San Fran Voice

If you don’t have plans yet for your Halloween night, you can head to The Thrillhouse and catch The Reaction. (You know them from our interview here on the site, if not from somewhere else in the city.) You can also learn more about the band from their MySpace page. The Thrillhouse is at 3422 Mission St. I’ve never been there so I can’t give you the gist about it but if you know, you should leave your comments here so everyone else can get to know about it as well!

Unequaled Clarity is a San Francisco band from Pacifica that plays a Bay Area brand of punk rock. By the end of this post, you’ll know ten things about them that you didn’t already know and you’ll be ready to go see them perform. They’re playing on the 4th and on the 9th of this month but you’ll have to head down to Pacifica to see them. Check them out on MySpace in the meantime.

The interview was done with Joe Zpantis, the band’s drummer:

1. Unequaled Clarity consists of the following Key People: Joe Zpantis on drums, his brother Yiani on bass, and his father Joe as well as lead singer Antonio Palazzo and engineer/producer Dave Hampp. They formed when the current lead singer Antonio Palazzo and ex, ex guitarist Dan Erickson met on Craigslist and started writing music; meanwhile looking for a bassist and drummer. My dad, being a drummer, responded to their ad. He tried out as did and my brother tagged along and tried out too, just for the heck of it. Before that Yiani hasn’t picked up a bass in about 3 years. They liked my bro’s style, but said my dad was too old. He said “well my son plays drums, but he’s kinda young”. One day after a football game, and with a broken finger, I tried out. I told them if they liked me to contact me after football season. And from there within the matter of a month we wrote 4 songs: Punksure, Sounds of Reason, Journey to the Sun, and Cut the Ties.

2. They have a new upcoming album, described as … Melodic power chords raised in the hood so you get that sense of groove and hip hop. The album, when complete, will be Punkish/Metal/Progressive/Epic/Groovy. Teaming up with accomplished producer Dave Hampp, we will spend quality time and produce a blended melody of sonic airwaves that rocks the head in their passing. We are excited because none of us have ever done anything like this, and are eager to pour our heart and soul into it. The best thing is the album is being done for free. Dave finally came to a show. We were playing the Elbo Room. After the show he said, “After seeing you guys live I’ve decided to fund the whole album”. We are all stoked and have been working hard. We have been working the kinks out for months. It will be an original sound of music that you can’t find elsewhere.

3. If you walked into our rehearsal studio right now you would see … Yiani, Antonio, Dave and I preparing a set for an upcoming show, or just working the songs out for the album. No booze or drugs, but you might catch my dad’s criticism with a joint in his hand. We like to call him father Jackson of the Jackson 5. Really we wouldn’t be anywhere without him. He is really a sight to see. His aggressive criticism has always pushed us.

4. Unequaled Clarity thinks music should be what you want it to be, with no boundaries. The minute someone says this is how it should be you limit the market and make it hard for people to follow their dreams. The whole reason behind that is that we are three totally different guys that were brought together by destiny. If we were to try and agree on a sound or genre there would be a straight up fight. We purposely try not to stay in one genre. We write what we write, and sound how we sound.

5. If Unequaled Clarity was a San Francisco landmark, it would be … well, not so much a landmark as the ghettos of San Francisco. Having no money, trying to hustle our way through the beast called the industry. Creating and gaining respect just like gangsters try and do.

6. Unequaled Clarity’s Favorite Venue is Slims. Slims is always a good one when it comes to sound and all around vibe. The place is fuckin’ classic. I can say that I really enjoyed the Dogs Boullox also. The people there were really friendly. And it was crowded even though we didn’t promote it.

7. Places where one could find Unequaled Clarity out in San Francisco would start with the mission district bar scene - Holy Cow being a favorite bar (which we strongly recommend for Thursday nights). I love going down to Haight and watering my music collection at Amoeba, and playing music with people on the sidewalk if I happen to have an instrument. On Sundays. I enjoy going to Golden Gate Park and jamming in the drum circle. Pier 39 is fun. It really depends what we’re doing. When it comes to food, we are all over the place. Anywhere that’s got a good burger, we are there. We live on the beach in Pacifica so we feel very comfortable just staying at home as well.

8. If the band members could play with any entertainer or any venue, they’d have to split up to do it. Talking as if I were a world renowned drummer, I would live in L.A. and get all sorts of gigs from people who come in and out of the area. Antonio would live with Unwritten Law. Yiani would live with 2 Pac, or someone like that. Yiani is a straight thug when it comes to music. As a band we would stay in a similar place like we are now, on the beach and with a studio in the back, but in a place with more beautiful scenery. It would definitely have to be somewhere near a place where we could escape into a sanctuary and write music in solitude and without distraction. A beautiful place full of inspiration. Like fucking London or something.

9. Things Unequaled Clarity wants their fans to know are we are a real fuckin’ band. We are not part of a group, or genre, or following a trend. Destiny brought us together. We never write music to cater to anyone. People say what is your gimmick? We reply, “We don’t need a gimmick, we are real people who are doing what we love”. People see that on stage; I think that is what people love about us. We talk to our fans, and engage on a personal level. Most of all we sacrifice for our fans. We owe our fans and would do anything they want…..but within reason of course. Like Fred Durst said “thank you to my fans, without them there wouldn’t be any show” - I can’t agree any more.

10. Local bands that Unequaled Clarity thinks you should know about include Lo Nero, Orphins of Aliens, Razero, Red House, Supe, Drist, Solid State Logic, Pigeon, and High like Five. Those are my favorite. They are bad ass!

Back in August, San Fran Voice had the opportunity to interview Bay Area painter Angela Simione. Her strikingly intense work sends both personal and political messages to her viewers. You can check them out on her art blog, The Shape of Secrets. But art is always much better in person. And Angela’s work can be seen this month at HANG Annex Gallery. The gallery is located on the 2nd floor of 567 Sutter Street. The artist will be there for the opening reception this Thursday, November 1st from 6-8. The exhibition, titled “Relativity” is part of a group show in which you can also see the work of Jose Arenas and Jeanne Lydon.

As you might have noticed, the Thursday of the event is the first Thursday of the month. If you didn’t already know it, that means its the Union Square Art Walk. Galleries are open throughout the area and the neighborhood is filled with creativity and fun. Learn more from this old blog post on the topic.

*The above untitled image is a 10″ x 10″ oil on canvas by Angela Simione.

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When I first heard about the Mission Indie Mart (through local vintage designer Dena Rose) it was a small affair held in the backyard of the founder’s Mission home. The mart is still in the Mission but it’s grown too large for backyards and has moved into its new space at 12 Galaxies.

What is it? It’s a place where you can go to check out the creative works of all different types of local San Francisco designers. Need new clothes? Fashion designers are on site with their stuff. Thinking that accessories are more along the lines of your immediate needs? Those will be there as well. You’ll also be able to find antiques and crafts and all sorts of off-the-wall stuff. And since Halloween is just days away, you might find that perfect strange thing you needed to compliment your not-yet-complete costume.

Even if you don’t find something to buy, you’ll probably have a good time. There will be local music and BBQ food and that terrific atmosphere that comes about when over forty different designers come together in one space with their creative energy. At least that’s what I’m counting on since I’m going to (fingers crossed) finally make it to this event for the first time since hearing about it months ago.

It happens on Sunday, October 28th at 12 Galaxies which is at Mission and 22nd St. It runs from noon to five. See you there?

Technorati Tags: san francisco, mission, fashion, designer, indie, event

There are two great local musicians who are teaming up to bring you over three hours of live music once every month starting this coming Saturday night. Micah Anderson is a San Jose musician who plays a version of acoustic rock that is earthy and touching. Drew Thomas has a mesmerizing voice and engaging lyrics. The two are going to be coming together to show off their skills on the last Saturday of every month. The location is the SNOB Wine Bar - if you don’t know it, it’s worth checking out. Show starts at eight.

Over the past weekend, I met up with some new friends at a coffee shop on Polk Street that I’d never been to before. (It’s A Grind, located at the intersection of Washington and Polk.) I was early to the meeting and so wandered into some of the stores in the area that I hadn’t been to before. There was a curiosity and crafts shop with a name that escapes me which sold interesting trinkets and old typewriters. I stopped into Mascara Vintage and almost bought a new dress but reminded myself that I’m trying to confine my spending, even at the thrift stores. I enjyoed immersing myself in the oddities on display at stores throughout the area but managed to buy nothing before heading to the coffee shop.

This is an issue I’ve had for awhile and one which I brought up during that coffee shop conversation. I never buy art. I also almost never buy music. And I rarely buy designs from fashion designers, although I have on occasion. I feel odd about this. I feel like the desire to support local artists should extend to my purchases. And I suppose that it would if I bought those things. When I do buy music, it’s CDs at local concerts. When I do pick up art for some reason, it’s in support of local artisans. But it’s rare that I buy those things and I suppose that I feel like my commitment to supporting local art is more in the form of letting others know about it than it is in monetary support.

But I digress … the coffee shop meeting was wonderful. I connected with new friends, talked about a range of different creative topics and found myself surrounded by a large crowd of Sunday coffee drinkers who apparently are more familiar with this coffee shop than I was. When the hanging out session came to a close, a couple of the folks I was with were headed up the street to a nearby art jewelry gallery. I joined them because it was a place I’d never heard of that caught my interest. Once there, it also held my interest.

Velvet da Vinci is a small gallery (although I hesitate to say small since the space is rather large for storefront space on Polk Street) which displays the work of artistic jewelry. There are also metalwork displays which serve to accent the store and highlight the artistic nature of the jewelry. The current exhibit is an earring show … so within the display cases were hung unique earrings that looked like miniature sculptures one could adorn the sides of their heads with. The earrings were made of a range of different materials from plastics to metals to recycled items like the wheels from LEGO cars. I don’t wear much jewelry myself but can definitely see the artistic aspect to accessories and thought that the display highlighted that perfectly. Form and function at its finest …

The gallery is free to enter so maybe if you check it out, you can do better than me and actually support local artists with a purchase!

“Through Her Face” by Sytiva Sheehan

Sytiva Sheehan is a San Francisco Bay Area painter who is currently expanding into working in three-dimensional art. She is motivated by the desire to use art to bring awareness of important issues to others and to hopefully make some change in the world doing what she loves. In this interview with San Fran Voice, we learn about her work and her experiences in the city as well as what advice she has for other emerging artists.

What can you tell us about the basics of your artwork?

I work in acrylic, oil, pen, and 2D. I am currently enjoying learning 3D so that I can add that to the selection of what I do. Most of my work starts from a painting or storyboard. The paintings are based on characters to reflect life as it is (or life as you see it). For example, I personally love the elderly so I have taken one character and put her in many situations, even some that are troublesome to look at. This allows me to explore many different facets of life through one character. At the same time, it lets me send certain messages. For example, there is a MUNI (San Francisco bus) painting that reveals young people sitting in the seats reserved for seniors. In this particular painting, the elderly woman is hanging on to a pole. The idea behind this painting is that people who see this painting would not want to behave in this manner, making elderly people stand up while they are seated. Hopefully the image will stick in their minds and they’ll remember to stand the next time that they are on MUNI.

That sounds like a neat project. What projects are you working on now?

I am currently working on several projects. There are six new paintings which will probably be done in the middle of 2008. Also, I am currently a team member on another project for an animated short in 3D studio max. In the near future, I will be collaborating with San Francisco writer Tony Dushane on another animated short. Before Christmas, I will hang two 5-foot paintings at the Nervous Dog Coffee shop in San Francisco’s Mission neighborhood. This is a special project for me because each painting took more than two years to complete.

What longer-term art goals do you have for yourself?

It would be my dream come true to find work as a full time storyboard artist. I’d continue painting for the rest of my life and hope that it would make a difference in the lives of others.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I am inspired by artists, writers and musicians who all work together to create something larger than themselves. I enjoy attending art events with these people, particular those events which are culturally guided and politically aware. I’m also affected by tragedy in various forms, such as the problems of the elderly and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. In a way, these things inspire me also. I like activist art which works to change the world.

On working, creating and living in San Francisco …

San Francisco is choreographed by art, music and design. Art is absolutely everywhere. Portraits, Statements, and Stories. Things left out on the street too long will be dragged home by some artist who will use it to create something beautiful out of it. Recycled creativity, just like Stacy Alexander (previously interviewed by San Fran Voice), is prevalent. Each artist here has a focus but in the end they all work together to create something larger than just their own body of work.

As far as going to see art … I guess you can say my favorite galleries are the homes of other artists in the process. I love the mess, the tools, and the smell of wet paint. I love the art of planning, brainstorming, storyboarding seeing things in the raw, for a writer, I love the back-story, character development and commentaries. I do like to go to the art events in the mission because they are culturally guided and politically aware. I like art, which keeps the history of a culture, and I also like activist art, which changes the world.

What advice do you have for emerging artists?

I believe that people should paint what they love or paint what moves them, good or bad. If you like abstract - Paint it! If you like realism - Paint it! Don’t paint what is in style just because it is in style. Too much of the same is almost invisible. Keep art true to yourself. I have gotten rejected for a show because I paint what I like. This is when someone said “That’s Okay! Start a rejection folder; it’s healthy!”

Most of the events that I post about on San Fran Voice are music or art events that I’m personally interested in. Sometimes this is just because they catch my eye and sound like something worth checking out. Often it’s because I know the people involved in them and am sure it’ll be a fun time. Today’s recommended event (which starts tonight and runs through Wednesday, October 24th) wouldn’t have caught my attention if it weren’t for a tip from a reader. The reader happens to be a Los Angeles resident who is going to be in the San Francisco area (welcome SoCal) and wanted us to know about the event.

The details:

Actress Elaine Joyce known for previous work on Broadway but more so for her appearance on game shows like Match Game is going to be performing at The Empire Plush Room. The performance, called Second Time Around, is a small Broadway style show that highlights the ups and downs of female life today. Should be funny, touching and entertaining in its turn. It’s tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday.

Added tidbit:

From the research that I did for my book, Ghosts of San Francisco, I happen to know that there are strong rumors that The Plush Room is haunted. Reportedly, a piano player named Lester died down there during the secret days of the Plush’s past. Even if it’s not true, this place has got an interesting history as a hidden speakeasy during the days of Prohibition. If you haven’t been there, it’s a San Francisco landmark that oughtta be on your list.

Technorati Tags: elaine joyce, match game, san francisco, broadway, theater, events

I had another post in mind for this morning, a post sprung from a thought that formed while I was reading a book this morning by a San Francisco author. But as a I write this, a highly agitated man is screaming obscenities at tourists right outside my window and I’m having trouble focusing on what I’d originally planned to say.

What I’m thinking about instead is what a good friend of mine said last year on his first visit to San Francisco. We were riding the bus, going to or coming from some event, and I’d casually asked him if he liked the city. He looked around the bus, his eyes lingering on the eclectic group that was gathered there, and he hesitated. Finally he said, “the crazies are just too close to you here”. I laughed and said, “I love the crazies” and we dismissed the conversation.

But the truth is that San Francisco’s geographically small area and high level of tolerance for outrageous behavior do sometimes combine to put a little too much craziness in one area. For the most part, I think that this generates an energy level that only feeds the terrific cosmopolitan creative spirit that hums throughout the city. But I’m willing to admit that there’s a spectrum of crazy and sometimes it gets a little bit out of hand. I’m thinking of the man frightening tourists outside of my window. I’m thinking of a scary walk home I took one night through a notoriously “less than good” neighborhood here. I’m thinking of last year’s Halloween in the Castro.

Now, let me discuss “crazy” for a minute. Crazy is a loaded word. And that’s part of the problem here. Some would say that the sidewalk saxophone player who sleeps on the street and wears the same clothes every day but keeps his instrument perfectly polished is “crazy”. Some would say that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who grace events with their elaborate outfits and undeniable air of expressive authority are “crazy”. There are some who would say that everyone who lives in San Francisco is a little bit “crazy”. Crazy is a spectrum. There’s no line that says, “okay, here you’re normal, there you’re not”. This is especially true in San Francisco, where what looks crazy elsewhere is just a normal day and where “crazy” ideas become innovations that help to shape the world.

But for me, there’s a line. On one side is creative, expressive, eccentric, off-the-wall, entertaining, edgy … On the other side is “crazy” and by crazy, I mean dangerous. That’s the determining factor for me. It is my personal belief that everyone should be able to live as freely as they want, unlimited by others in as much as is possible within a society. But it is also my personal belief that this freedom ends when you begin to infringe upon the same freedom in others. When your eccentricities pose a threat to the well-being of those around you, you’ve gone from creative to crazy in my book.

Obviously, this isn’t a clear cut line. There are endless arguments of debate possible about what exactly harms another person. But what I’m realizing at this moment is that San Francisco has a pretty good intuitive sense about these things. I don’t believe that we generally harass or outcast the creatively eccentric folks who live amongst us. But as I peek out my window to check on the status of the situation below, I see that a crowd has gathered and is ushering the tourists away from the belligerent man while working to calm him down. We tolerate one another here, more so than most places, but there is also a strong sense of community in San Francisco. In the Bay Area, in the city and in the individual neighborhoods … people here consider this their home … and we look out for each other here - both in our permissiveness of “crazy” and our protection from it.

As most of you already know, I’m working out the logistics of possibly putting together a sampler CD of music from the city. I received a lot of really great ideas and assistance about the CD from those of you who know more about making music in this city (and in general) than what I know. I’ve compiled that information and will be working on a business and marketing plan to further develop the CD. (If you’re going to do creative things, you should do them right!)

Although plans will be in the works, further developments will be unlikely to be announced before the beginning of 2008. The end of the year always goes so quickly, starting with San Francisco’s favorite holiday (Halloween) and continuing through all of the other holidays. Combined with the fact that I’m going to be taking the first non-working vacation since … week, since I bought my first laptop … for just a few days in December and am also going to be wrapping up my third book before the end of the year … things are just going to be too crazy to commit to this project before then.

But it gets first priority in 2008 and you’ll definitely be kept updated on the status of the project. At that time, I’ll work in close contact with the people who gave me such terrific starting points and we’ll see what we can make happen! Thanks for your interest in seeing this project go forward!

Technorati Tags: San Francisco, music, bands, event