On Baghdad by the Bay, January 3rd at 8pm; Interview with Jesús and the Rabbis, Bells Atlas and Oceanography

Jesús and the Rabbis
Jesusandtherabbis.com
facebook.com/JesusAndTheRabbis
8pm
Jesús and the Rabbis are a 4-piece, high energy soul rock group straight out of the streets of San Francisco with a Funk to make you wanna drink 180 proof holy water. Formed officially in 2007, the band consists of The Lovely Wise, the moniker of the lead singer, who has a soulful, sultry voice. When she really gets into it, there’s a little James Brown in her soul. Jesús, the slap happy Bassist and founder of Jesús and The Rabbis, owns the instrument, playing melodic and hard hitting baselines and providing vocals with a crunch that makes you think of Mr. Tom Waits in his later days. Josh [killaHz] shreds on the guitar, from soaring, can’t get it out of your head, riffs and chord progressions, to mind bending leads that give you chills. Christopher [Cookies] Kelly, drums like a machine, providing the backbone for the “make your booty shake” sound that is Jesús and The Rabbis.

Bells Atlas
facebook.com/hearbellsmusic
8:40pm
Bells Atlas is a 4-piece band emerging from the vibrant cultural and musical backdrop of Oakland, CA. Blending heavy percussion, soulful vocal harmonies, captivating loops, and thoughtful arrangements, this dynamic group has arrived at a sound that is uniquely their own, calling it Afro-Indie Soul. They capture the spirit of an eclectic range of influences, including Highlife, Hip-Hop, Samba, R&B and aspects of Indie Pop. Having quickly drawn a wide audience with diverse tastes, they are close to finishing their debut full-length album, intent on providing their listeners with an experience that incessantly grabs the ear and evokes relentless body movement. Be sure to catch their Single Release Show on January 10th at Brick and Mortar Music Hall with other East Bay artists, Yesway and Zakiya Harris.

Oceanography
oceanographymusic.com
9:20pm
While at least one aspect of Brian Kelly’s aesthetic is steeped in the sonic excesses of gothic Americana, the brains behind Oakland rock project Oceanography isn’t entirely certain where the rest of it resides, creatively speaking. He is sure about at least one attribute pertaining to his new EP Parachutes of Plenty. “I guess what I’m trying to do is avoid folk,” says Kelly. “I’m not just some dude playing a guitar.” That much is obvious while listening to Parachutes of Plenty’s swirling collection of guitar-heavy epics and free-roaming gloom-pop. Musicians on the EP include drummer Kathleen Richards and organist (and engineer) Scott Barwick, but Oceanography is more or less Kelly’s baby.