| BANDS |
The HOOKS
The Hooks are one of the most exciting bands in San Francisco at the moment. After regularly packing out gigs in their native Sligo, The Hooks are now building their fan base in the states using San Francisco as headquarters. Keith and Ronan Mulligan started the band in 2002 and found almost immediate success in the from of high profile contest wins and an opening slot on a Shane MacGowan & The Popes tour before making the life changing decision to come to the states. After landing in The City the boys called a phone number they recieved from a friend back home. The number belonged to Colin Delaney, a drummer from SF who brought with him fellow native San Franciscan Willie Dills. Now with the line-up complete The Hooks went back to the task at hand, taking over the world.
Since then they have opened for The Bravery, The Pogues, X, Stiff Little Fingers, Me First & The Gimme Gimme's and more as well as recieving spins on major radio stations such as The Bone and Live 105. The Hooks debut 10,000 ft. E.P. is available all over and a full length album is in the works so stay tuned as The Hooks appear to be picking up speed. Check out their videos on youtube.
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The UPTONES
Every generation has its own ska revival, and for people who went to Bay Area high schools in the ’80s, one of the biggest names in the scene was the UpTones. The band formed while its members were still students at Berkeley High School and quickly became one of the most popular concert attractions around the bay.
Here are some reviews on the band:
“It is a sight to behold, The Uptones tearing up the stage and the audience tearing up the dance floor.” - San Francisco Chronicle
“The Uptones… without a doubt the best show in Berkeley.” - Berkeley Free Press
“Sitting down at an Uptones show is like keeping your eyes shut at a movie.” - Rolling Stone
The Uptones “Live at Gilman Street” (SOB CD 0058) is a living proof of the raw power the band delivered every show.
“Best live Ska record ever” - Crawdaddy Magazine
“***** Five Stars “This record rocks from beginning to end.” - Rolling Stone
“The Uptones, the Bay Area’s best ska band of all time.” – Pacific Sun