Tag: featured
Janky Smooth Top 25 Artists to Watch in 2019
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 29, 2018
Ah, the much anticipated and revered artists to watch article, how we’ve awaited you. The artists on this list vary in genre, age, ethnicity, region, and popularity. What they all have in common though, is that between January and December of 2019, something special is expected to happen to each of them. This list is not just to identify the smaller bands you need to know about but also to point out the bands you know and should be watching closely. Think of these artists and bands as heroes in their own stories, in the year 2019, a pivotal narrative moment will occur in each story. The Manx The Manx put on a show you couldn’t forget if you tried. Combining all sorts of styles from rock, to zydeco and polka, The Manx stir this musical stew until its reduction doesn’t resemble any of the ingredients used to create it, winding up with a mutant sound that’s totally original and shocking. With oddball instrumentation that utilizes banjo and accordion, the Manx don’t have any problem getting nude and covering themselves in multi-colored slime so that the show is a off-the-wall as the sound. This band is so strange that the
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Janky Smooth Top 10 SHOWS of 2018 Rated by Contributors
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 27, 2018
What a year for shows in Los Angeles 2018 was. This is undoubtably the best city in the world for live music, so consider each list by our contributors 10 reasons why. Reunion shows alone were off the chain, Burger Boogaloo featured two comeback sets, Devo and Le Shok. Both performances were wild and unforgettable, making much deserved appearances below. Lets not forget about Stray Cats reuniting at Viva Las Vegas or Helloween’s epic Pumpkins United at the Palladium or Bleeding Through at the Observatory or My Bloody Valentine at The Shrine either. related content: The De-Evolution of Burger Boogaloo So many promoters delivered the goods in 2018. Das Bunker brought Covenant to 1720, Part Time Punks gave us Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel at the Echoplex, Church of the 8th Day sold out the Teragram with Napalm Death, and Lethal Amounts sold sex at Sex Cells with Hercules and Love Affair. Each of these shows are among the many these promoters held that were rare highlights of the year. related content: Groveling Before The Gods Of Grind: Napalm Death At The Teragram Punk rock represented hard, especially out of the Latin sector of Angelino culture. Club Scum held an
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Janky Smooth Top 10 ALBUMS of 2018 Rated by Contributors
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 26, 2018
Many truths bubbled up to the surface during 2018. The once hidden greatness of certain artists revealed itself in the work they released this year. With streaming services diminishing the significance of full albums with every year that goes by, these artists were able to fight the good fight on behalf of “the album” and prove some things never change. All the work listed below is worthy of your record collection. related content: Janky Smooth Top 10 SHOWS of 2018 Rated By Contributors Kanye West, for all the controversy and political ignorance he was a part of, produced 5 albums beginning with Pusha T’s Daytona and ending with Teyana’s K.T.S.E. All 5 albums featured 7 tracks, pushed boundaries, and were in this humble editor’s opinion, brilliant. Kanye produced Nas’ best album, Nasir, since God’s Son in 2002. Expect to see more than one Kanye produced album on any blog’s year-end lists. 2018 was one of the most dramatic years hip hop has had in awhile with beef between Pusha T and Drake reaching a fever pitch that culminated in Pusha T’s check-mate move, “The Story of Adidon”. Eminem resurrected Slim Shady and dropped Kamikazi, an album that reminded people he wasn’t just
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… And We’ll Pretend it’s Christmas Day at the Roxy with the Garden
Rob Shepyer
December 25, 2018
The Garden‘s popularity with Los Angeles’ young and woke is a phenomenon that cannot be understated. I had yet to see the band before this 2nd show they held at the Roxy to close out the venue’s Jingle Bell Roxy series. I knew though, that this was a band I had to see if I wanted to understand the scope of rock music in this decade. The line was thick, long, and underage, running down Sunset boulevard as I approached. They all dressed and dyed their hair within the subtle mythology ascribed to the woke philosophy. The way wokeness is a deconstruction of normalcy, the Garden’s music is a deconstruction of rock and roll. Twin brothers, Wyatt and Fletcher Shears play instruments but often find themselves rabble-rousing all over the stage, prancing around violently, dramatically, and without a care. The music doesn’t stop when the playing stops though, the band realizes grabbing onto true freedom on stage supersedes actually playing at any given moment. That’s not to devalue their instruments though, when Fletcher’s behind his kit, he’s an absolute beast. When Wyatt’s on strings, he grabs an audience and doesn’t let go. related content: NSA Fundraiser and Launch w/The Garden
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Return to the Land of Rape and Honey: Ministry at the Fonda
Rob Shepyer
December 25, 2018
Donald Trump is the subject of many musical endeavors, lyrics fling his way like shit, staining his image and legacy forever amongst fans of underground music. I imagine it’s hard being a Trump supporter and being a legitimate music fan, for the first few years, you couldn’t go to a heavy rock or hip hop show without seeing your president smeared and made a mockery of. If you’re not totally dogmatized by the Donald, you will most likely side with an artist over him or any politician. Ministry has been one of the most politically vocal bands of the Trump presidency. Bands that are young and angry seem to fall short of Al Jourgensen’s impressive political grumpiness and angst. In the world of metal, punk, and the genre he popularized, industrial, Al is a beacon of light and truth to look up to. He’s not polarized left or right but he unabashedly admires Antifa and also has a history of mingling with Alex Jones in the past. He’s a political maverick, in other words, so don’t try to pigeon hole him to give your side any extra points. related content: Ministry Make Bid To Be Official ANTIFA House Band AT
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Going Hard for 2019: Mickey Avalon at Gallagher’s Pub
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 24, 2018
Words and Photos by: Maggie St. Thomas Rap star Yeshe Pearl better known around the globe as Mickey Avalon was made famous for lyrical themes about drug abuse, overdoses, glamorized bulimia, prostitution, suicide, and his dick on the notorious track “My Dick”. Mickey Avalon is half of pure Hollywood debauchery and half artistic genius. While one might try dismissing Mickey as a novelty act, his live shows are legendary, never predictable, and he always keeps it real. There is no in-between with Mickey, either you love him or you hate him, he speaks his mind with unflinching lyrical content and keeps his songs disturbingly poetic with catchy samples and beats. related content: Fullerton Vice City: A Flock Of Seagulls At Totally 80’s At Gallagher’s Pub on the coast of Surf City, USA, Mickey Avalon packed ’em in like sardines. Keeping with tradition, the evening’s set began with Toni Basil’s 1980’s hit “Hey Mickey” to start the show. Tapping into that deviant energy, Mickey Avalon strutted on stage with attitude, wearing tight blue jeans and a black t-shirt that read “I’m Mickey Blow Me”. His back up dancer Jillian Schmitz provided provocative and sultry moves with multiple costume changes including pom-poms for
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Sensory Interference: Thom Yorke at the Orpheum Theatre
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 24, 2018
Words by: Jacob Van Orden Photos by: Jessica Moncrief On a cool December night out in Los Angeles, I visited the Orpheum theatre to check out Thom Yorke on his second sold out night of a back to back. The show opened with Oliver Coates, whom of which I hadn’t heard of prior. Oliver had worked with the London Contemporary Orchestra on Radiohead’s most recent album A Moon Shaped Pool and after listening to the 90’s deep house sound and synth touches accompanying his classically trained cello mastery on his newest solo album it seems fitting he would be opening for Thom through this tour. related content: The Grandiosity Of Spiritualized At The Orpheum Theatre Oliver opened with a minimalistic choppy drum from a pedal that was carried with deep bass and took to his cello straight away, layering his strings over themselves while only lit by a dim blue light. Each of the first three tracks he played felt they were birthing the next with more vibrant energy and technicality. He paused for a moment after to explain the name of his newest album Shelley’s on Zenn-la. Somewhat jokingly, he explained Shelley’s was the name of an underground rave
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Take This: Win 2 Tickets to X at The Observatory OC
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 21, 2018
Los Angeles punk rock icons X are making their way south to Orange County to perform two nights at the Observatory along with a few of their favorite openers, Los Lobos and The Blasters. Get ready from some cow punk and Chicano love music because the two nights will be ones to remember. Janky Smooth is giving away two pairs of tickets to these special shows, one pair for each night. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS HERE OR ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO X DECEMBER 27TH OR DECEMBER 28TH AT THE OBSERVATORY OC 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 Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook X Posts WINNER WILL BE WILL BE SELECTED ON MONDAY DECEMBER 24TH AT 11AM PST VIA EMAIL CONFIRMATION
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Fullerton Vice City: A Flock of Seagulls at Totally 80’s
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 20, 2018
Words and Photos by: Maggie St. Thomas Like something from another world, the space age transcendental fusion of A Flock Of Seagulls began to take shape at the Totally 80’s dance club which was packed with a full crowd swarming the stage. Sci-fi and synth focused, they got straight to work leaving the chatter behind. The new wave pop/rock duo delivered all their 80’s classics just as a full band would and their audience loved it. The dramatic sweep of “Automatic” began the nights set. Mike Score’s voice carried the songs brilliance along with synth pop perfection entwined by guitar. My personal favorite “Wishing, Photograph of You”, twinkled perfectly. One fan delivered a white rose to Mike Score in-between songs along with a chant of song requests. “Thank you everyone for coming out tonight,” Mike Score said on the microphone and then finished the set with their classic hit that was a staple in the 80’s “I RAN”. A Flock of Seagulls had a great influence in 80’s pop culture and are still hugely impressive in their own delight and deliver a rush whenever I hear them.
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Children of the Night: Doyle at the Whisky
Rob Shepyer
December 18, 2018
I love The Misfits, so naturally I feel inclined to support every member in whatever endeavor they do but it would be a mistake to relegate Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein’s band, DOYLE, to the status of a side-project. They stand alone with their amazing songs and performance. And as amazing as it is to see Doyle, the vegan beast, storming a stage, the real story here is Alex. Alex Story is one of the most visceral, intense frontmen anyone could ever see. I feel like it’s a shame he’s not more of an icon, actually. Nicknamed the Wolf Man, Alex Story summons up lycanthrope ferocity when he performs. His body, neck, ribs, and legs contort to some wolfly design, he prowls off the balls of his feet, really feeling the monster within. It’s like seeing the transformation scene from An American Werewolf in London play out before your very eyes. The set always ends with Alex drenched in sweat and leaving everything behind on the stage. related content: All I Want For Christmas Is “Blood And Tears”: Danzig Halloween Hell Bash At FivePoint Amphitheatre This night at the Whisky was filled with bands inspired by horror, darkness, and evil. I arrived to see
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Gimme Gimmes for Christmas: Interview with Spike Slawson and Joey Cape
Dave Unbuckled
December 13, 2018
Before Me First and the Gimme Gimmes took the stage at the Fonda to perform an epic set for the Holiday season, I had the chance to sit down with Spike Slawson and Joey Cape from the band and discuss everything under the sun. related content: Me First & The Gimme Gimmes Janky Smooth Sessions W/ Spike Slawson Dave: Hey guys. We’re sitting down with Joey Cape and Spike Slawson from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Welcome back to LA. “Santa Baby” came out today…we heard it on the way over. Joey: I saw the link but I don’t do the social networking thing anymore. I think someone sent me a link to it. Spike: I took Facebook off my phone…it was getting aggravating. Dave: Is this a single song drop…is there a Christmas album in the future? Are you going to start doing this stuff more? Spike: For now, just the song… maybe a few more (songs) to play live. I don’t know if there are that many Christmas songs that I would want to do. Joey: This is an obvious thing that a cover band should do, and it’s come up over the years a few times.
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Photo Recap: Echo and the Bunnymen at Immanuel Church
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 12, 2018
Legendary post punk band, Echo and the Bunnymen, played a two night stint at Immanuel Church in Los Angeles. Echo and the Bunnymen have to be one of the most iconic and successful post punk bands of all time, their music is almost spiritual to some, so a church was a perfect setting to act as a conduit and electrify the music just that much more. Photos by: Lindsay Arth
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