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1Fest-Los Angeles at Los Globos: Noise As Music As Force Is Farce
Rob Shepyer
July 8, 2017
In my quest for mind expansion through live musical experience, I’ve been fortunate enough to write about festivals that I might not have cared to attend If I was just a casual music fan. This was the case for Berserktown, 8BitLA, and now 1Fest: Los Angeles. I’ve learned that taking a risk and just diving into a genre of music without prior knowledge usually only reaps joyful reward. Absorbing too much musical diversity has its drawbacks, though. The mind can expand so much that the brain might start pressing against the inside of the skull and adapt by developing a sort of exo-skeleton, a crust. Brain crust. related content: The Most Complete Sound And Fury 2017 Review On Earth Crust punk and Grindcore- Two genres birthed out of the aesthetics of British Anarchist punk OG’s Crass. Grindcore was first conceptualized by Napalm Death as half political dissidence and half musical farce, with songs that only lasted seconds and little care for actually singing the lyrics live. Grindcore, although as separate from mainstream heavy music as possible, is still thriving and alive because Grindcore is not simply a musical genre but a challenge. It is a challenge to any band to see
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Quintron & Miss Pussycat Break From The Traditional At Ebell Club
Jonathan Reyes
July 8, 2017
Driving up to Highland Park from Long Beach, the first thing I noticed was that all-day parking was only 2 bucks. Scored points for that but lost the game when I had to park next to a guy who’s car was covered in foil and hubcaps. I hate guys like that, who’s whole personality is tied to their car. It’s like he put anything interesting about him on his car and now we have to pretend it’s nice. Walking up to The Highland Park Ebell Club, I saw old friends and now friendly competition, Cool Tite‘s Sergio and Crystal. Shout out to them. Also spotted Vice Cooler, who if you don’t know, you’re fucking up majorly because he’s so fucking original and talented, I once saw him ride a guitar on stage. I caught Feels and I’m always like why don’t I watch them more often. They never disappoint and they also remind me of like Making The Band because they all seem different from each other but also really good friends. related content: New Album Review: 1 Week With Feels Debut LP From Castle Face Records Two years ago I saw Quintron for the first time performing with his
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Black Lips Vandalize L.A. w/ Satan’s Graffiti at The Regent Theater
Danny Baraz
July 6, 2017
Yes, your favorite garage rockin’, junked out beatniks, the Black Lips have a new album and are currently on tour. And just like the many indie anti-hero demi-gods that have gone before them, they have their eyes on the prize of scaling their operations onto the tape and record players and bluetooth audio speakers of music civilians that don’t take this shit as seriously as some of us do. You know, the ones that send you into the largely undefined, next level of this nebulous blob forming in the place where the music industry used to be. So, because of my deep affection for the bad kid rockers and the fact that I don’t hate their latest album, Satan’s Graffiti or God’s Art? like I’ve heard from a handful of Black Lips purists upon it’s release, the most important task for determining it’s value to my music portfolio was to see them do it live… besides, maybe Yoko Ono would show up at The Regent Theater as a guest to perform on the song she’s featured on the new album her son Sean produced, “Occidental Front”… related content: Snapshot Of A New Music Industry- White Fang, No Parents & The
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Drab Majesty Return to Los Angeles After Taking Europe By Storm
Rob Shepyer
July 1, 2017
The buzz surrounding LA’s own Drab Majesty peaked and cemented the band as more than just an underground attraction- this buzz has evolved into downright success. We here at Janky Smooth listed them as one of the bands to watch in 2017 and boy, it feels smooth as silk to be right. Sometime during their American and European tours opening for Cold Cave, it became apparent that this goth duo was a premier group, destined to surpass Cold Cave musically. I believe the band’s homecoming Echoplex show was the beginning of the Drab Majesty era. Even by the first band, Chasms, people came flocking into the show with an impressive early turn out. Originally from San Francisco and now based in Los Angeles, Chasms plays ambient-gaze with guitar riffs that make you measure the depth of your soul with each stroke. Their drum machine sounds like a hammer slamming upon steel but their vocals sound like a soothing siren, luring you into the abyss. Chasms has become a go-to opener for any big gaze or goth act because they set the tone very punctually, there’s no escaping introspection after a Chasms set. After a cig or two and a glass
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High-Functioning Flesh “Culture Cut” Release Party at Echoplex
Rob Shepyer
June 28, 2017
For every genre, there is a right sound. A band’s music and vocal style have to marry each other in a familiar, yet original way to occupy the space in the ether that has always been waiting for them. High-Functioning Flesh captures the right industrial sound for 2017. Susan Subtract’s coarse vocal tone harkens back greats like Al Jourgensen and Nivek Ohgr, while Greg Vont’s music does the same with both singers’ respective bands. The difference is, High-Functioning Flesh uses highly danceable rhythms and melodies to make classic industrial sound new and fresh. If you listen to Ministry’s Twitch or any Skinny Puppy albums before Last Rights, you’ll find plenty of gems but only a few songs that could really hold their own on a mainstream dance floor. Meanwhile, every song on High-Functioning Flesh’s third and new album, Culture Cut, can pull any person onto a dance floor. I first discovered High-Functioning Flesh after seeing an Instagram video posted by Blaque Chris featuring the band headlining a Planned Parenthood benefit. The band’s compassion towards women and trans rights is just as pronounced as their music. After that, I made sure to check them out at Lethal Amounts’ Sado Maso Disco
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The Most Complete Sound And Fury 2017 Review On Earth
Rob Shepyer
June 26, 2017
Sound and Fury Festival is one big happy hardcore family and like any family, we like to fight but it’s only out of love. Artists and fans traveled from far and wide, from inside the USA and beyond, to join together and form an unbreakable bond for four days around hardcore music. The unity we shared was stronger than any of the things that divide people outside this scene’s little bubble. We might seem crazed for jumping off stages and swinging our fists and slamming our bodies into one another but the world-at-large can learn a thing or two from us. We can be the example-setters for brotherhood and sisterhood. When I call Sound and Fury a family, I mean the artists and the audience alike. That title is earned by the festival’s participants with three key factors: 1. Artists, usually ones under the same record label, will play in other bands throughout the whole festival. So, you’ll see Todd Jones and the festival’s organizer Martin, playing guitars with Terror; or you’ll see Brendan Yates playing guitar with Angel Du$t; or Taylor Young from Nails drumming for Criminal Instinct or playing guitar for Eyes of the Lord. Then you’ll also
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Becky Brings French Vanilla, The Vivids & More to Acerogami in Pomona
Janky Smooth Central Command
June 22, 2017
A Friday night coupled with a stacked show at Acerogami in Pomona is always a good thing. The vibe is always chill; comfy couches and a super clean lounge area are usually a turn off for me, especially at a “punk” show. But somehow, Acerogami pulled it off without so much as a raised eyebrow. Could have something to do with the line-up for the evening- Hawaiian T-shirt, Sister Mantos, The Vivids and French Vanilla, a highly anticipated show by the many lovers of the LA post punk scene. First up on the four band bill was Hawaiian T-shirt, a recent post punk addition to the local band mix. New to my ears in the past few weeks, I instantly liked them and have been failing at catching them live at one of the many shows they’ve been playing. This was my lucky night. The trio of Ana (vox & guitar), Jeremiah (vox & bass) and Tara (drums) fire off songs that parallel Gang of Four, Pixies and others while keeping their own unique sound. Just enough rawness to keep it tangy with angry lyrics to keep you intrigued on what’s coming out next. They have an EP up on Bandcamp (linked
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Learning New Words Like Zorched w/ Wild Wing & Surfbort is Lit AF
Jonathan Reyes
June 20, 2017
I know I’m getting old when I see posters with words I don’t know. I saw a poster for Zorched LA from LowNSlow DIY and I was like, do I “get Zorched” or do I just start calling things Zorched the way I do with lit? I also didn’t know where it was so I started thinking how not L.A. I’d become. I parked and ate at Yoshinoya because I like that stringy meat they sell and noticed some teens in the current alt punk fashion of short pants and so ironic it’s not ironic tees. I followed them into a dreary looking building and this is what I saw and/or heard… I legit heard a kid say “I hope no one sees that I’m wearing a USC shirt” then he pulled out the $20 bill his parents gave him to go to the show. Win 2 Tickets, Vinyl & Other Band Merch for Dirty Penni Fest w/ The Shrine, Deap Vally & MORE Denim Skull – Kinda sounded like if Animal from the Muppets fronted Pissed Jeans. It reminds me of when I’m angry and I want to start a band to yell about things but I don’t flesh
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The Primitives: Yet Another Rare Score for Part Time Punks 12th Anniversary
Rob Shepyer
June 12, 2017
At this point, the musical muscle memory I’ve developed as a contributor for Janky Smooth has revealed at LEAST one thing- I know how to spot a good show from a mile away. So, when Part Time Punks announced that The Primitives were playing Los Angeles for the first time in twenty-three years aaaaand on top of that, it was the 12th anniversary of Part Time Punks, well I knew there was no earthly way I was going to miss it. The last few months of the weekly club alone have bestowed upon us Gene Loves Jezebel, James Chance and the Contortions and the first ever L.A. gig of British sensations, Sleaford Mods. Along with marquee headliners, Part Time Punks have excelled at booking complimentary opening acts, as well- and this past Sunday was no exception. related content: Part Time Punk Past… The openers for The Primitives gig on Sunday were Susan– a band made up of three women, none of them named Susan, playing alternative pop rock. Jessica O, the band’s guitarist plucked her six string with punchy sounding notes and soloed with impressive chops. Combined with bassist Bobby B. and drummer Katie Fern, the three would harmonize with
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Punk Rock Bowling 2017 Kicks Off w/ The Sonics, Throw Rag & Moore
Vanessa Burgundy
June 7, 2017
There was a handful of early-bird punks and a few scattered tourists as we approached a surprisingly sleepy version of downtown Fremont Street but with a line-up including Dr. Madd Vibe (feat. Angelo Moore from Fishbone), Throw Rag, the Mutants, Chicken Hawk All Stars, and OG (that’s original garage) rockers The Sonics at Fremont Country Club– we were about to get woke the fuck up. related content: The Sonics Teach Garage Rock History 101 at The Observatory It was the unofficial opening night of Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival 2017, now in it’s 19th year (how old are we?!), and the Stern brothers have yet to disappoint- although it was now 9:30pm and the doors were not yet open. Of course we overlooked the first day sluggishness as we got a sweet and smooth welcome from our Hollywood homeboy and star of the night, Chicken Hawk All Stars lead singer/Fremont Country Club venue owner, Big Daddy Carlos. It was at least 10:15 before the curtain came up with Dr. Madd Vibe’s blaring instruments and dueling vocals as loud as Angelo’s hand-painted, psychedelic suit. Always a showman and masterful musician, the energy was there but the crowd had not yet caught
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The Transcendental Jams of Kikagaku Moyo at Austin’s Scottish Rite Theater
Lindsay Krause
June 5, 2017
A Masonic double-headed eagle emblem keeps a watchful eye on top of the glowing sign for Austin’s Historic Scottish Rite Theatre. Over the weekend, this former German opera house transformed into an enchanting lair to host rising experimental Japanese group Kikagaku Moyo. It’s not often that one gets to experience a touring act in a location outside of the typical bar scenario, and the spooky elegance of Austin’s oldest theatre (it was built in the late 1800s!) played a role in elevating the evening, thanks to event producers Perfect Life Presents. Austin acts Hidden Ritual and Soft Healer provided opening support at the theatre that evening. Hidden Ritual’s brand of post-punk exuded the eeriness of a western-noir film, complementing the ominous air in Scottish Rite. Local lighting crews Etherwave and ACID Light Show collaborated on a curious visual backdrop which intertwined black and white vintage 16mm film clips and vivid liquid lights. Overhead the theatre ceiling glowed softly in replicated patterns of celestial bodies in the night sky, prompting Soft Healer’s singer to remark “the sky looks great this evening”. Formed as a busking collective in Tokyo during 2012, Kikagaku Moyo have released 3 full length albums and are currently
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Pallbearer & Gatecreeper Stop at Echoplex Reminds Us- Guitar Solos Matter
Rob Shepyer
May 27, 2017
Pallbearer’s tour brought them to the Echoplex on May 18th with support from Arizona death metal savages Gatecreeper and local avante-garde-post-experimental-jazz-metal-poets Grand Lord High Master. Doom metal is back in style because sorrow and surrender and being in touch with your feelings are back in style. Maybe “being in touch with your feelings” is overstating things just a little. At the very least it’s being in touch with the fact that you have feelings. Emo might have had its resurgence for the same reason and in times like these, you have to understand why. If not, you might just join in the mourning process yourself. Pallbearer is one of the leading bands in the new wave of doom metal. What they do is an original spin on an old style that sounds both new and familiar to the ear. Combining elements of classic hard rock, prog rock, and even shoegaze, the band’s latest album Heartless is a tour-de-force. Listening to Heartless, I hear just as much Guns n’ Roses or Metallica as I do classic doom like Candlemass or Cathedral. The band is not afraid to flaunt their talent their virtuosity, they stretch notes and solo often and in a
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