Friday, August 21, 2009
First of all, congrats to Correatown on the success of her great record release show last Tuesday at The Echo. We've known this lady for a little while now and we will say without hesitation that that was the best show we've ever seen her do. Even without the special guest appearances by The Broken West, Leslie Stevens of Leslie & the Badgers, The Damselles, and Joanie Mendenhall (who were all terrific). Somewhere around the second chorus of "Green Cotton Dress" (a song she once debuted in front of a crowd of us and the Molly Malone's bartender), we realized we were witnessing the greatness of an artist fully realized. And we're excited about the possibilities. Be sure to get the record either digitally or on vinyl (we're pretty sure it's at Origami now). And we should mention that Killsonic, Marvelous Toy, and The Breakups were the perfect supporting cast for the evening. Thanks to all for coming out.
Ok, this is the weekend of all weekends. If any one of you (two people reading this), are reluctant to go out this weekend because "(sigh) there's nothing to do" or "(yawn) I'm sleepy" or "(ouch) my feet hurt" then you shouldn't be living in Los Angeles. Seriously, move to somewhere they make a living of sleeping through a weekend full of great events like this one. Because this is the end of the summer, back-to-school sale, mother of all weekends...
Tonight (deep breath), listen up to "Demolisten" for performances by Guidance Counselor and Paleface. Then head out to Busker Fest down in the beautiful East Village Arts District of Long Beach with Cold War Kids, Free Moral Agents, Avi Buffalo, So Many Wizards, and many others (free). Or check out Amar Fest as it kicks off two nights at the legendary Firehouse Old 23 with performances by Aztlan Underground, Naima Earth, Ars Poetria, and many others (also Saturday). Mike Watt and the Secondmen, The Mormons, Bastidas, and others at The Blvd. Jail Weddings celebrates the release of their new EP "Inconvenient Dreams" at American Legion with Blue Jungle, Horse Thieves, and others. Obedient Waves celebrates the release of their new record at Fern's. Japanese Motors opens up for The Sonics at Echoplex. The 88 do an in-store at the Apple Store at the Grove. Chantal Kreviazuk, Janet Robin, Shane Alexander, and others at the Hotel Cafe. Benji Hughes and B.R.A.M. do a pre-Sunset Junction show at Spaceland. Captain Ahab, tik///tik, and others at The Smell. Elaine Layabout's Hella Hipster Hoedown IV with Tijuana Panthers, Ema and the Ghosts, Paleface, and Silver Darling at pehrspace. Jon Brion at g'net. The Zeros, The Hangmen and others at Alex's Bar. Babyland, The Prids and others at Silver Factory Studios. Shotgun Showdown, The Cartographers, and others at Echo Curio. And Hockey come home for a show at The Echo with The French Semester.
Yeah, and we're not even mentioning touring shows like Diana Krall, Arrested Development, ZZ Top, Los Campesinos!, and Steely Dan who are all in town tonight...
Saturday, Sunset Junction should have everybody's attention but don't forget the pre/post/conjunction Junction parties happening all over the immediate area of Silver Lake and Echo Park. Cold War Kids play USC's McCarthy Quad. Eagle and Talon celebrates the release of their new record at Echo Curio with very special guests. Seasons, Odd Modern, and Manhattan Murder Mystery all celebrate record releases at pehrspace. Benji Hughes and The Belle Brigade at Spaceland. Ceci Bastida opens for Babasonicos at the House of Blues Anaheim. Terra Naomi, Jay Nash & Tony Lucca, and others at the Hotel Cafe. familyblankets at Buffalo Exchange. Nite Jewel, Monster, and Universe at YAG. Dios, Juanita and the Rabbit, and others at Alex's Bar. Former Ghosts, Casey and Brian and others at The Smell. Tiger Tank Euphoria opens for The Next Door Neighbors at Open. Kid Infinity, Mega Wand, and others at L'KEG. Malbec and others at The Roxy. The Cult at Club Nokia. Avaland celebrates 5 years at the Avalon with Steve Bug and others. The Aquabats open for Everclear at Golden Bear Theatre at Magic Mountain. Epicenter 2009 over in Pomona. And Harvey Danger says farewell at g'net.
The amazing thing is that we're probably forgetting a few shows.
Sunday, Summercamp returns with Fol Chen and Kenan Bell. Peanut Butter Wolf at Amoeba. Kill Kill Kill and others do an early show at pehrspace. Restavrant, Paul Chesne Band, and Sea of Air at El Cid. Venus Infers opens for Plushgun at the Knitting Factory. C.R.A.F.T. Club, The Monthlies, Go West Young Man, and others at The Garter. And Vans Warped Tour at the Home Depot Center.
We hope you get enough rest for this one.
The Sonics - "Psycho" (MP3)
