Photos and review by Nicole Sepulveda
@__nik__pics

Chalk Teeth is an LA-based trio that blends darkwave, industrial noise, and experimental alternative rock into something tense, atmospheric, and strangely hypnotic. They brought that sound to Night Vision at The Great Northern in San Francisco for a late-night performance on July 10, 2026. The band also recently released its first full-length album—on DNTL Records (lol) for vinyl and digital, and Dum Dum Records on cassette.

I first saw Chalk Teeth open for Imaad Wasif at his album-release show and was immediately drawn to their sound. I like noise that still sounds like music. Goldfrapp, Nine Inch Nails, M.I.A., Garbage, and almost anything on the industrial spectrum somehow end up in my suggested playlists based on what I continuously play, so Chalk Teeth landed right in that sweet spot for me.

I’m not much of a night owl, so when I saw that doors opened at 9 p.m., I wasn’t sure I would be able to stay awake for their after-hours start time. Lol! Thankfully, I also had the chance to take some green-room portraits before doors, and they might be some of my favorite band photos to date.

Bay Area local Tropisphere opened the show with heavy synthesizers and an avant-garde electronic sound, pulling the crowd into an almost hypnotic state right from the start. Nail Polish broke up the trance with a gritty garage-rock set that reminded me of underground ’80s punk bands.

When Chalk Teeth began their set just before midnight, the intimate venue filled with attentive eyes fixed on center stage. Lead singer Karo was silhouetted against the opening synths of “Hi Vis,” immediately setting the mood for the rest of the performance. Jason stood stage right, moving between keyboards, bass, and drum machine while also controlling much of the band’s projected visuals. On guitar, Jason carried the melody beneath Karo’s haunting Polish lyrics.

The room was filled with friends, Bay Area goths, and—I’m pretty sure—a handful of vampires, all swaying and dancing along to every song. I spent the set dodging between photographing the show and letting myself get pulled into the journey.

After hearing the full album live, then digitally, and again on vinyl, I highly recommend picking up the record. The vinyl adds another layer of warmth and texture to their already dense, beautifully finished sound.

Follow Chalk Teeth on Instagram for updates on upcoming shows… and to see more of my portraits of the band.