Live Music Options: 1/10/11 - 1/16/11

Andrew Bird Plays Two Shows at Largo This Week



I'm just getting back into town and trying to figure out what's going on this week/year. Things are starting to pick up towards the end of the week....

Monday 1/10/11

[Pick of the Night] The Fling / The Belle Brigade / Everest / My Pet Saddle @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] (Free) – The Fling and The Belle Brigade are doing a co-residency this month. The Fling just signed with LA’s Dangerbird Records. Any time you can see Everest for free, you should take advantage of it.

Grouplove / White Arrows @ Bootleg (Free) – Grouplove have some buzz behind them. They’re doing a residency this month.

Kinch / Toy Bombs / Kiev / Endless Hallway @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Kinch are doing the Silverlake Lounge residency this month.

Cannoneers of the New Command / Sabrosa Purr / Moving Picture Show / Deserted Coastal Property @ The Echo (Free) – Canoneers of the New Command are doing the residency this month.

Narwhalz of Sound / Black Light Jim Morrison / Slum Witch / Mikki + the Mauses @ Pehrspace ($5)

Phil Alvin @ The Redwood
The Civil Wars / White Sea @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP)

Pacific Hurt / Foster the People / Hands @ Detroit Bar (Free)

Tuesday 1/11/11

[Pick of the Night] All Spots to Black / The Sweet Hurt / Thurlow @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Sort of a melancholy choice, but good songwriting.

Olin & the Moon / Coyol / Paulie Pesh @ The Echo ($5) – Olin & the Moon continue their Tuesday night residency.

The Monolators / Kissing Cousins / Hexham Head @ LaBrie’s (Free) – The Monolators are doing a Tuesday night residency.

Pictureplane / Teengirl Fantasy / Terminal Twilight @ Echoplex ($10) – Buzzy band alert. Electronic party music.

Willoughby / Henry Wolfe @ Hotel Café

P.J. Morton / JoiStaRR @ Troubadour ($12)

Tim Minchin @ Largo (Sold Out)

Cinderella Motel / Lightnin Woodcock @ The Redwood

Monte Negro @ The Roxy ($17)

May McDonough / Goldenboy / Kevin Earnest @ Detroit Bar (Free)

Wednesday 1/12/11

[Pick of the Night] Low End Theory: Free Moral Agents / Elos @ Airliner ($10)

[CANCELED] The Wombats / The Hundred Days @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] ($14) -  CANCELED DUE TO VISA ISSUES
Quick Hellos / Heather Porcaro & the Heartstring Symphony / Whispertown / Jake Bellows @ Bootleg ($8)

LA Font / Future Ghost / Kazai Rex / Two Guns @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Foster the People @ The Echo (Free) – Foster the People are doing a Wednesday night residency this month.

Jesca Hoop / Anna Nalick / Johnnyswim @ Hotel Café

Ceci Bastida / Very Be Careful / DJ Oro11 @ Troubadour ($12)

Tim Minchin @ Largo (Sold Out)

Sean Solomon / The Finches / The Dining Dead / Old Lumps @ The Smell ($5)

Social Distortion / Dead Relatives / Suedehead @ House of Blues Anaheim (Sold Out)

Thursday 1/13/11

[Pick of the Night] Fu Manchu / Dusted Angel @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] ($14) – Playing their classic album, “In Search Of…” in its entirety. One of the most influential bands/albums of the stoner metal genre.

[Recommended] Correatown / Toby Burke / Daniel Ahearn @ Three Clubs (Free) -

Gary Lucas’ Captain Beefheart Symposium @ Echoplex ($14 - $17)

Old Man Markley / Roses Pawn Shop / Copper McBean / Dustbowl Cavaliers @ The Echo ($12)  

Plan B @ Troubadour ($15) – Rapper from East London

Sarah Silverman @ Largo ($25)

Champagne Chmpagne / Mad Rad / The Tuffingtons @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Joseph Hammer / Sean McCann / Orbless / Terrors @ The Smell ($5)

Jake Labotz @ The Redwood

Hello Seahorse @ Detroit Bar ($15)

Sepultura / Angra @ House of Blues Anaheim ($34)

Friday 1/14/11

[Pick of the Night] Melvins @ The Satellite [f/ka/ Spaceland] (Sold Out) – Details on this week’s show: 1983 (Buzz, Dale and Mike Dillard); Melvins set (current line-up performing normal set) and Houdini in its entirety

Jimmy Webb, Tom Russell and Jesse Winchester @ Largo ($40) – Interesting night of singer-songwriters

The Budos Band / DJ Jeremy Sole @ El Rey ($20) – Jazzy, afro-beat sounds

Mac Miller / Casey Veggies @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – Teenage white rapper from Pittsburgh

John Doe @ McCabe’s ($20)

Thirty Seconds to Mars / Middle Class Rut @ Fox Theater Pomona (Sold Out)

Sepultura / Angra @ House of Blues Sunset ($25 - $58)

The Black Ryder @ The Echo ($5)

Nightmare & the Cat / Brother Sal @ Hotel Café

NAR / Dunes / The Babies / White Fence @ The Smell ($5)  

We Came As Romans / For Today / The World Alive @ The Glass House ($17)

Jake Labotz @ The Redwood

An Evening with Robby Krieger @ The Grammy Museum ($20) – Doors fans take note.

Toad the Wet Sprocket @ Key Club ($25)

Graf Orlock @ Vacation Vinyl (Free) – 7:00 PM

Saturday 1/15/11

[Pick of the Week] Andrew Bird @ Largo (Sold Out) – The guy is super compelling to watch. I’m still kicking myself for never getting tickets to see him at Largo.

[Recommended] Dead Meadow / Sweet Apple (featuring J. Mascis) / The Carrions @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] ($15) – Dead Meadow’s a powerful, local psych rock band. Sweet Apples the “super group” that features the frontman and guitarist from Cobra Verde along with the bass player from Witch and J. Mascis on drums. They released an album on Tee Pee records last April.

[Recommended] Vanaprasta / Mariah McManus / John Isaac Watters / John Carpenter @ Bootleg ($10)

Lissie / The Pierces / George Stanford @ The Music Box ($20)

The Meters Experience @ The Mint ($20) – Features Leo Nocentelli of the Meters

Fu Manchu @ Detroit Bar ($12) – Performing “In Search Of” in its entirety; if you missed them at the Satellite on Thursday.

John Doe @ McCabe’s ($20)

Tyler Hilton / So & So @ The Hotel Café

Bad Books / Right Away, Great Captain! / Gobotron @ Troubadour – Bad Books features Kevin Devine & Manchester Orchestra ($19)

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly / Patti Labelle @ Nokia Theatre LA Live ($50 - $130)

Hello Seahorse / Pilar Diaz @ El Rey ($17) – Indie pop from Mexico City

Ozokids (Ozomatli play a family set) @ Echoplex ($12) – Early show at 11:30 AM

Colin L. Orchestra / CSC Funk Band / Residual Echoes / Crazy Band @ The Smell ($5)

Mac Miller / Casey Veggies @ The Glass House ($14)

The Black Watch / The Furious Seasons @ Redwood

D.R.I. @ Key Club ($20)

Stryper @ House of Blues Anaheim ($34)

Sunday 1/16/11

[Pick of the Night] Andrew Bird @ Largo (Sold Out) – Night two is also sold out.

Eastern Conference Champions / Ruby Friedman Orchestra / Gliss / Dead Day Revolution @ Troubadour (Free)  

John Doe @ Detroit Bar ($15)

Graf Orlock / Touche Amore / Ghostlimb / Death Hymn Nine @ The Smell ($7)

Joe Satriani @ The Orpheum ($38 - $200)

Part Time Punks – Factory Records Nite @ The Echo ($5)

Dashboard Confessional @ House of Blue Anaheim ($30)

Live Music Options: 6/7/10 - 6/13/10

Karen Elson Plays Spaceland on Wednesday

Once again it's an embarrassment of riches for local live music fans. Thoughts with Daniel Lanois for a speedy recovery...

Monday 6/7/10
[Pick of the Night] Andrew Bird @ Largo ($30) – Tickets still remain for the intimate performance.
[Recommended] Delta Spirit @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM show; Their new record comes out tomorrow and it’s worth checking out.
[Recommended] Thao and Mirah w/ Most of All / The Sweet Hurt @ Bootleg ($15) – I like Thao and I like the Sweet Hurt but don’t know much about Mirah.
[Recommended] Herbie Hancock @ Grammy Museum ($25)
[Recommended] Quadron / Suckers / Hot Hot Heat (according to Buzz Bands) @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP) - I heard Quadron on KCRW the other day and it sounded really good. They're a Danish soul band that sounds pretty legit.
Rainbow Arabia / Secret Circuit / Japanther / Pizza! @ The Echo (Free) – Rainbow Arabia is the resident and at the Echo in June. Tribal-electro-dance music. I was confused by one of their first shows at Spaceland but I’ve heard they’ve gotten a lot better.
We Barbarians / Ezra Furman and the Harpoons / Tijuana Panthers / The Romany Rye @ Spaceland (Free) – We Barbarians is the Monday night band at Spaceland. They used to be in the Colour.
Line and Circle / Evan Voytas / Kid Is Qual / Bikelock @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Line and Circle is doing the residency at the Silverlake Lounge.
MC Chris / MC Lars with YTCracker / Math the Band @ Troubadour ($14)
Guy Sebastian @ Hotel Café
Pu$$y Cow / Prizzy Prizzy Please / Oh Barracuda / The Ex-Gentlemen @ Echo Curio
Nora Keyes / No Babies / John Thill / Whitman / BYODeath @ Pehrspace
Subhumans / Cross Stitched Eyes / A-Heads @ Alex’s Bar ($12) – Early show at 5:00 PM
Insane Clown Posse / Kottonmouth Kings @ Grove of Anaheim
National Sunday Law @ Vacation Vinyl (Free) – 7:00 PM
Denny White and the Steelwells @ Detroit Bar (Free)

Tuesday 6/8/10
[Pick of the Week] The Henry Clay People / Olin and the Moon / The Hectors @ Spaceland ($10) – The Henry Clay People’s record release show. See my post with the ticket giveaway.
Health / Best Coast / Indian Jewelry / Gold Panda @ Echoplex ($14) – Like a Smell show, but 2 ½ miles to the Northwest.
Andrew Bird Presents: Alpha Consumer and Special Guests @ Largo – Alpha Consumer is Andrew Bird’s guitarist. Bird will also be performing along with other music and comedy guests.
The Good Life / The Parson Red Heads / Jake Bellows @ The Glass House ($14) – Tim Kasher from Cursive’s other band.
Suckers @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM; Brooklyn band on Frenchkiss.
Jaguar Love @ Cinespace – Fat Possum band. Also at Thesex and Alex’s Bar later this week.
Bushwalla / Pigeon John / Andree Belle @ Troubadour ($12)
Blake Mills @ Bordello ($8) – Ex-Dawes.
All Wrong and the Plans Change / Rip Dreamer @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Kelda @ Hotel Café
Grace Potter @ The Roxy ($13.50)
Automatique / The Shakers / Hillbilly Herald / Still Standing / New Liberty @ Viper Room (Free)
Boz Skaggs @ Grove of Anaheim
The Young Veins @ Origami (Free) – 7:00 PM
Headhunter / Pinch @ the Echo ($10)

Wednesday 6/9/10
[Pick of the Night] Karen Elson / Neverever / Cobra Lilies @ Spaceland ($14) – Karen Elson is a model who is married to Jack White (but stay with me). While White produced her debut record she’s a veteran singer (as a member of the Citizens’ Band and Mildred and the Mice). The record’s a little schizophrenic, drawing from Nashville and Harry Smith collections and occasionally bringing in more modern elements. It’s well worth checking out, see some footage of her performing on her website.
[Recommended] Themselves / Talkdemonic / Baths @ The Echo ($12) – Anticon crew.
The Good Life / The Parson Red Heads / Gavin Castleton @ Troubadour ($15)
Low End Theory: Native Instruments Special Event @ Airliner ($10)
Hot Hot Heat / Eulogies / Rabbits Rabbits Rabbits @ Bootleg ($12) – Hot Hot Heat’s also playing a free show in Pasadena on Saturday night.
Twilight Sleep / Lookbook / Static of the Gods @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Sage Francis / Free Moral Agents @ The Glass House ($17) – New record on Anti features collabs with Tim Rutili, Chris Walla, Mark Linkous, Jason Lytle and others.
Holy Fuck @ Origami (Free) – 7:00 PM – Critically acclaimed electro out of Toronto. Also at the Troubadour on Thursday.
Jaguar Love / Repeater @ Alex’s Bar ($8)
Crash Test Dummies @ Hotel Café
Fischerspooner / LA Riots @ House of Blues Anaheim
Diana Ross @ Nokia Theatre

Thursday 6/10/10
[Pick of the Night] Fitz and the Tantrums / AB & the Sea / Sonny & the Sunsets @ Spaceland ($10) – Fitz and the Tantrums are doing a Thursday night residency. The real draw tonight (for me anyway) is San Francisco’s (almost) supergroup Sonny & the Sunsets. Kelley Stoltz is in the band! According to their Myspace page, they play “busted beach-pop” but pre-date a lot of these other bands doing the same thing. They’re Pitchfork approved (got an 8.0) and are playing the Pitchfork Music Festival.
[Recommended] The Sadies / The Loons / Sean Wheeler & Zander Schloss @ The Echo ($12) – Veteran rockers. Gary Louris has produced their last two albums.
Holy Fuck / Nice Nice @ Troubadour ($15) Critical darlings.
Chasing Kings / Gamble House / Francisco the Man @ 3 of Clubs (Free)
The Nerdist featuring Craig Ferguson @ Largo
Angie Mattson / The Scarlet Furies / The Coals @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Jesse Malin / Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants @ Bootleg ($12) – Shiflett’s in the Foo Fighters.
Amber Rubarth @ Hotel Café
All Leather / Narhwal Party / Rats Eyes / Kill the Capulets @ The Smell ($5)
Scion Metal Show: Yob / Acrassicauda @ The Roxy (Free w/ RSVP)
Wayne “The Train” Hancock @ the Mint ($15)
LA Guns @ Key Club ($18)
Denis Leary @ Club Nokia – Is he still so damned angry?

Friday 6/11/10
[Pick of the Night] Ink-N-Iron Festival: Merle Haggard / Reverend Horton Heat / Wayne the Train Hancock / Mariachi El Bronx @ Queen Mary Events Park ($35 / $70 for all three days)
– I’m not that into ink or iron, but I’m super into Merle Haggard.
[Recommended] Dr. John @ Canyon Club in Agoura Hills ($30) – Old Mac Rebbenack. If you’re watching Treme at all, then you know who this guy is. Coincidentally, I started to really explore New Orleans sounds about a year ago. Dr. John’s one of the most important guys to study. Pick up Gris-Gris for starters. He’ll be at the Grammy museum on Monday the 14th.
[Recommended] Karen Elson @ McCabe’s ($15) – If you miss her at Spaceland on
Wednesday night.
[Recommended] Delorean / Wait.Think.Fast @ The Echo ($10) – Spanish band on the Matador Records offshoot, True Panther. Recent coverboys on XLR8R and Pitchfork darlings. This is about the closest thing to dance music I can listen to.
[Recommended] Helen Stellar / 22-20s / The Pink Noise @ Spaceland ($7) – Back after their recent Monday night residency.
Dirt Dress / Ghostporn / Grand Lake @ Pehrspace – Our buddies at Aquarium Drunkard are big Dirt Dress fans.
Good Old War / Yukon Blonde / Audra Mae @ Troubadour ($12)
The Glitch Mob / Free the Robots / Deru @ The Music Box ($25)
Henry Rollins @ Largo ($15) – First of three nights. I saw him with Rollins band and I’ve seen him do his spoken word thing. Night one of three.
Cranky George @ Bootleg ($10)
Gregory Alan Isakov @ Hotel Café
Wonder Girls / 2PM @ House of Blues Sunset
Deathday Party / Former Ghosts / Blessure Grave / Bestial Mouths @ The Smell ($5)
Iglu & Hartly @ The Roxy ($15)
Exodus @ Key Club ($23)
Cranky George / Sons of August @ Bootleg ($10)
Jesse Malin / Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants @ Alex’s Bar ($10)
Basia @ Club Nokia
Jaguar Love / All Leather / Memory / Batwings Catwings @ Thesex ($7) – Night three in town.

Saturday 6/12/10
[Pick of the Night] Tortoise / Dasboton @ Troubadour ($25) – I still have some pretty vivid memories of being blown away by Tortoise back at a mid-90’s show in Lawrence, KS. They’re responsible for a lifelong love of the vibraphone.
[Recommended] The Tartans / Catwalk / Sea Lions / The Avocados @ The Smell ($5) – Yay records night at the Smell. Jangly, twee-ish stuff out of Ventura. Worth a look if you’re not tuned into it yet.
Rose’s Pawn Shop / Old Man Markley @ Spaceland ($8) - Record release show for the local folk/bluegrass/Americana band.
Murs / Nocando @ House of Blues Sunset ($20)
Hot Hot Heat @ One Colorado in Old Town Pasadena (Free) – KCRW show starting at 7:30 PM
MewithoutYou / David Bazan / Rubik @ The Music Box ($17.50)
Mayer Hawthorne & the County @ Getty Museum (Free) – Bonnaroo and the Getty in the same week.
Playboy Jazz Festival: Chick Corea / Sax for Stax / Kurt Elling / Marcus Miller Band / Pete Escovedo Orchestra @ Hollywood Bowl ($20 - $150) – Lease Event
Ink-N-Iron Festival: X / Stiff Little Fingers / Hep Cat / The Bronx / The Aggrolites / The Dreadnoughts / Swingin’ Utters @ Queen Mary Events Park ($35 / $70 for all three days)
Henry Rollins @ Largo (Sold Out) – Night two of three.
Michael Nhat / Big Whup / Moses Campbell @ Origami (Free) – 7:00 PM
Fitz and the Tantrums @ Detroit Bar ($10) – For folks down in the OC.
Super 70’s Soul Jam: The Stylistics / Chi-Lites / Bloodstone / Ray Goodman & Brown / Harold Melvin’s Bluenotes / New Birth / Friends of Distinction / The Persuaders @ Greek Theatre ($30 - $125)
Greg Laswell / Brian Wright / Yellow Red Sparks / Elevaters @ Hotel Café
The Kris Special / My Flag Is on Fire / Oblio’s Arrow @ Echo Curio
Which One’s Pink? Perform Dark Side of the Moon @ Key Club ($15)
Mode 7 @ the Glass House ($15)
Miyavi @ Club Nokia ($30 - $40)

Sunday 6/13/10
[Pick of the Night] Leslie & the Badgers / Eleni Mandell @ McCabe’s ($10) – Two sweet singing ladies.
Playboy Jazz Festival: George Benson / The Manhattan Transfer / Bobby Hutcherson / Salif Keita / Robert Randolph @ Hollywood Bowl ($20 - $150) – Lease Event
Ink-N-Iron Festival: Mad Sin / Restless / Klingonz @ Queen Mary Events Park ($35 / $70 for all three days)
Beth Hart / Garrison Starr @ Echoplex ($17)
Henry Rollins @ Largo ($15)
Telephone Hat / Nicole Kidman / Carlee Hendrix & the Whole Earth Catalog @ Echo Curio
Drake Bell @ the Roxy ($20)

Live Music Options: 5/10/10 - 5/16/10

Besnard Lakes Visit the Troubadour on Thursday

I only made it out once last week for the Passion of the Weiss show at Spaceland on Saturday night. I caught DaVinci, Pollyn and Freddie Gibbs. Gibbs is the real deal. If you're a fan of seeing rappers at all, give him a look. The beginning of this week is a little slow, but it picks up starting Thursday....

Monday 5/10/10
[Pick of the Night] The Like / The New Fidelity / Bloodbath @ The Echo (Free) – I haven’t heard the new incarnation of the Like, but they’re very photogenic.
Sweethead / Ashes Divide / Normandie / Dead White Underbelly @ Spaceland (Free) – Last week’s show had a few big time celebs in attendance; so if you’re a paparazzi from TMZ or if you’re Midwestern cousin is in town, there’s even more reason to go. Sweethead features Van Leeuwen (guitar in Queens of the Stone Age), Serrina Sims, Norm Block (drums in Mark Lanegan Band, Plexi) and Eddie Nappi (bass in Mark Lanegan Band, Handsome).
War Tapes / The New Room / 1, 2, 3 / Tracy Dean and Jesus @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – War Tapes is doing the May residency at the SLounge.
Kazai Rex / Latin Meds @ Old Town Pub in Pasadena (Free)
Los Campesinos! / Signals @ The Glass House ($15)
Fang Island @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM
The Benson Interruption @ Largo
So & So @ Hotel Café
Court Yard Hounds @ Grammy Museum (Sold Out) – Two of the Dixie Chicks.
Let Go of the Rail / State Rec / Guf Trup / California Priest @ Pehrspace

Tuesday 5/11/10
[Pick of the Night] Del the Funky Homosapien @ The Roxy (Free)
[Recommended] Charlie Wadhams Trio @ Hyperion Tavern (Free)
[Recommended] Cue the Moon / Wet & Reckless / Detangler / Very @ Spaceland (Free) - Last minute addition. Wet & Reckless is Jess from the Movies and Very is Brian Cleary from the Movies.
Fuck Buttons / Sun Araw / Infinite Body @ Troubadour ($15) – Noisey electronic music. Fuck Buttons are Pitchfork darlings – both albums have gotten the best new music designation.
Kate Nash / SuperCute! @ El Rey (Sold Out)
Smog Sessions @ The Echo (Free w/ RSVP)
The Nerdist @ Largo ($25)
Roger Steffens’ “Life of Bob Marley” @ Grammy Museum ($10)
Knee High / The Killbirds / The Cooling Time @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Nina Storey / Darrelle London @ Hotel Café
CCR Headcleaner / Back to the Future Ride / Heatrock @ Echo Curio
Roger Clyne @ The Mint ($15)

Wednesday 5/12/10
[Pick of the Night] Low End Theory: Baths / Mary Anne Hobbs @ Airliner ($10)
Johnny Osbourne / The Melodians @ Echoplex ($15)
Evan Voytas / Bell Gardens / Superhumanoids @ The Echo ($7)
Barrio Tiger / Stab City / Stepfather @ Spaceland (Free)
V.V. Brown / Darrelle London @ Troubadour ($15)
The Damn Sons / Rocket @ 3 of Clubs (Free)
Ben Folds and a Piano / Kate Miller-Heidke @ The Music Box ($38)
Diane Birch / AM @ El Rey ($22)
Grant Lee Phillips and Friends @ Largo ($25)
Ojos Rojos / Lantvrn / ExDetectives / Rocking Horse People @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
The Daylights @ Hotel Café
Sierra Leone’s Refugee Allstar @ The Roxy ($19)
White Shit / Shearing Pinx / Nu Sensae / Bipolar Bear @ the Smell ($5)
Woolen / The Nocturnes / Pope Anything @ Echo Curio
Radney Foster @ The Mint ($15)

Thursday 5/13/10
[Pick of the Week] The Besnard Lakes / The Happy Hollows / Infantree @ Troubadour ($12) – Great albums and explosive live show.
[Recommended] Bob Log III / Frank Fairfield @ Echo Curio ($8)
Ninjasonik / Weave! @ Spaceland ($10) – Good chance to see these Brooklyn hipsters before they come back for the M.I.A., N*E*R*D, Flying Lotus, Sleigh Bells show in July.
Mississippi Man / Pepper Rabbit / White Arrows / The Fling @ The Echo ($7)
James Taylor & Carole King @ Hollywood Bowl ($18 - $175) – I don’t sit around and listen to James Taylor much, but Carole King is one of the most important songwriters of all time.
Drake / Mike Posner @ Club Nokia (Sold Out)
Ben Folds and a Piano / Kate Miller-Heidke @ The Music Box ($38)
Jakob Dylan and Three Legs featuring Neko Case and Kelly Hogan / The Felice Brothers / honeyhoney @ The Wiltern ($25 - $45)
James Mulvey / John Carpenter @ Space 1520 (Free)
David Mamet presents “Theatre” @ Largo (call club)
Jamie Drake / Brother Sal @ Hotel Café
Sun Araw / CCR Headcleaner / NASA Space Universe / Moment Trigger @ The Smell ($5)
Crash Kings @ The Roxy ($10)

Friday 5/14/10
[Pick of the Night] Andrew Bird / Simone White @ Largo (Sold Out) – Andrew Bird puts on an extremely compelling live show. It would be interesting to see him at Jon Brion’s home away from hotel.
[Recommended] Flying Lotus (A/V set) / Ras G / Dr. Strangeloop / Kutmah / Jerimiah Jae @ Echoplex ($20) – Flying Lotus is blowing up right now. Pretty much the most critically acclaimed cat going.
Useless Keys / The Delta Mirror / Full Frontal / Sleepy Eyes of Death @ Spaceland ($7)
Turin Brakes / Hard Drugs / Lucy Schwartz @ The Echo ($10)
James Taylor & Carole King @ Hollywood Bowl ($18 - $175) – I don’t sit around and listen to James Taylor much, but Carole King is one of the most important songwriters of all time.
Bajofondo and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($53 - $80)
Wreck of the Zephyr / Random Patterns / Boomsnake / Lovely Bad Things @ Echo Curio
Ben Folds and a Piano / Kate Miller-Heidke @ House of Blues Anaheim
Klymaxx / Lisa Lisa / JJ Fad @ House of Blues Sunset
Summer Darling / Worker Bee / Golden Years / Wires in the Walls / George Glass @ Pehrspace
Wavefest 2010: Michael McDonald / Chaka Khan / Poncho Sanchez / Mindi Abair @ Greek Theater ($24 - $155)
Dredg / Facing New York / Send the Sages @ Troubadour ($20)
O.A.R. / ALO @ The Wiltern ($15)
Oliver Future / London to Tokyo @ Bootleg ($8)
Justin Young / Chris Pierce / Jeremy Messersmith / Brother Sal @ Hotel Café
Anna Oxygen / The Finches / Key Losers / Ponce De Leon @ The Smell ($5)
LA Font / Unfunky Folks @ Synchronicity

Saturday 5/15/10
[Pick of the Night] Flying Lotus (live band) / Ravi Coltrane / The Gaslamp Killer / Gonjasufi / Matthew David @ Echoplex ($20) – This is the live band version of the Flying Lotus show. Expect a lot of improv and new interpretations of the songs.
[Recommended] Andrew Bird @ Largo (Sold Out)
[Recommended] Le Switch / Les Blanks @ Origami Vinyl (Free) – 7:00 PM show; The bands recently released a split 7” so cruise on down, see some live songs and drink some free beer.
[Recommended] Ricky Gervais @ Nokia Theatre ($40 - $75) – Funny guy.
Jeremy Messersmith / Jeremiah Streeter @ Bootleg ($10) – My friends in Minneapolis tell me he’s a talented singer-songwriter with a strong pop sensibility.
Annuals / The Most Serene Republic / What Laura Says @ Spaceland ($12)
Johann Johannsson @ Silent Movie Theatre ($15) – Icelandic composer.
Usher / Ludacris / Akon / Justin Beiber / Ke$ha / Adam Lambert / Iyaz / B.o.B. @ Staples Center ($40 - $225)
James Taylor & Carole King @ Hollywood Bowl ($18 - $175) – I don’t sit around and listen to James Taylor much, but Carole King is one of the most important songwriters of all time.
Leila Adu / Howardamb / Voice on Tape @ Echo Curio
Patti LuPone @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($46 - $84)
Torches in Trees / Phoenix and the Turtle / Walk @ Pehrspace
Dredg / Facing New York / Butterscotch@ Troubadour ($20)
a-ha @ Club Nokia (Sold Out)
Nicole Kidman / Essay / Knight Rider @ The Smell ($5)
Stab City @ Redwood Bar
Carney / Red Arrow Messenger @ El Rey ($18)
California Metalfest IV: Fear Factory / Job For a Cowboy / Whitechapel / Dying Fetus @ Fox Theater & Glass House ($40)
Thirty Seconds to Mars / Shiny Toy Guns / Neon Trees / Street Drum Corps @ Greek Theater ($35)
Freedy Johnston / The Sin City Allstars @ The Mint ($15)
Snow & Voices @ Hotel Café

Sunday 5/16/10
[Pick of the Night] The Parson Red Heads / Freddy & Francine / Will Courtney @ McCabe’s ($15) – The Parson Red Heads have been recording, can’t wait to hear the new songs.
[Recommended] Sonny Rollins @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($46 - $116) – Saxophone legend is an understatement.
[Recommended] Ricky Gervais @ Nokia Theatre ($40 - $75)
Sea Wolf / Patrick Park @ The Autry Museum ($15) – Singer-songwritery BFFs
Gil Mantera’s Party Dream / All Wrong and the Plans Change / Ultraviolet Lights @ Spaceland ($10)
Blue Jungle @ Redwood Bar
Bonfire Madigan / Rachael Cantu / Josh Norton @ Bootleg ($10)
Grand Ole Echo: Dan Janisch / 50 Cent Haircut / William Lee & the Modern Primitives @ The Echo (Free)
Xeno & Oaklander / Epee Du Bois / Frank Alpine @ The Echo ($8)
California Metalfest IV: Bleeding Through / The Faceless / Born of Osiris / Sleeping Giant / Earth Crisis @ Fox Theater and Glass House ($40)
a-ha @ Club Nokia ($20 - $50)
Toots & the Maytals @ Key Club ($28)
Psychic Handbook / E&E / Secret Circuit and Suzanne Kraft @ Synchronicity

Live Music Options: 7/6/09 - 7/12/09 (Andrew Bird Ticket Giveaway)

I've got some tickets to give away for Andrew Bird at the Greek Theatre this Friday night. Email me [dukeufo at gmail] with your favorite Andrew Bird lyric. Please include your first and last name in the body of the email and "Andrew Bird" in the subject line.

Solid week for shows....

Monday 7/6/09
[Pick of the Night] Andy Clockwise / Miniature Tigers / The VLA / Globes on Remote @ Spaceland (Free) – This is the LA Weekly’s pick of the night. Read about it HERE. Miniature Tigers have been on tour with LA’s Princeton. Good indie pop stuff.
Japanese Motors / Audacity / My Pet Saddle / Gestapo Khazi @ The Echo (Free) – Costa Mesa’s Japanese Motors are signed to Vice Records.
Last American Buffalo / Eastern Conference Champions / Globes @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)
Tommy Santee Klaws / Marshweed @ Echo Curio
Jackie Tohn @ Hotel Café
Weasel Walter, Aram Shelton, Josh Berman Trio / Pigeon Religion / Adrien Barbobott @ The Smell ($5)

Tuesday 7/7/09
[Pick of the Night] Kitty, Daisy & Lewis / Le Switch / Tandemoro @ the Echo ($12) – London’s Kitty, Daisy & Lewis have an old-timey, 1940’s influenced sound. They’re currently on tour with Coldplay but are in town for an appearance on KCRW. Get there early for Le Switch, who are one of my favorite local bands. Stay late for Tandemoro.
[Recommended] Vieux Farka Toure / Luke Top @ Troubadour ($20) – The son of Ali Farka Toure. Luke Top is the lead singer of Fool’s Gold.
The Hold Steady / El Bronx @ El Rey (Sold Out) – El Bronx is The Bronx doing original Mariachi tunes.
Fishtank Ensemble / Ukelele Loki / Klaus Nomi @ The Bordello ($10)
Yes / Asia @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($30 - $125)
Prokofiev @ Hollywood Bowl ($1 - $96)
The Captains / Birds Beware @ Silverlake Lounge ($7)
Bleu @ Hotel Café
LMFAO @ The Roxy ($20)

Wednesday 7/8/09
[Pick of the Night] The Dirty Projectors / What’s Up? @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – The Dirty Projectors will top a lot of best of lists this year.
[Recommended] Club NME: Army Navy / White Arrows / Thee Mighty Angels @ Spaceland ($5) – Thee Mighty Angels is Dave Newton’s band with Brian Reyes of the Little Ones.
[Recommended] Low End Theory Club: Andy Votel / Blank Blue / Massa @ Airliner ($10)
[Recommended] Love Grenades / Pico vs. Island Trees / Avi Buffalo @ Viper Room ($10) - Lots of labels flying in to see Avi Buffalo these days...
Watts Ensemble / Baby and Guy @ Bootleg Theatre – Inspired by the Jazzy Crime Soundtracks of the 1950s and 60s.
Old 97’s / Rhett Miller / Murry Hammond @ The Fonda ($25) – I’d be there if it was a best of setlist.
Rootbeer / U-N-I / Boombox Ninjas @ The Echo (Free)
Mika Miko / Ty Segall / Charlie & the Moonhearts / Shark Toys @ the Smell ($5)
Sergio Mendes / Eddie Palmieri / Poncho Sanchez @ Hollywood Bowl ($1 - $96)
The Watkins Family Hour @ Largo ($25)
The Monthlies / Purple Crayon / The Faraway Places @ Silverlake Lounge ($7)

Thursday 7/9/09
[Pick of the Night] The Minor Canon / His Orchestra / Courtenay Green @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – The Minor Canon’s headed out on a West Coast tour. Their new record is one of my favorite records of the year.
[Recommended] Gillian Welch @ Largo ($27)
[Recommended] Everest / Red Cortez @ Hammer Museum (Free) – Everest put out one of my favorite records last year.
[Recommended] The Damselles / You Me and Iowa @ Hotel Café
[Recommended] Tortoise @ Amoeba (Free) – 6:00 PM show
Steve Wynn and the Miracle Three / The Urinals @ The Echo ($10) – I’m a big fan of The Days of Wine and Roses.
Joan Baez / Tift Merritt @ Santa Monica Pier
Cave Country / Sparrows Gate / Quiet Life @ Spaceland ($5)
The Start / Bloodcat Love / Useless Keys @ The Roxy ($12)
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band / These United States / Olin & the Moon @ The Echoplex ($10)
ABC / Berlin / Cutting Crew / Wang Chung @ Gibson Amphitheatre
The Ruse / Goldenstate / Red Letter Agent @ Troubadour ($10)
Bell Plays Bruch @ Hollywood Bowl ($1 - $96)
Chris Botti @ Greek Theatre
Kevin Hearn @ The Mint ($10)
Jake Labotz @ Redwood
Grand Elegance / Psychic Ills / Indian Jewelry @ The Prospector

Friday 7/10/09
[Pick of the Week] Andrew Bird / Ra Ra Riot / Heartless Bastards @ Greek Theatre ($35) – Andrew Bird is amazingly compelling live.
[Recommended] The Rural Alberta Advantage @ The Echo ($10) – Toronto’s RAA just signed to Saddle Creek.
Jon Brion @ Largo ($25)
The Widow Babies / NASA Space Universe / Audacity / The Amazements @ The Smell ($5)
Sara Lov / Two Sheds @ The Mint ($10)
The Ringers / The Yelling / Adam Bones @ Viper Room ($12)

Chelsea Girls @ The Roxy ($15)
The O’Jays / Jerry Butler / The Delfonics @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($20 - $90)
Tyrone Wells / Curtis Peoples @ Troubadour ($18)
VibeSquad / Knowa Knowone / Henry Strange @ Echoplex ($10)
Ultimate Mancini @ Hollywood Bowl ($10 - $116)
New Kids on the Block @ Verizon Wireless
Pete Yorn / The Newno2 @ House of Blues Anaheim

Saturday 7/11/09
[Pick of the Night] Tortoise / Earthless @ Troubadour ($25) – I really like the new Tortoise record.
Aushua / Red Cortez @ Detroit Bar - This is the EP release party for Aushua. They're heading out on a massive, national tour.

Echo Park Community Festival: The Parson Red Heads / LA Ladies Choir with Flea / Electric Skychurch / Moonrats @ Echo Park Lake (Free) - From Noon to 9:00 PM.
Seaspin @ Spaceland
Andy Votel DJ Set @ Amoeba (Free) – 2:00 PM
The Valley Arena / Katie & the Pest / The Happy Hollows @ The Prospector
Rise Against / Rancid @ The Forum ($15 - $40)
Lucky Dragons / Foot Village / Kit / Death Sentence: PANDA / Gowns / Softboiled Eggies / Former Ghosts / The Urxed @ The Smell ($8)
Blue Jungle / The Growlers @ L’Keg Gallery
Gilby Clarke & Friends @ Viper Room ($15)
Michael McDonald / Boz Skaggs @ Greek Theatre ($25 - $105)
Mas Exitos / Domingo Siete @ The Getty (Free)
Mandy Moore @ Largo ($25)
Ultimate Mancini @ Hollywood Bowl ($10 - $116)
Chip Taylor @ McCabe’s ($16)
The Dan Band @ Club Nokia ($20 - $30)
The Screaming Cherry Blossoms / Let Go of the Rail / Screaming Heart Attack @ Echo Curio
Slightly Stoopid / Snoop Dogg @ Verizon Wireless

Sunday 7/12/09
[Pick of the Night] Part Time Punks: Summer Cats / The Tartans @ the Echo ($5) – Late show. Summer Cats are an Australian band on Slumberland Records.
Ray Lamontagne / Jenny Lewis / Blitzen Trapper @ Hollywood Bowl ($10 - $98)

Echo Park Community Festival: Mezklah / Domingo Siete / Ilo Mar / Chuck Dukowski Sextet @ Echo Park Lake (Free) - From Noon to 8:30 PM.

Collie Ryan / Mia Doi Todd / Erica Hyska @ Philosophical Research Society ($10)
Alejandro Escovedo @ McCabe’s (Sold Out)
Kim Lenz @ Amoeba (Free) – 6:00 PM
Loch Lomond @ Spaceland – Loch Lomond’s out on the road with Blitzen Trapper, but had to pick up this show since BT’s at the Bowl.
Johnette Napolitano @ Hotel Café
Oneida / Amps for Christ / Clip’d Beaks @ The Echo – Early show at 2:00 PM
Flexions / Bronze / Puppy Dog / kill kill kill @ the Smell ($5)
Gina Villalobos @ the Echo (Free) – Starts at 5:00 PM
Ema and the Ghosts / Red Maids @ Pehrspace
Wolves in the Throne Room / Minsk / Intronaut @ Knitting Factory ($12)
311 @ Verizon Wireless

Review of First Quarter Releases - January

I've been negligent in doing my weekly new music posts. So now I'm going to try to tackle the entire first three months of the year.

Here are the releases from January that got the most attention in my world. Personal favorites are in BOLD.




Released on 1/5/09:
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion – This will probably be the best reviewed album of the year, but they still make my head feel like it’s going to explode.

Glasvegas: Glasvegas – Scottish anthem rockers. Not bad, but not particularly moving.

Released on 1/19/09:
AC Newman: Get Guilty – The New Pornographer frontman’s second solo record. A few strong songs, but not as immediately appealing as his other solo record.

MP3: Submarines of Stockholm

Andrew Bird: Noble Beast – Oh so precious, but still extremely talented. The first record of the year that I can fully recommend.

Antony and the Johnsons: The Crying Light – An acquired taste (and one that I have yet to acquire)
MP3: Epilepsy Is Dancing

Bon Iver: Blood Bank EP – A couple of good tracks, but not worth the $10 they’re charging for the vinyl. Download the free title track and you should be good.
MP3: Blood Bank

Cut Off Your Hands: You & I – New Zealanders [ed. note: corrected] aping mid-80’s Brits, still haven’t listened to it
MP3: Turn Cold

Matt & Kim: Grand – Enthusiasm counts for something

Titus Andronicus: The Airing of Grievances – Kind of like a noisy, Pogues-inspired version of Bright Eyes
MP3: Titus Andronicus

Released on 1/26/09:
The Bird and the Bee: Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future – Pleasant, slightly loungey pop suitable for a cocktail party

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears: EP – Four song EP. They’re one of the better new bands, but only pick this up after you’ve already bought and digested the full length (that came out more recently).

Bruce Springsteen: Working On a Dream – I’ve never been a huge fan of the Boss. I’m not even a greatest hits guys, just a few songs here or there.

Cotton Jones: Paranoid Cocoon – Ex-Page France; Pleasant indie rock, but I haven’t heard the whole thing.
MP3: Blood Red Sentimental Blues

Franz Ferdinand: Tonight – I liked their debut album, but haven’t listened to them since.

J. Tillman: Vacilando Territory Blues – He’s Fleet Foxes drummer; haven’t heard this, but the solo stuff I’ve heard is pleasant and along those lines.

Loney Dear: Dear John – Swedish singer-songwriter. The last one had so little bite, I haven’t bothered listening to this one yet.

Mark Olson & Gary Louris: Ready for the Flood – Former Jayhawks reunited. This was on my shopping list, but hasn’t made it home yet.

Of Montreal: Jon Brion remixes EP – Not a big Of Montreal fan.

Volcano Suns: The Bright Orange Years – First time on CD; Peter Prescott formed this band after Mission of Burma went into hibernation. A must have for fans of jangly, mid-80s guitar rock.
MP3: Jak

Volcano Suns: All-Night Lotus Party reissue – If you love The Bright Orange Years, pick this one up next
MP3: White Elephant

Greek Theatre Announces Initial Lineup

The Greek Theatre has also announced its initial lineup. They don't have quite the deals the Bowl has, but they do have some good shows in the lineup. You can beat the rush by doing a Premiere Marquee Club membership with the purchase of as few as three concerts. I'm not going to list them all (go HERE for full lineup) but you might consider the following shows:

Neko Case / Jason Lytle on 6/12

Emmylou Harris / Shawn Colvin / Patty Griffin / Buddy Miller on 6/24

Andrew Bird on 7/10

Jackson Browne on 8/12

Heart / The Bangles on 10/17

Somebody at Nederlander is a huge fan of Yacht rock too. The Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald and Loggins and Messina will all be making appearances (but unfortunately not on the same night).  

Sinking Radio - Andrew Bird's "Fitz and the Dizyspells"

This is my weekly reminder to point your internet browser to Little Radio Friday from Noon to 2:00 PM for the Sinking Radio show. 

Each week, the show features an official You Set the Scene pick of the week. My pick for this week's show is Andrew Bird's "Fitz and the Dizyspells." Bird's one of those freaky, classically trained musicians who has been playing since he was four. Although he's been releasing records for over a decade, I didn't discover him until 2007's Armchair Apocrypha. Even then, I had to see him live to grasp what a fantastic musician he is. 

After making music for so long, it's great to see Bird getting the recognition he deserves (he plays a sold out show at the Orpheum on the 18th) . His songs aren't super accessible - they're heavy (in the Kundera way) and if you grew up going to public schools (like me) you'll need a dictionary to understand a lot of the lyrics. As a slave to popular music, I'm not overly familiar with most of his influences, but I can still tell that he's just an incredibly talented and original songwriter. 

Recently Announced Live Shows

Andrew Bird Puts on a Damn Good Show

Andrew Bird / Loney Dear @ Orpheum on 2/18/09 (presale Friday at 10:00 AM, password = NOBLE; public on sale is Saturday at 10:00 AM)

America @ Club Nokia on 12/4/08 (presale on now, password = MAGIC, public on sale is Friday at 10:00 AM)

Bloc Party @ Grove of Anaheim on 12/15/08 (on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM)

Akon @ Club Nokia on 12/30/08 (presale on now, password = KONVICT; public on sale Friday at 10:00 AM)

Boyz II Men @ Club Nokia on12/16/08 (presale on now, password = BOYZ; public on sale Friday at 10:00 AM)

Tim and Eric Awesome Show @ Club Nokia on 1/17/09 (presale on now, password = AWESOME; public on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM)

The Walkmen / Beach House @ the Fonda on 1/20/09 (on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM)

Chris Pierce @ El Rey on 1/23/09 (on sale Friday at 10:00 AM)

Tyrone Wells @ El Rey on 1/30/09 (on sale now)

Kinky @ The Fonda on 2/24/09 (on sale now)

Dan Auerbach / Hacienda / Those Darlins @ El Rey on 3/14/09 (on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM)

Snoop Dogg @ House of Blues on Sunset on 12/31/08 (on sale now)

Femi Kuti @ Hosue of Blues on Sunset on 1/23/09 (on sale Saturday)

Brett Dennen @ House of Blues Sunset on 3/24/09 & 3/25/09 (on sale Saturday)

YaHoWa 13 @ Spaceland on 12/19/08 (on sale now at Ticketweb)

LA Live Music Options: 10/20/08 - 10/26/08

Photo of Andrew Bird by Cameron Wittig

This post was prepared in advance on the 17th, all listings are subject to change.....

Monday 10/20/08
[Recommended] Andrew Bird / Haley Bonar @ Largo (Sold Out) – Before seeing him live, I only passively appreciated Andrew Bird. But watching him work is very cool – similar to a Jon Brion gig.
[Recommended] Pinback / Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects @ Echoplex ($20) – To be completely honest, Pinback’s not the most engaging live band in the world. They look like a couple of guys that wandered off the floor of the Comic-Con convention. It seems to surprise a lot of my friends, but I really do like their music.
[Recommended] Rademacher / Le Switch / All Smiles / Death to Anders @ The Echo (Free) – This is the strongest lineup of the Rademacher residency. All Smiles is currently on tour with Conor Oberst. They’re performing these shows as a duo with Jim Fairchild (formerly of Grandaddy) joined by Danny Seim of Menomena.
Kenan Bell / Distortion Felix / Southern Oracle / Not in the House @ Spaceland (Free) – I’ve heard the Kenan Bell residency has been packed so far. The lineup next week is a little better, so I’m not going to recommend it this week.
Dave Gleason @ Redwood Bar – If you’re a country fan, he puts on a really good show.
Samuel Markus @ Silverlake Lounge ($7)
Locksley / Hymns @ Troubadour (Free) – Hymns has some pretty good songs.
MP3: Why Can’t I Be You?
Manhattan Murder Mystery / Seasons / Panic Movement @ Mr. T’s Bowl (Free)
Ed Vallance @ Hotel Café
MC Chris / Totally Michael @ The Roxy

Tuesday 10/21/08
[Recommended] Tigers Can Bite / Light FM / The French Semester @ Boardner’s ($6) – Tigers Can Bite You have a new EP out on New and Used Records.
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band / The Like / All Smiles @ The Fonda (Sold Out)
Mammatus / Wildildlife / Magic Lantern ($10)
Monster @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Harpes Simon / Haley Bonar / Daniel Martin Moore @ Tangier ($10)
Kill the Academy / Chemical Burn @ Troubadour ($5)

Wednesday 10/22/08
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band / The Like / All Smiles @ The Fonda ($25)
Robyn @ Spaceland ($12) – She’s an international star, but they’re still trying to break her in the U.S. This is an acoustic performance.
The Felice Brothers / Deer Tick @ Troubadour ($12) – I heard the Felice Brothers put on a good show.
Dead Ponies @ Redwood Bar – They’re doing a Wednesday night residency this month.
Low End Theory Club @ Airliner
VNV Nation @ El Rey ($22)
Ilo Mar @ Echo Curio
The Neighborhood Bullies / Dogweed / Bollweevil @ the Echo (Free)
Juliette Commagere @ Tangier ($8)
Golden Ratio @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Everlast @ the Roxy

Thursday 10/23/08

[Recommended] Helen Stellar / Seaspin / Shirley Rolls @ the Echo (Free) – After a bit of a hiatus, Hellen Stellar’s back. The fact that Cameron Crowe signed them to his record label should tell you something…
[Recommended] Seasons / Fol Chen / Les Blanks / Meho Plaza @ Echo Curio – If you still haven’t seen Les Blanks, just do it….
Stereolab / Richard Swift / Monade @ the Fonda ($27) – I find Stereolab a little bit boring live, but they’re still a great band. I’m a big Richard Swift fan, and I’d dying to give him another shot live (he was boring the only time I saw him too).

Sunburned Hand Of The Man / Franklin's Mint @ the Smell ($5)
Dar Williams @ El Rey ($26.50)
Human Giant @ Largo
Rose Hill Drive / Colour Revolt / His Orchestra @ Spaceland ($10)
Flaming Fire / Starlite Desperation @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Bayside / The Matches ($18)
Slaughter @ Key Club ($25)

Friday 10/24/08
[Recommended] Jon Brion @ Largo

The Acorn / The Shaky Hands / Ohbijou @ Spaceland ($10) – Seeing some pretty good buzz on the Acorn.
Girl Talk / Hearts of Darknesses / Grand Buffet @ The Fonda (Sold Out) – I have seen Girl Talk and I did think it wasn’t my scene. But everybody else loved him. Foreigner @ House of Blues ($55)
Eliza Gilkyson @ McCabe’s ($20)
Adam Marsland’s Chaos Band @ Mr. T’s Bowl
Love Grenades / Jean Paul Yamamoto @ the Echo ($5)
The Shakes / The Glossines @ Redwood Bar
Grand Buffet / Hearts Of Darknesses / Anavan / Captain Ahab / Kyle H. Mabson @ the Smell
Presidents of the United States of America / The Blakes @ Troubadour ($20)
Iced Earth / Saviours @ The Wiltern
Devin the Dude @ Key Club ($27.50)

Saturday 10/25/08

[Recommended] The Monolators / You Me and Iowa / Summer Darling / Correatown @ Spaceland ($8) – Record release party for the Monolators. A nice local lineup.
Hungry Beat Dance Party @ Pehrspace – Squaregirls present a night of twee
Girl Talk / Cx Kidtronix / The Death Set @ The Fonda (Sold Out)

Mountain Goats / Kaki King @ Troubadour ($20)
Sarah Silverman @ LargoVince Gill @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($36 tix remain)
Flogging Molly @ Hollywood Palladium
Chris Cornell & Timbaland @ House of Blues (Sold Out)
The Family Band @ Hotel Café
I See Hawks in LA @ Redwood Bar
USA Is A Monster / Foot Village @ the Smell ($5)

Sunday 10/26/08

[Recommended] Grande Ole Echo: Old Californio / David Serby & Sidewinders / The Gentleman Farmers / Madame Pamita @ the Echo (Free) – Early show at 5:00 PM. Say happy birthday to my friend Tita.
Ian MacKaye @ Hollywood High ($5) – A Q& A with the lead singer of Fugazi and Minor Threat
Mountain Goats / Kaki King @ Troubadour ($20)
The Dave Brubeck Quartet @ Walt Disney Concert Hall (Sold Out)
Stan Ridgway Band @ House of Blues ($15.50)
Neil Hamburger @ Spaceland ($8)
The Death Set @ the Echo ($12)
Rachel Cantu / Gardening Not Architecture / Jennifer Furches @ Tangier ($8)
Ô Paon / Guy Blackman / Katy Davidson @ the Smell ($5)

They all fall down together

Live Review

Saturday night was the big Band of Horses / Andrew Bird / Decemberists show at the Hollywood Bowl. My friend and I got took the shuttle over from the zoo and got there at 7:30, just as Band of Horses was taking the stage, so pay attention to those start times at the Bowl. [Side note: Have a little awareness. Once people start rushing towards the entrance, if you’re standing there spread out with all your friends finishing off your wine, please step to the side. It’s really fucking annoying to have to navigate around you just to try to get inside.] I was apprehensive about the Band of Horses. While I love their album, they haven’t been able to pull it off the times I’ve seen them. Apparently they read their reviews, because this time they had three guitar players. He also had almost enough reverby echo on his vocals. Unfortunately they suffered a little from that opener at the Bowl syndrome where the sound just isn’t quite full enough. You see it pretty much every time you go there; the opener never sounds fully plugged in. They played one new song that they “think will be” on their upcoming Sub Pop album and finished with a really good cover of Jagger/Richards’ “Act Together” from Ron Wood’s solo record. Overall, it was the best performance I’ve seen from them and after writing them off as a live band, I’ll be back to see them again. Download “Funeral” and “Bass Song”

Up next was Andrew Bird, who I’ve only recently familiarized myself with. I picked up Armchair Apocrypha, and I really enjoy about half of it. He’s an ambitious and knowledgeable musician who’s capable of pulling off multiple styles of music. Amazingly, the Bowl was awash with lush sounds from the moment he came out plucking his violin. He completely filled the space, just moments after the Band of Horses (with their three guitarists and six musicians) sounded thin. Watching him build his songs was a little bit like seeing Jon Brion at Largo. He would lay down and loop a violin part, then swing his guitar around while singing and intermittently play the xylophone. Compared to the indie rockers I usually see, he’s on a whole different level. Meanwhile the drummer would lay down and loop his drum beat before switching to the keyboards. The bass player seemed to be triggering pre-recorded tracks for some of the orchestral parts of the album. I was very impressed with how much these three guys were able to do on stage. They sounded great and it was compelling to watch and unlike Peter Bjorn and John he actually seemed capable of live whistling. Some of the highlights were: “A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left,” “Fiery Crash,” “Plasticities,” “Imitosis,” and “Darkmatter” [ed. note - apparently performance of this song only happened in my mind. you can see a photo of the setlist HERE.] Download “Heretics.” I strongly encourage you to check him out next time he comes to your city.

Adding a full orchestra to a rock band is always a mixed bag. Fortunately I’m not the world’s biggest Decemberists fan, so the songs aren’t too precious to me (although they are quite precious). Tonight, with one exception, the arrangements complemented the songs quite well. The one exception was “Los Angeles, I’m Yours,” which as my friend Tony pointed out, ended up sounding like the theme song to the Oscars. Hearing somebody from Portland sing “Its hollowness will haunt you,” and “How I abhor you” about our city seems like a little bit of a fuck you. It’s especially biting when you consider that it’s one of the few songs where Meloy’s not singing from the perspective of an 18th century sea captain. At the same time, that directness makes it one of their best songs. That contradiction/dissonance pretty much sums up my feelings about the band in general. I mean, do you think that after the show, as they read Chaucer on their tour bus, they occasionally glance up from their books and share a laugh about how they got 14,000 Angelinos to sing along to those lyrics? I do. The crowd loved every moment, especially any time their organ player Jenny Conlee was the center of attention. Four years ago, when I walked out of their half full show at Spaceland, I never would have guessed that one day I’d be watching Meloy repeatedly push the glasses up on his nose in front of so many people at the Hollywood Bowl. Good for them.
The setlist was [ed. note - thanks to Steven for pointing out the previous error]:
The Crane Wife, Pts 1 & 2
The Infanta
We Both Go Down Together
The Bagman’s Gambit
Odalisque
The Perfect Crime #2 (which is a pretty weak song, and on which they didn’t use the orchestra)
Los Angeles, I’m Yours
The Tain
O Valencia! (a highlight)
I Was Meant for the Stage
The Chimbley Sweep

photo courtesy of flikr user anclroo - click on his name for pics of the other bands as well.