LA Live Music Options: 6/1/09 - 6/7/09

The Minor Canon (photo credit: Brett Rubin)



Not the best week in recent memory for touring bands, but there are plenty of great local bands playing this week. Check out The Minor Canon, The Parson Red Heads, Warpaint, The Monolators, Fol Chen, Signal Hill, Spider Problem and Pocahaunted to name just a few....

Monday 6/1/09
[Pick of the Night] Pontiak / Magic Lantern / Pocahaunted / Dog @ The Blue Monkey (Free) [5521 Hollywood Blvd] - Hailing from the Virginia, Pontiak play heavy rock that sorta splits the difference between psych and stoner rock. Good stuff.
[Recommended] Castledoor / Butterfly Boucher / The Monolators / Cale Parks @ Spaceland (Free) - The first night of Castledoor's Monday night residency features an eclectic lineup of support. The Monolators are a veteran local band. Butterfly Boucher's a female, Hotel Cafe type of singer-songwriter. Cale Parks is the drummer from Aloha (who put out one of my favorite albums of 2006).
[Recommended] Big Business / Tweak Bird @ Troubadour ($12) - Heavy rock.
[Recommended] Oliver Future / Useless Keys / Superhumanoids @ The Echo (Free) - Oliver Future is getting it back together after losing several members to Ben Harper. They've got the Monday night residency at the Echo this month.
Bachelorette / Pikelet / In Retrograde @ The Smell ($5) - Bachelorette are all the way from New Zealand. Released on Drag City in the US of A.
T.D. Lind / Mia Maestro and Aaron Robinson / Willoughby @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)
Larchmont Charter West Fundraiser @ Hotel Cafe
Jake Labotz @ Redwood Bar

Tuesday 6/2/09
[Pick of the Night] The Minor Canon / Sing Orpheus / Matt Dwyer / Dntel (DJ set) @ Spaceland ($5) - This is the record release party / birthday party for Paul Larson of The Minor Canon. The new record, Emptiness Is Form, is the follow-up to one of my favorite records of 2007, No Good Deed Goes Unpunished. Emptiness Is Form, along with the new Sonic Youth, have been my soundtrack for the past couple of weeks. It's a pretty fantastic follow-up, featuring 11 more painfully, brokenhearted love songs with Larson on guitar and lots of horns and strings. More on all that later....
[Recommended] The Movies / Seasons / Manhattan Murder Mystery @ Bordello ($3) - Will this be the last show for the Movies?
Olin & the Moon / Eagle and Talon / Leslie & the Badgers / Deep Sea Diver @ The Echo
Blackened Fest: Mayhem / Marduk / Cephalic Carnage / Cattle Decapitation / Withered @ House of Blues ($28) - Black metal.
Mike Stinson @ Redwood Bar - Local country troubadour.
The Capshuns / Robotanists / Vanaprasta / Black Kites @ Silverlake Lounge
Magnolia Memoir @ Largo
Raining Jane @ Hotel Cafe
Cro-Mags @ The Key Club ($16)

Wednesday 6/3/09
[Pick of the Night] 2 Live Crew @ Key Club ($15) - I can't imagine that this will actually be a good show, but I listened to As Nasty As They Wanna Be a lot more than I should probably ever willingly admit.
Pocahaunted / Kingsley / Pizza! / Vibes @ Museum of Neon Art ($10 Donation) - The museum is located at 136 W. 4th St.
Club NME: The New Fidelity / The Lieutenants / Evan Voytas @ Spaceland ($5)

Pennywise @ Club Nokia ($28)
Matt Ellis / Joshua Norton / Steelwells / Buster Blue @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
The Watkins Family Hour @ Largo ($20)
Butterfly Boucher / Carina Round /Meiko @ Hotel Cafe
Scion Playlist Party @ the Roxy (Free)
Low End Theory Club @ Airliner ($10)

Thursday 6/4/09
[Pick of the Night] Cotton Jones / The Parson Red Heads / Linda Draper @ Spaceland ($10) - Cotton Jones is ex-Page France. The Parson Redheads have been a favorite local band for a few years now.
The Juan MacLean / The Field @ The Glass House in Pomona ($15) - Good excuse to drive out to Pomona.
Fol Chen / Karin Tatoyan / Wait.Think.Fast / Post Foetus @ The Echo ($7) - Nice local lineup. Fol Chen have a relatively new album out on Asthmatic Kitty (that I still haven't heard).
Upsilon Acrux / Polar Goldie Cats / Howl / Peter Kolvos @ The Smell ($5)
Illa J / Frank Nitt @ Space 1520 (Free)
Swing Out Sister @ El Rey ($28)
Green Day @ the Fonda (Sold Out)
Band of Skulls / Giant State / Dynamite Walls @ Viper Room ($8) - Band of Skulls will be on Morning Becomes Eclectic tomorrow.
Band of Skulls / Apteka / French Miami @ 3 of Clubs
The Nights / We Are Good Friends / Happy Stars @ Silverlake Lounge
Video Games Live @ Greek Theatre ($25 - $70)
Bo Burnham @ the Roxy
Abe Vigoda @ Family Bookstore (Free) - 7:30 PM
Little Joy @ Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa ($15)

Friday 6/5/09
[Pick of the Night] Little Joy / Warpaint @ Troubadour (Sold Out) - The Little Joy tour only featurs 2/3 of the band (Fab is busy recording with the Strokes). I did see some photographic evidence that Fab was in LA last weekend, so hopefully he'll be able to join them at the Troubadour for this show. Warpaint's getting to the point where they could probably sell out the Troubadour by themselves.
[Recommended] Les Blanks / Marvelous Toy / We Should Be Dead @ Unknown Theatre ($5) [1110 Seward St]
Z-Trip / Dam-Funk @ Natural History Museum ($9) - Good lineup for beat heads.
Jon Brion @ Largo ($25)
The Fuxedos / Killsonic / Quazar and the Bamboozled / moxy phinx @ Spaceland ($8) - This is the CD release party for the Fuxedos.
The Juan Maclean / The Field @ The Avalon ($15)
Erykah Badu @ Club Nokia ($50 - $85)
Restavrant / Telegraph Canyon / Slang Chickens / Last of the Blacksmiths @ Pehrspace - Sounds like a fun lineup.
Seasons / The Monolators / Spider Problem / Meho Plaza / Mormons @ Mr. T's Bowl - Good local bill.
Clues @ the Echo ($10)
Von Iva / Gliss / Sick of Sarah / Borne / Sabrosa Purr @ The Roxy
Kate Voegele @ El Rey ($17)
A Prairie Home Companion w/ Garrison Keillor ($46 - $99)
The Dandy Warhols / The Meek @ the Glass House in Pomona ($20)
Laco$te / Naomi Elizabeth / tik///tik / The Halloween Too @ The Smell ($5)
Joe Cocker / Edgar Winter @ Nokia Theatre at LA Live ($60)
Tim Easton @ the Mint

Saturday 6/6/09
[Pick of the Night] Holy F*ck / Crocodiles @ Troubadour ($14)
Crooked Cowboy vs. Bolero @ Bootleg Theater ($5) - Not sure what the vs. between the two bands is supposed to indicate?
[Recommended] Signal Hill / Beware of Safety / Timonium @ Pehrspace - CD release party for Signal Hill
The Shore / Mini Mansions / Birds Fled From Me @ Bordello ($8)
Eagles of Death Metal @ The Glass House in Pomona ($15)
Abe Vigoda / Fool's Gold / Thee Makeout Party @ 3 of Clubs (Free w/ RSVP)
Halloween Jack @ Spaceland ($12)
Band of Skulls @ Hotel Cafe
Ralph's World / Lisa Loeb @ Echoplex ($17) - Early show at 10:30 AM
Ziggy Marley's Family Time @ Club Nokia ($15 - $50)
Peaches / Drums of Death / Electrocute @ The Fonda (Sold Out)
Gavin Rossdale / Nico Vega @ El Rey ($25)
Donovan Leitch @ Largo ($25)
The Lassie Foundation @ Viper Room
Super '70s Soul Jam Spectacular: The Stylistics / The Dramatics @ Greek Theatre ($40 - $85)
Ray Brower / Torches in Trees / Kitten / The 1921a / The Rozzes @ The Smell ($50)
Chelsea Girls / The Dreaming / Darling Stilletos @ The Roxy
Clues @ Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa ($10)

Sunday 6/7/09
[Pick of the Night] Part Time Punks: The Velvet Underground Reunion @ the Echo ($5) - Not exactly sure what "Reunion" means.
Mincemeat or Tenspeed / Nero's Day at Disneyland / Fortress of Amplitude / Ezra Buchla @ The Smell ($5)
Eccelesia Benefit for Kenya: Deep Sea Diver / We Barbarians / The Rio Bravo @ Spaceland ($15)
Andrea Bocelli @ Hollywood Bowl (Sold Out)
Peaches / Drums of Death / Electrocute @ The Fonda (Sold Out)

Recently Announced Live Shows

I Say "To Hell with the Devil"

El Rey
8/24/09: Friendly Fires (on sale Saturday)
8/27/09: Matt & Kim (on sale Saturday)
9/10/09: Camper Van Beethoven & Cracker (on sale Saturday)
10/13/09: Mono / Maserati (on sale Monday)

Greek Theatre
7/17/09: Tori Amos (on sale Saturday; presale now, password = SIN)
9/1/09 – 9/2/09: John Legend / India.Arie (on sale Saturday)
9/18/09 – 9/19/09: Gipsy Kings (on sale Saturday; presale now, password = PASAJERO)
9/23/09: Crosby, Stills & Nash (on sale Saturday; presale now, password = CSN)

Club Nokia
8/15/09: Beto Cuevas (on sale Friday)
8/22/09: The Cult (on sale Saturday)
9/3/09: Thin Lizzy (on sale Friday)
9/23/09: Gov’t Mule (on sale Friday)
10/20/09: Darius Rucker (on sale Saturday)
11/14/09: Stryper (on sale Friday)

The Wiltern
7/17/09: Ratt / Extreme (on sale Friday)
8/3/09: Gomez (on sale Saturday)
8/29/09: The National (on sale Friday)

Hollywood Bowl
Tickets for all events now on sale

The Echo
7/9/09: Steve Wynn (now at Ticketweb)
7/12/09: Oneida / Clip’d Beaks / Amps for Christ (now at Ticketweb)
7/14/09: The Datsuns (now at Ticketweb)
7/27/09: The Mekons (now at Ticketweb)
8/27/09: The Dirt Bombs (now at Ticketweb)

The Echoplex
6/27/09: Telekinesis (now at Ticketweb)
7/31/09: Deerhoof (now at Ticketweb)

Spaceland
7/15/09: The Veils (now at Ticketweb)

Music Box at the Fonda
9/18/09: The Charlatans UK (on sale Friday)

The Glass House in Pomona
10/13/09: The Charlatans UK (on sale Friday at Noon)

Largo
6/9/09: Jeff Buckley DVD Release (call club)
6/13/09 & 6/27/09: Wendy & Lisa (call club)
6/29/09: Lewis Black (call club)

McCabe’s
7/17/09: Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey (now through club)
7/24/09: Van Dyke Parks & Inara George (now through club)

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
9/17/09: Blink-182 / Weezer / Taking Back Sunday / Asher Roth (presale starts Friday at 10 AM, password = KROQBONEVILLE; on sale Saturday at 10AM)

Ticket Giveaway - King Khan & the Shrines

I've got a couple of pairs of tickets to give away for the King Khan & the Shrines show this Saturday at the Echo. Opening the show will be Mark Sultan and Wounded Lion. This is guaranteed to be an entertaining show.

To win these tickets email me [dukeufo at gmail] with the name of your favorite barbecue restaurant (preferably in LA). The contest closes Friday at Noon. 

MP3: 69 Faces of Love

Ticket Giveaway - Jens Lekman at the Echo

I've got a couple of pairs of tickets to give away for the Jens Lekman show this Thursday at the Echo. Opening the show will be Tig Notaro.

To win these tickets, email me [dukeufo at gmail] with the name of your favorite Jens Lekman song. The contest closes Thursday at Noon. Please put "Jens" in the subject line of the email.

MP3: Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo

Rest in Peace - Jay Bennett

Really sad news came out today - Jay Bennett passed away yesterday in his sleep. I'm a big fan and have always felt like he got a raw deal the way he was portrayed in the Wilco documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.

I thought about Bennett a lot last week while finally watching the latest Wilco DVD, Ashes of American Flags. No offense to the current lineup, but for my money, Bennett's tenure in the band was their creative peak (to date anyway). The first time I heard Summerteeth I was blown away and barely recognized it as the same band that had made AM and Being There. Perhaps not coincidentally, it was the first time Bennett contributed substantially to the songwriting.  If you saw Wilco back in those days, you know they were a great live rock 'n' roll band too.

Bennett was also a major contributor to my second favorite Wilco record, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Tensions began to flare up during the mixing phase when Tweedy brought in Jim O'Rourke. Bennett was fired shortly thereafter. 

Bennett recently posted a really sad Myspace post about his need for hip replacement surgery and his lack of insurance. Probably not coincidentally, he recently filed a lawsuit against Wilco for unpaid royalties. Sad shit. 

I haven't heard most of Bennett's post-Wilco material, but one track I love is "California Breezes" which was written by Bennett, but recorded by David Vandervelde:

There are breezes that might keep you warm

And I must let you go

And these breezes they might heal your heart

But you would never know

There is good behind every door

New York Times Obituary 

Live Music Options: 5/25/09 - 5/31/09

Passion Pit (photo credit: Chrissy Piper)

Pretty solid bunch of shows this week. Last week I made it out for BLK JKS. Very, very good stuff.

Monday 5/25/09

[Pick of the Night] Gangi / Warpaint / Local Natives / Alexandra Hope @ Spaceland (Free) - Very solid local lineup for the last night of Gangi's residency.

Golden Animals / Lower Heaven / Mississippi Man / Bosco Delrey @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

Juliette Commagere / Chapin Sisters / Jogger / Landy @ The Echo (Free)

Alexis Gideon / Shelley Short / Blue Sabbath, Black Fiji / Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk / Queen Victoria @ Pehrspace

UCLA Jazz and Reggae Festival: Mavado / Peetah & Mojo Morgan @ UCLA ($25)

Jake Labotz @ Redwood Bar & Grill

Tuesday 5/26/09

[Pick of the Night] Avi Buffalo / Greater California / Divisadero / The Reporter Who Became King @ The Echo (Free) - The last night of Avi Buffalo's residency. Divisadero have a new release on Jaxart Records.

The Sadies / Old Californio / The Horsethieves @ Spaceland ($12) - Old Californio's another one of the many local bands that I still need to check out.

Spirit Vine / Seasons / Rocking Horse People / Roughed Up Folk / Roy G and the Biv @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Mandy Moore @ Amoeba Music (Free) - Early show at 6:00 PM

Foot Village / Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk / Blue Sabbath Black Fiji / Kevin Greenspon @ The Smell ($5)

One Trick Pony / Church / Nightfur @ Echo Curio

Lady Sovereign / Chester French / Hollywood Holt @ El Rey ($22)

Mike Stinson @ Redwood Bar & Grill

Wednesday 5/27/09

[Pick of the Night] Sun Kil Moon / Mia Doi Todd @ El Rey ($22) - I've been a big fan of Mark Kozelek's voice since the Red House Painters days.

[Recommended] Jens Lekman / Tig Notaro @ the Echo ($15) - Another talented dude with a great voice.

The Thermals / The Shaky Hands / Point Juncture, WA @ Troubadour ($15) - High energy.

Club NME: Love Grenades / Roy G. & The Biv @ Spaceland ($8)

The Prodigy / The Glitch Mob / Destructo @ The Palladium ($35)

Oh Darling / Black Apples / The Hard to Get / The Meemies @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Carina Round @ Hotel Cafe

Moe @ The Roxy ($30)

Thursday 5/28/09

Book Signing: Memphis & the Mississippi Delta - A Complete Guide @ Stories in Echo Park - This is a book signing for Justin & Melissa Gage - Justin's the guy behind Aquarium Drunkard; Le Switch will also be playing

[Pick of the Week] Jens Lekman / Tig Notaro @ the Echo ($15) - I've got some tickets to give away for night two. Check back in later this week.

[Recommended] The Wooden Birds / The New Trust @ Spaceland ($12) - The Wooden Birds is the new band from the leader of American Analog Set. I haven't heard them yet, but I was a huge AAS fan.

[Recommended] Lucinda Williams @ House of Blues Anaheim ($40) - I'm not driving to the OC for this, but I am a big fan.

[Recommended] Fleetwood Mac @ Staples Center ($50 - $150) - Great band who I've never seen. If anybody has a free ticket.......

St. Vincent / Pattern is Movement @ El Rey ($17) - Now that Chan has fallen in with that crowd, will Annie Clark be the chosen crush?

Passion Pit / Harlem Shakes / Cale Parks @ Troubadour (Sold Out) - Passion Pit obviously have a ton of buzz. I don't mind what I've heard/ Cale Parks is a member of Aloha.

Ben Harper and Relentless 7 / The Henry Clay People @ Wiltern (Sold Out) - The Henry Clay People wrap up their tour with Ben Harper.

Restavrant / The High Strung / Shrouded Strangers / You, Me & Iowa @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) - Fun band.

The Tartans / Northern Portrait / Champagne Riot @ Knitting Factory Alterknit ($10)

Nite Jewel / Cave / Jealousy / TRS-80 / Monster @ The Smell ($5)

Pennywise / Pepper / Big B @ Fox Theatre in Pomona ($25)

Moe @ The Roxy ($30)

Butch Walker @ The Glass House in Pomona ($14)

Friday 5/29/09

[Pick of the Night] Black Moth Super Rainbow / School of Seven Bells / James Yuill @ Troubadour (Sold Out)

[Recommended] King Khan & the Shrines @ The Echo ($13) - Early show at 8:00 PM; very fun band.

[Recommended] Riverboat Gamblers / Miss Derringer / Underground Railroad to Candyland @ Spaceland ($12) - You can't get much higher energy than Riverboat Gamblers.

Jon Brion @ Largo ($25)

Passion Pit / Harlem Shakes / Cale Parks @ Echoplex (Adv tix sold out, get there very early if you don't have tix) - Some serious buzz.

Animal Collective / Grouper @ Wiltern (Sold Out) - A bit of a bigger venue for these guys.

Brightblack Morning Light / Rio En Medio @ Eagle Rock Center for the Arts ($8)

Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound / Black Love / Mothers of Gut @ The Smell ($5)

Butch Walker / Shovels and Rope / Ponderosa @ El Rey ($22)

Greg Laswell / Bodies of Water / Molly Jenson / The Steelwells @ Hotel Cafe

Bassnectar / Nosaj Thing / J-Boogie @ The Fonda ($22) - Did you read my SXSW review of Bassnectar? I will not be in attendance.

Non+ / Okie Dokie / The Monolators / Audacity / UV Lights @ Pehrspace

Propagandhi @ The Glass House ($18)

Saturday 5/30/09

[Pick of the Night] King Khan & the Shrines @ The Echo ($13) - Early show at 7:00 PM; I've got some tickets to give away for night two. Check back in later this week....

[Recommended] Patton Oswalt @ Largo ($25) - One of my favorite living comics.

Passion Pit / Harlem Shakes / Cale Parks @ The Glass House in Pomona ($12) - Your best bet if you don't have tickets for the LA shows.

Langhorne Slim / Samantha Crain / Sam Lowry @ Spaceland ($14)

The Flatlanders @ Troubadour ($20) - Features Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock

Black Dice / Wolf Eyes / Richard Bishop / Earthless @ Gilbert's ($12) [220 Sacramento St.]

Windy & Carl / Nudge / White Rainbow @ Echo Curio - Early show at 3:00 PM

Bastidas / Pangea / Dietra Kruschev / Fast Astronauts @ The Smell ($5)

Greg Laswell / Buddy / Austin Hartley Leonard @ Hotel Cafe

Hungry Beat Dance Club @ Pehrspace

Sunday 5/31/09

[Pick of the Night] Le Switch / Les Blanks / Go West Young Man @ Dakota Lounge ($5) - A couple of my favorite local bands take it to Santa Monica for the night. The Dakota Lounge is at 1026 Wilshire Blvd. I haven't been there, so I have no idea about the acoustics.

[Recommended] Kidrockers: Langhorne Slim / One Trick Pony @ The Echo ($12) - Hosted by Matt Dwyer; you need to bring a kid to get into this. If you have a kid, it's a good time.

Grand Ole Echo: David Serby / The Believers / Killing Cassanova @ The Echo (Free) - Show starts at 5:00 PM

Propagandhi / Bridge and Tunnel / Ghostlimb @ Echoplex ($18)

Part Time Punks: Hallo! Gallo! / Pharohs @ The Echo ($5)

Mad Gregs / Mooey Mubau / Corey Fogel / The Calder Quartet @ Echo Curio

Audacity / The Curious Mystery / Moonrats / Devon Williams @ The Smell ($5)

Neil Hamburger / Pleaseeasaur / James Quall / David Liebe Hart @ Spaceland ($8)

Rosewood Thieves / He's My Brother She's My Sister / Henry Wolfe @ Bootleg Theater ($8)

Graham Colton / Bryan Greenberg / Curtis Peoples @ Largo ($20)

Larchmont Charter West Fundraiser @ Hotel Cafe

Cale Parks / Meredith Meyer @ Pehrspace

Happy Memorial Day

Here's a very disturbing short written by a friend and featuring Har Mar Superstar. Anybody going to see Terminator this weekend?

Sinking Radio: Nilsson's "Cuddly Toy"

This is my weekly reminder to tune in to Sinking Radio on LittleRadio.com from Noon to 2:00 PM.

Each week the hosts play an official You Set the Scene pick. My pick for today's show is Harry Nilsson's "Cuddly Toy." Since Todd plays Nilsson all the time, it probably won't be a popular pick with Sylvia.

The track comes from Nilsson's RCA Records debut, Pandemonium Shadow Scene. It's one of my favorite Nilsson records, showcasing his humor in songwriting, and features an homage to the Beatles and Phil Spector. At only 31 minutes, the record flys by.

Pandemonium Shadow Scene didn't fare too well commercially, but did get the attention of the Beatles and the Monkees. Nilsson was introduced to the Monkees and did an impromptu performance of "Cuddly Toy." The Monkees dug it, and covered it on their Billboard #1, two million selling album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. It's got some pretty twisted lyrics.

Nilsson's a fascinating character. If you ever get a chance to see the documentary, Who Is Harry Nilsson (and Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him), check it out. Unfortunately it's never gotten a DVD release.

Ticket Giveaway: Dears and Great Northern

Great Northern (photo credit: Dana Patrick)

The Dears (photo credit: Liam Maloney)

I've got a few pair of tickets to give away for the The Dears show this Saturday at the Echoplex. Opening the show will be two local bands, Great Northern and Eulogies. All three bands are signed to LA based labels (The Dears and Eulogies are on Dangerbird, while Great Northern is on Eenie Meenie). The show is presented by Under the Radar, who have a nice, re-designed website (at least since the last time I checked it out).

Speaking of Dangerbird, they just signed a band from Cincinnati called Bad Veins.

To win these tickets to the Dears, email me [dukeufo at gmail] with the name of your favorite NBA basketball team. If you hate the NBA, that's cool too. The contest closes Friday at Noon.

Buy tickets for the show

CLOSED: Ticket Giveaway: M83 at the Glass House

WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED - IF YOU DIDN'T WIN, YOU CAN STILL BUY TICKETS HERE....

I've got a few pairs of tickets to give away for M83 at the Glass House in Pomona this Wednesday (May 20th). Opening the show will be James Yuill. This is going to be your last chance to see the Saturdays = Youth (#28 on Village Voice's Pazz + Jop poll of best albums of 2008) tour.

To win these tickets, email me [dukeufo at gmail] with the name of your favorite Frenchman. My vote is for Francois Truffaut. The contest closes Monday at midnight. Please put "M83" in the subject line.

Live Music Options: 5/18/09 - 5/24/09

I caught four bands last week: Amnion (great), thenewno2 (better than expected), Black Joe Lewis (fantastic) and Lucero (good). More on those shows later...

Monday 5/18/09
[Pick of the Night] Gangi / The Life and Times / LANDy @ Spaceland (Free) – Gangi’s residency continues. The lead singer of The Life and Times fronted Shiner; one of my favorite Kansas City bands back in mid-1990s. LAndy is fronted by Adam Goldberg, who starred in Dazed and Confused, one of my favorite films of the early 1990s.
[Recommended] Golden Animals / Amusement Parks on Fire / Xu Xu Fang / Kera & the Lesbians @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Golden Animals has the Silverlake Lounge residency. A lot of people will be heading over to see Amusement Parks on Fire.
[Recommended] Juliette Commagere / Robert Francis / Ceci Bastida / Rademacher @ The Echo (Free) – Juliette Commagere’s residency continues.
Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s / Telekenisis / Everything Now @ Troubadour ($14) – I’d be curious to see Telekenisis. Hopefully they play Silver Lake or Echo Park soon.
Grouch and Eligh @ The Glass House ($17)
Halloween Swim Team / Total Bros. / Nucular Animals / PROTECT ME @ the Smell ($5)
The Jake Labotz Band @ Redwood Bar
Staind / Hoobastank @ Club Nokia ($43)
The Cover Project: Anavan / Juiceboxxx / Foot Village / Kid Infinity @ Pehrspace – An all covers night.
Jackie Tohn @ Hotel Café

Tuesday 5/19/09
[Pick of the Night] Avi Buffalo / Bobb Bruno / Lightmusic / Nial Morgan @ The Echo (Free) – Avi Buffalo’s Tuesday night residency continues. Get there in time to see Bobb Bruno tonight.
[Recommended] The Minor Canon / Blank Blue @ the Prospector in Long Beach – The Minor Canon’s still one of my favorite local bands. Blank Blue is good too.
The Decemberists @ Hollywood Palladium ($35) – It’s always odd when indie bands start to go mainstream, and you hear about people who are really into music “discovering” a band that’s already been around for seven years. Maybe it’s an LA phenomenon?
Youth Group / Nico Stai / Useless Keys @ Troubadour ($12) – Some good local support.
Mike Stinson @ Redwood Bar
The Allman Brothers Band / The Doobie Brothers @ Greek Theatre ($50 - $100)
Rachel Cantu / Hesta Prynn / Palace of Buddies / Fortunato / Milosh @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Hool / Cydney Robinson / Horse Stories @ Bootleg Theater ($5)
Until June @ Hotel Cafe
Chickenfoot @ the Roxy ($50 - $225) – Haggar’s new supergroup.

Wednesday 5/20/09
[Pick of the Night] M83 / James Yuill @ The Glass House ($20) – I had a big response to the ticket giveaway, so please don’t send anymore emails.
The Walkmen / Morning Benders / total hound @ El Rey ($22)
Club NME: BM Linx @ Spaceland
The Detroit Cobras / Dex Romweber / Maxim Ludwig @ Troubadour ($18)
Low End Theory: Mix Master Mike / Dr. Who Dat? vs. Jneiro Jarel @ Airliner ($10) – From the Beastie Boys…
Zee Avi / Charlie Wadhams @ The Roxy ($15) – Get there early to see Charlie.
Or, the Whale / Leslie & the Badgers / Olin & the Moon / Pilot Speed @ Silverlake Lounge
Kim Fowley’s Lipstick Orgy: Beat Killers / Fabulous Miss Wendy / Bad Things / Zombelle @ Knitting Factory ($8) – Featuring an All-Girl Midnight Jam & Lesbian Slave Auction.
Jane’s Addiction / Nine Inch Nails @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Lawn available)
Ben Folds @ Hollywood Palladium ($35)
The Allman Brothers Band / The Doobie Brothers @ Greek Theatre ($50 - $100)
Jill Sobule @ Largo ($20)
Marvelous Toy / Odd Modern @ Mr. T’s Bowl
Carina Round @ Hotel Café
Django James & the Midnight Squires / Rob Roy / Fitz & the Tantrums / Dr. Seahorse @ Viper Room

Thursday 5/21/09
[Pick of the Week] BLK JKS / Hecuba @ The Echo ($10) – BLK JKS are from South Africa. Their Secretly Canadian EP (produced by Brandon Curtis of Secret Machines) is well worth picking up.
[Recommended] Ghost / Glasser / Lichens @ Spaceland ($14) – Interesting lineup with the veteran Japanese psych band joined by new, LA upstarts Glasser. Glasser has been getting some national attention lately and features Matt Popieluch from Foreign Born. I’ve got some tickets to give away for this.
The Kills / The Horrors @ The Glass House ($18)
The New York Dolls / The Cliks @ The Fonda ($27)
Restavrant / The F. Scott Band / T.D. Lind / Terraplane Sun @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Restavrant are a fun live band. Their Thursday night residency continues.
The 88 @ Keyclub ($22)
The Valley Arena @ Alex’s Bar
Manchester Orchestra / Fun / Audrye Sessions @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
Cowboy Mouth / Dustry Rhodes & the River Band @ House of Blues Sunset ($22)
Gogol Bordello @ Fox Theatre in Pomona ($27)
The Virgins / Lissy Trullie / Anya Marina @ El Rey ($19)
Year Long Disaster / Karma to Burn @ Knitting Factory ($10)
Cinderella Motel / Ninja Academy / Totally Serious / Clevis @ The Smell
Leon Russell @ Canyon Club in Agoura Hills

Friday 5/22/09
[Pick of the Night] The Kills / The Horrors / The Magic Wands @ The Fonda ($20) – Alison Mosshart of the Kills just started The Dead Weather with Jack White.
Chain and the Gang / The Hive Dwellers / Shark Toys @ The Smell ($5) – Chain and the Gang features an ex-member of The Make-Up and Nation of Ulysses. The Hive Dwellers features Calvin Johnson.
Obits / The Lights / Tijuana Panthers @ Spaceland ($12) – Ex-Hot Snakes
Oh No Oh My @ The Echo ($10) – Early show at 7:00 PM
Dredg / Torche / Judgement Day @ Troubadour ($20)
Freeland / Alex Metric @ The Echo ($13)
Fort King / Jeff Hanson / Willow Willow / Detangler @ Pehrspace
Deadmau5 @ Hollywood Palladium ($45)
Fischerspooner @ Avalon ($30)
Morrissey’s 50th Birthday Party: Sweet and Tender Hooligans @ House of Blues Sunset ($19)
Jon Brion @ Largo ($25)
Styx / REO Speedwagon @ Nokia Theatre LA Live ($14 - $90)
Double Naught Spy / Susan James / Marshweed @ Echo Curio
Judd & Maggie / Very Be Careful @ Bootleg Theatre ($8)
WAR / Tierra with the Salas Bros. / Malo with Jorge Santana / El Chicano @ Greek Theatre ($35 - $80)
Andy Clockwise @ Hotel Café
Big Sandy & His Flyrite Boys / Dave Gleason @ Redwood Bar
Luka Bloom @ McCabe’s (Sold Out)
Existent Domain / Slumgum / Ilo Mar @ Tribal Cafe in Echo Park
The Meatmen @ Relax Bar
Leon Russell @ Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana
Taylor Swift @ Staples Center (Sold Out)

Saturday 5/23/09
[Pick of the Night] The Dears / Great Northern / Eulogies @ Echoplex ($15) – I’ve got some tickets to give away for this show too. Details to follow.
[Recommended] The Monolators / Kid Infinity / MakeMe @ All Star Lanes in Eagle Rock
NOMO / Those Dancing Days @ Spaceland ($10) – NOMO was doing the Fela Kuti thing before a lot of the other indie guys were doing the Fela Kuti thing.
A.M. / The Splinters / Dreamdate / PROTECTME @ The Smell
Chuck Dukowski Sextet / The Moon Upstairs / Insects vs. Robots @ Echo Curio
Tig / Sarah Silverman / Megan Mullally @ Largo ($25)
Dredg / Torche / Judgement Day @ Troubadour ($20)
Thee Makeout Party / Champagne Socialist / Schatzi and Hazeltine @ Pehrspace
Hot Tub / Keyishe / Torino @ Bordello ($10)
Amy Kuney @ Hotel Café
The Winter Flowers / JD King @ Redwood Bar
Ian Tyson @ McCabe’s (7PM show is sold out / $25 for 10 PM show)
Leon Russell @ Brixton in Redondo Beach

Sunday 5/24/09
[Pick of the Day] Brunch Americana: The Vaquetones / Mike Stinson / Dave Gleason @ Redwood Bar – Good country bill.
UCLA Jazz and Reggae Festival: Erykah Badu / De La Soul / Leela James / People Under the Stairs @ UCLA Intramural Field ($25)
Justin Townes Earle / Charlie Wadhams / Frank Fairfield @ McCabe’s ($16)
Part Time Punks @ the Echo – Smiths/Morrissey night
Flight of the Conchords @ Greek Theatre (Sold Out) – The show’s pretty good, I’ve seen them at Largo.
Barrio Tiger @ Spaceland (Free)
Django James & the Midnight Squires / Picture Atlantic @ The Knitting Factory ($10)

Sinking Radio: Donny Hathaway's "Jealous Guy"

Here’s my weekly reminder to tune in to Sinking Radio on Little Radio today from Noon to 2:00 PM PST.

Each week the show features an official You Set the Scene pick. My pick for today’s show is Donny Hathaway’s “Jealous Guy.” The John Lennon cover comes from Hathaway’s 1972 Live album. At this point, everybody from Elliott Smith to Jeff Tweedy to the Deftones to Collective Soul to the Black Crowes to the Faces to Roxy Music to Jose Feliciano has covered the track, but it must have been a pretty radical choice for a black soul singer like Hathaway do it so soon after Lennon released it.

The Live record chronicles Hathaway’s shows at the Troubadour in West Hollywood and the Bitter End in New York. It’s one of those extremely rare live records (I feel the same way about the Descendents) that’s actually better than the artist’s studio recordings. In this case, Hathaway’s soulfulness pours through the speakers and the crowd’s intense response makes you so jealous of the people that were there. Man, that voice will give you the chills.

In a just world, Hathaway would be a household name like Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye. He’s not. After a long struggle with depression, Hathaway committed suicide in 1979 by jumping out of a 15th story window. Luckily for us, he left behind a great legacy of music. Original vinyl copies of this record are pretty tough to come by, but last time I was at Amoeba, I noticed that it’s been reissued. I highly recommend you pick it up. It's the type of thing that will probably go in and out of print for a long time.

Recently Announced Live Shows

Staples
8/21/09: Aerosmith / ZZ Top (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = AMAZING; on sale Saturday at 10 AM)

El Rey
7/16/09: Germs / The Mae Shi / Spider Problem (on sale Saturday at 10 AM)
8/12/09: N.A.S.A. (on sale now)

Greek Theatre
7/10/09: Andrew Bird / Ra Ra Riot / Heartless Bastards (presale now, password = ANDREW; on sale Saturday at 10 AM)
7/21/09: Counting Crows / Michael Franti & Spearhead (on sale Saturday)
8/25/09: Tom Jones (on sale Saturday)
9/5/09: Bob Weir & Ratdog (on sale Saturday)

Club Nokia
7/1//09, 8/14/09, 9/12/09: The Dan Band (on sale Saturday at 10 AM)

The Wiltern
6/8/09: Metric / Sebastien Grainger (on sale now)
8/25/09: The Dead Weather (on sale 5/22 at Noon)

The Echo
8/28/09: Ted Leo (on sale now at Ticketweb)

The Echoplex
6/12/09: Love Is All / Still Flyin (on sale now at Ticketweb)

Spaceland
6/25/09: Deastro (on sale now at Ticketweb)

Music Box at the Fonda
8/26/09: Cake (on sale Saturday at 10 AM)
10/7/09: Fever Ray (on sale now)

Fox Theatre in Pomona
8/27/09: Cake (on sale Saturday at 10 AM
8/29/09: Bank of Horses (presale now, password = HORSES; on sale Saturday at 10 AM)

Largo
7/8/09: Bert Jansch (call club for tickets)

McCabe’s
7/25/09: The Handsome Family (on sale now)

Live Review: The Shins at the Palladium

In Band / Not In Band / In Band / Not In Band

Let me start this quasi-review by saying that I think James Mercer is one of the best lyricists working right now. However, as a live band, the Shins have always disappointed me.

Here it is only Wednesday and seeing their show on Sunday is already a faint memory, but let me try….

A friend I hadn’t seen in a while offered up a last minute ticket to the show. Since I hadn’t been to the new Palladium and I was curious about the new lineup, I figured what the hell.

The first thing worth mentioning is the physical tickets. They were enormous; I’m talking the size of a regular envelope. You couldn’t fold them on the seam and fit them in your wallet. I shoved mine in my back pocket and it stuck out a good five inches. It was a complete waste of paper.

Once inside, I headed to the bar and bought two small beers for $16. Pretty steep when you’re used to the $3.50 ($2.50 on Mondays) High Life at Spaceland. They’ve got to pay the bands somehow, right? I guess the $43 ticket price (plus $7 service charge) just isn’t enough. The venue sitting dark most nights probably doesn’t help keep the costs down either.

Our gigantic tickets said “GA – Floor” so we walked towards the floor. A security guard stopped us and said that we needed wristbands to get on the floor. After a brief dialogue we learned that they’re distributed on a first-come, first-served basis (although I’m still not exactly sure where). Bummer. We decided to check it out from the balcony.

The balcony was already pretty packed, so we went way to the side. We were so far to the side that we were standing behind the band. Once the Shins started, it didn’t take long to realize that the sound sucked from that angle. We moved more central to see if it would get any better. It didn’t. It got louder, but I couldn’t understand a word of Mercer’s lyrics. I could understand about 75% of the (limited) between song banter.

As Pitchfork reported, keyboard player Marty Crandall (the one guy with a personality in the band) and drummer Jesse Sandoval are no longer a part of the band. According to Mercer, their departure was “an aesthetic decision.” I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by that, but I was curious to find out.

Turns out that “aesthetic decision” must have a little something to do with playing Beach Boys and Neil Young covers and a lot to do with stretching out and jamming on (previously) near-perfect two-and-a-half to three minute pop songs. The decision to cover “Helpless” was a little predictable since I’d watched Mercer jump up on the Echo’s stage last February to perform the song with the Fruit Bats. The band broke out a few new songs too. I don’t remember any specifics, but I do remember really liking one new song, being really bored by one of them and thinking one of them was OK.

It takes a lot of audacity to expect 4,000 of your fans to pay $50 to see you try out a new lineup when your new album isn’t coming out for another eight months. Are the Shins really at that level? Their fans (at least this one) would have walked away with a more favorable impression had it been a cheaper ticket (and I didn’t even pay for my ticket) at a smaller venue.

Two more notes about the “new” Palladium. We moved over and stood in front of the soundboard to see if the sound was any better over there. It wasn’t. I tried to buy a beer at 10:00 PM and the bar was already closed.

I've still got high hopes that the next record is good....

Spaceland vs. Troubadour

There's only eight hours left in the NBC Los Angeles poll for Best Live Music Venue: Spaceland or Troubadour.

They're both fantastic clubs, but I'm going with.....Spaceland

VOTE HERE

Live Music Options: 5/11/09 - 5/17/09

Extra Golden Play the Echo Wednesday

I've got a few pairs of tickets to give away for the Extra Golden / Meditations show this Wednesday at the Echo/Echoplex. To win these tickets, email me [dukeufo at gmail] with the name of your favorite African or Jamaican artist. The contest closes Wedesday at Noon. Please put "Extra Golden" in the subject line and include your first and last name in the body of the email.

Monday 5/11/09
[Pick of the Night] Golden Animals / Imaad Wasif / Amanda Jo Williams and Matt O’Neill / Arizona @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Golden Animals has the Silverlake Lounge residency. Imaad Wasif is worth seeing live.
[Recommended] Gangi / Saint Motel / Free Moral Agents / Crooked Cowboy @ Spaceland (Free) – Gangi’s residency continues.
[Recommended] Juliette Commagere / Grizzly Owls / Paige Stark / Vaudeville @ The Echo (Free) – Juliette Commagere’s residency continues.
[Recommended] New Rock Syndicate / The Antarcticans / The Moon Upstairs / Oliver Hall @ The Smell ($5)
The Jake Labotz Band @ Redwood Bar
The Meat Puppets @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM show
Steve Martin / Steep Canyon Rangers @ Club Nokia ($25 - $250)
Anavan / Flaspar / Birth! @ Pehrspace

Tuesday 5/12/09
[Pick of the Night] Avi Buffalo / The Faraway Places / Starburst Crystal Ensemble @ The Echo (Free) – Avi Buffalo’s doing a Tuesday night residency this month at the Echo. Aaron Embry of Amnion’s been a huge cheerleader for them, so I’m looking forward to finally checking them out.
Operation Aloha / The Parson Red Heads / All Spots to Black @ Troubadour ($20) – Operation Aloha features Ian Ball of Gomez.
Mike Stinson @ Redwood Bar
Theressa Andersson @ Largo ($20)
Meat Puppets @ the Mint ($15)
Vulgar Latin / The Eye The Ear and the Arm / The Active Set / Modern Time Machines @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Wednesday 5/13/09
[Pick of the Night] Extra Golden / The Meditations / Fool’s Gold / Youssoupha Sidibe @ the Echo & Echoplex ($10 before 10 PM and $15 after) – Extra Golden’s a collaboration between some DC musicians and some Kenyan benga musicians. It’s interesting stuff. The Meditations are a legendary reggae band from Jamaica.
[Recommended] Steve Earle @ Amoeba (Free) – 6:00 PM; Steve Earle’s new record is a tribute to his mentor/friend Townes Van Zandt. Well worth checking out.
Club NME: Shiloe / Future Ghost / Atlantic Line @ Spaceland ($5)
The Hectors / Seasons / Downtown Union / The Health Club @ Mr. T’s Bowl – Good local lineup.
Low End Theory @ Airliner ($10)
The Murder Junkies / Black Omen @ Redwood Bar – GG Allin’s band. Mumiy Troll / The Ringers @ The Roxy
Hello Dragon / Ice Palace / Firs / Divisible @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Carina Round @ Hotel Café
Chuck Mead of BR5-49 @ the Mint ($12)

Thursday 5/14/09
[Pick of the Night] Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros / thenewno2 / We Are the World / Amnion @ Regent Theatre ($5) – Edwarde Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros is the Ima Robot frontman’s new band. Thenewno2 is Dhani Harrison’s band. Amnion is one of my favorite local bands. It’s Art Walk night downtown, so expect a lot of kids in the streets.
[Recommended] Janelle Monae @ Royce Hall ($20) – Janelle Monae was one of the unexpected highlights of SXSW this year. She’s like the female Andre 3000. Royce Hall’s kind of a sterile place to see her.
[Recommended] Afternoons / The Happy Hollows / Warpaint @ Troubadour ($12) – Strong local lineup.
Scout Niblett / The Lovetones / The Stereo Workers Union / Chief Nowhere @ Spaceland ($10) – Scout Niblett’s got a serious fanbase. This is just a quick west coast tour.
Restavrant / Leopold and His Fiction / The Coles / Eloise @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Restavrant are a lot of fun to see live. They’re doing a Thursday night residency at the this month.
Mos Def @ House of Blues Sunset ($33)
Sara Watkins @ Largo ($25)
The Polyamorous Affair / All Leather / Magick Daggers / Blue Jungle / Halloween Swim Team @ The Echo ($10)
Indigo Girls / Matt Morris @ El Rey (Sold Out)
Moment Trigger / AMK / Debaser / Dirty Branches @ The Smell

Friday 5/15/09
[Pick of the Night] Lucero / Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears @ Troubadour ($17) – I saw both of these bands at SXSW this year. Black Joe Lewis is one of my favorite new bands of the year. Great Stax-inspired dirty soul.
[Recommended] Amateurs / The World Record / Death to Anders / Never At Night @ Spaceland ($8) – This is the record release party for Amateurs new three song 12”. It’s good stuff (you can stream it on their Myspace page) and good karma to support local bands that go the expense/trouble of releasing on vinyl.
Ponytail / Cex @ The Echo ($10) – I saw Ponytail at SXSW this year. High energy, not really my thing, but they got the crowd going.
Jon Brion @ Largo ($25)
The Lovetones / Magic Mirror @ Redwood Bar
The Dan Band @ Avalon
The Aggrolites / The Lions / Boogaloo Assistants @ El Rey ($20)
Land of Ill Earthquakes / The Health Club / Sofa City Sweetheart @ Pehrspace
Halloween Swim Team / Dylan Doren / Paper Rainbow @ L’Keg

Saturday 5/16/09
[Pick of the Week] Mogwai / Dead Meadow @ Orpheum ($28) – Sometimes it’s great to get absorbed in sound. That’s what happens at a Mogwai show.
[Recommended] Doves / Wild Light @ The Wiltern ($40) – Pretty good band.
KROQ Weenie Roast: Weezer / Jimmy Eat World / Kings of Leon / Yeah Yeah Yeahs / Silversun Pickups / Rancid / The Airborne Toxic Event @ Irvine Meadows (Sold Out) – A surprisingly inoffensive lineup.
Giant Drag / Shakey Graves / The Icarus Line @ Troubadour ($12) – The original lineup is back.
Loney, Dear / Lights On / AM @ Spaceland ($12)
O + S / Mia Maestro and Aaron Robinson @ Bootleg Theater ($8)
Opeth / Enslaved @ Avalon
Tiffany @ Whisky A Go Go – She played my Junior High
Pronto / Nels Cline @ The Mint ($15)
The Crabs – A True Celebration of the Green Album @ Knitting Factory ($7)
The Blanks @ Largo ($25)
Curt Smith of Tears for Fears @ McCabe’s ($20)
Dirt Dress / Grand Lake @ Pehrspace
Black Strobe @ Echoplex ($12)
Cosio / Jenny O / Rose’s Pawn Shop @ Bordello ($10)
Latin Jazz Festival @ Greek Theater ($55 - $80)
Sista Otis @ Redwood Bar – 7:00 PM
Shotgun Party @ Redwood Bar – 10PM
PROTECT ME / Audacity / The Numerators / F’N A! @ The Smell

Sunday 5/17/09
[Pick of the Night] Grande Ole Echo: Dave Gleason / Jason Heath & the Greedy Souls /
The Deceivers @ The Echo (Free) – 5:00 PM
Kevin Devine / Miniature Tigers @ Troubadour ($13)
Brunch Americana: Golden Hill Ramblers / Shotgun Party @ Redwood Bar
Scarlet Symphony / The Jerxs / Dr. Seahorse / OONA / Pilot Touhill @ Spaceland ($5)
Part Time Punks: Factory Records Night @ the Echo ($5)
Jonathan Culton with Paul & Storm @ Largo ($25)
Jennifer Warnes @ McCabe’s (Sold Out)
Scarnella / Bobb Bruno @ Eagle Center for the Arts

Sinking Radio: Tortoise's "Northern Something"

This is my reminder to tune in to Sinking Radio tomorrow from Noon to 2:00 PM on LittleRadio.com. 

Each week, the hosts play an official You Set the Scene Pick. This week, the choice was tough. A lot of great stuff got sent my way (and I purchased some great reissues last weekend). I considered the new Jarvis Cocker, the new Akron/Family and the new Steve Earle (a tribute to Townes Van Zandt). Ultimately, I decided on Tortoise's "Northern Something."

I always forget how much I love Tortoise until I put on one of their records. I might be thinking, "Nah, I'm not really in the mood for instrumental stuff today" but then they immediately draw me in. Like a lot of college radio fanatics in the Midwest, I first got in to Tortoise back in 1996 with the release of their second record, Millions Now Living Will Never Die. At the time, Chicago seemed like the center of the music world. 

The band's sixth album, Beacons of Ancestorship, comes out June 23rd on Thrill Jockey. It's another fantastic listen. The sounds are so varied and across the map it's pretty pointless to list them (jazz, Krautrock, dub, indie rock, ambient, downtempo, electronica). It's not until the very end of the record that it sounds anything like early Tortoise. These five musicians are just insanely talented chameleons. Wouldn't it be great to see what they could do with a commercial hip-hop artist? Kanye sans auto-tune?

See them July 11th at the Troubadour. 

MP3: Prepare Your Coffin

MP3: High Class Slim Floatin' In

Recently Announced Live Shows

Dirty Projectors Play the Troub on July 8th

The Wiltern
7/27/09: Jarvis Cocker (on sale Friday at 10 AM)

The Echo
5/21/09: BLK JKS (on sale now at Ticketweb)
6/18/09: Chairlift (on sale now at Ticketweb)
6/23/09: Occidental Brothers (on sale now at Ticketweb)

Troubadour
7/1/09: Bill Callahan (on sale now)
7/8/09: Dirty Projectors (on sale Friday)
7/11/09: Tortoise (on sale now)

Largo
7/8/09: Bert Jansch

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
5/16/09: KROQ Weenie Roast – Weezer, Kings of Leon, Jimmy Eat World, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Silversun Pickups, Rancid, Airborne Toxic Event, Cage the Elephant, White Lies (on sale Thursday at 5:00 PM, password = KROQROAST)

Music Box at the Fonda
7/9/09: Old 97’s (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = GRAVITY; on sale Saturday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Bowl
10/4/09: Kylie Minogue (American Express presale now; on sale 5/17/09 at 10 AM)

Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
6/12/09: Glasvegas (on sale at Ticketweb Friday at Noon)

Gibson Amphitheatre
7/7/09: Yes / Asia (on sale Saturday at 1:00 PM)

Avalon
9/11/09: Maximo Park (on sale Friday at 10 AM)

Walt Disney Concert Hall
11/1/09: Kris Kristofferson (TBD)

Spaceland
Mondays in June: Castledoor

Staples Center
7/16/09: American Idols Live! (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = TOUR2009; on sale Saturday at 10 AM)

Nokia LA Live
6/18/09: Keyshia Cole (presale now, password = COMPLETE; on sale Monday at 10 AM)

Ticket Giveaway - Destroyer at the Echoplex

I've got a couple of pairs of tickets to give away for the Destroyer show this Sunday at the Echoplex. Opening the show will be Azita and Devon Williams. Dan Bejar's one of the more unique songwriters of our generation. His most recent record, Trouble in Dreams, came out a year ago on Merge Records.

To win these tickets, email me [dukeufo at g mail] with the name of something/someone you wish you could destroy. The contest closes Friday at 3:00 PM. Please add "Destroyer" to the subject line.

MP3: Foam Hands
Buy tickets HERE

Live Music Options 5/4/09 - 5/10/09

Iron & Wine Play Two Shows This Week

The last week of the Henry Clay People's residency was a good time last Monday. They got the whole crowd down on their hands and knees. I'd only seen one other band do that (Soundtrack of Our Lives at the Troubadour a few years ago). This week looks solid (if you can get tickets to these shows)....

Monday 5/4/09
[Pick of the Night] Gangi / Head Like a Kite / Blank Blue / Daddy Kev @ Spaceland (Free) – Very strong lineup for the first night of the Gangi residency. Head Like a Kite’s a Mush records band from Seattle that mixes live instrumentation with liberal use of electronic elements. Last time I saw Blank Blue at Spaceland (during Le Switch’s residency) the power blew out. They’re a strong local band featuring Nobody and Niki Randa. Daddy Kev’s one of LA’s more respected underground hip-hop producers.
[Recommended] Juliette Commagere / Obi Best / The Sweet Hurt @ The Echo (Free) – Good, free chance to see Wendy Wang/The Sweet Hurt. The Weekly has a feature on Juliette Commagere this week.
Golden Animals / My Pet Saddle / Slipping Into Darkness @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Golden Animals has the Silverlake Lounge residency. I may try to check them out next week when Imaad Wasif is on the bill.
The Monolators / Halloween Swim Team / Gumshoe / Roman Candles @ Echo Curio
Whitman / Nicole Kidman / Stellaluna @ Pehrspace
The Jake Labotz Band @ Redwood Bar

Tuesday 5/5/09 (Happy Cinco de Mayo)
[Pick of the Night] Avi Buffalo / 60 Watt Kid / Deep Sea Diver / Time of Wolves / Tenlons Fort @ The Echo (Free) – Avi Buffalo’s doing a Tuesday night residency this month at the Echo. Aaron Embry of Amnion’s been a huge cheerleader for them, so I’m looking forward to finally checking them out.
[Recommended] The Parson Red Heads / The Monolators @ Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa
Mike Stinson @ Redwood Bar
Iglu & Hartly / Pop Noir / On Blast / Random Impulse @ The Roxy ($10)
Mike Doughty @ Hotel Café ($20) – Soul Coughing
Beware of Safety / Raised By Robots / Signal Hill / Pride of Kenya @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
The Greycoats @ Knitting Factory Alterknit
Los Creepers / Rezurex @ the Echoplex ($10)
Scarlet Grey / The Art @ Troubadour ($8)

Wednesday 5/6/09
[Pick of the Night] Ryan Bingham / Jonny Burke @ Troubadour ($12) - Ryan Bingham was a good discovery for us at last year’s Stagecoach. He’s a young, ex-rodeo guy with a voice that sounds like he smokes a carton of cigarettes a day. His second record comes out in early June and was once again produced by Marc Ford (ex-Black Crowes).
[Recommended] Danielson / Soul Junk / Marvelous Toy @ Spaceland ($12) – We’re giving away tickets for this one. See details HERE.
Warpaint / Exitmusic / VOICEs VOICEs / Alexandra Hope @ The Smell ($5)
Gran Ronde / Klum / Royal Heist / Northern Labor Party @ Bordello ($8)
Slang Chickens / Non+ / Anasazis / Shark Toys @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Mike Doughty @ Largo ($30) - Soul Coughing
Low End Theory: Dibia$e / Monopoly / Devon @ Airliner ($10)
Sista Otis @ Redwood Bar

Thursday 5/7/09
[Pick of the Night] Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros / Warpaint / Weave! / Black Hole Oscillators @ Regent Theatre ($5) – The Ima Robot frontman’s new band. They’ll be playing next Thursday as well.
[Recommended] Restavrant / Gimme 5’s / The High Society / Wake Up Lucid @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Restavrant are a lot of fun to see live. They’re doing a Thursday night residency at the Silverlake Lounge this month.
[Recommended] Van Morrison performs Astral Weeks @ Orpheum Theatre ($90 - $350) - Too rich for my blood.
The Silent Years / Roughed Up Folk / Neon Trees @ Spaceland ($10)
Her Space Holiday / City of Light @ The Echo ($12)
Chelsea Girls @ The Roxy ($15)
Sing Sing @ Royce Hall ($22 - $42)
Hauschka / Tom Brosseau @ Largo ($20)
Mae / Barcelona @ Troubadour ($15)
Lebowski Fest @ The Wiltern ($15 - $20)

Friday 5/8/09
[Pick of the Week] Iron & Wine / Alela Diane @ Masonic Hall at Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Sold Out) – One of those shows that I immediately regretted not getting tickets for. Iron & Wine puts on a very compelling live show.
[Recommended] Van Morrison performs Astral Weeks @ Orpheum Theatre ($90 - $350) - Too rich for my blood.
Spectrum / Abe Vigoda / The Entrance Band @ the Echo ($12)
Jon Brion @ Largo ($25) – Always interesting.
The Dickies / The Blasters / The Diffs @ Knitting Factory ($15)
The Good Listeners / Dylan Trees @ Bootleg Theater ($8)
Voxhaul Broadcast / Local Natives / Aushua / Rumspringa @ Spaceland ($10) – Nice local lineup.
The Devil Makes Three / Old Man Markley @ Troubadour ($15)
The Beat Junkies / Pete Rock @ Echoplex ($15)
Big Whup / The Studiofix / Pizza! / My Pet Saddle @ The Smell ($5)
Bob Schneider @ The Keyclub ($22)
Yoshida Brothers @ El Rey ($30 - $45)
The Soft Opening / Timonium / Sasqrotch / Imaad Wasif @ Pehrspace
The Stains / Lords of Altamont / Ladykillers @ Redwood Bar
Dredg / Torche @ Glasshouse ($17)

Saturday 5/9/09
[Pick of the Night] Iron & Wine / Yogoman Burning Band @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – Night two of the intimate performances.
[Recommended] Mika Miko / The Soft Pack / PROTECTME @ The Smell ($5) – Record release party for Mika Miko. It will probably get very crowded.
[Recommended] Van Morrison performs Astral Weeks @ Orpheum Theatre ($90 - $350) - Too rich for my blood.
Slick Rick @ The Keyclub ($20) – I was a big Slick Rick fan.
The Dead @ The Forum ($50 - $85)
Murderfest 2009 @ the Knitting Factory ($40 or $65 for 2 day pass)
Jenny Owen Youngs @ Hotel Café ($12.50)
Nous Non Plus @ Spaceland ($12)
The Avett Brothers / Magnolia Electric Co. @ The Finda ($27)
Alela Diane / Mariee Sioux @ McCabe’s ($12.50)
Shiny Toy Guns / Nico Vega / Electrocute / The Ringers @ Club Nokia ($25)
Collisions / Season / Blue Jungle @ Echo Curio
Alma Mater / No Paws (no Lions) / Deadly Finns @ Pehrspace
L-Wiz @ Echoplex ($10)
Keane / The Helio Sequence / Mat Kearney @ Hollywood Palladium ($43.50)

Sunday 5/10/09 (Happy Mother’s Day)
[Pick of the Night] The Vaselines / The Tyde @ El Rey ($27) – It’s the Scottish, late 80’s, cult favorite band’s first ever appearance in LA. They got a lot of publicity after Nirvana covered a few of their songs (“Molly’s Lips,” “Son of a Gun,” and “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For A Sunbeam.”). Sub Pop’s is releasing a big retrospective this Tuesday.
[Recommended] The Shins / Delta Spirit @ Hollywood Palladium ($35) – It’s been a while since we’ve heard from the Shins and they aren’t posting news on their website or Myspace page. It’s an interesting (read: shitty) strategy when you’re out on the road and getting ready to self-release an album.
[Recommended] Destroyer (solo) / Azita / Devon Williams @ Echoplex ($15) – Dan Bejar’s a truly unique songwriter. I’ll be giving away a couple of pairs of tickets to this show, so check back later in the week.
[Recommended] Sarah Gayle Meech / The Cheatin’ Kind / Jeremiah and the Red Eyes / Frank Fairfield @ The Echo (Free) – Early show at 5:00 PM.
Brunch Americana: Mike Stinson @ Redwood Bar
Murderfest 2009 @ the Knitting Factory ($40 or $65 for 2 day pass)
Ed Shrader / Height / Vampire Pussy / The Disappearance of Planet Dwarf Pluto @ The Smell ($5)
Part Time Punks 4 Year Anniversary Party @ the Echo ($5)
The Beach Boys @ Orpheum Theatre ($97)
El Vez @ Spaceland ($14)
Carrie Rodriguez / Romantica @ McCabe’s ($15)
Howardamb / Bobb Bruno / Extra / The Vaginals @ Echo Curio