Category: SHOWS

A Show and a Chat with Built To Spill at The Troubadour

Paige Vreede July 18, 2015

Very seldom do bands remain popular after 23 years of producing music, let alone go on tour and sell out shows. This however, has not been the case for Built to Spill – a band that has been releasing consistently impressive albums since 1993. Over the years, musical maestro, Doug Martsche (singer and guitarist) has experimented with various album concepts, sounds, and even band members, yet has remained undeniably relevant since day one. To this you might reply with something like, “Rolling Stones” but we are talking about an indie band, not a worldwide musical phenomenon that are a household name. After a six-year hiatus, Built to Spill released a new album “Untethered Moon” this past April. With their recent release, the Idaho natives announced a world tour. Yes, a band that premiered their first album when I was only three years old, has been selling out shows on a world tour; and I was fortunate enough to be among one of the attendees. Slam Dunk, who were partially responsible in inspiring “Untethered Moon,” graced us with their presence before Built To Spill took the stage. As I peered over the balcony above, I noticed a sea of bopping heads flood

Beach Party Kickoff Rager for July Residency at The Echo

Justin Cornwall July 9, 2015

Monday nights in Los Angeles are perfect for catching live music. Up and coming acts are often given monthly residencies at one of several venues after paying some dues and climbing the musical ladder in LA. After a year or so of consistent work since their initial (Ty Segall produced) singles “Can’t Surf/Fun”, Beach Party has earned their slot every Monday this month at The Echoplex – joined by friends of their choosing. I made it to the venue just in time to catch The Buttertones open. They reminded me of The Aquabats + Misfits + Talking Heads. Some of their tunes were right out of a Dick Dale fever dream. They were a great choice for an opener; they fit in as Beach Party’s squeaky clean younger cousins. The live saxophone, which wasn’t overdone, filled in the gaps in their surfy low-fi vibes perfectly. The crowd was into it and seemingly grew as soon as they finished their set.. in preparation for Beach Party. The Beach Party residency is tethered to the incoming release of their EP “Ripper”, recorded by Sonny Diperri (involved w/ Portugal The Man, Hanni El Khatib,STRFKR), and is available for early physical purchase at these

Barb Wire Dolls Kick Off 2 Month Residency at The Whisky a Go Go

Danny Baraz July 7, 2015

Last night, Taylor Wong and I met at The Whiskey A Go Go to check out Barb Wire Dolls, Clepto and Tartar Control. Really, I was interested in Clepto and Tartar Control but after all the years of buzz, great reviews, touring and an endless stream of sexy photos, I decided to finally check out Barb Wire Dolls– a band that hit the punk scene as hard and fast as a Japanese Bullet train. Up to this point, nothing I had heard from the band had really resonated with me but I decided to watch and listen with an open mind. As we approached the Whiskey, Taylor informed me that he had never seen a show there. I was blown away. It shows just how irrelevant The Whisky has become that this 24 year year old music fan and journalist was entering the Whisky for the first time in his life. This historic venue that has helped launch the careers of acts like The Doors, Van Halen, Sonny and Cher, Guns and Roses and thousands of other bands has sustained itself on the pay to play model for about 15 years now. Almost every show I’ve seen there over the

Television is Flawless at The Teragram Ballroom

Danny Baraz July 6, 2015

Tom Verlaine and Co. casually walked onto the stage as if they were walking into their practice space. They picked up their weapons, turned on their amplifiers and took a good 3 minutes, casually confirming that their instruments were indeed in tune, seemingly oblivious to the fact that there was a sold out crowd standing right in front of them at The Teragram Ballroom. We were there to see their band Television play, most of us for the first and most likely, the last time. This was a momentous occasion even though 99.999999 percent of the world doesn’t know about them or their band. Almost every self respecting music lover is aware of a place called CBGB and the art that erupted out of that tiny, urine soaked corner of the world. It’s one of the places that the word Punk was defined and it’s also the place that it first became misunderstood because by today’s standard, the band Television doesn’t fit the narrow definition. Blondie, Talking Heads, The Ramones, Patti Smith, The Dead Boys and The Cramps (just to name a few), all CBGB bands that had a different sound but a similar spirit of independence. They were given

Jacco Gardner at The Echo shot by Julien Kelly

Jacco Gardner at The Echo: Psychedelic Scientist

Lawrence Rengert July 3, 2015

I remember the first time I saw the band Sleep play in San Francisco. There they were in all their glory, long before the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th wave of psychedelic, heavy or stoner rock got a foot hold. What was amazing about them is I kept wanting to say “wow this band is just like Black Sabbath,” but then correcting myself I realized, “no this band IS Black Sabbath.” From their Green Amps made for Sleep (just like the Orange Amps made for Black Sabbath) every aspect of their music, appearance and presentation screamed Sabbath and they did not disappoint. In the exact same way, the first time someone put on the music video for ‘Clear the Air’, the first single by Jacco Gardner on Excelsior-Recordings, I was convinced it was the second coming of Pink Floyd. Not just as an influence, but as a reincarnation; conjured into existence from the UFO Club in London, 1966. In fact, Jacco Gardner looks a tiny bit like a smaller, younger and more attractive Roger Waters. From his spectacular colored light show to the Farfisa-esque harpsichord via modern day Korg synthesizer, Jacco takes you directly back to the earliest days of the

Lolipalooza Reloads for it’s Second Year at The Echo

Danny Baraz June 30, 2015

This time last year, I attended the first annual Lolipalooza at The Echo and The Echoplex. I was blown away by the amount of cool, young bands that are coming to and out of L.A. It’s the most amount of fresh, young new music I’ve seen in this city in my entire lifetime, (I wasn’t around for the late 70’s/early 80’s). In the 365 days that have passed since attending their inaugural event, Lolipop Records have not slowed down one bit. The buildings which house The Echo/Echoplex and Lolipop Records have turned into an incubator of fresh, young talent. In this small corner of Echo Park, bands are discovered, recorded, showcased and packaged, all within a 100 yard radius and are subsequently dispersed throughout the globe to show why Los Angeles is the epicenter for music. Wyatt Blair, owner of Lolipop and accomplished musician saw an immense opportunity and took it upon himself to execute his vision and Los Angeles and indeed, the world are a better place for it. I passed through the gates and through the Echoplex driveway early on in the day. It was muggy and nasty out. The sky opened up a couple times during festival

Head Wound City at Echoplex shot by David Evanko

FYF Presents Head Wound City at The Echoplex: Pretty Boy Hardcore

Danny Baraz June 29, 2015

When I think of metal bands I have loved throughout history, I think of mullets, Dungeons and Dragons, short busses, bad hygiene and full rooms, void of any feminine presence. My how times have changed. On Friday night, FYF Presents continued to display why they are one of the most diverse talent bookers in town when “super group”, Head Wound City played The Echoplex along with Loma Prieta and Crime Desire. Today’s Metal, no less intense in it’s impact, yet the crowd was filled with beautiful people and so was the stage when Head Wound City played their set. Grindcore, mathcore, thrashcore, noise rock, and noisegrind. Call it what you will but it all stems from Thrash/Speed Metal. There were no soccer moms wearing Slayer t-shirts in the 80’s and 90’s but now, H & M actually have a line of clothing that features bands like Slayer and Metallica on them. I wonder if those particular consumers know that Slayer stands for Satan Laughs As You Eternally Rot. Metal has evolved into many things, most of which I’m not a fan of but Justin Pearson along with his label, Three One G are one of the most creative group of musicians

Mikal Cronin Pops Into The Griffin: The New Clubhouse for Rockers in L.A.

Danny Baraz June 25, 2015

Monday nights at The Griffin are becoming a “thing” but it’s definitely not a thing that “they” want “people” to know about. Hopefully Janky Smooth writing about it doesn’t ruin it but it needs to be mentioned since it’s becoming one of the most interesting days of the week for music in Los Angeles. It’s more of a “friend” thing. Ty Segall and Jason Finazzo have managed to rally their circle to come and have a casual hang on Monday nights and their friendship is rewarded with last minute, surprise shows with the likes of Thee Oh Sees and Shannon and the Clams, just to name a few. Quite often people like Henry Rollins show up and stand in a corner as John Dwyer and company do their thang for a small, room full of people. This past Monday, it was Mikal Cronin playing a surprise show at The Griffin. The cool thing about this Monday Night Social that is occurring weekly at The Griffin is that there is no promotion for any of the bands or musicians that play on a weekly basis and that is what makes it fun and casual. There is very little snootiness in the

California Surf Rock Summer Night: Corners,The Abigails & The Pesos

Janky Smooth Central Command June 24, 2015

There is a distinct sound to Southern California’s Beach Goth/Surf Rock scene that you will not find or hear as authentically anywhere else but here and especially in the Constellation Room at the Observatory in Orange County. Nothing can quite compare to the strung out guitar strokes that resemble and embody the sounds of our ocean waves. Yan Pessino, the lead singer of The Pesos, indoctrinated us into this show with his haunting vocals. Intoning, “hola, hola, mi amora, hey, hey my, my sweet desire”. He set the mood through melody. The tune, “Hey, hey” romanticized & roused the crowd to dance & sway to the rhythm of this seaside ballad. The Pesos continued their sweet sounding set with the song, “Cumdown”, glamorizing a youthful yet blue drug induced lifestyle. The girls held hands & twirled their long beachy waves & high waisted shorts and boys nodded in their shaggy surfer cuts & band tees. Popping open a few blue ribbons was a successful way to transition to The Abigails. Alcohol might actually be the perfect metaphor for this band. Warren Thomas was stoked as he began the bands set by telling us “I want to fucking party with you, that’s what

“It’s Important To Be Sincere”- Jonathan Richman at The Monday Club

Lawrence Rengert June 23, 2015

There is something simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring about seeing a broke legend like Jonathan Richman. I remember years ago getting a call from our friend Hollis (the drummer from Boss Hog) about a secret show. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion would be the surprise opener for Ike Turner in Manhattan. Of course tickets were like $50 because it was at BB King’s Blues Club, but we paid it. What I remember more than the jaw dropping-ness of Ike’s guitar playing, was an overwhelming sense of sadness that Rock ‘n’ Roll’s originator had been all but forgotten. The man who recorded Rocket 88 on Chess Records in 1951, 2 years before Elvis, played that night to a pathetically small crowd for a no name label release party. And yet…he wasn’t going to let that stop his greatness. He still showed up, smiled, told jokes, played and still humbly thanked the handful of loyal fans who had each paid to see him; something tragic and at the same time noble. Seeing Jonathan Richman in the alley beside The Monday Club venue in San Luis Obispo felt like that. There was Jonathan, a few hours before show time, in a gold minivan, front

Ho99o9 at Mystery Box photo by David Evanko

Ho99o9 EP Release Party at Mystery Box: An Initiation

Brent Smith June 20, 2015

What began as a harmless Ho99o9 show at Mystery Box in the outskirt bowels of DTLA ended in orgiastic ritual sacrifice, which will ensure ultimate hegemony of their newly-dropped EP Horrors of 1999. (free download) Okay, nothing about Ho99o9 is really harmless to begin with—the experimental punk rap group who have lit the underground on fire, and who recently proved far too bloodcurdling for Warped Tour. There’s a reason shows like these, hosted by i Heart Comix and Family Artists, are thrown in L.A.’s industrial limbo, which didn’t seem to drive fans away. In fact, the line was already down the block when I arrived. I entered the massive space, complete with foyer, main room with a sick stage, and spacious outdoor smoking patio where the bar was. I met up with Danny, Taylor, and David of Minivan who was snapping pics; and the four of us were met with inflatable sex dolls strung with nooses, graffiti, barbed wire, and most horrifically of all, only two porta-potties (It got ugly pretty quick). The opening band No Parents didn’t come on until close to midnight, along with the laser lights, black lights, strobe lights, and fog machines. For the next few hours, our

Jaga Jazzist at Teragram Ballroom: An All Out Assault on the Senses

Danny Baraz June 18, 2015

Jaga Jazzist are not a normal band. Teragram Ballroom is not a normal venue. Last night at the newly opened and renovated venue on the outskirts of Downtown Los Angeles, I heard sounds I’ve never heard before. I’m still not quite sure if it was the band or the venue that produced some of the most pleasing tones I’ve ever heard but I suspect it was a bit of both. With 8 supremely talented musicians ejaculating all over their instruments simultaneously, just the fact that you could hear every note and cadence is a testament not only to the audio and acoustics of the Teragram Ballroom but also to the men themselves who resisted the urge, unlike most virtuosos, to stomp on that tiny silver boost button that most musicians include in their rack effects. Jaga Jazzist, if you don’t know, are a band of contemporary jazz musicians from Norway who make their home on the Ninja Tune record label. I had a casual love of their music prior to last night and now that I’ve seen them live, I’m obsessed. Their latest album, “Starfire” dropped on June 2nd and last nights show at the Teragram was the first date