May 4

May 4 Show Review: Bad Luck Bring Fun Rock Show to San Francisco

Bad Luck
w/ Taking Meds, Kilroi
Bottom of the Hill
San Francisco, CA
April 28th, 2022

Photos and Review by Jared Stossel

Last week, a taste of New York state’s rock scene came to the Bay Area, as pop-punk/alternative rock act Bad Luckbrought their U.S. tour to San Francisco’s Bottom of the Hill. The bill also featured New York-based act Taking Meds, along with local Bay Area act Kilroi. Initially, this tour was supposed to be a co-headlining run with both Bad Luck and Dollar Signs; unfortunately, the latter had to drop off several dates of the tour due to several members of the touring party contracting COVID-19 (we are wishing them all a speedy recovery).

Kilroi kicked off the show around 8:30 PM, providing those filtering into the venue with a helping of eclectic and experimental alternative rock, with elements of punk and indie throughout They’re a very entertaining trio to watch; you never know what corner the song is going to turn next, but it doesn’t venture too far off the rails like you’d see with some experimental rock acts. The local unit function tightly, never falling out of step once during their thirty minute set. Taking Meds even noted during their set that watching them was “a very pleasant surprise.”

Taking Meds took the stage after for an energetic main support slot, with tracks from their 2021 album Terrible News From Wonderful Men (available now via Smartpunk Records). The four-piece rock act noted that this was their first day back on the tour, as they had been stuck in Wyoming with a busted van for several days prior, and they basically drove through the day and night to get to the show on time. While you could tell they were a bit tired, they were incredibly entertaining and were very happy to be doing what they were doing: playing great music for a room full of happy people. (It appears that the band have reached their goal on their GoFundMe to get back on the road, but you can still donate here if you want to support!)

Bad Luck took the stage for their headlining spot, bringing the night to a great conclusion. The band played for close to an hour, bringing forth an excellent performance with great stage presence and memorable songs, most of which came from the band’s most recent album, 2021’s Summer of Pain (out now on Take This To Heart Records). What was nice to see was how much the music from Bad Luck (in addition to all the other acts on the bill) stood out on its own merits. No flashing lights or massive stage displays; as much as I love that when covering live music, sometimes it’s just as much fun to stick with the basics.

Bottom of the Hill is one of the few venues left in the Bay Area that features tours like this; tours that feature up-and-coming acts, working to cut their teeth in this industry, so it’s always special when you see a great show that hosts several great acts on this level in one evening. If you’re a fan of rock music, particularly the alternative/punk areas of this genre, I think that all three of these acts are worth your time and attention.