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The Janky Smooth Top 10 SONGS of 2017 Rated by Contributors
Low expectations for politics in 2017 made for high expectations in music and though this year saw revolution and protest turned into memes with albums like Eminen’s Revival, if you look closely, almost every genre had standout artists and a raising of the bar. Even hip hop, which was was dominated by trap artists like Post Malone hitting number 1 on Billboard, had more lyrical artists like Big K.R.I.T., Brockhampton, and Tyler, The Creator come out with career defining work. Metal saw old school bands like Obituary come out with incredible songs while newer ones like Power Trip, released their first true thrash anthem. Punk saw a similar phenomenon happen with Cocksparrer’s new joint and then Career Suicide’s. Even though Trump is our president and the Dodgers lost the World Series in game 7, music in Los Angeles, California in the year 2017 was exceptional, better than 2016. In 2017, the world of music realized it can weaponize quality just because it’s so damn good rather than try to convince us that musical weapons must be quality. This is not about albums or politics though, this is about SONGS. Five minutes of sound that capture the year, two minutes if you’re

Becky Brings French Vanilla, The Vivids & More to Acerogami in Pomona
A Friday night coupled with a stacked show at Acerogami in Pomona is always a good thing. The vibe is always chill; comfy couches and a super clean lounge area are usually a turn off for me, especially at a “punk” show. But somehow, Acerogami pulled it off without so much as a raised eyebrow. Could have something to do with the line-up for the evening- Hawaiian T-shirt, Sister Mantos, The Vivids and French Vanilla, a highly anticipated show by the many lovers of the LA post punk scene. First up on the four band bill was Hawaiian T-shirt, a recent post punk addition to the local band mix. New to my ears in the past few weeks, I instantly liked them and have been failing at catching them live at one of the many shows they’ve been playing. This was my lucky night. The trio of Ana (vox & guitar), Jeremiah (vox & bass) and Tara (drums) fire off songs that parallel Gang of Four, Pixies and others while keeping their own unique sound. Just enough rawness to keep it tangy with angry lyrics to keep you intrigued on what’s coming out next. They have an EP up on Bandcamp (linked

Janky Smooth Top 25 Bands & Artists To Watch in 2017
We take a fanboy/girl approach to music journalism in that most of us will gush over the artists we love and speak with a jaded cynicism about everyone else. That isn’t what this list of Top 25 Bands & Artists to Check Out in 2017 is about, though. (see disclaimer below) Luckily, there are more bands and little pockets of diverse music, art collectives and scenes all throughout the city right now than there ever has been. That’s not the weird part. The weird part is that, love ’em or hate them; SO MANY of these bands, DJ’s, sound designers and MC’s are in it for authentic and genuine artistic motives. Once, for all intents and purposes the music industry died, all the head shot, MI, blow dried Ken and Barbies that occupied a significant percentage of the “forever chasing the corporate art dollar” population in Los Angeles re-evaluated their lives, they scattered into television, movies and production and then… … the kids in the garages and practice spaces began their rule. Without the old worldwide distribution network and formulaic spreadsheets in place, the amount of time it takes for good bands to go from touring the west coast to touring

Janky Fest I- A Review and Self Inflicted Wound
The first installment of Janky Fest on November 19th in Outer Space celebrating the Janky Smooth 2 Year Anniversary featured OG punks The Dwarves last week was super lame. Only a retarded music critic could throw an 18 and over event as a thank you to his all ages readership. Where does this dad rock douche bag Danny Baraz get off booking a large lineup of bands whose local fans couldn’t even attend the event, all because some anxious reactionary in a pseudo DIY venue was scared of pissed off punks in a recently Post-election, President elect, Donald Trump world? Sources tell me that’s literally the initial reason given by the venue for the switch, even though it changed to something a bit less ridiculous in the following days. Clearly, young punks of helicopter parents would breathe fire, shit on the floor and not buy enough beer and liquor because they’re pissed Trump won an election they didn’t even vote in. Zing. I don’t know Danny Baraz at all but he seems like just another privileged “straight white male” (even though Baraz doesn’t sound “white”) mansplaining and curating the injustice in the world through his pseudo intellectual political leanings, which he forces

Take This: 2 Tix to Dirty Laundry TV’s Mix Tape Release Show at Hi Hat
Our friends at Dirty Laundry TV are dropping yet another tasty mix tape called “Best of L.A.”. Janky Smooth is giving away one copy of the “Only In L.A.: Best of L.A.” compilation and two tickets to the release party at The Hi Hat on Oct 8th. Playing the party are some of Janky Smooth’s favorite young bands including French Vanilla, Batwings Catwings, Patrick Tapia of Death Hymn Number 9 DJing the evening, as well as Deep Fields and Young Lovers. You can pick up a copy of the tape HERE. (see below for featured artists) Ticket and Tape Giveaway Rules: Follow us on Instagram Tag a friend in our Instagram post Share our post along with with a caption on who your favorite local L.A. band is right now. Winner will be selected on Friday Oct 7th at 10 am pacific time Dirty Laundry TV’s “Best of L.A.” Artists include: White Fang, Winter, Sunshine Mind, Worn-Tin, Adult Books, Wild Wing, French Vanilla, Deep Fields, Veronica Bianqui, Death Lens, Fernando and the Teenage Narcs, Girl Tears, White Dove, Shark Toys, Hipnotics, Girl Tears, Melted, Nectarine, Batwings Catwings, Beach Party and Young Lovers! related: Dirty Laundry TV and Penniback Records: Dirty

New Album Review: 1 Week With FEELS Debut LP from Castle Face Records
Last Wednesday night I got an advanced copy of FEELS self titled LP from Castle Face Records. Last Thursday night I went to the FEELS record release party at a Downtown DIY venue called Basic Flowers. I hate the unfairness of reviewing a living, breathing work of art in one or two listens. That will not be the case here. FEELS hard work and countless shows and supporting slots on various tours in 2015 ingrained them in the rock and roll ecosystem in Los Angeles and in my head. So when I heard rumblings of a forthcoming full length, I was ready when it dropped in my lap. In rock and roll, the live show separates the bad bands from the good bands and the great bands from the rest. FEELS puts on a GREAT live show and now I can confirm that FEELS makes GREAT albums. Well, at least one so far. I have spent enough time with the new FEELS record now to know that the love is real. I’ve gotten past the butterfly stage in this relationship and gotten completely comfortable with the material and it’s depth. This album is a master blend of growing musicianship and

Janky Smooth’s Top 20 Artists to Watch in 2016
In identifying Janky Smooth’s Artists to Watch in 2016, there were a number of factors to take into consideration. There are different levels and plateaus musicians can ascend to in their careers. There is the release of their first EP/7”. There is the release of their debut album and of course, the all-important sophomore LP. Any predicted success after those milestones is hardly a prediction unless it involves a comeback. When we define our artists to watch in 2016, it is using any and all of these criteria to identify buzz worthy bands. We want to help our readers get the jump on artists before corporate money corrupts their artistic process too much. While there are bands in this list based in cities other than Los Angeles, LA is our home base and seeing these bands live is a part of the process of selection. If you can’t do it live, you can’t do it! This is Janky Smooth’s List of Artists to Watch in 2016 20. Cavanaugh- Collaboration between Open Mike Eagle and Serengeti Time & Materials by Cavanaugh (Open Mike Eagle & Serengeti) 19. So Pitted- Punk/Post Punk Seattle Group on Sub Pop Records neo by

Jankiest Shows and Tickets for the weekend of 10/9-10/11
There are so many incredible shows taking place this weekend that we thought we’d give you a list of Janky Smooth approved shows to help party to the appropriate soundtrack this weekend. From festivals to small club shows to can’t miss headliners, this list is merely a guide to help you find the stuff you like. Friday October 9th Culture Collide Festival at Taix and Echo/Echoplex- Tickets The Dickies, Black Tibetans and Kim and the Created at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach- Tickets Loaf, French Vanilla, Jew Cocks and Vertighost at The Church of Fun- Tickets Mild High Club, The Memories, Charmaine’s Names and Cat 500 at HM157 (no presale tickets) Moaning, Free Music, Michael Vidal, Cruelty Code at The Smell (no presale tickets) Saturday October 10th Culture Collide Festival at Taix, Echo Park Methodist Church, Lot 1 Cafe and Echo/Echoplex- Tickets It’s Not Dead Fest w/ Bad Religion, Descendents, NOFX, Fishbone and MANY others at San Manuel Indian Amphitheater- Tickets Neil Young at Santa Barbara Bowl- Tickets Terminal A, Lunch, Ghost Noise, Diesel Dudes, Band Aparte at Second Wave Festival Supreme Music and Comedy Festival w/ Die Antwoord, Kids in the Hall and MANY more at The Shrine Auditorium-

Friday Night Shows in Los Angeles- Suck it Brooklyn
I jumped in my car and just started driving west. It was a weird week of muggy, rainy weather. The type of weather that simultaneously collects rain drops and sweat beads on the forehead. I drove by a man in a clown suit as I made a right onto the 10 freeway west off of La Cienega. Was I in L.A. or Florida? No matter how many bad neighborhoods they turn into good neighborhoods, Los Angeles will always let it’s freak flag fly on a Friday night. “I’m going to go for a quick skate in Venice then head over to Touch Vinyl. What time you going to be there?” “I’m getting there around 7pm and we go on at 9:15. Come check out French Vanilla, they’re rad.” “Cool dude, I’ll try and make it for that but I’m stoked that I’m finally going to get to see you guys live. Don’t suck, ok?” “Hahaha. We’ll try our best” I got off the phone with Travis, pulled my deck out of my trunk and skated over to the park. When my skate was over, I headed over to Touch Vinyl for their “June Untouched Music Series” presented by Dirty Laundry