Live This Month: December 2014
December traditionally feels like something of a subdued month for live music, what with all of the holiday parties and holiday travel that consume so much of the month for so many of us. This year, however, there are plenty of bands hitting the road for December shows in S.F. Heck, New Year's Eve alone is a veritable bonanza for indie music fans. In this mix, we've included a track from The Juan MacLean, who will be DJing at the Mezzanine, but all of San Francisco's venues seem to be offering standout shows to ring in the new year.
Before NYE, though, consider seeing Dream Police, the electronics-assisted side project of Mark Perro and Nick Chiericozzi from The Men. Sacred Bones Records describes it as "future primitive psychedelia," which sounds pretty accurate and pretty good to us. Speaking of groups aided by electronics, A Winged Victory For The Sullen's second full length, Atomos, finds the duo of Adam Wiltzie (Stars Of The Lid) and pianist Dustin O'Halloran employing synths to supplement their spacious orchestral compositions.
On the louder side of things, if you like heavy shoegaze music, Creepers is a local band to definitely check out. The group includes Deafheaven members Shiv Mehra and Daniel Tracy, and recently released Lush on local label All Black Recording Company. Cotillon recently relocated to SF from LA. Bandleader Jordan Corso previously spent time here with his band while recording their debut LP with producer JR White, and the group's next local show is a Burger Records holiday party. Oh, and, on the subject of holiday shows, we're co-presenting a Rock n Roll Holiday Spectacular on December 17, which is a great opportunity to catch some excellent local bands, including bAd bAd, who we've included in this mix.
Enjoy the podcast and then go see some concerts!
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About the bands:
Dream Police - "Hypnotized"
Performing at the Brick & Mortar Music Hall on December 6 and Leo's on December 7.
Lecherous Gaze - "New Distortion"
Returning from Europe, the Oakland band hits the Make-Out Room on December 4 and The Knockout on December 16.
Mystic Braves - "Bright Blue Day Haze"
The band headlines The Chapel on December 27, with The Abigails, The Electric Magpie, Pearl Charles.
Francisco The Man - "Big Ideas"
Joined by locals Luke Sweeney and Hot Flash Heat Wave at the Rickshaw Stop on December 10.
A Winged Victory For The Sullen - "Atomos VII"
On December 16, Hildur Gudnadottir opens for AWVFTS at The Independent.
Tashaki Miyaki - "I Came"
At the Brick & Mortar Music Hall on December 10 with Cool Ghouls, K.Skeleton, and Al Lover.
Cotillon - "Before"
Cotillon plays the "Burger Records Holiday Bash" at The Chapel on December 6.
Tennyson - "You're Cute"
The electronic duo joins Ryan Hemsworth, The Bilinda Butchers, and DJ Dials; see them at The Independent on December 11.
The Juan MacLean - "I've Waited For So Long"
Coming to the Mezzanine for a DJ set on New Year's Eve; Cut Copy and Saint Pepsi also perform.
bAd bAd - "i don't use gel i don't use mousse"
Performing at The Bay Bridged's Rock n Roll Holiday Spectacular at Leo's on December 17 with Happy Diving, Cocktails, and Michael & The Strange Land.
American Football - "Never Meant"
The reunited emo pioneers will appear on December 11 (with David Bazan) and 12 (with The Dodos) at The Fillmore.
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Creepers - "Stuck"
The SF band plays with Dissolve and Shmu at Hemlock Tavern on December 14.
Foie Gras - "Wants You In That Way"
Local artist Foie Gras headlines Bottom of the Hill on December 18; Modern Man and Kid Trails also perform.