Category: SHOWS

Photo Recap: The Church at Pappy and Harriet’s

Jessica Moncrief May 22, 2022

Last weekend, the Cruel World Festival at The Rose Bowl was a great example of what concert season looks like in Los Angeles. One great thing about living near LA is that it’s a prime spot for music festivals of epic proportions and if you’re paying attention to tour dates of your favorite bands on the line ups, sometimes you’re lucky enough to snag a ticket to a club show before it sells out or better yet, you get to be media. That was the case for myself last week when I, in fact, saw The Church perform “Destination” and “Under The Milky Way” at THE quintessential destination to see the milky way during the summer months in North America. The desert sunsets and starscapes of Joshua Tree are some of the most beautiful in the world, the land has forever inspired creativity and cosmic wonder, last Thursday was no exception. It seemed only fitting that Pappy and Harriet’s would host a night of musical desert magic from Aussie legends The Church, and what a spectacular night it turned out to be. The weather and clear skies were perfect for an outdoor evening, so rather than being crammed into a

Photo Recap: Ethel Cain at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever

Janky Smooth Central Command May 22, 2022

Ethel Cain is the singer/cult mother of the Daughters of Cain, a southern-based cult inspired by all things American gothic and the darker tones of Judeo-Christian belief. Adorning her head like a crown of thorns are the tattooed Hebrew letters that anoint them as divine. Gender, regardless of debate, exists firmly in the realm of humanity, while Ethel Cain is deity and living mythos. Much like Ismael (a woman cast in a male role) in Ingmar Bergman’s great film, Fanny and Alexander, Ethel has the power to spread the echoes of their energy throughout the many layers of reality. Ethel Cain, through her voice and music, can cast spells and bound curses upon those she wishes simply by the enchanting sounds that escape her magick throat musculature. Her latest album, Preacher’s Daughter, has already skyrocketed her into new territories of collective consciousness. And like any good hive mother, the daughters and sons of Ethel Cain will feed her until she devours the world. Her show at the Masonic Lodge was one of two album release shows in high-demand and sold out beyond capacity. It was an initiation rite, filled with symbolism, love, and danger. Photos by: Michelle Corvino

Rabbit Holes and Glaciers: Anika at Lodge Room

Rob Shepyer May 21, 2022

Desert Daze 2019 was the last gasp of Southern California’s art-life before the pandemic put the world on pause and separated us into various little, claustrophobic boxes for two years. That year, Anika, was an early daytime treat that awakened new pathways of musical possibilities in the minds of those present. Completely alone onstage and wearing a white suit that gave her charisma an air of artistic purity, jive, and her signature stoicism, Anika’s voice felt like European art pop of the highest order. It’s a voice that seduces listeners into thinking she’s hiding some wellspring of peaking emotion that she could unchain at any given moment. This is the effect of taking stoicism and reservation as part of your performing style, audiences only grow more curious as to what’s not being shown. Instead of rewarding audiences by plainly giving away its secrets, Anika’s voice keeps people begging and listening for more. In 2022, seduction is its own reward. Every bit of media is served to us on an endless platter and having people take the time to travel down rabbit holes has become a financially risky business strategy for artists. What works in Anika’s favor is that her voice

Photo Recap: The Far Side at 1720

Janky Smooth Central Command May 18, 2022

What do people mean when they say “alternative” hip hop? I know the artists they reference when they use this term, but what are the themes that run through these MCs and groups? Los Angeles’ Pharcyde were always alternative. They were original, coming with fresh aesthetics no one had ever seen before in their musical direction and videos but at the same time, always celebrating and honoring the roots of hip hop. Pharcyde was mind expanding, a profound and enlightened form of party hip hop that got everyone dancing to soulful beats and bars that didn’t have a shred of negativity in them. Pharcyde lifted the soul. This is why it was so important that the party didn’t stop. The Far Side, composed of Slimkid3, Imani, and Fatlip, knew their purpose as a group was to celebrate life through the medium of hip hop. Ironically, the group’s reunion was sparked out of the grief that came after Imani’s grandmother passed away, inspiring him to give Slimkid3 a call after they hadn’t spoken for years. The past was put behind them for the greater good and as they tour the country, they’re spreading that greater good everywhere they go. So yes,

Photo Recap: Brujeria at Alex’s Bar

Janky Smooth Central Command May 15, 2022

Heavy metal’s own narcos party band, Brujeria brought their black magic marijuanaut show to Alex’s Bar and everyone was flying as the band brought the brutal, fun times they’ve always been known for. Whoever conceived of Brujeria is a goddamn genius, the whole place erupted in mosh and dance the whole night long. Photos by: Pedro Carrera Brujeria

122 Hours of Adult. at the Lodge Room

Rob Shepyer May 14, 2022

We here at Jankysmooth consider Adult. a must-see show every time they swing into Los Angeles. We follow their career closely, always giving them credit and props for every step on this avant-garde journey to push the boundaries of music. They make artistic moves beyond anything anyone else is doing, totally devoted to their music and legacy over seemingly everything. Every music new music video is a slice of imagination from another dimension that no one thought of before them. It’s freshness personified, even if no gets it. What makes them great, is that usually, everyone gets it no matter how weird it is. Adult. makes art in the simplest, most inspiring terms. Without boundaries, full of riddles, and able to be interpreted ad infinitum. Their show at the Lodge Room was much anticipated, this is a venue I knew the band should play for the longest time, thinking that stage and its epic backdrop would suit their music and audience perfectly. The Lodge Room has always hosted the most cutting-edge artists that the underground adores. related content: Adult. Interview: Warriors For Weird The evening’s lineup was filled with such powerful artists beginning with industrial’s freshest young duo: Spike Hellis.

Clubbing in Paradise: Slayyyter at El Rey

Danny Ryan May 13, 2022

Words by: Danny Ryan Photos by: Ally Gillam Slayyyter’s immersive Club Paradise experience at the El Rey Theatre last week represented a current transformation in what it means to be a pop star. While the genre has long been controlled by mainstream expectations, Slayyyter performs with a defiant attitude along with influences from more alternative music scenes to create an inclusive scene for fans of all walks of life. Pop music is currently in one of the most transformative states that it has ever been in, especially with an underground movement of pop artists incorporating more sounds from avant-garde and experimental electronic genres into the scene. Similar to how punk rock’s sound was rooted in rebellion against the safer styles of rock and roll bands of the 1970’s, independent pop stars like Slayyyter are a resistance to the commercialized sounds of pop music that have been prevalent for far too long. Slayyyter may bring more experimentation to the stage than the casual pop listener is used to, but her dynamic sound and bold personality make her the ideal performer for fans of pop music that are truly obsessed with the genre and its ongoing evolution. related content: ShadowMANcer: Dorian Electra’s

Photo Recap: Bikini Kill at the Greek Theatre

Janky Smooth Central Command May 11, 2022

Ever since Bikini Kill‘s string of Hollywood Palladium reunion dates, Los Angeles has been hoping to see the Riot Grrrl legends take the stage in our fair city once again. That time finally came when they played the Greek Theatre on April 28th and at this show, every woman and man that entered were inspired. Given the recent Supreme Court leak revolving around Roe vs Wade, it’s important men start recognizing the shared humanity from art and sentiment expressed by women. See a woman’s outrage and let it make a real impact on you, stop relegating those emotions as something coming from an other. Bikini Kill at the Greek were phenomenal and we got the pics to prove it. Now please, behold Kathleen Hannah in all her genius and glory. Photos by: Michelle Corvino Bikini Kill

In Amyl We Trust: Amyl and the Sniffers at Teragram

Rob Shepyer May 10, 2022

I feel a bit late to the party. By now, Amyl and the Sniffers aren’t underground punk darlings from Australia anymore. At this point, the band hasn’t just cemented themselves as one of the most dynamic and electric acts in the entire genre, they’ve gone on to influence numerous bands and a whole damn scene within punk to boot. I’m lucky enough to be early to a different party though, that one hosted by C.O.F.F.I.N. the Aussie rockers that Amyl brought on tour with them. These guys rip in undeniable fashion, harkening back the sonic sex appeal of AC/DC but with a harder edge. It’s through a band like C.O.F.F.I.N. that AC/DC will go in history as proto-punk someday. related content: Amyl and the Sniffers at the Teragram Ballroom Amyl and the Sniffers have been getting incredible praise for a long while now. People were saying this band resurrected the classic punk sound but with a hint of glam. The sort of punk or hardcore shows I frequent are usually devoid of the feminine energy that Amyl has in loads. And I don’t point that out because Amy is a woman, I mean the sound itself balances masculine and feminine

Photo Recap: Amorphis at El Rey

Janky Smooth Central Command May 9, 2022

Finland’s Amorphis stopped by the El Rey for the Los Angeles stretch of their North American tour and serenaded the city with their signature blend of anthemic viking balladry and undeniably crushing extreme metal riffage. Showcasing their latest album, 2022’s Halo, Amorphis were a tour de-metal force, with melodic vocals and guttural growls crafting songs about epic adventures and myth. It ain’t everyday this rare heavy metal gem comes to Los Angeles, so we are over the moon to bring you pics from the show. Photos by: Pedro Carrera

Photo Recap: Sleaford Mods at Teragram Ballroom

Janky Smooth Central Command May 7, 2022

The UK’s most dynamic working-class duo of artists returned to Los Angeles for two shows at Teragram. There are few acts that are able to grip audiences with such minimalist approaches to music. Sleaford Mods’ brand of punk rock slam poetry is truly a testament to how one person can be capable of enormous artistic expression if they simply think outside the box and have another person there to drop the dopest beats behind them. Opening for the band was Sorry, English indie rockers with the perfect attitude to ride along with the Mods. Sleaford Mods Sorry

Photo Recap: Prayers at El Rey

Janky Smooth Central Command May 5, 2022

Prayers is now synonymous with Leafer Seyer. There is only one true Cholo Goth. This is what has come to pass after his 2022 release, CHOLOGOTH. Leafer is the creative engine behind the art, he is Prayers through and through. Joining him onstage at one point was his better half, Kat Von D. Opening the show was Oddly Shrugs, goth’s latest grungy madman from Los Angeles. Prayers Oddly Shrugs

Category: SHOWS

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