Mission Mission

You be the judge. The sound is important:

(Thanks, ejcsanfran!)

Watch.

Check it out! Backseat Beat featured a MM favorite, Social Studies, performing on top of some hill above the Cow Palace.

Social Studies was definitely the hottest band in the Berkeley co-ops in the early 2000s. I remember many nights watching them play in the Cloyne Court kitchen while munching on a vegan Chik Patty sandwich with Prego sauce.

Jesse, the bass player, was Cloyne’s maintenance manager, a total babe, and his signs always had excellent penmanship. In this interview, he details what it was like going to French high school. Wow, no jocks, no prom, just a bunch of skinny kids smoking cigs? What was there to rebel against? I probably would have ended up in a fraternity just to be “different”.

Anyway, their music rocks too. Check out Backseat Beat for more.

Update: I was audited by some notable co-op historians. Andrew points out that I probably mixed them up with Spunky Brewster, an ’80s cover band for which Jesse played guitar. Kat says Social Studies formed after we lived at Cloyne. Turns out my memory really was affected by all the drinking and contact highs.

I stumbled upon this clip from a public access show in the ’90s called San Francisco Live.

If you can get past the spazzy 2 minute intro (which I linked past), it’s pretty interesting. Kilowatt used to be a destination spot for for Japanese noise bands, Czech Gypsy punk was a genre, and people used to buy records from record stores. Crazy, huh?

These are just a couple screenshots from an epic short film shot I think today by “steeeevey T” of TCB and Stortstrots. He starts in the Mission and winds his way downtown.

Watch the whole movie here, for the soundtrack if not the rad visuals.

Allen Price sent us his latest video for the band Square Dance which takes place in the Mission.

The video is as weird as the song. I’m not sure how to describe it. It’s like the Shaggs meets Yo-Yo Ma or something. Does that make sense? Not really.

On an unrelated note, it has occurred to me that singer Mira Cook is also a classically trained ballerina, so she probably has an informed opinion about Natalie Portman’s academy award winning performance in Black Swan.

“Video art” sounds lame, I know, but this is pretty fun. The artist is David Szlasa.

Gosh, the commentary by these dumb newscasters gets better and better every time I hear it.

(Thanks, Jack M!)

Previously:

Bomb Squad Bomb Robot Drops Bag of Grenades, Accidentally Drives Right Over One Near 18th and Potrero [VIDEO]

Our pals at Mission Bicycle have a new promo video done by 4SP Films, the same guys that did the Tartine Bread one a while ago. It looks great and has nice shots of the ‘hood.

Jefferson adds:

They were pretty awesome to work with but they wanted to crop out a bit where a dog is taking a leak in and otherwise beautiful shot.  I said NO WAY.  It’s one of my favorite bits.  Gotta look close though, it’s just a quick flash.

Bonus dog peeing shot!

[Vimeo link]

If you’ve ever seen Rob Reich play accordion with Gaucho at Amnesia on Wednesdays or 1st and 3rd Thursdays at Tartine Bakery, you are well aware of his genius. He’s a brilliant improviser with an impeccable human-jukebox ear. Call out any tune to the guy, seriously. Overworld theme to Super Mario Bros. 2? No problem. Jump by Van Halen? Easy. Not only that, he’ll work it into a solo later in the night just to make you feel special. He’s so good that he’s been muralized in front of Amnesia.

Rob also composes the best original circus music you’ve ever heard for local troupe Circus Bella. After 3 years of performing his compositions at their live events he’s hoping to raise the funds to record a record with the Circus Bella All Star Band, which includes a bunch of amazing local musicians you’ve probably seen around. If you enjoy the music, consider donating to his kickstarter campaign. If you donate $10 you get a digital copy of the record. If you donate $250, hold on to your slide whistle, because you get to be on the record!

Here’s his composition Abigail’s Waltz for arial artist High Flyin’ Abigail Munn:

Here’s the kickstarter page, which contains a cool video of Rob describing the project.

Hey I know you don’t have a TV anymore, but you should find one to use tonight, because we got a homegirl competing on American Idol this evening.

Emily Anne Reed is a local jazz, country, and blues singer who performs regularly at places like Amnesia, the Rite Spot, and Revolution Cafe. If the scene above looks familiar, it’s because it took place at the Mission apartment building on 16th that burned down on August 14th. She lived there. Will this be exploited by the producers and paired with solemn solo piano music for full dramatic effect? Maaaybe.

Here’s the promo spot. Tune in tonight to cheer her on:

Update:

Here’s her audition from last night.

Here’s her

Previously:

Fire Fire Fire