BISS List 4.23.25 Spotlight on Mad Archaic (5.3) + The Best of BISS This Week

Happy Hump Day, BISS Listers! And what a hump it is! Many of you already kicked things off this week with the Phish show last night, followed by an epic SuperJam at the Boom Boom Room. As I was writing this, I was getting ready to head over there myself to catch the SuperJam, featuring some of the baddest players in the jam scene: Reed Mathis, Joe Marcinek, Angeline Saris, Dennis Mill, Danny Eisenberg, Emerson Rose, plus sit-ins from Smokey The Groove Horns and Lantz Lazwell!

Last Week in Review:

Thur 4/17: I was a judge at the SF Regional High Sierra Band Contest, and let me tell you, it was a blast! Four incredibly talented bands, Elenah, The Fell Swoop, Humidors, and Tony Glaser & The Party, all hit the stage with soul, funk horns, reggae grooves, and pure infectious energy. It was the kind of night that reminds you why we love this scene so much. As judges, Pamela Parker, Andy Gadiel, and I had an amazing time and took the job seriously, jotting notes during each spectacular set and asking thoughtful questions afterward. Taking part in choosing a winner might have been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, and the other judges felt the same.

In the end, The Fell Swoop was selected to advance to the next round, where they’ll face off against other regional and online winners. The final winner earns a spot on the Vaudeville Stage at this year’s High Sierra Music Festival. As Andy put it, The Fell Swoop had “that can’t-figure-it-out-but-I’m-smiling” kind of vibe. Their set was full of dynamic shifts, playful moments (yes, there was a wig and a shirtless surprise), and a real connection with the crowd. Honestly, the whole night had that magic—people were off their phones, dancing, and fully present. Exactly how live music should be. Check out this album for videos of all four bands that made it to this semi-final round and competed in this HSMF contest. Don’t forget to grab your tickets for this year’s High Sierra (7/3 – 7/6) before prices go up at the end of the month!

Sat 4/19: I made it to the annual Deadhead Seder. Wow, this one was truly something special. They somehow manage to rework every lyric with such cleverness, weaving in the Passover story with that Dead-inspired flair. Every detail was intentional and hilarious, yet deeply rooted in tradition. The music was next level this year, tight, joyful, and so full of heart. They added all these little activities throughout the Seder that made the whole thing feel interactive and alive. They still hit all the core moments that make it a real Seder, but they made it fun. And when I say fun, I mean my Mom —who’s been to a whole lot of Seders in her lifetime— told me this was the most fun Seder she’s ever been to. That’s saying something.

A big thank you to those who reached out about being a guest writer for the BISS List while I’m away in May! I truly appreciate it. If you’ve been thinking about it but haven’t messaged me yet, there’s still time. Whether you’re an experienced writer or just a live music lover with something to say, I’d love to hear from you. Email me if you’re down to contribute. Let’s keep the groove alive together!

This Week’s Agenda: This is my personal plan, but as I always say, create your own adventure! Explore the Best of BISS below, scroll through the full calendar, or check out our Win Tickets page for even more options.

• Wed 4/23 in Marin: Mark Karan’s Budz is playing at Sweetwater Music Hall
• Wed 4/23 in SF: I know many of you will be at Phish at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium again tonight, though I have a work event so can’t make it. But I hope to make it to the after party at Boom Boom Room for Yak Attack (*WIN*)
• Thur 4/24: Deciding between Huney Knuckles at Madrone Art Bar here in the city vs. SLIDE! Funk Jam w/ Anthony Ant at The Starry Plough Pub in Berkeley.
• Fri 4/25: I am so excited for Parliament Funkadelic ft George Clinton at Henry J Kaiser in Oakland (*WIN*). Yes! You can win tickets for this one just for spreading the word! Anybody going from the city?
• Sat 4/26: Thinking about something more classic like Graham Nash at the The Guild Theatre or maybe Butcher Brown at The Independent

Next, I switch gears to get ready for NOLA for the second week of Jazz & Heritage Festival! I know many of you might already be there! If you are, don’t forget to check out the BISS List Night Show NOLA-dex which lists about 80 shows for your night show experience. If you are a musician or promoter who is checking this out and would like to pump up your promotion with a ticket giveaway contest or an Ad, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email to biss@bisslist.com.

As always, I am heavily supporting our Bay Area promoters. Poolside Presents has 11 shows at Cafe Istanbul Nightfest throughout the next two weeks. Satisfied Productions’ 23rd annual Bayou Rendezvous at The Howlin’ Wolf will be on 5/2, where I’ll be working! If you are interested in earning some tickets by handing out flyers at the fairgrounds or in your other travels around NOLA, please reach out. You can also Win Tickets for all of these shows so check it out and spread the word!

All that being said, you might be hearing from some guest writers over the next few weeks while I’m away, first for NOLA, then Golden Road Gathering! Speaking of Golden Road Gathering (5/16 – 5/18), this is your final reminder to get your contest entries in by the end of this week so we can pick the winner! With Thievery Corporation, Leftover Salmon, Dirtwire, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, ALO and lots more BISS faves, you know it’s gonna be a good one!!

Next Weekend: I hope you will all represent me at this double header! Please capture some of these shows and send them to me!!

• Sat 5/3: The Warren Haynes Band @ The Fillmore (*WIN*)
• Sat 5/3 Late Night: Mad Archaic + AfriCali Psychedelic Afrobeat Jam Afterparty at Boom Boom Room (*WIN*). Check out the spotlight below for more info about Mad Archaic!

That’s a wrap for this week. I might pop in next week if I don’t lock in a writer for that edition, but let’s be real, my brain will already be halfway to New Orleans. Either way, I hope to see you in NOLA or at Golden Road after that!

Until next time, keep the dance floor warm for me—and represent the BISS List crew wherever you are!

~Pamela aka Miss BISS
#seeyouattheshows

SPOTLIGHT ON PSYCHEDELIC AFROBEAT

Mad Archaic + AfriCali
Psychedelic Rock & Afrobeat Jam Party

May 3rd @ Boom Boom Room

Mad Archaic is the rare band that jams like songwriters—crafting each moment with intention, even when it’s spontaneous. Their sets are a seamless fusion of tight grooves, instantly memorable hooks, and fearless exploration. With soaring guitar solos that channel raw emotion and futuristic synth textures that feel pulled from another dimension, Mad Archaic builds sonic landscapes that are both familiar and otherworldly. Whether they’re riding a hypnotic beat or dropping into a melodic chorus, every moment feels like it was meant to be.

AfriCali serves up a hearty cioppino of sound—a delicious blend of rock, blues, and the hypnotic rhythms of 1970s Ethiopian music, all topped with a touch of coastal-psych seasoning. A positive, empowering message of freedom and dance from South Africa to Northern California.

LATE NIGHT, these two forces of nature come together for a dance party SUPER JAM! The driving rhythms and percussive fire of AfriCali locking into the cosmic, spacey grooves of Mad Archaic in a nonstop dance party.

Coming from Warren Haynes? Plenty of times to join the festivities to cap your night!

SPOTLIGHT ON P-FUNK

Parliament Funkadelic ft George Clinton

April 25th @ Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts

The Mothership lands at Oakland’s HJK Center! George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic bring their cosmic funk spectacle for one night only. Experience the legendary P-Funk collective that revolutionized music with their boundary-pushing blend of funk, rock, soul and psychedelia. Don’t miss your chance to witness these funk pioneers in action. Free your mind, this Friday 4/25!

BEST OF BISS THIS WEEK

04/23 Graham Nash: More Evenings of Songs and Stories (Two Nights) @ Bimbo’s 365 Club

04/23 Mark Karan’s Budz @ Sweetwater Music Hall  

04/23 Phish (Two Nights) @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

04/23 Yak Attack @ Boom Boom Room  

04/24 An Evening with Sturgill Simpson @ Greek Theatre

04/24 An Evening with Laurie Lewis and Nina Gerber @ HopMonk Tavern Sebastopol

04/24 Poolside Presents: Current Futures ft Robert Walter, Stanton Moore, Will Bernard, Chris Stillwell and Cochemea Gastelum (NOLA) @ Cafe Istanbul  

04/25 Larkin Poe @ The Fillmore

04/25 Graham Nash: More Evenings of Songs & Stories (Two Nights) @ The Guild Theatre

04/25 ORGONE w/ Mestizo Beat @ Moe’s Alley

04/25 AXIAL TILT: A Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary Celebration ft Joan Osborne, Stu Allen, Rob Eaton, Mitch Stein, Skip Vangelas, Pete Lavezzoli, Wally Ingram, and more (NOLA) @ Cafe Istanbul  

04/25 Parliament Funkadelic ft George Clinton @ Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts  

4/25 “Stravaig!” San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers @ Veterans Memorial Theatre Davis

04/25 Spring Fling ft Chali 2na + Cut Chemist, Fort Knox Five, Harry & The Hitmen, KYRA, Rudeskool x Thug Shells, Little John & Friends, Anthonia, Maculate @ Brookdale Lodge

04/26 Spring Fling ft Space Heater with RonKat Spearman, Little John with Matt Hartle, Thug Shells, DRMWVR, Mr. Bounceman, SoWutt B2B Weezy, T’ravler Loveland & Friends @ Brookdale Lodge

04/26 Camper Van Beethoven (Two Nights) @ The Fillmore

04/26 Butcher Brown, Letters From The Atlantic @ The Independent

04/26 Graham Nash: More Evenings of Songs & Stories (Two Nights) @ The Guild Theatre

04/26 Sol Horizon: Bob Marley Tribute @ Sweetwater Music Hall  

04/26 AXIAL TILT: A Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary Celebration ft Joan Osborne, Stu Allen, Rob Eaton, Mitch Stein, Skip Vangelas, Pete Lavezzoli, Wally Ingram, and more (NOLA) @ Cafe Istanbul  

04/26 Phutureprimitive & David Starfire @ Felton Music Hall  

04/26 Yak Attack w/ Blu Egyptian @ Lost On Main Chico  

04/26 “Stravaig!” San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers @ Angelico Concert Hall San Rafael

04/27 Camper Van Beethoven (Two Nights) @ The Fillmore

04/27 Poolside Presents: Garaj Mahal ft Kai Eckhardt, Oz Ezzeldin, Fareed Haque, and Hassan Hurd (NOLA) @ Cafe Istanbul  

04/27 “Stravaig!” San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers @ Jackson Theater Santa Rosa

04/29 Phat Tuesdays with Oscar Myers Steppin’ @ Madrone Art Bar

04/30 Jenny Kerr Band @ Club Fox Redwood City

04/30 Poolside Presents: Nolatet ft Mike Dillon, Brian Haas, James Singleton, and Johnny Vidacovich (NOLA) @ Cafe Istanbul  

Want more shows from BISS?
Check out the Best of BISS & BISS Full Calendar

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The BISS List began in 2003 as an email newsletter for diehard live music fans in the Bay Area. Over 20 years, we’ve grown to become the go-to resource for funk, jam, soul, and groove music, reaching approximately 20,000 followers and over 80,000 through various platforms. Our curated list features only the shows we and our fans love, and we host ticket giveaways to enhance promotions with venues and artists.

Each week, we highlight the BEST OF BISS shows, with select FEATURED SHOWS that you won’t want to miss. Our shows are free to view and add to—if you have a show to submit, visit our submission page or email us at biss@bisslist.com.

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The BISS List has always been a labor of love, fueled by passion for live music and a dedication to this amazing community. What started as a personal email of show picks has grown into a full-fledged resource for funk, jam, soul, and groove lovers—bringing you curated show recommendations, ticket giveaways, and a space to connect over the music we love.

But running BISS takes time, effort, and real costs—over $3,000 a month just to keep the basics going! That’s why we’re excited to offer two ways you can support and help sustain the BISS List:

✨ Make a tax-deductible donation – The BISS List is now fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media, which means your donation directly supports our mission while also being tax-deductible! Every contribution helps us grow, support artists, and expand BISS to serve the music community even better.

✨ Join our Patreon – Want to support and get perks? Patreon gives you a way to back the music you love while enjoying exclusive benefits. Your membership helps cover essential costs and allows us to keep BISS thriving without constant financial stress.

Your support—no matter the size—keeps the BISS List alive and ensures we can continue sharing the music, artists, and shows that bring us together. Thank you for being part of this incredible community. Let’s keep the music playing! ~ Pamela aka Miss BISS