#warfieldtheater – The Boring Old Man

Concert Review: Polyphia at The Warfield Theater- San Francisco- CA

So tonight I did something I haven’t done in a long, long time – go to a show solo!

Back in the day, I used to do this all the time but its been decades. So I felt a little out of sorts, if I’m being honest.

I got there late due to the sucktastic San Francisco parking, and the opening act was already underway when I got to my seat. It was an usual act, a duo comprised of a keyboardist and a drummer, by the names of Domi and DJ Beck, respectively. I will say they both clearly spent time on their instruments and were obviously talented. That being said, their frantic jazz fusion music wasn’t my cup of tea. I was a little glad I got there late honestly, 3 songs was enough to get the gist and that type of jam just isn’t my thing.

I don’t know if it was the unexpected heat wave we were experiencing out here in the Bay Area or if the Warfield’s mechanical systems were on the fritz, but it was BLAZIN’ hot in there, which made the wait between the opening act and the headliner grueling!

Polyphia finally hit the stage about 9:20 The opening song started off with a slow burn, but quickly built up and they were off to the races!

I’ve been waiting a couple years now to see these guys live, and sat on the tickets for a few months in anticipation but to be honest, the show was a mixed bag.

On the positive side, the guys played great. Their guitarists outshine pretty much every modern fusion/prog player I’ve heard in the last decade. They really are phenomenal, especially when playing harmonized parts in unison. It is really something to behold.

That being said, the sound, the actual mixed sound from the PA system was horrendous. The bass guitar was so heavy in the mix that when things got really going with all the players, the sound just devolved into a rumbling, distorted mess. The drums too, we’re just completely buried – you could hear the back beat just fine, but ZERO of the finesse of his complex drum parts. He was also using very “dry” cymbals with little to no sustain – which can sound great recorded or in a small club, but here they were utterly lost in the mix.

Long story short, between the immense heat (along with some disturbingly rank body odor from someone seated in my general vicinity!) and the auditory assault from the bad mix through the PA, after 45 minutes, I’d had enough. I made for the exits before the set was over, not to mention any encore tunes.

I was glad that I got to see them, even if it was mildly disappointing. Knowing these guys CAN pull it off live was highly encouraging in this age of backing tracks and fake performances. That being said, I doubt I’d rush out to see them again any time soon.

As for the venue, I’ve decided to avoid the Warfield for a while, unless one of my “bucket list” performers comes through. Not that there is anything “wrong” with the venue (air conditioning aside, which was the first time I’ve experienced that there, and I saw my first Warfield show in 1982!), but the neighborhood has become so unbelievably bad I just want to stay out of it. Oddly, it’s not that I feel unsafe (thought truth be told, the Tenderloin District, where it is, happens to be either #1 or #2 of the most dangerous places in San Francisco according to crime stats) it’s just that it is really depressing. I’ve hung out in that area since my early teen years and I don’t even recognize it anymore. One “sidewalk shantytown” after another, up and down every block. Crazy people walking around screaming at nobody or everybody, drugged out zombies wandering aimlessly, and the non-stop, overwhelmed stench of urine and general filth. It really drags you down, being in the environment, even when nothing “bad” happens. It’s a real shame. San Francisco used to be THE place to be in Nor Cal, but over the last few years it is increasingly becoming the place to AVOID.

The best part of the ride out of town was this handsome devil

So like I said, a mixed bag. Keep up the good work Polyphia, and maybe find a different sound man to run your boards – it would make a world of difference!

Thanks for stopping by!

Concert Review: Grandson & K.Flay at the Warfield Theater, San Francisco.

Monday night brought us back to the historic Warfield Theater in San Francisco for the much anticipated Grandson and K.Flay show. This was the Mrs.’ “birthday” show and we’ve been sitting on the tickets for months, so the excitement levels were off the charts and it turned out to be an awesome night!

Opening act Jack Kays was already on stage when we got to our seats and he was OK. Nothing surprising or spectacular, but solid. I wasn’t familiar with his work and what I heard gave me an early 00’s “Emo” vibe. Not really my thing, but I’ve certainly heard worse. At the very least he seemed to be engaging and enjoying himself.

Next up was K.Flay. All I can say is WOW! She came out swinging and delivered an amazing, high energy set that was just off the charts. Her band was outstanding; energetic, technical prowess and just great tone. Her guitarist, who’s name I just couldn’t catch unfortunately, was OUTSTANDING. Really a top-notch, stellar performance. These guys, and K.Flay herself earned my highest regards. This was our 3rd time seeing her show, and it just keeps getting better!!

Grandson’s set was a mixed bag to be honest. Jordan (who essentially IS grandson) was great. He is so enigmatic and enthusiastic it’s impossible to NOT dig what he’s doing. He’s a little creepy and comes off as a little dangerous, but in the best possible way. His performance was certainly as strong as ever before, but the song selection for the set was a bit lacking. And if I’m being perfectly honest, his band was not up to the level we’ve come to expect. His guitar player was good, really good even. But not great. The bass player has been replaced by backing tracks, and the lack of real, interactive bass was noticeable. And his new drummer… I’m not saying he was bad – quite the contrary. He was actually extremely proficient and had chops for days, but he was NOT the right drummer for this band. Yes, I’m highly biased and critical of drummers – 45 years behind the kit will do thst to a guy. Now, I don’t know who this guy is, but I kept hearing gospel drumming throughout the set. Don’t get me wrong, gospel drummers are some of the hottest guys out there, it just didn’t work for me in the context of Grandson. Overall though, it was still a great set.

In the end I’d have to say that K. Flay stole the show, but it was a great night of high energy and excellent musicianship. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend both artists!

Thanks for stopping by!

LMAO: Nate Bargatze at the Warfield Theater, SF.

Sunday night we were back in San Francisco for what turned out to be one of the funniest nights we’ve had in ages.

It also marked the long awaited return to the Warfield Theater, which I’ve been anxious for as it’s been decades since my last show there. Considering the last time I was in the place, the year started with “19..”, it hasn’t changed much. Updated bars, a better lighting and sound system…that’s pretty much it.

Julian McCullough opened the show, and he did a fantastic set, really funny. We’d never heard of him before the show, but we’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for him in the future. His bits on Philly alone were worth making the trip for!

Next up was Graham Kay, another comedian unknown to us. Another very funny man! He was real low key, but he kept us laughing all through his set.

And finally the headliner Nate Bargatze, our man from Tennessee, took the stage. Man, what a set! If you’ve never seen his show, you are missing out. This comedian is a national treasure! One of the things I love about his comedy is that he keeps it ‘clean’, he doesn’t swear and he doesn’t rely on crass, vulgar stuff for laughs, like roughly 89% of comedians out there these days. And he doesn’t need to! He was just spectacular, I walked out of the place with my face hurting from laughing and smiling so much! I really can’t say enough good things about this guy, it was top notch comedy and a great experience.

Nate Bargatze, too funny to properly describe!

Thanks for a great night gentlemen! Last week was ROUGH, and a night of laughter was just what the doctor ordered!

Thanks for stopping by!