Tag Archives: guided by voices

Live Review and Photos: Nada Surf and The Soft Pack at 4th & B, January 28, 2012

Photos by Chris Maroulakos

Indie-rock veterans Nada Surf headlined San Diego’s Bring on the Bright Lights concert series on Saturday night at 4th & B in support of their seventh studio album, The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy. Following opening acts Republic of Letters, Cuckoo Chaos, and The Soft Pack (all of San Diegan droning descent), Nada Surf graced the stage with the double whammy of humility and assuredness that often eludes indie performances. Continue reading…

Poetic Memory: Plateaus (List)

MP3: Plateaus – “Beach Coma”

This Saturday, August 20, San Diego punk band Plateaus will play the Soda Bar with fellow locals Heavy Hawaii, Beaters, and LA’s Bleached.

Plateaus, whose name comes from a “tongue-in-cheek statement about the SoCal music scene,” are comprised of Kevin Gist (lead guitar, vocals), Chris Rosi (rhythm guitar, vocals), Elliott Moeller (bass), and Jon Greene (drums). The band was founded by Greene (who has produced bands like Dum Dum Girls, Crocodiles, and The Soft Pack) and Gist with the intention of creating a form of “deranged but classic pop music.”

In an attempt to familiarize you with the band and their sound, we asked Plateaus for five songs that are important to them. You can read their Poetic Memory below. Continue reading…

Watchlist vol. 8: Cloud Nothings (MP3s)

MP3: Cloud Nothings – “Hey Cool Kid”
MP3: Cloud Nothings – “Can’t Stay Awake”

In recent years, Ohio has found itself on the receiving end of many jokes. Yet despite some unfortunate sports teams and economic problems, the Buckeye State remains fertile ground for great music.

In particular, the Akron, Ohio scene has produced legendary punk bands like The Cramps, Dead Boys, and Devo. More recently, The Black Keys exploded onto the national scene with their intoxicating mix of garage rock and blues. And, if it wasn’t for Oberlin College, the world may never have heard of Yeah Yeah Yeahs — singer Karen O and drummer Brian Chase met while attending the school and were both inspired by Ohio’s legendary 80s and 90s-era punk scene. Continue reading…