Ty Segall, “Shining.” Oftentimes artists in devalued genres have to be incredibly prolific just to survive. Science fiction author Philip K. Dick churned out 12 novels in a couple of speed-addled years in the 1960s. The Ramones released six albums in five years in the ’70s. They needed a…

Yo La Tengo performs at The Chapel in San Francisco on May 9, 2025. Jane Hu/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — “Good evening, everyone. We’re setting up shop here for the better part of five days,” Yo La Tengo guitarist Ira Kaplan announced five songs into the band’s nearly three-hour concert…

The Jesus Lizard performs at the Fillmore in San Francisco on May 5, 2025. Michael Chan/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — “Hello boys and girls,” David Yow, vocalist for The Jesus Lizard, told a cheering crowd Monday at the Fillmore, moments before launching himself into attendees. The band struck the frantic…

Napalm Death performs at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on April 7, 2025. Sean Liming/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO —Before their penultimate song at Great American Music Hall on Monday night, British noise metal band Napalm Death brought Dead Kennedys singer and Bay Area mainstay Jello Biafra onstage…

Kim Deal of the Breeders performs during Ohana Festival at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif. on Sept. 29, 2024. Photo by Gilbert Flores/Getty Images. SAN FRANCISCO — While Kim Deal‘s tour in support of her new solo album may not feature the bands that made her a…

Benmont Tench, “The Melancholy Season.” A case could be made that the world has become much more terrible since Tom Petty died in 2017. It’s also hard to believe we’re closing in on a decade since the legendary singer-songwriter’s passing. Life goes on. For Benmont Tench, the keyboardist in…

Neil Young, “Oceanside Countryside.” Neil Young has returned with what is to some a holy grail, another unreleased album from the 1970s. Oceanside Countryside Neil Young Reprise, March 7 8/10 Get the album on Amazon Music. Much like Chrome Dreams, reissued in its original intended form a couple of…

Earl Sweatshirt performs at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on Feb. 25, 2025. SAN FRANCISCO — The crowd at Great American Music Hall erupted in cheers as Earl Sweatshirt emerged on stage to the iconic guitar loop of his hit song “Riots.” Clad in jeans and a…

SAN FRANCISCO — During a quiet moment about halfway through his set at Herbst Theater on Sunday, an attendee yelled out a request to Ty Segall for “Girlfriend” from the SoCal rocker’s 2010 album, Melted. “I’ve never played that song acoustic, but I’ll give it a try, I guess,” Segall…

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats perform at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on Feb. 22, 2025. Karen Goldman/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats closed out the West Coast leg of their tour in support of their latest album at Bill Graham Civic…