TEN YEARS AGO, when Enron was megawatt-laundering California into a panic over rolling blackouts, Silicon Valley was constantly bracing for the slightly less nihilistic-sounding but still super annoying “brownout.” To celebrate his birthday that year, Grand Fanali Presents promoter Eric Fanali had some fun with all the power overscheduling, scheduling himself an acoustic concert cheekily called the Silicon Valley Brownout. Since then, the South Bay has been powerless to resist this event every year, though it’s really an almost-acoustic thing, since there’s always a band (like the Velvet Teen last year) who just can’t bring themselves to unplug. This year’s headliners are the New Trust, who are generally known for propulsive electric smart-rock. The Santa Rosa band is supposedly working on an acoustic album right now, though, so the timing is eerily appropriate. For a sense of what such a thing might sound like, check out Hanalei’s cover of the New Trust’s best song “You’ve Got to be Fucking Shitting Me,” which is available online. While it doesn’t have the original’s danger, that feeling of driving too fast at night while on the verge of a nervous breakdown, it would be a lovely song to fall asleep to if you made it home alive. Happy birthday, Sharkie Zombie! Opening are Family Room, Benjamin Henderson and Bobby Joe Ebola & the Children MacNuggits.
THE SILICON VALLEY BROWNOUT will be held Saturday (April 10) at 8pm at Homestead Lanes, 20990 Homestead Road, Cupertino. Tickets are $10. (408.255.5700)
