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Notes From the Underground

By Michael Mechanic

Gilman Loses Brewhaha:
Sorry punx, Berkeley is addicted to sales-tax revenues

It was a gallant effort by the Gilman Street punx, but how often do city officials listen to a bunch of young people who don't look quite normal? On Nov. 13, the City of Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board voted to allow Hart Brewing to open its brewpub across the street from the all-ages, alcohol-free punk collective. More than 100 people showed up to the meeting in support of Gilman and many spoke out against Hart, which prompted the board to put some conditions on the building permit. Oh well, hope the beer's good, at least.

Bixby Nixed

So much for shows at the Bixby House. Seems the neighbors on the 100 block aren't too keen on punk rock. But similar shows are happening at another location featuring bands like Portraits of Past, Nuzzle, Unwound, Cars Get Crushed, Track Star, Scenic Vermont and others. Keep an eye out for a show with Three Mile Pilot, Clikitat Ikatowi, Cars Get Crushed and Portraits of Past sometime in January (tentative right now). For more info, call Jonah at 429-1015.

Tape Review: Calibus

This six-songer, which should soon be available to the local masses, is a good piece of work. Calibus has a distinctive grungy sound and introspective songs--not including "Camping," which is silly but sounds introspective--with lead vocals swapped back and forth by bassist Eliza Linde and drummer Wylie (no last name ... he must be into Bono and Madonna). Songs vary in tempo and the riffs have a slightly metallish feel. Eliza's strong singing has several modes and sounds a bit like P.J. Harvey on the slow parts. Guitarist Kevin McCue gets a pleasingly dirty sound out of his rig, which, with bass and guitar lines merging on most of the songs, helps create a sense of emotional space that pervades much of the tape.

Ultra Plugs Turtle

Haven't read it yet, but Ultra, Belgium's first World Wide Web underground music magazine, reviewed a seven-inch record by local ukulele crooner Oliver Brown. You can find it at http://www.southern.com/ultra.


Photo by Michael Muller

Road Kill: Southern Cal's Joykiller plays the SC Hotel Redroom on Tuesday.

The Joykiller/Waterdog/Creature Feature

Hailing from Southern Cal, The Joykiller is a punk gem whose band leader, former T.S.O.L. frontman Jack Grisham, seems to leave behind a trail of twisted and often violent stories whenever he tours. Grisham hasn't led an easy life, to be sure. The song "Seventeen," which one might mistake upon a casual listen as a song about teenhood, reportedly refers to the number of his friends who died from drugs or suicide. But misfortune and emotion make for the best music. JK's album (on Epitaph) rips and so, probably, will their show. Waterdog and local band Creature (look out for their forthcoming demo) also play this 16-and-over show on Tuesday (9pm, $5) at the SC Hotel.

Punk Jock

So ... uh, I hear No Use For a Name won't play gigs on Sundays because they have box seats for the Oakland Raiders (how punk is that?). I also hear they won't play after midnight. Maybe they turn into pumpkins or something. Of course, this all might just be Pele Juju spreading rumors again--just like when they said Asi Nisi Masa was an R.E.M. lyric. Ha! Everyone knows the name comes from Fellini's film 8 1/2.

Upcoming

X-Girl 13, Fiendmaster Freak and Witchhook Sky play the Redroom on Friday (9:30pm). Also Friday, ska hounds can road trip to see Slow Gherkin at Berkeley Square. Good Riddance, Fury 66, The Champs, Say Uncle, Junk Sick Dawn and Dajima play a homeless youth benefit at the downtown Vets Hall on Saturday (see calendar). On Wednesday (Dec. 6), check out feedback queens TNT, grunge-ridden Bread and Thunder, female surf rockers the Neptunas, Cocktails and Pupus Featuring Boobie and Chester the Majestic.

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