Mosswood Meltdown, Oakland’s Gloriously Offbeat Music Fest, Returns This Weekend

Mosswood Meltdown, a two-day music festival that always boasts an utterly unique lineup devoid of the corporate uniformity stifling most contemporary multi-day gatherings, will make its triumphant return to Oakland this weekend.

With a lineup featuring new-wave legends Devo, riot grrrl legends Bratmobile, beloved noise rockers Osees, resurrected indie rock heroes the Exploding Hearts and longtime Bay Area mainstays Shannon and the Clams, Mosswood Meltdown continues to remain delightfully offbeat. That outsider energy is exemplified by festival emcee John Waters, the low-brow comedy auteur who has been a staple of Mosswood Meltdown for years.

On the festival website, Water sums up the attitude of Mosswood Meltdown in a way that only he can:

“Some call it “The Warped Woodstock’ or ‘An Asshole-free Altamont’ while others holler ‘Coachella, Go-To Hella’. We’re Mosswood Meltdown and we’re going to lose our musical marbles again this year with a lineup of lunatic acts that will make even the angriest punk- rocker pogo their way to paradise with a twisted smile on their dirty little faces.”

The festival kicks off on Saturday at Oakland’s Mosswood Park (hence the festival name). The opening day lineup includes the Exploding Hearts (who will be fronted by lone surviving band member Terry Six), Osees (the latest incarnation of former SF resident John Dwyer’s ongoing rock project), Bleached and a headlining performance from Devo.

Sunday’s roster features La Luz, Oakland rapper Kreayshawn, Shannon and the Clams and Bratmobile in the closing slot. In addition to the two-day festival, there will be an array of associated clubs shows in Oakland, from Thursday – Sunday. 

Tickets for the festival are available here.

LINEUP:

Saturday:
Devo
Osees
Exploding Hearts
Prison Affair
Bleached 
Niis
Diesel Dudes
Gentleman Jesse

Sunday:
Bratmobile
Shannon & The Clams
La Luz
Kreayshawn
Twompsax
Guida
L'Trimm
Tina!!!

Iconic Music Venue Announces “Fall At the Fillmore”

The Fillmore, perhaps San Francisco’s most famous music venue, recently announced a campaign to partner with local businesses on a series of events that will help support the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation.

Called “Fall at the Fillmore,” the initiative will include a movie screening, art displays and special venue memorabilia offers.

The artwork for “Fall at the Fillmore” was designed by artist Galine Tumasyan, who is also the lead singer of the great San Francisco shoegaze band, Seablite. Tumaysan partnered with local publicist and Fillmore art director Ashley Graham on the endeavor.

 The full slate of events and offerings is listed below:

• 4 Star Theater – Screening of “The Last Waltz” on 9/22 hosted by BGMF  

•  Andytown – Exclusive “Fall at The Fillmore” custom blend coffee and t-shirts

•  Green Apple Books – Exclusive Fall at The Fillmore tote-bags and slip-mats, and recommended reading lists from acts playing The Fillmore

•  Haight Street Art Center – Live screen-printing at the 4 Star Theater on 9/22, and Galine Tumasyan pop-up exhibition on 9/28 

•  Jane The Bakery – Limited Edition Caramel Apple Kouign-Amann pastry  

•  Smitten Ice Cream – Limited Edition Spiced Apple Caramel ice cream 

•  The Social Study – Art show highlighting the last decade of Fillmore posters, and Fillmore-themed drink specials

• Tunnel Records – Fillmore merchandise pop-up, and exclusive Fall at The Fillmore sweatshirt 

A portion of proceeds from the events will benefit the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, a non-profit created in honor of the legendary concert promoter that provides grants in the areas of music, the arts and education, among other goals.

Japandroids Return for One Final Ride

Photo by Dan Monick

It seems fitting that a band whose entire ethos is about squeezing every little last drop out of life has announced their return, with a caveat that their latest album will also be their final one.

Japandroids, the dude-rock duo out of Vancouver composed of singer/guitarist Brian King and drummer David Prowse, have never been the most gifted lyricists or technically adroit musicians. But their music has always been deeply resonant and emotive because every song feels like the ultimate do-or-die moment—their entire catalog is made from the same tendons and sinews as “Born to Run” and “Bastards of Young.” 

They sing raucously about hanging with your friends and drinking and falling in love with girls who have wet hair (and they do so without mining tropes of toxic masculinity), but always with that ominous specter of time in the backdrop. 

They know all too well that life is short, and youth is fleeting—an acknowledgement that adds melancholy to their tales while also heightening every emotion imaginable. The Japandroids don’t party like there is no tomorrow—they party knowing full well that tomorrow will come, and you will be old when it does. But you’re young tonight, so don’t hold back. 

All the urgency and precious appreciation will take on a new level now, with last week’s announcement that the band’s fourth studio album, “Fate and Alcohol,” (the most Japandroids-y album title ever) will also be their last. 

That news, which came after some six years of inactivity, was paired with the release of their latest single, "Chicago," a track that could not be a more fitting send-off for the band. A slow-burning masterpiece, the song captures all the Japandroids hallmarks—it’s an ode to drinking too much, staying up too late and acknowledging that this behavior can’t last forever. It’s probably their finest song since “Celebration Rock” came out in 2012.

The band hasn’t released any tour dates yet, but surely that news is coming soon. The Japandroids' experience can’t be fully realized unless it’s in a live setting. Once those farewell shows happen, there will certainly be plenty of tears in beers. But those won’t come in service of sadness—they’ll be in recognition of all that’s happened.