Category: SHOWS

Grey Skies Above, Mosh Pits Below: $UICIDEBOY$ at the Shrine

Rob Shepyer September 7, 2019

I had been meaning to see $UICIDE BOY$ for a few years. To me, these two New Orleans born, Gen-Z rappers are the best talents of their crop. The face-tatted, nihilistic, drinking and drugging lyrical miracles that you might see on Rolling Loud have nothing on these two. Their flow, their beats, their song structures are a cut above the rest, white, black, or otherwise. And their success has matched their talent. Perhaps there’s been no better evidence of just how popular they are than two sold out two nights at the Shrine Expo Hall on a tour that was absolutely stacked. With all the nu-metal inspired hip hop blending with hardcore music on this stage, this is as close as 2019 can come to the the Family Values tours in the 90’s. related content: Rolling Loud SoCal 2017 Doses The Youth With The Latest Opiate Of The Masses The Grey Day tour included young gun rap stars and duos such as City Morgue, who took the Shrine to fever-pitch right from the get-go with their visceral hardcore horror rap and Slipknot covers; Shakewell, the big boy with a flow that’s lightning fast and gets everyone jazzed, juiced, and jumping; Germ,

A High and Beautiful Wave: Psycho Las Vegas 2019

Rob Shepyer August 31, 2019

“So now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark—that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back.” ~ Dr. Hunter S. Thompson With the country’s current political climate putting its populous in divided disarray, one has to wonder if the American dream has remained intact and not fallen by the wayside as so many once credible ideas and institutions have. Dr. Hunter S. Thompson performed a drug fueled pilgrimage down the mainline vein of the country, the dusty connective highways between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, in search for the heart of the American dream and like a lethal dose of adrenochrome, he came bursting on the scene. What the good doctor found was both life and death, decency and depravity, all wrapped into one gaudy American nightmare churned out by the 24 hour fantasy machine of Vegas. Today, if Thompson was alive, he would think Psycho Las Vegas was the climax of the dream he was looking for, a wellspring of underground music taking over the Mandalay Bay Casino & Resort, a

Uprising: An Afro Future Her-Story at Ford Theatre

Jessica Moncrief August 27, 2019

Jazz is alive and well and it’s not just for the old folks! The Nonsemble – Jazz/Not Jazz at Left and Center (a collective group of music addicts) are fueling a movement of Jazz related art, music and lifestyle and have been doing their part to keep the scene thriving by providing Angelenos with quality events such as their most recent homage to South Africa’s National Woman’s Day, “Uprising: An Afro Future Her-Story” featuring Siya Makuzeni and Thandi Ntuli, two of South Africa’s top women in Jazz. Pro tip: If you have not attended a show at the historical Ford Theatre, I highly recommend that you do so as soon as possible. The lights, sound and ambiance are on point and the size of the amphitheatre is perfect for a great view even from the very back. A better venue could not have been chosen for this celebration, specifically considering nearly 100 years ago 2 women were the original visionaries behind what is now known as The Ford Theatre. In 1920, author and philanthropist, Christine Wetherill Stevenon and Mrs. Chauncey D. Clark joined forces to purchase the plots of land where both The Ford and The Hollywood Bowl sit today. Often

Subtle Like A T-Rex: The Murder City Devils in So-Cal

Jessica Moncrief August 26, 2019

Almost every time I have seen The Murder City Devils in the past, it has been with some indie or experimental band opening that is not even close to the same vibe as theirs. On one hand, they are opening up their fans to a broader perspective of music they enjoy. On the other hand, many of their supporting bands, in my opinion, have missed the mark in building up the energy before the headlining set. Those who were fortunate enough to make it to Vegas this year for Punk Rock Bowling had the chance to see MCD with fully punk line-up including Le Butcherettes and The Flytraps. While I was sad I couldn’t make it for such a glorious event, I was please to find that punk/indie alumni, The Intelligence, would be joining them for their 2 night stint in Southern California. The mic-deep throating started at The Observatory in Santa Ana the first night and the insanity continued at The Teragram Ballroom in DLTA the following evening. As much as I enjoyed the presence and energy, I wouldn’t be reporting accurately if I didn’t mention that the sound mix was off during MCD’s sets both nights. Spencer’s vocals were

The Sound of Silence: Outside Lands 2019

Janky Smooth Central Command August 21, 2019

Words and Photos: Maggie St. Thomas Back at Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival for my 2nd year in a row, I definitely felt like I was home again. This San Francisco 3-day event is always a mixed bag of goodies and is well known for offering one of the most diverse line-ups in music. Six stages and artwork displays come alive beneath towering eucalyptus trees in the gorgeous lush green forest that surrounds Golden Gate park. Outside Lands is massive. This year was a record breaking crowd that was served the finest once again from the people of Grandstand Media. related content: The Queens Converge At Outside Lands 2018 There was a rainbow color of lights emitting from the trees, through the thick layers of fog, or maybe that was the smoke emanating from Grass Lands, a large cannabis education section. This year Outside Lands made history as the first festival in California to offer their concert goers a place to purchase and consume marijuana products. For 3 days, the festival was home for good vibes, good music, and all around good everything. The beauty of Outside Lands is that there is so much to entertain just about anyone. My favorite part of

Who is Orville Peck? Pink Sunsets Over the OC Observatory

Rob Shepyer August 21, 2019

If you need proof that music has the power to change society, look no further than Orville Peck. Coming from the punk and hardcore tradition of making your own rules to live by, Orville has broken the rules of country music, coming at just the right time when the country is the most broken. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Mr. Peck has skyrocketed to success at the same time as Lil Nas X, revolutionizing the same genre. I wouldn’t be surprised if the two ended up doing a duet, actually. Perhaps there was always a homosexual, sort of Tom of Finland, element to country and cowboy culture (Brokeback Mountain wouldn’t be so controversial if released today) or perhaps this genre steeped in conservatism and rigid tradition has always been begging for an artist to liberate it. Whether gay or black or both, the changing face of country mirrors the changing face of America and the Americans that would’ve rejected a whiter, straighter brand of country are ready, willing, and elated to embrace a gayer, darker country music. So who is Orville Peck? Everyone is wondering. The mask adds to the mystique, so maybe it’s better we never find

Under From Down Thunder: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard at the Greek Theatre

Rob Shepyer August 20, 2019

The ascent of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard from Australian psych rock darlings to Greek Theatre headlining Los Angeles phenomenon has been a journey that has not only pleasured our psych rock scene but developed it to be passed down to a younger generation. In many ways, we in Los Angeles feel like King Gizz is our band. And so, to celebrate their reaching a new steppe in the hierarchy of rock and a new album, the band played an epic set that thrilled, chilled, and gave everyone the full King Gizz experience. My prediction that 2019 would be the year of the Australian takeover might not be as evident as with this concert seeing as all three bands hail from the continent. I’m not sure what the charm is exactly, perhaps we consider them exotic. I think it’s the terrain though, surrealist desert, plenty of surf, oddball nature, cultured metropolis, and hard drinking would inspire great psychedelic music. related content: Unheavenly Skies Above Los Feliz: Coheed & Cambria And Mastodon At The Greek Opening the evening was ORB, a psych rock session of Sabbath worship and we’re talking early Sabbath. Self-titled. Down-tuned riffs that harken ominous imagery and make

Community Outreach: Better Oblivion Community Center at the Observatory

Rob Shepyer August 13, 2019

I had been itching to see Better Oblivion Community Center for the greater part of the year up until this month. They held sold out two consecutive nights at Teragram earlier in the year and though I couldn’t squeeze my way in, I got the sense that the hype was completely deserved. For those of you who don’t know, this oddly titled band is the collaboration between Bright Eyes‘ fearless troubadour Conor Oberst and queen of Los Angeles, Phoebe Bridgers, who together create some of the most heart-felt and groovy alternative folk music you’ll ever hear. With two Southern California shows, one at the Observatory and one at the Wiltern, I wasn’t going to let this opportunity go to waste. I was going to the community meeting with my heart open for change. related content: Haley Dahl, Queen of Rock in 2019: Sloppy Jane at the Bootleg Theater I can’t remember the last group who’s songwriting touched me in such a tender way as BOCC. Songs like “Didn’t Know What I Was In For” and “Chesapeake” are described as moving for a reason, I can actually feel my heart taking a more sensitive disposition toward this life than before I hear

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

Category: SHOWS

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