by Petyr Campos
Headlining the night The Chapel SF was the Flamin’ Groovies. Formed in San Francisco in 1966, the band has endured through several stylistic shifts and has been touring and performing over the course nearly six decades. Their early sound blended raw garage rock with blues rock, heavily inspired by bands like the Rolling Stones. The 1970’s saw the band’s sound start with rootsy rock and R&B influences then shift to cleaner, melody-driven power pop vibes. The band called in quits in the early 90’s but reunited again in 2013 with key original members Cyril Jordan and George Alexander. The band has been touring and performing ever since.
The show featured a repertoire that spans the band’s career, emphasizing both 1971’s “Teenage Head” album (associated with more old time rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, Stones and Yardbirds influences), as well as the power pop period (Beatles and Byrds influenced) more associated with the band’s three albums on Sire Records in the late 70s. The Flamin’ Groovies put on a good rockin’ show with folks dancing in front of the stage. Their getting ready to go on a European Tour but play the Bay Area frequently, so if you have an opportunity to see them perform, you should take it. You’ll have an enjoyable night.
Penelope Houston is best known as the lead singer of the San Francisco punk band The Avengers, one of the earliest and most influential bands of the late-1970s American punk movement. The Avengers were also one of the first punk bands fronted by a woman. Penelope’s current band The Jailbirds, includes longtime collaborator Tom Heyman; Jill Olson and Michael Montalto (both from Red Meat); and drummer Bill Shupp.
Houston’s performances carry the weight of San Francisco’s original punk scene. She brings an unpretentious and authentic vibe that immediately commands the room. The audiences was a mixture of longtime punk fans and curious indie/roots listeners.
Opening the show was the power pop band The Phantom Movers formed in the late 1970’s, lead by Roy Loney, a founding member fo the Flamin’ Groovies. The Phantom Movers lean heavily into roots rock, rockabilly, and garage rock traditions. Their shows aren’t overproduced, they feel spontaneous, gritty, and intentionally rough around the edges.
