Music Search
Hanging Gardens
Rock & Pop Sun., May 19, 4 p.m.510-763-1146
Free Dive
Jazz, Lounge, & Cabaret Sun., May 19, 7:30 p.m.Torche
Rock & Pop Tue., May 21, 8 p.m.510-763-1146
Not to be confused with the LA indie-rock trio Torches or the LA synth-pop outfit Touché, the Miami/Gainesville/Atlanta band Torche (pronounced "Torch") has reached its own rock-pop apex, but not in the way you might imagine. What began as "doom-pop" (down-tuned, sludgy open notes and plodding tempos, but with soaring harmonies) has evolved into a highly caffeinated alt-metal/pop-sludge sound. The band hasn't always found its niche commercially or critically, despite the success of its 2008 release, Meanderthal: It's been oddly billed with mainstream alt-rock bands, and was criticized in 2009 by The Village Voice for being part of a decidedly "un-metal" scene of "dunderheaded critical darlings with banal commercialist tastes." But I doubt the writer of that critique had seen Torche live, because this band absolutely levels audiences. Call it metal, or pop, or whatever you want -- just see the band at the Oakland Metro Operahouse (630 3rd St., Oakland) on Tuesday, May 21. 8 p.m., $14. OaklandMetro.org
$14The Utmost Something
Rock & Pop Tue., May 21, 9 p.m.510-444-6174
El Vez's Punk Rock Revue
Rock & Pop Wed., May 22, 8 p.m.Raphael
World, Latin, Reggae, & Reggaetón Wed., May 22, 8 p.m.He's My Brother She's My Sister
Rock & Pop Thu., May 23, 8 p.m.Witomaker
Rock & Pop Thu., May 23, 9 p.m.510-451-8100
"On Dave Brubeck and Ansel Adams"
Lectures, Museums, Jazz, Lounge, & Cabaret Fri., May 24, 7-8:30 p.m.510-318-8400
Subhumans
Rock & Pop Fri., May 24, 7 p.m.510-763-1146
Mama Crow
Rock & Pop, Blues, Folk, & Country Fri., May 24, 8 p.m.510-863-1440
The Presets
Rock & Pop Fri., May 24, 8 p.m.Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners
Blues, Folk, & Country Fri., May 24, 9 p.m.510-663-0271
