Category: PHOTO GALLERY

Photo Recap: Onyx at The Echoplex

Janky Smooth Central Command April 11, 2023

If you’ve ever been in a mosh pit or slam danced at a hip hop show, you can thank Onyx for that type of singular release of tension. Something that is so common place now started with this group from South Jamaica, Queens in New York City. And regardless of Rick Rubin’s early rock influence in the beats he made for Run DMC and Beastie Boys, Onyx were one of the first to truly fuse metal and rap, ala the soundtrack for the movie Judgement Night . On March 29th, 2023 Onyx returned to play a show at The Echoplex in Los Angeles. Photographer Greg Flack was there to document the occasion.

Retox at Los Globos are in a League of Their Own

Danny Baraz March 12, 2015

A lot of good thrash and speed metal bands played Tuesday night at Los Globos but when you see a band like Retox play, the distance between them and everyone else becomes monumentally apparent. Retox are just one of those bands that stand out from the rest of the lineup of any bill they are playing on. They have that “thing” that transcends being labeled. That being said, you won’t be seeing Retox play any psych fests anytime soon. They are most definitely a hardcore thrash/noise band. Last night was the last date of a month long tour supporting their latest album, Beneath California, released by Epitaph. Retox’s third full length album is a powerful statement of the band’s commitment to it’s overall sound. While other bands at the middle tiers of popularity seem to change course after a couple of releases, Retox has assured their base of fans that any added popularity they might experience in the future will solely be based on the merits of what attracted fans to them in the first place. At 11pm, Retox took the stage and jumped right into their set with their distinct sound. The purposely raw sounding but finely tuned guitar

Bass Drum of Death kill in Long Beach

Taylor Wong February 6, 2015

I’m sure Long Beach has plenty of great bars and venues but lately it seems that Alex’s Bar is really the only one worth going to. Affordable drinks and some of the best line ups I’ve ever seen at a bar. Last night Alex’s Bar brought us a performance from Bass Drum of Death with a great cast of opening acts: The Vespertines, Zig Zags, and Rudy De Anda. The first band of the night was a local, Long Beach band. The Vespertines had the unfortunate, first time slot. Although the room was almost desolate at this point, Vanessa Acosta was still a ball of energy on stage. I could really appreciate what the Verpertines were trying to do because they don’t have the standard, 4/4 beat of a garage band. Vanessa reminded me of Pedro Torres of Them Howling Bones mixed with Cassandra from Wayne’s World. Not only did Vanessa have a talented voice but she can also play a mean trumpet. Following the Vespertines came the Zig Zags and they were on point last night. It seemed like they were a little annoyed that they had been bumped down a position in the line up. I can understand why

Ho99o9 recruit your children to their Death Kult at The Church of Fun

Danny Baraz February 1, 2015

Ho99o9 are the worst nightmare of white, middle America. The genre twisting duo piss on your patriotism, your politics, your god and your daughter as she explores her desires for fetish and black cock. Not only do they influence punk kids but they also have the hip hop heads. Every demographic of YOUR children are in grave danger. All the rules and protocols for basic human interaction are thrown out the window at a Ho99o9 show. Everything you think you know about punk rock, hip hop and humanity are challenged by this emerging talent that was spawned in hell by way of New Jersey. Last night, Saturday January 31st Ho99o9 played a show at an amazing DIY, artist venue called The Church of Fun and in the process, changed the game… even though most people don’t know it yet. In a packed little room filled with the type of people who make conservatives question the future of this country, the sounds of the hardcore/punk/ hip hop deviants pumped through the suspect sound system and I have rarely heard anything more magikal or evil. The writhing and swirling of violence bruised bones and stimulated the genitals of a room full of

Band of Horses at The Observatory: This is personal

Danny Baraz January 29, 2015

When Band of Horses released “Everything All the Time” in 2006, I was in the midst of a transformation. I was going to use the word “mourning” to describe my state of mind at the time but that might lead to the use of a cheap pun related to a certain single off that album and something like that could minimize the statement I’m trying to make about the impact of that album on my life. I had just had my first child prior to it’s release, at a relatively young age by today’s standards and before that life changing event, my existence was in a sorry state of drug abuse and an overall aimlessness and lack of purpose. As bad as I make that sound, there was also a certain freedom in being a fuck up that isn’t so easy to let go of. That album got me through it and generated enough therapeutic tears to get me through the illogical longing to be back in that nebula. By the time Cease to Begin came out in 2007, I had my second child and along with Ben Bridwell’s lyrics, a complete shift in my outlook on life. All of

Dead Kennedys- There’s no room for Jello at the Roxy

Taylor Wong January 20, 2015

West Hollywood was invaded by a variety of West Side punks, from young skin heads to old Venice Suicidals. From the sounds of it you would think this show head lined by the Dead Kennedys was an all out blood bath, but every one other than the Suicidals were on good behavior. (See editors notes) The setting for the evening was the infamous Roxy on Sunset. I was stoked on tonights line up primarily for Tartar Control, DFL, and Dead Kennedys. I didn’t know what to expect or how to feel about Luicidal but I will get into that in a little bit. I rushed to the Roxy and unfortunately, I ran into an accident on the way. I was under the impression that I had still made it in time for Tartar Control, unfortunately i walked in at the end of their set. I have only heard amazing things about Tartar Control and the little bit I saw blew me away. Two men dressed as mormons preaching to the crowd and joining the pit. They said their good byes in a comedic manor and left the stage. View our previous coverage of Tartar Control here: Clepto and Tartar Control

Dilated Peoples at The Fremont Country Club in Vegas

Janky Smooth Central Command January 18, 2015

I’m in Vegas. I’m hungover. Dilated Peoples rocked the fucking house. They are the real deal in hip hop. True B-boys forever. Evidence, Rakaa and Babu know how to do live hip hop and work the crowd. Check out our pictures and make sure you check out these amazing venues in Downtown Vegas like the Fremont Country Club and Backstage Bar and Billiards. They ALWAYS have great music here. Photos: Taylor Wong

Tennis System debuts new song and split 7″ at Amoeba Records

Taylor Wong January 16, 2015

LA is known for it’s large amount of up and coming bands. One of these bands, although not originally from LA, goes by the name of Tennis System. Tennis System started in Washington D.C. with front man Matty Taylor and has gone through a couple line ups. This current line up which includes Hector Gomez on drums and Zach Bilson on bass, is by far the best line up Tennis System has seen. Tennis System released their album “Technicolour Blind” back in October of last year and have since taken LA by storm. Being named LA weekly’s number 3 band to keep an eye out for in 2015 most definitely says something. They are on my personal top 5 LA bands. Last night, Tennis System played a show at Amoeba Record Shop in Hollywood. The show was a special event where a limited amount of 7” splits were given to the first 200 in attendance. I’m not sure they gave away all 200 of those records, although there was a decent turn out for this special show. The split was put out by Converse and consisted of a second side featuring one of Janky Smooth’s favorite up and comers, So

King Tuff and fam- Burger-raucous at the Constellation room

Danny Baraz January 9, 2015

The Observatory has become a sanctuary for Orange County’s Burger youth, being the proud host of almost every artist to grace the Burger Records label. It’s Constellation Room offers the musty, humid, sardine can ambiance synonymous with garage punk, making it the perfect place to catch a lineup like King Tuff, White Fang and Feels. As expected, the room was packed before Feels had a chance to open the bill. A sweaty mix of septum piercings, Doc Martins and kids straight off the Zephyr skate team invaded the dance floor as the walls were lined with the older crowd. I was especially excited to see Feels. They’ve changed a lot over the last year, altering everything from their name and lineup to their sound and it has been for the better, on all counts. They’ve figured out a way to be melodic yet rough as well as musically talented but raw. Laena’s voice is downright beautiful and she performs with so much elegance. She has a Bowie-esque grace on stage which she is able to compliment with some pretty filthy guitar work. When her and guitarist Shannon Lay trade off vocals during songs expect goosebumps. The new addition to the

Warpaint at the Echoplex: Bringing Grown Men to Tears

Danny Baraz November 9, 2014

I need to write a review but I want to write a love letter. I can hardly think straight. My head is still spinning from Warpaint’s two hour set last night at The Echoplex. I am completely infatuated with the ladies of this band. Not just because they are all beautiful but because nothing is more attractive than women that are in command of their craft. Powerful, mesmerizing and unbearably sexy, Warpaint were coming off an extended tour and were effortlessly locked in with each other and their songs. Bass player, Jenny Lee Lindberg and Drummer, Stella Mozgawa start on the 1 with a just a quick look and one bar into the song, they smile and make eye contact, understandably proud of themselves. I’m not sure I witnessed Stella count in even once throughout the entire set and I never saw the band miss a beat the entire night. This is the best show I’ve seen the band play and I’ve seen them play quite a few times. Warpaint cannot simply be described as chick rockers because that would be minimizing the extent of their greatness. One cannot remove that aspect, though, because for women, they are an inspiration

Courtney Barnett and San Fermin Find Magic and Common Ground at the El Rey

Danny Baraz November 6, 2014

Last night at the El Rey might’ve been the best night of Red Bull Sound Select’s, 30 days in LA, so far. Even though the lineup was a bit mismatched, Courtney Barnett, San Fermin and Phox all brought something beautiful and completely different to the table. Phox, from Baraboo, Wisconsin not only brought all the small town charm and quick wit that lead singer Monica Martin could muster but they also brought some complex arrangements and made them seamless. There is a great chemistry in this 6 piece band that undoubtedly comes from their long time connection to each other. They attended the same high school and now all live together in the same house in Madison, Wisconsin. Fresh off a performance on the Conan O’Brien show and a trip to Disneyland, they were the first band to take the stage on Tuesday night and showed us all why comparisons of the band range from Feist to Fever Ray. Any band on this bill could’ve easily headlined the night, including Phox. Next up was San Fermin. Just wow. San Fermin is the brainchild of composer and keyboardist Ellis Ludwig-Leone; A true prodigy. I didn’t know much about this band

Galantis Submerges the Mayan Theater on a Monday Night

Justin Cornwall November 5, 2014

If you caught Galantis at any point this year, you’re one of the lucky ones. I say this because they’re going from small clubs to the main stage at festivals – and fast. This Swedish duo is refreshingly far from a House Mafia and there is no stopping their momentum right now.. The happy spin they put on heavy house music can do no wrong and has been featured in sets by everyone from Diplo to Pete Tong. Christian Karlsson (of Miike Snow) and Linus Eklöw (aka Style of Eye), who make up Galantis, punched some serious life into everyone attending at The Mayan last night. We arrived at The Mayan as Germany’s Booka Shade was wrapping their set. Steady house music with live elements, never a bad way to set the mood. After a short intermission to swap out the live setups, the anxious crowd was buzzing with energy. The #seafoxNATION (their fanbase) was alive and well – most of the crowd donned the paper Seafox (their brilliantly branded mascot) masks that Galantis had brought with them to gift to their fans. The headliners met the stage as an enthusiastic crowd welcomed them. The opening track was a clear acapella