Those Darn Accordions
Radio Radio
www.futureshock.net/info.html
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m.
$5

Believe it or not, accordions can be sexy … and funky … and psychedelic, especially when San Francisco’s eclectic rock band, Those Darn Accordions, caresses the keys. Fronted by vocal guru and squeezebox comedian Paul Rogers, effects pedals and classic rock flavor stretch the imagination of the formerly polka-loyal musical instrument.

Six-piece TDA has drawn accordion-lovin’ to the other side of the loon. Not only do vixens Carri Abrahms, Susie Davis and Suzanne Garramone make Weird Al Yankovic’s squeezebox stylings seem like those of a hyper computer geek next door, their vocal harmonies provide the bluesy essence of an unconventional Led Zeppelin or Steppenwolf, whose “Whole Lotta Love” and “Magic Carpet Ride” the band covers during live sets. Drummer Bill Schwartz and bassist Lewis Wallace keep the accordion quartet in line, just enough to make you wonder how many times TDA’s members played dizzy bat as kids and lost.

The band’s songs run the gamut from a tribute to actor Billy Bob Thornton in “I Think About Stuff” and the alluring power of shiny lawn ornaments in “Lawnball” to the dog-eat-dog world of CEOs in “There’s Another Dumbass on the Mountain.”

For more: www.thosedarnaccordions.com.