C anned spaghetti for dinner, "King of Queens" reruns, classic-rock radio station, sweet stuff ...
If you're one of those people who just can't get enough of the same thing, again and again, the Nectar Lounge is not going to meet your stability needs. Way too much unpredictability. Then again, if you're all about variety, this mini-club in Fremont is the spot.
One night they might have hip-hoppers passing the mic, the next local rock bands thrashing away, the next a touring act. Tuesday night, this attractive, two-level lounge it has a vaguely European feel, and looks like it could be a winetasting or martini bar hosted a batch of up-and-coming rappers, a bill with the likes of Terry Radjaw , Grynch and Neema (aka Unexpected Arrival). This had to be one of the rawest, rudest breast-cancer benefits ever put on, with several Beavis and Butt-head snickerings about the word "breast.
" The irreverent fundraiser drew a hearty crowd, as the word seems to be getting out about this anything-goes place. The variegated musical stylings reflect the restless tastes of Nectar's new booker, Colin Johnson , who came here after Chop Suey let him go. Capitol Hill's loss was Fremont's gain, as his eclectic bookings are creating a sort of Chop Fremont on the north side.
This week, Johnson probably has his fellow bookers around town gnashing their teeth in envy: Michelle Shocked tonight (8 p.m., $20), Q-Burns Abstract Message and FCS Nort h on Saturday (9 p.
m., $10), Israel's electro-reggae mash-up Soulico on Sunday (9 p.m.
, $7), the legendary Roy Ayers on Tuesday (8 p.m., $25).
If you go to the Nectar tonight, you may be shocked to get some religion. For her new "ToHeavenURide" album, the folk rocker Shocked wrote a "womanifesto," explaining, "If you follow the trail from rock 'n' roll, it always leads you back to the blues, sweet soul music and finally to the churches and gospel music." The Texas singer-songwriter is now a member of a church choir in South Central Los Angeles.
(You can e-witness her singing "God Is Real" at that church on YouTube, and read more about her in the accompanying story below.) The Florida DJ/producer who calls himself Q-Burns will have the Nectar dancing on Saturday, with his pumping funk-house music and showmanship. In the unlikely event no one else does, he'll be dancing himself.
Seattle's FCS North ("focus north") takes a far more intellectual approach to electronic music. There is quite a bit of energy in their sound, but it's more refined than raw. Andy Sells, Joshua Warren and Mune Yamakawa weld together an audio sculpture of jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop and electronic beats.
They haven't played live much lately, as they've been busying recording an EP featuring a horn section.
News RSS