Category: SHOWS

I Don’t Have a Curfew: Dirty Penni Fest IV at the Echo/Echoplex

Jonathan Reyes July 16, 2019

The kaleidoscope of sound heard at the fourth iteration of Dirty Laundry TV and Penniback Records‘ collaboration, Dirty Penni Fest, could best be described as pleasantly confounding. While there was a thread of teen angst sewn through every band, the final product being a disorderly quilt collaboratively sewn by neo-cumbia, acid metal, and traditional punk bands. Walking through this festival made of think of listening to the radio in one room and the TV in another while smoking weed in the bathroom so mom doesn’t smell it. related content: Dirty Penni Fest: A Rock And Roll Romper Room For Young And Old Can you describe something as walking through a sea of teenagers? The patio stage was constant and rowdy, Think “The Smell” without the scared straight element. When I wasn’t getting elbowed in the back I was enjoying Kuromi rip it up. What a band. I watched a lot of kids scream and thrash into instruments but they had something that was lacking in some of the other bands, a point to the fury, they screamed and they bashed and they captivated. Sabrina is Not in This Chat Sabrina is not playing loud enough, for the first couple songs

Amyl and the Sniffers shot by Anthony Mehlhaff

Amyl and the Sniffers at the Teragram Ballroom

Jessica Moncrief July 15, 2019

Opening a show for a band like Amyl and The Sniffers seems like it could be somewhat intimidating, but adding a legend like Alice Bag to the bill seems like it could make it downright terrifying, however that didn’t seem to be the case with Moss! The quartet of young musicians made their way to the stage first. There was an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes before their set started and the smaller crowd of obvious fans and curious early birds that had trickled in, stood staring blankly at the stage waiting for Moss! to start performing. It wasn’t long before these guys would prove the reason why they were added to this insane bill. related content: Surf & Sniff: Amyl & The Sniffers At Soda Bar Moss! is no 3 chord act. While they embody everything that we all love energetically and stylistically about Punk, their arrangements are much more intricate varying from bluesy and surfy to punchy and aggressive and even melodic at times. It wasn’t long before the room filled up and bodies were moving. Their set served as a great reminder of why it’s important “get there early” to catch opening bands. Next up was

Crossing into the Spirit World: Ceremony at The Irenic

Janky Smooth Central Command July 14, 2019

Words and Photos by: Rebecca DiGiglio The Irenic is an interesting venue, previously a church situated in the middle of a residential neighborhood, slightly awkward inside with a little elevated step area in front of the 3 foot or so high stage. I’ve also seen Ceremony some 6 or 7 years ago at the legendary Philadelphia venue First Unitarian Church, so when I heard the show announcement of one of my favorites, I was excited to see them in yet another holy house. related content: A Tsunami Of Hardcore Kids: Fury’s “Failed Entertainment” Record Release At The Observatory I got to the show just in time to see Sheer Mag (regrettably missed Bugg, as the show was quite early due to venue restrictions and, I’m told, ornery neighbors who like to file complaints). People seemed psyched on this band, with a crew ready to dance situated front and center. The Philadelphia-based band’s style of rock n’ roll with punk leanings was well received and a solid start to what was to ensue. Once they took the stage, Ceremony started out with “Sick”; I was not prepared for them to open with this and immediately got knocked over. Shortly afterwards,

Bay Area Blitzkrieg: Old Firm Casuals at 1720

Rob Shepyer July 10, 2019

The Bay Area is such a special place. The art, specifically the punk, that came from that golden strip of California, has had such a profound impact on my life that not only compares to Los Angeles but in many ways it surpasses it. Whether it be the boys in Rancid that called 924 Gilman Street home or the Dead Kennedys, CRIME, and this young band called Spiritual Cramp, I see so much truth organically coming from those bands. A Hard Times tour with these two bands, rounded out with Section H8, made for a show that brought together so many flavors of music and spellbound 1720 Warehouse. related content: A Tsunami Of Hardcore Kids: Fury’s “Failed Entertainment” Record Release At The Observatory I don’t miss a Spiritual Cramp show. Every time I see them, I find something new to love about their sound and performance. The energy is the first thing you notice, Michael Bingham’s kinetic stage antics, his jumping and swinging arms are the perfectly-paced cardio routine that leaves him drenched, pouring out all the anger and revolutionary spirit we need. This time around, I found the guitar and bass work absolutely incredibly, the tone is so reminiscent

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Suburban Fight & Sound and Fury Present Bar Wrestling at The Hi Hat

Janky Smooth Central Command July 10, 2019

Suburban Fight are the kings of underground wrestling in Los Angeles proper. Whether in a bar or a ring, whether paired with hardcore music or just straight fights from top to bottom, no one else has an aesthetic and matches that fans connect with more. Last year’s Sound and Fury festival concluded with their first partnership with Suburban Fight in a Hi Hat hardcore ho-down with Darby Allin jumping off the venue’s ceiling to deliver an insane elbow drop onto Joey Janela. This year, Allin returns to take on the mysterious underground wrestling legend Ultra Mantis Black in a match that you won’t soon forget. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR: ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO GCW PRESENTS SUBURBAN FIGHT x SOUND AND FURY JULY 14TH AT THE HI HAT 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, TWITTER, or FACEBOOK Suburban Fight Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON JULY 12TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

A Tsunami of Hardcore Kids: Fury’s “Failed Entertainment” Record Release at the Observatory

Rob Shepyer July 8, 2019

Any time Ceremony make their way through Southern California, you can expect me to be there. On this Observatory date though, the band stepped down as the headliners of their tour for one night and let hometown heroes, Fury, close the show for their highly anticipated Failed Entertainment record release show. Both bands had new material to share and are on the edge of transitioning beyond fans’ expectations. Ceremony had released word of their next album Into The Spirit World Now only days before the show and Fury, who’s previous album Paramount cemented them as some of the scene’s brightest prospects, released an album that really showed their range and complexity. related content: Two Times The Biscuit Power: Gorilla Biscuits At The Roxy The entire bill was stacked with diverse genres clumped together to make for a memorable evening every stripe of rock fan could enjoy. Huntington Beach’s Diztort opened up the pit early with traditional, jagged, and pummeling hardcore that really hit that stormtrooper pace and rhythm hard for all the kids to slam to. Next, alternative rockers, Bugg, were matched with hardcore bands yet again, establishing them as the perfect breath to take between heavy noise. They too had new

Ming River Drunken Punk Rock LBC Matinee: The Spits and Surfbort at Alex’s Bar

Janky Smooth Central Command July 4, 2019

Matinee show crowds can be a gamble. Even if the bill is solid, you never know if the allure of the lazy Sunday will win over the show. Even if people attend, will they have the energy needed to make it a show to remember? At this particular matinee show, you needn’t worry. On one hand, because the lineup of Die Group, Surfbort, and the Spits is a right-left-right combo of ferocious rock n’ roll. On the other, because the show was sponsored by Ming River Baijiu liquor company. Ming River was offering free shot samples of their different flavors as well as fantastic drink specials. The crowd was at the venue getting well lubricated two hours before the first band even took stage. Most opening bands need to start playing in order to get people to crowd the stage. Most bands with drummers on lead vocals are boring to watch. Die Group is not most bands. Clad in all black and in leather motorcycle jackets no matter how bikram yoga hot the stage gets, the trio deliver monstrous fuzz guitar over solid garage grooves. Eric Big Arm uses every inch of his side of the stage while drummer and

Unheavenly Skies Above Los Feliz: Coheed & Cambria and Mastodon at the Greek

Rob Shepyer July 3, 2019

I could’ve gone to see the Misfits but seeing how it would’ve been my fourth time, I felt like I had a pass to miss a fiend club meet up for the chance to catch Coheed and Cambria’s Unheavenly Skye tour with Mastodon and Every Time I Die at the Greek Theatre. The sweeping, virtuosic, narrative-driven, poppy, metallic music of Coheed and Cambria has always intrigued me. They captured a different sound and concept than any other band within the progressive genre, which I suppose is the only one you can fit them into. And so, this sweet summer night saw the clouds gather over Los Feliz to rumble with thunder and lightning because tonight, the Rock Gods were out to play. Every Time I Die began the night with some of the best metalcore on the market today. I had been trying to catch them for awhile and was blown away by their intensity, fun, catchiness, and just how jagged their riffs were. Following them was one of the most important progressive metal bands of all time, Mastodon. I wouldn’t leave their accolades at prog metal though, they will have a lasting impact on all heavy music. It’s amazing

I Got the Mic, So Shut the Fuck Up: Freddie Gibbs and Madlib at the Roxy

Jonathan Reyes June 30, 2019

If there’s anything to take from Tuesday night’s preview of Bandana, the latest release from Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, it’s just shut it and enjoy what could possibly be the best Gangster Rap artist of the last ten years. Counter to that claim, Gibbs would have to care about accolades and “best of” lists, from his yearly revitalization and inability to create anything unoriginal, he couldn’t be bothered, the only thing that seems to matter to him is being the best version of himself. related content: The Music Millennials Make Love To: Smokin’ Grooves 2019 At The Queen Mary If Freddie has all the ingredients, Madlib is the chef preparing the courses. Their second album is Mexican candy, it’s a burger, its caviar, it’s one part Hennessy one part Freddie one part Madlib, and like a basket on Chopped it all works out into an unconventional but complete meal. Imagine being so good that you don’t need gimmicks in a genre populated by them. Think about making best rap album of the year and deciding to put a teddy bear riding a zebra on the cover. The confidence in skill to freestyle multiple times a night, I’ve seen plenty headliners

Haley Dahl, Queen of Rock in 2019: Sloppy Jane at the Bootleg Theater

Rob Shepyer June 29, 2019

Have you ever felt proud of someone you’ve never met but who’s art you know? That’s how I feel about Sloppy Jane and Haley Dahl after seeing her show at the Bootleg Theater. I feel incredibly proud and inspired by the journey she’s taken as an artist. It was only a few years ago that Sloppy Jane was a small band playing small clubs if not being relegated to ugly, claustrophobic dungeons, attics, and backrooms. In those spaces, she used to have wild, unchained performances, where often times she wound up naked, covered only in blue drool all over her naked, natural body. People would dismiss her as a shock artist even though one could make the GG comparison. Women would get offended and disgusted, men would gaze creepily at her, children would cry, asking mother what she did with all her clothes. She wasn’t getting naked as an empty gesture though. Looking back on it, it wasn’t about us, it was about Haley preparing herself as an artist by bracing all the embarrassment and awkwardness of public nudity to develop her stage power until she was beyond comfortable on any stage with any kind of instruments handy. related content:

Ya’ll Mother Fuckers Need Jesus: Twin Temple at the Roxy

Rob Shepyer June 29, 2019

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” My opinion of Twin Temple is complicated. Before I clarify how, know despite the hilarious title, this is certainly not an endorsement of Christianity. I think worshipping a human being is just as whack as worshipping satan (or perhaps is slightly less) whether it’s for show or not. Twin Temple, Alexandra and Zachary James, are a band with all the talent in the world that thought of a brilliant concept and materialized it into a package perfectly knit together with all its working parts contributing to something that is powerful and magnetic. Musically and theatrically, the members of this band were born to make and perform music. Removing the satanic component from their sound, they’re single handedly bringing back doo-wop with a sweet vengeance. Their latest banger “Satan’s a Woman” and a sold out Roxy performance are only two examples of how. related content: Echo Part Rising (Five Pointed) Stars: Twin Temple The rub lies in satanism, for me at least. I have so much to say about satanism and satan in music and how it relates to this band and cultural moment that I’m just

Slug Cult Has Risen: Cancerslug 20 Year Anniversary at the Whisky

Rob Shepyer June 23, 2019

In the world of horror punk, the Misfits and our dark lord, Glenn Danzig created a model that would inspire every band that dared perform catchy, anthemic songs about such topics as murder, sexual deviancy, and all things morbid or B movie shlock. Since them, no one has come close to creating a comparable legacy or body of work… with one exception. That exception is Alex Story’s band, Cancerslug. Where the Misfits had a die hard following known as the fiend club, Cancerslug has the Slug Cult. Where The Misfits infused their punk with the humor, crassness, and swagger of New Jersey, Cancerslug’s music could’ve only come from the muggy, humid, bluesy and Christ-fearing land of Alabama. Where Danzig knew how to capture imaginations and become larger than life on stage, Alex Story surpasses his presence with wolfish prowling, wild moves and a monstrous anatomy. Where the Misfits had a few notable albums, over their 20 year killing spree, Cancerslug has a huge body of work with notable songs on every single album and as time went on, they never compromised or lost direction. For this reason, Cancerslug needs to be considered among the best of the horror punk genre. If