Monsters of Accordion Rock the Bay Area

When they say this ain't your daddy's accordion (do they say that?) they're probably right. Unless your daddy happens to be a member of Monsters of Accordion -- playing in both San Francisco and Oakland on August 16 and 17.

My father had a gorgeous Höhner accordion and -- I could be wrong, but -- I swear he never lit his head on fire while playing a polka. At a Monsters performance last year, there was an exploding accordion and some pyrotechnics. But the highlight of the show was simply the musicians -- and the life and humor they breathe into this sometimes beleaguered and misunderstood instrument.

If you're looking to break the bounds of accordion dogma and hear the punk, folk, mournful bridal ballads, and alternative strains of this instrument, check out Monsters of Accordion at 12 Galaxies in San Francisco (August 16) or 21 Grand in Oakland (August 17).

Monsters of Accordion in 2008 is Jason Webley (Seattle), Mark Growden (San Francisco), Amy Denio (Seattle), and Duckmandu (Oakland), uniting in a West Coast tour to bring more cred to this versatile and beautiful sound.

• Monsters of Accordion Website
• 12 Galaxies Website - San Francisco
• 21 Grand Website - Oakland

21 Grand in Oakland features a variety of alternative performances, including musicians featured in the film Noisy People. Filmmaker Tim Perkis compiled a fascinating film portrait of local, Bay Area experimental and improvisational musicians. To learn more, read a review of Noisy People and a Q & A with director Tim Perkis.

^{Image courtesy of Monsters of Accordion}