Friday, October 31, 2008
As usual, Rhonda was hella-humpin packed last night for Greg Wilson and Acid Girls so we decided to stop by Hyperion and then R Bar. Lots of people getting in the Halloween fun all week. Sorry, we can't seem to be as festive but we won't be spoiled sports and not give it the old college try for all the shows we're supposed to see tonight. Even with Little Radio's cancellation, there are still three million shows worthy of your attention. Here's the gist of it...
* Drop Dead Gorgeous featuring The Juan Maclean, Darker My Love, Treasure Fingers, and Holy Ghost at the Natural History Museum
* Halloween in Hades featuring Hecuba, We Are the World, and Discount Cruise to Hell at the Hammer Museum
* HARD Haunted Mansion 2008 featuring Justice, Soulwax, Simian Mobile Disco, Boys Noize, Crystal Castles, Deadmau5, Crookers, Daedelus, NASA, and many others at the Shrine Auditorium Expo
* Secret Machines, The Entrance Band, Mack Winston and the Reflections, and Jason Simon at Spaceland
* The Mormons, Manhattan Murder Mystery, The Nicoteens, and Jellmunekita at Juanita's Restaurant and Bar
* The Henry Clay People and The Tall Hands at the Cat & the Fiddle
* Very Be Careful and The Keyishe at Guatelinda
* Asobi Seksu and Love Grenades at The Echo
* EXITMUSIC, Sirens and Sailors, White and the Writing, and Fantastic Sleep at Echo Curio
* The Press Fire!, No Paws (No Lions), S. Pineda, The Anti, Charts & Maps at the Vermont House
* The Monthlies, Flashing Red Lights and the Nights at the Unknown Theater
* Monster vs. Demo Team at the Brand Library & Art Center
* The Damned at the House of Blues
* Helmet at the Viper Room
* Roky Erickson and The Black Angels at the El Rey
* Cypress Hill at The Wiltern
* Rise Against, Thrice, Alkaline Trio, and The Gaslight Anthem at the Hollywood Palladium
* Lucha VaVoom Halloween Calling All Monsters at the Mayan Theater
Then, there's the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval with festival queen Chelsea Handler. Also, don't forget this year's Playboy Mansion party with Paul Oakenfold. But, of course, everyone actually from Los Angeles knows better than to be out on Halloween night, right?
On Saturday, we have a little show you might want to check out at pehrspace. However, pehrspace is a lot easier to fill than some other venues around town so these shows could use your support as well... The 88 celebrate the release of their new album Not Only... But Also at the Troubadour. Pilar Díaz celebrates the release of her self-titled new album at The Echo. The Parson Red Heads, Willoughby, The Sweet Hurt, and The Spires at Spaceland. She & Him and Lavender Diamond at The Wiltern. And Dogweed, Clare Means, and Simon Stokes at Taix.
Whispertown 2000 celebrates the release of their new album Swim at The Echo on Sunday. Charlie Wadhams begins his Sunday residency at Tangier with Patrick Park and The Shivers. Warpaint open for Andy Clockwise at the Hotel Cafe. And the Baile Dia de Los Muertos house party.
The Mormons - "Half-Polyester Protection" (MP3)
Flashing Red Lights - "The Big Idea" (MP3)
Very Be Careful - "Sebastiani" (MP3)
The Whispertown 2000 - "Done With Love" (MP3)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
This Saturday, November 1st, marks Dia de los Muertos. It's a holiday that seriously creeps us out, more than Halloween and right up there with National Chocolate Covered Insects Day. So, obviously, it's best not to be alone on this night so we thought why not spend it with a few of our favorite Los Angeles bands?
* It isn't much of a secret how much we love Summer Darling. It also isn't a secret that we sing along to every one of their songs like 12-year-old girls watching High School Musical. They've already released two stunning digital EPs this year and are set to put out their third very soon, thus completing a trilogy of recordings that will undoubtedly become one of our favorite albums of the year.
* Hello Dragon's debut The Quantum Explorers is easily the sleeper pop album of the decade. It's the perfect L.A.-via-Boston flashback fascination, as if Fort Apache crash landed onto Silver Lake and time-warped Gen X'ers right smack into the soundtracks of "Reality Bites" and "Singles".
* It was only a few months ago, Valentine's Day in fact, when Los Angeles lost our dearly beloved grunge rockers The Front. After a brief mourning period, members of the band have resurfaced with two separate projects. Useless Keys features former Front frontman (say that five times fast) Michael Bauer while Billygoat features ex-Front bassist Nick Woolley and you have no idea how excited we are to see them both together on one night.
* We've been wanting to do a show with Blackbird for a few years now since the release of his superb Bird's Eye View. He's as punk, psychedelic, and soulful as one man and a mic can be. And, seriously, there is no one even remotely in his universe when it comes to stage presence and raw passion. He's magnetic.
So that's the night. We're truly honored that these bands could make time for this little show and we hope that you can too. We'll have some complimentary food and beverage available but it's also BYOB. Incidentally, we got a message from a young Facebook friend asking us what BYOB meant. Because we've always wanted this to happen and we could never understand the argument otherwise, we told them it means Bring Your Own Band (T-shirt) and that everyone should wear their favorite band t-shirt to the show -- especially if it happens to be one of the five bands that are playing Saturday. We may make this mandatory to get into any la-underground show someday. Until then, it's always cool to be uncool. And we're as uncool as they get. But, yeah, the other "BYOB" is also in full effect as well.
November 1, 2008
Los Angeles Loves... Dia de los Muertos
SUMMER DARLING
HELLO DRAGON
USELESS KEYS
BILLYGOAT
BLACKBIRD
with DJ Boy Without Orange
pehrspace
325 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Map
All Ages / $5 / 8:30pm
BYOB
Summer Darling - "Ride This Wave of Good Feeling" (MP3)
Hello Dragon - "Birds of Prey" (MP3)
Blackbird - "Outro" (MP3)
Useless Keys - "Down Threw" (MP3)
Summer Darling - "Ride This Wave of Good Feeling" (Live at The Bordello)
Monday, October 27, 2008
'Holy shit' would be the understatement of the millennium for this past weekend.
Friday, Anavan celebrated the release of their beyond-brilliant new album Cover Story at The Smell with Captain Ahab who also was celebrating the release of a new 12" single, which we quickly snatched up as well. Both bands are easily two of the best Los Angeles has to offer but when they team up for one night it's like their forming Voltron or something. Actually, more like Voltron and Superion forming SuperVoltrion. Regardless, it was one of the best shows we've seen this year. Photos up but video is what you probably need to see so we'll get that soon unless someone beats us to it. Anavan head out on a long Euro/UK tour in support of the new record (out 11/11) and Ahab are back at The Smell on 12/7.
Day two of this amazing weekend came with The Monolators Don't Dance album release show at Spaceland. The night can best be summed up in that half the Los Angeles music scene ended up on stage playing "Don't Dance" and "We Fell Dead" while the other half looked on in complete awe slash elation (but, of course, not dancing). There aren't enough bands in the world that do this music stuff just for the pure joy of it and The Monolators epitomize pure joy. Moreover, the image of Mary Monolator whacking that gong like a gay lumberjack (and by "gay" we do mean happy) will forever be burned on our hearts. The band has the November residency at the most perfect of all residency venues, pehrspace, with the one and only Sean Carnage at the helm. Guess where we'll be on Mondays? Pick up the new album at shows and online. Ms. Layabout's got the vids and we got some photos up.
Who knew a Halloween party could be so gosh darn fun? Sunday, we headed down to Saint Rocke for another Otik Records night and what a huge crowd of Halloweeners. The Lost Libraries (featuring former members of Golden Arms and Shoot Out the Lights) dressed up in zombie Navy petty officer uniforms before impressing everyone with their debut performance. The other bands waited until they took the stage to reveal their costumes. You Me & Iowa completed their Han Solo look with an impossibly to-the-note rendition of the Star Wars cantina theme song. Vaudeville rocked vintage "A-Team" wear that needed a little help with the 80's show's theme music otherwise we would have just called them Those Dudes That Never Get Into Hyde. And The Henry Clay People revisited last year's The Ronald Reagan People ensemble by adding Saddam Hussein and Barack Obama to the disturbingly funny cast of characters. Be sure to check them out at Little Radio on Halloween night for even more delightful tricks up their sleeves. The next Otik Records night is 11/16. Stay tuned for that. Photos yup.
So this week ends the month that was October. Residencies have been solid all month so get out there to see Manhattan Murder Mystery, Rademacher, and Kenan Bell tonight. Otherwise, Mike Stinson at Redwood. The Keyishe, Icy Lytes, and others open for Juiceboxxx. Thailand, The May Fire (who recently moved to Los Angeles), and Odd Modern at the Silverlake Lounge. And Warpaint down at Detroit... Tuesday, Becky Stark, The Shoe, and Harper Simon at Tangier. The Karabal Nightlife, I Make This Sound, Ema and the Ghosts, and The Shivers at The Echo. And weyou, The Youngs, and others do duos at Mr. T's Bowl... We love the sound that Spinnerette at Spaceland makes. War Tapes, Repeater, and Rozaline at Boardner's. Redcar at Molly Malone's. Mark Oliver Everett at Book Soup. Polar Goldie Cats, Avi Buffalo, and Voice on Tape at The Smell. And Juliette Commagere finishes off her Wednesday residency at Tangier... Thursday, Jenny Lewis, Beachwood Sparks, and Pierre de Reeder at the Orpheum. Fool's Gold opens for Fujiya & Miyagi at the Troubadour. Everest opens for Neil Young and Death Cab at the Forum. Les Blanks, Fol Chen, Marvelous Toy, The Voyeurs, and The Hectors at R Bar. Listing Ship at Hyperion Tavern. Avi Buffalo, Tommy Santee Klaws, and others at Echo Curio. And our ex-wife Lisa Hannigan does her first L.A. solo show at g'net.
In other news: Last week, we were handed a copy of the new David Garza record Dream Delay, due early next year. He's long been known as one of the finest singer-songwriters of his generation and this record further solidifies that praise. The album features guest vocals from Fiona Apple, Ministry's Al Jourgensen, and Sparta's Jim Ward and it's classic Garza with a touch of new (or perhaps neu!?) Garza. Industry kids should be in full scouting mode at his showcase at Largo on 11/13... On 11/1, BRMC will release their new album The Effects of 333. Check their website for all the ominous details... Speaking of 11/1, we're presenting a show that night at pehrspace. It's the first show we've done on our own since the small anniversary thing in July so you know we're anxious for this one. More details in a sec but be prepared for five of our favorites: Summer Darling, Hello Dragon, Useless Keys, Billygoat, and Blackbird.
We are so in love with you right now, L.A.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Such a fun week we had. Things were running later than usual at Marathon on Wednesday so we headed over to Redwood to see Memory, which features members of Die Princess Die, Wadsworth, and The Washdown and goodness that was pretty damn amazing. So amazing you might want to stop by Sugar tonight for a variation on that band... Later Wednesday, we made a quick stop at The Bordello for our favorite slice of Pizza!. Those boys sounded particularly good that night. So good we might have to beg them for another show before they aren't so "underground" no more... Thursday, we made it a point to see Shirley Rolls open for Helen Stellar, which was an intriguing combination if you know either band. Well, that is, before Helen Stellar added this new young lady on vox and guitar. It's a lot more punchy and to the point and everyone knows the addition of a girl in an all-dude band is the key to all things wonderful. And, oh yeah, Shirley Rolls is a supergroup and easily one of the best new bands of the year. Afterward, we headed over to SiteLA for the final night of Pilar Díaz's residency. The former Los Abandoned lead singer is making a lot of heads turn with this new record of hers coming out next week at The Echo. It's the best work of her career, by far, and needless to say we are very smitten. Her backing band ain't too shabby either (Sir Stuart Cole and goddesses Heather Lockie and Ashley Dzerigian among others). Later, we just had to end the evening with the disco pop loveliness of The Polyamorous Affair and the IDM sound art tribe Soul or System at The Bordello. So, yeah, a lot of fun to say the least.
Great stuff happening all over the place this weekend...
Tune into "Demolisten" tonight for the sweet sounds of I.E. Then head on over to The Smell as Anavan celebrates the release of their phenomenal new album Cover Story with Captain Ahab and other special guests. Meho Plaza, Fol Chen, Les Blanks, and Seasons at Echo Curio. Adam Marsland's Chaos Band, Pu$$y Cow, and others at Mr. T's Bowl. The Moon Upstairs, The Shakes and others at Redwood. Love Grenades residency at The Echo. Jon Brion/Dave Palmer at g'net.
On Saturday, The Monolators celebrate the release of their new album Don't Dance with You Me & Iowa, Summer Darling, and Correatown. Look for some very special guests to join them on stage as well. Elsewhere, the Avalon celebrates 5 years with a special Avaland evening with the one and only Carl Cox on deck. Heather Reid and Paul Doucette at the Little Room in g'net while Sarah Silverman hogs the big room. Flogging Molly at the Palladium. Ceci Bastida, Rebekah Del Rio and others do a benefit show at La Mano Press. Kathleen Grace celebrates the release of her new album Mirror at the Hotel Cafe. Evangelicals and Golden Animals at Little Radio. Foot Village, Iron Mtn, and Residual Echoes open for USA is a Monster at The Smell. And, oh yeah, this little thing called Monster Massive at the Sports Arena with Paul Van Dyk, Judge Jules, Pete Tong, and others on deck.
Sunday, there's a little Halloween show we're helping with in Hermosa although you might get distracted with the fact that Ian MacKaye is playing Hollywood High School; Dave Brubeck Quartet at the Walt Disney Concert Hall; and Venus Infers at Cinespace. Otherwise, we'll see you at the Rocke.
The hearts in the photo above are courtesy of Ema and her Ghost.
Les Blanks - "Starry Tilting Sizzle" (MP3)
Evangelicals - "Skeleton Man" (MP3)
Carl Cox - "Phoebus Apollo" (MP3)
While quality controlling this post, we noticed that if you play both videos at the same time it sounds like close to being our first mashup. We're thinking about opening for Girl Talk tonight with it.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
To be perfectly honest, Halloween is our least favorite holiday. Not sure why except it may have something to do with the "trick" half of trick-or-treating that had us cleaning up toilet paper and egg shells for most of one particular Halloween night. And although we retaliated the following year by unleashing a full-scale three-point attack of bottle rockets and sling shots on would-be pranksters as a mixtape of haunted house scary noises played delightfully in the background, we were still forever scarred by the experience of having to clean something. Thankfully for Sunday's Halloween party at Saint Rocke we won't have to break out any mops or Shamwows. All we need to do is watch four great bands play rock music. That's not Halloween. That's Christmas.
October 26, 2008
Otik Records/la-underground presents:
THE HENRY CLAY PEOPLE
YOU ME & IOWA
VAUDEVILLE
THE LOST LIBRARIES
Saint Rocke
142 S. Pacific Coast Highway
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 | Map
21+ / 7pm / $5 without costume, $3 with costume
The Henry Clay People - "Working Part Time" (MP3)
You Me & Iowa - "Tommy Hall" (MP3)
Vaudeville - "My Worried Mind" (MP3)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Stopped by "Let's Independent" last night to see a huge crowd gather for the Tigers Can Bite You/Light FM release show. Picked up the new records and headed out to other stuff but you should definitely buy these records if your savings account permits. We also stopped by Rademacher's residency on Monday again. They're a marvel to watch and kids really need to learn how good this band is on and off the stage. What's obviously evident from the amount of times they've played in town over the last few years is the respect they have for this scene. It's the kind of respect that comes from working their asses off trying to get this town to figure out that they're probably the best non-local local band we've got. Pick up their new digital EP now through JAXART. Do it.
Speaking of digital, here are some releases out this week on iTunes:
Judith Owen - Bridge to Nowhere (Courgette) Link
The Monolators - Don't Dance (Monolator Music) Link
Night Horse - The Dark Won't Hide You EP (North Atlantic Sound) Link
The Submarines - You, Me and the Bourgeoisie EP (Nettwerk) Link
Whispertown2000 - Swim (Acony) Link
In better blog news: Castledoor got us excited about their new record... The Monolators are working hard for the money... Londoners like them some No Age... Daniel Ahearn posted a live version of "Whitewashing" from the Verity Room. Incidentally, we're presenting a show with Mr. Ahearn on 11/19 at Mr. T's Bowl, which we will be recording live.
Our 11/1 show at pehrspace and the one on 11/19 at Mr. T's Bowl are now finally booked and we are very excited with the lineups. Please keep those dates in mind when planning your November. And, again, we're helping with a Halloween show on Sunday (10/26) in Hermosa. Details in a sec.
Finally, just some videos we feel like posting in a new feature we're going to call "Just Some Videos We Feel Like Posting"...
Monday, October 20, 2008
Seems we've started every post like this but...
Congrats to The Soft Hands for the huge, humongous, gigantic CD release show on Friday at Alex's Bar. Their new album Hours Pass By is available now through Fidotrust and it's fantastic.
Earlier Friday, we caught what was supposedly The Black Pine's final show ever at pehrspace. The band has been around for nearly ten years and we hardly think it's possible to see them no longer around the city but apparently the Cichocki's are moving to New York and starting anew. You know it kills us to the very core to see great bands leave us but if indeed the rumors are true, we thank them for making L.A. their home for a little while and wish them only the best. Pick up their new album Still Life on iTunes. It's probably our favorite record they've ever done.
Also, for those who didn't catch Ema & the Ghosts on Friday on "Demolisten" check it out here (there's a new, untitled song that is just so good as well as a cover of The Kinks' "Victoria"). She performs 10/28 at The Echo and has an EP release show at pehrspace on 12/6, which we think we're helping with. Even if we're not (or, rather, especially if we're not), you should go anyway.
What's up tonight? Well, residencies are up tonight. Also, GTFU is back so tune in! Eagles of Death Metal do an in-store at Virgin. Ed Vallance celebrates the release of his new mini LP The Modern Life at the Hotel Cafe... Pop Levi performs live on "Morning Becomes Eclectic" on Tuesday. This month's "Let's Independent" features dual CD release of Tigers Can Bit You and Light FM. The Airborne Toxic Event does an in-store at Virgin in Orange while Whispertown2000 does their own in-store at Amoeba. Michel Gondry talks about how much of a genius he is at the Hammer. The Like open for Conor at the Music Box. Monster at the Silverlake Lounge. Cobra Lilies, Creekbird, Featherbeard, and others at Mr. T's Bowl. David Piltch and Gaby Moreno at g'net. Palms, Katy Davidson and others at Echo Curio. And Lukas Haas at Molly Malone's... Michel Gondry does another promo for his new books at Family. Juliette Commagere continues her Tangier residency. Spider Problem, Pizza!, and others at The Bordello. John Webster Johns and Nite Jewel at Three Clubs... Thursday, The Donnas lead an all-star lineup for a breast cancer benefit at the Hard Rock Cafe. Helen Stellar does their first show in two years at the Echo. Summer Darling, Writer and others at The Prospector. Pilar Diaz finishes off her residency SiteLA. And Richard Swift opens for Stereolab at the Music Box. Stereolab also performs live on "Morning Becomes Eclectic" on Friday morning.
In other news: There will be a special benefit show for Glen Phillips at g'net on 11/6. The former Toad the Wet Sprocket frontman recently seriously injured himself causing him to cancel all his upcoming shows. The Watkins Family Hour have enlisted fellow Largoists Ben Lee, Tom Brosseau, Dave Gruber, and others TBA for the benefit show... Kevin Shields, who we hear have been destroying every city on their current Euro tour, recently got their gear stolen in Rome and are asking for a little help in the form of buying merch. Their album The Death of Patience was one of our favorite albums from last year -- but please don't let that dissuade you from buying the record... Amateurs are looking for a new bassist now that Shannon and Anthony have done the unthinkable act of moving to New York... Happy Hollows' new "Imaginary EP" is now available for download through a very Radiohead-like donation system. And you better donate... Happy Birthdays this week to our good friend Chris Seefried (Joe 90/Low Stars) the lovely Ariana Delawari (Lion of Panjshir) and Jessicka (Scarling).
Whispertown2000 - "Through a Hole"
Friday, October 17, 2008
Congrats to Army Navy and Hearts of Palm UK on their respective release shows on Wednesday. Check their sites for details on where to purchase them.
The Airborne Toxic Event is shooting a video for "Gasoline" tonight in Echo Park and is enlisting bicyclists to show up at Pioneer Chicken (Echo Park Ave. & Montana) to help be apart of the fun. We'll be, of course, following everyone in our Hummer H3.
Also tonight, Ema and the Ghosts perform live on "Demolisten". The Soft Hands celebrate the release of their debut album Hours Pass By at Alex's Bar. Night Horse celebrates the release of their new EP "The Dark Won't Hide You" at Mountain Bar. Mark Oliver Everett presents his new memoir "Things the Grandchildren Should Know" at Skylight Books. Ann Magnuson and Adam Dugas lead the way at "Dueling Harps" at REDCAT. The Blood Arm and The Golden Years at Silver Factory Studios. The Black Pine, EXITMUSIC, VOICEsVOICEs, and C Is for Carlo at pehrspace. Love Grenades continue their residency at The Echo. Obi Best, Haim, others at the Unknown Theater. No Little Kindness, Panic Movement, and others Echo Curio. Liz Pappademas and Dorian Wood at Edgar Varela Fine Arts. And Jon Brion/Dave Palmer at g'net.
Saturday, The Family Band continue their Saturday residency with Alex & Sam, Mozella, Jessica Fichot, and others at the Hotel Cafe. Franklin For Short, The Ruby Suns, The Spires and others at Mr. T's Bowl. The Muslims, A.M., and others at pehrspace. Jail Weddings, Wounded Lion, John Webster Johns and others at The Smell. And Io Echo opens for Polysics at the Roxy.
Sunday, Cut Chemist and We Are the World do PTP. Rachael Cantu continues her Tangier residency with special guests. Seasons, Odd Modern, and Ghost Machinists at The Que Sera. And Andrew Bird and Haley Bonar begin the first of two sold-out shows at g'net.
Also, as you probably noticed by that thing on the right (no, not that thing, the other thing), that we've fallen for the "timewaster" trap that is Twitter. We were trying not to be too annoying on there but, sorry, we can't help it. We even almost Twittered about the shuttle bus that cut us off today (above) but then quite suddenly we became more in the mood to bite into a delicious and affordable crunchy taco for some reason. Weird.
Night Horse - "Don't Need Your Lovin'" (MP3)
The Blood Arm - "Suspicious Character" (MP3)
John Webster Johns - "Belly" (Live at the Silverlake Lounge) (MP3)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
It has come to our attention that Safari Sam's is on the brink of being a goner. Since its auspicious beginning (speakers caught on fire at the launch party) and its subsequent runs into bad luck (again, more fire) and financial problems, it was perhaps destined for an early end. We're not going to be critical of Sam's specifically, but instead quickly observe why a mid-sized decent-sounding club in the heart of trendy Los Angeles with a long history of helping new bands, not to mention having the unheard of luxury of a free parking lot in Hollywood would even be considering closing. Those who have lived in Los Angeles long enough understand what is happening with our dear city and it's beyond the fact that it takes an act of god to get Silver Lakers to drive 5 miles westward to see a show and perhaps more to do with why certain Silver Lakers (usually ones that will claim to be related to Herman Silver himself) get angry when you misspell "Silverlake". All we can say is that club entrepreneurs whose mission statements do not include catering to tourists or celebrities should look past any and all common locales and instead think outside the box. Or do house parties. Everyone loves a house party.
In the meantime, let's support Safari Sam's in whatever they end up doing. We know bands have a hard time getting people there and we know Sam's has a hard time getting bands to get people there. But there's a terrible lack of good all-ages venues in the world and our children are the future. Tear. &.(..
Previously scheduled shows at Safari Sam's have been moved to the Regent Theatre.
In other news: We'll be at both CD release shows tonight for a bit. Hope to high-five all five our readers... Autolux has two shows coming up (10/31 at Little Radio and 1/17 at the Music Box)... Lamb of Gosh, we didn't know The Forum was still p0wned by FCBC. There goes our hopes of a Dios Malos/Godsmack/Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound triple bill... Raveonettes at the Music Box on 1/24... The Duke Spirit cancelled their 11/18 show at the Avalon but added another at the Roxy on 12/19... Rhett Miller added another night at g'net with his side project Ranchero Brothers on 11/23... The Virgins at the Troubadour 12/17... Finally, we're helping with a Halloween show on 10/26 at Saint Rocke with The Henry Clay People, You Me & Iowa, Vaudeville, and The Lost Libraries. Plan ahead.
Let's post some vids from shows we didn't go to last night in a new feature we're going to call "Videos from Shows We Didn't Go To Last Night"...
Monday, October 13, 2008
Congrats to Shiloe on the release of their new EP "...And Now The Screaming Starts". Be sure to pick up a copy and check out interviews with the band here and here... Earlier on Sunday, we stopped by Tangier for a great night of steak and standards. Inara George and Greg Kurstin's "Gimme A Steak Cocktail Hour" brought out a crowd of friends that included members of Rilo Kiley, Obi Best, Karen O., Juliette Commagere, Maria Taylor, Eleni Mandell, Becky Stark, and many others. Many of whom took part in a three-hour marathon of jazz standards and it was delicious (so was the NY steak, the night's house special). New Bird/Bee album Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future due in January... Couldn't help but choke up a bit when seeing Denali for supposedly the last time on Saturday at Echoplex. We've seen the band a few dozen times, traveling across the country on many occasions. They're the reason why we don't bag on those Ears with Feet peeps (Tori Amos fans) or Fumblers (Sarah McLachlan fans) or The Deaf Kids (what we call Good Charlotte/Fall Out Boy fans) because in the early 2000s we were absolutely rabid for the band. Supposedly some new music will be coming soon... Finally, thanks again to those who made it to the closing reception of our exhibit on Friday. The flowers were a bit much.
Monday residencies are heavy on the awesome tonight. There's also a big gathering at the Hotel Cafe with famous people and stuff. Also, Dos, NASA Space Universe and others at pehrspace. Free Moral Agents celebrates the release of a new 7" at DiPiazzas tonight with Blank Blue. And Pegasissy at the Silverlake Lounge... Wire returns with a show at Echoplex on Tuesday. Weezer at the Forum. Melodyguild, Languis DJs, and others at Spaceland. Devon Williams Something and others at The Smell. And DJ AM gets a welcome home from the likes of Cut Chemist, Mixmaster Mike, Uffie, Mark Ronson and others at Avalon... On Wednesday, Army Navy celebrates the release of their new self-titled album at The Echo while Hearts of Palm UK celebrates the release of their new album For Life at El Cid. Juliette Commagere residency at Tangier. XrayOK and others at Boardner's. And The Locust, The Chinese Stars and others at The Smell... Petra Haden and Woody Jackson at g'net. The Pity Party and The Library open for Jaguar Love at the Silverlake Lounge. "Hot Little Pony" at the Troubadour. And our old gal pal Lenka (who has a funny write-up in the latest Blender -- it was in the magazine basket at the doctor's office) makes an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
In other news: William Claxton, a huge inspiration to anyone with a serious passion for music/celebrity photography, passed away on Saturday at the age of 80... Black Book gave their take on the five best clubs in town... The Mae Shi, Delta Spirit, The Bronx, Monte Negro, and a few other locals are in the running for Taco Bell's "Feed the Beat" contest. Winner gets a taco or something... Adds to the calendar: Trail of Dead, Pink Martini, Robyn, Adam Stephens (Two Gallants), Apes & Androids, Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, Motley Crue, J.D. Souther, Martha Wainwright, Meat Beat Manifesto, others... Happy b-days this week to Jillinda Palmer (I Make This Sound/The Breakups/The Henry Clay People) and Bryony Atkinson.
Army Navy - "Saints" (MP3)
Hearts of Palm UK - "More Than This" (Roxy Music cover) (MP3)
Friday, October 10, 2008
Oh weekend, you're back again...
Hearts of Palm UK on "Demolisten" tonight. Julieta Venegas and Ceci Bastida at the Nokia. Stop by the Peterson Automotive Museum for the 11th Annual Fresh Faces in Fashion show hosted by Mandy Moore kicking off L.A. Fashion Week. Hotel Cafe tour kicks off at the Hotel Cafe with Rachael Yamagata, Meiko, and others. Love Grenades and Pop Noir at The Echo. Imaad Wasif opens for Graveyard and Night Horse at Spaceland. The Ditty Bops at McCabe's. Mike Watt & the Secondmen open for Youth Brigade down at Alex's. Akil, I & I, Three-D, and others at The Airliner. Abe Vigoda, David Scott Stone, and others at The Smell. The Minor Canon, Daniel Brummel, One Trick Pony, and The Physics of Meaning at pehrspace. Crystal Antlers, Mikki and the Mause, Slang Chickens, and others at Unknown. We Are the World open for Restiform Bodies. Jon Brion/Dave Palmer at g'net. And Clean Air Clear Stars begins its three-day affair out in Pioneertown.
On Saturday, Happy Hollows, AM, The Primos, Dirt Dress, and others do GuerrilLA Fest with six bands performing at six different parts of Los Angeles guerrilla-style... Sara Bareilles returns home for a show at The Wiltern. Very cool/strange catching part of her set a few weeks back in London when we used to see her in little cafes around UCLA for so many years. Free Moral Agents, Blank Blue, and Zechs Marquise at The Prospector. The Crystal Method at the Vanguard. At the Echoplex, Holloys and The Valley Arena open for Denali (long time no see Ms. Davis). My Pet Saddle, Major Grace and others at On the Rox. Radars to the Sky, Daniel Brummel and others at Spaceland. And Polar Goldie Cats, Moggs, and others at Echo Curio.
Sunday, Shiloe celebrates the release of their new EP "...And Now The Screaming Starts" at Spaceland. No Age, The Movies, The Tyde, and others at Echoplex. The Deadly Syndrome, Afternoons, Patton Oswalt and others play an afternoon kids show at The Echo. Later at The Echo, Dead Rock West does Grand Ole Echo. And even later at The Echo, Sabrosa Purr opens for Killdozer. Inara George and Greg Kurstin play the front room of Tangier while Rachael Cantu continues her residency in the main/back room (go see this girl). And everyone's favorite pretentious guitar hero Yngwie Malmsteen does a clinic at the Avalon.
Happy Belated's to Britney Westover (The Damselles) and Jimmy Fusil (Bloody Robots). This weekend, our girlfriends The Haden Triplets celebrate birthdays on Saturday. As does Buzz Bands know-it-all K-Bronze.
Julieta Venegas - "De mis pasos" (MP3)
Sara Bareilles - "Fairytale" (MP3)
Killdozer - "King of Sex" (MP3)
Monday, October 06, 2008
Congrats to The Henry Clay People on making a few hundred smiling faces on Friday. For those who missed it, imagine sweat. Everywhere. Look for For Cheap or For Free in stores 11/4 and they're playing a Halloween show on 10/26 at Saint Rocke... Earlier Friday, we caught a bit of Happy Hollows (apparently the "The" has been officially taken out of their name) opening for Deerhoof before running over to the Troubadour to see some of that great lineup with Warpaint. Yeah, that seems like overkill but just think if we weren't under the weather.
Saturday, rain was in the forecast but it didn't seem to bother the thousands of people that showed up for both Detour and Eagle Rock Music Festival. Caught pretty much all the early slot bands at Detour that played before we had to leave for Eagle Rock. Props to Ms. Jillinda and Señor Joey of HCP for playing with The Monolators a few hours after coming down from their own cloud nine rock show (and a few hours before leaving for another HCP show in Pioneertown)... In contrast to the well-oiled machine of Detour, Eagle Rock was a loose, casually organized event this year with a fantastic lineup of local bands attracting the most people we've ever seen ever at the festival. Quite noticeably was the amount of younger people in attendance over previous years, which obviously was bolstered by the appearance of certain younger bands. One certain band, in particular, may make event coordinators rethink being so "casually organized" next year. Special props to Ms. Fargier (Antarcticans/The Black Pine), Mr. Embry (Fool's Gold/Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros), and Ms. Pauline (Cobra Lilies/Divisadero) for doing double-duty work.
Residencies this month include: Juliette Commagere, Rademacher, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Brookline/The Happy Hollows, Greg Laswell, Love Grenades, Kenan Bell, Jon Brion/Dave Palmer, Rachael Cantu, Ryan Calhoun, Josh Kelley, The Family Band...
Release shows this month (some already happened): The Henry Clay People, Army Navy, The Monolators, Samantha Shelton, Shiloe, The Soft Hands, Hearts of Palm UK, HoneyHoney, Kathleen Grace, Damon Aaron, VOICEsVOICEs, Kyler England, Modern Subject, Ed Vallance...
Touring bands of note: Césaria Évora, Killing Joke, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Patti Smith, Julieta Venegas, Denali,Tina Turner, Giant Sand, Ron Sexsmith, The Roots, Jay-Z, Yael Naim, The Locust, Against Me!/Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Yngwie Malmsteen, Mates of State, Genghis Tron, Rachael Yamagata, Andrew Bird/Haley Bonar, Dar Williams, High Places/Ponytail, Sunburned Hand Of The Man, Natalie Walker, Grand Buffet, Girl Talk, The Usaisamonster...
Other news: Didn't really say much about Ruby Tuesdays ending as a weekly at the Key Club last week. It started strong back in 2004 with The Adored but we kind of lost track over the last few years. We can't even recall when or why Joseph Brooks stopped promoting the nights but we always thought a free weekly all-ages show on the Westside was a good idea for those underage and not capable of getting somewhere east of La Brea. We stopped by on a few random nights to see BlackBlack, Shiny Toy Guns, Yes Dear (Ozma/Arlo), Cold War Kids, The Killingtons, We Are Scientists, Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, Gran Ronde, Mighty Six Ninety, The Mulhollands, and most recently The Polyamorous Affair. Out of all the Sunset Strip venues, the Key Club is one of the few we don't mind so much -- but this is based really on the absolutely horrible incidents we've seen at other nearby venues. Plus, we still reminisce fondly back when it was Gazzarri's (and later Billboard Live) when hair metal wasn't relegated to a Metal Skool/Steel Panther trip down memory lane. In any case, Ruby as a club night supposedly will continue on presenting one-off shows like Secret Machines on 10/30.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Thanks to all those who trekked it to The Bordello and saw Shiloe, Summer Darling, Spirit Vine, and Ojos Rojos kick out the jams on Wednesday. Thanks to Shiloe for inviting us to be apart of the evening and to Prince Fielder for the awesome mix of new tracks from Rademacher, Eagle and Talon, and Death to Anders among others. Photos up.
As for this weekend, we are a bit at a loss for words. This one will most definitely be difficult to negotiate...
It's a bit odd on a night when Los Angeles is playing host to the likes of David Byrne, Kronos Quartet, Deerhoof, and The Dandy Warhols and those shows aren't even in your top 10. Not when L.A.'s beloved blue collar rockers The Henry Clay People are celebrating the release of their new album For Cheap or For Free at Spaceland with a lineup as wonderful as that album is. Not when Warpaint makes their headline debut at the Troubadour. Or No Age returns to their nesting place, The Smell. Not to mention, Seasons hosting a humongous lineup for their monthly "First Fridays" at Mr. T's Bowl. Or Devon Williams Something going small at the Echo Curio. Or even soul mama Nikka Costa at the El Rey. And what about the regular Friday get-togethers like Jon Brion/Dave Palmer splitting rooms at g'net? Yes, it's going to be a busy night tonight but that's only the appetizer to Saturday...
Don't ask us why Eagle Rock and Detour have been on the same day for the last three years. Just enjoy it. Many of us will be at Detour early to see Afternoons, The Mae Shi, The Monolators (with very special guests), and any other locals needing handclaps. Then, of course, it's imperative that we make it back to the Rock for a terrific lineup (arguably the best in its ten years). If you're not too into the big crowd scene, Rio en Medio and VOICEsVOICEs celebrate the release of their respective new records at Spaceland. Also, Castledoor plays the El Rey as a part of TarFest. And lots of industry kids will be out to see Lelia Broussard, Holly Conlan and others at the Hotel Cafe.
We suspect most people will be recuperating on Sunday but you might want to head down to Long Beach for Schooled in Song, another amazing music festival supporting local music education through scholarships and special funding. Otherwise, Jackson Browne plays the Orpheum. Liz Phair begins two nights at the Troubadour. And the amazing Horse Feathers make a tour stop at Spaceland.
Happy belated birthday to Jeff Weiss (10/2) and yay to those who are celebrating birthdays this weekend: Ms. Correatown (10/5) and Jason 71 (10/5). If we forgot your birthday it's probably because we don't know it. Feel free to email us to get b-day shout-outs.
The Henry Clay People - "This Ain't a Scene" (MP3)
Rio en Medio - "Heartless" (MP3)
Horse Feathers - "Albina" (MP3)
