Tis the season to blow off some steam: year-end round up

Oh the holidays.... crowds of irate shoppers cramming on to MUNI, evenings at company parties being forced to socialize with your jackass of a boss, and a seeming eternity spent with your nagging family who just wants to know when you're gonna settle down and get married.  Who doesn't need to blow off a little steam this season?

WE DO! And so the SW team is rounding up the best bet live music events that are guaranteed to help you survive all the frustrations and annoyances that will have you stressed out from now to New Years! 

Wednesday, December 14th

What better way to get started than checking out the live weekly showcase of local bands at Oakland's The Uptown sponsored by UC Berkeley's student radio station KALX 90.7 This week sees an indie/punk line-up featuring SW faves Tokyo Raid, The Shell Corporation, and the Third Victim of Abigail Rutledge. Doors open at 9Pm and there's no cover ( it doesn't get much better than that!)

Thursday December 15th

On the softer but still very soul satisfying side, we recommend Love Inks,  Melted Toys and Tidelands at The Hemlock Tavern in SF. If ethereal melodies, and organic beats of these three up-and-comers don't comfort, it's possible that  nothing will.  Doors at 9PM,  $8 in advance at Brown Paper Tickets.

Friday December 16th

Hardcore holiday angst requires a hardcore band; enter D.R.I at Slim's in  San Francisco.  Thrash punk icons since the 80's this band will definitely channel your aggression out. Doors @8PM, $17.00 - ALL AGES SHOW

Sunday, December 18th 

So you say you barely lived through your high school prom?  Have a major do-over at The San Francisco Rock Project, Winter Holiday Rock Prom and Auction. A live music extravaganza benefiting the San Francisco School of rock, the Holiday Prom and Auction will feature live performances by Victim's Family with JELLO BIAFRA, Ty Segall, SFRP students and a bevy of surprise musical guests. And for an added level of fun, the whole thing will be MC'd by 'MythBusters' personality and epic Dublin Cannon Ball launcher, Adam Savage. $20 in advance via Eventbrite. $25 at the door should tickets be available. 

Tuesday, December 20th

As the popularity of Dubstep starts to spread from its original London launching pad, SF continues to see more and more appearances by the genre's biggest DJs. Sunset Promotions continue to push the genre as they bring Caspa to Mezzanine with support from An-ten-nae and Ritual Dubstep DJs. Tickets are $20 in advance.

Wednesday, December 21st

Prolific house/breaks producer and remixer KraftyKuts will be at Mighty with Oakland's DJ Zeph and Motion Potion for Sunset SF's customer appreciation bash. Doors are at 9 and is free with an RSVP or $5 on the door.

Thursday, December 22nd

SF local turned superstar producer, Gorillaz member, and Handsome Boy Dan The Automator will be holding court at Rickshaw Stop to help Popscene spread some seasonal cheer with their Xmas Gala. Tickets are $10/$12 on the door is is 18+.

Wednesday, December 28th

In a round-up that's all about blowing off steam and having a little non-family fun, how can we not point out that Cracker and  Camper Van Beethoven  are coming to the Independent in SF!  Doors @7Pm, $25 in advance via the official venue page. 

Thursday, December 29th

Punk/Pop/Tribute rockers Malice Cooper, Punk Floyd and The Trouble With Monkeys take over Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. Doors @  8PM, $8.

Bay Area fans of drum & bass and dubstep should get themselves to Ruby Skye to catch NERO as they tour to support the US release of their critically acclaimed album Welcome Reality. Doors are at 9 and arrive early as this show is selling out quickly.

and on New Years Eve...

Let's face it, New Years is pretty much amateur night , with huge covers, packed crowds and tons of desperate drunks, so why even bother going out?  Well, this NYE there are several local bands playing at off the radar clubs all over the Bay Area , bands that kick ass and shouldn't be missed including:

Lee Presson and the Nails at The Uptown in Oakland- local legends of the gothpunk/swimg sound that defined San Francisco for over a decade Lee Presson and the Nails join forces with equally iconic  natives The Hubba Hubba Revue, Dolls of Doom and Rubenesque Burlesque for vintage celebration, and lots of complimentary bubbles at midnight.  Tickets are $15 via ticket web. 

 

Also on NYE: Party like it's 1995 with PRIMUS: Hawaiian Hukilau at Slim's. If you haven't seen these punk/funk instigators in ages, now is the time. $65 in advance while available.

AND in Berkeley: all punks, baby and old school types alike, whether you knew it as "The Gilman Street Warehouse" "Gilman" or "924 Gilman" it's time to reunite ( or ignite) your punk rock roots and celebrate 25 years of  real independent music in the Bay Area.  The NYE show features a reunion performance from Bay Area based Fifteen, Short Change, The Blanks and a few very special surprise guests (knowing the club's history expect something BIG). Doors at 6PM, $10 ALL AGES.