Amanda Mac's Open Mic

A Shot of Jack and a Bottle of Bud

2008-04-02T22:07:00.000-07:00

Spring break came and went far to quickly for my liking. I would love to be able to gossip about my break but I have no time for that...there are bands to be discussed!

Ok, I lied lets talk a little about my break first! On Wednesday March 26th I went to a venue called The Red Devil Lounge where I saw Better Than Aliens and Raised By Robots play. There was also some other guy who opened before them but I can’t remember what he called himself, and if I can’t remember something as simple as a name then that doesn’t say much about the music, ouch...burn. I had a great time at the show taking full advantage of the bar’s special which was a shot of Jack and a bottle of Bud for 7 bucks, not bad. A few specials later I made myself up to the front of the stage where I did that annoying thing drunk girls do...the “whooooooooooo, yayyyyyyyyyyyyy” repetitive shouting at the band on stage like they were pieces of meat. I found myself to be quite entertaining and I think others around be appreciated my enthusiasm. A representative from the website Pacific Noise also attended the show which was a special treat. Pacific Noise is a video-blog site that records bands playing a few songs and promotes them on the internet. However a year ago the guy who runs the site broke his leg and has been unable to record live shows so instead has been recording the bands at Lennon Studios. For his first show back on his own two legs he decided to feature Better Than Aliens...and get this you can hear me and my drunken shouts...I’m famous!
Watch Better Than Aliens on Pacific Noise

Continuing on my break I had big plans to attend The Phenomenauts show which also featured The A.KA.S and Maldroid at Slims on Saturday March 29th but my Boyfriend got an allergy attack from our cat and fell asleep at 6pm so we missed the show. So lame I know, but it is ok because Maldroid will be playing another show this coming Friday April 4th and not only is it their CD Release Party but it is also a free show!

Lastly I have decided that just because school is back in session that does not mean I have to cut back on my partying, it just means I have to make time for homework and who says you can’t have a few drinks while you do your homework? Well, If you are like me and want to go out and do something during the week then I suggest you come to The Edinburgh Castle tomorrow April 3rd to see Mosshead . Plus I will be there so it will be extra fun!

The Ian Fays

2008-03-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

So after a bit of a delay I am back to you with yet another fantastic band, The Ian Fays.

If you have yet to have heard of this indie-electronica band here is what others have had to say about them in the past;

"In an ideal world, the twins, Lizz and Sara, and their band-mates would be the new princesses of pop – in the best sense of the word: simple but gorgeous melodies, toy casios..."
Panoplie Zine/Indie Compilation, Luxembourg

"The Ian Fays are among the most promising groups in the local (San Francisco) indie pop-rock community."
The Bay Bridged May 29th 2007 Episode 66

"32 minutes of lo-fi whispers and dreaming that speaks of small disappointments, loves and drinks."
MTV Italy, review of "The Damon Lessons"

Chosen Best of Bay Area bands from The Bay Bridged

After emailing back and forth with the twins, Lizz and Sara,I gained a whole new appreciation for not only the music but the musicians themselves. The band is made up of every mans dream, three hot sisters, Lena, Lizza, and Sara (two of which are identical twins) who know how to work a stage. Also on drums is good friend Bradley who they described as “best dresser ever, has a tie collection to die for”. When these four come together you never know what you are in-store for.The group has been known to dress up in matching outfits and pass candy out during their show.

If this hasn’t talked you into checking out their next show then maybe the fact that it is going to be their CD Release Party will. This next month April 17th 2008 at well known venue Bottom Of The Hill, The Ian Fays will be on stage in Catholic school uniforms and all. Other bands featured that night will be Here Here and The Catholic Comb

Make sure to check out the interview I had with the Ian Fays on the right hand side of the page!

Check out their Music Myspace page to check out their music or even by the "The Damon Lessons" Full Length LP

Want To Be Featured!?

2008-03-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

<---Myself along with Jessica Martinez promoting a Better Than Aliens show

My first few blogs have been quite the success! I am opening up this particular blog for suggestions or recommendations on local SF/Bay Area music. If you are in a band or know of a band that you would like to see featured please leave a comment or send an email to AmandaMacsOpenMic@gmail.com .

Also if anyone out there can help me figure out how to put music up on my page that would be much appreciated!

Lastly, I have submitted my most recent blog on Ghosteater to three blog carnivals which will be coming out over the course of the next few weeks. I supplied you with the links to the carnivals so make sure to check those out as well!

Ghosteater

2008-02-27T22:35:00.000-08:00

"So I guess we must like something about each other... in my case it's Chris’ refrigerator. " -Steve Whitright

This week I have been lucky enough to interview Steve Whitright and Chris Norkoski the duo that together forms new upcoming band Ghosteater . Steve's quote from above was just one of the modest (and silly) answers given by the band in their interview, but before I give you any more juicy info on the guys first click the link and check out their music if you haven't already done so!

Take me to the music

You only have to listen for about 10 seconds before you are put in a trance by a sound no genre of music could describe. My favorite song that they have posted is Grandsire the voice is so light and pretty. Pretty in a way that can only be achieved by natural ability. Those who take continuous voice lessons can only hope to achieve such a melody. With the music so soft you may have a hard time noticing that the lyrics are really full of emotions.
"when you tried to fall out I forgot that we've got no souls to lose you were free then with a knife to your throat you threw out the bags of cash and then the vagrant's eyes spoke"

Merchandise To Stock Up On

T-SHIRTS

Indian' Shirt
Black ink on: red, purple, green, olive green, brown, light blue, dark grey, light grey, white/grey shirts. Specify size and color with backups. $6ppd

Choir' Shirt
Black ink on: red, purple, green, olive green, brown, light blue, dark grey, light grey, white/grey shirts. Specify size and color with backups. $6ppd

MUSIC

First Recordings (demo)' CD
Demo cdr. Free with postage or shirt. Available for download.

Our Ship Is Never Coming Home' CD
Forthcoming full length. More information coming soon.

ART

Phantom' Print
Sold out. New posters, stickers, buttons, etc. being made and will be available soon.

Low Sea Roar

2008-02-21T12:18:00.000-08:00

Unsigned local band, Low Sea Roar falls under the shoegaze category of music.
Adam Hain. Andrea Caturegli, Brandon Thomas, and Jake Hosek come together to create a refreshing sound. This is the type of music I picture myself blasting in my car on a sunny day with my sunroof open and windows down. I first heard about this band from Adam himself who does bass, Hammond, synths, and vox. Like myself Adam is also a broadcasting student at San Francisco State studying focusing in audio production, and it shows. The quality of the Low Sea Roar’s music has earned them a spot at South By South West this March in Austin, Texas. SXSW is a huge festival that hosts hundreds of bands from around the world, playing on one of their 50 stages. If you are like me and are not able to go all the way to Texas to catch this band play they will be having an April 3rd show here in San Francisco at Annie’s Social Club.
Their Myspace profile features three of the songs off of their self-titled ep.

Upcoming Shows

Mar 12 2008 6:30P
Pete’s Bar (SXSW) Austin, Texas
Mar 13 2008 2:00P
The Parlor (SXSW) Austin, Texas
Mar 15 2008 9:30P
Pete’s Bar (SXSW) Austin, Texas
Apr 3 2008 9:00P
Annie’s Social Club San Francisco, California

Better Than Aliens

2008-02-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

As promised this weeks blog will be featuring the local indie-rock band Better Than Aliens. Though this was not intentional it also happens to be Valentines day, a day of love and chocolates! It seems appropriate for me to be featuring this particular band on a day that is devoted to celebrating those you love because this happens to be my boyfriend's band!

I have had the opportunity to watch this band since it first formed. The singer and keyboard player Marty Mattern was the initial creator, moving here from the East coast and was soon joined by drummer , Justin Pittman. The two played as a two-set for a few months before introducing the idea of having a bass player. There have been a few different bass players popping in and out of the group but finally they found their fit with Dan Leech.
In more recent times Better Than Aliens have been featured in some popular indie music related websites including The Bay Bridged and The SF Deli.

I conducted a short interview with the guys to give you the latest inside information

Why did you choose the name Better Than Aliens?

Marty - "It was inspired by a song called "better than aliens" by a band called "Self"; though we aren't using it in the same context. He's using the word "alien" to mean men from space, where as we're intending the word "alien" as in something which is foreign to you."

What is your greatest accomplishment so far as a band?

Marty - "When we booked the radio show at KZSU we had 20 minutes of material, however, the set on the radio was to be one hour long, with some talk between songs. We came up with an additional 30 minutes of material in 2 weeks!"

What do you guys have planned for the near future?

Justin - "within the end of this month (february) BTA will be underway recording a new EP with 5 new songs. We also have some shirts and stickers in the process!"

What is your favorite BTA song?

Marty - "In the Beginning."
Justin - "find"

What is your favorite local band?
Marty - "Mosshead"
Justin - "Mosshead!!"

BTA Supporters

"We are not groupies. Groupies sleep with rock stars because they want to be near someone famous. WE are Band-Aids. We're here for the music."

2008-02-05T12:38:00.001-08:00

Who's that girl?
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

I am what some like to refer to as narrow-minded, fake, judgmental, and bitchy, however, someone has to be that person. Though in the past I have been known to be a bit harsh on my “constructive criticism” I would like to take an opportunity to show off my better side, yes Amanda Mac notorious bitch of San Francisco has a nice side too. (See I even have a picture to prove it!)

Glancing around the blog one can assume that this is yet another music review page, however my background in music is not the typical musician gone reviewer. Instead I take on the behind the scenes roll, the person who drives equipment to shows, sends out those annoying friend requests to everyone on Myspace, and at the end of the night is the last one at the bar making sure all the gear gets back into the car. Yes that is correct, I am a musicians girlfriend.

What to expect next time

My blogsite is going to be a hybrid of review, interview, and witty commentary on the side. My next blog will be featuring indie/rock band Better Than Aliens

3 CD's That Will Get You On Your Feet!

BAND - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
ALBUM - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (self titled)
SONG - The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth

BAND - Of Montreal
ALBUM - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
SONG - Gronlandic Edit

BAND - Q And Not U
ALBUM - Power
SONG - Wonderful People

The title of my first blog was a quote from one of my favorite movies, "Almost Famous. To order your own copy click the photo!