Music Music Music

Music Music Music

Lee Bob & The Truth Dumps on Google Glass, Plays A Show at Viracocha

— By Jack Morse (@jmorse_) |

In the lead up to the February release of their album The Truth, San Francisco’s Lee Bob & The Truth has been playing what amounts to a mini tour across the Bay Area. On top of four shows in the last two weeks, the band has an upcoming January 31st gig at the now legit Viracocha. Their music, which has a bluesy/rock and roll vibe, engages with San Francisco both obliquely and directly. An example of the latter is the single “Mission Breakdown,” which gets straight to it:

hope eternal in the shadow of the twitter sign
prosperity gospel all the way to the bread line
celebrity weekend at the start-up engine…
methadone clinic / soup kitchen
lookin’ pretty hip 16th & Valencia
on your first trip out to California

And in the same lyrical exploration of the New Mission, the band both calls attention to the exodus of artists from San Francisco and presciently suggests that Google’s face computers are best suited for the dustbin:

fifteen years it’s a split decision
tell my friends I’m leaving the mission
pack your trash you Google Glass
and your creepy vacant stare

Lee Bob & The Truth is also playing a free show in the Mission tomorrow night. The concert, which is going to be broadcast live on BFF.fm’s Cheetle Radio, starts at 7:00 PM. Tickets are free, and you can get on the list/find out the location by RSVP’ing to wink@hellocheetle.com. 

[Photo: Kaitlyn Miller]

Music Music Music

Don’t Miss This Show: Sean Hayes & Eric and Erica Hit The Independent Tonight and Tomorrow

— By Kyle Kelly-Yahner (@kylekellyyahner) |

This week, Sean Hayes and Eric + Erica set up shop at The Independent for a two night run. For Sean Hayes, the two night stint is a solidification of his spot as one of the top San Francisco songwriters. For Eric and Erica, it’s an opportunity to remind San Franciscans about the power duo, and its undeniable charm. Grab your tickets for the November 13th and 14th shows here.

Getting To Know Sean Hayes (Again)

Leading his band for over 20 years, Sean Hayes has toured with big wigs like Ani DiFranco, Aimee Mann, and Cold War Kids. His veteranship and tact comes across in his music now more than ever. 

Hayes knows the delicate balance of making music that’s accessible but far from pedestrian.  Sean drops in little stops and hooks to let you know that you’re not just inside some neo-soul song, you’re in his wheelhouse. What sounds groovy on record, absolutely erupts in a live performance.

Now reprising his latest 2012 record, Before We Turn To Dust, Hayes’ marks a departure from the gang vocals and bright guitar tones of his 2010 release Run Wolves Run. Hayes isn’t telling you how he feels these days- he’s telling you how things are. That translates into deeper backbeats, and overall more danceable tunes.  The confidence comes across in Hayes’ lyrics as well, as he sings on “Miss Her When I’m Gone”— “Time to pray or time to fight/ Time for howling / Drop a seed into the dirt / You’re wandering.” Adding, “Miss her when I’m gone / Got to make my money.”

Go on with your bad self, Sean Hayes. Make that money for your lady and your baby. We’ll be there watching.

Eric and Erika have a near depressing level of talent. If you watch them play, you’ll have the desire to either 1) go back and time and start playing music, 2) go practice, or 3) quit music all together. Where bands like Beach House use a waves of synth to cover up the more vulnerable parts of their tunes, Eric and Erika chase after those moments. They’re freakishly in sync in their tone, harmonies, and dynamics.

Take a look for yourself:

[Photo: Nathaniel Ray]