We just came across this historic interview with legendary concert promoter Bill Graham, standing outside what is currently, and was originally, the Fillmore auditorium on Geary Street. This interview was likely shot sometime in early 80s, and even then nostalgia for the 60s was thick. As the interviewer says, sadly, "I pretty much missed most of it... I didn't get here until '69." At the point at which they're standing outside the Fillmore, Graham was operating the Fillmore West at 10 South Van Ness -- the venue had left the Geary Street location in 1968, some say due to rising racial tensions in the neighborhood. The Geary space was known as The Elite Club into the 80s. (Sidenote: Right next door, where the post office now stands, was the location of Jim Jones' Peoples' Temple throughout the 70s.) more ›

A young man was shot during a heated debate with other lads over in the city's Fillmore District. "Police found one victim—a teenage black male—with a gunshot wound to his lower extremities, notes BCN. "The victim had apparently been involved in a verbal argument with four or five other black teenage males when one of the teenagers pulled a gun and shot the victim." No arrests have been made. [CBS 5] more ›

After Yoshi's SF received two bailouts (a $1.5 million emergency loan from taxpayers, which came after $1.3 million loan care of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency), the jazz club/restaurant, according to East Bay Express, is finally making money. Due to "recent management restructuring and programming changes," Yoshi's SF finally made a profit in the first quarter of 2010. "“It is very, very challenging but I think it’s turning around finally with the economy coming back,” said Kajimura," beamed co-owner Kaz Kajimura. more ›

One of the photos snapped by Gerald Ratto (who was profiled in this weekend's New York Times by Chloe Veltman) in the Fillmore district in 1952, while he was attending the California School of Fine Arts. more ›

With the new album, The Farm, J Mascis and the gang return to mid-nineties form in sound and song writing. They're performing at The Fillmore tonight and we believe there are still some tickets available. The video above embarrasses us a little, if only because they're all a little old to be on skateboards and BMXs, but we suppose that's the point. more ›

by Moses Namkung more ›

San Francisco guitarist Johnathan Rice said as he strummed the opening to "See Fernando" to kick off the evening, "it may not be legal for all of us to marry... but it isn't illegal for all of us to be in love with Jenny Lewis!" Don't rub it in, Johnny. We know you're dating her. more ›

by Moses Namkung more ›

The fuzz are looking for two creeps who assaulted a man and a woman at a Willie Nelson concert on Jan. 20 at the Fillmore. The incident happened at 11pm at the venue. According to reports, "the female suspect allegedly threw a woman to the floor, causing a head injury [and] the male suspect punched the male victim, causing him to fall down stairs and suffer a major head injury. The male victim was taken to a hospital where he remains." more ›

Four jazz venues that serve grub - 1300 On Fillmore, Yoshi's, Rasselas and Sheba Lounge - are asking the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency "for additional loans and to restructure debt to survive." These venues, which have already received public financing during the Fillmore's redevelopment, is asking the city of San Francisco for a total of $2.4 million in new loans. more ›

After a small electrical fire at the Fillmore canceled last week's sold-out Dethklok show, and sent many a fan into an abyss of despair, it is on again. Yay! Check it: more ›

Last night's show at the Fillmore was on fire. Literally. Before headliners Dethklok hit the stage, an electrical fire was "sparked during Soilent Green's opening set," according to SF Weekly. Fans were ushered out of the building posthaste. Yikes. more ›

Tickets are $20.00 general admission plus applicable service charges...all ages more ›

UPDATE: Sunday's show is cancelled. more ›

Special Friday Night Lights edition more ›

In our ongoing effort to bring music to your ears, this week we're giving away two special prize packs from a long-standing Bay area band, The Mother Hips. Formed back in 1991, it's been six years since the band last released a full album. They're back with a new studio record on April 3rd called Kiss the Crystal Flake. Said singer/guitarist Tim Bluhm: "It is very different from anything we recorded in the past. You know that saying about wishing you knew then what you know now? Kiss The Crystal Flake is that coming true." To celebrate, the band is playing two record release shows - on April 6th and 7th - at The Independent. We're giving away two prize packs, each with one pair of tickets to one of the record release shows, plus a copy of the new CD and the accompanying DVD. Listen to The Mother Hips' "Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear" and enter to win below (contest ends 4/4; winner will be notified via email.) more ›

SFist inteviews Lyrics Born who is headlining the Fillmore tonight more ›

Special video bonanza! more ›

Special running-to-catch-a-flight edition. more ›

We had a great week of music last week, starting on Thursday night when Live 105's Madden invited us to join him on air. Along with SFists MattyMatt and Jon we talked for a half hour about local music, Muni and of course Gavin's hair. Madden was a friendly and gracious host and we thank him for inviting us! On Monday night Cursive packed The Fillmore for a straightforward set of songs from their new record and a few older tracks. We could see the crowd in the front singing, screaming and dancing right along for the entire set, so we were a little surprised when the band didn't return for an encore. But we won't complain too much, it just leaves more time to hang out after the show. Tuesday night brought the Twilight Singers back to Great American for another soulful, sultry set. more ›

Special chock-full-of-mp3s-from-great-local-bands edition! more ›

This past Monday we headed down to The Fillmore to see Cold War Kids open for Editors. Cold War Kids had all the right ingredients to stand out from the pack, especially with singer Nathan Willett’s piercing voice. None of what they played sounded derived or expected, which is an impressive feat these days. Judging by the resonance of crowd favorite "Hospital Beds", we’re witnessing another dazzling San Francisco export. Editors played their catchy and competent post-punk-by-numbers to an enthusiastic response. Live 105’s Aaron Axelson mentioned to us that Editors played his most well-attended 2006 Popscene show only seven months ago at the comparatively tiny 330 Ritch, so a sold-out Fillmore proved their popularity is soaring. Frontman Tom Smith made the most of the stage as threw his arms over his head at the microphone and crouched over his piano, making angles reminiscent of Chris Martin. Though we’re hard-pressed to find the originality in it, Editors do what they do extremely well. more ›

Won't you join us in our love for The Constantines? Their album Tournament of Hearts made our Top 12 of 2005, and we're not sure if this makes us pretentious or just lazy, but we're going to quote ourselves: "The Constantines first two records were dark, raw and sophisticatedly aggressive, with songs that were down in the mouth and determined at the same time. Grit, rasp and stubble remain on this record, but a softening has happened. The lover just left; the bedsheets are still warm and you can smell stale cigarette smoke on the pillowcase. It’s unclear if you’re wrecked or relieved." more ›

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Earlier this week we told you about some of the great shows at the Mission Creek Music & Arts Festival, including a special performance by Dieselhed at 12 Galaxies on Sunday night. We're sending two of you to the show. Preview some songs off their 1999 album Elephant Rest Home and enter to win. (Contest ends Friday at 5pm. Winner will be notified via email.) more ›

After travelling to Austin to see about 30 great bands in three days at SXSW, next week we don't even have to leave town for a phenomenal music festival. Monday brings the start of Noise Pop 2006, San Francisco's annual indie rock smorgasbord. All-festival passes and several shows are already sold out, but SFist will be bringing you coverage so not to worry. more ›

We're at SXSW, so this week's column is a day late and a dollar short. more ›

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Before anyone accuses us of having a soft spot in our hearts for bands from Texas, let us just go ahead and admit we do. That leads us to this week's giveaway featuring Pilotdrift, a band from Texarkana. Don't get any ideas about their sound from their hometown though. Their music is atmospheric, symphonic, theatrical, and the singer even sounds a bit like Bowie. Their debut album is out now on Good Records Recordings, owned and operated by the Polyphonic Spree's own Tim DeLaughter. more ›

Rarely a day late, always a few dollars short. more ›