12 June 2024

BISS List 6.12.24: Spotlight on The Humidors (6.14) + Best of BISS this Week

Happy Hump Day BISS Listers!

(Or, as I like to call it, the “Hump” I finally got over after catching the ‘vid for the first time EVER.) Yep, after 4+ years of dodging this thing like Superman dodging kryptonite, it finally cornered me. So, while you were out there living your best musical lives, I was home, channeling my inner couch potato and perfecting my tissue origami. Honestly, my immune system was probably worn out from battling that cold that overstayed its welcome a month ago.

But hey, the show must go on, right?

A huge shout-out to my awesome BISS Listers who came through with the goods while I was down for the count. You guys rock! I posted to ask for photos, videos, and reviews and you served them up! I got input from SF, San Pablo Harbour, Fairfax, Detroit, Oakland, Red Rocks, Cotati, Menlo Park, Chicago, Roseville, Napa, Tahoe, Amsterdam, Austin, LA & of course, Vegas! I loved it all. I also love the contributions you are making to the BISS Community Album! So thank you all, sincerely.

Here are some of the recaps for you….

Fairfax Festival: Resounding agreement from many that the Fairfax Festival was amazing this past weekend. Especially the Angeline Saris set! ~Chris B, Susan R, + many more! **I agree with you all; she is a badass!
Kamasi Washington: Unanimous decision from all who attended and reported back that this was an awesome show at the Warfield.
The Damned at Regency Ballroom SF: “The Damned took over the stage left searing by SF’s own The Avengers, featuring original members Penelope Cruz (Vocals), James Ingraham (Guitar), as well as players from classic punk outlets. The Damned’s 2024 World Tour features the return of original drummer Rat Scabies, the punk rock version of Keith Moon, as well as 1980’s lineup bassist Paul Gray. Rollicking through early works, as well as mastering the complexity of their 1980s proto-goth pieces, this reunion was all energy as witnessed by the many fan singalongs. A moment in time recaptured, with the proper amount of feedback, some slam dancing, and fist pumping to old anthems reborn…” ~Spor
“Cory Henry at SFJazz was pretty friggin incredible! First time seeing him. Love his energy and the Keytar was a super fun highlight!” ~Booka
Full SF Weekend in Review: “This was actually an above average weekend. Kamasi Washington at the Warfield delivered an amazing set. Listening to him play runs on his tenor echoes the ingenuity of Charlie Parker on that instrument. His father played soprano sax and flute. Saturday night took us to the Jazz Center for Cory Henry. He also delivered an awesome set. Always love the Jazz Center’s dance floor shows as it rarely gets packed even when sold out. Sat night also caught a set of Turkish funk at the BBR. Place was packed with younger folks, all way into the music. Only a couple of songs were in English, and their accents made it tough to understand. They had a good dance groove, though. And the encore was either “My Way” in Turkish, or a song which totally ripped off the music of “My Way”” ~Eric S
And of course, Dead & Co @ The Sphere… For this one, we have a pro review with photos from our man, Gabriel Barkin. Fabulous! Check out the excerpt in the section below.

Now, let’s get this party started…

If you tuned into our “#ListenToThis” feature last week, you already know why we’re big fans of The Humidors. I’ve been following them for ages. These guys are funk-tastic, and they’ve been blessed with a long line of amazing vocalists over the years. And the current queen of their funky castle is Miss Tori Roze. Her voice is pure magic, but seriously, every singer who’s graced their stage deserves a standing ovation. So come celebrate with BISS List and the whole Humidor crew, including many previous singers returning for this epic bash this week at The Humidors 10-year Anniversary Bash at Elbo Room (*WIN*) in Jack London Square this Friday night. (See the Spotlight section below for all the deets.)

It is long past due for me to make a trip to the Boom Boom Room, so I am headed there on Saturday for MuZiek ft Ziek McCarter. Ziek always brings a funky good time. And those dance moves?! Come get down with me. (*WIN*) Now, that isn’t to say, I might not also go to see Old Crow Medicine Show + Molly Tuttle at The Fox if the cards play out just right on Saturday.

This year’s 41st Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival (Jun 5-16) features 40 shows over 12 days in 4 venues. SF Jazz has some really rocking shows coming up on BISS List! This Sunday, I am trying to decide between Ivan Neville’s show or Sal’s Greenhouse both at SF Jazz. Hmmm… could I do both? Maybe not. I might have to hit the Ivan show since I missed all these other Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk sightings here in the Bay over the past week. Pause while I go buy that dance floor ticket…

When I started writing this week’s edition, I had written that I was keeping it easy this week to be sure I am completely recovered. High Sierra is approaching fast and I gotta get that immunity back up to its fighting weight. I had to delete that sentence cause this sounds like a decent weekend lineup that might not be considered “keeping it easy.” Right?

Coming Up…

Mark your calendars for the night of June 30th @ Hotel Utah! I’m beyond excited about this one because BISS List Presents is throwing this night together, and it features some of our dear family and friends who also happen to be talented musicians. Tom Freund and Friends featuring Wally Ingram are hitting the stage at Hotel Utah on June 30th. That’s right; we’re getting the party started with local legend Mad Johnny, aka Johnny Mo of Casa Del Sol, who will be gracing the stage as the opening act at 8pm. Then, the legendary Tom Freund will take the stage along with the legendary Wally Ingram. Buckle up for a night of incredible music! Let’s rally the crew for one last hurrah in SF before we head out to this year’s very special High Sierra Music Festival! (which I leave for first thing the next morning) There’s bound to be magic in the air. Don’t miss it! Get Your Tickets Now!

Also, mark your calendars for the weekend of June 28th-30th @ Black Oak Ranch! The Ten Mile Creek Revival is a family-friendly music festival featuring diverse artists like Della Mae, Jake Blount, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Lebo and Friends, and Brokedown in Bakersfield & more. Taking place at the scenic Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville, California, from June 28th to 30th, the event offers live music, camping, kid-friendly activities, food vendors, and a Sunday morning collaborative jam session. Spread the word for a chance to win a pair of tickets!

As always: Check out the Win Tickets page, and don’t forget there is more on the Full Calendar.

Thanks for tuning in, BISS Listers! May your week be filled with good vibes and even better music. ✌️

~ Pamela aka Miss BISS
#seeyouattheshows

PS. Happy Birthday to Miss Sunshine Powers! I’m sure Vegas is happy to have you and Love on Haight there. But I miss you! ❤️

SPOTLIGHT ON TEN YEARS

The Humidors w/ Huney Knuckles

June 14th @ Elbo Room Jack London

The Humidors celebrate their 10th anniversary with a blowout bash. Featuring a reunion of former lead singers Andre Cruz and Joseph Carter, along with special guest Adeoti Ashiru. Huney Knuckles opens up the evening with a one hour power set, bringing the best instrumental grooves to the stage. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-decade event! It’s going to be an unforgettable night of music, memories, and magic. Come early and stay late for an extra funky time.

Hailing from Oakland, California, The Humidors churn out their own unique brand of party music, combining elements of hard-hitting funk, greasy soul, vintage R&B, soul jazz, and more. This eight-piece unit is committed to the groove in all its shapes and forms. Seasoned performers, they’ve shared the stage with legends like Dumpstaphunk and The New Mastersounds, and their dynamic live shows are a whirlwind of B3 organ, powerful horns, rhythmic percussion, and scorching guitar solos.

*Check out all of our Featured Shows.

BISS REVIEW

Dead & Company at The Sphere | Las Vegas | 6.8.24

We’ve got another BISS Review for you from Gabriel Barkin. This time, bringing us to The Sphere in Las Vegas with Dead & Company. “After missing U2 and Phish during the inaugural year of the high-tech Las Vegas arena, it was high time I went to check out the uber-visual experience. It doesn’t hurt that Dead & Co. (featuring Grateful Dead alumni Bob Weir on guitar and vocals and Mickey Hart on drums and percussion, with John Mayer on lead guitar and vocals, Oteil Burbridge on bass, Jeff Chimenti on keys and vocals, and Jay Lane on drums) plays some of my favorite music. There is nothing like a Grateful Dead concert, and Dead & Co. falls into that category. I do think the Sphere experience is the shape of the future for many live performances. I foresee the cost and technical challenges of this sort of venue both will decrease over time, and it would not surprise me to see smaller versions of this venue are built and operated profitably in regions around the country.” Check out the full review & pictures.