The Affair

As in any field of endeavor, certain cliches arise around women in music. If they're singing rock 'n' roll, those stereotypes include: tuff chick/wild woman out of control, naif/waif, tortured poet/grad student. Kali Holloway, frontwoman for New York City-based combo the Affair, fortunately falls into none of these easy markers. While her clear, commanding, emotion-laden voice occasionally evokes other singers — Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker, Blondie's Deborah Harry circa 1976, Martha Reeves of Martha & the Vandellas — she sounds like an all-grown-up, been-around-the-block woman who doesn't confuse brattiness with self-assurance and passion. The rest of the Affair match her zeal every step of the way, with drums cracking like fireworks exploding in metal trash cans, distorted 1960s garage-band organ, and lean, crunching guitars (with no superfluous soloing). Yes to You's songs are two- and three-minute marvels of economic construction and sharply memorable punk-pop melodic hooks. Pick-to-click hit: "Anything But Disco (You Ruined My Life)" — imagine the Shangri-Las strutting in front of a surly Polyphonic Spree. Just when I think this rock 'n' roll stuff has run its course and/or sunken to self-parody, along come bands like the Affair to show there's still plenty of vitality in the old beast. — Mark Keresman

Details

The Affair performs on Friday, Feb. 9, at Bottom of the Hill at 10 p.m. Admission is $8-10; call 621-4455 or visit www.bottomofthehill.com for more info.

Related Content

• Wild Flag's Self-Titled Debut: A First Listen
  September 16, 2011
• In Print: Wild Flag Is More Than a 'Supergroup'
  November 2, 2011
• Sizzle & Fizzle: Highs and Lows from the Last Week in S.F. Music
  November 30, 2011
• Early Summer Movie Guide: What to See, When to See It
  May 18, 2011
• Forget Pedigree: Wild Flag Is a Great New Rock Band
  November 2, 2011

More About

• Blondie (Musical Group)
• Martha Reeves
• Kali Holloway
• Debbie Harry
• Punk Rock

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue