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10 for '10 : A look back at the top Sacramento concerts of the year

2010-12-29T06:03:20Z

As my good friends in Dr. Dog would say, “Where’d All the Time Go?”

Like most concert junkies out there, it’s easy to look back on 2010 and think about the concerts that I should have gone to but didn’t, for whatever reason popped up that kept me on the couch with my blankie and watching “Friends” reruns. Tight budget? Hangover? General lameness? They all showed up at one point or another.

But New Year’s is always a time for reflection on the year past, for looking ahead at what’s to come, and making stupid “go to the gym more” promises that will fizzle out in a cloud of whiskey and Häagen-Dazs by mid-January.

With that in mind, let’s take a look back at some of the best concerts of 2010 in Sacramento. Needless to say, I can only speak intelligently (?) to the ones that I actually attended. Henceforth, I’ll employ a little help from the archives of Sac Press’ Lindol French, the only guy I know who is more juiced on live music in this town than I am.

I’ve taken the liberty of ranking the shows from ten all the way up to number one, because everyone loves a good top ten list, right?

We’ll also check out a few names that are slated to come to town in the early goings of 2011. Happy New Year, Sactown!

10. Neil Young Tribute Show – While it’s nearly impossible to tag local bands for this list, given the frequency with which they play, this show easily deserves top-ten billing for its collaborative tour de force of Sactown talent. Although a rogue out-of-towner closed it out, the locals’ takes on Neil Young’s catalog were bone rattling, with highlights coming from Reggie Ginn (“Like a Hurricane”), Saucer (“Down By the River,” “Rockin’ in the Free World”) and David Houston (“Southern Man”). It was a tale of two halves, with some majorly random Young tunes filling up the early goings, and his classics like “Old Man” and “Harvest Moon” bringing home a juggernaut of a tribute show. (Harlow’s, mid-November).

9. Trombone Shorty – I missed this gig, but had the pleasure of seeing him about a month prior in Petaluma, and it can be safely said that Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews is one of the most enigmatic performers out there, melding jazz, funk, soul and rock into a hip-blasting package. Let’s hope he follows up on his recent Sacto appearances, now that he appears to be on the cusp of a huge breakout – performing on NFL Network with Dave Matthews Band will do that. (Harlow’s, mid-September).

8. Matisyahu – It’s amazing that we’ve come to a point where people will complain about something that’s free, but many attendees of the Jewish Heritage Festival were noticeably restless when featured performer Matisyahu (a bit of a notorious diva) dragged his feet in arriving at the steps of Capitol Mall for his promised afternoon performance. A performer that normally charges around $50 a head, and we’re upset because he didn’t start his free show on time? Hmmmm. Nagging aside, a graying Matisyahu and accompanying guitarist DP Holmes (of Dub Trio) put on a spiritually transcendent show for a packed crowd in the springtime sun. This was a treat of rare proportions in Sacramento – and we’re not just talking about seeing a major music star answer his cell phone mid-performance. Classic! (Capitol Mall, early May)

7. Band of Horses – It’s hard to reconcile yourself with the fact that Band of Horses just will not turn loose on their tunes and jam them out; all their songs are played pretty much totally by the book in concert. With that said, their crooning pop rock and Americana energy makes their concerts a familiar delight, performed with razor-sharp precision. Good luck seeing them at any venue smaller than Arco Arena any time soon. (UC Davis Freeborn Hall, late May)

6. The Silent Comedy – At this point it’s fair to say that this band of San Diego juke joint ruffians has found a second home in Sactown, with a brand of rowdy Prohibition indie rock that has made gigs at the Shady Lady a thematically natural fit. They slaughtered “Helpless” at the aforementioned Neil Young tribute, and biggest ups from a busy year from the 619 to the 916 go to their Sunday night hoedown at Old I’s over Labor Day weekend. After tearing down the walls, they shook some hands, kissed some babies, packed up the van, and scampered immediately out to catch last call at the Shady…just as it should be. Everybody at the bar say “amen!” (Old Ironsides, early September)

5. G. Love & Special Sauce – Although hampered by a mid-week midnight curfew, the one-of-a-kind hip hop and blues fusion of Garrett Dutton and the Sauce was in its usual fine form at his first Sacramento stop in four years. Mark Boyce was a sniper with his soul charged keyboard work, and Timo Shanko has melded in nicely with group in replacing the departed Jimi “Jazz” Prescott, but it is Dutton’s casually cool bluesman attitude and funk-charged emcee energy that made this performance sizzle. Just another day at the office for this veteran performer. (Harlow’s, mid-February)

4. Soulive – Lindol French had you covered on this one – for my money, any Soulive show in the era beyond their failed attempt at including a vocalist is a winner. The brothers Evans and guitar diety Eric Krasno are impossible to not discuss in the conversation of most talented jazz acts on the planet. (Harlow’s, mid-December)

3. Truth & Salvage Co. – Call this the “lifetime achievement” award for the year, as these cats from North Carolina swung through town three times this year, twice as an opener, and finally as a headliner, aided by digital persuading by two Sac Press writers who were delusional enough to think that they actually had something to do with it. From the opening notes of “Hail Hail,” they grabbed a small but enthusiastic early-Saturday rainy evening crowd by the throat and did not let go. “Smitty” and the gang also spent plenty of time out hobnobbing with the crowd, signaling that their budding fling with Sacramento might turn into a full-on tryst in 2011. (Harlow’s, early December)

2. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – This one somehow flew under the radar, but you will seldom see Harlow’s so packed with a crowd that was not quite “metal,” but hard rock enough to counter the usual crop of trend-trolling revelers. This trio’s energy when playing live is lamentably underrated, as they pumped song after song of throwback hard rock energy (Johnny Cash meets Johnny Ramone) into a foreboding tower of speakers and amps, playing for well over two hours worth of blood-in-the-mud rock and roll. You haven’t really had your ass kicked by a concert if you’re not sweating bullets when you leave with ears humming. Wowza! (Harlow’s, mid-February)

1. The Avett Brothers – Ultimately, this was a no-brainer. There is something special about Seth and Scott Avett; they’re the kind of band that will keep you constantly invigorated with their show even if you’ve never heard a single song before. The songwriting is honest, the passion cascading over the walls of any hall they choose to play. Seeing them play live in a sit-down venue is a bit like going into the Sistine Chapel and not looking up; getting on your feet and letting it loose to their rock-heavy bluegrass wiles is just part of the gig. But when one person decided to open the floodgates towards the end of the show as they played “Laundry Room,” everything was right in the world again. Very few bands with their relatively short history will sell out the Crest – this show made believers out of the new initiates and resonated heavily for weeks afterwards. They came for salvation, they came for family, they came for all that’s good, that’s how they walk away. (Crest Theatre, late April)

There you have it, this was your best of 2010. Will one of these shows below make the 2011 list? Who knows? Expect to see more on most if not all of the following acts in upcoming Sactown Rundowns. Cheers!

UPCOMING SHOWS:

30 Seconds to Mars with Middle Class Rut – Jan. 16, UC Davis Freeborn Hall
Ra Ra Riot – Jan. 22, Harlow’s
Dawes – Feb. 1, UC Davis Odd Fellows Lodge
Social Distortion with Lucero – Feb. 1, UC Davis Freeborn Hall
Clutch – Feb. 1, Harlow’s
John Scofield – Feb. 11, Mondavi Center
Sugar & Gold – Feb. 12, Blue Lamp
Hot Buttered Rum – Feb. 18, Marilyn’s on K
Cobra Skulls – Feb. 18, Luigi’s Fungarden
ALO – Feb. 19, Harlow’s
The Stone Foxes – Feb. 23, Powerhouse Pub
The Concretes – March 3, Blue Lamp
Joe Buck Yourself – March 4, Blue Lamp
Kaki King – March 6, Harlow’s

Matisyahu, Grandpa. Grandpa, Matisyahu.

2010-05-06T03:20:10Z

The world’s most popular reggae singer came to Sacramento Sunday and played a show in front of 4,000 ecstatic fans.

This, in and of itself, doesn't seem like it would be all that noteworthy. Big stars play shows in Sacramento, if not all the time, at least semi-frequently. I mean, John Mayer is coming to the Sleep Train Amphitheater in August, right? And Carrie Underwood is coming to Arco in a couple of weeks.

But Matisyahu, the Jewish reggae artist whose album, "Bright Side of Life," has been at the top of Billboard’s reggae charts for six weeks, didn't play at Arco for $45 a seat, or Raley Field for 35 bucks a pop, or even Harlow's for 18 a ducat. He played for free, on the Capitol steps, at the Jewish Heritage Festival.

His opening acts? An eco-friendly fashion show, the L.A. Israeli Youth Dance Team and a raffle drawing. To be fair, a juggler, a face painter and Kings’ Mascot Slamson were also running around, but they spent most of their time in the Kids Zone, so I don't really count them as openers.

When I first heard that Matisyahu would be playing a free show on the Capitol steps, I flat-out did not believe it. "You're lying," I commented on a friend’s Facebook post. The man is an international superstar. He's gonna play a free show at a small heritage festival? Yeah, right. Weird Al Yankovic, maybe, but Matisyahu? Not a chance.

I arrived around 1:15 in the afternoon and got confirmation that the Hasidic beatboxer was, in fact, coming, and the performance would start at 3:15.

My next thought was that someone in Sacramento must have compromising photos of the reggae star. Now, this theory is still entirely plausible, but I no longer consider it likely.

I wandered around the west steps of the Capitol, taking in what was an otherwise average heritage festival:

-Informational booths for places like Hillel, Chabad, Knesset Israel Torah Center, European Wax Center and, of course, The Sacramento Press.

-Food carts, heavy on the falafel.

-A street market featuring vendors selling arts, crafts, clothing and specialty foods, including 2 artisan honey vendors.

-A rock climbing wall, bungee basketball, a blow-up slide and other carnival-type attractions in the kid zone.

When I got there, the crowd was about what you'd expect at a Jewish heritage festival. There were a lot of families, a fair amount of seniors and a gaggle of kids. Nothing out of the ordinary. Everybody was in a celebratory mood, smiling and happy. I was often asked enthusiastically about my shirt, which spelled out "Temple Alameda" in Hebrew. No one seemed the least bit disappointed when I explained sheepishly that I was, in fact, a goy, and wore it for solidarity. Actually, I ended up being invited to more than one upcoming Shabbat dinner.

The only inkling of the concert to come was a smattering of hippy-looking kids and a few dreadlocked truststafarians floating around. But as 3 o'clock approached, the demographic began to shift...dramatically.

Kids on skateboards and BMX bikes started streaming in around 2:30 p.m. Next came the beer-soaked college kids and 20-somethings. The main contingent of the Rastas and 4:20 crowd rolled in in a haze of smoke just before Matisyahu was set to hit the stage

"If my boobs had mouths they'd be so drunk right now!" said a particularly buxom young lady who had apparently been spilling most of her drinks down her shirt.

By 3:15, the west steps of the Capitol were overflowing with one of the strangest, most incredible hodgepodge of people you could ever hope to see. From babies in Pampers to octogenarians in Depends, this truly was an all-ages show. Hasidic Jewish rabbis intermingled with high school punk kids and 30-something hipsters, all of whom wore big smiles on their faces.

It was a beautiful day. Nobody seemed to mind much that the star didn't arrive until close to 3:45. When he did show up, his only accompaniment was a buddy on an acoustic guitar. He had a mellow, conversational tone that he maintained throughout the performance. At one point, his cell phone rang. "Should I answer it?" he asked the audience. He did, on speaker.

"Even if I weren't in front of 4,000 people, I couldn't understand you," he said to the guy on the other end of the line. "This guy’s from Long Island. Even New Yorkers don't like Long Island...except Jones Beach," he joked before hanging up and getting back to the music.

His performance was great – a full hour-and-45-minute set without breaks (not counting several interludes to banter with the crowd and one giant hugging session).

He played a bunch of his hits, a cover or two, and some new stuff. He discussed his newly adopted veganism, his guitarist’s upcoming foray into "master cleanse," lamented that he never got to play football ("I had to go to Hebrew school"), recommended a book (“Eating Animals,” by Jonathon Safron Foer) and queried us on our local rivers. He named both the American and the Sacramento, and he even went for a swim in the former!

The show was set to end at 4:30 p.m., but he stayed on a full hour past the scheduled end time. It would have been totally understandable had he decided to blow through a 30-minute set of a few of his hits and ditched town. I half expected it.

But he did nothing of the sort. He put on a fantastic show and really endeared himself to the crowd with his playful engagement. He seemed genuinely happy to be here, playing a free show at a heritage festival. There aren't many artists of his ilk who'd do the same, let alone be happy about it. But Matisyahu isn't just any artist.

Toda, Matisyahu.

As always, the high quality, professional looking shots are the work of my good friend Ahsan Awan. The others are yours truly throwing darts with a point and click.

If you have any thoughts, questions, or angry diatribes you'd like to direct at me, lindol@gmail.com should do the trick.

Matisyahu Makes Music the Best Policy

2010-05-03T21:39:55Z

What better way to spend a sunny afternoon than on the steps of the State Capitol. On Sunday, May 2d, the Jewish Heritage Festival drew large crowds to experience the food, culture, and arts. The headliner, internationally known musical performer Matisyahu, shared his blend of reggae, urban beats, and flavorful world music with the crowd that not only embraced him, but also each other, thus demonstrating how, on this day at the Capitol, music was indeed the best policy. A variety of cultural dance performers, speakers, and even the Sacramento Kings' mascot, Slamson, were on hand.

Matisyahu headlines the Jewish Heritage Festival

2010-05-03T04:58:52Z

Sure, there was a rabbi or two, kosher food and people passing out the newspaper Kabbalah Today. But Sunday's Jewish Heritage Festival seemed more like a Matisyahu concert than a festival celebrating Jewish culture.

The American, Hasidic Jewish reggae artist is known for his top-40 hit "King Without a Crown," and "One Day," an official 2010 Winter Olympics Anthem. He's also known as a great live performer.

It was a much larger audience than last year's festival, several thousand people lining in front of the west steps of the Capitol, with hundreds more sitting on and behind the steps. The line for a falafel sandwich was a wait of more than 30 minutes at one point.

Vendors - including everything from a jewelry vendor to an Omri Casspi-themed Sacramento Kings gear booth, even a shofar (a ceremonial ram tusk horn) vendor - began lining 10th Street between O and L in the early afternoon. The festival kicked off a little after 1 p.m., and shortly after an eco-friendly fashion show took place on the stage.

The crowd was diverse. Some wore traditional Jewish garb, others were in urban clothes. There were families, young adults and reggae fans who were there just to see the concert.

Hundreds more showed up for the L.A. Israeli Dance Team, but it was clear that the thousands of people congregated at the stage were there for the free Matisyahu performance. Matisyahu was supposed to be onstage by 3:15 but he didn't show up until a little before 4 p.m. to an outburst of applause from an eager audience.

Live, he is usaually backed by at least a three-piece band, but today he was accompanied only by Dave Holmes, guitarist for Brooklyn band Dub Trio.

He began his set by saying that the show was his "largest acoustic gig ever." With Holmes laying out a foundation of melody on acoustic guitar, Matisyahu (Hebrew for Matthew) sang "Jerusalem," "Exhaltation" and "One Day," ending each song with beatbox solos.

Despite the small instrumentation, Matiyahu was able to cover a large range of sounds.

His voice is a soulful falsetto when he's singing, but he mainly delivers lyrics in the form of Jamaican toasting - or rhyming over a reggae beat (think Damian Marley or Yellow Man). His beat-boxing work was nothing short of amazing, with beatboxing solos on nearly every song, sometimes evolving into scat singing.

In the middle of his set he covered Bob Marley and the Wailers' "Who Feels It Knows It."

He also employed crowd-pleasing antics. He used call-and-response, and he even invited one person to give him a hug. This invitation turned into a massive group hug as people rushed the stage, leading Matisyahu to exclaim that the hugging session was like the book, "If You Give a Moose a Muffin."

One time, he answered his iPhone between songs, talking to a friend who happened to call. Off the same iPhone, he read lyrics to a new song he debuted at the show, adding, "I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't a free show."

He also riffed on what he knew of Sacramento, joking that the falafel vendor was great, as is shopping at Dimple records and swimming in the American River, which also elicited cheers.

It was satisfying enough for a free Matisyahu show and a fun day overall. That being said, hopefully he brings the whole band and plays a proper show next time he's in Sacramento.

What's Happening at the Capitol: May 1 - 2

2010-05-01T06:07:40Z

Saturday, May 1

8 a.m.-noon

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is hosting its annual Great Strides fund-raiser. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the 3.2 mile walk starts at 9. Preregistration is encouraged, but not required. There also will be live music and a raffle. Proceeds will benefit the foundation, which funds research on the disease. About 400 people are expected to attend.

4-9 p.m.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is hosting the Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis walk. Registration starts at 4 p.m. and the two or three mile walk starts at 5 p.m on the west steps of the Capitol. Walkers can preregister at the walk's website. There will be a festival following the walk with a DJ, a raffle, food, and a kids band and jumphouse. About 500 people are expected to attend.

Sunday, May 2

1-4:30 p.m.

The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region is holding its 2010 Jewish Heritage Festival on the west steps of the Capitol. It will feature an eco-friendly fashion show, Israel street market, traditional and cultural exhibits and displays, and performances by the Los Angeles Israeli Dance Team and nationally-known recording artist Matisyahu. The fashion show will start at 1:50 p.m., with the dance team performing at 2:15 and Matisyahu concluding the event at 3:15. Hundreds are expected to attend. More detailed information can be found at this website.

2010 Jewish Heritage Festival: Thousands Expected to Gather Sunday, May 2nd, 1:00 p.m. at the Capitol West Steps.

2010-04-16T19:55:51Z

(Sacramento, CA)--The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region will commemorate May as National Jewish American Heritage Month by hosting the 2010 Jewish Heritage Festival. The Festival will celebrate the centennial founding of the Kibbutz movement and Israel's 62nd anniversary. It will include an expanded kid’s zone, an eco-friendly fashion show, and an acclaimed Israeli dance troupe from Los Angeles. This event is the largest Jewish celebration in Sacramento, is open to the public and is free.

"It is wonderful that so many people throughout our region attend this event and demonstrate their support for Israel,” says Skip Rosenbloom, President of the Jewish Federation, "you won't want to miss it."

This cultural event is headlined by acclaimed reggae superstar Matisyahu. Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip hop sounds, Matisyahu has a large following as a Hasidic Jewish musician from New York City singing reggae songs about his religious devotion. Matisyahu's 2009 single "One Day" was chosen as the official theme song for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
In addition to the live music and entertainment, there will also be cultural food, an artist street market, a mediterranean teen lounge, henna tattoos, storytelling and more.

In conjunction with the Presidential decree, Senator Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg has released a resolution as well as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proclamation reaffirming May as National Jewish American Heritage Month.

The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region strives to serve and enrich the Jewish community and those who support and identify with it in the greater Sacramento region, Israel, and the world.

For more information and a full list of the sponsors, please visit: www.Jewishsac.org

Contact: David Goodman, Director of Communications
Office: 916.486.0906
dgoodman24@gmail.com

###

Tuesday: The Crystal Method rocking Harlow's

2009-06-16T04:41:48Z

Why should you see The Crystal Method on a week night at Harlow's?

Band member Scott Kirkland gives a modest reply: "I know the economy's bad, and it's on a Tuesday night, but it's a real big show."

What speaks more than an intimate show at Harlow's is the band's longevity. According to Kirkland, "longevity," is still the band's greatest achievement. Over the last 15 years, the band has cut four albums, three remix albums and scored two No. 1 records. A platinum record and a Grammy nomination have also been bestowed on the band.

Now on tour to support its latest album Divided By Night, the electronic music duo got an unexpected start in a grocery store.

Ken Jordan and Kirkland met in the break room while employees of a Las Vegas grocery store. Kirkland was messing with a drum machine, Jordan walked in and the two coworkers started to talk about music.

The next thing they knew, the two young musicians were making music together. Nine months later, they had both moved to Los Angeles and in 1994, they dropped their first single "Now is the Time."

Both Jordan and Kirkland grew up listening to metal, rock and roll and pop. Their first three albums incorporated the riffs and beats from these genres, while the duo added vocal samples and distortion.

That was until their latest album. In Divided by Night, guests like Matisyahu and Emily Haines of Broken Social Scene bring hip hop and indie elements into the mix.

"We're trying to create something different from the last album," Kirkland said. "With the vocalists, we kind of look at them as another layer. We're creating something new to continue to expand ourselves."

At the show, the musicians will be playing their old hits like "Keep Hope Alive" and "Busy Child," along with new material. (links open up music videos). Inspired by their Las Vegas roots, a light show will add to an entertaining stage production.

"[The current tour has had] the best responses for a live show in probably 10 years" Kirkland added. "I think everyone's going to be really happy with the show. It's [going to be] a fun night."

The 21-and-over show will be at Harlow's, located at 2708 J St. Opening band L.A. Riot is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at harlows.com or at the door. Tickets that were purchased for the Empire show will be honored at Harlow's.

*Photograph credit Maura Lanahan