Friday, March 12, 2010
Some highlights for the week were a quick look-see at Three Clubs for Taylor Locke & the Roughs (pictured above). They were also selling their new record Grain & Grape for the first time since its February release and we were curious what Mr. Locke and Señorita Froom have been up to since splitting from Rooney and The Like, respectively. We stopped going to Rooney and Like shows probably back when they were both still teenagers so it was good to see them take the small Three Clubs stage like seasoned veterans. Still, it might be too early to do a proper review of the band before they've got more shows under their belt, but the songs are pretty catchy 70's rock that are actually more contemplative and somber than the hooky choruses might indicate. Check out their record release show on 3/23 at The Bordello. We should probably also note that The Whale Fall (featuring Matt Greenberg of Charles Atlas) opened the show to one of the more packed crowds we've ever seen at the club. Keep your eye on them... We also had to stop by the Radar Bros. warm-up for SXSW and preview of their record release show on 3/26 at Spaceland and, oh goodness, this might be the best work they've ever done. These new songs are fantastic.
We got a little message from a longtime la-underground friend that we should doubly mention the BRMC show at Amoeba tonight but then it got canceled. However, you can still head over to the Echo Park side of Sunset and see Ben Harper do an in-store at Origami and pick up any last-minute freed up tickets for the BRMC show at Echoplex, which is still happening. We all know Harper likes to keeps it realsies and has been secretly and no-so-secretly playing small shows in between stints at the Greek for years. But playing a free in-store at a space the size of his walk-in closet might be a first. Even if you don't get inside you can still grab a slice at Two Boots and enjoy the mobscene this show will undoubtedly create.
The Happy Hollows are headlining the Troubadour for the first time tonight. Ms. Negahdari cranked out quite a few promo vids for this show just like the mad genius slash wacky weirdo chick who-will-one-day-be-our-wife she is. We don't take to 500-capacity venues very well but we're tempted to make an exception given the importance of the show for the band. The Veils and Twilight Sleep (whose recent shows have been the best we've seen by them) open the evening.
Elsewhere, those who did not attend the premiere of "The Runaways" last night at the Arclight (Joan Jett, by the way, is still a friggin' goddess) might perhaps be inclined to go to Space 15 Twenty tonight to meet the film's director Floria Sigismondi and purchase limited edition stills from the movie to benefit Stand Up For Kids.
Also tonight, everyone's favorite nerd blogger Ben McShane of Classical Geek Theatre celebrates his sweet sixteen at pehrspace tonight. Word on the streetz is that this party will be bigger and better than Justin Dior Combs, Chris Brown, and Soulja Boy's parties combined. Stoned At Heart (featuring members of The Underground Railroad to Candyland), Jack Wilson Jr., and Downtown/Union help blow out the candles.
On Saturday, Crystal Antlers celebrate the release of their new "Little Sister" 7" at Origami Vinyl at around 4pm. Again, "if you don't get inside you can still grab a slice at Two Boots..." And maybe stick the area for The Franks' in-store later that evening at 7pm.
On Sunday, there's a couple of good shows at McCabe's with Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang doing an early kids show and The Swell Season doing a show to benefit the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Also playing an early afternoon kids show are The Watson Twins and The One AM Radio over at The Echo. Bring your kids or your neighbors' kids to get in.
We'll be losing an hour of sleep on Sunday but for most of us that doesn't matter since we haven't participated in such a time-wasting event like that since infancy. Still, that one hour of lost time only brings us closer to Monday than we want to be so enjoy the weekend while you have it. And we love you.
