This video can also be seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gaBY-6X6LeI
September is when we finally get our summer in Pacifica. By the end of the month I’m slathering on the sun screen and doing what I can to keep the house cool. Most of us don’t have air conditioning. For the next two or three months it’s like school’s out … FOREVER!
Now that the pandemic is mostly over, the clubs are booked solid with bands. Any night of the week there are multiple choices. It just depends on how far you want to go. For me that means trekking about one mile to Winters Tavern.
There are two very big events in Pacifica this month. The first is at Winters Tavern on Sept 13 when the band mssv will be playing. This band features music legends Mike Watt on bass, Stephen Hodges on drums, and Mike Baggetta on guitar. Baggetta put this band together, and it’s his background as one of the premier improvising electric guitarists today that brings the “experimental” side out in this trio. Make no mistake, no one is just going along for the ride here. All three bring their formidable talents to the stage, where anything can happen.
To make this evening even more exciting, one of the opening bands is The Hominoids. I interviewed them a few months ago after being blown away by their set featuring improvisation in the style of Miles electric bands. They even have a horn player who plays pocket trumpet ala Don Cherry with Ornette. If you missed the interview, check it out here:
The Hominoids interview at Winters Tavern - experimental rock band finds a home at my local dive bar
The second big event is Pacifica’s Fog Fest. For two days, thousands of people will come to Pacifica to enjoy arts and crafts, live music on several outdoor stages, food, beer, and maybe even a Fog Cutter, the official signature drink of Fog Fest. It all happens on Sept 23 and 24, and is kicked off on Saturday morning by a parade of locals which will include CJ and his Winters Tavern Family (and some small horses I’m told). Watch CJ in the video give us a rundown on all the activities, and what you can expect at Winters Tavern on Fog Fest weekend.
The rest of the month features several bands that identify as “experimental”. I’m going to list them here as Rick’s Picks even though I haven’t seen most of them, because after all, life is about taking risks. Now go see some shows.
Rick’s Picks at Winters Tavern
Friday Sept 2 8pm
RedwingBlackbird: SF Post Punk/Experimental
https://redwingblackbird.org/home
Slingshot: Experimental/Rock
https://slingshot1.bandcamp.com/album/dawn-of-decline-ep
Relapse Queen: Santa Cruz Mountains 3 Piece Rock and Roll
Friday Sept 8 4pm
Shark In The Water: Surf Rock with Teeth
The 4th Kind: Spokane, WA Experimental Surf Rock
The Hominoids: SF Experimental Rock N Roll
Sunday Sept 10 8pm
ION: SF Black Metal
https://iontheband.bandcamp.com/album/a-path-unknown
Glacier Eater: Oakland, CA Metal
Wed Sept 13 7pm (Tickets $14)
mssv
(mike baggetta + stephen hodges + mike watt)
aki tour 2023” for the release of our new album (out Sept. 1 on BIG EGO Records) “Human Reaction”
https://mikebaggetta.bandcamp.com/.../main-steam-stop-valve
The Hominoids: 4 Piece Experimental Spooky Surf Instrumental Rock
https://thehominoids.bandcamp.com/.../monster-of-the-mekong
Operation C: Santa Cruz Jazz Fusion
Saturday Sept 16 8pm
Genghis Bong: SF Psych/Doom
https://genghisbong.bandcamp.com/
The Axiom: LA Rock
Sludgebucket: Oakland, CA 2 Piece Stoner/Psych
https://sludgebucketmusic.com/audio
Supernaut: Santa Cruz, CA Heavy Psych
Friday Sept 22 8pm
Fake Your Own Death: SF Indie/Punk Dark Wave
The Trims: Indie/Post Punk/New Wave
Steakhouse: Post Punk
Saturday Sept 23 Late Night on Fog Fest Day of many bands
REBELSKAMP: San Jose, CA 3 Piece Improv/Experimental/Rock
Hey locals, go see some shows.
Everyone else, check out the bands we talk about.
Find Winters Tavern events at:
https://www.facebook.com/WintersTavern/upcoming_hosted_events
Tickets for Sept 13 show featuring
mssv
(mike baggetta + stephen hodges + mike watt)
What's happening at Winters Tavern in September (Pacifica, CA)