Live Music Options: 12/28/09 - 1/3/10

With the exception of New Year's Eve, not too much going on this week. I also recommend checking out the 88 tonight for free....

Monday 12/28/09

[Pick of the Night] Mere Mortals / The 88 / Vesuviasonic / Shield @ Spaceland (Free) - I always forget how good the 88 is until I see them. Great chance to see them for free at a tiny club. This is the last night of the Mere Mortals residency.

[Recommended] The Blind Boy Paxton & Frank Fairfield Show @ Redwood Bar

Boogie Nazis / Mikki and the Mauses / Moment Trigger @ Women of Crenshaw

Seamonsters / Venus Illuminato / The Muddy Reds @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

Reel Big Fish @ House of Blues Anaheim

Steel Panther @ House of Blues Sunset

Blessure Grave / Mr. Objects @ Pehrspace

The Pricks / Electrolightz @ The Roxy ($10)

Tuesday 12/29/09

Shirley Rolls / The Dharma Bums / The Choke / Death House Chaplain @ Spaceland ($5)

Anthony Green @ the Roxy ($15)

KC & the Sunshine Band @ House of Blues Anaheim

Splintercake / Whitman / Foot Ox / The Albuquerque Boys Choir / Nicole Kidman @ Echo Curio

Bring Em Young Guns / EZ Tiger @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Sylvia Browne / Montel Williams @ Gibson Amphitheatre

Stab City / Sean Wheeler / Zander Schloss @ Redwood Bar

Wednesday 12/30/09

Low End Theory: 6Blocc / Tokimonsta / Mr. Fantastic @ Airliner ($10)

Club NME: Miniature Tigers / All Wrong and the Plans Change / A B and the Sea @ Spaceland ($8) - Miniature Tigers have a bit of a Fountains of Wayne vibe going on.

Mika Miko / Le Joshua / Prs Hltn, Mthrfckrs / Mr. Wright & the El Salvadorians @ The Smell ($10) - Mika Miko is playing its last three shows ever. Mr. Wright & the El Salvadorians features members of No Age and Mika Miko.

The Coals / Isaac Simons / Torches in Trees / City Museum @ Silverlake Lounge ($5)

Unwritten Law / Taintstick / Beardo @ the Roxy ($20)

Quebb / Douglas Lee / The Mayfly Dance @ Echo Curio

Spaceland on Ice: The Growlers @ Pershing Square (Free) - Show starts at 7:00 PM

Reverend Horton Heat @ House of Blues Anaheim

KC & the Sunshine Band @ House of Blues Sunset

Thursday 12/31/09

[Pick of the Week] The Henry Clay People / Le Switch / The Monolators / Aushua @ Spaceland ($12) - Great value and fairly low key for New Year's Eve. Two of my favorite local bands and two other quality local bands.

[Recommended] Dengue Fever / Pollyn @ The Mint ($25 adv / $40 dos)

[Recommended] Avi Buffalo / Dusty Rhodes and the River Band @ East Village Arts District in Long Beach (Free)

Erykah Badu @ House of Blues Sunset ($100) - Pretty expensive.

Mika Miko / Staring Problem / Ima Fucking Gymnast / Digits @ The Smell ($10) - Staring Problem features members of No Age.

The Zeros / The Dogs / Barrio Tiger @ Redwood Bar - Classic punk rock.

The Growlers / My Pet Saddle @ the Echo ($12)

Audacity / Blue Jungle / Thee Makeout Party / Pear / AM / Pipsqueak / White Night @ L'Keg ($10) - All day party starting at 3:00 PM

John Digweed / David Guetta @ LA Sports Coliseum ($60 - $150)

Royal Crown Revue @ The Fox Theatre in Pomona ($35)

Bootie LA @ Echoplex ($10 before 10 PM / $20 after)

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($60 - $175) - Early show at 7 PM and late show at 10:30 PM

Chromeo / Peanut Butter Wolf / VEGA / Gaslamp Killer @ Club Nokia ($45 - $60)

Hard NYE: Boys Noize / A-Trak / Destructo / DJ Mehdi @ Hollywood Palladium ($60 - $250)

Flogging Molly / The Aggrolites @ The Wiltern ($40 - $115)

Mike Posner @ the Roxy ($30)

Reverend Horton Heat @ House of Blues Anaheim

The Head Cat / Rhino Bucket / The Binges @ Viper Room ($35 - $50)

Friday 1/1/10

[Pick of the Night] Mika Miko / Hello Astronaut Goodbye Television / My Little Red Toe / Silver Daggers @ The Smell (Sold Out) - Mika Miko's last show ever.

Squirrel Nut Zippers / Steve Soto and the Twisted Hearts @ El Rey ($23)

Mystery Lights / Seasons / The Ignorant / Asa Random / Andy Clockwise @ Echo Curio

Sweet & Tender Hooligans @ House of Blues Sunset

Ducati All Stars @ the Roxy ($34) - Featuring Steve Jones, Jason Bonham, Mark McGrath, Donovan Leitch and others

The Dogs / The Zeros @ Redwood Bar

Flogging Molly / The Aggrolites @ House of Blues Anaheim

Dirty Penny / Lukas Rossi @ Viper Room ($10)

Saturday 1/2/10

Star Parts / One Trick Pony / Clouds @ Echo Curio

Nekromantics / Mad Marge & the Stonecutters @ House of Blues Sunset

High Castle / Kit / Knight Rider / Protect Me @ The Smell ($5)

Black Robot / The Royal Highness @ Viper Room ($10)

Sunday 1/3/10

Silver Pines / Pure Ecstasy / Angela Correa @ Echo Curio

Part Time Punks @ the Echo ($5)

Top 10 Records of 2009

Once again, the big trends in music for the year were completely lost on me. Usually I can easily identify a top album of the year, but this year I struggled.

So here's my top 10 list:

1) Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Phoenix crossed over into the mainstream with the most undeniably catchy record of the year. Three of the best singles of the year ("Lisztomania," "1901," and "Lasso") on one album.

Lisztomania - Phoenix

2) The Minor Canon: Emptiness Is Form – If you’re a fan of emotional, lyrically direct songs, this will be right up your alley. The record hits an early peak during “If Wishes Were Horses” when the furious guitar merges with screaming horns and a growing urgency in singer Paul Larson’s voice. Later in the record, the ferocity has faded away. In "Not There" Larson has given up hope on his lost love, but the pain's clearly not going away any time soon. The most overlooked record of the year.

If Wishes Were Horses - The Mi...

3) Frankel: Anonymity Is the New Fame – Michael Orendy’s latest features another batch of great songs. So many publicists lazily slap the Elliott Smith tag onto promo stickers, but “Ticket Machine” actually earns a comparison. With its breathy, double-tracked vocals and complex arrangement, Orendy has a deep respect for Smith’s songcraft. While Orendy draws some sonic inspiration from Smith, his lyrics are less direct and his song meanings more opaque. If you’re into literate pop songs, Frankel’s the real deal.

Ticket Machine - Frankel

4) Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears: Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is! – For me, the biggest musical trend of the year was vintage soul music. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears were a perfect gateway to the past. As I dove headfirst into the Stax catalog, tracks like "Sugarfoot" and "Big Booty Woman" sounded classic.

Sugarfoot - Black Joe Lewis & ...

5) Rodriguez: Coming From Reality – Kudos to Light in the Attic for digging up another lost classic from Sixto Rodriguez. Originally released in 1971, Coming From Reality is another slightly dangerous, completely anti-establishment record. This time around big string arrangements in songs like "Sandrevan Lullaby-Lifestyles" augment the disappointment conveyed in Rodriguez's lyrics. Powerful stuff.

To Whom It May Concern - Rodri...

6) Girls: Album – It sounds like some lost, late 1970s demos from Elvis Costello and that's perfectly cool with me.

Summertime - Girls

7) Dinosaur Jr.: Farm – I could listen to J. Mascis play guitar all day.

I Want You To Know - Dinosaur ...

8) Phosphorescent: To Willie – A tribute album on my top 10 list? The record came out early in the year and I never got sick of it. Matthew Houck's relaxed vocal style suits Willie Nelson's songs very well. Seeing them having so much fun while performing these songs at SXSW helped.

Walkin' - Phosphorescent

9) Polvo: In Prism – Great to see one of my favorite bands from college back in top form. All the noise bands that hide behind shitty production and lack of skill at your instruments, please pay attention.

Right the Relation - Polvo

10) The xx: xx - I first got into this because it was inoffensive background music that didn't distract me while I was working. But it slowly seeped into my consciousness. Make out music for art school kids.

Basic Space - The xx

Ten more records I was digging on:

Neil Young: Archives - Impressive box set, but the price hurt it a bit.

Death: For the Whole World To See - Great collection of proto-punk from the early 1970s.

BLK JKS: After Robots - Hard to completely wrap your head around what these South Africans are doing, but I keep returning to it.

Silversun Pickups: Swoon - Good kids and so well produced.

Brendan Benson: My Old, Familiar Friend - Great pop songwriter.

Division Day: Visitation - A huge leap forward for the band.

Andrew Bird: Noble Beast - A tad precious, but I just can't deny his talent.

Jason Lytle: Yours Truly, the Commuter - Not unlike Grandaddy, and that's what I wanted from a Lytle solo record.

Sonic Youth: The Eternal - In the middle of their third decade of music making and still putting out great stuff.

Future of the Left: Travels with Myself and Another - Intense post-hardcore. They've got musical chops.

Live Music Options: 12/21/09 - 12/27/09

Helen Stellar Play Spaceland Monday Night

It's Christmas week so a lot of the clubs are already closed down. Enjoy your holidays everyone. I plan on posting some best of lists in the coming weeks....

Monday 12/21/09
Tivo Alert: Silversun Pickups on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien – 11:35 PM on NBC
[Pick of the Week] Mere Mortals / Helen Stellar / Healamonster & Tarsier / Silverphial @ Spaceland (Free) – Great chance to see Helan Stellar and Healamonster & Tarsier for free on the Mere Mortals residency.
[Recommended] The Blind Boy Paxton & Frank Fairfield Show @ Redwood Bar – Old timey music.
[Recommended] Largo Comedy All Stars @ Largo ($25) – Benefit for St. Judes Christmas Charity
Black Cobra / It’s Casual / Groamville / Harassor / Chingalera @ Viper Room ($12) – Heavy bands from the Southern Lord label.
Moonrats / VoiceVoices / Sister Crayon / Corridor @ The Echo (Free) – The Manimal Vinyl residency continues
Links / Parade of Lights / Samuel Stewart / Red Tide @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Links are doing the Monday night residency this month.
Lady Gaga @ Nokia Theatre (Sold Out)
Kristen Toedtman / Brendan Hines / Brandon Mayer & Hidden Powers / Sally Jaye @ Bootleg ($10)
Robin Thicke @ Club Nokia ($45 - $75)
David Scott Stone @ Echo Curio
Steel Panther @ House of Blues Sunset
Nicole Kidman / Kevin Greenspon / Snowsuit / No Babies @ Pehrspace
Miso / Maile Misajon / Jill and Haven / Shevy Smith @ Hotel Café

Tuesday 12/22/09
[Pick of the Night] Bilal / Exile & DJ Day featuring Blu / Milosh / Om’Mas Keith / Shafiq Husayn / Daedelus / J. Rocc / Kutmah @ Echoplex ($15) – Great linup. Plug Research party.
[Recommended] Local Natives / Voxhaul Broadcast / Chief @ The Echo ($10) – Bring a canned good and get a gift from the band. Local Natives recently signed to Frenchkiss Records (who are on a total hot streak lately).
Leopold and His Fiction / Magic Mirror / Ojos Rojos @ Spaceland ($8)
Kid Cudi @ Club Nokia ($25 - $35) – Got lots of exposure through Kanye West
Sweet Honey in the Rock @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($25 - $72)
Jim Turner Presents: HoneyHoney / Nicole Atkins @ Largo ($10)
Lady Gaga @ Nokia Theatre (Sold Out)
Stab City / Sean Wheeler / Zander Schloss @ Redwood Bar
Metal Rouge / Sleepwalkers Local / Headlight / Lowlight Situations @ Echo Curio
Killbirds / Kid Theodore @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Mark Ballas / Sydney Wayser / Ryan Blakely Smith @ Hotel Cafe

Wednesday 12/23/09
Tenacious D @ Largo ($50) – Benefit for Pablove
Kid Cudi / Chip the Ripper @ Club Nokia ($25 - $35)
Spaceland on Ice: Swords of Fatima / New Rome Quartet @ Pershing Square (Free) – Starts at 7:00 PM
Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($29 - $83)
Lady Gaga @ Nokia Theatre (Sold Out)
Low End Theory Club @ Airliner ($10)
Clowns and Fetuses / Grex @ Echo Curio

Thursday 12/24/09

Friday 12/25/09
Merry Christmas

Saturday 12/26/09
Wampire / Asss / Neon Navajo @ Echo Curio
Salt-N-Pepa @ Club Nokia ($40 - $50)
Hepcat @ House of Blues Sunset ($21.50)
Stephen Pearcy @ the Roxy ($20)

Sunday 12/27/09
[Pick of the Day] Brunch Americana: Miguel Garcia & the Vaquetones / Sarah Gayle Meech / Dale Peterson / West of Texas @ Redwood Bar – I hear Sarah Meech is moving to Nashville, so this might be the last time you see her in a while.
The Outskirts / Las Sangronas Y El Cabron / Toy Attica / Angustia / The Potential Lunatics @ The Smell ($5)
Part Time Punks @ The Echo ($5) – Smiths/Morrissey night

Recently Announced LA Area Shows

She & Him Will Play El Rey in March

Staples Center
4/6/10: Alicia Keys (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = EMPIRE; on sale 12/20 at Noon)

Fred Kavli Theatre
3/29/10: Chicago (Friday at Noon)
8/5/10: The Golden Boys (Friday at Noon)

Club Nokia
2/26/10: Moe (presale Thurs at 10 AM, password = STICKS; Friday at 10 AM)

El Rey
3/3/10: Midlake (presale Thurs at 10 AM, password = DENTON; Friday at 10 AM)
3/8/10: Alesana (Saturday at 10 AM)
3/25/10: She & Him (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = VOLUMETWO; Saturday at 10 AM)

Gibson Amphitheatre
2/23/10: Mariah Carey (Saturday at 1:00 PM)

House of Blues Sunset
12/31/09: Erykah Badu (now)

Largo
2/6/09 – 2/7/09: They Might Be Giants (call club)

Echo
2/26/10: The Strange Boys / Chain and the Gang (TBA)

Echoplex
1/15/10: GZA (now at Ticketweb)

Spaceland
Mondays in January: Year Long Disaster
3/24/10: Garotas Suecas (now at Ticketweb)
4/13/10: Retribution Gospel Choir (now)

This Week's Live Music Choices

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas - so it's mostly local bands playing this week....


Monday 12/14/09
[Pick of the Night] Mere Mortals / The Meeting Places / The Black Apples / The Secret 6 @ Spaceland (Free)
[Recommended] The Minor Canon @ Unknown Theatre – They put out one of my favorite records this year.
[Recommended] The Blind Boy Paxton & Frank Fairfield Show @ Redwood Bar
Mew / The Outline @ The Fonda ($20)
We Are the World / Rainbow Arabia / Jessica 6 / Loving Thunder @ Echo (Free)
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros / Los Cafeteras @ Mayan Theatre (Sold Out)
Links / Imagine Dragons / Eastern Conference Champions / Vanaprasta @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Links are doing the Monday night residency this month.
Aimee Mann Christmas Show @ Largo (Sold Out)
The All American Rejects @ The Roxy ($22.50)
Birth! / Psychic Handbook / A Vague Sound @ Pehrspace
Joe Purdy / Meaghan Smith / Sweet Talk Radio @ Hotel Café

Tuesday 12/15/09
[Pick of the Night] The Damselles / The Hi Hos / Evan Way / Sweet Little Things @ Echo (Free w/packaged toy / $5)
[Recommended] Kenan Bell / Res / Gavin / Glassell Park 3 / The Pocket Rockets @ Spaceland ($7)
The Rural Alberta Advantage / The Shaky Hands / Pepper Rabbit @ Bootleg ($12)
Aimee Mann Christmas Show @ Largo ($40)
Vantage / Ballerina Black / Anthem of Silence @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Joe Purdy / Meaghan Smith / Erin Mclaughlin @ Hotel Café
The All American Rejects @ The Roxy ($22.50)
Melt Banana / Tera Melos @ The Glass House ($12)

Wednesday 12/16/09
[Pick of the Night] Spaceland on Ice: Correatown / Obi Best @ Pershing Square (Free) – Starts at 7:00PM
Club NME: Saint Motel / Rumspringa / Oliver Future / Early Dolphin @ Spaceland ($5)
The Good Listeners / The Sonus Quartet / Hi Ho Silver Oh / Penelope Fortier @ Bootleg ($10)
Low End Theory Club @ Airliner ($10)
Melt Banana / Tera Melos @ Troubadour ($15)
Lilofee / Twilight Sleep / Acid Girls / War Tapes @ Echo (Free)
Power 106 Cali Christmas: 50 Cent / T-Pain / Pitbull / Fabolous / Jermih / Jay Sean @ Gibson ($65)
Zero 7 / Phantogram @ Orpheum Theatre (Sold Out)
Cassorla / Brandon Intelligator / Sasson / Cooperation @ Echo Curio
The Watkins Family Xmas Hour @ Largo ($20)
Deep Sleep Ops / Abbot Kinney / Toy Robot @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Skeleteen / Duhkha / Free Moral Agents / Rare Grooves @ The Smell ($5)

Thursday 12/17/09
[Pick of the Night] Against Me! / Roll The Tanks / Oh! Pioneers @ Spaceland ($12) – Limited tickets available at the door. One of the most respected of the young-ish punk bands.
[Recommended] Fool’s Gold / The Entrance Band / Tearist / DJ Josh Klinghoffer @ Echo ($10)
[Recommended] Mitchell Brown / Lucky Dragons / Daedelus @ Mountain Bar
Sea Wolf / Imaad Wasif / Chasing Kings @ The Roxy ($12) – I do enjoy seeing Immad Wasif.
Manhattan Murder Mystery / Lost Lake / Guppies / Magick Orchids @ L’Keg Gallery
Watts Ensemble / The Grabs / Yellow Alex @ Bootleg ($8)
Man’s Assassination Man / Brass Badger / Hiking / Exdetectives @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Mia Doi Todd @ Hammer Museum (Free) – Premiere of her new Michel Gondry directed video, followed by a live performance.
Sarah Silverman @ Largo ($25)
Timothy B. Schmit / Jack Tempchin @ Troubadour ($20)
The Urinals / Woven Bones / Wounded Lion / PROTECT ME @ The Smell ($5)
Hunting Hat / A Cozy Kitchen / Blue Bird / Claire Cronin @ Echo Curio
Ho-Ho-Tel 2009 @ Hotel Café – 50 artists playing over three days
Oliver Future/ City Museum @ The Mint ($5)
Merle Jagger @ Redwood Bar

Friday 12/18/09
[Pick of the Night] Foreign Born / Best Coast / El Sportivo and the Blues @ Spaceland ($12)
[Recommended] Harper Simon / The Chapin Sisters / Farmer Dave @ Bootleg ($12) – Good chance to see Farmer Dave.
Jon Brion @ Largo ($25)
Red Cortez / The VLA / Rademacher @ Edgar Varela Fine Arts Space - 542 S. Alameda St.
Camp Freddy @ The Roxy ($20)
El Vez / Los Straightjackets / The Lovely Elvettes / Lil Luis and the Wildfires @ Troubadour ($18)
Very Be Careful / Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkestra @ Echo ($10)
Bridgework / Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls / Robotanists / Asbury / Neptune’s Favor @ Mr. T’s Bowl
The Aquabats / Buck O’ Nine / Supernova @ The Fonda ($20)
Ozomatli / Mariachi Reyna @ Club Nokia ($26.50 - $40.50 for two day pass)
Tremelow / Signals / Snowsuit / No Babies / Whitman @ Echo Curio
Gossip Tree / My Pet Saddle / The Funeral Party @ Pehrspace
Ho-Ho-Tel 2009 @ Hotel Café – 50 artists playing over three days
Bipolar Bear / Old Blood / Broken Mirrors @ The Smell ($5)
Brian Setzer Orchestra @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($35 - $75)

Saturday 12/19/09
[Pick of the Night] LA Record Christmas Party: The Soft Pack / Abe Vigoda / Leslie & the Badgers / Daedelus / Daddy Kev / Nobody / Kutmah @ Bedrock Rehearsal – 1623 Allesandro (Free w/RSVP and toy donation) – Free tequila tastings and pop up shops from Vacation Vinyl and others
[Recommended] The Deadly Syndrome / eskimohunter / Castledoor / The Pity Party / Signals / 400 Blows @ El Rey ($17) – Solid local lineup. The Deadly Syndrome and 400 Blows are two of my favorites.
[Recommended] Avi Buffalo / Joel & Kevin Morales / Repeater @ the Prospector in Long Beach ($5)
X / Calexico @ the Wiltern ($30)
Against Me! / Roll The Tanks / Oh! Pioneers @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
Spain / B.R.A.M. / Mad Gregs @ Spaceland ($10)
El Ten Eleven / Baths / Triorganico @ Bootleg ($10)
Dead Meadow / Lower Heaven / 60 Watt Kid @ Detroit Bar ($10)
Lovely Bones / The Justice / Nova Nueva / When Planets Align @ Mr. T’s Bowl
The Paul F. Tompkins Show @ Largo ($20)
Cave Country / The Mystery Lights / Elaine and the Layabouts / Tenlons Fort / Tomorrow’s Tulips @ Pehrspace
Ozomatli / Wil-Dog y su Banda Sinaloense @ Club Nokia ($26.50 - $40.50 for two day pass)
Jail Weddings / Gestapo Khazi / Dalmacio von Diamond & the Enochian Keys @ The Smell ($5)
Chelsea Girls @ the Roxy ($15)
Blue Tape, Red Tape / Michael Nhat / Sleepwalkers Local / Regular Assholes / Kerplow @ Echo Curio
Ho-Ho-Tel 2009 @ Hotel Café – 50 artists playing over three days
Honest John Plain / The Superbees / Motorcycle Boy @ Redwood Bar
Brian Setzer Orchestra @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($35 - $75)
The Kris Special @ L’Keg

Sunday 12/20/09
[Pick of the Night] 5 O’Clock Somewhere @ the Echo (Free) – 5:00 PM show; Good time covers of country songs.
Cobalt Cranes / 60 Watt Kid / Moses Campbell / The Arms @ Spaceland (Free with formal wear)
Savage Republic / Spirit Photgrapher / The Beaters @ The Echo ($5)
Plum Union / Son of the Velvet Rat / Olentangy John / The Senors of Marseille @ Echo Curio
Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys / The Hi-Lo Playboys / The Palominos @ Redwood Bar

Recently Announced Live Shows

Bear Hands Are Playing the Troubadour on 2/26/10

Walt Disney Concert Hall
3/28/10: AIR (presale now, password = ASTRALWERKS; on sale Saturday at 10 AM)

El Rey
2/26/10: The Soundtrack of Our Lives / Nico Vega (Tuesday at 10 AM)
4/6/10: RJD2 / Busdriver / Happy Chichester (Saturday at 10 AM)
4/29/10: Rogue Wave (Saturday at 10 AM)

The Fonda
2/9/10: Nouvelle Vague (presale Friday at 10AM, password = MASTER; Saturday at 10 AM)

Orpheum Theatre
4/23/10: Norah Jones (Sunday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Bowl
4/16/10, 4/17/10 and 4/20/10: Eagles (on sale 12/14 at 10 AM)
5/14/10 – 5/15/10: Carole King & James Taylor (now)

Largo
2/9/10: Loudon Wainwright III (call club)
2/11/10, 2/18/10, 2/25/10: Meshell Ndegecello (call club)
2/27/10: Patton Oswalt (call club)

Spaceland
1/15/10: Night Horse / Normandie (now at Ticketweb)
1/16/10: Hockey (now)
1/20/10: Har Mar Superstar (now)
1/22/10: Movits (now)
2/3/10: NOMO (now)
2/6/10: Scott H. Biram / The Dirt Daubers (now)
3/9/10: Laura Veirs (now)
3/12/10: Quasi (now)
3/16/10: Efterklang (now)

Troubadour
1/20/10: Daniel Merriweather (Saturday)
1/27/10: Airborne Toxic Event (now)
2/1/10: Do Make Say Think (Friday)
2/3/10: Prefuse 73 (now)
2/5/10: Rhett Miller (now)
2/9/10: Mumford & Sons (now)
2/10/10: Wild Beasts (now)
2/11/10: The Thermals / Thao and the Get Down Stay Down (now)
2/26/10: We Were Promised Jetpacks / The Lonely Forest / Bear Hands (now)
3/3/10: Anna Ternheim / El Perro Del Mar (now)
3/4/10: Mike Doughty (now)
3/13/10: Matthew Good / Automatic Loveletter (Friday)

Echo
1/14/10: Julia Nunes (now at Ticketweb)
1/17/10: The Yummy Fur (now)
1/27/10: Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band featuring the Donkeys (now)
1/30/10: Bowerbirds (now)
2/11/10: Justin Townes Earle (now)
3/24/10: Cymbals Eat Guitars / Bear in Heaven (today at 11:00 AM)

The Echoplex
3/14/10: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Saturday at 10 AM)
3/19/10: High Places (now)
5/7/10: King Sunny Ade (now)

Honda Center
2/27/10: Bon Jovi / Dashboard Confessional (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = NICEDAY; Monday at 10 AM)

Staples Center
3/29/10: The Black Eyed Peas / LMFAO (Saturday at Noon)
4/6/10: Alicia Keys (AmEx presale starts Monday at 10 AM; on sale 12/20 at Noon)

Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa
1/20/10: The Black Lips / Japanese Motors (now)
1/25/10: Girls (now)
2/5/10: Vivian Girls / Best Coast (now)

Hotel Café
1/5/10 & 1/18/10: The Webb Sisters (Friday at 10 AM)

Club Nokia
2/28/10: Josh Turner (presale now, password = FIRECRACKER; on sale Friday at 10 AM)

Live Music Options: 12/7/09 - 12/13/09

Willie Nelson Makes Some Southern California Appearances This Week

I only made it out to see two bands last week - Flying Tourbillon Orchestra and The 88. Good times. If you've got kids, you should definitely take them out to the Kidrockers events. It's a little painful to see how awkward bands are with children, but it's fun to see how the kids react.

Lots of legends in town this week: Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Black Francis, Jonathan Richman and Morrissey for starters. There's also a healthy share of buzz bands (Passion Pit, Grooms, Band of Skulls, Zaza, Sic Alps) and as always, tons of cool local bands.

Monday 12/7/09
[Pick of the Night] Mere Mortals / Sky Parade / Threes and Nines / Special Guests @ Spaceland (Free) – According to the LA Weekly, Grand Duchy (featuring Black Francis and Violet Clark) are the special guests. Mere Mortals are doing the Monday night residency this month.
[Recommended] Morrissey / Doll & the Kicks @ Fox Theater Pomona (Sold Out)
[Recommended] Polyamorous Affair / Zaza / Tearist / Laco$te @ The Echo (Free) – This is part of the Manimal Vinyl residency. Zaza’s playing all over town this week.
[Recommended] The Blind Boy Paxton & Frank Fairfield Show @ Redwood Bar
Pizza! / Gull / Gone to Croatoan / Signals @ Pehrspace
Links / Mata Leon / Repeater / Giant State @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Links are doing the Monday night residency this month.
Rachel Cantu / Diamonds Under Fire @ Bootleg ($8)
One Eskimo @ Hotel Café ($10)

Tuesday 12/8/09
[Pick of the Night] Willie Nelson @ Club Nokia ($45 - $125) – Living legend
[Recommended] Benefit for Baby Winston Bertrand: Black Francis w/ Flea, members of Pixies, Love & Rockets, She Wants Revenge, Weird Al, Ok Go / Tenacious D / Michael Penn / Grand Duchy/ The 88 @ Echoplex ($25)
[Recommended] Jonathan Richman @ The Mint ($15)
Black Math Horseman / Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound / National Sunday Law @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Parade of Lights / Army Navy / Evan Voytas / White Arrows @ Spaceland (
Rosie Thomas Xmas Show with Josh Ottum & Special Guests @ Largo ($20)
A Night of the Beats @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($38 - $106) – Poets like Exene Cervenka, Michael McClure, Kurt Elling and David Meltzer read while Alan Broadbent, Joshua Redman and others play jazz.
Bruce Hornsby & the Range @ House of Blues Sunset
Zaza @ Origami Records (Free) – 7:00 PM show
The French Semester / The Spires / The Monthlies / Seasons @ The Echo ($5)
Horse Stories / Son of the Velvet Rat / The Steelwells / Yellow Red Sparks @ Bootleg ($8)
Meiko @ Hotel Café ($12) – at 10 PM
AM / Sara Lov @ Hotel Café ($10) – From 8 – 10 PM
I See Stars @ Troubadour ($14)

Wednesday 12/9/09
[Pick of the Night] Henry Wolfe / Nik Freitas / Rex Aquarium / Learning Music @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – The return of Rex Aquarium is a pretty big deal in local music circles.
[Recommended] Jonathan Richman @ The Mint ($15)
[Recommended] Club NME: Zaza / In Waves / Io Echo (DJ Set) @ Spaceland ($8)
[Recommended] Benefit for Baby Winston Bertrand: Host Black Francis / Tim and Eric (music set) / Bob Odenkirk / Brian Posehn / Dave Lovering (magic act) @ Echoplex ($25)
[Recommended] Willie Nelson @ Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks ($65 - $85)
[Recommended] Grand Hallway / Cave Country / Buddy / The Good Listeners @ Bootleg ($8) [Recommended] Califone @ Hammer Museum (Free) - Screening of Califone's film All My Friends Are Funeral Singers followed by a live performance. Starts at 8:00 PM.
Bebel Gilberto @ The Fonda ($25)
Low End Theory Club @ Airliner ($10)
Holiday Organ Spectacular @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($25 - $72)
Sean Paul @ House of Blues Sunset
Good for the Jews with Marc Maron @ Largo ($25)
Spaceland on Ice: Light FM @ Pershing Square (Free) – Show starts at 7PM
Dierks Bentley / Eric Church @ The Wiltern – Go Country’s Christmas concert
JR Richards @ Hotel Café ($12)
The Finches / Foot Ox / Splinter Cake / Whitman @ The Smell
Volbeat @ Troubadour ($15)

Thursday 12/10/09
[Pick of the Night] Morrissey @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($90) – Legend. Tix remain.
[Recommended] Brydan Smith / Grooms / The Northstar Session / Radio Moscow @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Presented by Aquarium Drunkard
[Recommended] Jonathan Richman @ The Mint ($15)
The Boxmasters featuring: Billy Bob Thornton @ House of Blues Sunset ($17.50) – Wanna let BBT master your box?
Lemon Sun / Dirty Sweet / The Silent Comedy / Spirit Vine @ Spaceland ($10)
Skinny Puppy / Vvervvolf Grehv / Baseck @ Club Nokia ($30)
Huebel & Scheer Rockettes Christmas Spectacular @ Largo ($20)
Space Waves / Boy Scout Jamboree (Spindrift acoustic) / Happy Prescriptions / Old Toy
Trains @ Mr. T’s Bowl
Live Arts Benefit: Alanis Morissette / Greg Laswell / Miss Willie Brown @ Troubadour ($75)
Deadbolt / Throw Rag / Motochrist / Blagg Dahlia (acoustic set) @ The Echo ($10)
Agent Ribbons / Evan Way / The Finches @ Bootleg ($8)
Jim Bianco @ Hotel Café ($10)
Tape Deck Mountain / All Wrong & the Plans Change / Evan Voytas / The Drowning Men @ 3 of Clubs

Friday 12/11/09
[Pick of the Night] Jon Brion @ Largo ($25) – Wish Jon a happy birthday.
[Recommended] Son Volt / Sera Cahoone @ El Rey ($20)
[Recommended] Tristeza / Lower Heaven / Drew Andrews @ Spaceland ($10)
[Recommended] Magik Markers / Sic Alps / Foot Village / Bipolar Bear @ The Smell ($5) – Big night for the more adventurous.
Zaza @ Vacatopm Records – 7:00 PM
Ice Cube @ House of Blues Sunset ($50)
People Under the Stairs / Kenan Bell @ Detroit Bar ($15)
Band of Skulls / Red Cortez @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
Curtis Peoples / Keaton Simons @ The Mint ($8)
Queen Kwong / Dante vs. Zombies / Echoes De Luxe @ Bootleg ($8)
Camp Freddy @ The Roxy ($20)
Tower of Power / Average White Band @ Club Nokia ($35 - $55)
John Doe @ McCabe’s ($20) – The early show at 8PM is sold out, but there are still tickets for the 10 PM show.
The Capshuns / Bixby Knolls @ The Echo ($5)
Flavors 1990’s Party: DJ Spinna / J. Rocc / DJ Scratch @ The Echoplex ($15)
The Rescues / Brian Wright & the Waco Tragedies @ Hotel Café ($12)
The Christmas Music of Manheim Steamroller @ Nokia Theatre ($50 - $70)

Saturday 12/12/09
[Pick of the Night] Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys with the Jonas Brothers and More @ Nokia Theatre ($50 - $150) – Picked because of Stevie, not the Bros.
[Recommended] Princeton / The Parson Red Heads / The Coals @ Spaceland ($8)
Passion Pit / Band of Skulls / Plague Vendor @ Fox Pomona ($25) – Hipster dance party.
KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas: AFI / Rise Against / 30 Seconds to Mars / Three Days Grace / Anberlin / Dead By Sunrise @ Gibson Amphitheatre (Sold Out)
Grooms / 60 Watt Kid / Tempo No Tempo / Professor Calculus @ The Courtyard ($5) - Located at 1670 Beverly Blvd
Pocahaunted / James Ferraro / Mark McGuire / Vodka Soap / Mirror to Mirror @ The Smell ($5)
Todd Snider @ El Rey ($25)
Stand Up Dads: Greg Behrendt / Dana Gould @ Largo ($25)
Mike Watt & His Missingmen / Ladyheat @ Redwood Bar – Local legend.
Grant Lee Phillips / Sara Watkins @ Hotel Café ($15) – From 7 – 10 PM
The Start / Mellowdrone / Shiloe / Cat Party @ Troubadour ($12)
The Rescues / Kate Earl @ Hotel Café ($12) – Starts at 10 PM
Palo Verde / Cinder Cone @ Echo Curio
John Gorka @ McCabe’s ($20)
Hit + Run 4-Year Anniversary: The Gaslamp Killer / Kutmah / Nobody / Abcnt / Farmer Dave Scher (DJ set) @ Echoplex ($10)
Brett Dennen / Grace Potter and the Nocturnals / Robert Francis @ The Wiltern ($25)

Sunday 12/13/09
[Pick of the Night] Letting Up Despite Great Faults / Death Kit / Spirit Animal / Wet & Reckless @ Spaceland (Free)
KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas: Muse / 311 / Phoenix / The Bravery / Slightly Stoopid / Metric @ Gibson Amphitheatre (Sold Out) – Expect a Muse U.S. concert announcement very shortly (with some local favorites as the opener). I would like to see Phoenix and Muse puts on a powerful show.
Benefit for Fran Drescher’s Cancer Movement: Jackson Browne / Olivia Newton John / Inara George / Beth Nielsen @ Million Dollar Theatre ($30 - $100) – I would like to see Jackson Browne.
Aimee Mann Christmas Show @ Largo (Sold Out)
CHURCH / Manhattan Murder Mystery / M31 @ The Smell ($5)
Evangelista / Thrones @ Echoplex ($12)
The Slits / Weave! @ The Echo ($12)
Brittain Ashford / Evan Way / Cricket @ Echo Curio
Dan Crow / J.P. Nightingale @ McCabe’s ($8) – Early show at 11 AM.
Bid D and the Kids Table @ El Rey ($17)
Joe Purdy / Meaghan Smith / Lauren Shera @ Hotel Café