Monday, June 30, 2008
Yeah, that was probably one of the best weekends of music this year. Specifically, that Summer Darling/Kissing Cousins/Death House Chaplain show on Saturday was absolutely brilliant. Congratulations to SD on the release of their new fantastic EP Good Feeling. And congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Haro on their wedding on Sunday. Lots of friends and family came from all parts of the country to wish the newlyweds a happy marriage and we felt lucky just to be in the same room with such beautiful people. We'll miss you Loop and if we ever get married we know who to call to get our senior citizen's discount. The new Summer Darling performs 7/3 at The Echo for The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra's EP release show, which we're co-presenting with Radio Free Silver Lake and Web in Front. Good Feeling is now available through iTunes, Amazon, and Emusic... On Sunday, Kickchella brought out a great crowd of friends and fans to see some of the best bands in town play for free at Eagle Rock Lanes. Don't know if anyone has been to a show where everyone in the room knew everyone in the room. It was something like that but with bowling shoes and every band not sucking. Seriously, though, with that many bands in love with each other it was like actually being in that video for "We Are the World". Raves to the wonderful Maria DeLuca of Le Switch for organizing such a great event and for playing in three bands (The Damselles & the TC4, pictured above, were probably the highlight of the entire show) and for being awesome. Those crazy Kickballers resume games as usual at Glassell Park on Saturdays. Photos up.
Tonight we say goodbye to June with the last of the Monday residencies. Elsewhere, Shwayze plays an early free set at the Roxy, which is being filmed by MTV. Vice party at King King with Matt & Kim, The Death Set, and The Underground Railroad to Candyland. LACO$TE and friends at pehrspace. Le Switch, The Hanks and others at Viper... Tuesday, CGT presents The Mae Shi, Death to Anders, Light FM, and Die Rockers Die at Spaceland. The Blood Arm open for We Are Scientists and The Morning Benders at the El Rey. The Henry Clay People, Le Switch, and Swim Party reunite after some time apart for a show at The Prospector. And Mozella opens for Alice Russell at the Hotel Cafe. Seasons and Fuckass & the Grease Patrol are this week's guests for The Beeters residency at Mr. T's... Wednesday, Nosaj Thing does his thing for Low End Theory. Jack Wilson, Jr. and Fascinoma play the Southwest Museum. Useless Keys open for Modey Lemon and The Muslims at The Echo... We got our show at The Echo on Thursday. Also, Nico Vega and The Growlers kick off "Also I Like to Rock" series at the Hammer. And Anime Expo 2008 kicks off.
In other news: Rock Insider posted today on some unfortunate events that occurred with local band Young Animals' lead singer over the weekend. Spencer is good people so anything we all can do to help would be great... Tune into GTFU tonight for live in-studios from The Western States Motel and Daniel Ahearn... 2008 MTV Music Awards return to Los Angeles on September 7th, taping live from Paramount Pictures lot. Speaking of MTV, they have a local blog that all the cool kids are probably reading. So does the Knitting Factory, whose latest posting brings back fond memories... Finally, we're speechless.
Friday, June 27, 2008
You know, despite the wear and tear of gas prices and temperate weather, it didn't slow down a great number of Angelenos from hitting the clubs this past week. So either no one got the memo that oil recently climbed to $140 per barrel or people did get the memo and decided to get their club hopping out of the way for the rest of the year. In any case, we have approximately 1/3 of a tank (aka our entire life's savings) to last us this whole weekend. Let's see...
No Age does Getty's "Friday Off the 405" series tonight. Elsewhere, Squaregirls presents Fol Chen, The Health Club, Hearts of Palm UK, and WEAVE! at pehrspace. Our old dear friend Nikka Costa plays the El Rey. Jesca Hoop opens for Mark Knopfler at the Greek. Juliette and the Licks at Viper. Dilated Peoples at the House of Blues. B Real and Slash at the Whisky. Sam Shelton at the Hotel Cafe. The Deadly Syndrome and The Shys open for Hot Hot Heat at the Roxy. Jon Brion/Dave Palmer do their thing at g'Net. And The Autumns at Spaceland... Summer Darling celebrates the release of their new EP on Saturday. After which, we'll be donning our Mickey Mouse gloves and candy whistle Smarties necklaces for this year's Electric Daisy Carnival at the Coliseum featuring Paul Van Dyk, Moby, and others. Andy Caldwell, one of the only sort-of famous people to graduate from our high school, has the 2am-4am slot at the Peristyle stage near the Ferris wheel. Meanwhile, The 88 return to the stage after some time away for a show at The Roxy with Lemon Sun. Also, The Autonomous Music Festival with The Health Club, Young Animals, Die Rockers Die, and many others out at Bell Mountain. The Spires, Naptunes, Jack Wilson, Jr., and Man/Miracle at pehrspace. And Aquarium Drunkard presents Fleet Foxes for a couple nights in town beginning with Saturday at The Echo then Sunday at Spaceland... Sunday, the long-awaited Kickchella at All Star Lanes features pretty much every band you know and love. If for some reason, you are not in the mood for ballkickers, Radar Bros., Kenan Bell, Jake LaBotz, Chris Holmes, and others lead the way for Summer Camp at Little Radio. Willoughby has a show at Tangier. Captain Ahab at The Smell. Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, The Living Suns, and Paper Airplanes at the Que Sera. The Watson Twins at Fingerprints. And Gilberto Gil, Devendra Banhart, and The Album Leaf at the Hollywood Bowl.
The 88 - "All 'Cause of You" (MP3)
Andy Caldwell - "Warrior (Claude VonStroke Sharp Toof Mix)" (MP3)
Jake La Botz - "My Silver Lining" (MP3)
Any casual Glassell Park jogger, walker, b-baller, shot caller, and general enthusiast of spandex active wear has probably seen them: A group of young boys and girls enjoying a Saturday afternoon playing kickball. It's perhaps the most definitive sport from one's childhood, a national pastime for elementary school recess jocks and a burden of bad memories for the uncoordinated, athletic types that were probably picked last. But it's taken on new meaning with Silver Lake 20-30 somethings who just happen to be members of some of the best bands in town.
We all know KXLU had been doing this kickball stuff for a number of years with some games including bands from The Smell scene, but a whole playground of indie rock bands, DJs, and bloggers (sometimes two simultaneous games of 40-60 people) running around kicking a rubber ball for a few hours in the middle of the day when they could be not running around kicking a rubber ball in the middle of the day is kind of a minor miracle. Plus, we should emphasize that there's quite a bit of running/kicking balls involved. So much so that after only the first week of kickballin' certain players were seen on the stages of Spaceland, The Echo, and the Silverlake Lounge with noticeable fatigue-inflected limps. Kickball comrades in the audience could only sympathize (and smirk) at those who had to perform through sore calves and strained groins while others only looked on in confusion as to why the Siara Bros.' jumpkicks no longer had the glorious elegance and fine flexibility they once had.
Months have now passed and games have gone from loosely-officiated, easygoing affairs to hard slides into home plate occasionally causing concussive results. Players who had never kicked a ball in their lives three months ago are now yelling out "the play's at home" and tagging people out like their life depended on it. And if you want to see drama, the pre-game choosing of the teams might very well have more tension than a bottom of the 9th bases loaded full-count swing of the bat with each participant holding their breath for fear of being chosen last.
On Sunday, The Kickballers celebrate the brotherhood of the ball with a show featuring most of the bands that have participated over the rigorous spring season. The show is free but any donations will go to help pay for uniforms, jockstraps, and hopefully a Kickballers tribute album.
Pictures from a few of the kickball games are here.
June 29, 2008
Los Angeles Loves...
featuring:
LE SWITCH
THE HENRY CLAY PEOPLE
YOU ME AND IOWA
I MAKE THIS SOUND
THE FLYING TOURBILLON ORCHESTRA
LES BLANKS
THE VOYEURS
THE HECTORS
TANDEMORO
SWIM PARTY
MARVELOUS TOY
THE DAMSELLES & THE TC4
NATHAN WASILEWSKI
All Star Lanes
4459 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041 | Map
Free / All Ages / 5pm
Le Switch - "Tongue Tied" (MP3)
The Henry Clay People - "Working Part Time" (MP3)
I Make This Sound - "One Two Three" (MP3)
You Me & Iowa - "Valhalla" (MP3)
The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra - "In a Dream" (MP3)
The Voyeurs - "Sunny Afternoon" (MP3)
Les Blanks - "Starry Tilting Sizzle" (MP3)
Tandemoro - "Coloring Dreams" (MP3)
The Hectors - "Cold Star" (MP3)
Marvelous Toy - "You Were Brighter" (MP3)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
We are not presenting this show, but for several reasons we feel obligated to mention that our dearly beloved Summer Darling is celebrating the release of their new digital EP Good Feeling on 6/28 at The Bordello.
Reason #1. Summer Darling is one of our favorite bands of all time and undoubtedly one of the most severely under-appreciated groups the Los Angeles music scene has ever had.
Reason #2. Good Feeling is the second of a trilogy of digital-only EPs the band is releasing this year. Those that bought the first EP Health of Others on those wonderful, custom-made flash drives can simply bring it to the show on Saturday and fill 'er up for free, an idea so brilliant that it could serve as the sole reason to be at this show if it were not for...
Reason #3. This will be the last show for drummer Loop Haro who is getting married the following day and looks to start a bright future with Ms. Kara of Kissing Cousins. And as much as we are crying as we type this, it is nowhere near the amount of tears that will be shed at Saturday's show.
All three bands playing are like one big family and your presence immediately makes you apart of the extended family. See you there.
First band goes on around 7:30pm. $5 before 10pm, $10 after.
June 28, 2008
Los Angeles Loves a... Good Feeling
SUMMER DARLING EP release
DEATH HOUSE CHAPLAIN
KISSING COUSINS
The Bordello
901 E. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Map
21+ / $5 before 10pm / 7:45pm
Advance tickets available here
Summer Darling - "Ride This Wave of Good Feeling" (MP3)
Death House Chaplain - "Until No Carp" (MP3)
Kissing Cousins - "Silhouettes" (live) (MP3)
"Ride This Wave of Good Feeling" choir features members of Kissing Cousins, Wait Think Fast, The Monolators, Jefferson Street, and many others. Flyer artwork by Amanda Paganini.
Monday, June 23, 2008
So last week was just nuts. Between all the weekly residencies, Airborne at Spaceland, Little Jackie at the Viper Room, Megapuss at the Hammer, presenting shows, planning to present shows, the crazy fun show on Friday (above), and everything else we've been a bit behind on stuff so we took the weekend off to get that stuff done and now all is good (sort of). For those that didn't stop by the Hammer last week to see the debut of Megapuss, the psyche-pop supergroup consisting of Devendra Banhart, Greg Rogove, Noah Georgeson, and Fabrizio Moretti, it was quite the place to be. Not knowing any of the songs, what we caught was pretty wonderful (had to leave early for our old friend Ms. Seerman at the Troob only to find out she was mid-slotted). Although there seemed to be quite a bit of distraction on our side of the courtyard for the young lady momentarily to our right, our attention was thoroughly transfixed to the stage where Ms. Dukoff's brilliant photographs of Devendra, Matteah Baim, Ariana Delawari, and others hovered above. More in-depth coverage here, here, here, here, and there's also lots of YouTube footage up... Imani Coppola's new project Little Jackie also made quite a showing at the Viper Room playing with our friends Looner. Their debut album The Stoop hits stores 7/8 when they'll also be performing on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien".
Tune in to hear Death Cab on MBE this morning unless of course you feel their new album makes you yawn. In which case, you should sleep in. More Monday residency fun tonight, but if you're up for something else: Gran Ronde, The Poor Excuses, and others at Viper. Anavan, Smooth Grooves, and others at pehrspace... Tuesday, it's the battle of the "fire" albums as The Watson Twins celebrate the release of their debut full-length for Vanguard Fire Songs at Amoeba while Jessie Baylin celebrates the release of her new album Firesight at the Hotel Cafe. Mighty Six Ninety also celebrates the release of their new album Cheers to the Bitter End (released 6/10) at the Troubadour with Castaneda, Kissing Tigers, and Test Your Reflex. Sara Bareilles performs on the "Tonight Show w/Jay Leno". Hecuba, LACO$TE, Hazm, and Brendan Fowler at The Echo. In Waves, The Monolators, and Line and Circle open for Sunny Day Sets Fire at Spaceland. The Year Zero and The Valley Arena at Alex's Bar. Solare and The Human Value at The Prospector. The legendary Bill Frisell and Greg Leisz together at the g'Net. Billy Idol does an in-store at Virgin. And Phantom Planet appears on the "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson". In related PP news, thanks to one of our five readers for letting us know of Mr. Greenwald's love for us. It should be known that our love for Mr. Greenwald has been reciprocated elevenfold for over a decade and although we haven't said much about their recent album, Wake the Dead, we do find ourselves doing the panic as much as the next 16-year-old girl -- can't help it if PP write catchy songs... Wednesday, RFSL presents Thailand's EP release show with The Soft Hands, One Trick Pony, and Good on Paper at the Silverlake Lounge. Becky Stark and Palms open for Cryptacize at The Echo. Abe Vigoda and Small Breed at The Smell. Oslo and The Hundred Days at Club NME. The Battle of Land and Sea, Jacob Golden, and Monster at Mariposa. And Saint Motel, Astra Heights, and others at Viper.. On Thursday, Hell Ya! presents The Movies, Pizza!, The Savages, and The Voyeurs at The Echo. Sam Phillips and The Section Quartet at g'Net. The Parson Red Heads and The Fast Computers down at The Prospector. Grand Master Flash does a book signing at Book Soup then heads over to Crash Mansion for DJ set with EPMD (wow). Aushua, C.R.A.F.T. Club, and others at Alex's Bar. Oliver Future and The Gray Kid at Spaceland. And His Orchestra, Darren Weiss, and others at the Unknown Theater.
Also please mark your calendars for Saturday 6/28 as Summer Darling celebrates the release of their new digital EP Good Feeling.
The Watson Twins - "Just Like Heaven" (The Cure) (MP3)
Friday, June 20, 2008
We're trying to recuperate from the insanity of the past week and this heat isn't helping. Señor Summer Solstice is not so sexy right now.
Thank you so much to those who came out last night and enjoyed a good time with old friends and new friends. Special thanks to all the bands, CGT, Eagle Rock Bowling & Drinking Club, and All Star Lanes for making such a fun night possible. And special special thanks to Mary Monolator for slaving over a hot stove all day preparing some 200 wonderfully fresh pretzels. Everything was completely devoured. Next scheduled Twist is in August (date TBD). Some photos up.
Tonight: Helmet plays the Malibu Inn. Jon Brion/Dave Palmer at g'Net. Upsilon Acrux, Ninja Academy and others open for Dysrythmia at the Knitting Factory. The Health Club, Light FM, Ivy Walls, and The Wallburds at Jeremy Jay opens for These New Puritans at The Echo. Hello Dragon, Adeline and the Philistines, and PaperPlanes at The Scene. Casxio opens for Nous Non Plus at The Bordello. And Cobra Lilies, Dorian Wood, Smells Like Flan, and Mooey Mubau at pehrspace... On Saturday, Make Music Pasadena Festival is headlined by The Raveonettes, Autolux, Dengue Fever, Division Day, Jessica Fichot and many others. Meanwhile, over at Little Radio, Summer Camp continues with this week's guests No Age, The Deadly Syndrome (who played one of the best shows we've ever seen them do at Spaceland on Tuesday), and The Explorers Club. Later Saturday, Rock Insider presents Avi Buffalo, Young Animals, Make Me, and Hotbodies at pehrspace. Crystal Antlers head out on tour with a farewell show at The Prospector with Restaurant and Katie the Pest. The 5th Annual Girls Summer HTDJ's Dance Party has a huge lineup with Love Grenades, Hearts of Palm UK, and an all-star list of female guest DJs. Blank Blue at Grand Star. Rademacher, Seasons, The Hectors, and The Karabal Nightlife at Echo Curio. And The Underground Railroad to Candyland at La Conga... Sunday, Rademacher, The Transmissions, and The Natural Disasters at Mr. T's Bowl. The Tartans and Catwalk at PTP.
Stay tuned for posts on upcoming shows we're helping with including The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra EP release show on 7/3, our anniversary show on 7/23, and a very secret show we've been working on for a few years in which you're seriously going to shit your pants if we can pull it off.
Dengue Fever - "Seeing Hands" (MP3)
The Deadly Syndrome - "Animals Wearing Clothes (Live at Spaceland)" (MP3)
Katie The Pest - "The Art of Missing You" (MP3)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
While it was only April since the last Gathering of the Pretzel, it has seemed like an eternity. People have been restless. We saw two cars collide at an intersection today downtown for no reason -- although it's pretty obvious that both drivers were pretzel deprived as emergency personnel put them immediately on an IV Wetzels cocktail drip.
For our third "Rock with a Twist", CGT and we are presenting The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, Jack Wilson, Jr. (featuring members of The Natural Disasters and The Devils Romantics/Red Maids), Downtown/Union and our hosts and makers of the pretzels, The Monolators. This lineup just wreaks of one of those "good friends/good times" vibes as all these bands are BFF'ers. Moreover, we are certain you will not find a more pleasant purlieu for pretzel polyphagists than All Star Lanes.
And, yes, some sort of pretzel buttons will be made for this show.
June 19, 2008
Los Angeles Loves to... Rock with a Twist
presented by Classical Geek Theatre and us
featuring:
THE FLYING TOURBILLON ORCHESTRA
JACK WILSON, JR.
DOWNTOWN/UNION
and THE MONOLATORS
All Star Lanes
4459 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041 | Map
All Ages / Free / 9pm
The Monolators - "Your Mother's Lover Eating Cake" (MP3)
The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra - "In a Dream" (MP3)
Downtown/Union - "Do What You Do" (MP3)
Good show last night at Spaceland. Very nice to see a room full of real fans, oblivious to the fact that it's against the Spaceland hipster code of law to dance and sing along to bands you like. Also very cool of Mr. Jollett to always be so vocally supportive of this little music scene of ours and to remain as humble about everything as the first day we met him, even while on the brink of hugedom. The Airborne Toxic Event's self-titled album is scheduled for an 8/5 release on Majordomo Records with the release show set for 8/7 at the El Rey with Radars to the Sky.
Speaking of 8/5 releases, look for Darker My Love's appropriately titled second album 2 hitting stores that day. The band is doing a month-long west coast residency of sorts in July, playing multiple dates in San Francisco and Los Angeles (7/18 The Echo, 7/25 The Echo). The release show is set for 8/5 at the Troubadour after which they'll join The Dandy Warhols for several dates across the country.
Speaking of The Dandy Warhols, tickets for their 10/3 show at the Wiltern with A Place to Bury Strangers and Upside Down go on sale Saturday.
Speaking of Warhol, if you haven't seen "The Cool School", the brilliant PBS documentary on L.A.'s famed Ferus Gallery which played a part in the careers of Warhol, Ed Kienholz, Wallace Berman, and many other beat generation artists but more importantly legitimized Los Angeles as a real destination in the art world, you should get your TiVo's programmed for its next scheduled airing on KCET (6/19, 9pm). It's truly wonderful.
Speaking of wonderful, the Los Angeles Film Festival kicks off tomorrow (6/19). Some highlights include the "X Files" sequel screening with a Duchovny/Carter Q&A; panel/discussions with Guillermo del Toro, Common, Antonio Banderas, and others on their respective films; world premiere of "Largo"; and quite a few free screenings around the city as well. Should be amazing.
Speaking of amazing, we love when old friends make up and it's about time.
Speaking of time, we're out of it. Update over.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Great fun on Fri-Sat-Sun. Thanks to those who came out Friday. That was the best Vaudeville show we've seen yet. And we were equally impressed with Drew Danburry, The Alligators, and Forest World. Photos up... Caught a bit of the Bonnaroo fest online (specifically performances from our friends Two Gallants and Sigur Ros). By the way, if you haven't seen the highlights of this year's Coachella on Blue Room, you should do so. Our favorites are The Bird and the Bee's "I Hate Camera", Redd Kross' "Clorox Girls" and the whole absolutely brilliant Flogging Molly show which literally brought a tear to our eye since we haven't seen them since those wonderful Molly Malone's days. We mentioned we watched most of the festival online via Blue Room and a patch-in through some secret network which provided near-HD quality viewing. If this is offered regularly, we will never have to stand next to sweaty, shirtless dudes ever again... Consumption X photos are up as well.
More great Monday residency lineups tonight. You really should see as many as you can. They've been quite good. Otherwise, head out to Viper tonight for Xu Xu Fang as they celebrate the release of their new album The Mourning Son. No New Age makes their debut at pehrspace (get there early). Sarah Silverman makes her debut at the new g'Net. And Times New Viking plays The Smell... Tuesday, "Let's Independent" with The Parson Red Heads, Buddy, and The Hidden Hooks. Devon Williams plays Amoeba. The Airborne Toxic Event, The Deadly Syndrome, and The Henry Clay People at Spaceland. Dublab Matinee V at the Silent Movie Theatre. Bic Runga returns to Largo. Warbringer at the Knitting Factory. And there's an RSVP-only screening of "Joy Division: The Documentary" at Zune with a Q&A and DJ set by Peter Hook... Midnight Movies do Club NME on Wednesday. Rilo Kiley, Lavender Diamond, and Benji Hughes at the Greek. Quite conveniently, just down the street Eleni Mandell, Joel Virgil, Olin and the Moon, and others at Tangier. Megapuss makes their debut at the Hammer. Pop Levi opens for Jaymay and Fink at the Troubadour. And Old 97's do an in-store at Amoeba... On Thursday, another great night of music and pretzels with "Rock with a Twist" with The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, Jack Wilson, Jr., Downtown/Union, and The Monolators at All Star Lanes. Sea Wolf, Patrick Park, The Jealous Girlfriends, and DJ Sara Lov at Echoplex. Yes Me To Death, Kissing Cousins, Useless Keys, and Solid Todd at Spaceland. The Watkins Family Hour and Glen Phillips at g'Net. And Ceci Bastida showcases for some big MySpace battle of the bands thing (and she should win).
In other news: Willoughby performs live on GTFU tonight... Colorforms has officially changed their name to Obi Best. Go bff them... Shiloe is looking for a new drummer. Go drum for them (we posted it in the classifieds section)... The Henry Clay People will release their new album through Autumn Tone Records, appropriately in the fall... Check out video from NYLON's issue launch party show a few weeks back with The Like.
Friday, June 13, 2008
So the talk of the week has been all of Mr. Hansen's warm-up shows at The Echo (and tonight at the Echoplex). How nice of him to practice with his new band on all this new material for us. What's more, now Daniel Ahearn can now tell his grandkids that showboat Beck once opened for him back in the day. Congratulations, by the way, to Mr. Ahearn on the official release of his new terrific EP Pray For Me By Name. He remains to be one of the most down-to-earth gentlemen of the scene with songs that make us yearn for quality time with friends, kicking our feet up on porch swings toasting to the good ol' days with cheep beer. Ahearn heads out on a quick West Coast tour with Correatown in the coming weeks. Next scheduled show in town is 7/18 at pehrspace. Photos from the show are up.
We'll be hanging out with friends at pehrspace tonight but there's a lot of other stuff to do. The Submarines and Castledoor at the Echo. Pizza!, A.M., and others at L'KEG. Jon Brion and Dave Palmer at separate rooms at the g'net. Pocahaunted's last show for awhile at Ooga Booga. Jay Nash celebrates the release of his new album The Things You Think You Need at the Hotel Cafe with Holly Conlan, Laura Jansen and others. And Crystal Castles does that midnight show at the Roxy... Playboy Jazz Festival marks its 30th year at the Hollywood Bowl with headliner Herbie Hancock. Summercamp is back with The Pity Party, Imaad Wasif and Two Part Beast, and Crystal Antlers. Get your passes here. The Black Watch celebrates the release of their new album Icing the Snow Queen at TAIX. David Garza at g'Net. Milk:Blood, The Transmissions and others celebrate Nico's birthday at the Cocaine. And West Indian Girl and Eagle Winged Palace at The Scene... Benefiting several charities, the tenth installment of Consumption takes place at Ironworks with performances by I Make This Sound, The Hectors, The Breakups, Wait Think Fast, and many others. Kárin Tatoyan opens for Dosh at Spaceland. And Times New Viking and others do PTP at The Echo.
The Submarines - "Peace & Hate" (Nobody Remix) (MP3)
The Black Watch - "Icing the Snow Queen" (MP3)
Jay Nash - "over you" (MP3)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
There's only one Friday the 13th this year and, lucky us, we've got a show on it.
Our friends Vaudeville asked us to join them at pehrspace tomorrow for a night of indie rock, electro pop, and indie folk bands so of course we were happy to oblige. Consisting of
Los Angeles Loves...
June 13, 2008
DREW DANBURRY
THE ALLIGATORS
FOREST WORLD
VAUDEVILLE
pehrspace
325 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Map
$5 / 9pm / All Ages
Drew Danburry - "I'm Pretty Sure This Is Someone Else's Song, But I Couldn't Figure Out Whose So I'm Keeping It!" (MP3)
Vaudeville - "My Worried Mind" (MP3)
Forest World - "Eyes" (MP3)
The Alligators - "I'm Dungeons, You're Dragons" (MP3)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Our first recollection of hearing Daniel Ahearn was one sunny afternoon several years ago driving around Los Angeles listening to KXLU and hearing a live electro-folk band playing. They were good and so we drove a bit more
Be advised: Daniel Ahearn has the opening slot at 9pm. Message any of the bands to get on a $5 discount list.
June 11, 2008
Los Angeles Loves...
DANIEL AHEARN EP release
SPAIN
CORREATOWN
CMG & WE ARE THE NIGHT
The Echo
1822 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
8:30pm / $7 / 18+
Daniel Ahearn - "San Vincente" (featuring Angela Correa) (MP3)
Ill Lit - "Beating the Daylights Out of My Nightlife" (MP3)
Spain - "Easy Lover" (MP3)
Angela Correa - "Hardship To Be" (MP3)
Having publishing issues. Calm yourself.
Crystal Castles added another show at The Roxy on Friday (6/13) at midnight. Tickets are available through the Roxy box office (310) 278-9457.
Secret Machines show originally scheduled for 6/18 at Viper has been changed to 7/27. Tickets still available.
RRTS has the scoop on last Monday's Beck show at the Echo, which we snuck into at the last minute. Nothing too surprising except for the fact that we do believe there was a Deep Sea Diver stage right.
Mirkin's got a nice review of Ms. Mann's show last week at Largo at the Coronet, I mean, g'Net.
Nice shout out to L.A.'s tronic scene here. Flying Lotus celebrates the release of his new, awesomely-titled album Los Angeles at The Airliner tonight. Incidentally, it's one of our favorite albums of the year.
Our 7/23 show at Mr. T's Bowl has turned itself into another anniversary show. Tenlons Fort (flying in from Austin that morning), Ema and the Ghosts, and Avi Buffalo are scheduled to play so far. Who else? Hmm...
Web in Front has a preview of The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra's new EP Escapements. The band performs at this month's "Rock with a Twist" on 6/19 with You Me & Iowa, Downtown/Union, and The Monolators at All Star. The EP release is 7/3 at The Echo, co-presented by two bad-ass blogs Radio Free Silver Lake and Web in Front and one not-so bad-ass blog (us).
Daniel Ahearn celebrates the release of his new EP Pray For Me By Name tonight at The Echo and goes on at 9pm. Seriously, get there early. He's amazing. Posting to follow.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Let's just imagine that we have no idea who The Sweet Hurt is or that The Sweet Hurt is and has always been the brainchild of a one Wendy Wang. Then we'd have to pretend that many lifetimes ago in the trenches of a certain corporation, where amongst a sea of employees with bad taste in music we were saved by Ms. Wang's unflappable fondness for skate punk and boy bands, which was both weird and wonderful. We would then have to forget all the times we have spent since then hanging out listening to her favorite music or listening about her struggles of continuing to do music or listening to her own music she had just written (our favorite). So perhaps to give a fair review of her EP release show on Saturday we might have to put all that we know of Ms. Sweet Hurt behind us.
But that we cannot do.
You see, unlike perhaps most musicians around town, Wendy Wang has never craved the spotlight. And she'd be the first to tell you that she'd rather be huddled away in a dark studio in Rancho Park than on any stage in Los Angeles. So you can understand the joy of the moment as she stood there on the night of the release of her new EP In the Shade of Dreams basking in the light of pehrspace's Christmas colors enjoying the warmth of an adoring, capacity crowd.
Over the course of its existence, The Sweet Hurt has gone through many changes, ranging from bedroom demo days to rock quartet phase to minimalist girl-girl duo (our favorite) and everything else in between. But on this night, she pulled out all stops inviting an all-star cast of friends featuring members from bands I Make This Sound, Charlie Wadhams, Patrick Park, and Let's Go Sailing along with surprise guests Priscilla Ahn for a few new songs ("Banjo Song", "Maybe Someday") and Nate Cole from Castledoor for an absolutely lovely rendition of "Lost Again". Any musician that wasn't on stage pretty much filled out the rest of the room as some of the scene's biggest names came out to see one of L.A.'s most well-known side players be the star of the show for once.
And then there was us, listening, as we have done since those college days. Proud of the musician who is doing what she's always wanted to do. Happy for the friend whose band we can finally say...
Los Angeles Loves The Sweet Hurt.
In the Shade of Dreams will be available through Red Rockets Glare Records on 7/8. The Sweet Hurt performs 7/5 at Crane's and 7/28 at Mr. T's Bowl.
The Sweet Hurt on MySpace.
Photos from the EP release show here.
The Sweet Hurt - "Where Would You Go?" (MP3)
The Sweet Hurt - "Lost Again" (MP3) Limited time download
The Sweet Hurt - "M. Misery" (MP3) Limited time download
The Sweet Hurt - "What I Might"
Monday, June 09, 2008
Lots of smiles around the room on Friday. Thanks to members of Amnion, Flying Tourbillon Orchestra, The Hectors, and Odd Modern for hanging out and most of all Ema and the Ghosts and The Jesse Knight for helping end the night on a very sloppy note. We've been lucky to attend First Fridays at Mr. T's Bowl for a long while now and are honored to have been apart of it in our very small way. Seasons will now commandeer the night beginning in July so expect First Fridays to continue the fine tradition it's had over the years... Also, congrats to The Sweet Hurt on their CD release show on Saturday. Review to follow (if we can put such a night into words) but some photos have been posted.
Good residency lineups tonight so expect big crowds (decisions, decisions). Also, Aushua and Shiloe play Viper. Seasons, Halloween Swim Team, and others at Mariposa. And Santogold signs her name a few hundred times at Virgin... On Tuesday, Priscilla Ahn celebrates the release of her debut album A Good Day on 6/10 with a performance at the Hotel Cafe. She'll also be appearing on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on 6/11. Repeater also celebrates the release of their debut album Iron Flowers at The Prospector. Aimee Mann plays Largo at the Coronet, which we feel is too long a name so we are officially abbreviating it to Largoronet or maybe l'Goronet or perhaps g'net. Billy Bragg plays the El Rey. Jeremy Enigk and Damien Jurado at Spaceland... On Wednesday, we're helping with Daniel Ahearn's EP release show at The Echo with Spain, Correatown, and CMG & We Are the Night. Eleni Mandell, Princeton, Olin and the Moon, and others at Tangier. Oslo at Spaceland. And Crystal Castles at the Roxy... Thursday, The Pity Party, Mezzanine Owls, The Secret 6, and Coco B's down at Alex's Bar. Hecuba, David Scott Stone, Fantastic Magic, and others at Echo Curio. Meiko, Astra Heights and others at the Hotel Cafe. Wait Think Fast opens for The Helio Sequence and Talkdemonic at the Echoplex. Paperplanes, Codpiece, Fast Dragon, and Nathan Payne at Mr. T's Bowl.
In other news: Foreign Born has recently signed to Secretly Canadian with their debut album Person to Person due in February 2009... A Fine Frenzy is doing a live web chat at 4:30pm today... And we've added a new band classifieds page so feel free to email us if you're looking for musicians, lost gear, a date to the prom, etc.
Priscilla Ahn - "Dream" (MP3)
New album "A Good Day" available at Amazon and iTunes.
Friday, June 06, 2008
We're so confident tonight's show at Mr. T's will be such a joyous affair that we've already pre-posted Monday's post-show raves on how joyous it was. And we're so excited we've made buttons and posters for everyone. Well, not for everyone. Maybe two people... But we do see that tonight is very busy as Fridays tend to be so if you can't make it to our little show do get yourselves out to see...
The lovely and talented Listing Ship celebrating the release of their new album A Hull Full of Oil and Bone at the Panorama Theatre. Our old friend Steve Reynolds celebrates the release of his excellent new album The Carnival Papers at the Hotel Cafe. Living Legends at the Music Box. James is doing an acoustic show at Spaceland with Evan Slamka and Sky Parade opening. Ditty Bops at McCabe's. Quetzal return to Los Angeles after some months away for a show at Temple Bar. Pizza!, No Paws (No Lions) and others at pehrspace. Upsilon Acrux and Ninja Academy at Mariposa. And wee Jon Brion makes his Largo at the Coronet debut (that stage is huge)... On Saturday, The Sweet Hurt celebrates the release of their new EP In the Shade of Dreams at pehrspace with Alex Lilly, Evan Slamka, Liz Pappademas, and other special guests. The BellRays play Saint Rocke before heading off to Europe. Miss Derringer and Nico Stai open for Firewater's CD release show at the Roxy. Ceci Bastida plays the Grand Performances stage at California Plaza. Also, two big outskirt festivals with the 5th Annual Cochina Festival and the 1st Annual Manimal Vinyl Festival... On Sunday, have to get up early for another round of pancake breakfast at The Smell with No Age, Mika Miko, Abe Vigoda, and HAIM (starts at 11am). Then we'll stop by the Los Feliz Street Fair to catch a bit of Fascinoma's 3pm set on the Franklin Stage. Then we head over for our date with Liv for the premiere of "The Incredible Hulk" at the Gibson. After which, we'll hop over to the Echo for I See Hawks in LA's Hallowed Ground release show. But we won't be going to Paul Frank's book signing at Book Soup because that's been postponed. Instead we'll stick around for the dual CD release parties for Devon Williams and Thee Makeout Party! at PTP. Although we will be finishing off the night down in Long Beach at Que Sera for our friends Vaudeville and Avi Buffalo. Gas prices be damned.
The Ditty Bops - "Get Up 'N' Go" (MP3)
The BellRays - "That's Not The Way It Should Be" (MP3)
I See Hawks in L.A. - "Never Alive" (MP3)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
All good things must come to an end...
You might have heard by now that this is last "First Fridays" for The Monolators. Two years ago, 8-bit passed the torch to them and after hosting the likes of Castledoor, The Henry Clay People, Eagle & Talon, Summer Darling, I Make This Sound, The Breakups, Rademacher, One Trick Pony, Wait Think Fast, Correatown, and many other friends it's now time to pass it on to another great band.
Joining The Monolators on this finale are Billygoat (featuring Nick Woolley of The Front), Master Slash Slave (our friends from San Francisco), Avi Buffalo (our friends from Long Beach), and Seasons who will be taking over Fridays beginning in July. The night also marks the "official" show with The Monolators' new bassist, who most people already know by now but if not come see. And, finally, The Monolators will be playing a bunch of new songs in preparation for their new album due in a few months. Look for special guests to join them on this most special of nights.
This is going to be one to remember.
June 6, 2008
Los Angeles Loves...
THE MONOLATORS
SEASONS
AVI BUFFALO
MASTER SLASH SLAVE
BILLYGOAT
Mr. T's Bowl
5621 1/2 Figueroa Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90041 | Map
21+ / FREE / 9:00pm
The Monolators - "In My Dreams" (MP3) from the The Monolators EP (2002)
Seasons - "India" (MP3)
Avi Buffalo - "Coaxed" (MP3)
Master Slash Slave - "Flaws" (MP3)
We stopped by the Afternoons residency on Monday to be amongst a very crowded room of beautiful people that included members of The Airborne Toxic Event, The Deadly Syndrome, Silversun Pickups, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Great Northern, Lenka, Kárin Tatoyan, Useless Keys, K-Bronze, and many others -- some of whom eventually wound up on stage performing with either Afternoons or Kenan Bell. We haven't said much about this newish band Afternoons. No reason really except maybe that our acknowledgment of their brilliance pretty much signifies the end of one of our favorite bands of all time, which we're not really ready to concede just yet. But let's face it, Ms. McKeown is the main reason why Afternoons aren't being called Irving II. Her voice is absolutely a godsend. And Kenan Bell, who was impressive at his release show back in March but still would be considered a work in progress, has seemingly exploded overnight with a band of familiar faces (Monsters Are Waiting, Dynamite Walls, and on this night Josh Klinghoffer and John Frusciante). Spaceland must have been pleased to see the band draw such a good midnight crowd -- they're scheduled to be the resident band in October. Also, we should reiterate that Warpaint (who had the middle opener slot) is truly mesmerizing to watch. Go see them.
Hm, what to do tonight... MSTRKRFT is shooting their video for "Bounce" tonight at the Roxy with LA Riots and many other special guests. The Henry Clay People and Le Switch open for The Whigs at the Echo (check with those bands to get on a discount list). Castledoor opens for The Long Blondes at the Troubadour. Jonathan Richman begins his CD release shows at the Mint with Charlie Wadhams in tow. Crooked Cowboy and The Cold War Direction at 3 of Clubs. Jubilee Singers, Kind Hearts and Coronets, and Mooey Moobou at Mr. T's Bowl. Anni Rossi showcases at the Hotel Cafe. And Repeater begins their Moscow residency... Tomorrow, Darker My Love opens for The Black Angels at the Troubadour. The Entrance Band plays a free show at UCLA's Kerckhoff Grand Salon. The Watkins Family Hour begins their Thursday residency with special guest Fiona Apple at Largo at the Coronet. The Chapin Sisters play the Silverlake Lounge. Rainbow Arabia, Geneva Jacuzzi, and others play Spaceland. Rolling Blackouts at 3 of Clubs. And Kissing Tigers, Greater California, Evil Maria, and others play Mr. T's Bowl.
Other news: International Pop Overthrow recently announced their 2008 schedule. Celebrating its 10th year, IPO is the one music festival that makes us feel the most old. In its heyday, bands like The Negro Problem, Cockeyed Ghost, and Baby Lemonade were among a collective of bands that made up L.A.'s hugely popular powerpop scene. Most of those bands are long gone now but a few have popped up on this year's lineup... East Coasters, Miss Derringer will be opening for Blondie in the coming weeks and will also be the featured performer at the the premiere of On the Doll at The Annex in NYC... Margot from boxViolet is one of the best bloggers we've ever read.
Crooked Cowboy - "Last of the Redd Hot Lamas" (MP3)
Crooked Cowboy - "Bumpy Roads" (MP3)
Monday, June 02, 2008
By most club-going standards, May was a busy month. If that is so then June may very well kill us all.
Residencies or bands with multi-nights include Jonathan Richman, Aimee Mann, Afternoons, Spider Problem, Repeater, Meiko, Rumspringa, Dave Palmer, Darker My Love, Lukas Haas, The Watkins Family Hour, Kyle Mabson/Josh Taylor, The French Semester, Semi Precious Weapons, Oslo, Foreign Academy, and Jon Brion is back with a full month of Fridays at the new venue (officially called Largo at the Coronet). Release shows this month include Summer Darling, Priscilla Ahn, The Sweet Hurt, Aimee Mann, Jonathan Richman, Devon Williams, Daniel Ahearn, Steve Reynolds, I See Hawks in L.A., Firewater, and Jay Nash. Festivals include Ink & Iron (6/6), Cochina (6/7), Manimal (6/7), Los Feliz (6/8), Pasadena Chalk (6/14), Playboy Jazz (6/14), L.A. Film (6/19), and Make Music Pasadena (6/21). And if you're not exhausted from all of this, we're helping with quite a few shows too, beginning with this Friday at Mr. T's Bowl -- which by the way is going to be epic.
And, oh yeah, Beck is apparently no longer playing tonight at The Echo.
In other news: Check out the latest issue of NYLON for a sweet little write up on JAXART... Long Beach Blues Festival lineup was recently announced featuring Chuck Berry, Sly & the Family Stone, John Mayall, Booker T Jones performing over the weekend long event in August... Alex Church reiterates his disinterest with Los Angeles (sigh) while also discussing yet another side project... A certain famous person we were sitting next to yesterday at a certain event mentioned this story and said that Courtney probably snorted him. That's just mean although we mistake Cobain for cocaine all the time so lay off. You go C-Love.
