Like we said this past Wednesday, we we had extremely high hopes for Elephant 6's return to our city. We're not quite sure where to start, seeing as the night was filled with a spontaneity that definitely topped most of the shows we've ever attended, and it most definitely took the cake for best show we've ever seen at the Vera. more ›

People are strange. They say Ann Coulter is funny. They pay a $20 cover to have a conversation in a club. At the Showbox a few weeks ago, we saw Lavender Diamond, opening for the New Pornographers, cut their set short after telling the audience it was hard to play with all the talking going on. So we were worried heading back to the Showbox for the Jose Gonzalez/Tiny Vipers show because neither of them promised to be able to crush a babbling crowd into submission like the Pornographers could, and did. more ›

While you are now officially unable to see Hootie and the Blowfish this weekend in Roslyn, WA (get well soon, Hoots), next week offers a great show at the High Dive. And it's on a Wednesday night, so you don't have to contend with the mongrel hordes and/or white-capped frat boys that inhabit the Fremont environs every weekend. more ›

Note for any aspiring musicians: if you're going to have a schtick, you'd damn well better pull it off. A few weeks ago we saw Datarock, and while they weren't our thing, the energetic party band vibe was only increased with the matching red custom track suits. Last week we saw The Pipettes, who playfully mimic the girl groups of the sixties with pop songs about love, sex, and boys (the fact that they're all hot helps a bit too). And Wednesday night we saw The Horrors, the UK "it" band more famous for who did their video (Chris Cunningham, creator of those demented Aphex Twin videos) than they are for their music. With shows like this one that's definitely set to change. more ›

There is no show we recommend more this week than the British Sea Power's Wednesday night gig at Neumo's. They are one of our favorite new bands. Their 2003 CD, 'The Decline of British Sea Power' has pretty much been in solid < product placement>iPod rotation since we first got it. While they are often compared to Joy Division (or Interpol for the younger set), we like to think of them as a British version of the Decemberists only with more rock and cuter accents (sorry, Decemberists, your accents are very cute too). They are one of the best live bands on the current indie scene and should not be missed. more ›

Man, oh man there is some good live music this weekend. more ›