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big microscope

live music and liberal rants

Archive for October, 2006

i (heart) jesse sykes

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.

 
icon for podpress  jesse sykes: the dreaming dead [6:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (59)

wanted: a free and democratic USA

with less than a month to go before the midterm elections, and with the GOP in complete disarray, now is not the time to relax and think everything will be alright once the democrats regain the house, senate or both.

if this isn’t already on your radar screen, it should be. the GOP just stymied an attempt by democrats to ensure a paper trail is kept for every electronically-based election. wonder why? watch this:

Rigged USA Elections Exposed
11:58

scary things are happening in this country because too many of us have said “it can’t happen here” for too long. be aware. be vigilant. but don’t be afraid, because that’s exactly what the GOP wants.

we need more keiths

at the risk of becoming the owner of a keith olbermann fan site, i have to post his most recent “special comment,” as it once again articulates what many of us have been thinking—and saying, albeit without benefit of a cable network soapbox—for years.

the upshot: the bush administration’s lies and incompetence in dealing with what is purportedly their ‘signature’ issue—the war on terror—have reached a new low. now they’re actively trying to pin all the blame for 9/11 on bill clinton. shameless and despicable, yes. surprising? not at all. ‘personal responsibility’ to these assclowns is nothing more than another marketing catchphrase. it tests well in peoria; no need to actually embody the sentiment.

he has another one coming tomorrow night…

Olbermann 9-25-06
00:27

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