Wednesday, May 06, 2009
We're in the middle of the Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana III position, readying our bodies for tonight's show at The Smell so we don't have a lot of time to chat... but we do want to mention the last couple of shows we saw recently.
Juliette Commagere started off her Monday residency at The Echo wonderfully with friends Obi Best and The Sweet Hurt opening. We firmly believe Obi Best should be rechristened "Oh, Be Best!" They're just that good to have a band name with punctuation. And Alex Lily is a more charming and smarter Lily Allen with better songs. Believe it. The Sweet Hurt had the early early with an added something we haven't heard in about five years from them: distortion. Could Ms. Hurt be going shoegazer on the next record, which we hear will have an all-star cast of musicians? Could there be a fog machine and a pedal board the size of Milwaukee at the next Sweet Hurt show? Fingers crossed.
Meanwhile, later that night over at Echo Curio the never-boring often-injured Monolators celebrated the release of their new digital EP "Ruby I'm Changing My Number," which should not be confused with Steely Dan's "Ricky Don't Lose That Number" -- although we will pay good money to have that mashup. The title track is quintessential garage rock Monolators (pictured above) with the sleeper hit being "French TV" being our fav of the bunch. Be sure to see them on tour with The Parson Red Heads this week around California. That's a knockout one-two punch of L.A. bands right therrrr.
On Tuesday, only the wisest of the wise were out for Avi Buffalo's first residency stint at The Echo. Some insiders have said (ourselves included) it might be too early for this band to be getting a residency in a scene filled with bands clamoring for one. We stand corrected. Last night was one of the best performances they've ever done and they showed a level of restraint and control (usually seen by bands twice their age even despite their obvious nervousness. We've known Avi for a little while now and yet we still marvel how they could possibly summon the maturity and feel to write a song as unbelievably perfect as "Jessica." They only played like five songs or something ridiculous so be sure to check them out every Tuesday through May to get your money's worth. Wait, it's free. Well, you get the picture... As for the other bands we were able to catch... 1). Ms. Deep Sea Diver, we're in love with you. "Why Must a Man Change" gives us chills, it's so good. 2). 60-Watt Kid, that was the best show we've ever seen you do. We could listen to "Ocsicnarf Nas" until forever. 3). Tenlons Fort/LAZ D, you started low and slow and went out with a bang. Oh, and one more thing: 1, 2, 3... Avi!
Hope to see you at The Smell tonight.
