GEOFF PEVETO

Geoff Peveto owns Frank, a restaurant serving hot dogs and gourmet sausages with craft beer and cocktails in Austin, TX, and The Decoder Ring, a full service design firm with a focus working in the music industry.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Osteria alle Testiere in Venice, Italy was one. It has ten tables and the food is amazing. They are part of Ristoranti della Buona Accoglienza which sat out to counter the reputation of expensive tourist traps with lousy food that Venice was often associated with. We had ricotta and basil ravioli with red tuna ragout, grilled cuttlefish with squid ink and white polenta and gazpacho with baby octopus. Everything was as fresh as any dish I've ever had.

My other highlight was being able to go congratulate Doug Sohn of Hot Doug's in Chicago the week before he closed his doors.

What was the music highlight of your year?

So many... The Hold Steady played our 5th anniversary at Frank. We only hold around 200 people and we gave away all the tickets to fans. Seeing them in that small of a room was simply amazing. Off! and Diarrhea Planet also played at Frank and destroyed the crowd.

Others would be the Slowdive reunion in Barcelona, Sturgill Simpson in a small club in San Antonio, finally seeing Pinebender and they played for me, my wife and my friend Jay Ryan in their practice space that Jay had arranged, and getting to see Whores three times in one year. They put out two of the best EPs anyone has and deliver them live better than any new band going. That Knapsack reunion was something special too.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

The above mentioned Hold Steady show at Frank. Having my friends play in our little hot dog shop and seeing the smiles on everyone's face was a show I won't ever forget.

@hotdogscoldbeer

MATT NORRIS

Matt Norris is co-owner and bar manager at Soluna Cafe in San Francisco.

What was the food highlight of your year?

The food highlight of my year is difficult to pinpoint, living in SF means no shortage of delicious food and drink. A truly memorable experience would have to be a meal I had at Hartwood Restaurant in Tulum, Mexico. A funky little place on the edge of the jungle,  just a stones throw away from the beach. Everything that comes from the kitchen, luscious meats, fresh seafood, gets a touch of smoke from being cooked over various wood fires. No electrical appliances in the kitchen, everything done by hand, just simple, straightforward food comprised of quality ingredients. Sitting under the stars, surrounded by the silhouettes of coconut palms, there is no better place to enjoy some chorizo empanadas and fresh caught octopus washed down by a few (or more) mezcal cocktails.

What was the music highlight of your year?

One of my favorite sets this year would have been Atoms for Peace at Treasure Island, it was freezing by the time they took the stage, but it was worth toughing it out to watch two musicians with very different backgrounds come together. The thump of Flea’s bass was more present live than on the album and Thom Yorke, as always, gave a hypnotic performance.  Alt-J at the Fillmore blew my mind, odd a capella harmonies coupled with deep, atmospheric music giving voice to some truly unique and poetic lyrics. 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Food and music memories are really punctuated by a few great experiences from this past year. The first would be the Huichica Festival at Gundlach Bundschu winery in Sonoma. Food from Craftsman and Wolves, Salumeria, Bunk Sandwiches, and way too much wine coupled with sets by Cass McCombs, Blitzen Trapper, and a super jam with Bob Weir. Extra points for the surreal experience of waiting in line for a port o potty with a former member of the Grateful Dead and the amazing summer weather that was a nice escape from the fog bank that is the city. The second would be a few days spent in NYC with the wifey that included some incredible meals (Gramercy Tavern, Franny’s Pizza), solid drinks (Dead Rabbit, Clover Club), not to mention the wonderful company of friends and family while getting to enjoy the final show of Knapsack’s reunion tour in Brooklyn. Lot’s of fun times, full bellies, and ringing ears.

JORDAN LUFF

Jordan Luff plays bass in the band Old Flings

What was the food highlight of your year?

I have to include two highlights: the first is my hometown Asheville, NC’s only vegan restaurant, Plant. It’s a little out of my price range for an everyday dinner, so I keep it in my back pocket for special occasions. The hazelnut crusted seitan is quite possibly the most decadent food I’ve put in my mouth since becoming vegan. Served with whipped cauliflower, grilled broccolina and romesco, pickled onions, and shiitake bacon. Absolutely breath-taking dinner.

Second, Farmburger, another Asheville favorite. They serve a vegan burger made up of sea island red pea, Smiling Hara smoked tempeh (local brand), and black eyed peas, topped with clover sprouts, red cabbage, and a basil tofu spread on the bun. It’s like it melts in my damn mouth.

What was the music highlight of your year?

My band Old Flings got to play a lot of regional and national festivals this year, including Fest 12 in Gainesville, FL. I got to see some of my all-time favorite bands play, including Torche, Iron Chic, Knapsack, Hop Along, and Restorations. But the best band I saw this year was probably Superchunk in Asheville at the Grey Eagle Music Hall on August 23rd. Watching them was about as close to a religious experience as seeing Coalesce back in 2009 at FEST 8. It’s been a great year for music!

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Any time Old Flings gets to hit the road, be it for a weekend, a tour, or a festival trip, I try to incorporate food into my adventure. While down at Fest, we had the opportunity to dine at Harvest Thyme, a vegan-friendly sandwich and smoothie joint, and Reggae Shack, one of the best Jamaican-style restaurants I’ve ever had. And I can’t forget Richmond, VA. We only played there once in 2013 (which sucks), but we hit up Ipanema Cafe, Panda Veg, Strange Matter, and Harrison Street Coffee Shop. Richmond has great, great food.

@oldflings

BOB PENN

Bob Penn plays drums in The Jealous Sound and The Night of the Gun.

What was the food highlight of the year and why?

I recently moved to Pasadena in an apartment complex that is actually a functioning train station and across the tracks there is an awesome restaurant called The Luggage Room. When they start up their cooking fires at 5pm you can smell the delicious aroma throughout my building. You suddenly find yourself in the elevator taking a life detour to locate the goodness.

The standout favorite item on the menu for me is their brick wood-fire Avocado Festival pizza, which is thin and chewy sourdough pizza crust with super bright flavors on top, including cheese, sundried tomatoes, lemon, fresh basil, and avocado. For dessert they make these killer sea salt chocolate chip cookies that they handout complimentary at the door as you leave. You might need to bring a buddy to distract all the hot waitresses, so you can stuff your pockets with this amazing treat (not that I would ever do that). They also serve an outstanding brand of gelato, my favorite is the mint chip which tastes like a fresh mint slap to the face.

What was the music highlight of your year and why?

I’m pretty lucky, I’ve had a few highlights this year:

The Jealous Sound started the year on an awesome February tour with some great bands. For the majority of the dates we played with Balance and Composure and Daylight. It was great to watch those guys every night. They’re both very talented bands, their fans love them and so did we. 

It was also great seeing the Knapsack reunion in Los Angeles, it was nice to see friends reunite and play songs that I’ve always loved. I still remember picking up Day Three of My New Life and blasting it in my crappy Ford Taurus back in the day. I actually kept gallons of fluid in my backseat because that shit car overheated so much.

I’m lucky to be ending the year with another musical highlight: I recently had a really collaborative set of sessions with a longtime friend, but first-time bandmate Adrian Verloop. After about seven practices we created enough songs for a record. I found myself sneaking back into Studio 606 with my favorite guy to track drums with, John “Lou” Lousteau. New project is called “The Night of the Gun” and we’re set to start tracking guitars.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

After recording drum tracks in Northridge in late November I took a break for sushi at King’s Burgers. The name obviously fooled me a bit, but seeing the sushi selection my plans suddenly changed. It was one of those moments when you just needed a quick bite to eat and ended up staying for an hour. The spicy tuna tempura roll is no fucking joke… Seriously

I also live a few miles away from Mark Trombino’s new doughnut shop Donut Friend. The dude is truly doing great things to a classic item and even the coffee is killer. It’s now a MUST visit spot here in LA and everyone is talking about it. Trombino might be completely responsible for the stretchy pants movement of 2014 and that sucks.

@thejealoussound

JONAH BAYER

Jonah Bayer is a music journalist who’s served as music editor of Alternative Press and head writer of Stephen’s Untitled Rock Show (MTV). He is co-host of the Going Off Track podcast and co-creator of the Sound Advice web series.

What was the food highlight of your year?

This is a tough one for me since I mainly subsist on take-out within a two-block radius of my apartment, but earlier this year I ventured to Asia and had some amazing meals in South Korea. I got extremely lucky by making some friends who lived there on my connecting flight from Taiwan and they helped me have some super authentic dining experiences that ranged from Korean BBQ joints to nondescript food stalls on the street. From my experiences you can’t go wrong with anything that’s served on a stick. Plus you don’t have to deal with utensils, which is a huge bonus for me. 

What was the music highlight of your year?

Seeing Saves The Day play a super late secret show at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn was pretty incredible. I wrote my first cover story on them for Alternative Press over a decade ago so it was pretty surreal to be able to hear them play a lot of that material again live in a small club setting. They performed Through Being Cool in its entirety and Chris even dedicated my favorite song “Banned From The Back Porch” to me since it was my birthday. I still kind of can’t believe this happened but I’ve seen a bunch of photos from that night so I’m pretty sure it did. 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

A few months ago my band United Nations played Fest in Gainesville and had some amazing meals at a place called The Jones, which served a ton of delicious local food. Better yet since so many bands were in town for the festival, every time we went we’d run into someone that we knew and hadn’t seen in a while. I remember one meal in particular where I had some amazing biscuits alongside the guys from Paint It Black and Octaves. Oh also some band called Knapsack played at one point, you should check them out. I think they’re pretty new. 

@mynameisjonah

GRAHAM ELLIOT

Graham Elliot is a chef, restauranteur, Masterchef judge, and Lollapalooza food curator.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Opening my first restaurant (Primary Food & Drink) outside of Chicago (Greenwich, CT).  Scary and exciting at the same time.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Morrissey putting out his autobiography 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

There were many; cooking for Postal Service and Mumford & Sons at Lolla, cooking/hanging out with Knapsack and Jimmy Eat World at Graham Elliot Bistro.

@grahamelliot

JONATHAN WEINER

Jonathan Weiner is a rock photographer. He recently shot Wayne Coyne and Moby walking through downtown LA in full mariachi regalia for Rolling Stone.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Pinning down the food highlight of my year is a pretty hard thing to do, I really love finding new places as often as possible. I think the most mind melding moment was being introduced to the burrito shop Freebirds. I do not often frequent fast food or chain restaurants for that matter, so I feel like this is a weird selection for me. However, it totally changed my world when I found it. I am vegan, so for the most part a burrito means black beans and veggies, MAYBE rice and guacamole if I’m lucky (unless I’m going to a fully vegan restaurant). Most places I can’t eat at completely since mexican food typically uses lard in everything. In comes Freebirds, set up the same as Chipotle where you build your own burrito, except one major difference: EVERYTHING aside from the obvious is vegan! I can have refried and pinto beans, spanish rice, and so many flavorful add ons. It’s really quite simple, give me tons of tasty options instead of just quinoa and kale on a menu and I’m impressed!

Honorable mention is Pizzanista in the Arts District of LA. The only reason this isn’t my main choice is because I have a feeling that I discovered it in 2012. However, I LOVE it and wanted to mention it anyway. Where else can you get $2 tuesday NY sized slices, vegan garlic knots, and a skate or die shirt?! I bring a new person there almost every other week.

What was the music highlight of your year?

There has been so many awesome musical adventures I’ve been able to take part in this year. So many bands from my childhood that I never saw or haven’t seen in 15 years have been playing lately. Knapsack, Quicksand and Sparks were all really cool for me. The two highlights above all the rest I’d have to say were Flag and Johnny Marr, each in their own right. 

I was lucky enough to be invited to photograph Flag’s first real show together, a secret invite-only show at the Moose Lodge in Redondo Beach. There was about 150 people there, no stage, and its the same venue in which Black Flag played their very first show, before I was born! That show was amazing. Everything I remember going to punk shows to be growing up in DC. No cell phones, just pure fun. Every person in the crowd sang every song.

Next, I got to see Johnny Marr play at the Masonic Lodge in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Seeing Johnny Marr play Smiths songs for the first time in over two decades is incredible enough, but then add that into a tiny venue in the middle of a cemetery…enough said! I’m pretty sure every person who plays guitar in that room decided they might as well give up after hearing him play those songs.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

I’d say my favorite music/food coming together moment of the year was when Mark Trombino’s Donut Friend opened in Highland Park. I had been waiting months for this place to open. For years now the only vegan yeast donut option was to go to Ronald’s in Vegas (which is always amazing). Now there is a place 10 minutes from my home. If that wasn’t enough reason to get me excited, it comes with donut “compilations” with names such as Rites of Sprinkles, Coconut of Conformity, The Jelly Sound, Dag Nutty, Fudgegazi, ect. How could that not be awesome?!

@jonweinerphotos

SERGIE LOOBKOFF

Sergie Loobkoff plays guitar in Samiam, Knapsack, and Felled Trees.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I love a restaurant in Silverlake called Cliff’s Edge. From the outside it looks like a muffler shop next to a 99¢ store…but when you walk through the gate, you discover this Tolkien-like outdoor multi-tiered garden with tables build around a giant Oak tree (maybe it’s more like the tree from Pan’s Labrynth without the gross toad). There is a full bar to get sloshed from and at the end the chocolate lava cake is retarded-good. In the middle part of the evening, meat and fish is awesome and the salads are of the yummy variety. Each February, the discussion comes up to where to go for Valentine,s Day… can’t go there every year (according to my girlfriend) but 2013 was a Cliff’s Edge…which made it a good year.

What was the music highlight of your year?

I went out to Florida again for The Fest. It was my third time. Samiam played a couple of shows, Knapsack played, and I have little quartet with George from Hot Water Music and my bubs Mike and John called Grievers. Playing was fine and dandy, but I also got to see Iron Chic, who were awesome….and Off With Their Heads who were also awesome, and a new favorite, Old Flings. I made a new buddy from Michigan called Kevin, which is fun. I hate seeing bands usually, it’s so 1988 for me….but this was a good time.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Speaking of Knapsack, we went out to Chicago a few weeks ago to play a show. This famous chef guy likes the ’90s emotional rock music thing, of which Knapsack was a part of, so he invited us to his restaurant for a feast. Graham Elliott is his name and he treated us really, really well…like we were ‘somebodies’ even though everyone knows we are ‘nobodies’. Drunk? Yes. Full? Yes. Tummyache? Surprisingly, no…go figure.

@deadcosmo

MAT DIABLO

Mat Diablo is Sr. Program Manager at Slacker Radio.

What was the food highlight of your year?

My food highlight of the year doesn’t change much from year to year. It’s going home for the holidays and eating family-style Basque food at the JT Basque Bar & Dining Room in my hometown of Gardnerville, NV. They make a traditional cocktail called a Picon Punch that is the perfect accompaniment to tongue stew, cabbage soup, and lamb chops. That, and the fried oysters at Ranch 616 in Austin.

What was the music highlight of your year?

This was a year of finally getting to see bands that I loved as a kid but was either too young or too remote to have seen the first time around. This included, but was not limited to:

RFTC’s first show back at Bar Pink in SD, and then again on Halloween and at Riot Fest

The Dismemberment Plan, Superchunk, and Chuck Regan at Riot Fest Denver

The Ocean Blue at SXSW and Satellite in LA

The Residents at the Belly Up

And of course- the almighty Knapsack at The Void in SD.

Also, I flew to Reno for one night to see The Bronx play some shitty tweeker bar, I won $2500 at the casino across the street, and The Bronx killed everybody (as usual).

Honorable mention goes to Melt Banana and Retox at the Casbah, Parquet Courts at ACL, Twin Shadow at Casbah, and Speedy Ortiz at Soda Bar in SD.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

A traditional sushi restaurant called Sushi Tadokoro opened up near the Casbah, and they’ve got the freshest sashimi, nicest chefs, and best omakase in town. It’s nice to have a… lighter alternative to La Posta, Dos Brasas, or El Zarape on show nights.

@matdiablo

BLAIR SHEHAN

Blair Shehan is a founding member of Knapsack and currently fronts The Jealous Sound.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Quite a good chunk of  2012 was spent traveling america with three other grown men in a 15 passenger van. My dining choices at home in LA are spent at my usual spots, so when I”m on tour I enjoy heading out on my own for some quiet time and hopefully a great meal. It grounds me out and helps me reset from the daily grind of touring. I often comment on how this country’s highways are littered with horrible fast food and people with broken down bodies from eating it on a daily basis. I then realize I’m standing in line behind them waiting for the same food. 

When we played San Diego recently I got a great tip on a shrimp burrito so I headed out. I wound up at a place called El Zarape. They make a burrito with shrimp, some kind of Jack cheese, poblano sauce, and massive shrimp and that’s all there is to it. I came back to the club and described it as” luxurious”. Deep, rich, and totally unlike any other mexican seafood I have had… Extraordinary.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

As far as music and food colliding, the band recieved an email offering us a free dinner at a Taiwanese noodle bar called Toki Underground before we played in DC, simply because the owner enjoyed our music. We were raggedy and tired and some free hot asian noodles sounded perfect. First off it’s not underground, it’s upstairs in a dining  room that is a cross between a Japanese pub and a treehouse. We belly up to the bar where they make Ramen and soups to order. I ordered a fried chicken in a red curry broth with noodles, a soft boiled egg, and ginger. I love all types of Ramen, but this was the hands down best I have ever had. Fantastic ambience and food in a hectic urban center. It was a generous gesture and much appreciated. Indie food community reaching out to indie music…just wonderful!

SERGIE LOOBKOFF

Sergie is a founding member of Samiam and has played guitar in Solea and Knapsack. He has designed as many punk rock records, t-shirts, and logos as anyone on this planet.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Mo Chica is a hella yummy peruvian asian fusion place in downtown LA. It does have that hipster vibe that sort of bugs me and most people love…but at least there isn’t a DJ or anything. There is this spicy drink that literally knocks your socks off over your shoes. I suggest: LOMO SALTADO to eat and OAXACALIFORNIA LOVE too drink. What? You want me to descibe them? I don’t know, they taste GOOD…that’s all I know.

What was the music highlight of your year?

I would have to go with Dinosaur Jr. at the observatory a few weeks ago. I’ve seen them about a thousand times since the late ’80s and they are still on my favorite band list. So good. Were they too loud? Yup. Did J wank the whole time instead of playing the tasty leads from the recordings? Unfortunately. Are they unpleasant to look at in their advanced age? Not to be mean, but yes. But they still are awesome!

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

I never eat fast food…how could I keep my boyish figure as an old fella? I mean McDonald’s tastes as exotic to me as a 5-star meal. Let’s face it…it’s different and shittier…but also delicious. On the way back from helacious Orange County to downtown after that Dinosaur show, we decided to try that new Taco Bell Fresco crap…there is nothing else in the suburbs late at night. So we sampled from, ahem, that ‘health alternative’ gourmet (sic) menu. I have to say, it went down the shoot pretty well but almost instantaneously we both got huge stomach aches….it actually really HURT! Memorable? I’ll always think of it as I pass their sign on the highway…