| Reverb | concerts in review
Doug Martsch's penetrating voice and squirrely guitar work were on shining display at his band's Monday-night Fox Theatre show, proving why he's influenced at least as many current musicians as such indie-rock icons as Lou Barlow, Bob Pollard and Steve Malkmus. The difference, of course, is that Martsch's main band is still together, and it's producing some of the best music around. Improving on its recent appearances in Colorado, Built to Spill barely stopped between songs to tune its instruments. The sold-out set, the first of a two-night stint, bristled with hipster energy as the band tore through tracks from its recent album, "You in Reverse." Martsch's voice sounded clean and strong, and his Neil Young-style guitar jams on "Goin' Against Your Mind" were part of a hypnotic jam that the band pulled off flawlessly.
Weekend Beat/ Axmen of air strike invisible chords
It happens all the time--adolescent boys get interested in guitars to attract girls. At 13, Tatsuya Kobayashi was no different. He bought an electric guitar and a small amp for 30,000 yen at a local music store in Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture. Secretly dreaming of passionate glances from teen bunnies, he struggled to master the instrument, following directions in a how-to guitar manual. Alas, he soon discovered there was more to it than he'd imagined. Just randomly plucking at the six strings wasn't working. Kobayashi's fantasy collided with reality and lost. He gave up. The guitar became a dusty ornament in his room. Ten years passed. It was a weekday night in May. The rock club Shinjuku Loft Plus One was packed. Rage Against the Machine's "Guerrilla Radio" burst out of the club's sound system.
Jazz guitarist Andre Bush to pay tribute to rock's Jeff Beck
HERE'S a show that guitar nuts won't want to miss: Local jazz guitarist Andre Bush will perform a tribute concert for one of his heroes, rock legend Jeff Beck, tonight at Yoshi's at Jack London Square. Bush, a Grammy-nominated musician and composer, is a 15-year veteran of the Bay Area jazz scene. Still, the guitarist has always found time to return to his rock 'n' roll roots. Over the years, he has balanced performing with such jazz cats as Dave Liebman, Steve Smith, Nnenna Freelon and Jenna Mammina with playing with various rock bands. His sizable chops mix the best of both worlds they possess the fire and intensity of heavy metal as well as the sophistication of jazz. Bush is definitely the right guy to perform a tribute to Beck. In particular, he should do a good job re-imagining the material from Beck's classic 1970s fusion albums, "Blow by Blow" and "Wired." Bush apparently feels the same way he's recording the Yoshi's gig for later release on CD and DVD.
Wear Your Music
The charity bracelet trend has finally hit the indie rock world, and no, we don't mean those black plastic wristbands you bought to support Hot Topic. Relix magazine and Azu Studio have come together to create Wear Your Music bracelets, fashioned from the very guitar stings played by musicians such as Ben Harper, Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard and Ziggy Marley. Retailing for anywhere between $99 for strings used by Gibbard up to $150 for legendary Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh's strings, the bracelets are handmade, designed by Azu Studio and bound by a durable silver seal. All profits from the bracelets are donated to worthy arts and community charities like Headcount, the Rex Foundation, Seva and Rock 'N' Wrap It Up! New artists are constantly being added to the already impressive list of participants, which already includes Ziggy Marley, Michael Franti, String Cheese Incident, the Goo Goo Dolls, Guster and Ben Harper.
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