Left Coast Live is bringing over 100 bands and performers to San Jose. Here is Part One of a sampling of some local indie bands you will want to try to catch this weekend!
The Left Coast Live Music Festival & Conference features an impressive line-up of headliners, including OK Go, Ya La Tengo, Neon Trees, Crash Kings, and Free Energy - among others.
But if you only stick to the main stage, you will be missing out on some great up-and-coming local indie bands. With over a hundred artists, the following list is little better than a tiny peek that leaves out many great artists. Hopefully, what is here inspires you to explore what Left Coast Live has to offer of the Bay Area indie music scene. Part Two will highlight Saturday's local indie band line-up.
Local indie bands to catch on Friday:
BlowUpDollz: This all-girl four-piece from Palo Alto makes hard-driving rock with a pop-punk attitude, catchy layered choruses, and a jamming electric violin (!). (MySpace / LCL Profile).
Picture Me Broken: Fusing melodic hard rock and "screamo" intensity, this young band from Redwood City is loud, passionate, and incredibly polished. Lead-singer Layla Brooklyn Allman has a great and powerful voice that ranges from beautifully melodic to guttural screams. (MySpace / LCL Profile).
Ambience: A progressive / alternative rock band with expansive choruses, ample infusions of world rhythms and conscientious lyrics - this Bay Area group has a big sound that is hard to resist. (MySpace / LCL Profile)
Montana 1948: Pleasing to the ear indie rock band from Saratoga comparable to popular alternative pop rockers like the Foo Fighters or the Kings of Leon. But hardly a sound-alike band, they have plenty of melodic tricks up their sleeves. (MySpace / LCL Profile).
Case in Theory: San Jose band that has a sound that is a little bit radio-friendly alternative rock, a little bit psychedelic rock, and a whole lot melodic progressive jam-band. (MySpace / LCL Profile).
Please Do Not Fight: This Redwood City indie pop rock band features upbeat guy-girl vocals, spacey synth flare and abundant melodic riffs. Hey, there's even a lyrical nod to Bay Area traffic angst. (MySpace / LCL Profile).
Also, be sure to consider checking out Northern Son (MySpace / LCL Profile), Undergone (MySpace / LCL Profile), Distance from Shelter (MySpace / LCL Profile), Insolence (MySpace / LCL Profile), and A Four Star Affair (MySpace / LCL Profile) - all also from the San Jose / San Francisco Bay Area.
Finally, while not a local band, Sonnymoon (MySpace / LCL Profile) from Allston, Massachusetts is worth a peek for fans of jazzy, tripped-out electronica somewhat in the vein of Portishead or Massive Attack.
To learn more about the Left Coast Live event, check out this previous article.
Event info:
What: Left Coast Live (schedule)
When: June 21-26
Where: South First Street and 20 Venues in Downtown San Jose (map)
Tickets: Online or in person at Streetlight Records (Campbell & Santa Cruz) or Good Karma restaurant. 1-Day Pass ($15 presale / $20 at gate) or a 2-Day Pass ($25 presale / $30 presale)
For examiner.com coverage of other music festivals, visit the 2010 Music Fest Guide!
Contact the San Jose Indie Music Examiner
Email Steven with questions, submissions (albums for review, show info, etc), or just to say "hi."
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