Live This Month: September 2014

If you dig back-to-basics noise pop — the kind of indie rock that’s propelled by great hooks, not trends and hype — you’re in luck this month. Scottish trio PAWS just released Youth Culture Forever, and the band’s tight songs are matched by a live ferocity. Another trio crafting explosive, 90s-influenced rock is Slothrust; the Brooklyn band’s Of Course You Do arrived earlier this year. As luck would have it, Slothrust recently played some shows with Cymbals Eat Guitars, but, in September, the Jersey quartet arrives on a tour with indie elder statesman Bob Mould. Cymbals Eat Guitars’ new album LOSE is a varied, expansive collection of songs out now on Barsuk. And if that classic indie sound isn’t your speed, we’ve got you covered too, with songs highlighting Son Lux and Seatraffic for electronic pop aficionados and Wand for the psych heads.

We’ve included some newer local bands in this mix, including Quaaludes and CATHEDRALS, but we’re equally excited for the return of pioneering local indie poppers The Aislers Set. The group’s records are now being reissued, making it a great time to discover (or rediscover) this terrific band. This month also sees the return of the Bay Area Record Fair at Thee Parkside. After an extremely successful debut in February, the fair’s second installment is bigger than ever, with over 40 Bay Area labels selling their wares and performances by several excellent local bands, including Hot Flash Heat Wave.

Enjoy the podcast and then go see some concerts!

About the bands:

PAWS – “Tongues”
On September 24, the Glasgow band’s tour with Total Slacker and Flashlights comes to the Rickshaw Stop.

Foxes in Fiction – “Rearrange”
Playing with Avi Buffalo on September 12 at the Great American Music Hall.

Hot Flash Heat Wave – “Slam Dance”
Performing at the Bay Area Record Fair at Thee Parkside on September 27.

Quaaludes – “Know Wada Mean”
The band is releasing a new EP at The Knockout on September 18 alongside Generation Loss, Man Hands, and Bad Daddies.

Zammuto – “Need Some Sun”
The Books member Nick Zammuto’s band performs on September 20 at the Brick & Mortar Music Hall with Luke Wyland (of AU).

Seatraffic – “Man on the Coast”
A Million Billion Dying Suns and Foli round out this all-local bill at El Rio on September 14.

Son Lux – “Easy”
Headlining The Independent on September 20; Helado Negro opens.

Michael Beach – “Dirt”
Supporting Yonatan Gat at The Knockout and at Awaken Cafe on September 13.

The Aislers Set – “Long Division”
The reunited SF band headlines The Chapel on September 28; Cold Beat and The Mantles kick off the show.

Slothrust – “Homewreck Wifey”
Coming to Bottom of the Hill on September 30; locals Void Boys and Baus support.

Richard Buckner – “Beautiful Question”
Odawas supports the singer-songwriter on September 15 at the Hemlock Tavern.

Wand – “Flying Golem”
Appearing at the Rickshaw Stop on September 29 with Hollow Sunshine and Male Gaze.

Cymbals Eat Guitars – “Jackson”
Touring with Bob Mould, Cymbals Eat Guitars heads to The Fillmore on September 26.

Orenda Fink – “Ace of Cups”
Appearing on September 25 at the Hemlock Tavern with Extra Classic.

CATHEDRALS – “Want My Love”
Playing the Rickshaw Stop on September 11 alongisde Tomas Barfod and Grizfolk.