Category: SHOWS

Dressed to Transgress: Sex Cells Halloween at the Globe

Rob Shepyer November 6, 2021

I don’t think theres ever been a Sex Cells that wasn’t just Halloween on the wrong weekend. Costumes, debauchery, candy, scantily-clad ladies and sexually deviant dudes are ingrained in the party’s DNA. The Halloween edition of this masquerade was estimated to be Sex Cell’s strangest, most insane installment. When halloween falls on a Sunday, you get at least three days to dress up differently. Since I was already Ace Frehley on Saturday, I got into the Gonzo spirit by cobbling together a Hunter S. Thompson getup and going to Sex Cells to score some synthesized liquid treats. As I expected, the kinds of creeps that came out to the Globe by 10pm after Lethal Amounts hosted night 2 of Danzig does Elvis, were all dressed to trangress. related content: Technically, We’ve Always Been Sick: Sex Cells Returns To The Globe Theatre As we danced and pogo’d with Pogo the killer Clown, we were given the night’s greatest treat, sweeter than candy corn and dressed as red as a Hot Tamale, Thee Teenage Werewolves took the stage busting out the classic Cramps tune– “Human Fly”. This Cramps cover band is so good, they very well could be the most talented tribute

Texis or Treats: Sleigh Bells at Teragram Ballroom

Danny Baraz November 3, 2021

Sleigh Bells guitarist and arranger in chief, Derek E. Miller has come a long way from Poison the Well to meeting Alexis Krauss while waiting on her at a restaurant- and an even longer way from Treats to Texis. A wave of nostalgia came over me as Krauss referenced playing El Rey in 2011, because it was one of the shows that got me back into going to shows. Of course, at El Rey, it was just Miller, Krause, some hardware and a literal wall of Marshall cabinets that stretched from the floor of the stage to the rafters. On Thursday, Oct 21st at The Teragram Ballroom, Miller ditched the wall of cabinets but his affinity for tube amps remained in the form of a one piece Marshall. There was plenty of room for Krauss and Miller to add a live drummer, Chris Maggio and synth/ backup singer, Kate Steinberg. My feelings on the changes were mixed, along with the arrival of new album, Texis but before I get into all that, it is crucial for me to give opening band, Kills Birds a proper spot in this review- because they are a revelation. related content: This Ain’t No Reset,

Photo Recap: Anti-Flag at Lodge Room

Janky Smooth Central Command October 30, 2021

There are numerous punk bands that fall under the banner of Anarcho. From Crass to Rudimentary Peni to Subhumans and so many more. Anti-Flag is the genre’s biggest breakout band though, bringing the sound and politics to a massive audience all around the world to spread the message of saying fuck you to state sponsored oppression. Joining them at this rare, intimate performance at the Lodge Room were Dog Party and Grumpster, two bands on the rise only picking up more steam with this tour. Here are some amazing pics from the show: Photos by: Taylor Wong Anti-Flag Dog Party Grumpster Crowd

Photo Recap: PCW Ultra’s All System Go

Janky Smooth Central Command October 29, 2021

PCW Ultra‘s All Systems Go marked the return of brutality and championship gold to Southern California with an epic set of matches that saw titles exchange hands and blood spilt on the canvas. With appearances from legends, Ron Simmons, Kevin Sullivan and 2 Cold Scorpio, the night celebrated wrestling’s glorious past while fostering the sport’s bright future with plenty of amazing matches from the next generation of talent–Alex Hammerstone defending his heavyweight championship against Alex Kane. Warbeast retained their tag team titles against 5150 but felt the pain after being awarded the win. Viva Van became the new women’s champion and Jai Vidal took home the vacant light heavyweight title. Check out these pics from the epic night of fights. Photos by: Pedro Carrera Guest of honor – Legendary Wrestler Ron Simmons PCW ULTRA Tag Team Title Match: Warbeast (Jacob Fatu & Josef Samael) (c) def 5150 (Danny Limelight & Slice Boogie) PCW ULTRA Heavyweight Title Match: Hammerstone (c) def Alex Kane PCW ULTRA Women’s Title Match: Viva Van def Ruby Raze to become new champion Steve Madison def JTG Jai Vidal & Matt Vandagriff def CLAS & Lucas Riley The Blood Hunter def 2 Cold Scorpio

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

Every Night is Halloween: Boys Noize at 1720

Janky Smooth Central Command October 22, 2021

Words and Video by: Michael Melnick Electro-house legend Alex Ridha; or as you know him, Boys Noize; made a pit stop at 1720 warehouse in DTLA last Friday for what would be a more intimate banger than what a DJ of his caliber might be used to playing. Needless to say, the venue was buzzing well before Alex hopped on the decks. Greeted by fans, friends, and a plethora of photographers, there was a clear consensus that 1720 was the place to be that night. Nothing like a dark, grimy warehouse with great sound and production value to compliment the performance of a legend with a cult-following and growing fanbase. related content: Love In The Time Of Covid: Baltra At Don Quixote Celebrating the release of his most recent album: +/- (pronounced Polarity), a 3 hour set of new music had a sold out crowd locked in and dancing like crazy from start to finish. Every Boys Noize performance feels special, because Alex makes them that way. There’s no better feeling than being hyped up by an artist who treats every set like it’s their last–and Boys Noize does just that. It was almost nostalgic hearing new tracks that compliment Alex’s

Photo Recap: Fuzz at the Teragram Ballroom

Janky Smooth Central Command October 15, 2021

Photos by: Grace Dunn You’ve heard of Sabbath worship but Jankysmooth is guilty of the latest craze the kids are all into, Ty worship. We brought you coverage of his last residency at Teragram only a month ago and now we bring you a photo recap of his sludge metal band Fuzz, ripping up the Teragram Ballroom along with fellow Los Angeles phenomenon, Prettiest Eyes. Fuzz Prettiest Eyes

Slowhand of the Sahara: Mdou Moctar at Lodge Room

Rob Shepyer October 7, 2021

Mdou Moctar‘s mystique is well-earned. The story of his origin is like something out of a comic book, but instead of him becoming a super hero, he merely became a ‘Guitar God’. When you read about how his rise to fame is the result of a trading network of cellphones and memory cards, you are immediately given a sense of place and global context. Had he been born in America, like many of his adoring fans that packed his two sold out nights at the Lodge Room, who knows how far his gifts would’ve taken him already. But coming from Niger and playing Tuareg guitar has made Mdou’s music not only exotic and mystical but a sort of generational upheaval, a reward for decades of struggle. related content: Dream Jams: Arooj Aftab At Lodge Room Mdou Moctar’s Desert Daze set from 2019 made him a hot ticket for the LA psychedelic scene. He sold out two shows at the Lodge Room almost immediately. Even though the Lodge Room has been selling out shows left and right, this one became a must-see show especially fast. Part of this appeal is that LA audiences know how difficult it is for an international

Photo Recap: Bob Mould at Teragram Ballroom

Janky Smooth Central Command October 6, 2021

Photos by: Albert Licano One of the innovators of American underground music, whether in alternative or hardcore circles, is Bob Mould. He recently brought his brand of beautiful noise to the Teragram Ballroom and his band jammed out hard, with a set consisting of songs from his 2020 album, Blue Hearts and his most recently released compilation, Distortion. Sprinkle in a few Husker Du classics and you have the kind of punk show that dreams are made of. Opening for Bob’s band was Moaning, an LA alternative trio off Subpop. These new school cats have kept the torch passed down to them blazing bright. Here are some awesome photos from the show: Bob Mould Moaning

Late Night Brekkie: Japanese Breakfast at the Regent

Dave Unbuckled October 5, 2021

Words and Photos by: Dave Unbuckled When Michelle Zauner took stage Saturday night at the first Japanese Breakfast show in LA since the pandemic, the frenzied crowd hurled applause that rivaled any audience I can remember at the Regent Theater. Moments later, as she hit a gong to bring in “Paprika”, the opening track from Japanese Breakfast’s new album Jubilee, the lights fluttered blue & pink and I am CERTAIN that her applause was LOUDER than any show ever held at the Regent. This was my first real indoor show since March 2020, and ironically, covering Japanese Breakfast in Holyoke, Massachusetts, was supposed to be my next assignment when the world turned off. Zauner, better known to her fans as J. brekkie, entangled the audience in an 18-song career-spanning set that featured nearly all of the tracks from Jubilee, as well as set highlights, “The Woman who Loves You”, “Heft” and “Roadhead”. It was no surprise as I watched the dominantly multi-racial crowd lock into first time LA performances of “Savage Good Boy,” “Slide Tackle” and “Be Sweet”. Jubilee is getting praise from all angles, and each of Zauner’s songs seem crafted in their own unique way. Zauner exudes joy

Dream Jams: Arooj Aftab at Lodge Room

Janky Smooth Central Command October 1, 2021

I don’t know what first compelled me to attend Arooj Aftab‘s show. I had no idea how her music sounded, I just knew I would like it somehow. It must’ve been some urge to be unique, to prove to myself my taste wasn’t basic. I always loved “world music”, whether it was old world or new but when you think about it, that genre-classification is rather reductive and othering of whole slews of artists that don’t fall under the umbrella of western music. Is the west not a part of the world? I can say though, I’m becoming a fan of Pakisani musicians because there seems to be a trend happening right now, not just with Arooj Aftab’s more classical approach but also bands like Aurat who I saw opening for King Woman at the Lodge Room in August. related content: Morning Stars Over Lodge Room: King Woman’s “Celestial Blues” Release Party There was some dreamy quality to the evening, even before the music started, the streets in Highland Park were empty and many of the most popular shops were closed. Usually, when I go to the Lodge Room, all these places are bumping with music and chatter. The Lodge

The Sound of Summer, the Fury of Fall: Fiddlehead at 1720

Rob Shepyer September 30, 2021

It’s been two years since the last Sound and Fury festival and without it, the Los Angeles hardcore scene lost its vital summer summit. The scene is still alive and strong but without Sound and Fury, it seems to be less alive, less self-aware. LAHC’s growth was stunted in a sense but now with the first Sound and Fury show since 2019 happening at 1720, the scene picked up right where it left off, with bands like Fiddlehead and Spiritual Cramp killing it as if we didn’t just lose two years of our youth. Sound and Fury was always the perfect encapsulation of youth culture and music. It illustrated the peak of summer–the sun’s heat against the downtown concrete–youthful style combinations of shorts, tattoos and band tees–easily healed bodies being destroyed in the pit only to stride out and rejoin the party as if nothing happened. So, with all these things missing for two years, it was only right that Sound and Fury returned with the catharsis of melodic post-hardcore. related content: Boston Calling: Sound And Fury 2019 I entered the building as Object of Affection was wrapping up but the tail end of their set I witnessed was riveting

Category: SHOWS

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