Monday, October 04, 2004
LABlogs.com asked the questions. And like the little bitches we are, we answered:
1. What's the best venue in Los Angeles for live music, and why?
We probably won't be comp'd at any of the other joints after this, but let's face it, Largo is pretty damn amazing. Who can forget the one night when Brion was joined by Beck, Beth Orton, and Fiona Apple? On any given night, one can be offered entertainment from the big cats (Aimee Mann, Neil Finn, Grant Lee Phillips, Michael Penn, Sam Phillips, Rickie Lee Jones, Gillian Welch, Brad Mehldau) to the newcomers (Ditty Bops, Tom Brosseau, The Section) and you'll always be completely satisfied. What separates this club from any other venue in the world is that the shows that happen at Largo can only happen at Largo. Nothing can beat the pin-drop atmosphere, Flannagan's inside jokes, and of course the raison d'etre Jon Brion.
2. What's the worst?
I used to think Club Lush on Wilshire was pretty horrible but I don't think it's around anymore. Before that, the Roxy bugged me to no end, only because Tommy Gunn was manager there. Actually, I have no idea if he's still there but that guy was a real a$$hole. Seriously -- but you can probably guess that with a name like Tommy Gunn. Also, of course, Circus was blacklisted by us after they did what they did to Giant, which meant never promoting Spundae events. Basically, a club is considered okay if they treat their customers right. Viper Room was notorious for not doing that but we thought it was forgivable for awhile since Park was such a great booker. Now that she's gone and they booted Metal Skool (formerly Camaro) to the Roxy we very rarely hit that part of Sunset.
3. Where do you go most often to catch a gig, and how often?
Spaceland. Frank and Tefft are good people. The sound system isn't too great but man have they booked some great bands over the years.
4. What L.A. band, DJ or performer would you walk over burning hot coals to hear?
I'd do it for several bands. 400 Blows, Maimou, Autolux... but The Haden Triplets are the best damn group in Los Angeles. Believe it.
5. What's that playing on your MP3 player/car stereo, home audio system or tiny computer speakers right now?
Autolux's new CD Future Perfect, which comes out 10/28. This is the best rock band in LA. Very true.
6. Who's the most overrated musical act in Los Angeles?
Where do we start? Orgy was never good. 30 Seconds To Mars is horrible. So are most bands with actors in it like Jonny Was and Fred Alba. If Interpol were from Altadena they'd be on this list too. But they're not. Darn.
7. Who's the most brilliant?
Despite Jon Brion being the pop genius of our time, The Haden Triplets are perfection. They have a song called "Warm Breath on a Mirror" that makes me weep. Go to any of their shows and you'll see a crowd of weeping children. It happens every time.
8. Who are the three greatest Los Angeles bands/DJs/musicians of the past 50 years - and why?
The Germs, Jon Brion, N.W.A. These artists created something unique and built a foundation for greater things to come. They are three of the major points in LA's music history.
1. What's the best venue in Los Angeles for live music, and why?
We probably won't be comp'd at any of the other joints after this, but let's face it, Largo is pretty damn amazing. Who can forget the one night when Brion was joined by Beck, Beth Orton, and Fiona Apple? On any given night, one can be offered entertainment from the big cats (Aimee Mann, Neil Finn, Grant Lee Phillips, Michael Penn, Sam Phillips, Rickie Lee Jones, Gillian Welch, Brad Mehldau) to the newcomers (Ditty Bops, Tom Brosseau, The Section) and you'll always be completely satisfied. What separates this club from any other venue in the world is that the shows that happen at Largo can only happen at Largo. Nothing can beat the pin-drop atmosphere, Flannagan's inside jokes, and of course the raison d'etre Jon Brion.
2. What's the worst?
I used to think Club Lush on Wilshire was pretty horrible but I don't think it's around anymore. Before that, the Roxy bugged me to no end, only because Tommy Gunn was manager there. Actually, I have no idea if he's still there but that guy was a real a$$hole. Seriously -- but you can probably guess that with a name like Tommy Gunn. Also, of course, Circus was blacklisted by us after they did what they did to Giant, which meant never promoting Spundae events. Basically, a club is considered okay if they treat their customers right. Viper Room was notorious for not doing that but we thought it was forgivable for awhile since Park was such a great booker. Now that she's gone and they booted Metal Skool (formerly Camaro) to the Roxy we very rarely hit that part of Sunset.
3. Where do you go most often to catch a gig, and how often?
Spaceland. Frank and Tefft are good people. The sound system isn't too great but man have they booked some great bands over the years.
4. What L.A. band, DJ or performer would you walk over burning hot coals to hear?
I'd do it for several bands. 400 Blows, Maimou, Autolux... but The Haden Triplets are the best damn group in Los Angeles. Believe it.
5. What's that playing on your MP3 player/car stereo, home audio system or tiny computer speakers right now?
Autolux's new CD Future Perfect, which comes out 10/28. This is the best rock band in LA. Very true.
6. Who's the most overrated musical act in Los Angeles?
Where do we start? Orgy was never good. 30 Seconds To Mars is horrible. So are most bands with actors in it like Jonny Was and Fred Alba. If Interpol were from Altadena they'd be on this list too. But they're not. Darn.
7. Who's the most brilliant?
Despite Jon Brion being the pop genius of our time, The Haden Triplets are perfection. They have a song called "Warm Breath on a Mirror" that makes me weep. Go to any of their shows and you'll see a crowd of weeping children. It happens every time.
8. Who are the three greatest Los Angeles bands/DJs/musicians of the past 50 years - and why?
The Germs, Jon Brion, N.W.A. These artists created something unique and built a foundation for greater things to come. They are three of the major points in LA's music history.
