Tag: featured

Photo Recap: Joey Bada$$ at House of Blues San Diego

Janky Smooth Central Command August 1, 2022

To celebrate the anniversary of his iconic album, 2012’s 1999, Joey Bada$$ brought his unmistakably real flow and bars to the House of Blues San Diego for an unforgettable show and clinic in all things true hip hop. We sent a photographer out to capture the night’s highlights and in these pictures you can almost hear Joey’s gold standard for spitting rhymes. Along with 1999, Joey performed songs off his most recent album, 2000. Time seems to slow down at Joey Bada$$ shows. He likes to take audiences on trips to the past when hip hop was a little different and lyrics were king above all. Photos by: Rebecca DiGiglio Joey Bada$$

Photo Recap: The Zombies at the Fonda

Rob Shepyer August 1, 2022

Los Angeles, and the greater American West Coast, is perhaps the most important hub for all modern psychedelic music, but before the music world was California Dreaming, The Zombies had already begun synthesizing the psychedelic experience into sonic waves and flourishes. The music they created didn’t just reproduce the feeling of psychedelics, it was far beyond any kind of substance use. This Zombies expanded consciousness itself so the psychedelic experience could be accessed without having to take a single drop of anything. They found the notes, combination of instruments, artists and visuals to reshape rock music’s vibration into something that harkened back to the past and also saw a distant future far beyond this dimension. Seeing them perform at the Fonda was both a celebration of rock and roll’s rich history as well as a return to a more human sensibility lost in the digital age where the lyrics of “Time of the Season” made much more sense and were felt on a deeper level. The Zombies didn’t just stop at playing the hits, they included B-sides as well as new music written during the pandemic. Everyone in attendance hailed The Zombies as the Gods of psychedelic rock that they

Possession by Bass: Thundercat at the Broad

Jonathan Reyes July 27, 2022

Possession, it takes hold like a wave pulling you under the bass notes and syncopated rhythm section of Thundercat, the spiritually eponymous name of the composer I currently am referring to. He who makes the sky crack the way Mr. Murakami’s steps on The Tail Of A Rainbow making it scream and cry out its swirling rainbow blood across his canvases. The notes from the bass radiate through the openings in the side of the Broad Museum in Downtown Los Angeles. While I stand before a massive flower sculpture I closed my eyes for a moment, the augmented reality of my own imagination saw the vines dancing, one of the rainbow flowers face turned into Thundercat and the flowers on the walls cheered. visionary community members, Thundercat and Takashi Murakami, sharing their deepest feeling and thoughts after processing the ways of the world and then giving it back something that brings smiles to peoples faces everywhere it goes. I like seeing a performance from the side of a stage. I would love to one day experience a top-down view but what I like about being on the side is you get to see the mechanics of the artistry. The drummer’s

11 Must See Artists at Primavera Sound LA

Janky Smooth Central Command July 25, 2022

Somebody pinch us, Los Angeles must be dreaming. It seems too good to be true, that we’re getting our own version of Primavera Sound, one of the most eclectic music festivals in all the world. Primavera is known for its unique and top-notch curation, with a taste for exotic artists that range from all over the musical and geographic map. You can catch Mayhem or Kim Gordon or Girl in Red. There is something for everyone at Primavera Sound LA, but knowing their audience, everyone going is pretty much into everything. They might not listen to black metal, but they’re down for the vibe, at least for an hour. Primavera Sound is about capturing the wide spectrum of fun there is to be had in the name of music, sweet music. We’ve chosen 11 artists we’d rather die than miss at the festival for you to check out. You can buy tickets to Primavera Sound LA here. Nine Inch Nails Trent Reznor’s festival return to Los Angeles sees him headlining once again in a slot that ensures he will get the platform he needs to let his art make a powerful statement about the world we’re living in. There’s so

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Joey Bada$$ at the Novo

Janky Smooth Central Command July 22, 2022

Joey Bada$$ is a hip hop name synonymous with bars and true underground spirit. His talent and purity are recognized throughout every scene of music and here at Jankysmooth, we’ve always sang his praises as a must-watch artist no matter what trends appear in the culture. His upcoming show at the Novo ain’t just another regular appearance though, he’s celebrating the 10 year anniversary of his album “1999”. We’re giving away two tickets to his show on 7/28 and you best believe this one is going to be fire. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS‍ HERE or ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO JOEY BADA$$ JULY 28TH AT THE NOVO 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 or FACEBOOK JOEY BADA$$ Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON JULY 25TH AT 1PM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Porno For Pyros at Belasco- A Time Capsule of Sound and Cultural Concepts

Danny Baraz July 20, 2022

When I saw Porno for Pyros pop up on a concert calendar for the Belasco on July 7th, my heart skipped a beat. Not quite as prolific or ingrained in the American pop culture psyche as Janes Addiction, this pure, West Side of L.A. band and their iconic first album came out when I was 17 years old and offered something different but just as sacred to me as Nothing’s Shocking- and I had yet to see them live. Perry Farrel, Peter Distefano, Stephen Perkins and Martyn LeNoble created a unique, percussive, groove oriented and angsty soundtrack from a band in a decade that didn’t exactly fly under the radar but certainly not given their proper due in a decade filled with legends. related: Heaven on Earth: Perry Farrel’s Kind Heaven Orchestra at Teragram Ballroom So how has the world changed since 1993 and subsequently, the narrative in the concepts of their songs. Porno For Pyros offered commentary on gender roles, depression, humanity, the female orgasm, war, politics and cultural divide- all topics that are timeless but many that have been defined and redefined since the beginning of time. In the vast legacy that is still being built by Perry

Photo Recap: Swamp Dogg at Teragram Ballroom

Janky Smooth Central Command July 19, 2022

For longer than most have been alive, Swamp Dogg has been an underground music hero. He’s outlived musical fads and seen the landscape of culture change, experimenting with music all the while but still remaining the same old Swamp Dogg. He’s played everything from blues, to funk, to R & B, even hints of disco, because the story of Swamp Dogg is the story of American music. To celebrate this legend’s 80th birthday, he performed a career spanning set that touched decades of releases at the Teragram Ballroom in an epic and unforgettable performance for all those in attendance. We sent a photographer out to the show to capture the magic and memories so that they may never be forgotten. Photos by: Todd Anderson Swamp Dogg

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Wheeler Walker Jr. at The Fonda

Janky Smooth Central Command July 19, 2022

Wheeler Walker Jr. is the most badass outlaw of modern country music. No other artist dares tread in the same lyrical waters. Everyone is too afraid to get cancelled to platform ol’ Wheeler Walker, not Jankysmooth though. We are giving away two tickets to this shit show. Fuck it. To enter follow us and tag a friend in the comments. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS‍ HERE or ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO WHEELER WALKER JR. JULY 26TH AT THE FONDA 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 or FACEBOOK WHEELER WALKER JR. Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON JULY 25TH AT 1PM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Take This: Win Two Tickets to The Zombies at the Fonda

Janky Smooth Central Command July 18, 2022

It’s the time, of the season. Los Angeles is a psyche rock city, we love to trip into other dimensions and back in time. One of the places we love to go is the era of bands like The Zombies that inspired the entire genre of music we adore. We’re giving away two tickets to the show, enter to finally find out Who’s Your Daddy? YOU CAN BUY TICKETS‍ HERE or ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO THE ZOMBIES JULY 23RD AT THE FONDA 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 or FACEBOOK THE ZOMBIES Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON JULY 22ND AT 1PM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Photo Recap: Inner Wave at the Lodge Room

Janky Smooth Central Command July 17, 2022

Inner Wave returned to what seems to be their favorite venue to perform in LA at, The Lodge Room, for an epic evening of crowd favorites and new tunes. With a big spot on the Desert Daze lineup and shows that sell out left and right in Los Angeles, Inner Wave is quickly becoming one of, if not the most popular and thrilling indie rock band in all the scene. Joining them was Junior Mesa, a young artist with just as much pop punch as psych groove, giving his take on rock and roll an undeniable magnetism. Inner Wave Junior Mesa

Photo Recap: Skullcrusher at Moroccan Lounge

Rob Shepyer July 17, 2022

Skullcrusher is the most soul stirring modern troubadour of all the current folk artists of today. Using minimal electronics to create a tranquilizing and transportive atmosphere, she fills her canvas of sound with vulnerable notes and lyrics that command such power while sounding so soft and quiet and fragile. She’s an artist that has achieved impossible balances, strength through weakness, openness and mystery, all wrapped into one beautiful, folk package. Aided by Mal on electronic guitar, Skullcrusher’s rare and intimate Moroccan Lounge show was a must-see for any fan of the artist, or general music-head in the know like myself. Having played the Lodge Room last time she was in Los Angeles, performing at the Moroccan Lounge next meant this was going to be a more closely knit show than the usual. And that’s how the audience was, all very close together with our eyes all paying attention to one figure, trying not to make any small sounds that could disrupt the holy moment in which Skullcrusher was performing. We were like moths to the flame and her fire glowed so brightly but refused to rage, instead it was a dancing, light, somber and sweet to the eyes and ears.

Whole Crew in the House: The Game at the Novo

Danny Ryan July 16, 2022

Words by: Danny Ryan Photos by: Manuel Arredondo The standards for what makes a hip-hop artist a GOAT amongst fans have shifted dramatically in recent years, as newer rappers bring more eccentric personalities and more diverse influences of sound into the genre than what was seen in its earlier history. As hip-hop evolves through this experimentation, the common debate of which rappers are considered the greatest has widened profoundly from the days of “2Pac vs Biggie” arguments. This is a natural progression, as many younger hip-hop heads grew up listening to more artists from the early 00’s than the artists worshiped throughout the Golden Age of Hip-Hop. Even as these standards change, most younger hip-hop fans have a deep appreciation for the roots of the genre and understand the importance of earlier scenes within it. Nobody has more respect for these ranges in hip-hop’s history than The Game, and his dedication to the genre could not have been more apparent than in his heartfelt tributes to the legends of every era of hip-hop that the audience experienced during his recent “Drillmatic” record release at the Novo Theater. related content: Lyrical Assassin: Pusha T’s “It’s Almost Dry Tour” Hits the Novo