i’ve had the great fortune this year of witnessing some really fantastic live shows in san francisco. last monday, i headed back down to the independent (which is rapidly becoming my favorite place to see bands) to catch the knitters.
the knitters are a side project of john doe and exene from X that dates back to the 80s. originally started as a vehicle for more countrified acoustic songs, the 2006 version now steamrolls through a collection of classic X tunes, dave alvin songs, knitters’ originals, and some traditional numbers. i’ll have a sample from their incredible set in a future post.
but the bonus of the evening was the opening act: jesse sykes and the sweet hereafter. i have her first album “reckless burning,” but had never seen her live. mark my words: i will never miss another bay area appearance. why? first of all, jesse is one of the sexiest frontwomen in music today. she’s dark and mysterious, a fine guitar player, and perhaps best of all, self-deprecating. and that voice. i hear a little grace slick, some diane izzo, and echoes of pattie santos from the 60s band, it’s a beautiful day.
and then there’s her band. her primary musical partner is guitarist phil wandscher, ryan adams’ foil in the original lineup of the late great whiskeytown. but this band also features bill herzog on bass; herzog was in the incredible but little-heard citizens’ utilities. from hear-a-pin-drop quiet moody stretches to rhythmic crunch bolstered by controlled feedback, the sweet hereafter’s sound is, well, pretty damn sweet.
take a listen to “the dreaming dead” from their second album “oh, my girl.” if you like what you hear, please consider buying both albums here. it’s great stuff.
Hi,
I would have sent regular email, but I lost your email when I suffered catastrophic data loss.
Did you ever get the Knitters tracked? If not, I’d be willing to take that on. If so, could I get a copy?
I’m off to Calexico and Los Lobos tonight at the Filmore. Do you go see those guys?
Brad
[...] 2006 was a great year for live music in san francisco, but the cat empire has already set the bar pretty high for 2007. (admittedly, it’s still way too early to call favorites, especially considering some of the upcoming shows on my calendar: sparklehorse, jesse sykes, the mountain goats, tv on the radio, apples in stereo, and the gourds.) [...]
[...] jesse sykes and the sweet hereafter put on yet another fantastic performance, full of slow, aching melodies punctuated by phil wandschach’s mesmerizing guitar lines. i’ve written about these guys before, but i’ll say it again: buy the records and see them live any chance you get. this is music for people who like to think and feel at the same time. [...]