Category: SHOWS

The Dickies Dry Hump The Roxy

JustinThomas February 23, 2015

“There is no better place to be on a Saturday night than Hollywood.” These were the words mumbled by my Uber driver. All while the lunatic stranger from our Uberpool ride-share aggressively barked lyrics from Sublime’s 40 oz of Freedom to an audience of one. My Saturday night was already headed in the right direction. I arrived at the historic Roxy Theatre around 8 PM. The curtains were drawn, mo hawks were groomed, and “The Dickies” back patches were imperfectly sewn onto sleeveless denim jackets. Each of the times I’ve been to the Roxy, every artist has acknowledged the history of this venue, and any number of google searches will result an overwhelming number of articles about the mystique of the Roxy. This all lead me to believe there is no better venue to see The Dickies, one of LA’s most historic punk bands. As the curtains raised for the first time, my eyes were met with pure bewilderment as the stage was set with two white dudes in freshly pressed Mormon door-knocking uniforms, slicked back hair, and a Wall-E-eque computer holding a MacBook. It all took a second to process and what followed was one of the best shticks in

Vissla premiers Palmera Express surf flick in Culver City

Danny Baraz February 21, 2015

Ahh there is nothing quite like an industry party; the drinks are free, morals are low, and there is entertainment for all! The weekend has finally landed last night at the Byrd’s Nest in Culver City. Vissla, a recently launched surf brand via action sports conglomerate Stokehouse Unlimited, premiered their newest film offering, Palmera Express. Directed by Eddie Obrand, Palmera Express is surf film shot on location in Mexico, Hawaii, Indonesia, and other tropical locales. Also billed for the evening was an open bar courtesy of House Beer and Jose Cuervo, with live music from Laguna Beach transplants, Mr. Elevator & the Brain Hotel, and records spun by Reverberation Radio. The vibes were high, the flannel was staggering, and the drinks flowed like they weren’t tacked to the consequences that were sure to come. Arriving punctually around 8 PM, there was already a strong air of drunken chatter and cigarette smoke. Per usual, I darted straight to the bar where I quickly sunk a jalapeño margarita and shoved some beers in my girlfriend’s purse. I may be coming across as an alcoholic, but when the demographic can surely drink enough to sink a pirate’s ship, you need to get your

Avid Dancer: The Echo continues to shine with stellar residencies

Danny Baraz February 18, 2015

Is there a better venue in town to showcase new talent than The Echo? I’m a fan of The Smell and all the youthful exuberance that emerges from that cavernous sweatbox but the team that books, manages and promotes The Echo might be the best in L.A. Nowhere is this more evident than in their month long, Monday night residencies. It’s not just the quality of the resident bands but the bill of opening acts that put the headliners to the test each and every week. Between The Echo, The Echoplex and Lolipop Records, there’s an infestation of talent in Echo Park, California. It has become the epicenter of Music in L.A. The week of February 16th was Avid Dancers 3rd week into their residency at The Echo and they shared the bill with Captions and Kera and the Lesbians. I saw Avid Dancer open for Warpaint in November and was impressed with them but I was all jacked up on the anticipation endorphins I get when Warpaint plays so I wasn’t able to digest them properly. Avid Dancer’s debut album, “1st Bath” is dropping on 4.14.15 and you can pre order it here. Avid Dancer is a moody, melancholy

A Seminal Performance by The Growlers on Valentines Day

Danny Baraz February 17, 2015

Could there be a more perfect Valentines Day show than The Growlers? Last night at The Hollywood Palladium , lovers, clubbers, surfers, stoners, loners and large, roving packs of single women descended upon the historic Los Angeles venue to pay homage to the most famous band to ever come out of Dana Point California. Like most Growlers shows, it was a complete freak show of costume clad customers and an overflow of amazingly beautiful women. My wife and I Uber’ed around town so that we could get sloppy and sexy whenever the moment called it for it. We got to the venue and were met by Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe and a heavy set Dorothy who would not break character. The Palladium was filled with sounds of old swing and big band records being played over the P.A prior to the Growlers arrival. You could almost see the ghosts of flappers dancing through the overflowing crowd. The stage was adorned with huge paper hearts and there was a rather large net of pink and white balloons hanging from the ceiling. The band took the stage to one of the most enthusiastic welcomes I’ve seen from a Palladium audience in a

Moon Block: Party in Orange County w/ Crazy After Party in LA

Taylor Wong February 17, 2015

Moon Block has done it again. On Sunday night I made my way out to Fullerton for yet another great Moon Block Party. The show took place at The Continental Room, not to be confused with The Constellation Room at The Observatory in Orange County. This, according to the people at Moon Block, is a common issue when booking bands. As soon as I entered the tiny space known as The Continental Room, I noticed Troy and Sleazy P of Death Hymn Number 9 behind the bar. Not only do these guys kill it on stage but they can also make a killer drink. First band on the line up, and one of my all time favorites, Them Howling Bones, ended up not having a chance to play last night do to miscommunication with their bass player, Mondo. Aside from that, the show ran smoothly as Isaac Rother and The Phantoms quickly took the stage. I was surprised to see such a large band fit on The Continental Room’s tiny stage. Isaac and the Phantoms played a few songs before Isaac shared the unfortunate news that his dog had passed earlier that morning. He honored his dog by playing an old folk

Barry of Joyce Manor and Wyatt of The Garden backstage

Friday the 13th with Joyce Manor and The Garden in Pomona

Danny Baraz February 14, 2015

It was the first night of the 2 day affair that landed on Friday the 13th at The Glass House in Pomona. I arrived in beautiful downtown Pomona just in time to grab a bite at one of their many establishments near the venue before doors opened. The opening band, Upset is an all-girl punk rock band from Los Angeles CA. They played songs from their debut album She’s Gone as fans were getting settled in to see The Garden and Joyce Manor. Up next came the twin brothers, Wyatt & Fletcher Shears better known as The Garden, from Orange CA. The Garden uses a minimal approach of vocals, bass, and drums to create a sound that is both exciting and thrilling. This neo punk duo amped up the crowd with their fast, engaging, and unique style. Wyatt took the stage in faded blue jeans, a black dress shirt, and a brown cowboy hat. In contrast Fletcher appeared in black skinny jeans, and in a red flower blouse. I really did not know what to expect as this was my first time seeing The Garden, but had heard great things from fellow music lovers. It didn’t take long to find out what

Babes in Toyland Still Inspire and Terrify at The Roxy

Vanessa Burgundy February 14, 2015

Kat Bjelland once described Babes in Toyland as “full frontal assault” and after last night, mommy mommy I need an adult. The Roxy was packed to its crusty edges with riot grrrls and boys, riot moms (thanks for the term, Tom Morello), and celebrities alike. Hell, the first person we ran into was legendary front woman, Exene Cervenka. The excitement was infectious and the room was pulsing with what felt like good, old-fashioned high school angst. No one really knew what to expect from the band that played it’s last show 18 years ago, warm-up show at Pappy and Harriet’s aside. Tom Morello came out to introduce the “matriarchs of metal” and any doubt was kicked to the floor when Lori, Kat, and Maureen took to the stage and tore their way through a 13 song set- No banter needed. Kat’s voice hasn’t lost a drop of power and by the time they broke into their third song, “Bluebell”, every sweaty person in the room was screaming “you’re dead meat motherfucker/you don’t try to rape a goddess”. Lori hit the drums like it was Lollapalooza ’93 and you’d never know any time had passed, save for the few times she sweetly

The Warlocks and Weed Smoke Don’t Mix at The Bootleg

Danny Baraz February 12, 2015

I was excited to see The Warlocks for the first time. Attendees of Wednesday’s show at The Bootleg Theater in L.A. were treated to a stacked lineup of opening acts in both rooms of the venue. It was a well crafted build up to a band that helped define the modern day psych genre. I walked into the venue to the sounds of Gun/Her. Gun/Her are a two piece band from Los Angeles. The simple but tight bass playing of front woman Xe serves to accentuate the raw and soulful sounds that emit from her esophagus. The musical arrangements are a potpourri of post punk and blues goodness while Xe’s vocals summon the ghost of Janis Joplin. It’s a killer mix. I made a visit to the main room to check out Dream Boys who have a big, surf/indie sound like a polished sonic diamond. I opted to go back to the muck and rawness of Gun/Her before they vacated the stage for the glamorous, Blood Candy. I couldn’t really tell if Blood Candy was any good because lead guitarist Cliff was turned up way too loud. I heard the potential in there somewhere and I almost walked up to

Dum Dum Zine Party with TULIPS and So Many Wizards

JustinThomas February 9, 2015

The dream of the 90’s is alive in Portland Echo Park. Every time I venture into the hipster-friendly, conveniently gentrified, Echo Park, I can’t help but reference this Portlandia bit. It just rings so true here. A print media zine release party, conveniently located next to a record store; the only thing missing from the night is to manifest an outright time warp into the golden decade of the 90’s was the glaring of smart phones screens, which lit up the faces that lined the dimly lit, iconic Echo, smack dab in the heart of Echo Park. I arrived slightly after the live zine readings around 7 PM. I was just in time for Echo Park’s own TÜLIPS to commence the musical portion of Dum Dums Zine release party, which also served as the official LA Zine Week kick off. Upon entering, I darted straight to the bar. The Echo stands as one of the only venues where you can order a beer and a slice of pizza, which is delivered from the delectable Two Boots Pizza right next door. If that isn’t enticing enough for you then your soul is black. TÜLIPS, the self proclaimed “riotgaze” rockers lead by Taleen

Dirty Laundry TV presents: The Abigails at Harvard and Stone

Danny Baraz February 7, 2015

Our friends at Dirty Laundry TV not only have the whitest whites while keeping your colors bright and vivid, but they also really know how to throw a party. For the past 5 years, Dirty Laundry TV have made interviewing your favorite indie bands fun and hygienic and along the way, they have put together some pretty incredible live shows. On Thursday February 5th Dirty Laundry TV had their first night of their monthly residency at Harvard and Stone and The Abigails were the headlining act. The Abigails seem to draw much respect from fellow musicians. Every time I’ve seen them play there has always been notable members of other big SoCal indie bands in attendance and last night was no exception. While it wasn’t a surprise seeing Brooks Nielson of The Growlers at the show given that Warren Thomas is an ex member of that band, it was a surprise to see Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth at the Abigails show. I turned instant fanboy and she was very gracious and accommodating about taking a picture with me and Michael of DLTV. The instant the Abigails start playing music it’s easy to see why other musicians are a big

Bass Drum of Death kill in Long Beach

Taylor Wong February 6, 2015

I’m sure Long Beach has plenty of great bars and venues but lately it seems that Alex’s Bar is really the only one worth going to. Affordable drinks and some of the best line ups I’ve ever seen at a bar. Last night Alex’s Bar brought us a performance from Bass Drum of Death with a great cast of opening acts: The Vespertines, Zig Zags, and Rudy De Anda. The first band of the night was a local, Long Beach band. The Vespertines had the unfortunate, first time slot. Although the room was almost desolate at this point, Vanessa Acosta was still a ball of energy on stage. I could really appreciate what the Verpertines were trying to do because they don’t have the standard, 4/4 beat of a garage band. Vanessa reminded me of Pedro Torres of Them Howling Bones mixed with Cassandra from Wayne’s World. Not only did Vanessa have a talented voice but she can also play a mean trumpet. Following the Vespertines came the Zig Zags and they were on point last night. It seemed like they were a little annoyed that they had been bumped down a position in the line up. I can understand why

The LA Art/Book Fair with Thurston Moore and Ho99o9

Danny Baraz February 4, 2015

Los Angeles- our Art, Literature, Music, Culture and Tacos Can No Longer Be Easily Dismissed L.A. is in the midst of a renaissance. While most might call it gentrification, those people are not in the trenches that are being filled with artists, students, activists, authors and poets. While Manhattan and even Brooklyn are becoming more inaccessible to artists without extensive investment portfolios, the geography of Los Angeles allows those with small bank accounts and big ideas to fan out east and still be within the city and county limits of L.A. While the former glory, grit, angst, junkies, music scenes and yes, stank of Hollywood and The Sunset Strip have been replaced with chain night clubs, over priced eateries, spruced up sceneries and former botox beauty queens, Echo and Highland Park, East L.A., Boyle Heights and even the former toilet bowl known as Downtown Los Angeles are overflowing with housing, lockout rehearsal studios and concrete, commercial structures that house painters and nihilistic youth. Idealism abounds and there is even more real estate further east that can support small budgets and big dreams, at least until the day that LA is swallowed by the Pacific Ocean. Los Angeles has always gotten a bad

Category: SHOWS

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