. Psychedelic punk band, Disappearing People, will also be taking to the stage, bringing some experimental lo-fi sounds to the bill. Lastly psychedelic rock band, Psychic Jiu-Jitsu, will be starting off the night.

Be sure to catch this great line-up of psychedelic and experimental bands. It’s something we highly recommend you don’t miss!

Check out electric soul wizard Danny James with his Once and Future Band at The Great American Music Hall this Thursday. The show is presented by Burger Records, who will make available two hundred vinyl copies of James’s new album PEAR for presale at the venue.

A former member of “Oakland’s only rock and roll band” The Cuts, James has returned to the local scene with a cosmic glam rock LP that sounds like it was beamed in from 1974 by way of the 5th dimension. Mixing elements of soul, garage, glam and psych pop, the music is decidedly retro while remaining surprisingly fresh and fun to listen to. Opening the night are SF groups Melted Toys and Cold Beat, who bring their own brand of atmospheric psychedelia to the party. So stop by the Great American Thursday to hear some new local music!- Ethan Varian

Brick and Mortar Music Hall will be hosting a show in celebration of Tricycle Records most recent compilation, Friends of Tricycle Records vol. III TONIGHT. The Hot Toddies are an all female band that combines the styles of sunshine pop vocals and indie rock distorted riffs into one great package of addictive sounds. The Tambo Rays bring a fresh twist to the cliché indie genre, bringing a mixture of female and male vocals, a tasteful amount of vocal delay, and a truly danceable sound. Kill Moi brings some fun instruments to the night, including an amazingly incorporated horn section, as well as a taste of indie alternative rock to the night. Odd Owl brings a bigger dance feel tonight, taking on a lighter indie sound but with a contagious rhythm. Lastly, booty house duo BLAUS will be filling in the night with a DJ set of their newest tunes from their album “Black + White”. 

This show is jammed full of good music from a number of different genres – which we really like. Don’t miss out! –Victor Casillas Valle

You can now preorder Polyvinyl Record’s upcoming compilation I Need You Bad, a collection of (mostly) San Francisco garage rock curated by Sonny Smith of Sonny & the Sunsets. The LP is set for 1000 pressings on “slime green” vinyl to be released along with a digital version on 11/26. The album features local bands including garage pop darlings Cool Ghouls, understated folk goddess Jessica Pratt as well as a new song from Sonny & the Sunsets. Preview a number of the tracks online at the Polyvinyl store and check back for new tracks to be debuted each week until the album’s release. –Ethan Varian

The incredibly popular and talented experimental indie musical outfit, Painted Palms has released a stellar new track entitled, Spinning Signs. Painted Palms is consistent in regards to releasing amazing tracks and this new song holds up to the high quality alt pop tracks and EPs this project has been sharing over the years.

Finally ready to release a full-length album on January 14th, Painted Palms is sure to not disappoint. Give Spinning Signs a listen and make sure you pick up the LP Forever as soon as it drops! –Jordannah Elizabeth

Congratulations to The Deli Magazine San Francisco‘s Artist of the Month Poll Winners, French Cassettes! The readers and fans have spoken, and this polished indie pop rock band has come out on top! On top of winning the Deli SF’s Poll, our editor in chief chose French Cassettes as the best band out of all the The Deli city’s poll winners to reign as the The Deli’s National Artist of the Month! We’re very excited for them and wish this hardworking band the best of luck and success in every endeavor they pursue.

You can catch the French Cassettes LIVE playing a residency every Tuesday at Amnesia with Black Cobra Vipers!

The Deli SF Editor,

jordannah

Stop in and celebrate the release of Upstairs Downstairs‘ new self-titled LP, as well as the start of Social Studies’ November residency at Brick & Mortar Music Hall, TONIGHT!

Upstairs Downstairs creates dreamy and dark sounds that leaves listeners and spectators trapped and entranced within their deep shoegaze compositional style. Social Studies, who will be taking over the venue for the next few Mondays to promote the recording of their new album, play some indie dance tunes to get you on the floor and moving. Tartufi brings a whole new meaning to the noise rock genre, and rely heavily on eloquent and carefully crafted use of instruments and enthralling vocals.

This show will be extremely diverse in sounds and emotions. It’ll be different, but absolutely interesting to check out! – Victor Casillas Valle

In celebration of Halloween, local garage punk rock bands will be taking over The Stork Club in Oakland as band counterparts. NOBUNNY, best known for his iconic bunny mask that is worn during performances, just released their album “Secret Songs: Reflections from the Ear Mirror” earlier this month and will be taking on the music of 60s rock and roll R&B artist, Bo Diddley. Shannon and The Clams, Oakland based woman fronted garage rock band, will be taking on the songs of 60s Peruvian garage rock band, Los Saicos. The Monster Women, an all-female 80’s/punk fused band based out of Eureka, CA, will be playing as memorable rock group, The Go-Go’s. Yogurt Brain, a lo-fi punk band based out of Oakland, will be playing as the iconic alternative rock band, Weezer.

The line-up for this show is going to be loud and fast in itself, but with the new identities each band will be taking, this show is one for the year. Be sure to celebrate your Halloween the right way – with some great local music! –Victor Casillas Valle