Tag: the echo

Dum Dum Zine Party with TULIPS and So Many Wizards

JustinThomas February 9, 2015

The dream of the 90’s is alive in Portland Echo Park. Every time I venture into the hipster-friendly, conveniently gentrified, Echo Park, I can’t help but reference this Portlandia bit. It just rings so true here. A print media zine release party, conveniently located next to a record store; the only thing missing from the night is to manifest an outright time warp into the golden decade of the 90’s was the glaring of smart phones screens, which lit up the faces that lined the dimly lit, iconic Echo, smack dab in the heart of Echo Park. I arrived slightly after the live zine readings around 7 PM. I was just in time for Echo Park’s own TÜLIPS to commence the musical portion of Dum Dums Zine release party, which also served as the official LA Zine Week kick off. Upon entering, I darted straight to the bar. The Echo stands as one of the only venues where you can order a beer and a slice of pizza, which is delivered from the delectable Two Boots Pizza right next door. If that isn’t enticing enough for you then your soul is black. TÜLIPS, the self proclaimed “riotgaze” rockers lead by Taleen

Corners puts Cosmonauts To Test As Headliner at Part Time Punks at The Echo

Danny Baraz December 15, 2014

It’s amazing how many young people are picking up instruments and starting bands these days. What’s more amazing is that the attraction to do so seems to be motivated by the purest of intentions. There is less hope than ever to reach the heights of rock stardom achieved by every American generation since Elvis because of the relatively recent collapse of the music industry- When most young people at the time thought Metallica was out of touch in their fight with Napster, it appears they had a clear vision of what the future held. Bands work harder for less money. Album sales have been replaced by marathon touring schedules. Mega bands are asked to play the Superbowl for free. The tallest heights are measured by landing a single in a national commercial. Music has been devalued by a society that’s not quite sure how to make money off it anymore. While the internet is the greatest technology ever created to reach people all across the world, sell your product, book a tour and promote it, there are so many shiny objects distracting us all that the very ADD nature of it seems to have shortened the careers of many young

Win tickets to Cosmonauts and Corners at The Echo this Sunday 12/14

Janky Smooth Central Command December 11, 2014

Both the bands, Cosmonauts and Corners are masters of atmosphere and psychedelia. Two out of the many but few standouts of the pack of bands that are either labeled by themselves or others under the moniker of “psych” music. These two bands distinguish themselves from the pack of wannabes and copy cat scenesters that are attempting jump on the psych rock frenzy that is over abundant amongst up and coming bands all around the world. You can purchase tickets here or follow the instructions below to win 1 pair of tickets to see these bands, as well as Burntones and Feels at the Echo this Sunday, Dec 14th. Contest Rules: Make sure you like our Facebook page and are following Janky Smooth on Instagram and Twitter. Next, comment on this post with a unique or frothy reason why you should be considered to win. Lastly, send us a tweet or comment on our Facebook page that you have completed all the steps to win a pair of tickets to the Cosmonauts and Corners show on Sunday. Only those who complete all steps will be considered. The Winner will be announced this Sunday, Dec 14th at Noon pacific time on Twitter

Avi Buffalo Ends His Tour in Los Angeles and Makes a New Fan. Me.

Amir Kashani December 7, 2014

Fridays are usually a border town for complete disasters or an absolutely awesome night we draw tales from our entire lives. Tonight started out looking like the end of the world but I chose to run over to The Echo to see Avi Buffalo. Maybe he can work out some of my issues. I’m sure he has a sound therapy team that help him with these awesome, free flowing lyrics that more or less feel like streaming consciousness. I’ll get to that in a sec. Sadly, I didn’t get to check out the opening acts. Instead I opened with a slice of cheese pizza from Two Boots and mingled with this youthful bunch of PBR handlers. I have never seen Avi live or listened to a lot of his work but being that he is a local kid who has been at this for as long as he’s has, he automatically gets my attention. As soon as the other band is done, Avi creeps up onto stage and starts coordinating his pedals and chords. I like this kid already. He’s efficient and independent. The room is nearly packed and shouting to Avi….”Welcome Home!” and “Jessica!!!”. This crew has been on tour

Jonny 2 Bags and The Abigails at The Echo: Two Generations of Heartbreak Music

Danny Baraz December 4, 2014

If you compare musical styles, the pairing of The Abigails opening for Jonny 2 Bags seems like a perfect match. Twangy 6 strings, pedal steel and gut wrenching lyrics serve to set the tone of the night. I’m almost positive that bookers at The Echo put this bill together with great care and intuition. But even with complimentary styles, the fans did not mix. Age, styles and dispositions were varied and most of The Abigails fans didn’t stick around for Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham. Somehow, the room was still packed when he took the stage. I guess that means that fans of Jonny 2 Bags weren’t too interested in The Abigail’s, either. I can hear the insults in my imagination with one side calling the other “hipsters” in an accusatory tone and the other remarking on the age of those I’ve heard described as “chain danglers”. But really, who gives a shit? I enjoyed both bands immensely. The last time I saw The Abigails, lead singer, Warren Thomas was conspicuously absent and lead guitarist, Kyle Mullarky was filling in for him. We later found out that Thomas was drying out in rehab and he made mention of that during last

OFF! transform The Echo from a peaceful, Indie venue into a house of raw aggression

Danny Baraz November 30, 2014

Keith Morris stopped the band from playing. As The Echo went from bedlam to a virtual hush, Morris pointed to the right of the stage and asked, “What was that I heard? I heard someone say, ‘Over the hill’”. He deferred to guitarist and ex Burning Brides front man, Dimitri Coats who exclaimed, “Over the hill like you assholes from the Valley”. What separates veterans punkers like OFF! from everyone else is not only a vast ocean of experience and a belt that has more notches than holes but it’s also an intuitive set of reflexes that cannot be taught. Whether you are a punk, a composer, a visual artist or a chef, you are either born with “it” or you aren’t. At 60 years old, Keith Morris still commands the stage like a grizzled sea captain. He navigates the hurled projectiles and ambitious stage divers like a treacherous ocean whose waters he has crossed on many a voyage. I didn’t know quite what to expect as I entered The Echo early in the evening. I’ve never seen a real circle pit at The Echo. I’ve seen “mosh pits” made up of all ages crowds that were more affectionate than

Win tickets to OFF! and Nasa Space Universe at The Echo on Saturday 11/29

Janky Smooth Central Command November 25, 2014

Do we really need to go through the list of reasons why Keith Morris is so important to punk rock? Chances are, if you clicked on this post then, no. But maybe, if you aren’t aware that the ex Black Flag/Circle Jerks front man has a current project with other legends such as Dimitri Coats, Steven Shane McDonald and Mario Rubalcaba then this post might just improve your life… just a little bit. OFF! is playing The Echo with one of our favorite new bands, Nasa Space Universe this Saturday, 11/29. You can purchase tickets here or follow the instructions to win one of two pairs of tickets that Janky Smooth is giving away. Contest Rules: Make sure you like our Facebook page and are following Janky Smooth on Instagram and Twitter. Next, comment on this post with a unique or frothy reason why you should be considered to win. Lastly, send us a tweet or comment on our Facebook page that you have completed all the steps to win a pair of tickets to the OFF! and NSU show on Saturday. Only those who complete all steps will be considered. 2 Winners will be announced this Friday, Nov 28th