Search Results for: the observatory

The Adicts- One of Punk’s Most Enduring Acts In Midst of Legendary Tour

Jessica Moncrief June 9, 2025

Fresh off a mind-blowing set at Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas, The Adicts hit the West Coast running—selling out every Southern California date, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Pomona. Demand was so overwhelming that they added a last-minute extra night in Pomona to accommodate the flood of fans. Over the course of four unforgettable consecutive nights, they delivered their signature blend of theatrical punk and unshakable optimism to rooms packed with loyal fans, first-timers, and multiple generations of droogs—all coming together to celebrate the simple miracle of being alive in the moment. Even though The Adicts have been spreading joy for nearly five decades, punk isn’t just nostalgia with this band, it’s present-tense, kinetic, and thriving. Since the late ’70s, The Adicts have been singing songs of praise for the weird, the wild, and the joyfully defiant—reminding the world to stay playful, live loud, embrace autonomy, and not take life so fucking seriously. related: Hat Trickers And Lower Class Brats at Bootleg Theater- A Real Horror Show The Drowns opened each evening on a high note with a fun, energetic set of melodic punk. Their stage presence was undeniable, each member brought their own charisma, and together they

Kyle "King Tuff" Thomas Plays Guitar for Ty Segall and The Muggers by Taylor Wong

King Tuff Is Leaving Los Angeles: A Final Farewell at the Lodge Room?

Janky Smooth Central Command May 10, 2025

Los Angeles, get ready to say goodbye to one of the city’s most beloved rock ‘n’ roll weirdos. Kyle Thomas aka King Tuff is bidding farewell to the City of Angels with a final hometown performance at The Lodge Room in Highland Park on Wednesday, May 15, 2025. As part of what’s being called a celebratory send-off rather than a swan song, this show promises to be a psych-fuzz-reverb drenched night of gratitude, good vibes, and garage-glam magic. related: King Tuff and The Shrine In Venice for Red Bull Sound Select Tickets for King Tuff’s farewell LA show are going fast, and for good reason: this isn’t just another tour stop—it’s the end of an era for fans who’ve followed his journey from lo-fi beginnings to Sub Pop success. Whether you’ve been spinning Was Dead since 2008 or fell in love with the introspective shimmer of 2023’s Smalltown Stardust, this Lodge Room date is a rare chance to experience the full spectrum of King Tuff’s sound one last time in his hometown. Why This Show Matters This isn’t just a concert—it’s a transmission from a singular creative force. Over the years, King Tuff has helped shape LA’s indie-psych-rock landscape with

Parliament Funkadelic at Ventura Music Hall shot by Jeff Tillquist

How to Humanize an Alien: Parliament Funkadelic at Ventura Music Hall

Rob Shepyer May 5, 2025

Thanks to Ventura Music Hall and George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic was up until Monday, a bucket list band that needed to get checked off my list if I was really to consider myself a music junkie. Now, in a totally changed state of mind since seeing them perform classic songs like “Flashlight”, “Atomic Dog”, “We Got The Funk”, and more, I’ve been feeling this strange sense of nostalgia for a time I didn’t even exist in. That time I’m so fondly recalling through videos, images, and oral tradition was the seventies. At the time, pop culture was more colorful, vivid, imaginative, and real. Forced to create practical magic and effects if artists wanted to make concerts feel out of this world, groups like Parliament Funkadelic constructed UFOs that would land on stage and release a cavalcade of alien crazies upon the audience, all dressed and sounding completely unique from one another to create a funk jam session akin to stream of consciousness power poetry. It was in the seventies, back when a heavily dreaded George Clinton produced acid-inspired rollercoaster rides that ranged from metallic to soulful to downright religious, that Clinton and his band were at their peak-alieness. Today, as

Top Ten SHOWS of 2024 Rated by Contributors

Janky Smooth Central Command December 31, 2024

Shows have always been Janky Smooth’s bread and butter. Our contributors are willing travel far and wide for the right show, willing to abandon their families and face every obstacle to get there in time to see a compelling opener with any legit hype. This list will feature shows all across Los Angeles, California, and the whole of the United States. It will feature festival sets and intimate evenings with. It’ll list out shows with mosh pits and intimiate seating. Every musical experience under the sun, our contributors have seen it and are using their expert curation skills to give you the best of the best of 2o24. Publisher, Danny Baraz Ministry at Cruel World Ceremony and Infest at The Hollywood Palladium The Original Misfits at No Values Power Trip at The Fonda HEALTH, Panther Modern, Pixel Grip at The Music Box Tyler, the Creator at Camp Flog Gnaw Boy Harsher at The Glass House Primus, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle at Hollywood bowl The Black Angels at The Lodge Room Front 242 at The Mayan Editor, Rob Shepyer Trash Talk at Echoplex Ceremony at Hollywood Palladium Swans at Lodge Room Ministry at Cruel World Tool at Crypto.com Arena Queens of

Tyler’s Camp Flog Gnaw Year 10 Intersects w/ Chromakopia Number 1

Aria Silva-Espinosa December 17, 2024

A long hike up the hills of Elysian Park is a small price to pay for the view from the top. Three massive stages situated in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium and boasting a wildly impressive hip-hop centric lineup, Camp Flog Gnaw celebrated its 10 year anniversary this past weekend and sold out well in advance, and the lineup wasn’t even announced until a month before the festival. related content: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly: Camp Flog Gnaw 2019 From legendary acts to tributes, DJ sets and soulful serenades, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival is a uniquely curated exhibition of mainstream and underground artists, youth culture and untethered creative expression. The fan engagement and level of commitment to the art is evident in the way the incoming fans have chosen to dress. It’s early November and we’re up on a hilltop so everyone is a bit bundled up knowing that once the sun goes down it’ll be about as cold as Los Angeles is willing to tolerate. Workwear, faux fur and puffer jackets are out which would make a New Yorker giggle to see how dramatic we are about the shift into cooler weather. Among the masses it’s

Sound and Fury Fest 2023: The Stage Dive Will Never Die

Danny Ryan August 30, 2023

Sound and Fury is easily my favorite music festival, and consistently takes the spot as the best weekend of the year for me without fail. Returning again to Exposition Park for the second year in a row, the controversial choice to move the festival outdoors has proven again to succeed as a hardcore experience exclusive to Sound and Fury. The overwhelming heat and dust clouds were absolutely brutal this year compared to 2022, but passionate fans were not going to let anything stop them from hardcore dancing all weekend long. This was also the second year with involvement from art collective and fashion brand Brain Dead, and their influence could be seen everywhere from the stage backdrops to exclusive merch designs. Sound and Fury is absolutely unmatched when it comes to finding the best collaborators and vendors to help with making their vision come alive, something that more music festivals should take note of in the goal of creating an unforgettable experience that everybody in attendance feels a need to come back to. related: Risks Make Better Memories than Nostalgia – Sound and Fury 2022 One of the biggest draws to Sound and Fury’s 2023 lineup for me was the

The Garden at "One Strange Night in Orange County"

The Garden Summon Ghosts at The Observatory For One Strange Night In Orange County

Sarah Dinse August 8, 2023

“One Strange Night in Orange County” wasn’t just a festival facilitated by The Garden, an experimental rock duo of twin brothers from Orange County. It was a flashback to a time not that long ago when The Observatory was overrun by Burgeramas and Beach Goths and other festivals past. The Garden certainly were not headlining those days but they were stealing the show. Now, here they are- the last vestige of a canceled culture. 2 boys turned elder statesmen who survived the purge by not letting their erupting hormones and exploding status lead them down the path of personal and professional ruin. But on this One Strange Night in Orange County, the spirit of those days was in the air. Not to haunt us but to honor the magic of both the music of that time and the diversity of music that came before and after they died. related: Beach Goth 4- The Party of the Year The festival started by honoring the past 45 Grave are a four piece, goth/death rock band from the 80’s. They opened the festival and couldn’t have done a better job at setting the tone for what seemed like Halloween all night long.

Gwen Stefani at Beach Life Festival 2023 by David Smith

Beach Life Festival 2023: On The Shores of Greatness

Dave Unbuckled June 16, 2023

Beach Life Festival made its annual return to Redondo Beach, this past month, bringing its strongest line up to date in tow that included The Black Keys, Modest Mouse, Gwen Stefani, The Pixies, Band of Horses, The Black Crowes, Sublime w. Rome and Rock n Roll legend, John Fogerty…among many others. Beach Life has continued to include intimate solo performances from local favorites including Johnny Two Bags (Social Distortion), Zander Schloss (Circle Jerks), Jim Lindberg (Pennywise) while providing up and coming touring acts such as The Beaches and L.P. Humongous audiences of new fans to win over. The most impressive aspect of Beach Life seems to be the atmosphere it provides attendees with its varying level of comfort options, varieties of local food trucks, art installations, and selections of top shelf alcohol including Kokomo Spirit: The Official Canned Cocktail of Janky Smooth (unsubstantiated). These amenities go far and beyond the normal festival faire, which makes this year’s event itself so impressive given its A grade lineup, a noticeable improvement from previous years. Friday’s offering of The Pixies won the crowd early on, especially after a slow start by Kurt Vile, that saw the Tennessee native alternating guitars through his first

Yves Tumor at Austin Psych Fest 2023 by Grace Dunn

Austin Psych Fest 2023: Authenticity in a Far Out Place

Grace Dunn May 29, 2023

As a Black Angels fan, I followed Levitation (Austin Psych Fest)for years from afar, watching snippets of the festival on social media, because traveling to Austin from Los Angeles is a TREK that’s difficult for any overworked and underpaid artist, including myself. Through those glimpses, I recognized Levitation as a home to what I live for: diverse jams and trippy visuals. I could feel that I belonged there, but I had no idea how strong that connection was until the stars aligned and I finally made it out to The Far Out, the venue where the fest was held for the first time this year. related: My First SXSW- Confessions of a Fanboy Posing as Music Critic I’ve been to a fuck ton of gigs and festivals, but this one hit different. The people. All of them. Musicians, Organizers, and Festival Goers alike (groups that generally stay in their respective lanes during live show experiences) all blended into a vibrational tapestry, a collective, sewn together by their love of music. The connectivity and the community made this experience special. I will cherish it forever; “It’s All Happening”. Grace and I arrive in Austin, Texas: Ground zero for psychedelia, past, present,

Siouxsie Sioux at Cruel World 2023 by Albert Licano

Cruel World 2023- Redemption and Romance at The Rose Bowl

Danny Baraz May 26, 2023

One of the definitions of the word “Cruel” is, “to cause pain and suffering”. As much unintentional cruelty as Cruel World 2023 inflicted on the psyches of so many attendees by abruptly shutting the festival down half way through Iggy Pop’s set on Saturday, festival promoter and corporate media juggernaut Goldenvoice offered an olive branch of redemption by giving those who didn’t have to leave town on Sunday what most of us came to see- Siouxsie Sioux playing her first set in L.A. in 15 years. The build-up to Cruel World 2023 was palpable- not only for the 1000’s of out of towners that took time off of work, booked airfare, hotel and budgeted all year for what was for many, their annual vacation but also an elusive enthusiasm from Angeleno music fans who are jaded and spoiled by their residency in the music capital of the world. It would’ve been tough for any festival to live up to the magick we witnessed at Cruel World 2022 which peaked on the 2nd day of the festival where we witnessed Bauhuas bloody the stage and make the moon disappear but somehow, Goldenvoice rode 2022’s wave into the shores of excitement and

HEALTH at the Music Box by Becky DiGiglio

HEALTH/Author & Punisher at The Music Box: Let The Ceremony Begin

Danny Baraz April 20, 2023

Last time I saw HEALTH in San Diego was opening for Crystal Castles in May 2011 at the now defunct Fluxx Nightclub. Last Saturday it was HEALTH who were headlining The Music Box in San Diego as the last stop on their Dark Territory tour, and the only thing that HASN’T changed in the nearly 12 years since that show is that HEALTH completely shredded the stage. related: HEALTH at The Echo- First L.A. Show in 3 Years Delivers There were multiple story lines unraveling in through the evening and indeed, the complex and cryptic folds of the universe itself. Returning back from ceremony in Mexico on the day of the show, HEALTH was also the band me and my partner saw on our first date the night I touched her for the first time at 1720 a year ago. I love you Jules (fuck face). All that along with promoter Modern.Wav calling out the San Diego goths to convene in their own ceremony and indulge their kinks with an epic lineup that also featured Author & Punisher and openers Matte Blvck and Straight Razor, whom I woefully missed. Luckily, photographer Becky DiGigglio did not. We walked in during

Peaches at Madonna Inn by Jessica Moncrief

2nd Annual John Waters Easter at Madonna Inn: Pink Flamingos and Filthy Bunnies:

Vanessa Burgundy April 14, 2023

It was a sea of queers and bunny ears at California’s campiest hotel, the Madonna Inn, for opening night of the 2nd Annual John Waters Easter Weekend hosted by Lethal Amounts. The event featured electropunk musician/performance artist, Peaches, as well as a screening of Pink Flamingos with live commentary from Mink Stole and John Waters himself, replete with Easter and Tom of Finland photobooths and of course an Edith Massey look-a-like contest. related: Satanic Manic- Lethal Amounts Honors Anton LaVey on Halloween It was a slow race to the Inn as Peaches was set to take the stage at 7:30pm and with most attendees coming from Los Angeles or San Francisco, Friday traffic was a bear in either direction. We made it just in time for a quick a dip in the pool before the show and a seemingly innocent, lone, swimmer asked the occasion for our visit. His bewildered response to our answer was “Jowwhn Waterrs…izze a COUNtry singer or somethin’?” in an unplaceable drawl. He was there for a wedding and it was then that we knew: the other hotel inhabitants had no idea they were about to be bombarded by the filthiest people alive. related: The Teaches

FIDLAR at The Observatory is STILL a Vibe

Janky Smooth Central Command March 21, 2023

There is little more that’s as iconic in the last 10 years of the SoCal indie music scene than FIDLAR playing at The Observatory in Santa Ana. It brings back memories of the golden age of the now defunct label that shall not be mentioned- but it rhymes with “Zurger”. related: An Interview with Zac Carper from FIDLAR Ticket holders wasted no time filling up The Observatory for the opening acts. Fans flooded the pit, full of raw energy and not holding anything back for Reckling. The set came with fast, high energy that had the fans crowd surfing, singing along and of course, moshing. Reckling opened the night strong and set the bar high. Not to be outdone, Liily came out just as powerfully and kept that energy going, if not elevating it to the next level. From their catchy songs to the electric performance of frontman Dylan Nash and the nonstop, chaotic energy of bassist Charlie Anastasis, all combined to make for one hell of a show. The crowd was warmed up, stretched and sweaty for FIDLAR to come out and destroy and they did just that. FIDLAR came out firing on all cylinders with “ Wake

Vulnerability is Punk: The Lemonheads at the OC Observatory

Danny Ryan December 13, 2022

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of their iconic 1992 album It’s A Shame About Ray, The Lemonheads brought their signature blend of punk, grunge, and folk influences to a passionate crowd at The Observatory. With the night being built up of multiple acts including their magnum opus album in full, an acoustic segment, and a collection of hits from their other material; the show was a dedication to the fans that have followed them with devotion since the beginning. While The Lemonheads are underrated in how they are not always included in conversations about 90’s grunge and indie rock music, their influence can still be felt in underground alternative music today and it was apparent how much their music means to the fans who experienced it during the peak of their popularity with how much love for the band that could be felt in the room that night. As soon as The Lemonheads casually approached the stage, it was immediately clear that their image embodies the DIY grassroots of independent music from their minimalist stage presence to the crudely designed “L H” logo on their drum set made out of green duct tape. Compared to seeing most 90’s alternative

Photo Recap: Gogol Bordello at The Observatory North Park

Janky Smooth Central Command November 9, 2022

Gogol Bordello‘s return to Southern California had been long-awaited as soon as The Solidaritine tour was announced. Their first stop in our neck of the woods was San Diego’s Observatory North Park where the band had the audience in the palm of their hand, taking them on a sweeping journey through Gogol’s catalogue, including songs off Solidaritine, and all the classics ranging from Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike. It doesn’t feel like it but Gogol Bordello has been around for over two decades, spreading inclusivity through punk rock. Although originally constructed as a blend of Eastern European culture and punk, the band expanded to involve various forms of world music to make a truly gypsy vision. Those that experience a Gogol show come away with a more worldly sensibility. Eugene Hutz’s Ukrainian roots were never diluted upon the band’s expansion. With Ukraine under Russian attack in this hideous situation, the many stops and long performances of this tour are all an effort to support Ukraine and Eugene’s fellow countrymen. You could tell the band was going extra hard because you could feel lives hung in the balance of this musical effort. We got photos from their Observatory North Park show

The (Drama Club) Kids Are Alright: Bright Eyes and Cate Le Bon at the Greek Theatre

Taylor Wong June 29, 2022

Words by: Hunter Hall Photos by: Taylor Wong In the early 2000s, Connor Oberst tapped into the sadcore, indie rock zeitgeist that would define Bright Eyes and become cornerstone soundtracks for sensitive teens in their most formative years. Twenty years later, these now 30-40 somethings packed the Greek Theatre for Bright Eyes’ first concert in Los Angeles in a decade. With a perfectly curated set list of songs from each era, Bright Eyes delivered exactly what fans hoped they could expect — Dylan-esque lyrics sung in a quivery voice that would take them back to their high school days. What was not expected, at least by myself, was how a show to tour a 2 year old album and some fan-favorite hits really became a night at the theater. related content: Community Outreach: Better Oblivion Community Center at the Observatory Opening for Bright Eyes was Cate Le Bon, who served as the perfect prologue for the play to come. The band was costumed in a potluck of delicious 70s suites, suede fringe, and thick bangs; a variety of artsy looks not much different than the crowd before them. At the center of the stage, Le Bon herself was cloaked in

Lyrical Assassin: Pusha T’s “It’s Almost Dry Tour” Hits the Novo

Rob Shepyer June 6, 2022

The year is 2018. Kanye West has announced he will produce five albums, one for himself, one for a project with Kid Cudi called Kids See Ghosts, one for Nas, one for Teyana Taylor, and one for his collaborator in G.O.O.D. Music and legendary member of Clipse, Pusha T. These albums each only featured seven songs and though that’s considered short compared to other releases, each album felt perfect, without a single song worth skipping. These albums were pieces of art, in it of themselves. Of the iconic 5, Pusha T’s Daytona was my personal favorite and probably the pound for pound best of the lot. The moment the album cover was teased, the internet went crazy. Featuring a film photograph of Whitney Houston’s bathroom, Daytona carried a mystique before anyone heard a single song. Then once the album was released, it was evident this was going to be on every major best albums of the year list. I became obsessed with Daytona, going out of my way to see Pusha T on Jimmy Kimmel live and then in concert at the Observatory. Following this, Pusha T engaged in a now legendary rap beef with Drake that saw him victorious

Heaven’s Not Cruel: Just Like Heaven Festival

Dave Unbuckled June 2, 2022

Goldenvoice’s second go (this week) at nostalgia, came in the form of Just Like Heaven, a welcome return to the pre-covid music festival vibe. The indie rock festival of “headliners with no official headliner” offered a full day of entertainment, though a twelve-hour festival day honestly feels excessive, after having gone so long without enduring crowds. I guess I’d rather one day than two especially when most of the two-day fests are cluttered with filler hype bands (in my day we called them buzz bands), but Peaches in the afternoon doesn’t hit the same way Peaches hits at night. These are the sacrifices that are made when filling an entire day with indie rock royalty. related content: Photo Recap: The Teaches Of Peaces At The Observatory North Park Though Peaches crushed her set at 2:05 pm, nearly half of the attendees hadn’t even arrived. The forever queen of electro-filth still managed to steal the early half of the day, as did Wolf Parade’s performance of “Apologies to Queen Mary”, especially their rendition of “I’ll Believe in Anything”, which remained part of the highlights of the even as a whole. The Shins, who had one of the best participatory audiences (over

Photo Recap: The Teaches of Peaches at the Observatory North Park

Janky Smooth Central Command May 28, 2022

After stealing the show at Just Like Heaven, Peaches continued her tour in San Diego at The Observatory North Park where her seminal album, The Teaches of Peaches was celebrated and performed for an audience that left in completely awe of Peaches’ genius. Electro-clash has always had its finger on the pulse of whatever magic needs to be played to get an audience to dance their asses off. Peaches, more than any other artist from her time and artistic space, has always brought a huge show with her, that makes the entire experience completely out of this world. Every taboo is involved, every line is crossed, it’s pure transgression and pure fun, with so much humor you can’t help but let go. With giant penises and vaginas everywhere, Peaches made it clear that she is the goddess of sex positivity. Her motley crew of performers are all brilliant artists in their own right, not just as dancers and musicians but also simply in their being. At this part of her iconic career, one has to look forward and see which artists owe their sound and style to her. Do this, and you will see clear as day, that she has

Eating Yourself to Live: Cannibal Corpse at the Belasco

Rob Shepyer March 26, 2022

Cannibal Corpse‘s return to Los Angeles at the Belsasco wasn’t just a showcase of one of the most brutal and punishing death metal bands of all time, this was a breakthrough tour where the band created a much larger impact than most people realize. This tour came at the heels of a heated debate about the journey the death metal has gone since its origins in Florida to its current state and sound. Cannibal Corpse was at the center of this debate as former singer Chris Barnes butted horns with current singer Corpsegrinder in a battle for which era reigns over all. The lineup for this tour featured Deathcore label mates Whitechapel and Revocation, bridging two scenes that are worlds apart even though they sound incredibly similar to the untrained ear. In many ways, this was a tour that gave deathcore fans an education in true metal, so even though Whitechapel and Revocation aren’t quite my cup of tea, this tour served a greater purpose I have to approve of. related content: Photo Recap: Decibel Magazine Tour With Cannibal Corpse At The Fonda Prior to this show, I was on the Chris Barnes side of the debate. Listening to The

Home is Where the Heart is: Phoebe Bridgers at the Greek Theatre

Rob Shepyer October 26, 2021

Words by: Robert Shepyer Photos by: Nicole Busch Artists like Phoebe Bridgers reinvigorate my love of music criticism. The way Phoebe’s tenderness and vulnerability merge with her humor and authenticity makes listening to her feel better than reuniting with a familiar friend because she’s the friend we all wish we had–old and golden, her music summons up the nostalgia of growing up then helps us process the emotional complexity of the past. Having grown up in Los Angeles, real LA recognizes real LA and at these hometown shows, she gave back to the city that shaped her. related content: Community Outreach: Better Oblivion Community Center At The Observatory My first impression of the audience at the Greek was noticing they were mostly comprised of Gen Z lovers and friends, some of whom came dressed head to toe in Phoebe’s unofficial skelly uniform. You get the sense that what Phoebe is going for is making the ultimate soundtrack to suburban American trick or treating. There were a few parents chaperoning and older fans there too because Phoebe is a folk hero, who’s talents are recognized by every age group whether they see Joni Mitchell or Tracey Chapman in her. When I

Hell or High Roller: Psycho Las Vegas 2021

Rob Shepyer August 26, 2021

There was a time when for me, going to Psycho Las Vegas meant budgeting only enough money to eat McDonalds for three days while I slept on a friend’s couch in some lawless Vegas neighborhood so far off the strip, Ubers wouldn’t dare travel to such unsavory corners. Now, in the post-pandemic world, I report on Psycho with new purpose. This year, I was staying in a Delano scenic suite high above the city and budgeted enough money to properly chase the American dream. Raoul Duke’s American dream in Hunter Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was a metaphor for the limits of human consciousness. With freedom as the central American covenant, what greater expression of patriotism is there than breaking free of reality’s chains by dosing yourself past every threshold? Now though, as I take that same trip as Duke in 2021, my search for the American Dream is a futile attempt to connect with a time long gone. You might assume I mean the world before the pandemic but I also mean that beautiful era in music history where rock and metal bands could draw crowds as far as the eye can see. How do we recover

The Road to Psycho Las Vegas

Rob Shepyer June 12, 2021

Later this month, I’ll attend my first indoor concert since March 2020. People will not be wearing masks or social distancing. I’ll have dipped my toes into the cultural soup I’ve swam in the majority of my adult life, relearning all the in’s-and-out’s of concert going. Stage-dives and mosh pits have been relegated to my long term memory banks awaiting to be unearthed. Although most metalheads will be breaking their concert fasts soon (if they haven’t already), Psycho Las Vegas is the spiritual grand re-opening of the metal scene in the wild American west. As the first large festival to take place since the beginning of the pandemic, Psycho is a test much like the ones Hunter S. Thompson indulged in with Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters. Our senses may have been perverted, inverted, dulled and destroyed by lengthy quarantines but our imaginations are in better shape than ever and if I can imagine Psycho Las Vegas being the most insane heavy metal summit of my life, then I can will it into being. related content: A High And Beautiful Wave: Psycho Las Vegas 2019 Before the world shut down, Psycho’s 2020 lineup was one of the most anticipated slates of

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Yves Tumor

Janky Smooth Central Command March 5, 2020

Blending psych rock, art pop, and R&B, Yves Tumor have pushes the boundaries of music as a form of artistic expression. They’re coming to the Observatory and Fonda and we’ve got pairs of tickets to give away for each. ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO YVES TUMOR MARCH 13TH AT THE FONDA OR 14TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Yves Tumor Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON MARCH 9TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Pussy Riot

Janky Smooth Central Command March 4, 2020

Russian revolutionaries, Pussy Riot are back in the states to bring the party to you and we’re giving away a pair of tickets to their Observatory show and their 1720 show. Fight the power and dance around! This is our time! ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO PUSSY RIOT MARCH 12TH AT THE OBSERVATORY OR 13TH AT 1720 Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Pussy Riot Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON MARCH 9TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Dan Deacon at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command March 2, 2020

Electronic musician extraordinaire, Dan Deacon is bringing all his decks and cables to the Observatory for a night of ear-splitting, booty shaking celebration in OC and we’ve got your hook up for a pair of tickets. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO DAN DEACON MARCH 12TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Dan Deacon Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON MARCH 9TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Thundercat at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command February 25, 2020

Thundercat is a musical God, with a jazzman’s soul and fingers to boot. Every show he plays is a lesson in chillness, lucidity, cool and freedom. You can’t help but leave his shows a little bit more free. It’s a gift to be able to see him at a venue like The Observatory. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO THUNDERCAT MARCH 8TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Thundercat Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON MARCH 6TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow: Funk the Influence at the Lodge Room Highland Park

Janky Smooth Central Command February 13, 2020

Words by: William McBee Photos by: Jessica Moncrief Last Saturday began like most weekends do, sleeping in, laying awake, starting the day off slow. I was thinking of how to organize my day and did some mindless scrolling on social media when I came across the flyer for “Funk The Influence” with guest speakers George Clinton and Flea. I asked myself “How could I not go to a symposium featuring the Godfather of Funk and one the greatest bass players of all time?” I pulled the trigger and rushed down to Highland Park to see what all the hype was about. related content: Long Live The Funk: George Clinton And Parliament Funkadelic At The Observatory When I arrived at The Lodge Room, Gorangatang was performing. The duo consisted of a rapper and a didgeridoo player. I enjoyed every second of their deep grooving funky jam. It was my first experience witnessing a didgeridoo and I instantly loved it. The set was followed by a branding panel that included Hairstylist Maisha Oliver, Designer Melody Ehsani and DJ/producer Clinton Sparks. While I was hoping for more music, the conversation between the panelists kept me engaged and intrigued. Clinton Sparks spoke to the audience

The Mother Dome Connection: Funk Legends at Wisdome.LA

Rob Shepyer January 22, 2020

As hard as people try to make sure the funk never dies, it is often hard to find in Los Angeles. Yet, one evening under Wisdome.LA‘s “Mother Dome” brought together numerous legends of the genre to jam and pay tribute to Funk history. No other form of music brings people together quite like funk does, you can’t reason why we all shouldn’t get along if you’re too busy gettin’ down. related content: Long Live The Funk: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic At The Observatory I remember when the property that the multiple Wisdome’s sit on was nothing more than a few warehouses you might pass by on the way to The Resident. It’s amazing how they utilized the space for an immersive experience with so many different things to do on the premises from admiring art, tripping out to dome visuals, listening to live music, watching sporting events, food and drink, and plenty of psychedelic and new age things to buy or gaze at for burners, trippers, Desert Daze or Lightning in a Bottle kids. The potential for this venue is limitless, once they start booking major psych acts like King Gizzard or Mac DeMarco, they will really have something

Janky Smooth Top 10 ALBUMS of 2019 Rated by Contributors

Janky Smooth Central Command December 24, 2019

2019 was a year full of fresh faces releasing undeniable breakout albums and veterans making their returns to grace. Even though it may seem like singles are the logical way to release music in 2019, it would turn out that people want full and cohesive artistic statements with emotional twists and turns. Don’t believe the hype, all the devices we’ve surrounded ourselves with and all the information flooding our minds, we’re still human, the nature of our hearts has not changed much. Artists like Lingua Ignota with Caligula and FKA Twigs with Magdelene bore their souls onto record and the reception reciprocated their love and passion because this was their year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2j4vJWLz2E As much as our current culture emphasizes the importance of youth and the irrelevance of the old, a few veterans showed they had so much more fuel left in the tank. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds came back with a vengeance with Ghosteen, a return to the mournfulness that made him a goth God in the first place. Leonard Cohen released Thanks For The Dance posthumously, haunting us from the grave as if he can’t rest until we’ve really, truly learned everything we can form the old poet.

Janky Smooth Top 10 SHOWS of 2019 Rated by Contributors

Janky Smooth Central Command December 23, 2019

This decade saw numerous paradigm shifts that laid the groundwork for a future where people basically become some form of android. That’s nothing to fear, though…we’re still safe….Many predict we’re seeing the fall of the American empire or some kind of apocalypse…hopefully they only mean in the sense that we’re entering a new chapter in humanity’s being….Still, no sweat, right?…We can handle this….In 2019 Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” become the most successful song of all time….Code red! Abandon ship! Get your kicks in before the whole shit house goes down in flames! related content: Janky Smooth Top 10 Shows of 2018 Rated by Contributors Every genre of music saw scene defining moments but I guess that ought to happen every year. What was special about 2019 though, was all the reunions that went down. It’s as if when a band decides to get back together, Los Angeles is the first place they think to play just so all their artist friends can attend the show. A few examples of such reunions were: Bauhaus at the Hollywood Palladium, Heart to Heart at Sound and Fury, Stereolab at Desert Daze, The Locust at Desert Daze, Limp Bizkit at the Troubadour

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Day 1 of Decibel Magazines Metal and Beer Fest

Janky Smooth Central Command December 9, 2019

Decibel Magazine’s Metal and Beer Fest returns this year with a hostile takeover of the Observatory and we’re giving away two tickets to the first day. Get sloshed while seeing death metal originators Possessed. See if your brain can handle the hardcore onslaught of Nails. ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO DAY 1 OF DECIBEL MAGAZINE METAL & BEER FEST DECEMBER 13th AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Metal and Beer Fest Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON DECEMBER 11TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Sleater-Kinney at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command November 9, 2019

Sleater-Kinney is one of those bands that only needs the bare bones requirements to absolutely wow a crowd. Pure rock fury, that’s what they are, with more heart than just about anyone. I hate to compare them this way but of all the bands that empower women, the riot girl bands, this is by far the best in this humble editor’s opinion. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO SLEATER-KINNEY NOVEMBER 13TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Sleater Kinney Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON NOVEMBER 11TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Dark Entries: Bauhaus at the Hollywood Palladium

Rob Shepyer November 8, 2019

Entire schools of music, fashion, art, and world views owe themselves to a single English band known as Bauhaus. The music of which is noisy, wild, sexual, raw, bleak, and upsetting to any status quo the world over. So, it should be remarkable that a band like this, and the music they created, is so beloved that upon the band’s reunion, they sold out two shows at the Hollywood Palladium with fans flying across oceans to see it. Those who have been playing close attention might’ve had the feeling that Bauhaus would come together once again. Peter Murphy’s last tour was an ode to his old band and featured former bassist David J. Haskins. So, perhaps bad blood wasn’t the reason this took so long. Fellow art world nightcrawlers would see Kevin Haskins and Daniel Ash out and about in Los Angeles from time to time, whether it was onstage as Poptone or just enjoying the Los Angeles night. Who knows exactly what was the catalyst for these two shows taking place, perhaps Peter Murphy’s heart attack forced him to look into the abyss and rather than just see himself staring back at him, he saw his band. related content: Becoming

Tearing Down the Orange Curtain: Social Distortion at Five Point Amphitheatre

Dave Unbuckled November 7, 2019

It has been forty years since Social Distortion burst onto Orange County’s rising punk scene, originating out of Fullerton house parties and small, legendary clubs such as The Cuckoos Nest and Safari Sams, but tonight they headlined the Five Point Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA. There’s something to be said about a ‘punk show’ in Irvine, one of the nation’s wealthiest zip codes, with no indication of a punk scene anywhere in sight. For one, a ‘punk show’ in Orange County is usually limited to a 200 person capacity club or bar, with a small stage. If you’re a veteran band, maybe you’ll be fortunate enough to share the stage at the Observatory. However, when you’re Social Distortion, one of the genres most successful and longest lasting groups, and you’re back in Orange County, you play the largest venue available — and bring a lot of your legendary friends to open up. The lineup for the show was respectable, but a little excessive, considering bands like Bully and Mannequin Pussy who opened the show, barely had anyone in attendance. It could also be that the capacity for the venue was up to 12,000 and there was roughly only 8,000 people day

Take This: Win Two Tickets to In Flames at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command November 4, 2019

Melodic death metal has never been as satisfying to your ear holes than when it comes out the Swedish masters of the genre In Flames. Numerous classic album helped cement this band as the champions of their genre and to this day, they’re still slaying. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO IN FLAMES NOVEMBER 6TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK In Flames Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON NOVEMBER 5TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

I Love You, Laura Jane Grace: Against Me! at the Fonda

Jessica Moncrief October 24, 2019

Can you love someone without actually knowing them personally? Last week, Against Me! celebrated their 10 year anniversary of the album “White Crosses.” There was a pit in my stomach and a quiet resistance to hear this album performed live that was matched equally with excitement. 2009 was an extremely tough year for me. I remember exactly when “White Crosses” was released because I was lucky enough to hear it two weeks before the general public did and it quickly became a soundtrack to keep me sane in the shit-storm I was experiencing at the time. I love this album, however, I rarely listen to it these days because I do my best to push the memories from that time deep in the back of my mind. So when Laura Jane Grace mentioned that she hated nostalgia before sharing with the audience the pain that she had been experiencing at the time Against Me! recorded “White Crosses”, it resonated to the core. related content: Against Me! Stuns At The Observatory Before Punk Rock Bowling Early in the show, a fan yelled out “I love you, Laura Jane Grace” and she mockingly responded “You don’t even know me!” I thought in my mind

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Kikagaku Moyo at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command October 23, 2019

Geometric Patterns are one of the best psychedelic bands of this generation, if you don’t recognize that name, perhaps you’ll know their Japanese name, Kikagaku Moyo. If you’ve ever wanted to hear music that will transport your mind and soul while your body stays put, look no further than this band’s Observatory show on 10/31. Halloween is for trippers. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO KIKAGAKU MOYO OCTOBER 31ST AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Kikagaku Moyo Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON OCTOBER 20TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Ghostemane at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command October 19, 2019

I don’t know if you’ve ever seen Ghostemane or not but if you have, you’d know that this kid is like a young Trent Reznor, only he can rap too. Musically though, his jams hit the violent, wild, and animalistic feel of those early, unchained NIN songs. He does much more than that though, his show hits metal notes with his full band of masked lunatics as well as hip hop notes, with him spitting bars fast as all fuck. The whole lineup is pretty beefy, featuring Harms Way and Lil Tracy opening for a dope mixed bill. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO GHOSTEMANE OCTOBER 22ND AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Ghostemane Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON OCTOBER 20TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

OC Rots Slow: Obituary, Abbath, and Midnight at the Observatory

Rob Shepyer October 12, 2019

For the longest time, I was consumed with the debate on who should be considered the best death metal band of all time. The usual suspects always make the list of the death metal big four: Death, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, and then the last spot seems to fluctuate between a myriad of bands. Taking their current status in the scene in regard, I thought Possessed had surpassed Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel, earning them the top spot. They still sound incredible live and put on wild shows that nearly topple the venue. However, after their sold out show at Orange County’s Observatory, I’m sorry but the top of that list is a spot reserved only for Obituary. You can take the band’s history as a partial reason why, they’ve been “slowly rotting” for 3o years now but for me, it’s all about the sonic power and how they make me feel. Having seen all the competition, nothing compares to Obituary. related content: The Battle Of The Bays: Obituary & Exodus Clash At Teragram Ballroom This was one of most anticipated tours of the year for metalheads, with a stacked lineup that featured Devil Master on first. Having witnessed their

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Dragonforce at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command October 7, 2019

Metal heads will remember the moment Dragonforce hit the map in the early 2000’s and ended up making iconically epic music. Through the Fire and the Flames still rips harder than anything. In the hopes you wield a sword and shield during this mosh pit, we are giving away a pair of ticket to their Observatory show. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO DRAGONFORCE OCTOBER 11TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Dragonforce Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON OCTOBER 9TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Subtle Like A T-Rex: The Murder City Devils in So-Cal

Jessica Moncrief August 26, 2019

Almost every time I have seen The Murder City Devils in the past, it has been with some indie or experimental band opening that is not even close to the same vibe as theirs. On one hand, they are opening up their fans to a broader perspective of music they enjoy. On the other hand, many of their supporting bands, in my opinion, have missed the mark in building up the energy before the headlining set. Those who were fortunate enough to make it to Vegas this year for Punk Rock Bowling had the chance to see MCD with fully punk line-up including Le Butcherettes and The Flytraps. While I was sad I couldn’t make it for such a glorious event, I was please to find that punk/indie alumni, The Intelligence, would be joining them for their 2 night stint in Southern California. The mic-deep throating started at The Observatory in Santa Ana the first night and the insanity continued at The Teragram Ballroom in DLTA the following evening. As much as I enjoyed the presence and energy, I wouldn’t be reporting accurately if I didn’t mention that the sound mix was off during MCD’s sets both nights. Spencer’s vocals were

Who is Orville Peck? Pink Sunsets Over the OC Observatory

Rob Shepyer August 21, 2019

If you need proof that music has the power to change society, look no further than Orville Peck. Coming from the punk and hardcore tradition of making your own rules to live by, Orville has broken the rules of country music, coming at just the right time when the country is the most broken. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Mr. Peck has skyrocketed to success at the same time as Lil Nas X, revolutionizing the same genre. I wouldn’t be surprised if the two ended up doing a duet, actually. Perhaps there was always a homosexual, sort of Tom of Finland, element to country and cowboy culture (Brokeback Mountain wouldn’t be so controversial if released today) or perhaps this genre steeped in conservatism and rigid tradition has always been begging for an artist to liberate it. Whether gay or black or both, the changing face of country mirrors the changing face of America and the Americans that would’ve rejected a whiter, straighter brand of country are ready, willing, and elated to embrace a gayer, darker country music. So who is Orville Peck? Everyone is wondering. The mask adds to the mystique, so maybe it’s better we never find

Community Outreach: Better Oblivion Community Center at the Observatory

Rob Shepyer August 13, 2019

I had been itching to see Better Oblivion Community Center for the greater part of the year up until this month. They held sold out two consecutive nights at Teragram earlier in the year and though I couldn’t squeeze my way in, I got the sense that the hype was completely deserved. For those of you who don’t know, this oddly titled band is the collaboration between Bright Eyes‘ fearless troubadour Conor Oberst and queen of Los Angeles, Phoebe Bridgers, who together create some of the most heart-felt and groovy alternative folk music you’ll ever hear. With two Southern California shows, one at the Observatory and one at the Wiltern, I wasn’t going to let this opportunity go to waste. I was going to the community meeting with my heart open for change. related content: Haley Dahl, Queen of Rock in 2019: Sloppy Jane at the Bootleg Theater I can’t remember the last group who’s songwriting touched me in such a tender way as BOCC. Songs like “Didn’t Know What I Was In For” and “Chesapeake” are described as moving for a reason, I can actually feel my heart taking a more sensitive disposition toward this life than before I hear

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Murder City Devils at Teragram or Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command August 7, 2019

We got your hook up to get at tickets to see one of Janky Smooth’s favorite bands: The Murder City Devils. A band that perfectly blends garage, punk, and American horror rock into something totally original and real. What makes this giveaway special is that you can pick your poison, Orange County or Los Angeles. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS TO THE OBSERVATORY HERE OR THE TERAGRAM HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO THE MURDER CITY DEVILS AUGUST 12TH AT THE OBSERVATORY AND THE 13TH AT TERAGRAM BALLROOM Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Murder City Devils Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON AUGUST 9TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Better Oblivion Community Center at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command August 5, 2019

People have been raving about Better Oblivion Community Center. It’s a hard band to see because they’re so in demand. And rightfully so, you tell me Conor Oberst has a folk duo with Phoebe Bridgers and I’d wanna be there too. Well, now if your chance to see the band for free because we are giving away a pair of tickets to their Observatory show. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO BETTER OBLIVION COMMUNITY CENTER AUGUST 8TH AT THE OBSERVATORY OC Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Better Oblivion Community Center Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON AUGUST 7TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Static-X at the Observatory OC

Janky Smooth Central Command July 23, 2019

To celebrate their seminal album, Wisconsin Death Trip, and to commemorate their late-great singer, Wayne Static, trend-setting nu metal band Static-X has reformed with a masked singer. As nu metal has begun to rise again and repopularize with a vengeance, this tour is a must see tour with DevilDriver and Dope coming along for the ride. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO STATIC-X JULY 25TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Static-X Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON JULY 24ND AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Pouya at the OC Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command July 22, 2019

Pouya is bringing his lightning fast rap delivery and unmistakable swagger to the Observatory OC for his Liquid Sunshine tour and we are giving away two tickets to the show. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO POUYA JULY 24TH AT THE OC OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Pouya Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON JULY 23RD AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Crossing into the Spirit World: Ceremony at The Irenic

Janky Smooth Central Command July 14, 2019

Words and Photos by: Rebecca DiGiglio The Irenic is an interesting venue, previously a church situated in the middle of a residential neighborhood, slightly awkward inside with a little elevated step area in front of the 3 foot or so high stage. I’ve also seen Ceremony some 6 or 7 years ago at the legendary Philadelphia venue First Unitarian Church, so when I heard the show announcement of one of my favorites, I was excited to see them in yet another holy house. related content: A Tsunami Of Hardcore Kids: Fury’s “Failed Entertainment” Record Release At The Observatory I got to the show just in time to see Sheer Mag (regrettably missed Bugg, as the show was quite early due to venue restrictions and, I’m told, ornery neighbors who like to file complaints). People seemed psyched on this band, with a crew ready to dance situated front and center. The Philadelphia-based band’s style of rock n’ roll with punk leanings was well received and a solid start to what was to ensue. Once they took the stage, Ceremony started out with “Sick”; I was not prepared for them to open with this and immediately got knocked over. Shortly afterwards,

Bay Area Blitzkrieg: Old Firm Casuals at 1720

Rob Shepyer July 10, 2019

The Bay Area is such a special place. The art, specifically the punk, that came from that golden strip of California, has had such a profound impact on my life that not only compares to Los Angeles but in many ways it surpasses it. Whether it be the boys in Rancid that called 924 Gilman Street home or the Dead Kennedys, CRIME, and this young band called Spiritual Cramp, I see so much truth organically coming from those bands. A Hard Times tour with these two bands, rounded out with Section H8, made for a show that brought together so many flavors of music and spellbound 1720 Warehouse. related content: A Tsunami Of Hardcore Kids: Fury’s “Failed Entertainment” Record Release At The Observatory I don’t miss a Spiritual Cramp show. Every time I see them, I find something new to love about their sound and performance. The energy is the first thing you notice, Michael Bingham’s kinetic stage antics, his jumping and swinging arms are the perfectly-paced cardio routine that leaves him drenched, pouring out all the anger and revolutionary spirit we need. This time around, I found the guitar and bass work absolutely incredibly, the tone is so reminiscent

A Tsunami of Hardcore Kids: Fury’s “Failed Entertainment” Record Release at the Observatory

Rob Shepyer July 8, 2019

Any time Ceremony make their way through Southern California, you can expect me to be there. On this Observatory date though, the band stepped down as the headliners of their tour for one night and let hometown heroes, Fury, close the show for their highly anticipated Failed Entertainment record release show. Both bands had new material to share and are on the edge of transitioning beyond fans’ expectations. Ceremony had released word of their next album Into The Spirit World Now only days before the show and Fury, who’s previous album Paramount cemented them as some of the scene’s brightest prospects, released an album that really showed their range and complexity. related content: Two Times The Biscuit Power: Gorilla Biscuits At The Roxy The entire bill was stacked with diverse genres clumped together to make for a memorable evening every stripe of rock fan could enjoy. Huntington Beach’s Diztort opened up the pit early with traditional, jagged, and pummeling hardcore that really hit that stormtrooper pace and rhythm hard for all the kids to slam to. Next, alternative rockers, Bugg, were matched with hardcore bands yet again, establishing them as the perfect breath to take between heavy noise. They too had new

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Ceremony, Fury, & Sheer Mag at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command June 24, 2019

Janky Smooth’s official favorite band, Ceremony is returning to Southern California for an incredible bill featuring Sheer Mag and Fury hot off the heels of releasing their latest album. Any hardcore kid knows that Ceremony is a band you can’t miss so we at Janky Smooth feel obligated to do our part and contribute by making sure you get to the show by any means necessary. We’re not just giving away one pair of tickets to this mother fucker, we’re giving away two. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO CEREMONY, FURY, AND SHEER MAG JUNE 30TH AT THE OC OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Ceremony Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON JUNE 27TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

The Music Millennials Make Love To: Smokin’ Grooves 2019 at the Queen Mary

Jonathan Reyes June 19, 2019

Every year a festival comes to Long Beach, each a little bit different and improved from the previous model. Summertime in the LBC on their first try, was a fun but flawed fest, I told security I was with the Wu Tang Clan and they let me on stage. The next year I wasn’t as successful telling them I used to be in NWA so I had to be on stage with Ice Cube. In 2017, Goldenvoice claimed The Queen Mary as their testing ground for boutique music festivals. Having abandoned Orange County, Long Beach offers something missing from The Observatory, a destination. How can you beat listening to music with the ocean to your side and the legendary Queen Mary in your sightline, combine a destination with an experience and you have Smokin’ Grooves‘ sophomore year. Crowds don’t clap after the set is over. It’s the weirdest thing. Its like not tipping on a to go order, you feel kind of bad because they did kind of take care of you but not really because they just did their job. related content: Summertime In The LBC: This Is Your Dad’s Hip Hop House background makes Ravyn Lenae‘s music a little more

Scream Team Hits Pomona: The Hives and Refused at the Fox Theater

Rob Shepyer June 6, 2019

Sweden produces some of the craziest art in all of Europe but with bands like The Hives and Refused, the craziest thing about them is that they’ve taken two American styles, garage punk and hardcore punk, and perfected them better than any Americans ever did. I am such a huge fan of Refused that I have a hard time believing they found a band they could open for on a tour but The Hives impressed me enough to think they earned the coveted closing spot. I always remembered the Hives as the band who’s music video for “Walk, Idiot Walk” was something I obsessed over in the heyday of MTV2. It was just so catchy and kinetic. The Hives were one of the many new wave of garage bands to take over that moment in mainstream music. While the Strokes and Whites Stripes were everywhere, The Hives were this Swedish import that had songs just as groovy to be lumped in with names that huge. related content: Albert Hammond Jr Strokes The Teragram Ballroom With these two bands combining forces for a single tour, their stop at Pomona’s Fox Theater after Punk Rock Bowling was an essential gathering from any

Sand in my Sax: Back to the Beach Festival

Dave Unbuckled May 13, 2019

I voluntarily didn’t arrive to Saturday’s show until minutes before Reel Big Fish took the stage at around 4:00, which gave me plenty of time around town to observe the legions of bat wielding ANTI-FA members, as well as the brigades of MAGA hat wearing Trump supporters, that had gathered at the Huntington Beach Pier. I still haven’t found out if this was some coincidence or planned meet up or perhaps if some Ska against Racism club just showed up early with bandanas and baseball bats to walk around town, before going to skank to their favorite band. Regardless, the crowd inside seemed arguably worse, and considerably goofier than I had anticipated, but I suppose this should be expected when three of the four festival headliners (Aquabats, Reel Big Fish and Goldfinger) were nineties-era ska bands who’s music was more prevalent in between Nickelodeon and Disney Channel shows than they were on Punk Comps. related content: Offspring In The Air: Sabroso Taco & Music Fest I shamefully grew up listening to Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish and Blink 182. They were my gateway drugs into the underground as I entered adolescence, and YES there was a time in the mid-nineties, outside of

Real Horror Show: Hat Trickers and Lower Class Brats at the Bootleg Theater

Rob Shepyer May 10, 2019

Welcome my brothers, to a gathering of Clockwork soldiers, the likes of which you’ve never seen. Among us were Adicts, Brats, and Trickers, all in for a smattering of the good ol’ ultra violence. Manic Relapse gave the West Coast a first taste of the moloko plus but it was only a few days later that Los Angeles got their fix, oh yes we did, my brothers. related content: Manic Japan: Death Side At The Regent Hat Trickers and Lower Class Brats sharing a stage at the Bootleg Theater is what droog dreams are made of. Even Monkee from the Adicts was in attendance for this horror show. Hat Trickers, all the way from Japan, are the East’s premiere Clockwork Orange inspired horror punk band. Their songs are reckless, violent, and anthemic and could lead a young man on the streets of futurist London to commit all sorts of atrocities in the name of youth, ennui, and chasing happiness. Of all the band’s that play with that movie’s aesthetics, I’d expect Hat Trickers would be Alex’s favorite. All lineup long, true punk brethren let their lights shine with some of the most visceral and in your face punk rock you

Take This: Win Two Tickets to the Bouncing Souls at The Fonda or Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command May 7, 2019

The Bouncing Souls have been a beloved, game changing band for so many punks and hardcore kids around the world since their beginning and now they’re playing the Fonda for a show that will surely please anyone in attendance. For all they’ve done for hardcore, pop punk, emo, and New Jersey, we are proud to be giving away a pair of tickets to their show. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR. ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO THE BOUNCING SOULS MAY 11TH AT THE FONDA OR MAY 12TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook The Bouncing Souls Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON THURSDAY MAY 9TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets To The Voidz at The OC Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command May 1, 2019

Before Julian Casablancas reunites The Strokes at the Wiltern or Ohana Fest, there’s time for one more Voidz show at The Observatory and we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to everyone’s favorite garage rock heart throb. Beardo and the rest of the gang will be there too. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR. ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO THE VOIDZ MAY 5TH AT THE OC OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Voidz Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON SATURDAY MAY 4TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win 2 Tickets to TECH N9NE at the OC Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command April 23, 2019

Holy shit, the OG rap assassin is coming to town and ya’ll should expect him to play all the bangers. Tech N9ne is coming the Observatory and we got two tickets for ya’ll to scoop, if you can. Whites, blacks, underground heads, mainstream heads, rap fans, rock fans, Tech N9ne brings everyone together the way only he can. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR. ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO TECH N9NE APRIL 28TH AT THE OC OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Tech N9ne Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON THURSDAY APRIL 25TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, Unrequited at Echoplex

Rob Shepyer April 22, 2019

As I’ve said previously, emo-trap represents a shift in music that will be mimicked until the whole art form changes. The same repurposing that made it possible for emo to become a one man show is now being used in country with Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” reaching number 1 on the Billboard charts. The virus is spreading. It’s no surprise to me that this ripple effect began with emo simply because at it’s heart, emo is love poetry, and hip hop is poetry. White boys singing about unrequited love while plucking flowers to ask the universe she loves me, loves me not; the power of these sentiments is enough to change the world even if they feel rather weak and lowly when you keep them to yourself. related content: Gothboiclique Represent: Lil Tracy At The Observatory This is evening at the Echoplex was dedicated to emo-trap ala Gothboiclique regulator and Tigers Jaw alumni, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal aka Adam Mcllwee. The night began with Mirsy, a singer with a powerful and mesmerizing voice that floats heavenly atop a hybrid of trap and post punk, as opposed to trap and emo. She was the most goth of the lineup and

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Ski Mask The Slump God at the OC Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command April 15, 2019

We’re dishing out two tickets to a night of hot trap in Orange County for Ski Mask the Slump God‘s show. I don’t know if you ever been to a trap night at the Observatory but it pops off harder than most events in either Los Angeles or Orange County. So, if you want to bounce, sing, mosh, and get some dope IG video along with the Observatory, hit our line! YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO SKI MASK THE SLUMP GOD APRIL 20TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Ski Mask The Slump God Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 17TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

This too Shall Pass: Black Moth Super Rainbow at the Observatory

Dillon Vaughn April 10, 2019

There’s an emotional rollercoaster interwoven throughout the textures of Tom Fec’s musical output: Black Moth Super Rainbow and Tobacco are two vastly different entities with approaches to music that manage a balance between melancholic nostalgia and aggressive experimentation, all while composing a distinct musical language entirely unique to it’s creator. As the Panic Blooms tour cycle nears it’s end, Tobacco has revealed he’ll be shelving BMSR once again (at least until he feels compelled to revive the project once more.) With that news I knew I had to attend one of the final California dates at the Observatory in Santa Ana. related content: UFOs From Tokyo California Flashback At The Lodge Room With studio material so gently nuanced it’s hard to imagine how a band could translate the material in an amplified setting. Thankfully the group has always managed to present the material live in new ways with a sense of renewed energy – all while maintaining the sense of intimacy that is so crucial to these compositions. The setlist in rotation this time pulls from songs throughout their entire catalog and gives enough new material to keep anyone that saw them on the first leg of the tour last year entertained. One

Gothboiclique Represent: Lil Tracy at the OC Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command April 3, 2019

Words and Photos by: Maggie St. Thomas On Friday night, March 29th, in the Constellation Room at The Observatory in Santa Ana, rap artists Lil’ Raven and Lil’ Tracy headlined the much-anticipated show. Lil’ Raven, a rapper from Virginia, included “Channel Drip”, “You Might”, and “5 Bands” in his set. He was fun, alive, and gave lots of love to his fans –whether it was taking photographs with everyone after the show or shaking hands and giving love to the crowd while on stage during his set. After Lil’ Raven performed, Lil’ Tracy was introduced to a packed venue with everyone’s flashlights on their phones shining from the crowd. The stage was packed with Lil’ Tracy peeps and fans alike throughout his entire set. He opened up with “Your Favorite Dress”, which caused immediate frenzy among the entire crowd, and then went into “Pictures”. “Hands up, Everybody! Hands up!” he shouted as he hyped the entire crowd. He honored the memory of his late counterpart and friend, Lil’ Peep, whom he once shared that very stage with. Then, after kicking the DJ booth and slamming his microphone on the mixing table, he covered a few of Lil’ Peep’s songs, including “Witchblades”, and ended the night performing

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Black Moth Super Rainbow at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command March 19, 2019

Black Moth Super Rainbow and Janky Smooth cement their relationship yet again with another giveaway from us to you. Join the transcendental, psychedelic, cinematic music experience with all the heads in Orange County that will be getting lifted in the Observatory. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR. ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW MARCH 28TH AT THE OBSERVATORY OC Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Black Moth Super Rainbow Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON MONDAY MARCH 25TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

OC did it all for the Nookie: Musink Tattoo Convention & Music Fest 2019

Rob Shepyer March 15, 2019

At the beginning of the year, I foresaw the resurgence of nu metal. Long dismissed and derided as one of the most cringe-worthy, toxic, and talentless genres of all time, it would turn out the place it held in the hearts of elder millennials never faded away as they grew up. Bands like Korn, Slipknot, and Deftones have maintained a place at the top of the mountain as bands that can always draw big crowds but Limp Bizkit still seems like an outsider among them even though back in the day, they were arguably the biggest of those bands. Musink 2019 would blow the flood gates open and give nu metal the retribution people were silently begging for. Limp Bizkit would headline Day 2 and signal to all the haters that the Bizkit is back. That same week, LB announced a surprise show at the Troubadour for only 3 dollars. Those that were in attendance know Limp Bizkit put on what was without question, love them or hate them, a legendary performance. Featuring covers of the Who, Nirvana, and Journey with guests such a Billy Corgan, Marilyn Manson, and Machine Gun Kelly, the show was so raucous one fan even jumped from

Take This: Win 2 Tickets to Action Bronson at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command March 11, 2019

The big red machine, Action Bronson, is coming back to the Observatory for a night of some of the best most lyrical white boy rap you can hear in 2019. Get your hip hop head and foodie friends out to the party for the White Bronco tour. There’s gonna be beers, there’s gonna be blunts, there’s gonna be beats, and damn it, you’re going to have fuck tons of fun. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO ACTION BRONSON MARCH 15TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Action Bronson Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON MONDAY MARCH 13TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win 2 Tickets to Scars on Broadway at the Observatory OC

Janky Smooth Central Command February 25, 2019

Daron Malakian is a genius. Whatever the artistic endeavor, you know it’s going to be crazy, unique, twisted, and mind-blowing. That certainly goes for System of a Down, but his other band, Scars on Broadway delivers just as regularly. The band performs once every blue moon so this is a treat for anyone in the Orange County area. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO SCARS ON BROADWAY MARCH 7TH AT THE OBSERVATORY OC Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Scars on Broadway Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON FRIDAY MARCH 1ST AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win 2 Tickets to Leftover Crack at the OC Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command February 12, 2019

Take This: Win 2 Tickets to Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel

Janky Smooth Central Command February 7, 2019

The Decibel magazine tour has returned with dates at The Fonda Theatre and The OC Observatory. This year’s lineup is by far one of the magazine’s most devastating with Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel co-headlining and brining classic American death metal headbanging and circle pits from hell to your city. Then when you think that’s all, Necrot and Blood Incantation round out the bill to make an absolutely power house and ravaging lineup for an evening. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS TO THE FONDA SHOW HERE OR THE OBSERVATORY SHOW HERE ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO THE DECIBEL MAGAZINE TOUR W/CANNIBAL CORPSE AND MORBID ANGEL FEBRUARY 21ST AT THE FONDA THEATRE OR FEBRUARY 22ND AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Follow us on Instagram or Twitter or Like us on Facebook Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Decibel Magazine Tour Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 18TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Don’t Fear the Weird: Fidlar’s Record Release at Teragram

Dillon Vaughn February 4, 2019

Despite 2019 being the 10th anniversary of Fidlar‘s existence, I first heard the band around two years ago while on tour (late to the game, I know.) We were driving somewhere through the Carolinas in a rattling van formerly used to shuttle the homeless out of LA and all six of us were hungover as hell. With four of the bandmates passed out in the back, I was riding shotgun and taking in the sights while my friend that was driving cued up Fidlar’s 2015 record Too and began singing along in that kind of raspy voice you have after a long night out. Something about the tone of that album – the wistfulness, pacing, and honesty about facing adulthood resonated perfectly with the moment. Almost Free, the album being celebrated and released recently at the Teragram marked a new direction for the band that captured their interest in exploring new song structures and instrumentation and allowed this show to highlight other LA bands approaching music with a similar attitude. related content: Family, Friends, FIDLAR: A Punk Rock Love Fest At The Observatory “Don’t Fear the Weird,” the motto scrawled in red across Brandon Schwartzel’s bass guitar summed up both the new direction for

Songs of Freedom: Jesse Malin’s Gates of the West at the Roxy

Rob Shepyer February 2, 2019

The damage done by the last string of California wildfires is still being felt and so relief is still needed to rebuild all the lives that were changed forever. Music, which always seems to be the source of spiritual refuge for those in need, came to the rescue in the form of Gates of the West, an all-star celebration of the life of Joe Strummer hosted by D-Generation’s Jesse Malin. related content: Jesse Malin And All Star Rockers Raise Money For A Friend At The Roxy The night began with a musical collaborator of Joe Strummer’s, Zander Schloss who took the stage solo with an acoustic guitar to play three songs including “Redemption Song” and “Go Straight to Hell”. Following him, Jesse Malin and his house band took the stage to play a set of originals that harkened back to rock and roll’s heyday of coolness, swagger and nonchalance. Jesse was on the guitar, in the crowd, jumping and jiving, and singing his guts out with more New York attitude than Los Angeles is used to. One special moment was when the band covered a Pogues song because Shane McGowan called the Cat and Fiddle bar in Los Angeles to

Heart to Mouth with LP at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command January 29, 2019

Words and Photos by: Maggie St. Thomas While promoting her 5th studio release Heart To Mouth, singer Laura Pergolizzi better known across the globe as LP kicked off the first night of her much anticipated and heavily sold out North American Heart To Mouth 2019 Tour at the Observatory in Santa Ana. Playing in support for this critically acclaimed recording artist and songwriter on a vast stretch of the tour is LP’s fiancé’ Lauren Ruth Ward, another high energy performer with an exceptional vocal range, and with instruments that compliment her free spirit including a star shaped tambourine, and red and white polka dotted mushroom maracas. related content: The Queens Converge At Outside Lands 2018 The sold out venue goes dark and the crowd screams in anticipation. It was a sight to behold and everyone in attendance was immediately transfixed the second LP’s boots hit the stage. LP’s voice is powerful and euphoric, creating an expansive dreamlike state that becomes a high all in itself. Her stage presence is magnetic from any angle, unique and unforgettable. Accenting her strikingly sharp androgynous look with her signature wild brown curls, tonight she sported a teal colored long sleeve pirate shirt, a dark vest, pencil think black

Take This: Win 2 Tickets to Musink Music Festival & Tattoo Convention

Janky Smooth Central Command January 21, 2019

Holy shit… Oh, man… we got two tickets to Musink Music Festival & Tattoo Convention to giveaway… So stoked. Who will be the lucky winner to see Limp Bizkit for free??? It’s killing me just thinking about it. I’m dying from the anticipation. The nookie is not the only reason for attending this festival though. On night 1 we get a slew of hardcore bands playing from Bleeding Through, to Sick of it All, Hatebreed, and closing out with Suicidal Tendencies, the crossover band of our time. Night 2 has LB headlining but all the bands supporting are sure to have killer sets like Travis Barker, Ho99o9, and special guests which I can only guess will be filled with exciting surprises of the year. I have no idea who to expect and I love it. The final day closes with punk from start to finish. I can’t wait to see Flag and the Dead Kennedys, I’m over the Jello elitism. TSOL will be amazing too especially if they play anything off Change Today. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO MUSINK FESTIVAL MARCH 8TH, 9TH, AND 10TH AT OC FAIR AND EVENTS CENTER Step 1- Join Our

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Reverend Horton Heat at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command January 16, 2019

Rev your hot rod engines for the Reverend Horton Heat because he’s coming back to the OC for wo consecutive nights of rock and roll at the Observatory. Each show has a slew of different openers with Big Sandy, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and Mustard Plug on 1/18 then Big Sandy, The 5.6.7.8’s, The Delta Bombers, and James Inveld on 1/19. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO REVEREND HORTON HEAT JANUARY 18TH AND 19TH AT THE OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Reverend Horton Heat Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON THURSDAY JANUARY 17TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Flowers and Oysters: Yasiin Bey at the Observatory

Jessica Moncrief January 9, 2019

I missed Yasiin Bey‘s set at Smokin’ Grooves over the summer and deeply regretted it, so when the opportunity arose to see him perform in an intimate setting like The Observatory, I was elated to redeem myself for one of my biggest FOMO moments of 2018. related content: Black Is Beautiful: Smokin’ Grooves Festival At The Queen Mary Before Yasiin made his way out, his DJ spun iconic songs that have since been sampled in modern day hip hop, Joe Simons “Before The Night Is Over”, which you may remember was sampled in Outkast’s “So Fresh So Clean”, was one of many. Perhaps to signify love and his soul’s active presence in creation, Yasiin prepared the stage by sprinkling rose petals all around it, he then spray painted the word “Oysters” on a white sheet as he began his set. During his first song, Yasiin Bey took one look at the two of us in the photo pit and requested for the house to dim the lights. The photo journalist in me accepted the challenge to “get the story” regardless of the lighting situation, however the human part of me struggled with the inherently dirty feeling of photographing someone who

Janky Smooth Top 10 SHOWS of 2018 Rated by Contributors

Janky Smooth Central Command December 27, 2018

What a year for shows in Los Angeles 2018 was. This is undoubtably the best city in the world for live music, so consider each list by our contributors 10 reasons why. Reunion shows alone were off the chain, Burger Boogaloo featured two comeback sets, Devo and Le Shok. Both performances were wild and unforgettable, making much deserved appearances below. Lets not forget about Stray Cats reuniting at Viva Las Vegas or Helloween’s epic Pumpkins United at the Palladium or Bleeding Through at the Observatory or My Bloody Valentine at The Shrine either. related content: The De-Evolution of Burger Boogaloo So many promoters delivered the goods in 2018. Das Bunker brought Covenant to 1720, Part Time Punks gave us Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel at the Echoplex, Church of the 8th Day sold out the Teragram with Napalm Death, and Lethal Amounts sold sex at Sex Cells with Hercules and Love Affair. Each of these shows are among the many these promoters held that were rare highlights of the year. related content: Groveling Before The Gods Of Grind: Napalm Death At The Teragram Punk rock represented hard, especially out of the Latin sector of Angelino culture. Club Scum held an

Take This: Win 2 Tickets to X at The Observatory OC

Janky Smooth Central Command December 21, 2018

Los Angeles punk rock icons X are making their way south to Orange County to perform two nights at the Observatory along with a few of their favorite openers, Los Lobos and The Blasters. Get ready from some cow punk and Chicano love music because the two nights will be ones to remember. Janky Smooth is giving away two pairs of tickets to these special shows, one pair for each night. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO X DECEMBER 27TH OR DECEMBER 28TH AT THE OBSERVATORY OC Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Tag a Friend in the comment section of our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook X Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON MONDAY DECEMBER 24TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

The Culture’s Collective: BROCKHAMPTON at the OC Observatory

Aria Silva-Espinosa December 6, 2018

It’s comforting to see that the evolution of the iconic American boy band has landed so gracefully at this spot in the natural trajectory. Brockhampton owes a portion of their success to the VICELAND show titles American Boyband, thus drawing the comparison between the modern-day hip hop collective and the saccharine sweet talkers of the 90’s like ‘NSYNC or Boyz II Men. Truthfully, it isn’t a fair comparison and Brockhampton has defined themselves as a unique tribe of diverse delivery styles. Their first album was good, the SATURATION album trilogy got better and better and then in 2018 Brockhampton brought us iridescence, a new classic to glitter your playlists and binge listen the same way I did with SATURATION III. I was definitely excited to see what kind of crowd they would draw from the depths of Orange County, a place riddled with teenaged discontent and disillusionment embedded safely in the comfort of the suburbs. related content: Corn Dogs, Fashion, Puke, And Rap: Camp Flog Gnaw 2018 Approaching The Observatory, the screen above the box office read ‘SOLD OUT’ in giant red letters. Inside the venue, the crowd was packed into the riser-style standing area with determination, the pit was

Corn Dogs, Fashion, Puke, and Rap: Camp Flog Gnaw 2018

Rob Shepyer November 13, 2018

Los Angeles’ fashionable youth came out in full force to see the hip hop lineup of the year at Dodger Stadium for Tyler, The Creator’s annual Camp Flog Gnaw. Call it a camp but it’s more of a concert carnival with every sort of fanfare and confection you’d find at a state fair. Slushees, corn dogs, donuts, topsy-turvy rides, every kind of fatty fair food, games, and even post-mates bicyclists to fetch you whatever your lazy ass desires. related content: Camp Flog Gnaw 2015: Beats, Beefs, And Building Your Brand Camp Flog Gnaw 2018 sold out in less than an hour and afterward, ticket prices skyrocketed into the thousands. With numerous millennials paying for their tickets off their rich parents’ dollar, there was something undeniably youthful and nihilistic about the crowd and how hard they’d party. On my way there, plenty of Ubers and Lyfts had to stop off the side of Vin Scully Avenue to let their passengers puke out the window. The puke didn’t end there, the various coasters people launched their bodies on only dispelled more wet, looney lung butter out their vulnerable gutty-wuts. Would the hype live up to the music, though? Was Camp Flog Gnaw

For Boy George, Anything: Culture Club at the Big Fresno Fair

Janky Smooth Central Command October 16, 2018

Words and Photos: Maggie St. Thomas At the turn of the century, I had the honor of being Culture Club’s only photographer at their San Diego show. It was an absolute delight having the entire photo pit to myself for the first three songs. Boy George walked onstage and right up to me as the band began with the opening notes of “Church of The Poison Mind.” George knelt down with style and grace as he positioned his right hand delicately below his chin with his left hand holding the microphone. As soon as the shutter button was pressed twice for good luck, George gave me a wink and got up to begin the show. I have included a handful of these very photographs for this article, shot on 35mm film, and never before published until now. related content: Kick Out The Jams: MC50 At The Observatory One thing is for sure, Boy George and Culture Club know how to dazzle and have been doing so since the bands inception in London 1981. Their third single, a Jamaican infused pop melody released in 1982 titled “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me,” is described by George as his DNA, and went

Kick Out The Jams: MC50 at the Observatory

Maggie St. Thomas October 14, 2018

Words and Photos by: Maggie St. Thomas The innovators of punk were the Motor City 5, known for their high energy live performances, being aggressive revolutionaries of the 1960’s and the house band of the White Panther Party. The MC5 recorded their first album Kick Out The Jams live on October 30th and 31st 1968 at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom. In May 2018, Brother Wayne Kramer announced the MC50 tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kick Out the Jams across the world with a supergroup line-up including himself, and his partner of this guitar army Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), Billy Gould on bass (Faith No More), pounding drum beats by original MC5 drummer Dennis “Machine Gun” Thompson and joining him to his right was drummer Brendan Canty (Fugazi). Replacing Rob Tyner on vocals with the towering 6’7’’ frame and image reminiscent of the late lead singer stood Marcus Durant (Zen Guerrilla), and Billy Gould on bass lines (Faith No More). related content: Teen Angst Never Dies: Alkaline Trio At The Observatory Nearly 50 years to the date of recording, Saturday October 6th, 2018 in Santa Ana, we paid tribute to this all star line-up that sounded rude and unhinged as ever with domination firing off notes like rockets within the walls of the OC Observatory. Brother Wayne Kramer delivered

Teen Angst Never Dies: Alkaline Trio at the Observatory

Dave Unbuckled October 11, 2018

There’s really no point in beating around the fact that the average age of attendees at the shows I look forward to has well surpassed their mid-20s hipster cred and are slowly blending in with the crowds of parents — most are looking for a safe night out that can reinvigorate some of their teenage angst. Tonight, however, was a culminating difference in the obviousness of this dilemma, made apparent by the leagues of mothers rushing outside in between sets, to call babysitters, and make sure everyone at home finished their homework and chores. On Thursday, October 4th, Alkaline Trio headlined their second sold out night at the Observatory OC, with openers Sharp/Shock and Together Pangea falling mostly onto deaf ears. Though there might have been a few in the audience who closely follow lead singer Matt Skiba’s personal endeavors to recognize Sharp/Shock as one of the few bands on Skiba’s Heart & Skull label, most waited patiently for the headliners to show their face on the main stage. related content: When We Were Young Festival’s Most Dominant Demographic: Mine Sharp/Shock held their own with Together Pangea, and have cemented a worthy ability to share the stage with many of

Time Machine for Young and Old: Gary Numan at the Fonda

Audrey Kemp October 9, 2018

Gary Numan teleported his Los Angeles audience into his multidimensional universe for the final leg of his “Savage” tour on Saturday. It was 8:00 p.m. The venue, called the Fonda Theater, has a capacity of 1200. By the time the I got there, around six, a dense line of fans had circled the block, waiting for the door to open. They were mainly clad in leather jackets and Nine Inch Nails shirts, and with the exception of some millennials, almost all of them seemed to be older than 50. related content: Gary Numan Interview: Art In The Age Of Savages When the doors opened, a sea of veteran fans and first-time attendees flooded the floor. For 63-year-old Mike Sperks, who’s seen Gary Numan 10 times since 1979, he’s gotten better and better. “I like his music better now. There’s more energy. My all-time favorite song of his is ‘Prayer for the Unborn’ — a song dedicated to his unborn child,” he said. Among the older people was a group of 18-year-old University of Redlands students from a class called “Punk Rock DIY for Personal and Social Change.” Their professor held Mr. Numan in such high regard that he bought them

CHVRCHES Give the Greek a Religious Experience

Aria Silva-Espinosa September 27, 2018

Sunday night’s show at The Greek Theater brought a massive slew of concert-goer traffic to the thin winding roads at the base of Griffith Park, overlooked by the throngs of tourists lining the observation deck of the Observatory. Back in the day, you were permitted to abandon your automobile on the precipice of the canyon overlooking the city of Los Angeles, now you have to pay gratuitously for parking in less perilous locations designated by L.A. Parks & Rec. The Greek is an imposing white amphitheatre-style building, an open-air venue that backs up to the darkened cliffside. This makes for a long walk through sports arena-style seating to find your seat with the assistance of an usher or if you’re like me and too proud to ask for direction, your cell phone flashlight. related content: Hot Chip Make Machines Come To Life At The Greek Fittingly, there was an almost full moon hanging in the sky on Sunday night. Lo Moon, the opening act from Los Angeles, delivered a fittingly lovelorn performance early in the evening. Lo Moon is a relatively new formed indie rock trio. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Lowell played the song “Loveless“, which he had been

Rafael Reyes of Prayers Interview: On Fatherhood

Rob Shepyer September 21, 2018

With a baby on the way and a two shows in So-Cal announced, Prayers are back to spellbind audiences with their unique Cholo-goth music and movement. I got to ask singer, Rafael Reyes about fatherhood, new music, and more. RS: Now that you’re about to begin the journey of fatherhood, what values do you want to instill in your son? What things that you love do you look forward to introducing him to? RR: Like most parents, I hope our son will be a compassionate, respectful, patient and courageous individual – basically everything that my wife embodies. I look forward to introducing our son Leafar to Mother Nature, music and reading. RS: What do you hope your son will inherit from you and your side of the family? What do you hope he will inherit from Kat? RR: In all honesty, I’m aware I have my own set of issues I wouldn’t want to pass on to my son. But with that being said, I’ve learned a lot through my struggles, and I wanna be able to pass down some of my life experiences. Because of my upbringing, I learned from an early age how to take care of myself and my

Gary Numan Interview: Art in the Age of Savages

Audrey Kemp September 18, 2018

I was fortunate enough to submit the probing questions of past, present and current audiophiles to synthesizer pioneer Mr. Gary Numan by means of cyberspace. We discussed his 18th studio album Savage, the current global state of affairs and the unforeseeable future. related content: Millennial Matchmaking: Gary Numan & Ugly God At The Observatory AK: These days, synthesizers are as common as a guitars in a song. Being a pioneer of the computerized world, would you care to share your thoughts on the proliferation of synthesized music? GN: I think it adds a level of sonic interest to music to see them widely used. However, it would be a mistake to think that synthesizers are all there is to electronic music. On my albums synths account for some of the sounds but not all of them by any means. Much of it comes from recording all manner of noises from the environment and then manipulating them to make them work musically. It’s not really about synths, it’s about sound, noise, whatever you can find that makes an interesting addition to a song. AK: Tubeway Army was one of the first bands of your time to break away from what was

Long Live The Funk: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic at the Observatory

Jessica Moncrief September 6, 2018

George Clinton has come a long way since forming The Parliaments as a teenager in a barbershop in Plainfield. Since the beginning of his career, the legendary godfather of funk has been making music and inspiring young creatives for more than 6 generations. In April of this year, he announced that he would be bidding farewell to the stage with a world wide tour in 2018. While the news is saddening, hanging up his hat in style with around 50 golden years of touring seems more than appropriate. While walking up to The Observatory I heard a group of teenage girls chatting when one exclaimed, “This is the best ever, my heart is so full right now!” I’m sure it was the molly talking, but I couldn’t help but reminisce about my own first time seeing Parliament in 1998. Some shows change the course of your history much like Parliament has for the modern face of music, seeing George Clinton had a huge impact on my personal passion for live music as well and happened to actually be my very first show to be guest-listed. related content: Summertime In The LBC: Love Letter To A City That Doesn’t Always

The Daytona Experience: Pusha T at the Observatory

Rob Shepyer September 4, 2018

2018 has been an amazing year for rap. We’ve seen the return of Slim Shady, five Kanye West produced albums, and one of the most volatile rap beefs to ever occur in the game with Pusha T completely destroying Drake. Along with making a star fall, Pusha T created my favorite album of the year, the first of the five Kanye produced albums of 2018, Daytona. related content: Summertime In The LBC: This Is Your Dad’s Hip Hop From the very beginning, when the album cover was released and we saw Whitney Houston’s addiction exploited for art with a photograph of her drug strewn bathroom as the cover, Daytona garnered controversy and hype. Then with “Infared”, the last track on the short, seven song album taking shots at Drake, nucleur heat was generated between the two rap Gods. For the first time in a long while, traditional rap stabbed through trap’s control of hip hop media. Finally, there was a ray of hope that hip hop could rekindle its golden years when the metric of quality was lyricism and beef elevated everyone in the game. So Pusha took shots at Drake with “Infared” then Drake came back with “Duppy Freestyle” and Pusha

Dead Moon Night: A Tribute to Fred Cole at the Echo

Audrey Kemp August 31, 2018

Metal-heads, goths, rock-n-rollers and cowboys young and old packed in like sardines before a stage festooned in funerary flowers and a dead man in the moon under a dim red haze. The chemistry that bonded them? A common love and appreciation for Dead Moon and the late Frederick Lee Cole. Toody Cole, co-founder and bassist of DIY rock-n-roll band Dead Moon, hand-picked her entourage of unique L.A. musicians, including former guitarist of Cat Power Gregg Foreman, Warren Thomas of The Abigails, Zumi Rosow and Cole Alexander of the Black Lips, Cheap Tissue, Sons of the Southwest, Sharif Dumani of the Alice Bag band and others, for a special night at the Echo in Los Angeles to honor Fred Cole and to commemorate the release of the new Dead Moon art book on his would-have-been 70th birthday. related content: Berserktown II: Music Fringe Binge At The Observatory The groups covered some highlights from Fred’s vast repertoire of work, including that from bands such as The Lollipop Shoppe and Dead Moon. The festivities began with a screening of Kate Fix and Jason Summer’s documentary, Unknown Passage: the Dead Moon Story (2004), a story Warren Thomas of the satanic Outlaw Country band the

Take This: Win 2 Tickets to George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at OC Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command August 17, 2018

You wanted the funk, well the Observatory is bringing it with George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic on October 3oth. Experience the Mothership Connection for their final tour because after this George is off to a galaxy far, far away for who knows how long. Janky Smooth is proud to give you the chance to catch this icon and musical genius perform funk classics with his legendary band. Bow wow wow yippee yo yippe yay. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR. ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC AUGUST 30th at The Observatory Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up everytime you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Share or RT this or giveaway post or Tag a Friend in the comment section of any of our INSTAGRAM George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON MONDAY AUGUST 20th AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Huntington Beach Gets Weird: The Weirdos at Gallagher’s Pub

Audrey Kemp August 1, 2018

The renowned Los Angeles punk band The Weirdos played Gallagher’s Pub in Huntington Beach on Saturday with the same tenacity as their first gig in the area 40 years ago at The Golden Bear.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones See The Next Wave Coming at the Regent

Janky Smooth Central Command July 7, 2018

Halfway through The Mighty Mighty Bosstones set at the Regent in Los Angeles, California, vocalist Dicky Barrett boasted that the band had booked two “new” ska bands as openers for the gig from two different countries- Mexico and the U.K. He went on to remark that we are now entering a “Fourth Wave of Ska Music.” This follow up commentary begged two questions: the first being whether or not we truly experiencing a “Fourth Wave” and, secondly, if so, is this something we should be celebrating? related content: Finally, A Ska Review: Less Than Jake At Teragram “The Fourth Wave of Ska” is indeed a terminology which is beginning to be thrown around lately. In fact, Angel City Records recently released a compilation of 24 current ska groups titled “Birth Of the Fourth Wave of Ska,” with a heavy emphasis on bands who pay homage to the soul, R&B, and Motown roots of the First Wave of ska born in the 60’s in Jamaica. If the Fourth Wave is to be defined by a return to ska’s 60’s roots, neither of the Bosstones’ opening bands would truly fit into the category. Mexico’s Los Kung Fu Monkeys would not only be disqualified by the

Arroyo Seco: The Nostalgic, the Timeless, and the Real

Rob Shepyer June 27, 2018

Read this in the voice of Paul Mooney: Arroyo Seco is so white that it makes Stagecoach look like Smokin’ Grooves Festival. related content: Black Is Beautiful: Smokin’ Grooves Festival At The Queen Mary All kidding aside, this festival gave me more food for thought and introspection than any concert I had been to all year. The music add me think about getting old and how to stay eternally young. Neil Young made me think that humanity, as a whole, has lost some vital realness. Day 1 Arriving too early on Saturday, I moseyed onto the festival grounds under a burning white sun that would turn all of Los Angeles a brittle pink. Dipping my feet into the music, I wandered about the stages catching glimpses of Maxim Ludwig, who sounded as close to adult/dad rock as I’m ever willing to listen to or Typhoon, a band from Portland that sounds and looks exactly what I imagine most bands from Portland sound and look like: Fiddles, beards, tattoos, and beanies. I enjoyed the bands, just not enough to stay at a stage until I found a nice shady spot under a tree to watch some good, ol’ fashioned rock and roll

Janky Meets Marty: The Dwarves at Marty’s on Newport

Jessica Moncrief June 21, 2018

If you frequently attend concerts in the Southern California area, you have likely received a barrage of promotional emails from a place called Marty’s and you may even recognize the name. The Observatory’s talent buyer Jeff Shuman & X’s manager Mike Rouse have bought out Marty’s, a dive bar gem smack dab in the heart of butt-fucked Tustin, California—in its past life, the bar was known as Marty’s Bar and Grill and hosted mostly karaoke nights and occasionally cover bands. Today, the pair have changed the name to Marty’s On Newport and are developing a business model for Marty’s similar to smaller independent music venues such as The Casbah in San Diego and The Redwood In DTLA. The location may not be as prime as the previously mentioned venues but a huge mailing list of dedicated music junkies, long standing relationships with legendary musicians, and the allure of seeing well known bands in an intimate setting (a max capacity of only around 150 guests) could be the key components that lead to the success of this endeavor. related content: A Bloody Reunion: Bleeding Through At The Observatory Last Monday, a free, secret, show at Marty’s, featuring The Dwarves and The Hurricanes was announced online. It was

A Bloody Reunion: Bleeding Through At The Observatory

Rob Shepyer June 14, 2018

Back in the early 2000’s when I was a strapping young teenager, MTV2’s resurrected Headbanger’s Ball was a relevant place to get your metal fix and hear new bands. In those days, the young kings of the hill were Killswitch Engage, Mastodon, Lamb of God, Shadow’s Fall, and Bleeding Through. Unlike the other bands I just mentioned, Bleeding Through wasn’t just metal but metalcore, a genre that I always relegated to nothing more than Emo’s angry bastard child. Bleeding Through is not only the exception to this (stupid) rule of mine but they’re one of my favorite bands. related content: The Most Complete Sound And Fury 2017 Review On Earth After going on a five year hiatus, Bleeding Through is back with one of the best metal albums I’ve heard all decade. Love Will Kill All is in my opinion, the band’s best album. Every song kicks ass and is perfectly set in the track list to sculpt a greater concept of what the band was, is, and will always be. The heavy parts hit more authentically than other metalcore bands in 2018 and the melodic parts capture you with undeniable hooks. The album’s first single “Set Me Free” is

The Dead Milkmen Deliver Cartons of Fun for 2 Nights at Teragram

Rob Shepyer June 6, 2018

The Dead Milkmen are one of the most multi-dimensional and versatile punk bands in the history of the sport. In fact, after seeing them live at the Teragram ballroom, i feel almost as if they’re two bands in one, having one cadence when Rodney Linderman (Rodney Anonymous) sings and another when Joe Genaro sings. Both sides of the coin make for a band that captures the essence of punk and the people that love the music. The set that awaited me on this Friday evening, surrounded by scene veterans that were infantilized to their teenage years in anticipation, was one that truly inspired me as an artist. I heard in The Dead Milkmen’s music a delicate and precise balance between sardonic humor, aggression, and fun that showed me what could be possible in music. related content: Who Needs Pins When you’ve Got Spikes? GBH At The Observatory The first opener of the evening was local band, Small Wigs, a rock and roll quintet with garage sensibilities and shining musicianship. The duel guitar work was impressive and thrilling but they kept it low key, making songs that felt true to an authentic rock and roll. Small Wigs photos from night 1 by

Who Needs Pins When You’ve Got Spikes? GBH at the Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command May 31, 2018

It’s 8pm in Southern California, the night before Punk Rock Bowling kicks off in Las Vegas: do you know where the local punks are? You might assume they’re all somewhere between another vegan straight-edge food stop and pure Barstow bat country; in reality, a number of them are sticking close to home and swimming in the perks of perfect proximity. related content: Against Me! Stuns At The Observatory Before Punk Rock Bowling It’s this crowd I thoroughly appreciated sharing time with on a just right Friday night at Santa Ana’s OC Observatory. I haven’t nailed down my theory on why they stayed: maybe some got a late start and headed out after, maybe this is where the class lines are drawn (PRB ain’t cheap), maybe they just don’t fucking care about the festival. Either way, staying home didn’t mean losing out, as this lineup brought out a healthy and hyped crowd, ready to catch some PRB acts without having to dive into Las Vegas decadence, depravity, and possible debt. Unfortunately for the opener, Spain’s CRIM, who deserved a bigger audience, the crowd came out in a slow trickle. CRIM has a compelling, if confusing, take on Oi!—the influence is so

Against Me! Stuns at The Observatory Before Punk Rock Bowling

Jessica Moncrief May 30, 2018

One of the great things about being a Punk living in Southern California, is Punk Rock Bowling season. A slew of legendary punk bands tend to make LA/OC area their official stop to kick off their weekend of debauchery and 2018 has proven to be no different than in past years. The copious amount of stellar line-ups that pop up all over SoCal the week leading up to Memorial Day Weekend each year often cause those of us who experience extreme cases of FOMO severe anxiety when deciding which shows to pick. Performances by Against Me! along with tour mates Chris Farren and Sharp Shock last Monday at The Observatory were the prefect way for many to kick off PRB season. related content: Punk Rock Bowling 2017: You Can’t Be What You Were Words and Photos by: Jessica Moncrief

Take This: Win 2 Tickets To The Melvins At The Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command May 17, 2018

Fathers of sludge and elder-statesman of rock and roll, The Melvins are returning to the OC Observatory on July 12th and Janky Smooth is giving a pair of tickets away to one lucky fan. If you haven’t seen the Melvins live before than I don’t feel like you can call yourself a real LA music head. They’re essential viewing. See for yourself what it would be like if Captain Beefheart played metal on July 12th at The Observatory. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR. ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS FOR THE MELVINS JULY 12TH 2018, THE OC OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up everytime you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Share or RT this post on FB or Twitter or Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM Melvins Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON FRIDAY JUNE 1st AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win 2 Tickets to Godspeed You! Black Emperor at The Observatory

Janky Smooth Central Command May 15, 2018

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is a landmark band in the history of music with the innovations they’ve made in the world of post-rock. With their latest release, Luciferian Towers, the band has only intensified the mark they’ve made. Be ready to be thrilled, chilled, and find perfect lucidity in the dramatic instrumental highs and lows of the sonic and emotional roller coaster this band takes you on at every performance. Janky Smooth is proud to to give you the chance to win 2 tickets to see Godspeed You! Black Emperor at the OC Observatory on Thursday, May 24th. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS FOR GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR MAY 24th 2018, THE OC OBSERVATORY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up everytime you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2- Share or RT this post on FB or Twitter or Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM Godspeed You! Black Emperor Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON MONDAY, MAY 21st AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

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