Concert Announcements

Bon Iver Comes to the Shrine In September (why no Greek?)



Shrine Auditorium

9/19/11: Bon Iver (Friday at 10 AM)

The Satellite [all on sale at Ticketfly]

7/21/11: Yourself and the Air

7/22/11: Big Talk (drummer from the Killers)

7/29/11: The Features

8/6/11: Radars to the Sky

8/14/11: Califone  

8/17/11: Mia Doi Todd / Holcombe Waller / Haley Bonar

10/7/11: Viva Voce / The Parson Red Heads

Echoplex

10/24/11: Gold Panda (Thursday at 10 AM)

The Echo

8/26/11: John Vanderslice (now)

9/14/11: Moondoggies / The Romany Rye (now)

9/29/11: Braids / Pepper Rabbit (now)

10/7/11: Cymbals Eat Guitars (Thursday at 10 AM)

Largo

7/27/11: Bob Mould (reading and music)

Greek Theatre

9/9/11: Thievery Corporation / Fitz & the Tantrums (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = 80YEARS; Saturday at 10 AM)

9/14/11: Fleet Foxes / The Walkmen (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = 80YEARS; Saturday at 10 AM)

Bootleg

7/31/11: Bear Hands (now)

8/6/11: High Places (now)

Verizon Wireless

9/8/11: Kings of Leon / Band of Horses (Saturday at 10 AM)

9/24/11: Epicenter 2011 – Limp Bizkit / Staind / Five Finger Death Punch / Buckcherry / Papa Roach / P.O.D. / Puddle of Mudd and even more bands I don’t care to see (Saturday at 10 AM)

Gibson Amphitheatre

8/10/11: Jill Scott / Anthony Hamilton (Friday at 10 AM)

9/25/11: Marc Anthony (Friday at 1 PM)

11/5/11: Bill Maher (Saturday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Palladium

9/30/11: Andres Calamaro (Friday at 10 AM)

10/1/11: Erasure (Friday at 10 AM)

The Music Box

9/18/11 – 9/19/11: James Blake (now)

El Rey

8/25/11: 100 Monkeys / The Kissing Club / Bleeding Horse Express (Saturday at 10 AM)

8/26/11: Bilal (Friday at 10 AM)

9/23/11: Dark Star Orchestra (Friday at 10 AM)

Club Nokia

9/10/11: Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers / Jackie Greene (Friday at 10 AM)

Orpheum Theatre

11/3/11: City and Colour (Friday at 10 AM)

Fox Theater Pomona

11/4/11: City and Colour (Friday at 10 AM)

Troubadour

8/6/11: Cypress Hill (Saturday at 10 AM)

8/12/11: Bob Schneider (Thursday at 1 PM)

8/25/11: Company of Thieves (Thursday at 1 PM)

8/26/11: That Dog (Friday at 1PM)

9/21/11: Twin Shadow (Thursday at 1PM)

Live Music Options: 5/2/11 - 5/8/11

I'm Looking Forward to Charles Bradley on Wednesday

A ridiculous number of really good shows this week. Be a good music fan and get out there.



Monday 5/2/11

[Pick of the Night] Battles / Holloys @ Echoplex ($17) - The kings of proggy, indie rock are back to claim their throne. 

[Recommended] He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister / Soko / Cowboy & Indian / The Rag Dolls (Burlesque) / DJ Ana Calderon @ The Satellite (Free) - He's My Brother, She's My Sister is doing the Monday night residency this mont at the Satellite. 

Xavier Rudd / honeyhoney @ El Rey ($25)

White Arrows / Lesands / Vanaprasta @ Bootleg (Free) – Seems like only eight months ago that White Arrows did a residency at Spaceland.

Taylor Locke & the Roughs / Keith from The 88 / Fidlar / Joe Firstman @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Taylor Locke's doing the Monday night residency at the Silverlake Lounge. Locke is Rooney’s guitarist. I've heard good things about Fidlar.  

Chen Santa Maria / This Invitation / I Love You / NOW @ Pehrspace

Ceci Bastida / Leftover Cuties @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP) - Bastida will be at the Hollywood Bowl later this summer. 

Tuesday 5/3/11

[Pick of the Night] Leon Russell / Booker T. Jones @ El Rey ($30) - Two guys that played on a lot of the greatest records of all time. I've seen them both solo and it's worth supporting your legends. 

[Recommended] Alberta Cross / Blue Blood / Stone Darling / Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven @ The Satellite ($10) - Alberta Cross is doing a Tuesday night residency this month at the Satellite. Blue Blood's a new local band (I've seen both of their shows) that's got a Tom Petty/Whiskeytown (without Caitlin) vibe. 

[Recommended] Bootsy Collins @ Grammy Museum (Sold Out) - Funk legend.
Beach Fossils / Craft Spells / Sea Lions @ The Echo ($12) – Brooklyn. Beach in the name. I think you get the drift. They’re on the Captured Tracks label along with Craft Spells. Some catchy tunes. 

Lovers / Matu / The Dead Ships / Brkn Rbtz @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Dredg @ The Roxy ($20)

Raekwon @ Detroit Bar ($20) - Wu Tang forever. 

The Lonely Wild / Judson / Zenda Marie / The Jasper Dickson Revue @ The Central (Free) - The Lonely Wild's doing a free Tuesday night residency at The Central. So if you're in Santa Monica, check them out. I caught them last month at LaBrie's. 

Wednesday 5/4/11

[Pick of the Week] Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band @ The Echo ($14) - Great story and great album. Bradley's 62 and put out his debut album this year. He's got a gruff voice with a lot of personality. If you're a soul fan, check him out. 

[Recommended] Cass McCombs / Frank Fairfield / Residual Echoes @ Troubadour ($12) - Talented (mellow) singer songwriter. 

[Recommended] The Donkeys / Social Studies / The Damn Sons @ Bootleg ($10) - The Donkeys are on the Dead Oceans label. They're canyon rock influenced, but pull a Pavement riff or two into the mix. 

The Pipettes / Family of the Year / Hot as Sun @ The Satellite ($14) - The Pipettes members have changed (but they're still cute) and their sound has shifted more to a disco pop vibe. 

Chris Cornell / William Elliott Whitmore @ John Anson Ford (Sold Out) - Soundgarden lead singer. 

Rhett Miller / Robert Francis @ The Autry Museum ($17 - $22) - The Old 97's front man is still putting out solo records. 

John Waters @ Largo ($35) - The gross out director. 

James Blunt / Christina Perri @ The Wiltern - I heard his saccharine song today at the Americana. 

The Red River / Radiation City / Toy Bombs @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

The Raveonettes / Tamaryn @ The Glass House ($15) - Good band, two shows later in the week at the Troubadour. 

Bostich + Fussible @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM

Low End Theory: AMP Live / IMI / Dials @ Airliner ($10)

Dredg @ The Roxy ($20)

Curren$y @ Detroit Bar ($18)

Thursday 5/5/11

[Pick of the Night] Apex Manor / The Fling / The New Division @ The Echo (Free w/ RSVP) - Apex Manor's the local band that was The Broken West. Their debut came out earlier this year on Merge Records. Sophisticated pop fans take note. 

[Recommended] The Corin Tucker Band / Crazy Band / The Pity Party @ The Satellite ($15) - Sleater-Kinney fractured into Wild Flag and The Corin Tucker Band. 

[Recommended] Calexico with Mariachi Luz De Luna / Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta @ Echoplex ($20) - Celebrate Cinco de Mayo 

[Recommended] Cloudland Canyon / Jonas Reinhardt / War Drum @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) - They move into some psych rock terrain on this one. 

[Recommended] The Raveonettes / Tamaryn @ Troubadour ($23) - I've never followed The Raveonettes super closely, but always enjoy them when I hear it. 

[Recommended] J. Mascis / Black Heart Procession @ Detroit Bar ($15) - I caught Mascis at SXSW and thought it was great.
[Recommended] Prince @ The Forum ($25 - $200)

Chris Cornell / William Elliott Whitmore @ John Anson Ford (Sold Out) - Soundgarden lead singer. 

Atmosphere / Blueprint / Grieves w/ Budo @ Fox Theater Pomona (Sold Out) - Rhymesayers

Grant Lee Buffalo @ Largo ($30)

Timur and the Dime Museum / Dorian Wood @ Bootleg ($10)

Johnny Clegg @ House of Blues Sunset ($25)

Vex Ruffin / Master Blazter / Sun Araw / Matthewdavid @ The Smell ($5)

Bloody Death Skull / Fatty Dearest / The Avant-Garde Volkpenis @ Echo Country Outpost ($5)

Friday 5/6/11

[Pick of the Night] J. Mascis / Black Heart Procession / Rachel Fannan @ The Echo ($20) - I caught J. Mascis doing the solo (semi) acoustic thing at SXSW and loved it. He's just got so much soul when he plays. 

[Recommended] The Raveonettes / Tamaryn @ Sold Out ($23) – Night two at the Troub.

[Recommended] Mike Stinson / Tony Gilkyson @ Bootleg ($12) – I saw Stinson a lot when he still lived here.
[Recommended] Prince @ The Forum ($25 - $200)

Ezra Furman & the Harpoons / Tristen / The Apache Relay @ The Satellite ($10) - What you'd get if you combined Bob Dylan, Gordan Gano & Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers. 

Junip / Acrylics @ El Rey ($20) - Jose Gonzalez. 

The Corin Tucker Band / Crazy Band @ The Glass House ($12) - If you missed the show on Thursday at the Satellite. 

Moving Units / Crystal Stilts @ Natural History Museum - Seems like an odd pairing to me. 

Dirty Vegas / The Hundred in the Hands / White Apple Tree / Polaris at Noon @ Echoplex ($12) – Dirty Vegas are also playing the free Monday night show next week at Bardot.

MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert: Jane’s Addiction / Chester Bennington / Paramore / Ozomati / Dave Gahan  @ Club Nokia ($125 - $250)

Grant Lee Buffalo @ Largo (Sold Out) 

Ricky Martin @ Nokia Theatre ($46 - $620)

Ke$ha @ Hollywood Palladium 

NAR / Black Elephant / RAAATS! @ The Smell ($5)  

Chuck Dukowski Sextet / The Kris Special / Sanglorians / Stellaluna @ Pehrspace

The Diet Thrills Foreman / Some Days / Deadly Finns / Los Cometas @ Five Stars Bar ($5)

Saturday 5/7/11

[Pick of the Night] Fleet Foxes / The Cave Singers @ Hollywood Palladium ($48) - I've always liked Fleet Foxes more than logic tells me I should. The new record sounds good to me too. 

[Recommended] The Songs of Patsy Cline: The Living Sisters (Inara George, Becky Stark, Eleni Mandell and Alex Lilly) @ Walt Disney Concert Hall – With special guests Zooey Deschanel, John Doe, Shirley Manson, John C. Reilly and Charlie Wadhams.

[Recommended] Portugal. The Man / Telekinesis / Unknown Mortal Orchestra @ House of Blues Anaheim ($29)
[Recommended] Prince @ The Forum ($25 - $200)

[Recommended] Lucha Lounge Mexican Wresting Show: 400 Blows / Street Buddy / Friend Slash Lover @ 1993 Blake Ave ($10)
Zola Jesus / Naked on the Vague / Hive Mind @ The Satellite ($14) – Hipster (and critic) approved. NME called her last album a dark masterpiece. 

The 88 / Taylor Locke & the Roughs @ The Echo ($20) – Early show at 5:00 PM. Good pop music. I've seen them a lot over the years. 

Avi Buffalo @ The Getty (Free) – Early show at 6:00 PM

Wavefest: Roberta Flack / KEM / Macy Gray / Sheila E. @ Greek Theatre ($30 - $130)

The Submarines / Pepper Rabbit / White Sea @ Troubadour ($14) - I saw them at the Eagle Rock Music Fest last year for the first time in a while. Enjoyable pop music. 

Richard Thompson / Alistair Anderson @ McCabe’s (Sold Out)

Ceu / Francisca Valenzuela @ El Rey

Diddy-Dirty Money / Lloyd / TYGA @ Club Nokia

The Thrilling Adventure Hour @ Largo (Sold Out)

Ricky Martin @ Nokia Theatre ($46 - $620)

King Devil @ Bootleg ($8)

Foot Village / BITCHES / The Tleilaxu Music Machine / Batwings Catwings @ The Smell ($5)

Ghostland Observatory @ The Glass House ($25)

Underground Railroad to Candyland / Old Lumps / Simon Lebron / Peter Pants @ Pehrspace

Eddie and the Hot Rods @ Redwood Bar

Junip @ Detroit Bar ($18)

Sunday 5/8/11

[Pick of the Night] Ancestors / Tweak Bird / War Widow @ Bootleg ($8) – Heavier rock. I've seen Tweak Bird a couple of time and enjoy them. 

Ghostland Observatory @ Club Nokia ($25 - $30)

Grand Ole Echo: Tony Gilkyson @ The Echo (Free) – Early show at 5:00 PM. Gilkyson is a fantastic guitar player. 

The Meteors / Hentchmen / Kat Killers / A.Y. / Slash-O-Matic @ Echoplex ($25) – Psychobilly fans?

45 Grave / Death Party @ The Echo ($8)

Yanni @ Nokia Theatre ($80 - $150)

Ceci Bastida @ Amoeba (Free) – 5:00 PM show

Eddie and the Hot Rods @ Redwood Bar

Dirty Vegas @ Detroit Bar ($8)

Recent Concert Announcements

Hollywood Palladium

5/7/11: Fleet Foxes (Friday at 10 AM)

Gibson Amphitheatre

4/30/11: Invasion Del Corrido (Friday at 1:00 PM)

The Wiltern

4/9/11: Kevin Smith (Friday at 10 AM)

The Music Box

3/29/11: OMD / Oh Land (now)

5/21/11: Yelle / French Horn Rebellion (now)

6/1/11: Architecture in Helsinki / Hooray for Earth (now)

Nokia Theatre LA Live

5/6/11 – 5/7/11: Ricky Martin (Saturday at 10 AM)

5/28/11: La Banda El Recodo (Saturday at 10 AM)

8/7/11: Katy Perry / Robyn (now)

El Rey

4/7/11: Imelda May (Saturday at 10 AM)

4/22/11: MiMOSA (Friday at 10 AM)

5/14/11: Peter Bjorn and John (Thursday at 10 AM)

5/15/11: The Black Angels / Sleepy Sun (Friday at 10 AM)

6/4/11: Blackfield (Saturday at 10 AM)

Fox Theater Pomona

5/14/11: The Kills / The Black Angels / Cold Cave (Friday at 10 AM)

John Anson Ford Amphitheatre

5/5/11: Chris Cornell (Saturday at 10 AM)

Troubadour

4/8/11: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum (Wednesday at 1:00 PM)

4/30/11: Joe Purdy (Saturday at 1:00 PM)

5/13/11: Urge Overkill (Friday at 1:00 PM)

Echoplex

3/12/11: Miami Horror / Chapel Club / Superhumanoids / Geographer (now at Ticketweb)

The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland]

Mondays in March: The Living Things

3/5/11: Diamond Rings (Saturday at Noon)

3/26/11: DOM (now at Ticketfly)

4/1/11: Southeast Engine (now)

4/8/11: Papercuts (Saturday at Noon)

4/9/11: Danielson (now)  

4/15/11: Maserati (now)

4/26/11: Brother (now)

Bootleg Theater

Mondays in March: HoneyHoney

4/16/11: Lake (now at Ticketfly)

5/16/11: Stephen Kellogg / Tift Merritt (now)

Grammy Museum

2/9/11: Clive Davis (now)

2/12/11: Ozokidz (now)

2/25/11: Russell Simmons (now)

2/28/11: Roger Hodgson of Supertramp (now)

Bardot

2/7/11: Hanni El Khatib, Hot As Sun (RSVP)

You Set the Scene's Best Albums of 2008

1) Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes / Sun Giant EP (Sub Pop) – 2008 was a very good year for Fleet Foxes. In six months, they went from opening up for Blitzen Trapper at the Troubadour to selling out a couple of nights at El Rey. Robin Pecknold’s still a kid, but appears to have the whole package – musicianship, songwriting (including good lyrics) and a great voice. A few of the songs on the LP kind of just sit there – but if you factor in the EP and cherry pick the best 11 or 12 – you’ve got an amazing album. Standout tracks: MP3: “White Winter Hymnal” and “Myknos”

2) Everest: Ghost Notes (Vapor Records) – They were number one on my local list. As I said, the songs sound effortlessly timeless; the product of talented musicians who have absorbed rock ‘n’ roll history (Neil Young, the Beatles, the Byrds, etc.). Throw in Mike Terry’s warm ass production and you’ve got a fantastic debut. It’s a really consistent album. Standout tracks: “Rebels in the Roses” and “Into Your Soft Heart”

3) Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago (Jagjaguwar) – Originally self-released in 2007, most of us didn’t hear it until Jagjaguwar gave it widespread distribution in 2008. It’s really overdubbed and layered, but he pulls it off pretty well live. Great heartbroken, winter album. Standout tracks: MP3: “Skinny Love” and “Blindsided”

4) The Raconteurs: Consolers of the Lonely (Warner Bros. / Third Man) – You could pluck pretty much any song off this record and it would fit right in on a classic rock station’s play list. Great production and fantastic musicianship. It was a huge improvement over their debut album. Standout tracks: “Salute Your Solution” and “The Switch and the Spur”

5) TV on the Radio: Dear Science (Interscope) – If you’re not Radiohead, this is about as critic proof as you can get with a record; it’s political and arty but accessible. For me, the Tunde Adebimpe songs are where it’s at. Standout tracks: “Family Tree” and “Halfway Home”

6) Le Switch: And Now…Le Switch (Autumn Tone) – This record was number two on my top local releases. Without being overtly retro, it’s a modern take on the music I love from the early 1970s. Standout tracks: “Smile Away” and “Simple Gifts”
MP3: “Pristine”

7) Spiritualized: Songs in A&E (Fontana) – I’ve been a huge Spiritualized fan since the last 1990s. Kinda lost interest over the past seven years, but this is a return to form. I just wish the vinyl had come with a download. Bastards. Standout tracks: “Death Take Your Fiddle” and “You Lie You Cheat”

8) Neil Young: Live at Canterbury House 1968 (Reprise) – Recorded on the heels of leaving Buffalo Springfield and right before his debut solo record came out, this is another important live release from the Neil Young archives. Great anecdotes, fantastic song selection and a compelling performance make for a worthwhile purchase. Standout tracks: “The Loner” and “Birds”

9) David Vandervelde: Waiting for the Sunrise (Secretly Canadian) – This one was not well received by the critics, but the more I listen to it, the more I love it. There are Neil Young moments, soft rock moments and even an Elliott Smith moment. In an alternate universe somewhere, Vandervelde is appreciated. Standout tracks: MP3: “Someone Like You” and “Need for Now”

10) Radar Bros.: Auditorium (Merge) – Number three on my local list, it took a rainy December day to remind me how much I love this record. These 12 songs are perfectly layered and warm, and if you listen closely, you’ll still hear some occasionally depraved lyrics. Standout tracks: MP3:“Warm Rising Son” and “Morning Bird”

11) The Movies: Based on a True Story (Self-Released) – Number four on my local list. When you boil it all down, there’s a deep sense of longing and loss on this record; but this ain’t Hank Williams, it’s the Movies. When Timothy James sings about heartbreak he quotes Pedro Martinez, uses obtuse Vietnam metaphors and accuses the one who got away of going to Rio and sucking a million -----. Standout tracks: “Missed Opportunities” and “Monumental Life”

12) The Broken West: Now or Heaven (Merge) – This was number five on my local list. This made Nic Harcourt’s top 10 list this year and got a great review from the Onion. Standout tracks: MP3:“Perfect Games” and “House of Lies”

13) The Henry Clay People: For Cheap or For Free (Autumn Tone) – This was number six on my local list. Between the record and the live shows, I might have gotten the most joy out of these guys in 2008. Standout tracks: “Fine Print” and MP3: “Working Part Time”

14) Okkervil River: The Stand Ins (Jagjaguwar) – This was a little bit of a letdown given how much I loved The Stage Names, but there’s enough quality to warrant inclusion. Standout tracks: “Singer Songwriter” and “Pop Lie”
MP3: “Lost Coastlines”

15) The Moondoggies: Don’t Be a Stranger (Hardly Art) – This record got slept on a bit, but if you’re into boogie rock give it a listen. Has the same sort of 1970s influences as a lot of these other bands. Standouts: MP3: “Changing” and “Ain’t No Lord”

16) Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend (XL Recordings) – 1980s-inspired acts dominated the critical favorites this year, but this is the only one I really got in. Their whole preppy, Ivy League shtick is nauseating and totally contrived, but damn if they didn’t write some of the catchiest pop tunes all year. Standout tracks: “Mansard Roof” and “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa”

17) The Dodos: Visiter (Frenchkiss) – Strummy guitars and propulsive drums. There are about five songs that would have benefited from some serious editing, but the strong songs are really fantastic. Standout tracks: “Fools” and “Red and Purple”

18) Sigur Ros: Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (XL Recordings) – Too intense to listen to on a regular basis, but another strong release. Standout tracks: “Gobbledigook” and “Festival”

19) Bonnie “Prince” Billy: Lie Down in the Light (Drag City) – I really could have used a download card for this record. It got filed away shortly after buying it and scarcely listened to. Standout tracks: “Easy Does It” and “What’s Missing Is”

20) Dungen: 4 (Kemado) – Largely instrumental and jazzy. There’s nothing else remotely popular that sounds like this. Standout tracks: “Det Tar Tid” and “Samtidigt 1”
MP3: “Satt Att Se”

21) Dr. Dog: Fate (Park the Van) – I love the first half of the record, but the second half gets weighed down a bit. Still a strong release. Standout tracks: “Hang On” and MP3: “The Old Days”

22) Kelley Stoltz: Circular Sounds (Sub Pop) – This one’s not quite as much fun to listen to as Below the Branches, but I still dig his songwriting. Standout tracks: “Everything Begins” and MP3: “Your Reverie”

23) Throw Me the Statue: Moonbeams (Secretly Canadian) – These guys bring sex to indie rock. Extra points for the album cover too. MP3: “Lolita” and “Young Sensualists”

24) Jay Reatard: Matador Singles ’08 (Matador) – Labeled a punk, few bands incorporate Aussie and New Zealand influences as well as Jay Reatard. Very melodic stuff. Standouts: “See Saw” and “Painted Shut”

25) Wye Oak: If Children (Merge) – Classic indie rock sounds done deceptively well. Stnadouts: MP3:“Warning” and “Family Glue”

Top 20 Live Shows of 2008

I feel spoiled that I get to see Henry Clay People, Le Switch, The Movies, Radar Bros. and The Broken West all the time. So those bands are probably needlessly penalized as the list skews national. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm forgetting a few too...

Top 20 Live Shows of 2008:

20) Spaceland’s 13th Anniversary – Radar Bros., Earlimart, The Broken West, Wiskey Biscuit, The Tyde, The Movies, 400 Blows @ Spaceland on 3/2/08 – This was a fantastic lineup, but the crowd was very light (negative points). I think it was the only time I saw 400 Blows all year (positive points).

19) Throw Me the Statue @ the Echo on 9/10/08 – I really dig their record and they put on a really fun show. It was my first time seeing them, which always helps too.

18) The Movies @ Spaceland on 12/15/08 – They all have their highlights, so it’s really hard to pick out one Movies show as the best, so I’m going with the most recent.

17) Le Switch / Les Blanks / The World Record @ The Echo on 8/19/08 – I saw Le Switch so many times, it’s hard to pick out one show. I’m going with this one since it made me a fan of two bands – Les Blanks and The World Record.

16) Jay Reatard @ the Echo on 7/30/08 – The guy came off a lot more metal in the live setting. Really good stuff. My first time seeing him.

15) The Whigs / The Henry Clay People / Le Switch @ The Echo on 6/4/08 – I saw a little bit of the Whigs as SXSW this year and was totally impressed. They just have a professionalism and energy that’s hard to describe. Making it even better was the support…

14) Secret Machines @ Viper Room on 7/27/08 – I was apprehensive about the new lineup, but they delivered. One of the loudest shows all year. I really enjoy watching Josh Garza drum.

13) My Bloody Valentine @ Santa Monica Civic Center on 10/1/08 – I can’t say that I was totally blown away, but I never thought I’d get a chance to see them.

12) Brian Wilson @ Hollywood Bowl on 9/13/08 – My favorite BW show was Smile at the Disney. I also loved the Pet Sounds shows. This had a lot of the new album and the Beach Boys greatest hits.

11) Dr. Dog @ Hotel Café on 5/13/08 – This show came before I’d heard the record, so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I might have. Their show at El Rey later in the year paled in comparison.

10) Bon Iver / Phosphorescent @ The Echo on 3/20/08 – It was way mellow and the Echo was way packed, but both artists pulled it off. My first time seeing both. Negative points for Phosphorescent charging me $20 for a copy of their record on vinyl (MSRP = $12 or so).

09) Charlie Louvin @ Stagecoach Festival on 5/4/08 – This was the highlight for me at this year’s Stagecoach. I felt really privileged to see the country legend.

08) My Morning Jacket @ the Greek on 9/21/08 – Such a fantastic live band. This would have ranked higher had I not seen them so many times before (and if I was more into the new record). Positive points for winning free tickets. Negative points for mediocre seats.

07) Dungen @ the Echo on 11/12/08 – My third time seeing them and they finally delivered on what their albums promise. Great stuff.

06) Radar Bros. / Brian Aubert / Everest / Adeline & the Philistines @ the Echo on 1/28/08 – This was the last night of the Radar Bros. residency and the last night that Senon played with the band. Lots of emotion in the air. Putnam even came out and did a song with Brian Aubert. The other bands were an added bonus.

05) Ray Davies @ the Wiltern on 3/29/08 – Davies is my favorite songwriter of all time. This time around his band was younger and more energetic. If those Kinks reunion tour rumors are true, I may have to finally get my ass back to Coachella this year.

04) Okkervil River @ the Fonda on 9/23/08 – I caught half sets twice at SXSW, but this was my first time seeing a full set. Will Sheff stirs up some weird emotions.

03) Sigur Ros @ Greek Theatre on 10/2/08 – I don’t sit around and listen to their records that much (they’re just too intense). But they’re a fantastic live band that brings so much emotion – and all without writing real lyrics. Positive points for a beautiful night at the Greek.

02) Spiritualized @ the Echo on 9/19/08 – I’d just seen them do a show a couple of nights before at the Hollywood Bowl. Of course, the Echo’s about 2% of the size of the Bowl, so this was much, much better. It was my fifth or sixth time seeing them, but the new record’s really good. Negative points for the girl flinging her hair around for half the set.

01) Fleet Foxes @ Palm Door in Austin on 3/15/08 – This was a SXSW party and my first time seeing them. I was so impressed with their voices. Was it really the best performance of 2008? Probably not, but I walked away with that unmatchable feeling that I’d discovered my new favorite band. They were great at Spaceland on 6/29/08 too.

Shows I regret missing: TV on the Radio, David Vandervelde @ Troubadour, Kelley Stoltz @ Troubadour, Dolly Parton @ the Greek, Stevie Wonder @ Hollywood Bowl, The Dodos (all 4 times), Andrew Bird @ Largo, The Raconteurs @ Greek Theatre, Cornelius @ Walt Disney Concert Hall

photo: Fleet Foxes @ the Palm Door - photo credit = me

Live Music Journal 6/28/08 - 6/30/08 (Fleet Foxes, etc.)

I kept it pretty low key last week, but here’s the live music I did see…

Saturday night we took the LA Zoo shuttle over to the Hollywood Bowl for the Sgt. Pepper’s…Revisited. You take the good, you take the bad, you take ‘em both and there you have the Hollywood Bowl. When you roll in kind of late (but still before the show starts), sometimes you get assholes who won’t budge from your seats. You start to get a pit in your stomach as you approach your row of bench seats and it looks completely full. Like “how the fuck are we going to fit in there.” We crammed into the row, politely asked people to move down (one side kindly obliged) and then sat cramped like a Tokyo subway to attempt to enjoy the show. I could barely nudge my elbows to get to the bag at my feet holding my sandwich and bottle of wine. To top it off, about every 15 minutes the brat behind me kicked the back of my seat for 15 or 20 seconds before his/her (couldn’t tell) parent stopped him/her.

But we eventually relaxed.

The orchestra came out. Then Cheap Trick came out. Then a series of singers joined them. There was Ian Ball from Gomez, Simone (daughter of Nina Simone), Rob Laufer (playing the part of George Harrison) and Billy Corgan. I can’t remember exactly what songs they did, but it was fun. Then the intermission and they did Sgt. Pepper’s in its entirety.

Just a couple of observations. As my girlfriend pointed out, Ian Ball did a nice job of harmonizing and holding some of the vocals together for Robin Zander (who’s getting up there). Simone took some of the songs a little too far in the soul direction (at least for the arrangements) and lost a lot of people when she pimped her website. [This should have been a fun night, not a career opportunity for Simone. Give people a little credit, if they want to track you down, they know how to use Google.] Billy Corgan did a pretty good job on his two songs. I mean, it sounded like Billy Corgan doing the Beatles, but that’s not all bad. The musical highlight of the night was when Laufer did “Within You Without You” backed by a group of Indian musicians. The guy that did the sitar solo was particularly good. All in all it was another fun night at the Bowl, despite the initial crowd irritants.

On Sunday I ventured over to Little Radio’s Summer Camp to see Radar Bros. Tim James from the Movies was at the console and the room sounded good. The guys sounded great, the Colt 45 was flowing and the vibe was laid back with some little kids kicking it in the loft, dangling their feet over the stage.

As soon as they finished I rushed over to the All Star Lanes for the debut of the Damselles & the TC 4. The band is a tribute to all those great girl groups from the early 1960s. Maria from Le Switch and Jillinda and Britney from I Make This Sound were upfront wearing matching pink dresses. Backing them was The TC 4 (the TC stands for Todd Clifford) or Seb and Ryan from Division Day, Joe from Le Switch and Sean from the Voyeurs. I’m not sure if it was a one-off for the special occasion of if the band plans on doing more performances, but it was a lot of fun (see some Youtube footage). Unfortunately I couldn’t stick around for all the other bands. I did manage to catch some of Marvelous Toy, who I enjoyed.

I was really looking forward to seeing Fleet Foxes again and I would not be denied. By the time we got there, the line around the corner was ridiculous. I haven’t seen that since the Elliott Smith days (or possibly Arctic Monkeys). After a long day in the hot sun downtown, then a trip to Eagle Rock and a margarita at dinner, I couldn’t really focus on the opener, The Dutchess and the Duke. On the other hand, Fleet Foxes were completely compelling. The harmonies sounded great, the crowd was respectful and the band was completely likable. Much like when I saw them at SXSW this year. Great stuff guys.

Ticket Giveaway: Fleet Foxes @ Spaceland

Regular readers have seen me mention Fleet Foxes a bunch of times. I praised their fantastic EP, then raved about their performance at SXSW and followed it up with a glowing review of their debut LP. This week, the band will be making two local appearances. On Saturday night you can see them at the Echo and on Sunday night they'll be appearing at Spaceland. Advance tickets for both shows are sold out, but you can usually get in (especially at Spaceland) if you show up at a reasonable time (around 9-ish).

I have two pairs of tickets to give away for their appearance at Spaceland on Sunday night. To win these tickets email me [dukeufo at hotmail] and tell me what your favorite record is so far this year. The contest closes Thursday night at 6:00 PM. Please put Fleet Foxes in the subject line.

Download "White Winter Hymnal"

Read Mojo's 5/5 Star review of the record HERE

Fleet Foxes' "Mykonos"

Here's my weekly reminder to tune in to Sinking with Sylvia (and Sometimes Todd) on Little Radio tomorrow from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST. Tomorrow their guest will be Teddy Headphones. Teddy's a rather unusual music critic. If that's not enough, they'll also be giving away a pair of passes to Coachella.

Each week I pick a track, they play it and I eventually write about it here. On March 27th, it was their first show after SXSW. My favorite live set at SXSW was Fleet Foxes, so I chose their track, "Mykonos." I've already written about Fleet Foxes several times, which is kind of ridiculous for a band that's only released an EP. I won't add much here, but I will say that I'm looking forward to their full length, which comes out June 3rd on Sub Pop.


Download Fleet Foxes' "White Winter Hymnal"
Watch an old video of Fleet Foxes covering Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams"
See Teddy interview Pigeon John
See Teddy interview the Broken West

New Music Releases - 4/8/08

Some disappointments and some new discoveries. This past Tuesday was a big day at record shops....

Recommended:

Fleet Foxes: Sun Giant EP (Sub Pop) – These young Seattleites were the highlight of SXSW for me. The first thing you notice is that the lead singer, Robin Pecknold, sounds a lot like Jim James from My Morning Jacket. The second thing you notice is the great three and four part harmonies from the rest of the band. There are elements of early 70’s/classic Yes (The Yes Album, Fragile and Close to the Edge) but if the members told me they’d never heard Yes, I’d believe them. This was produced by Phil Ek, who has done a great job in the past with Built to Spill, the Shins and Band of Horses. I can’t wait for June 3rd when the full length comes out.

Wye Oak: If Children (Merge) – Here’s another promising new band from Baltimore. This is the kind of melancholy, minor key music that typically dominates my “best of” compilations at year end. They’re only a duo, but the songs vary from sparse to lush arrangements. Some songs have pleasant acoustic guitars and soft drumming while others feature string arrangements or electric guitars with heavy feedback. After the first listen, I thought, “Oh, that was pleasant.” But in the past few weeks I’ve found myself returning to it almost every day. Jenn Wasner sings most of the songs and her voice falls somewhere between Tanya Donnelly and Kim Deal. Download “Warning”

Other Records I've Heard:

Eric Avery: Help Wanted (Dangerbird) – Avery was the original bass player in Jane’s Addiction. Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters plays drums on most of these songs.
The Breeders: Mountain Battles (4AD) – I was all excited when I got this new Breeders record before my recent road trip to Joshua Tree. I excitedly put it in the CD player and… it was out before we’d made it to Pasadena. I guess I’m not really a fan. I do like Pod and Last Splash (never heard Title TK) but this just feels like sloppy demos. See them at Coachella on 4/25 and the Glasshouse on 4/29. Download “Bang On”
Dark Meat: Universal Indians (Vice) – This is an expanded edition with better distribution. It’s all a bit to manic for me. Sample song titles: “Well Fuck You Then,” “Angel of Meth” and “There Is a Retard On Acid Holding a Hammer To Your Head.” Maybe I’m just too old for this shit. At the Echo on 5/10. Download “Freedom Ritual”
The Duke Spirit: Neptune (Shangri-La) – See yesterday’s guest review. See them at the Troubadour on 5/10.
The Long Blondes: Couples (Rough Trade) – Female fronted, British, indie-dance, guitar-based band. If you’re into that kinda thing you might like it. At the Troubadour on 6/4.
Peter Moren: The Last Tycoon (Quarterstick) – I like Peter Bjorn & John and I liked Peter’s recent solo show at the Hotel Café. This album just hasn’t grabbed me yet. See him at the Hotel Café on 5/2 or the Troubadour on 5/3.
Richard Swift: Richard Swift as Onassis (Secretly Canadian) – Richard Swift’s Dressed Up for the Letdown was one of my favorite records last year. This isn’t the follow-up to that record. This is more of a drunken, weekend blues jam where he works out some Link Wray and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Download “Knee High Boogie Boots” and “Phone Coffins”

Other Noteworthy New Releases That I Haven't Heard:
Boredoms
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – At the Hollywood Bowl on 9/17
Cavity
Clinic – At the Troubadour on 5/20
Cloud Cult – At the Knitting Factory on 5/14
Cut Copy – At Coachella on 4/25
Dead Child – David Pajo’s metal band (Slint). The Myspace songs sound pretty good.
Marie Digby – At the Fonda on 4/12
The Drift
The Explorers Club: Do You Love Me? 7” (Dead Oceans) – Beach Boys revivalists
Finest Dearest
Foals (mp3) – At the Troubadour on 5/24
[LOCAL] Gran Ronde: Secret Rooms (Filter) – These guys are doing a Tuesday night residency at Spaceland in May
The Grouch – At the Roxy on 4/22
Man Man – At Coachella on 4/26
Meat Beat Manifesto – At El Rey on 4/12
Colin Meloy live album (mp3) – The Decemberists’ lead singer. At the Fonda on 4/28
Neva Dinova (mp3) – At Spaceland on 5/29
The New Bloods (mp3)
[LOCAL ] No Age: Eraser 7” (Sub Pop) (mp3) – The first single off their Sub Pop debut
Jim Noir (mp3)
The Old Haunts (mp3)
Jonathan Richman
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (mp3) and (mp3)
Tapes N Tapes (mp3) – At the Troubadour on 5/8 and 5/9
Thee Oh Sees
Torche

SXSW Journal - Saturday

Frankel - The First of Three with the Bow

Waking up on Saturday wasn’t much fun. As I mentioned, I was staying at my friend Mike’s loft in East Austin. Mike woke up bright and early because he had a plane to catch to India for a two week vacation. I thought about trying to stay in bed, but it was just too difficult with him getting organized and finishing packing. Cottonmouth and nauseous stomach. We walked over to a coffee shop to get a breakfast burrito, but that did not do the trick. Something about eggs and a hangover have never worked for me.

After dropping Mike off at the airport, I cruised over to the Hot Freaks party at the Mohawk. Bad Veins was on outside and they seemed pretty good, but my head was swimming. I stumbled inside and found a stool to wait it out for Frankel. Michael Orendy (aka Frankel) put out one of my favorite local releases last year. Quality songwriting in the vein of Richard Swift. He started out with a Nick Drake cover and played his guitar with a bow (one of three artists I would see do that on Saturday). I really enjoy his songs. I was finally starting to fell human again, so I went upstairs and grabbed a bloody mary in preparation for Le Switch.

While I was upstairs getting my bloody mary, I peaked down and watched a few of the Whigs’ songs. Impressive. I’ve always had a feeling I’d like those guys, but that was my first exposure to them. Pitchfork called them “latter day Local H, redux.” I’m not sure who Local H is, but I’m guessing it’s not a compliment. They play good time, unpretentious rock ‘n’ roll, something there’s really not enough of these days.

I’ve probably written about Le Switch as much as any other band. It’s just impossible for me to not have a good time when I see that group of people playing music together. I’m trying to save all my good nuggets for their press release, so I’m not going to say much more right now. But I looked around the room and saw a lot of smiles while they were playing. Their debut full length is coming out in May and I think a lot of you are going to dig it. They’ve already lined up a great supporting cast of bands for their May residency at the Echo.

After Le Switch finished, I went back upstairs for another bloody mary and some tacos. Finally getting back to normal. Film School was playing outside and Dave Dupuis was the guitar player of the day to use a bow. Film School’s officially an LA band these days and they’re a nice addition to the scene. They’re heading out on the road for a couple of weeks with British Sea Power. While I was standing around upstairs I met one of my favorite bloggers, Largehearted Boy and Rachel the publicist from KCRW. Both really nice people.

Up next was A Place to Bury Strangers. I saw them recently at the Viper Room and it’s music that belongs in a dark club, not a 90 degree day in Austin. They were loud as hell. I wish they’d concentrate more on writing songs. Weiss and I walked over to Club Deville to see what was going on over there. I think Kevin Barnes from Of Montreal was up strumming on an acoustic guitar. Whatever it was it was not interesting, and I decided I’d rather be watching college basketball.

Fleet Foxes

I caught about 10 minutes of the KU game and then made my way to the SXSeattle party at the Palm Door. I’ve been digging that Fleet Foxes EP from Sub Pop, so I was curious to see if they could pull off those harmonies. They can. Their set was probably my highlight of the festival. Very pretty three and four part harmonies, and the schoolhouse vibe of the venue worked really well for their sound. They never really rock out, but it’s really pleasant to just kick back and listen to on a Saturday afternoon. Their guitar player was the third of the day to use the bow. If you’re into Everest and that newest Wilco record, you should give these guys some time.

Mr. Free and his strap-on

I made my way towards Waterloo Park for the Mess with Texas party that Sean Carlson helped curate. Guy’s only like 22 and was quoted in the Wall Street Journal (alongside Franki Chan). Long Beach’s Crystal Antlers were on stage. I think I’d like them at the right time and place, but they harshed my mellow a bit. Ran into Jax, who told me they only found out they had the gig 10 minutes before hitting stage. I think they won over some new fans. Up next was some guy with a giant embroidered strap on over his junk. Mr. Free and the Satellite Freakout are totally filthy. I wasn’t that into it, but Mr. Free clearly understands showmanship.

I had originally ventured over to see some Black Mountain’s set. After Mr. Free’s mic was shut off, Black Mountain decided to do a thirty minute sound check. As each minute passed, my enthusiasm waned. I watched a few songs, but ultimately decided that I appreciate them more in theory than reality. They’ve got some nice moments, but that is all. I headed off to pick up my friend Jerry who was hanging out at Waterloo Records.

Rudy's Barbeque

Jerry, Kenley and I headed over for night two (for me anyway) at Rudy’s Barbeque. I ordered the exact same thing – St. Louis ribs, a ½ link of sausage and beans. It might be the first time I’ve ever gone to a restaurant and ordered the exact same thing two days in a row. Although this time I had a Big Red instead of a Shiner Bock.

I figured I’d make it an early night, but decided I’d try to get into the Okkervil River / Roky Erickson show at Stubb’s. Turns out it was no problem. Okkervil River proved their set at Yard Dog was no fluke with another high energy show. Once again I only caught the last five or so songs, and it left me wanting more. I still can’t believe their last album didn’t do a lot better. I’d say they’re one big TV or film licensing deal away from being a household name. Beatle Bob popped on stage to introduce Roky Erickson. I’ve been a casual 13th Floor Elevators fan ever since the Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye tribute album came out in 1990. After seeing the Erickson documentary, I was very impressed with how good he sounded. It’s a totally professional band that he keeps up with. My attention waned a little in the middle, but after the band finished with “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” I walked out with a big ol’ smile on my face.

The smile was quickly erased when I stumbled down to 6th Street. The combination of 6th Street on a weekend and SXSW harshed my mellow in a big way. Why don’t they build some of those giant condo complexes on 6th Street?

SXSW was over for me.