Dave Smallen, Everything Changes and Nothing Changes.
If the name Dave Smallen doesn’t ring a bell, try Street to Nowhere.
That’s the talented young East Bay singer-songwriter’s former band,
signed to Capitol Records in 2006 and later disbanded. His solo debut
is more mature and subdued than STN’s wild-eyed pop-punk, comparing
favorably to the likes of Bright Eyes and the Counting Crows.
(self-released)
At Bottom of the Hill (1233 17th St., San Francisco) on November 27.
9:30 p.m., $12
Wave Array, Cheapjack Moon. Like a more psychedelic
Spoon or a more shambolic Pinback, Wave Array plays slightly to the
left of contemporary indie-rock standards. The East Bay band’s debut
politely ignores prevailing trends for slower tempos and a hazier
aesthetic. It’s a fine line between losing your head in the clouds and
wandering without focus, but Wave Array mostly gets it right.
(self-released)
At the Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley) on November 28.
9 p.m., $7
Scene of Action, 20 Minute Hourglass EP. Fans of
mainstream rock should be impressed with San Francisco indie band Scene
of Action’s latest offering. From instrumentation to production, the
trio captures perfectly the dark, dynamic, and yearning style that has
dominated modern rock radio for the last five or so years — and
these six songs would feel quite at home on an arena rock stage.
(PopSmear Records)
At the Rickshaw Stop (155 Fell St., San Francisco) on November 28. 8
p.m., $10
Mass Fiction, Genre. Like fellow local Josh Fix, San
Francisco quintet Mass Fiction revives piano-based, Queen-inspired
power-pop for a new generation. The difference is where they go with
it: Mass Fiction’s infusion of rough-edged alternative rock is more
creative and original, yet less persuasive than Fix’s authentic
swagger. (The Nothing Room)
At the Elbo Room (647 Valencia St., San Francisco) on December 2. 9
p.m., $6
