Wednesday, February 04, 2009
So we stopped by most of the February residencies and saw good crowds on Monday and Tuesday. Most were filled to the brim with indie rockers and maybe a few that just looked like indie rockers (it's so hard to pick them out when everyone's wearing v-neck T's and pencil leg jeans). As far as the bands, The World Record might still own the world record for being the most under-talked about Los Angeles band of the last five years, but we're always happy to declare that Mr. Creighton cannot write a shitty song even if he wanted to. And you'd be wise to place their stellar debut album Guitars Forever somewhere close to your Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, and Sloan catalogs. You'd also be wise to them play a free show tomorrow at Mr. T's Bowl.
Speaking of Mr. T's Bowl... Despite rumors of shutting down band nights, the club that's been around officially since 1966 (and unofficially since 1929) was back last night for its first show of 2009 with the start of boxViolet's Tuesday residency. The new wider dancefloor and (potential) stage space makes for more surface area to have a game of laser tag in between bands, but what most people really want to know is how much the new club policies will effect patronage. Well, effective whenever (it wasn't enforced last night), there is a two drink minimum and an entrance fee of $3. So, potentially, going to T's will cost us about $10 a night. This, supposedly, isn't sitting well with a number of regulars and while we understand the feeling of keeping T's the way it's always been, we also see the other side of the story in that many local venues are operating in the black in today's economy. Of course, there's a lot of speculators speculating, but we don't think anyone knows for sure what's going to happen in the next few months. It would just be a shame not to see shows there. I mean, they've had more rock shows there than all the Silver Lake/Echo Park venues combined. Beck, The Breeders, Ozma, Rilo Kiley, The Germs, 400 Blows, Gliss, Bodies of Water, Centimeters... Just in our lifetime. And let's not forget the Arlo (pictured above, from last night) factor. Hopefully, there's a way to make it all work. Incidentally, even without their lightshow, boxViolet killed it last night.
There's a sold out Eagles of Death Metal show we were supposed to go to tonight with some friends but we're probably going to opt out. Especially since Aushua begins their Wednesday residency at the Knitting Factory -- new songs they played at the SLL on Monday were as big and beautiful as ever. Castledoor comes out of recording hiding to play a small club show at The Bordello and we're will to bet that a few new songs will be played on this night. And The Mae Shi and The Underground Railroad to Candyland open for Matt & Kim at the Troubadour.
Tomorrow, Nico Vega celebrates the release of their new self-titled album at the Roxy. Future Sounds is presenting a showcase with Jukebox the Ghost, The Ringers, and The Voyeurs at 3 Clubs with guest blogging from Rock Insider. And Cosmica Artists present a wonderful Latin rock flavored night with Pilar Díaz, Wait.Think.Fast. (a "couple" of members were seen at the SLL on Monday), and La Santa Cecilia at The Bordello.
