Tag: Trending
Soft Play and KennyHoopla Make WeHo Punk Again at The Roxy
Taylor Wong
November 4, 2025
It was Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the legendary Roxy Theatre on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood, and the night had that undeniable buzz that only happens when a crowd knows they’re about to witness something unhinged in the best possible way. The audience was young, charged, and balanced; a good mix of people, but it was the women who owned the pit. They slammed, laughed, picked each other up, and set the tone for the night; wild but communal. The lineup was a dream pairing for anyone who still believes live music should leave a bruise: KennyHoopla and Soft Play, two acts with nothing to prove but everything to burn. related: L7 Celebrate 40 Years w/ Lunachicks And Friends at The Belasco KennyHoopla took the stage like a live wire, feeding on the room’s pulse from the first note. He was restless and genuine, bounding from one end of the stage to the other, never still long enough to cool down. His set felt like sprinting through an emotional minefield: loud, tender, and kinetic. Some of the tracks in the mix included “how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?”, “ESTELLA”, “hollywood sucks”, and “monalisa,
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Janky Fresh Friday- Chat Pile w/ Hayden Pedigo and Guided By Voices
Janky Smooth Central Command
October 31, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. As part of Janky Smooth’s Janky Fresh Friday series, we’ve been comparing two albums that come out on the same day. related: Janky Fresh Friday- New Releases From Militarie Gun and Tame Impala This week we have an album from a punk rock institution and a band creating an institution since no others exist that they can fit into neatly. related: Janky Fresh Friday- Record Release Shows for Spiritual Cramp and Patriarchy Danny Baraz gives us his thoughts on the unlikely collaboration between Chat Pile and singer/songwriter, Hayden Pedigo and Rob Shepyer delves into an all time personal favorite that’s back and still has something to say- Guided by Voices. Chat Pile and Hayden Pedigo- “In The Earth Again” Computer Students Once the initial shock of “In The Earth Again”, the full length collaboration album between Oklahoma City’s Chat Pile and Amarillo Texas’ Hayden Pedigo wears off, what’s left is a surprisingly cohesive concept album between kindred spirits. The contrast in bodies of work is miles apart in sound but the final product
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Take This: Win Tickets To Substance Fest 2025 at Belasco
Janky Smooth Central Command
October 27, 2025
Substance 2025 is being held at The Belasco Theater on November 7th and 8th and we are giving away 2 pairs of tickets to one of our favorite festivals of the year. You can buy tickets now or enter our giveaway below. Substance Festival is back for 2025, ready to return to Downtown LA’s most spectacular cathedral- The Belasco Theater. The two-day event celebrates the best in post-punk, darkwave, EBM, industrial, death rock and techno, merging legacy acts with the new blood both foreign and domestic. related: Becoming The Night- Substance 2019 Substance seems to be simultaneously reflecting and reshaping the underground. While having TR/ST play two iconic albums on back to back nights seems relatively safe compared to last year’s 3 weekend marathon of musical exploration at an iconic but now defunct venue, we couldn’t be more excited to see Qual and not wait half an hour to use the bathroom. related: Cruel World 2025 at The Rose Bowl- We’re Only Happy When It Rains Expect fog, strobe, sweat, and soundscapes to seed your dreams. This isn’t really a casual night out for most attendees. The Belasco’s art-deco bones, state of the art sound and gothic ambience make it
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Janky Fresh Friday: Record Release Shows for Spiritual Cramp and Patriarchy
Janky Smooth Central Command
October 24, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. As part of Janky Smooth’s Janky Fresh Friday series, we’ve been comparing two albums that come out on the same day and seemingly have nothing in common- for the sole purpose of discovering the wealth of similarities between two disparate things. related: Janky Fresh Friday – New Albums from Tame Impala and Militarie Gun This week we mix things up a bit to examine two new albums with late-October 2025 record release parties in LA. Spiritual Cramp’s free show sponsored by Marshall at Zebulon on 10/21 reminded us of what rock music should be all about; and Patriarchy’s upcoming record release party at The Lodge Room on 10/26 is about to be one of the creepiest and most gritty dance-parties you’ve ever been to, just in time for Halloween. Author Danny Ryan gives his review of Spiritual Cramp’s RUDE, with photos by Taylor Wong from the Zebulon record release show. Author Rob Shepyer breaks down Patriarchy’s new album for us in preparation of their upcoming Lodge Room performance. Spiritual Cramp: RUDE (released
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Sextile At The Novo: The Most Important Band In Los Angeles?
Danny Baraz
October 22, 2025
A bold question. What elements create rank of importance in art? It’s easier in a music scene. Sextile played The Novo on October 11, 2025 and they left a lasting impression for anyone who was there to witness it. Walking into the venue that night felt like stepping into a vortex where underground club culture, raw post-punk perfection, and Los Angeles local band chaos fused into something futuristic. I’ve seen Sextile before, but this was different. This was a band leveling up in real time, playing like they were headlining a festival the world hasn’t invented yet. And Los Angeles showed up to The Novo, hard. The Novo was already buzzing the second I walked in, bodies packed shoulder-to-shoulder on the floor, the balcony filling fast with goths, punks, ravers, skaters, fashion kids, and aging industrial heads who looked like they’d been waiting 20 years for a band like this. Sextile draws tribes. And when a band pulls that many subcultures under one roof, you know something important is about to go down. related: Dark Entries- Bauhaus at The Palladium related: The Lost Coverage of Substance Fest 2022 – Los Angeles Theater The night kicked off with the kind of
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Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins) Announces Autobiography For November 18th
Janky Smooth Central Command
October 18, 2025
How often is it that Cocteau Twins fans get ANY new material? Simon Raymonde’s new autobiography “In One Ear: Cocteau Twins, Ivor And Me” comes out November 18th via Bonnier Books! – Pre-Order HERE British producer, musician and record-company CEO Simon Raymonde helped to create some of the most beautiful and memorable albums of the ’80s and ’90s. From 1983 to 1997, he was one-third of seminal band Cocteau Twins and associated offshoot This Mortal Coil where he helped create music that continues to cast a spell over millions. He also launched and still runs the influential record label, Bella Union. To celebrate and promote the release of his auto-biography, Raymonde has also announced several book events across the U.S including stops at Los Angeles’ Book Soup and New York’s Rough Trade Records, Seattle’s Easy Street Records, and in San Francisco at a venue to be announced soon. For more info on the book events, visit https://linktr.ee/mrsimonraymonde. BOOK EVENTS November 10 – Seattle, WA @ Easy Street Records November 11 – San Francisco, CA @ TBA November 14 – Los Angeles, CA @ Book Soup November 15 – New York @ Rough Trade Records Beginning with Simon’s remarkable
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Albums from Tame Impala and Militarie Gun
Rob Shepyer
October 17, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. As part of Janky Smooth’s Janky Fresh Friday series, we’ve been comparing two albums that come out on the same day and seemingly have nothing in common- for the sole purpose of discovering the wealth of similarities between two disparate things. In some respects, it’s an exercise in empathy, learning how to appreciate differences, placing yourself in the shoes of a different subculture, and putting forth an effort to celebrate music as a whole. related: Janky Fresh Friday – New Albums from Mobb Deep and Sanguisugabogg Today’s albums for Friday, October 17th, 2025, are two highly anticipated bangers, one from arguably the most vibrant and prevalent scene in Los Angeles and the other from one of the most iconic artists in psychedelic rock, the former pillar genre of LA’s underground music. First though, let’s define fresh or freshness. Before the term was ever appropriated for music, culture, or fashion, it was once a descriptor for food, something that replenishes us, quenches our hunger and thirst, and ultimately connects our bodies to
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Take This: Win Tickets to Nation of Language at The Fonda Theater Oct 16th
Janky Smooth Central Command
October 13, 2025
Get ready, Los Angeles: Nation of Language is hitting The Fonda Theater on Thursday, October 16. We’re giving away 2 pairs of tickets to the show- you can buy tickets now or enter our giveaway (see below). related: Cruel World 2024- A Legacy Forms in Year 3 at The Rose Bowl Nation of Language has steadily carved a unique lane in modern synth-pop, balancing nostalgia with forward momentum. Their recent work (including the upcoming album Dance Called Memory) finds them refining emotional texture, with shimmering production and lyrics that echo in memory. Expect both fan favorites and fresh tracks to intersect under the Fonda’s lights. The October 16 concert is part of a special two-night run (Oct 15 + 16) at The Fonda — marking a moment for the band to fully immerse Los Angeles in their evolving sound. KCRW is presenting the Oct 16 date. How to Enter the Nation of Language Giveaway Tag a Friend on our “Nation of Language Ticket Giveaway” post on our socials @jankysmooth and make sure you both like the post. Make sure you’re both following us @jankysooth Winner will be announced on Wednesday, Oct 15th at Noon pacific time. related: Glass Beams
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Albums from Mobb Deep and Sanguisugabogg
Danny Ryan
October 10, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. Sanguisugabogg: Hideous Aftermath (released October 10, 2025): Century Media Records Sanguisugabogg has been my favorite modern metal band for the past few years, with their absolutely masterful craft of combining the sounds of classic 90’s death metal with the attitude of the modern hardcore scene to create an environment of absolute chaotic violence at their live shows. Death metal/Slam metal have been crossing over into the hardcore scene much more within the past year, but unfortunately this album does seem like it’s a mark for the beginning of the end for this collision of worlds. The new album “Hideous Aftermath” is significantly slower than the previous ones, and it takes itself much more seriously. I was actually relieved upon hearing the first breakdown of the album, as I almost forgot I was listening to a Sanguisugabogg album with how long it took for the crowd-killing moments to arrive. related: Sound And Fury 2023 – The Stage Dive Will Never Die The casual metalhead who sees Sanguisugabogg at a large festival while
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Take This: Win 2 Tickets To Sextile at The Novo Oct 11th
Janky Smooth Central Command
October 6, 2025
Sextile is taking over the Novo in Los Angeles on Friday, October 11th. Sextile are hitting the stage with their signature post-punk fury, backed by hypnotic synths and relentless energy. With Automatic providing support, this show promises to be one of the most kinetic, dance-fueled nights of the year for fans of darkwave, punk, and electronic rebellion. You can buy tickets now or see below to enter our ticket giveaway. related: The Horrific Beauty of A Place To Bury Strangers To Enter: Tag a friend on our Sextile Ticket Giveaway Post on any social platform @jankysmooth Make sure you both follow Janky Smooth Winner will be announced on Friday, October 10th at Noon Pacific Sextile have become one of LA’s most vital live acts, merging the ferocity of punk with the pulse of the club scene. Their explosive performances blur the line between rave and riot — and with Automatic’s hypnotic grooves setting the stage, this Novo show is bound to sell out fast. Recent News (2025) Sextile have been lighting up stages around the world in support of their acclaimed album Push, continuing to expand their sound into rawer, more euphoric territory. Automatic joins the lineup with their sharp,
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Albums From AFI and Snõõper
Danny Ryan
October 3, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. AFI: Silver Bleeds The Black Sun… (released October 3, 2025): Run For Cover Records AFI has recently been in music news more than they have been in decades. A major aspect of this is frontman Davey Havok drastically changing his physical appearance recently, looking like he’d be more likely to front an indie folk group than a goth or hardcore or alternative band. Are those AFI‘s genres? It’s hard to pin them down to a specific sound, as they are constantly evolving and reinventing themselves throughout their career. related: Cruel World 2024 – A Legacy Forms at The Rose Bowl Today’s release of “Silver Bleeds The Black Sun…” marks the beginning of a new era for them, shifting much more into synthesizer based goth music and darkwave rather than their roots as a rock band. This shouldn’t be a surprise considering Havok’s side-projects Blaqk Audio and Dreamcar were hinting that he’s wanted to head in this direction for a long time. Even AFI’s last couple of albums were heavily incorporating goth and
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Music Video Premiere: Human Issue-INSIDE ft. Crow Jane (Director’s Cut)
Janky Smooth Central Command
October 3, 2025
We are proud to premier the new music video for “Inside featuring Crow Jane” from California peace punk band, Human Issue. Human Issue is a politically charged punk band that formed in 2021, uniting musicians from across California and Texas. Fronted by drummer and songwriter Hunter Martinez from the San Francisco Bay Area, the group also features members hailing from San Antonio, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Their diverse backgrounds and shared ethos give Human Issue a raw, urgent sound rooted in the tradition of peace punk while pushing forward with modern urgency. related: Circle Jerks Throw Party For Keith’s Birthday at Hollywood Palladium Though relatively new, Human Issue has quickly gained attention in underground circles for their uncompromising message and relentless live performances. Embracing the DIY ethic, they’ve carved out their place as a vital voice in modern punk, proudly accepting the label of “peace punks” as both identity and mission. Human Issue – Q&A with Hunter Martinez Q: Where do Human Issue originate from, both geographically and culturally? Hunter Martinez: I’m from the San Francisco Bay Area. One member’s from San Antonio, Texas, and the others are from Orange County and the Inland Empire. Some people call
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