Friday, June 27, 2008
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)
