I had to work, and by the time I got to the show, Tiny Television were already signing autographs or doing whatever it is that bands do after their sets end. (I know, I know. They stand awkwardly at the merch table.) The first thing I had to do when I got there, after the cup of joe and half a dozen sinkers, was pee. So there I am, waiting in line to pee in the men’s room, when I overhear one stranger tell another stranger how much they liked Tiny Television. So there you have it. Tiny Television were apparently awesome. For those of you that are unaware, us men don’t do that shit. We especially are not going to gush with random people over bands with the name “Tiny” therein. They must have been the all-time best band ever of all time. I know it makes me want to see them now.

Read the full review here.

We also got some great reviews from the San Francisco Bay Guardian, and the Bay Bridged.

The night started with Tiny Television, who was accompanied by singer Jen Korte. The band had a folksy sound and their songs were rich and warm. Their slide guitar player was pure genius and with the whole band wearing cowboy boots this group was totally country cool.

Show opener Tiny Television is a San Francisco band (by way of Denver, Colorado), that prove difficult to describe. Their sound is so familiar, but feels undeniably new: think hard charging, dark Americana, but with something that you just can’t put your finger on. Tonight they played as a six-piece: two guitars, bass, drums, pedal steel, and a back-up singer flown in from Denver. Striking three-part harmonies, depth charge drumming, and masterful pedal steel. They played hard and with real emotion which was rewarded with a response you don’t frequently see for a band opening a show.

The Major Deegan1. The Major Deegan – “The Golden Age”
The Major Deegan is at heart a songwriting/recording project by James Spath and producer/bassist Colin Christian. The song “Golden Age” is a love song, but not a romantic love song, but rather about the love and bond between two friends. Spath took a trip with his friend Jim Regan, whose father was a firefighter who died in 9/11, as well as some other people that had lost folks that day. Sounds depressing, but in fact it was a pure celebration of all the good, surreal, beautiful, drunken and precious things in life. – Renee Richardson

Halsted2. Halsted – “Walking Shoes”
Ryan Auffenberg is no stranger to the KFOG Local Scene, first catching our ears with his Marigolds album in 2008, and really leaving a mark with the Bright Lights EP, with “Under All the Bright Lights” becoming a popular request on Rosalie’s Acoustic Sunrise show. Today, Auffenberg’s solo work has evolved into a full band project called Halsted, up-beat rock-pop that suits us just fine. – Renee

3. Megan Slankard – “Our Little Secret”
KFOG has long been a fan of Megan Slankard, well before the TV show “What Not to Wear” got a hold of her. She was so young when she started playing the club scene in the Bay Area her parents still had to drive her from gig to gig. Slankard produced her first CD at the age of 18 and is currently putting the finishing touches on her 4th album. – Renee

The Ferocious Few4. The Ferocious Few – “Crying Shame”
The first time I saw The Fercious Few I was crossing Market Street heading to my Muni line. Of course there is always something cool going on in San Francisco, but I was instantly intrigued when I heard these guys rocking out downtown. Then to my suprise I saw them perform live for a radio appearance and that was it for me…I now try to catch them live any chance I get. “Cryin Shame” is a great song off their debut album Juices. – Jill D., KFOG Promotions

5. The Family Crest – “Falling Off The Wagon”
The Family Crest formed in San Francisco in 2008 as a collaborative recording project. The orchestral rock indie band has seven core members but is constantly inviting others to join the “extended family,” and more than 100 have taken them up on the offer. Les at the Bazaar Cafe said, “you gotta come check these guys out.” Fourteen people were up there singing or playing. It was amazing! – Peter Finch

Tiny Television6. Tiny Television – “Carolina”
Anyone who can true a spoke in a Flying Burrito Brothers t-shirt is okay in my book, which is how I came to know Jeremy D’Antonio, a great bike mechanic with a cool band called Tiny Television. Fans of good honest American roots music will enjoy the band’s contribution to Local Scene 7, a catchy little tune called “Carolina”. – Irish Greg

7. Camaron Ochs – “You Were Late”
Camaron OchsDozens of CDs and audio links cross my desk each week, but I always try to give local bands a listen; I think we owe it to all the musicians responsible for the Bay Area’s reputation as a live music mecca! Sometimes we have to look past somewhat primitive recording quality, but Camaron Ochs’ Heartforward CD just popped like a professional production from the first note. Mature songwriting, pristine recording, appealing voice…and a Contra Costa girl like myself! “You Were Late” brings a fresh sound to Acoustic Sunrise and Sunset. – Rosalie

HYIM8. HYIM – “Elation (Morning Remix)”
Born in SF and raised in Oakland, HYIM makes music that makes people feel good. His musical style has been described as pop/rock/world fusion with a twist of urban spice. At any given time you may find HYIM playing in a club or writing poetry, an activist and an artist all at once. – Renee

Blair Hansen9. Blair Hansen – “Real World”
Another super-young, super-talented East Bay gal, Blair Hansen hails from Castro Valley. Her power and passion leapt out at me like that old Maxell tape ad with the guy hanging on to his armchair for dear life while his hair blows back. I have watched her hone her craft, and the payoff came with her 3rd release Real World, which has won two OUTMusic awards. It was great visiting with her and her biggest supporter, dad Steve, backstage at KFOG Kaboom during Melissa [Etheridge]‘s set. – Rosalie

10. Elliot Randall & The Deadmen – “Oh Miranda”
Elliot Randall has been making his brand of heartfelt Americana as a part of the Bay Area’s rich music scene for some years now. You’ve heard him on KFOG, as he was featured on the Local Scene 4 collection. Recently he brought together some stellar musicians to create Elliot Randall and the Deadmen, with James Deprato on guitars, banjo, and mandolin, Danilo Lopez on bass, and Kyle Caprista on drums. It’s an added bonus that 3 of the four can sing! – Renee

Cyndi Harvell11. Cyndi Harvell – “Break For It”
Born and raised in the “deep, deep, south,” Cyndi Harvell decided to come west one day back in 2004 and never looked back. She found her Bay Area musical family in singer/guitarist John Howland and musician/producer Jim Greer, and together they’ve made some great music. The latest album is currently under construction, but we have sneak preview with “Break For It”. – Renee

King Midas In Reverse12. King Midas In Reverse – “Space Between Us”
Let me first say King Midas in Reverse has nothing to do with The Hollies. Finding this band was one of those moments where a highly respected audiophile hands you a CD and says “dig this” and you think, yeah, I’ll get to it…and when you do, you get all kinds of amped for it. Chris Dunn IS King Midas in Reverse, and while I have yet to see him pull it off in a live setting his song “Space Between Us” has this perfect, retro, synth-thing that makes for great listening. – Renee

Jethro Jeremiah13. Jethro Jeremiah – “This Ain’t Right”
Born in Mendocino (at a midwives convention!) and raised on a commune in Tennessee, Jethro Jeremiah moved to San Francisco after high school and began performing on Haight Street. “This Ain’t Right” is from his upcoming reggae-infused album, I Am Here, his third release. I first saw Jethro perform a few years ago when the Cartoon Art Museum celebrated the birthday of Dr Seuss. He had put “One Fish Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish” to music. It was awesome! I was hooked. – Peter

Reckless In Vegas14. Reckless In Vegas – “Old Friend”
Monthly local music meetings sure pay off! We first learned of Reckless in Vegas when frontman Michael Shapiro stopped by to play the CD for us. Born in San Jose, raised in Vegas, living in San Rafael, Shapiro is the driving force behind the North Bay-based trio. He picked up his first guitar at age 13 and jammed with Bruce Springsteen at age 16, the moment that helped develop a taste for a raucous stage presence. “Old Friend” is one of many rocking track off the band’s latest album, All In. – Renee

The Stone Foxes15. The Stone Foxes – “Reno”
The Stone Foxes are a four-piece rock outfit from San Francisco featuring 3 songwriters, 4 singers, 3 guitarists, 2 bass players and a harmonica-playing drummer. They meld and shift between riff-roaring rock and roll ala Led Zeppelin and melodic Americana reminiscent of The Band. The Foxes first came to the attention of KFOG with their self-titled 2008 record, and their sophomore effort Bears and Bulls featured “Reno,” which caught the attention of KFOG APD/Music Director Kelly Ransford, becoming a favorite on her Side Show and now featured here for your enjoyment.

16. OONA – “Shhhhout!”
OONA formed in 2006 when two huge musical talents crossed paths, comprising a songwriting duo that has taken the Bay Area by storm. In December of last year they had a track called “Tore My Heart” featured on “So You Think You Can Dance,” and the song broke into the Top 100 on iTunes. A demo featuring songs from OONA’s forthcoming record landed on our desks and the title track immediately caught our attention, and we think it’ll catch yours, too.

17. The Dashing Suns – “My Best Friend”
Sometimes we find great music in strange places, like a music trade magazine! Specifically, the January 2010 edition of Performer Magazine. Reading a review of the self-titled album by Oakland-based The Dashing Suns was enough to warrant further investigation: “Splashy anthems, busy bass, and fuzzy, guitar-driven garage rock”. What’s not to love? “My Best Friend” is the perfect way to roll credits on another nod to the Bay Area bands we love so much. – Renee