Category: SHOWS

The Ultimate Residency: Ty Segall & Freedom Band at Teragram

Dillon Vaughn August 11, 2019

The second night of Ty Segall‘s MASSIVE 10 week residency at The Teragram Ballroom was a perfect juxtaposition of the now classic, simple songwriting and garage riffs of 2010 paired with the refined and experimental material of a maturing artist. related content: Ty Segall & The Freedom Band Blows Minds At Secret Show At The Griffin Backed by an ensemble of familiar LA musicians performing as The Freedom Band, Ty and Co. set the evening in motion with a blazing rendition of the entirety of the recently released album First Taste. The Freedom Band (consisting of Mikal Cronin, Charles Moothart, Emmet Kelley, and Shannon Lay [perfectly adding six strings to the press-buzz generating “guitarless album”]) cast new light on an already new release by significantly boosting the energy of every single track. A swelling electric rendition of the a capella Ice Plant, now complete with percussion and strings, stands out as a highlight of the evening and a prime example of the power of live performance. Feeding upon the excitement of the audience and playing harder or with more feeling is the cycle that makes it more than just “songs from the album, but live.” It’s the entire purpose of seeing music in person and

The Perfect Summer Show: The Drums at the Palladium

Aria Silva-Espinosa August 2, 2019

The lines for the Palladium blocked foot traffic on Sunset Boulevard Saturday night. It’s been so hot and sticky in Los Angeles the past week or so that everyone seems anxious to leave the air conditioned apartments and ceiling fans they’ve been heavily relying on for survival and seek some social interaction. Conversations carry loudly through the venue halls and common areas. One of the best parts of the Palladium is that there’s an old-fashioned popcorn machine in the back, it really makes it feel more like you’re there for the theatre or the cinema rather than a rock show. related content: Overcoming Fear With Fever Ray At The Palladium It’s a good sign when the line at the merch booth is just as enthusiastic as the line outside the box office and the die-hard enthusiasm for New York indie pop outfit The Drums is omnipresent throughout the venue. I pass a kid in the lobby donning dark red makeup with a custom bejeweled full-body jumpsuit bearing the band’s moniker on the back in rhinestones. The Drums certainly have a sound reminiscent of late 80’s new wave music but in a polished sort of way. The music is happy, the

In the Presence of Royalty: Yes at Fivepoint Ampitheatre

Rob Shepyer August 2, 2019

It’s important to sprinkle in a little classic rock to any LA concert junkie’s calendar of shows. Frequenting only underground music, no matter the genre, will still give you a limited understanding of the human soul, no matter how much you bounce around the spectrum of different sounds. Sometimes you need the radio hits, KLOS or otherwise. Such was the case when I had to decide between Knot Fest, The Drums, and Yes‘ Royal Affair Tour with Asia, John Lodge, and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy. The choice was obvious. Janky Smooth originated as a psych rock operation after all and the psych kids of yesterday were the progressive rockers. Bands like Yes and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer made music and sang lyrics that took listeners on journeys far beyond this plane of existence, much like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard do in 2019. The way King Gizz sings about magic, mysticism, and adventure differs from that of the old kings though. Where the new breed sings about these topics with irony, pastiche, or jest, the old bands sang about them with authenticity and the hope to inspire. It’s no wonder progressive music might be considered a nerdy genre by

Maggots Unite!: Knot Fest Road Show 2019

Janky Smooth Central Command August 1, 2019

Photos by: Pedro Carrera Words by: Wesley Vanhook The sun was high and unforgiving over the San Bernardino hills for Knot Fest Roadshow. Anyone that’s been to the Glen Helen Pavillon knows just how hot the sun beats down. But the heat was no deterrent to the rabid maggots of Slipknot. Parking lot tailgating was in full-effect and the party was only just beginning. The gates opened and fans began pouring in for the masters of darkness Behemoth, as they were about to begin their dark ceremony. related content: No Rest ‘Till Knotfest This would be the second time I would see Behemoth touring North America in support of their latest album I Loved You at Your Darkest. The stage was set and as a banner of North America with a giant upside down cross was strewn over the stage. Behemoth then ripped into the wild track “Wolves of Siberia” and never let up, playing “Daimonos”, “Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer”, and the classic “Conquer All” Behemoth showed their live show is a force to be reckoned with. related content: Slayer’s Final So-Cal Show At Five Point Amphitheater: The Most Insane Review I’ll Ever Write With Behemoth setting the bar for

Birthday Boogaloo: Burger Boogaloo 2019

Nicole Verto July 31, 2019

Words by: Nicole Verto Photos by: Workhorse Studios I’m supposed to be starting this with some glorious cliche about how Burger Boogaloo is “bigger and better” as it celebrates ten years of weird punk fun but I can’t because it wasn’t those things. related content: The De-Evolution of Burger Boogaloo First of all, it was held in the same space but a smaller portion of it. This year, the festival downgraded from two stages to one and closed off access to the amphitheater. Rumors swirled on rays of sunlight. “It’s probably because of low attendance. That’s the only reason it could be, right?” “I heard it was so they wouldn’t displace folks living here.” Whatever the reason, there was one stage and some people did not love that. I am not one of those people — the stage was positioned such that you could hear and see from everywhere. This enabled groups to hunker down in one spot all day and it made the festival seem more intimate — from more conversations to strangers to feeling like you were always close to the music. Basically, for their tenth birthday, the folks behind Boogaloo chose to quietly pull the crowd in

Dais Party: Drab Majesty’s Modern Mirror Record Release at the Fonda

Audrey Kemp July 30, 2019

Since 2007, Dais Records has illuminated artists that challenge the audiophile’s idea of post-punk, and the sold-out Fonda theatre’s guests on July 26 were no exception. Los Angeles’ own rising goth-gaze stars Drab Majesty launched their expansive tour of Modern Mirror, their third studio album, accompanied by the dynamic synth-pop brothers in Body of Light and the imposing industrial phenomenon, HIDE. related content: Deb Demure’s Modern Mirror: Drab Majesty Interview July 26 must have been a pivotal evening for Andrew and Alex Jarson of Body of Light, as it not only marked this performance, but also the release of their second album, Time to Kill. When synth player Andrew emerged alone, diving into an artificial and otherworldly-sounding interlude fit for an early ‘80s sci-fi movie, no one could have expected what would come. Suddenly, Alex emerged from a blood red fog while a synth-pop beat began to take form. Although initially reminiscent of Depeche Mode or Soft Cell, the duo has something that is distinctly their own: Alex’s bursting energy. Going into the album’s third track, “Don’t Pretend,” they were contained to the stage, but by the time they reached the chorus, Alex had jumped from the stage, into the

Photo Recap: Revolver Presents The Pure Noise Tour w/Stick to Your Guns and Terror

Janky Smooth Central Command July 25, 2019

The Pure Noise tour presented by Revolver Magazine made its way to 1720. This stacked hardcore lineup featured some California originals ripping the stage up and as you can see by the photos, this crowd won’t forget the songs or the bruises. Stick to Your Guns, Terror, Sanction, and Counterparts each brought it and brought it hard. Photos by: Veronika Reinert Stick to Your Guns Terror Sanction Counterparts

Boston Calling: Sound and Fury 2019

Rob Shepyer July 24, 2019

Words by: Rob Shepyer Photos by: Albert Licano, Anthony Mehlhaff, and Veronika Reinert I feel like every year I go to Sound and Fury, I end up thinking it was the best Sound and Fury I’ve ever been to. 2018 was the festival’s first time at the Belasco, with California’s beloved Rotting Out reuniting to headline Friday, Ceremony closing out the main fest and Iron Age reuniting for an after show at the tiny Resident. Before that, 2017 had Incendiary headline the Regent but also play Five Star Bar the night before, along with Nails, for an after show that had chairs and real punches swinging in the pit. My first Sound and Fury, 2016 featured an unforgettable Ceremony set and was the only time I’ve ever seen my favorite black metal band, Taake, at an after show. related content: Sound And Fury Hardcore Festival Comes Of Age All Across Los Angeles And yet, taking all of these experiences into account, I still feel Sound and Fury 2019 is the undisputed champion. Why? Simply because Have Heart created a concert atmosphere that was so crazed, I’ve never seen anything like it, nor probably will ever again. Seeing it happen in the

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

Category: SHOWS

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