Sat, Sept 25, The Memorials

The Memorials have a strong affinity to soul music, but the spaces that remain fill that soul aesthetic with psychedelic guitar lines and an unrelenting rhythmic drum style that is far more influenced by punk and thrash, courtesy of Thomas Pridgen. Pridgen grew up a childhood drum prodigy and received a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music at 15. Later, he performed with prog legends the Mars Volta until leaving in 2009. Add the smooth vocals of Viveca Hawkins and the songs have a magnificent unease about them, yet remain serene and still. With little promotion, this Bay Area group has become a substantial musical force. 2708 J Street, www.myspace.com/
thememorialsmusic.