Tag: featured

Icon on the Ivories: Tori Amos at the Orpheum Theatre

Rob Shepyer June 21, 2022

When rock and roll finds its vehicle in a piano player, often the label put on these artists is “Piano Man’, thanks to one certain ‘big shot’. The names that come to mind are the likes of Billy Joel, Ben Folds, Tom Waits, and a few more. After seeing Tori Amos live at the Orpheum though, it’s very clear to me, none of these men are able to rock as hard on the piano as she is. She has her songwriting to thank for that just as much as her fingers, Tori just knows how to craft anthems of personal rebellion through lyrics and song structures that are often outside the box but deeply meaningful and able to carry just as much quiet love as they are overwhelming rage. related content: Sensory Interference: Thom Yorke at the Orpheum Theatre I wanted to catch this show to get a bigger picture and deeper understanding of Tori and her space in the cultural landscape. She is after all, one of the iconic feminist voices in the history of music. This concert took her out of the feminist sphere for me and placed her right at the helm of rock and roll Valhalla’s

Photo Recap: Tears for Fears at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

Janky Smooth Central Command June 21, 2022

The legendary Tears for Fears embarked on a special American tour that brought their iconic and timeless music to North Island Credit Union for an unforgettable night for all in attendance. Complete with a visual journey that brought their classic 80’s songs to life, this concert was one for the history books. Tears were shed by many eyes and fears were relieved for all involved as their songs brought peace and understanding in chaotic times. It’s a “Mad World” out there but the band never fails to make sense of it all. We sent our photographer Pedro Carrera out to catch one of his favorite bands and capture the experience for you all to see. Sonically, the band sounded as powerful and crisp as they always have, as if not a day had gone by since these songs were recorded. Founding members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith gave their whole selves to every performance on this tour and this Southern California stop was no exception. They were giddy being able to play for fans again after a long lockdown and time away from playing in this country since their last American tour in 2017, and the fans were equally excited

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Windhand at The Roxy

Janky Smooth Central Command June 21, 2022

One of metal’s most dynamic and spellbinding collective’s, Windhand, returns to Los Angeles to blow audiences away with their tales of deserts, death and doom. The Roxy is going to vibrate with these deep, slow riffs and your ears are going to thank you for letting Dorthia Cottrell’s voice in. We’re giving two tickets to the show and hope to see you there. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS‍ HERE or ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO WINDHAND JUNE 26TH AT THE ROXY Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK WINDHAND Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON JUNE 24TH AT 1PM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Bacchanal or Bust: Huichica Festival at Gundlach-Bundschu Winery

Rob Shepyer June 20, 2022

I love wine. If I have to choose from wine and beer at a bar, I’ll usually choose that delicious and timeless grape alcohol. There was a time I was so obsessed, I wanted to learn as many details as I could and read the World Atlas of Wine. What I learned from that book is every wine and grape tells a story through its flavors. Flavor tells you details about the length and brutality of a season or drought or specific information about the soil from which the grapes grew and in that soil lies a region’s history. The history of Gundlach-Bundschu is as the oldest family owned winery in Sonoma, and always on the leading edge of wine society, they’ve taken wine-drinking and combined it with rock and roll for many years now, culminating in Huichica festival, a Bacchanal only adding to the family’s rich history in Sonoma. This year, Huichica was the place to be. Why? Simple. Tamaryn was performing. Each wine I tasted from Gundlach-Bundschu winery while at Huichica was extremely delicious and delightfully different. I could imagine myself drinking any of them from a bottle taking impolite rock and roll swigs on a holiday saunter. Part

The Envy of Angels: Lingua Ignota at the Regent

Rob Shepyer June 20, 2022

Participating in church is a form of mass formation. A sort of collective insanity, reaching a fever pitch with the right pied piper at the pulpit, leading their congregation through a wild purging of trauma and fear through sermon, song or speaking in tongues until catatonic tremors. It’s a necessary escape from sanity. Many of the people that attended Lingua Ignota have left their churches or been shunned by them but found a home among outcasts that feel Lingua Ignota’s music makes them feel like they’re in the graces of God but not under the eyes of his judgement. These people may not have an organized religion anymore but they still need spiritual guidance and leadership. Lingua Ignota fills that void. Her style of music represents a new, secular religion, scary to some, but by tapping into holy notes and chambers of her vocal cords, she is able to produce that same elusive, overwhelming and rapturous feeling of being in the presence of the sacred. Humans need myth and metaphor, which she conjures in songs like “MAN IS LIKE A SPRING FLOWER” as well as the knowledge of their acceptance, eluded to in songs like “FAITHFUL SERVANT FRIEND OF CHRIST”.

TOM’s Bar: Tom of Finland Foundation Celebrates 29 Years of Commemorating Tom With Orville Peck and Mareux

Janky Smooth Central Command June 17, 2022

Tom of Finland’s legacy lives on stronger and with more cultural relevance than ever. Few artists have a collection so iconic that it touched and altered lives the world over. The Tom of Finland Foundation proudly carries the torch to ensure new generations are constantly learning about Tom of Finland’s life and being exposed to his artwork. His art is part of what sculpts our modern understanding of masculinity, so to celebrate him, every leather daddy is coming out to Avalon on Sunday in full force. For the Foundation’s 29th anniversary, two of modern music’s hottest artists, Orville Peck and Mareux have joined forces to take the Avalon stage and offer a lineup that no concert in Los Angeles can possibly compete with. Expect just as much hard and heavy dancing as sweet and tender swaying in your Daddy’s arms for this one. Alongside these musical geniuses from completely different genres will be a slew of performers and scene icons prepared to give this evening every ounce of soul in celebration of Tom. There are few moments of essential participation for members of the LGBTQ community, this one is the most monumental in years. Love and leather will fill the air,

Garage Punk Homecoming: Together Pangea at the Regent

Janky Smooth Central Command June 16, 2022

Words and Photos by: Alfredo Luna There will always be bands and music that exists that will bring up something nostalgic in you, taking you back to a certain time and place. A lot of us can say we’re seeing that being presented whether through the lens of “Indie Sleaze” movement or the emo revival phase we have going on. But the one that truly got me was listening to Together Pangea again and being taken back to when I was still in high school coming into my own and somehow discovering through word of mouth, When their Night of the Living Dummy album found its way to my speakers it instantly transformed my taste in music. I distinctly remember videos from their live shows popping up on my feed and a ton of show posters plastering my digital space. I’d always told myself that I needed to make it out and support this up and coming band but as fate would have it I just never could make it. That is until I saw they’d be making a triumphant return to LA with their show at The Regent, and I just knew I had to satisfy that musical pilgrimage

Resistence is Fertile: Midnight Oil at the Palladium

Rob Shepyer June 14, 2022

Midnight Oil has always been difficult to pigeon hole. Bringing darker notes to a popular 80’s pop rock aesthetic, this band was most iconic for their politics. Their latest album, Resist, comes at a time where the world is in much turmoil and in tow with endorsement of fighting back, the band offers a tender acknowledgement and support for all the people often trampled by giant institutions and corporate powers. They never hesitate to thank everyone that makes their shows possible and never mince words when delivering a message to authority. Coming from Australia, the band mentioned a rise in right wing politics in their younger communities, these veterans of musical dissidence are spreading the message of finding another way to make a difference in the world. Through music, yes, but also through standing up for whats right. I remember seeing the music video for “Forgotten Years” replayed over and over as a kid then upon discovering “Beds Are Burning”, I was driven to attend and review this show. Their Los Angeles stop on their final tour for Resist gave me a taste of pure rock and roll, I couldn’t help but think of Woody Guthrie’s guitar, “This Machine Kills

Photo Recap: Suffocation at 1720

Janky Smooth Central Command June 14, 2022

New York may not be the birthplace of death metal but that region of the United States created a sound so menacing and brutal that the rest of the country couldn’t do a damn thing but cross their arms and look on in horror as bands like Suffocation altered the genre forever. They are and always have been a death metal machine, both in terms of output and longevity and sonically. Their return to Los Angeles, courtesy of Church of the 8th Day and 1720, was a remarkable showcase of true heaviness and death. Everyone was blown away and in awe of Suffocation and we got the pics to prove it. Photos by: Greg Flack Suffocation Atheist Soreption Contrarian

Preview: Bright Eyes Rolls into Los Angeles to Play the Greek Theatre

Janky Smooth Central Command June 13, 2022

The early 2000’s was filled with a wellspring of emo music that each helped teenagers expand their own emotional intelligence to depths that no one else could take them. Neither their family, friends, nor mentors had the ability to make people feel the range of emotions these bands did. Then, in comes one boy, Conor Oberst with a vision all his own, to be an emo troubadour and take the sound to more emotional and vulnerable depths than anyone had imagined. Before Conor, you never heard men be so vulnerable on record. Conor then found two friends and created the band known as Bright Eyes. It was almost a guilty pleasure for boys to listen to, while the more enlightened sex gravitated toward the heartbreaking sound. Now, decades later, everyone celebrates the music of Bright Eyes, making these reunion shows highly anticipated. We all want to cry our eyes out and hold our loved ones close. There is no better show to do these two things at. So yes, after a 9 year hiatus, Bright Eyes has returned and been touring the states and are coming to Los Angeles on June 23rd to play the Greek Theatre. This isn’t just

…And the Battle Continues: RX Bandits at the Fonda

Rob Shepyer June 13, 2022

RX Bandits will always hold a very special place in my heart. At my high school, only a specific few bands and genres bled into our campus from mainstream culture and RX Bandits were beloved by the grade above mine, the class of 2004. The fans of this band were my elders and among them were the most beautiful girls I always had a crush on. From that crush, I developed a shared love for the band and carried that love to various friend groups through high school, then college and beyond. I would smoke pot with college friends, hot boxing my van during road trips to USC just to see RX Bandits play for free. Though we were strangers to the elite campus, we felt like the in-crowd for being true fans of the band. Their best album, “…And the Battle Begun” came out in 2006, one year after I graduated high school but I always wished it came out two years earlier so I could see how those songs could’ve swept the student body. To lay beside your crush listening to that album, would put any two teenagers in the mood to make out. Few bands are able

Take This: Win Two Tickets to Turnover at The Regent

Janky Smooth Central Command June 8, 2022

The tender tunes of Turnover are just what the doctor order to let young love flourish at the Regent for a two night stint. Their sound is spellbinding, melding emo and folk together for a hypnotic and sweet evening. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to the show on the 14th. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS‍ HERE or ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO TURNOVER JUNE 14TH AT THE REGENT Step 1- Join Our Newsletter (look for pop up every time you arrive at jankysmooth.com) Step 2 – Tag a Friend in the comment section of our INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK TURNOVER Ticket Giveaway Post WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ON JUNE 13TH AT 1PM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Tag: featured

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