Dresden Dolls At Bimbos

Originally uploaded by maju6406.

at Bimbos 365 Club in San Francisco, CA on October 12th, 2006.

The Dresden Dolls’s reputation for crazy crazy stage shows is well deserved! There were people walking around in stilts, and lots of people dressed up. The opening band, The Red Paintings, was dressed up in kimonos and kabuki makeup. There were 2 SF groups that performed full routines during certain Dresden Dolls full of acrobatics. There were also people doing live body paintings on stage. The strange dichotomy between the Sufjan show and the Dresden Dolls explifies why I love living in San Francisco.

I’ve decided my new strategy at Bimbos shows is to take pictures of the marquee. This pic comes courtesy of my friend Shadow.

Pictures from my new flickr buddy metaphorge after the jump.

Metaphorge himself…

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Originally uploaded by maju6406.

at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA on October 11, 2006.

Biggest suprise of the year! The show will probably go neck and neck with Radiohead for best show of the year. I think I counted 16 members in Sufjan’s band. On top of that, there was the 24 member Pacific Mozart Ensemble choir. That’s a whopping 40 people on stage. During “Metropolis…” tons of inflated Superman were unleashed on the audience. Later during Sufjan’s Xmas song, inflated Santas were unleashed. The show was something unique, and I’m glad I could take part in such a amazing performance. More pics and video after the jump…

More pics

Video:

Casimir Pulaski Day

Jacksonville

Pat Spurgeon (of Rogue Wave) and his mom

Originally uploaded by maju6406.

On September 30th 2006, San Francisco band Rogue Wave hosted a benefit concert to raise money for their drummer Pat Spurgeon, who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. The benefit concert featured performances by Rogue Wave, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie,) Nada Surf, Ryan Miller (Guster,) John Vanderslice, and other special guests. Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snickett) MC ‘d the event.

Pat was born with one kidney and it failed. He had his first transplant in 1993, which served him well until now. After 13 years, it has started to deteriorate. He has been on dialysis since April and is hoping desperately to find a donor. Some of their friends have gotten tested to see if they are a match, but Pat has yet to hear good news. Provided he finds a donor, there will be an enormous amount of costs that both Pat and his donor will incur.

In a logical world, medical insurance would cover his donor’s and his expenses after the procedure, but it does not; so he and his family must carry the financial burden. The expenses can be huge. We are trying to raise money for costs like: donor’s travel, care, bills, lost work wages, etc., as well as Pat’s expenses, care, bills, etc. while he is in recovery. — adapted from roguewavemusic.com

Please donate to the cause by going to The Rogue Wave Website.
Pictures and Videos from this amazing event after the jump.

Nada Surf:

Ben Gibbard:

Zach Rogue:

The final song:

Videos!

There was a raffle, and the top prize was a hug from John Vanderslice. Here’s a clip:

Ben Gibbard & The guys from Nada Surf singing the Monkee’s “Cuddly Toy” (Click here for the mp3)

Ben Gibbard & Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snickett) singing Graham Nash’s “Military Madness” (Click here for the mp3)

Rogue Wave doing the Beatle’s I’m Only Sleeping featuring Ben Gibbard & Nada Surf (Click here for the mp3)

Rogue Wave covering Nirvana’s On a Plain with Ben Gibbard (Click here for the mp3)

Rogue Wave - California featuring Ryan Miller (Guster) (Click here for the mp3)

The whole gang (Rogue Wave, Nada Surf Ryan Miller, The Wine Chuggers, The Moore Brothers, Ben Gibbard, John Vanderslice Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snickett)) performing Elvis Costello’s (What’s So Funny About)Peace, Love, and Understanding (Click here for the mp3)

The whole gang (Rogue Wave, Nada Surf Ryan Miller, The Wine Chuggers, The Moore Brothers, Ben Gibbard, John Vanderslice Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snickett)) Part 2 performing The Who’s “The Kids are Alright” (Click here for the mp3)

Nellie McKay

Originally uploaded by maju6406.

at Bimbos 365 Club in San Francisco, CA on September 28th, 2006.

I was once again victim to Bimbo’s no camera policy. I snapped this horrible picture with my camera phone, and the same guy who’s busted me 3 times there got on my case again. That guy gets paid to be an ass.

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Originally uploaded by maju6406.

at Cafe Du Nord on September 21st, 2006.

Videos

Parade of Punk Rock T-Shirts

German Engineering

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Originally uploaded by maju6406.

at Cafe Du Nord on Sept 11th, 2006.

First time I ever knew someone performing at Du Nord. This is my friend Cristian’s band, The Same Shape. It was a big important gig for the boys and I’m, glad I could be there. Unfortunately I only have my cameraphone on me.

http://www.myspace.com/sameshape

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Originally uploaded by maju6406.

at the Mezzanine on August 28th, 2006.

First kinda disappointing show of the year (suppose there’s gotta be at least one). I had high expectations for this one from what I had heard and seen before. Unfortunately the show was a little pricey and not nearly as grand as I hoped. Th show as theatrical with costumes, and dancers and the whole bit but the stage wasn’t large enough. Plus it was a little too much “scene” for my taste. It won’t stop me from seeing them again though.

Video!

After the DCFC/Spoon show, my friend Fan and I went to see Final Fantasy at Bottom of The Hill (2 shows in one night!). Although he was quite drunk and unfocused he was really interesting to see live. It made me appreciate his songs a lot more.

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Originally uploaded by maju6406.

at The Greek on August 11th, 2006.

Somehow this was my first time seeing Death Cab for Cutie. I had seen them once at Coachella once, but never headlining and never in the Bay Area. I did see Ben play solo last year (my first official clog entry!). Anyways, it started a little slow but ended really strong. It’s sad that the days of seeing DCFC at the Great American are over, but I’m happy that they’re doing so well.

Videos:

Title And Registration

The New Year

Spoon

Originally uploaded by maju6406.

at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA in 2006.