It is rare when you get to see three great local bands together. Usually someone lets the side down in one way or another. This was not the case when 12-Year-Old Genius, Ralf Youtz and Anderson Congress played together at 222 Hyde, as the audience seemed equally enthusiastic about all three. This is even more improbable given the different styles of music they play. Ralf Youtz played a soft acoustic guitar and ukulele set, and was sandwiched between the two heavier bands. One might say he was the tasty bacon and avocado filling between two pieces of crusty punk rock bread. The bands pulled that old trick of claiming technical difficulties in order to make the audience wait around for the start of the show. We know they just wanted to make us start salivating at the thought of the delicious musical feast in store. The trick worked well, and 12-Year-Old Genius were well received when they kicked off the show. They were loud. Their antics were boisterous. They reminded me slightly of a high school band, but a talented one at that. They describe themselves as a "heavy soul band" and are somewhat along the lines of Credence Clearwater Revival. It was a strange transition from that to reggae songs on the ukulele, but the crowd seemed to adjust pretty fast. Ralf Youtz played some acoustic songs from his old band the Feelings, and he managed to get the audience singing along – no mean feat in hipsterville. He continued with some songs from his new album I love you and I miss you Portland, and finished up with a classic by R. Kelly and Akon. You need to "let him show you what Ralf can do," on the ukulele that is! Anderson Congress closed the night with a short set, and I was stunned by the power of their music in a small space like 222 Hyde. The punk rock drums and screeching guitars made the air resonate, but for such a loud group they remain remarkably tuneful. They could be likened to Sonic Youth and early Flaming Lips, but they are doing something unique and different, which makes it hard to find a real comparison. So, all three acts had it together, played tight sets and left me jonesing for more. When's the next gig guys? Artist interviews: Ralf Youtz - How would you describe your music for someone who hasn't heard you before? "Well, as a 'solo artist,' I do few different things. I play sad songs that I wrote on the guitar. I play acoustic versions of songs by various indie bands I've been in. I play covers by artists like Yaz, Eddie and Ernie, the Clash, Chris Bell, and my friends' bands. And I like to play reggae songs on my ukulele, although could be mainly a summer thing (like white shirts)." How did you develop your current style? Any metamorphoses? "Years ago, for about five months I played every Sunday afternoon at Tennessee Red's, a BBQ joint/bar in Portland. There were not usually many people there, but trying to keep the bartender entertained week in and week out taught me how to perform on my own. I've experimented with other performance styles besides the singer/songwriter type stuff I do (solo echo blues jams, a performance in which I overdubbed a couple of songs) but my friends like it best when I just get up and play." Do you have any other gigs lined up? "Nope. I'm busy with school so I'll just wait until something falls in my lap. If nothing does and I really want to perform, I'll busk at a BART station." What do you think about the SF music scene? "I'm new here, so I don't know what it's like. Over the years I've liked lots of bands from here. Deerhoof, Erase Errata, Thinking Fellers, uh ... I'm sure there're more. But I've seen a couple bands from here that were a little too cool for school. In general, I think this city still has a 60s/70s music hangover. Those hippy promoters should fuck off and let the kids get something going. (I'm a hippy myself, so I can say that.)" What do you like about playing in SF? "I was shocked that anyone here had ever heard of any music I'd done before. So that was great. But in general, I like to play music anywhere. The more weirdos and strangers that're there, the better. So since nearly everyone here is a stranger and SF has no lack of weirdos, playing here rules for me." What makes you stand out musically? "Personality is what makes every musician stand out. A lot of younger musicians are too shy to let their personality shine through, most young people don't know themselves well enough to be comfortable doing anything that may be perceived as uncool. But our least cool ideas (playing reggae on the ukulele for example) are often our most personal ones as well. Luckily, I gave up on being cool long ago, so I'm free to cover as many Gregory Isaacs songs as I like, irony-free. That's my personality." Anderson Congress: How would you describe your music for someone who hasn't heard you before? "I hate this question because it's actually really hard to answer. It's noisy, punky indie rock I guess… Of course we have our influences; I could say them. We sound a bit like some combination of Sonic Youth, Neutral Milk Hotel, old Pavement and early Flaming Lips." How did you develop your current style? "It's been a long road for us, many different members, many different sounds, we used to be a lot more folky believe it or not, but over time it got louder and noisier. I think as the singer I sort of finally "got it" let your voice do what it does, it's rock music, just let go!" Do you have any other gigs lined up? "Yeah 26th Sept at Brainwash with a band that just opened for Coldplay ... Very strange I don't imagine we'll fit in ..." What do you think about the SF music scene? "What scene? No it's ok, I wish there was more of one. People here seem to want music and art, which should lead to it existing but for some reason it doesn't really. I like a few local bands at moment though. Lazarus, The Gowns and Or, the Whale are all really good." What do you like about playing in SF? "It's fun, we usually have a good turnout, people seem to like it, can't complain. There is something different about playing here but I can't seem to pinpoint it." What makes you stand out musically? "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" 12-Year-Old Genius: How would you describe your music for someone who hasn't heard you before? "Blue-eyed-soul-dynamite-rhythm-and-booze-revue" How did you develop your current style? Any metamorphoses? "Well, it just kinda came up from me writing the tunes and us jamming along on them. Usually when writing a song I can tell whether or not it's gonna work with the guys and the ones that do, I bring to them at practice and we work out the parts. I'll come in with a couple parts and we'll flesh it out from there and make it ours." Do you have any other gigs lined up? "Not at the moment. We're just moving into a new practice space after getting kicked out of Aaron's (drums) living room by the SFPD for being too loud and our bass player, Anton, just got back from a tour with his other band but we LOVE playing live more than anything else so I'm sure it won't be long after we re-group." What do you think about the SF music scene? "I think for a town with SOOOOO much music and bands, it's super supportive and friendly with a lot of resources out there for the bands that want to look for them. (thedelimagazine.com [ed. note: hey, that's us!], El Rio's non-paying gigs, the COUNTLESS open mics around town, etc.)" What do you like about playing in SF? "Lots of stuff! The fact that it's small and easy to get around. The fact that if your truck breaks down no one's gonna think twice about you bringing a drum kit and half-stacks onto the bus. Also, that most of the bars and clubs just kinda leave you to your own devices when playing a show so there's really no one breathing down your neck about load in times and sound checks and stuff which makes it MUCH more fun to play out." What makes you stand out musically? "I think we look like we're having fun when we play (because we are!), we definitely don't take ourselves too seriously and we're making music because we like hanging out with each other and making music! Plus a lot of our influences are different than a lot of the bands we play with, but we're still young guys who LOVE loud rock music so it all gets mashed around in there somewhere!" - Liz Barnes (words, photos, and interviews)