Joseph Schell

The 20 Best San Francisco Concerts of 2012, According to Us

Whether you preferred the dancefloor at Mighty, the plush environs of Bimbo's 365 Club, or the dewy late-night fields of Outside Lands, there were plenty of great concerts in San Francisco and the Bay Area in 2012. We reviewed many of them, from "secret" shows at semi-legal clubs to sprawling, three ... More >>

Gayest City in America Is ... in Utah?

SF Weekly readers might remember just how upset the gay community was when San Francisco was booted down the list of gayest cities in America last year. To add insult to injury, the Advocate has not only decided San Francisco is still not the gayest city, but that Salt Lake City -- home of the God-w ... More >>

The Real Life Superhero Files: Motor Mouth

​In this week's cover story, we presented The Ray, a Target employee from Antioch who was arrested in the General Strike march in Oakland last month while acting as a Real Life Superhero. The Ray is far from the only civilian-turned-comic book hero fighting crime or helping the needy around th ... More >>

The Real Life Superhero Files: Mutinous Angel

Mutinous climbed a wall on our photo shoot. For real. ​In this week's cover story, we presented The Ray, a Target employee from Antioch who was arrested in the General Strike in Oakland last month while acting as a Real Life Superhero. The Ray is far from the only civilian-turned-comic book hero f ... More >>

Marcus Santiago, Park Patrol Chief, Allegedly on Thin Ice

Joseph SchellMarcus Santiago has been paid for a number of 70-hour-a-week, 52-week-a-year workloads​Multiple sources within the city have told SF Weekly that the Recreation and Parks Department in recent weeks has been taking steps to replace embattled Park Patrol Chief Marcus Santiago with a yet- ... More >>

Top 7 Most WTF Photos from the All Shook Down Music Fest

Music festivals are funny places. You think you're just one of the crowd, minding your own business, acting silly among your friends, and all of a sudden, bam! You've been snapped by a photographer. Or you're a performer onstage, making funny faces at the crowd, when one particularly weird moment ge ... More >>

Hippies vs. Hipsters: Water Wars

Joseph SchellWar is hell. We're reminding ourselves of this, yes...​Finally, a way to convince hippies to wash. Finally, a ploy to convince hipsters to inadvertently shrink their too-tight pants to the breaking point. Finally, a chance for the beleaguered denizens of San Francisco to watch their d ... More >>

The Defeat of Mickey D's, Caffeine Jitters, and Duck Eggs: This Week in Food Bloggery

Joseph SchellFrom this week's slideshow of the Peruvian Food Festival​Highlights from SFoodie this week:1. W. Blake Gray checks out Le Cordon Bleu, which claims to be San Francisco's first Vietnamese restaurant (opened in 1968). It's now owned by a Chinese-American woman who's never been to Vietna ... More >>

SF Weekly Letters

Tobias Wolff Springs to Mike Krukow's Defense

Joseph SchellFamed author says broadcaster Mike Krukow need not grab some pine...​Mike Krukow, you have an ally in Tobias Wolff. Let us explain. The other day, a reader named Rhonda Chaikin called to vent about the longtime Giants broadcaster and former pitcher. She seemed to be a Kruk fan, save f ... More >>

The Best of SF Weekly June Concert Photography

You know it's going to be a good month of concerts when the lineup starts with U2 and ends with Rihanna. Whether small or large, sweet and soulful or eardrum-piercing, you can be sure that SF Weekly was at the concert. Here are the best of the Bay Area June concerts in photos. Christopher Victorio ... More >>

SF Food Wars' Pie or Die Sequel Slayed Eaters

Tamara PalmerOur view from the judges' table.​We concluded our stint judging SF Food Wars' Pie Or Die Part Deux in a decidedly queasy state, but in much better shape than after last year's inaugural battle. Like 2010's contest, there were 20 different entrants, but this year brought an improve ... More >>

Yeasayer Provide A Memorable Departure From Indie Rock Monotony, Smith Westerns, Not So Much

Joseph SchellChris Keating of Yeasayer​Yeasayer Smith Westerns May 26, 2011 @ The Fillmore Better Than: Every other afternoon set at the Pitchfork Music Festival Indie rock bands like Yeasayer are a dime a dozen on the modern touring circuit. Feel like augmenting the typical guitar, bass and ... More >>

Go Fish: S.F.'s Coastal Foraging King Shows How to Fish (and Eat) Locally

'Why Are You Doing This?': A Timeline from Sunday's No Pants Bart Ride

Yesterday was the No Pants Bart Ride (click for more photos), for which willing participants were told to board trains, take off their pants/skirts/whatever was on their lower halves, and ride the train in their undies, completely straight-faced, to meet en masse at Powell St station at 2:10 p. ... More >>

The Year in Food: DIY Revolution

Joseph SchellPickles from Happy Girl Kitchen Co. at the Eat Real Fest, which drew 110,000 to Oakland for street food and urban homesteading demos.​Twelve months, ten storylines: It's SFoodie's annual look back at the year in food. At the far end of the spectrum from street food and fine dinin ... More >>

The Top 10 Best Big Concerts I Saw in 2010, with Gaga, Green Day, Sir Paul, Pavement, and LCD Soundsystem

It just didn't seem right to lump in Oracle Arena and HP Pavilion fare with the cozy goings-on at S.F. dens like Bottom of the Hill and even Great American Music Hall. So, in search of an even comparison, I'm breaking it up: Today, here are the best concerts I saw with more than 5,000 of my fellow h ... More >>

The Best Bay Area Concert Photos of 2010

Given the dizzying array of musical acts that tramp through San Francisco every year, and the number of those shows our hard-working photographers attend, it was no easy feat to round up their best shots. What follows is a sampling of some of the most exciting, interesting live music photos All Shoo ... More >>

Oh, Snap! The Best San Francisco Food Photos of 2010

San Francisco's culinary landscape is an ever-changing one, and this past year was no exception. Scores of restaurants opened and closed, events were thrown, and new chefs stepped into the spotlight. Here are some of the most arresting images SF Weekly and SFoodie captured in 2010. Lara Hata​ ... More >>

Bay to Breakers Still Lacks Key Sponsor -- Will It Find One?

Joseph SchellKGO doesn't get to put its name on this, apparently​Just a few minutes ago, KGO made the major announcement that it's sponsoring this year's Bay to Breakers, the annual footrace/drunken, costumed pilgrimage to the sea. Does that mean the 100th B2B is under way? Not exactly. There's st ... More >>

San Francisco 'Cannabis Competition' Denies Reports of Pot Theft

Joseph SchellAll pot is accounted for, says marijuana impresario Kevin Reed​Kevin Reed had to deal with some major slings and arrows in order to host the weekend's "Cannabis Competition." If only there was some way he could, you know, deal with the stress. SF Weekly reported earlier on The Green C ... More >>

New Hurdle for SF Politicos: Appease the Music Fans

Joseph SchellArash Ghanadan is suing S.F. for false arrest and imprisonment after officers stormed a late-night party in SOMA.​Candidates vying for a San Francisco Board of Supervisors seat will face a brand-new challenge on the campaign trail this year: Placating local music fans and club owners ... More >>

Six Bites from Eat Real

John BirdsallPair of tacos al fresco from the Taco Guys.​Monday, August 30, 2010 The weekend's Eat Real Festival has faded into the sting of a sunburned neck, a pair of stained jeans in the hamper, and the memory of six bites that made us taste twice: 1.Kurobuta pork and chile verde taco (l ... More >>

Grass Widow Comes Out of the Shadows With New Video

Screenshot of Grass Widow's "Shadow"​After rocking the All Shook Down Music Festival in North Beach on Sunday, Grass Widow planted another present in our laps. Today, their label, Kill Rock Stars, posted the trio's artsy, quirky video for "Shadow" on its blog. "Shadow" is so far the only song the ... More >>

Janelle Monae's Falling Hair Braid Brings the Superhuman Star Down to Earth

Joseph Schell ​Janelle Monae's live show is such a scripted, immaculate production that the presence of anything unexpected, however slight, stands out. She enters the stage in the same black cloak, dresses underneath in the same black pants and white tuxedo shirt, and whips her hair up into the s ... More >>

The New Pornographers and the Dodos at the Fox Theater

Joseph SchellThe New Pornographers​The New PornographersThe Dodos July 18, 2010 The Fox Theater, Oakland Better than: The old pornographers, presumably As everybody who is not Canadian knows, the New Pornographers consist of the main guy, the weird guy, Neko Case, the other gal, the other guitari ... More >>

Built to Spill and Fauxbois at Slim's

Joseph Schell​Built to SpillSlim'sJuly 15, 2010Better than: if Paul McCartney went indie (yup. I went there)When Doug Martsch sings, it's unclear whether he wants to woo the mic or eat the mic. Either way is fine with his fans -- as long as he's singing, and as long as the band keeps playing. At l ... More >>

Bay to Breakers Announces Alcohol Ban

No announced ban on nudity...​"There is nothing that says you have to be shitfaced drunk to have a good time," race spokesman tells SF Weekly. Bay to Breakers spokesman Sam Singer moments ago fired off a sobering press release: Next year's race, the 100th, will take place on May 15th -- and no alc ... More >>

SF Weekly Letters

Your Final Tally on Bay to Breakers Cleanup Costs

Joseph SchellYou think they care how much it cost to clean up after Bay to Breakers? Well, since organizers pay for it -- does anyone?​Last month, we reported that Bay to Breakers revelers left behind 24 tons of trash. The Department of Public Works amassed 18 tons of filth, while the Recreation a ... More >>

Bay to Breakers Pisses Away Sponsor ING

Joseph SchellImages like this don't exactly scream 'Buy our insurance' ​Perhaps you could say ING was pissed off. After all, Bay to Breakers runners urinated on everything else. In a bit of news interestingly first reported by the Chronicle -- and not the Examiner, owned by Philip Anschutz, whose ... More >>

Source: Bay to Breakers Already Lining Up New Sponsors

Joseph SchellING resisted the charms of these "runners" and skipped town. Will a new corporate sponsor soon step in?​A source close to Bay to Breakers organizers tells SF Weekly that the 99-year-old San Francisco race is already in talks with several high-profile replacements for departed sponsor ... More >>

And the Final Tally of How Much Filth Bay To Breakers Left Behind Is...

Joseph SchellCan you weigh pee? If so, San Francisco is much heavier this week. ​It's here! It's here! The dilapidated floats, cast-aside former drink receptacles, and any other manner of crap people deigned to toss in the streets during Bay to Breakers have been weighed. And a grand total of 24 t ... More >>

Kitchen Ink

Working in a restaurant will get under your skin.

Baylinks: Porta Potties, Pot Pills, & Pitbulls

Joseph SchellDon't abuse your privileges like these guys, Dolores Park porta-pottie users.​Permanent porta-potties will relieve those who need to relieve themselves in Dolores Park. [SFist]Pot pill makers may be moving to San Francisco. [SFAppeal]Would you believe the 69 manhole is not a sexual po ... More >>

Monday Morning Hangover: Easter Edition

We're sure you missed out on most of these events, since you were in church all weekend praying and stuff, so it's a good thing we kept a detailed record for you.Gretchen Robinette​Neither rain nor sleet nor fear of God's wrath could stop the annual Hunky Jesus Contest from happening, so when the ... More >>

Sasquatch! Music Festival Lineup: Pavement, Dam-Funk, Girls, Massive Attack, the XX

Joseph SchellEdward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros: festival favorites​More music news today for festicationers: Sasquatch! Music Festival laid out its lineup last night at a party at Seattle's Crocodile Cafe. This Memorial Day Weekend (May 29-31) the indie rock caravans will head to Washington's ... More >>

Monday Morning Hangover: Fighting and Loving

Most weekend's in this city are all about love (or sex, at any rate) and this weekend was no exception, aside from the knock-down drag-out fights. Pro-Wrestling Revolution's Lucha Libre enthralled a crowd of about 200 people with a no-holds-barred spectacle of flying fists and spandex clad bodies. B ... More >>

Monday Morning Hangover: XXX Expo, Sonic Youth, & Pantless Youth

Usually one feels pity commingled with fear when they spot someone riding BART sans pants, but this weekend saw throngs of riders in thongs celebrating the annual No Pants BART Ride.Participants (ahem) made their way onto the trains then out onto the streets. Check out more images here. Joseph Schel ... More >>

Last Night: Ray LaMontagne at the Nob Hill Masonic Center

Joseph Schell​Ray LaMontagneNob Hill Masonic Center Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009Better Than: Breaking up then making up.Ray LaMontagne's first few chords were barely audible behind the crowd's hooting and whistling, his figure obscured by shadows under a lone, blue spotlight. By the time he approached th ... More >>

Was That Michael Pollan Hyping Weed at Last Night's Cannabis Cup? Uh, Not Exactly

Joseph Schell (left); MichaelPollan.com (right)Koehn (left) and Pollan: Can you spot the pot advocate?​Okay, so we know from some of his writing that Michael Pollan is a fan of the wacky tobacc-y, but last night we did a serious double take when we spotted this guy manning a booth for a pot ac ... More >>

Last Night: The Pixies at the Fox

Joseph Schell​The Pixies November 8, 2009The Fox TheaterBetter Than: fantasizing about seeing The Pixies play Doolittle live.The Pixies emerged on stage last night from a swirling fog -- a fitting entrance for the dream-turned-reality of their most recent reunion and the debut tour for their ... More >>

Last Night: The Dodos at Bimbo's 365 Club

Joseph Schell​The DodosBimbo's 365 ClubOctober 29, 2009Better Than: hunting for dodos.The Dodos could have played last night's show with their eyes closed -- as was proven when the stage lights at Bimbo's 365 Club went out mid-set, leaving a sea of San Francisco's youngest hipsters ... More >>

Last Night: Gossip at Regency Ballroom

Joseph Schell​Gossip October 25, 2009 Regency BallroomBy Rossiter Drake Better Than: Staying home to watch Dexter and Mad Men. But be sure to DVR them. "We started a band 'cause we were bored. Our mission is to make you dance, and if you're not gonna dance, just stay at home and listen to the old ... More >>

Last Night: Weezer's 'Secret Show' at the Regency

Joseph Schell ​WeezerWednesday, Oct. 21, 2009The RegencyBetter than: Seeing an arena rock band in an arena.Just to be clear, there was a lot of screaming going on at the Regency last night for Weezer's free "secret" show. Fans screamed when the line they were standing in outside the venue--a line ... More >>

Last Night: Blind Pilot at Great American Music Hall

Joseph Schell​Blind Pilot Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009Great American Music HallBetter Than: warm milk and cookies on a cold, blustery night.There could have been a tornado outside, or even a secret Weezer show just down the road, but anyone who was watching last night's sold out Blind Pilot show at Th ... More >>

Q&A with Blind Pilot's, Israel Nebeker

Joseph SchellIsrael Nebeker of Blind Pilot.​Israel Nebeker is the lead singer and guitarist for Portland's own, Blind Pilot, whose debut album, 3 Rounds and a Sound, has quickly launched the band into indie folk pop stardom. SF Weekly sat down with Nebeker yesterday to chat about the benefits and ... More >>

Free Music Outside of Outside Lands: Bang the Drum

Joseph Schell​Those who didn't have bling to spare on Outside Lands festival tickets got their own impressive lineup for free yesterday afternoon at the Bang the Drum celebration at Peacock Meadows in Golden Gate Park. Big names at Bang the Drum included Naughty By Nature, Tash, Q-Bert, Hieroglyph ... More >>

At Bloodhound Last Night, Nervous Chefs Watch Themselves in 'No Reservations'

Joseph Schell Incanto's Chris Cosentino (left) and Sebo's Michael Black react to the broadcast. A handful of chefs and others who appeared in the San Francisco episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations gathered at Bloodhound in SOMA last night to watch the broadcast. Incanto chef Chris Co ... More >>

Last Night: Michael Rose at The Independent

Joseph Schell​Michael Rose The IndependentAugust 6, 2009Better Than: Smoking two joints in the morning.Dancing was the strict house policy last night from the moment Michael (Mykal) Rose bounced on stage. Clad in sunglasses and a striking tan suit embroidered with black roses -- which later became ... More >>