Live Music Options: 10/3/11 - 10/9/11

Once again, I'm embracing some serious dad rock.

Monday 10/3/11
[Pick of the Night] Emmylou Haris @ Largo ($60) - Can't think of her without thinking of Gram Parsons.
[Recommended] Dum Dum Girls / Crocodiles / Colleen Green @ Troubadour ($15)
[Recommended] Toro y Moi / Unknown Mortal Orchestra / Bass Drum of Death @ El Rey ($22)
[Recommended] Jane's Addiction @ John Anson Ford (Sold Out)
[Recommended] Peter Bjorn and John / Emperor X @ The Smell (Sold Out)
Youngblood Hawke / Polaris at Noon / Nightmare and the Cat / New Child @ The Satellite (Free) - Iglu and Hartly guys
Swahili Blonde / Crooked Cowboy & the Freshwater Indians / Raw Geronimo / Dreamtapes @ The Echo (Free)
Indians / Queen Kwong @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)
Little Red Darling / Mind the Gap @ Bootleg (Free)

Tuesday 10/4/11
[Pick of the Night] The Jayhawks / Piers Faccina @ Troubadour (Sold Out) - They've got a brand new album out.
[Recommended] Peter Bjorn and John / Big Search @ The Echo ($25)
[Recommended] Jane's Addiction @ John Anson Ford (Sold Out) - They were great back in the day.
Jolie Holland @ Bootleg ($18)
Beirut / Laetitia Sadier @ Greek Theatre ($30 - $40)
Dan Sartain / Two Tears / Des Roar @ The Satellite ($10)
Zola Jesus @ Amoeba (Free)
Locksley / Italian Japanese @ Bootleg Bar ($10)
Olentangy John / Leslie Stevens @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Misfits / Dickies @ House of Blues Sunset

Wednesday 10/5/11
[Pick of the Night] The Smashing Pumpkins / Fancy Space People / Light FM @ The Wiltern ($70) - I saw them a few times back in high school.
[Recommended] Peter Bjorn & John / Hanni El-Khatib @ El Rey ($25)
The Low Anthem / Sleepy Sun @ Troubadour ($15)
Blondie / Nico Vega @ Club Nokia ($40 - $65)
Furthur @ Greek Theatre
Downtown Union / Blackstrap Molasses / Sunken Ships / Dylan Trees @ The Satellite ($5)
Low End Theory: Mike Gao / DNABeats / Zen Death Squad @ Airliner ($10)
Gomez @ House of Blues Sunset

Thursday 10/6/11
[Pick of the Night] The Happy Hollows / Incan Abraham / The Soft Hands / One Trick Pony @ The Satellite ($8)
[Recommended] Glen Campbell  / Instant People @ Club Nokia ($46-$60) - This will be Glen's last tour
The Rapture / Poolside @ The Music Box
Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band / An Horse / Dead Ships @ Troubadour ($15)
Liam Finn / Rainbow Arabia / Guineafowl / Handshakes @ The Echo ($20 for Culture Collide wristband)
The Morning After Girls / Buck 65 / Disco Boom @ Taix ($20 for Culture Collide wristband)
Ximena Sarinana / The Black Box Revelation / The Tender Box @ 1712 Sunset ($20 for Culure Collide)
Lindstrom / Cosmic Kids / Midnight Surfer @ 1815 Sunset ($20 for Cuture Collide)
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue @ El Rey
Patrick Park @ Bootleg ($8)
Little Dragon @ Avalon
Furthur @ Greek Theatre
Sam Sparro @ Largo ($25)
Evidence @ Viper Room ($15)

Friday 10/7/11
[Pick of the Week] Merle Haggard / Kris Kristofferson @ Greek Theatre - These two guys are legendary songwriters. Haggard's still an amazing performer too.
[Recommended] Nick Lowe / JD McPherson @ Largo ($35)
[Recommended] Viva Voce / The Parson Red Heads / Last American Buffalo @ The Satellite ($10) - The Parson Red Heads have a new album.
Yacht / The Asteroids Galaxy Tour / The Morning After Girls / The Gift / Hands @ Echoplex ($20 for Culture Collide)
Avi Buffalo / The Postelles / He's My Brother, She's My Sister @ 1815 Sunset ($20 Culture Collide)
Jason Falkner / Suave As Hell / Spain @ 826LA ($20 Culture Collide)
Cymbals Eat Guitars / Hooray For Earth / LA Sera @ The Echo ($12)
You Say France and I Whistle / Black Box Revelation / Hypernova @ Taix ($20 Culture Collide)
Ximena Sarinana / Laura Jensen @ Echo Park Methodist Church ($20 Culture Collide)
Incubus / Young the Giant @ Hollywood Bowl
Little Dragon @ Avalon ($34)
The Rapture @ Glass House ($20)
Plain White T's @ El Rey
Circa Survive @ Fox Theater (Sold Out)
Star Slinger @ Troubadour ($12)
New Found Glory @ House of Blues Sunset

Saturday 10/8/11
[Pick of the Night] Nick Lowe / JD McPherson @ Largo ($35) - So it goes.
[Recommended] The Pains of Being Pure at Heart / Twin Sister @ El Rey ($20)
[Recommended] Megafaun / Hi Ho Silver Oh @ The Satellite ($12) - I keep hearing great things about their new material.
[Recommended] The Henry Clay People / TS & the Past Haunts / Little Hurricane / Incan Abraham @ 1712 Sunset ($20 Culture Collide)
Kyuss Lives! / The Sword / Chuck Dukowski Sextet @ Fox Theater
CSS / Young Liars @ Echoplex ($20 Culture Collide wristband)
Matt Pond PA / Rocky Vololato @ The Glass House ($15)
Incan Abraham / Handshakes / The Telecasters @ The Central ($10)
Harvey / Classix @ 1815 Sunset ($20 Culture Collide)
Isobel Campbell / You Say France and I Whistle @ 826LA ($20 Culture Collide)
The Elected / Carina Round @ Echo Park United Methodist ($20 Culture Collide)
Blink 182 / My Chemical Romance / Matt & Kim @ Hollywood Bowl
Tiesto / Diplo @ Home Depot Center in Carson
Keith Urban @ Staples Center
Men / Tearist @ The Smell ($5)
Chamberlin / Olin and the Moon / AB and the Sea @ Bootleg ($10)

Sunday 10/9/11
[Recommended] Culture Collide Block Party: CSS / Avi Buffalo / Clap Your Hands Say Yeah / MEN / Gang Gang Dance / Datarock / The Asteroids Galaxy Tour / Chad Vangaalen / Rainbow Arabia @ Reservoir Stret (Free w/ RSVP) - I'm not super into any of these bands, but it's free.
[Recommended] The Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ Detroit Bar ($15)
Big Troubles / Young Prisms / Kids on a Crime Spree @ The Echo ($10)
Robert Earl Keen @ House of Blues Sunset
Pepper @ Club Nokia

Recent Concert Announcements

A ton of great announcements. The bands I'm particularly interested in are bolded. 

1^st and Main Downtown LA

9/3/11: FYF Fest – The Descendents / Death From Above 1979 / Broken Social Scene / Explosions in the Sky / Guided By Voices / Simian Mobile Disco / Cold War Kids / Girls / No Age / Kid Dynamite / The Dead Milkmen / Dan Deacon / The Head & the Heart / Glass Candy / Four Tet / Yacht / The Weakerthans / Cults / Cass McCombs / Chromatics / The Olivia Tremor Control / Smith Westerns / Off! / The Strange Boys / Mr. Heavenly / Ty Segall / Japandroids / Pink Mountaintops / Avi Buffalo / Fool’s Gold / Nosaj Thing / Twin Sister / Title Fight / Touche Amore / Future Islands (Friday at 3:00 PM)

Sunset Junction

8/27/11: Butthole Surfers / Melvins / Lil Jon (DJ Set) / Morgan Page / Helmet / Art Brut / Tapes ‘n Tapes / He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister / Butch Walker / 400 Blows / Vanaprasta / Cinderella Motel / Barrio Tiger / Ladies of Motown / Useless Keys / The Hundred Days / The Damselles and the TC4 / Vaud and the Villains / The Stripminers / Shadow Shadow Shade / Buddy (now)

8/28/11: Hanson / Clay Your Hands Say Yeah / Gayngs / Ozomatli / The Belle Brigade / Dum Dum Girls / Charles Bradley / Jim Bianco / Honeyhoney / Olin and the Moon / Peaches (DJ Set) / The Rescues / The Fling / The Growlers / Lady Danville / The Soft Pack / Manhattan Murder Mystery / Hands / Lesands / The Californian (now)

The Music Box

10/19/11: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks (Saturday at 10 AM)

Royce Hall

10/13/11: Lindsey Buckingham (Friday at 10 AM)

The Echo

7/15/11: King Khan / Gris Gris (now)

7/17/11: Iceage / Cult of Youth (now)

7/19/11: Viva Brother / Shadow Shadow Shade (now)

9/29/11: Braids (Thursday at 10 AM)

Echoplex

9/30/11: Rebirth Brass Band (now)

Troubadour

8/6/11: Cypress Hill (Friday at 1:00 PM)

Hollywood Bowl

9/25/11: TV on the Radio / Arctic Monkeys / Panda Bear / Warpaint / Smith Westerns (presale now, password = TVArctic; Saturday at 10 AM)

Greek Theatre

10/1/11: Elbow (Saturday at 10 AM, presale Friday at 10 AM, password = 80YEARS)

10/7/11: Merle Haggard / Kris Kristofferson (Saturday at 10 AM, presale Friday at 10 AM, password = 80YEARS)

Sunset Strip Music Festival

8/18/11: The Veronicas / Uriah Heep / Tribute to Motley Crue / The Faceless

8/19/11: Buckcherry / Ray and Robby of the Doors w/ David Brock / dredg (now)

8/20/11: Motley Crue / Matt & Kim / Cobra Starship / Bush / She Wants Revenge / Public Enemy  

Club Nokia

7/16/11: Jamie Fox Unplugged (Friday at 10 AM)

9/27/11: Arch Enemy / DevilDriver / Skeletonwitch (Saturday at 10 AM)

10/12/11: The Australian Pink Floyd Show (Friday at 10 AM)

The Forum

10/13/11: Foo Fighters / Cage the Elephant  / Mariachi El Bronx (Friday at 10 AM)

Staples Center

11/11/11: Katy Perry / Jessie J (Friday at 10 AM)

El Rey

7/22/11: Daniel Johnston / Jason Falkner (Saturday at 10 AM)

9/15/11: The Horrors (Saturday at 10 AM)

Verizon Wireless

8/13/11: Toby Keith / Eric Church / JT Hodges (Saturday at 10 AM)

San Manuel Amphitheatre

9/11/11: Luis Miguel (Friday at 10 AM)

10/22/11: Judas Priest / Black Label Society / Thin Lizzy (Satuday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Palladium

8/27/11: Deadmau5 (now) 

Live Music Options: 5/9/11 - 5/15/11

I saw a really good show last Wednesday at the Echo - Charles Bradley. Old guy can't dance, but he was willing to throw his 63 year old body into the crowd. Such a soulful voice. I also caught Blue Blood at the Satellite on Tuesday. They've only played four shows as a band, but are already impressive.

Monday 5/9/11

[Pick of the Night] He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister / Sister Rogers / Sweaters / The Pleasure Circus @ The Satellite (Free)

[Recommended] The Raveonettes / Tamaryn @ Detroit Bar ($15)

White Arrows / Papa / J. Irvin Dally / Steffaloo @ Bootleg (Free) – White Arrows continues its residency.

The Low Anthem / Ivan & Alyosha / Daniel Lefkowitz @ The Autry ($15) – Americana fans.

The Bixby Knolls / Bowery Beasts / Stevenson Ranch Davidians @ The Echo (Free)

Taylor Locke & the Roughs / Ned Brower / Mike Viola / All Eyes West @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Fans of Rooney.

Boy Hits Car / Cage 9 / Midnite Theory / Spliff Tannen @ Troubadour (Free)

KT Tunstall / Charlie Mars / Meiko @ El Rey ($25)

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Echoplex ($15) – Black Crowes fans.

My Jerusalem / Michael Kingcaid @ Bootleg (Free) – Early show starts at 7:00 PM – My Jerusalem features former members of Great Northern, Polyphonic Spree, Twilight Singers, Midlake.

Kristeenyoung / Betty @ Hotel Café

Penelope Edmund / David Liebe Hart Band / Dream Being @ Pehrspace ($8)

The Driftwood Singers @ Redwood

Brian Wright / Warhorse / Dirty Vegas (DJ Set) / Isobel Campbell (DJ set) @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP)

Tuesday 5/10/11

[Pick of the Night] Mogwai / Errors @ Mayan Theatre ($25) – Powerful live band.

[Recommended] Pinback / Kenseth Thibideau @ El Rey ($21)

[Recommended] Brian Whelan / Stephen Sowan / Jason Diaz @ Lot 1 Café ($5) – Buzzbands sponsored singer-songwriter showcase.

Alberta Cross / Blonde Summer / Twilight Sleep / The Romany Rye @ The Satellite ($10) – DJ Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups

The Lonely Wild / Instant People / The Bellows / Escalator Hill @ The Central (Free)

Parents / Seasons @ The Echo ($5)

Andrew W.K. / Wavves / Trash Talk @ Echoplex ($15)

Persephone’s Bees / Mots Nouveaux / Sean Kangataran @ Bootleg ($10)

Zodiac Death Valley / Red Circle Underground / Neon Hymns / Deap Valley @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Pegi Young / Erin McLaughlin @ Hotel Café ($15) – Neil’s wife.

Wednesday 5/11/11

[Pick of the Night] TV On the Radio / IO Echo @ The Music Box (Sold Out) – Rescheduled from last week. The new record’s worth picking up too.

[Recommended] Merle Haggard @ Grove of Anaheim ($40 - $65) – Legend. If you’re a country music fan you need to pay your respects. Unlike a lot of legends, he knows why he’s good and he gives you everything from the stage.

[Recommended] Elvis Costello and the Imposters @ The Wiltern (Sold Out) – I’ve never actually seen him, but I’m a big fan.

[Recommended] The Greenhornes / Jeff the Brotherhood / Wet Illustrated @ The Echo ($14) – Really good garage band. I haven’t seen them for a decade though.

[Recommended] Anna Waronker / Psychic Friend / Moxy Thynx @ The Satellite ($12) – I always liked that dog. I haven’t heard her recent solo stuff.

White Fence / Audacity / Tijuana Panthers @ Detroit Bar (Free w/ RSVP)

Coheed and Cambria @ Club Nokia ($35)

Colin Hay @ Largo ($30) – Men at Work

Le Butcherettes / Mike Watt & The Missing Men / Agent Ribbons @ Bootleg ($12) – Mike Watt puts on a great show.

Broken Numbers Band / The Far West / The Outdoors / The Orange Effect @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Kevin Devine / Leighton Meester / Yellow Red Sparks @ Hotel Café

Jew Cocks / Gnarbaby / Masxs / Cardboard Lamb @ The Smell ($5)

Low End Theory: DNAEBEATS / Mike Eagle / E. Super / Square Weezy @ Airliner ($10)

Thursday 5/12/11

[Pick of the Night] Elvis Costello and the Imposters @ The Wiltern ($50 - $60)

[Recommended] The Cars @ Hollywood Palladium ($63) – Ben Orr’s dead, but you’ve still got Ric Ocasek. The first two albums are classics and the buzz on the new one is good.

[Recommended] An Evening with Booker T. Jones @ Grammy Museum ($20) – Discussion and performance plus special guests Ozomatli. Just hearing Booker T. talk about the Stax’s days is worth the price of admission.

[Recommended] The Greenhornes / Jeff the Brotherhood @ Detroit Bar ($14) – If you missed them at the Echo on Wednesday.

[Recommended] Femi Kuti & the Positive Force @ El Rey ($30) – Fela’s oldest son.

[Recommended] Preservation Hall Jazz Band / The Del McCoury Band @ Royce Hall ($38 - $63) – Some real American music.

The Watson Twins / Wrong Way Driver / Cubby Lovers @ The Satellite ($10)

Cold Cave @ Space 15 Twenty – If you don’t want to see them with the Kills.

Hayes Carll / The Romany Rye @ Troubadour ($15)

Hands / The Goldberg Sisters / Corridor / Venus Illuminato @ Bootleg ($12) – Adam Goldberg’s band.

Calle 13 @ Club Nokia ($30 - $55)

The Knitters / Slang Chickens @ The Autry ($25)

Ras G / Jon Wayne / Take / Superdeluxe / Alter / Gaby Hernandez @ The Echo ($8)

Rudolph Herzog & Friends @ Largo ($35)

Viva City / Suddyn / Jetstream / Wormburner @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

The Purrs / Sky Parade @ Redwood

KT Tunstall @ House of Blues Anaheim ($29)

Neptune Blues Club (Featuring Marc Ford) @ Alex’s Bar ($5)

Friday 5/13/11

[Pick of the Week] The Henry Clay People / Shadow Shadow Shade / Apex Manor / The Dig @ The Satellite ($10) – For all out fun shows, this one takes it.

[Recommended] Urge Overkill / Astronaut Academy / Roll the Tanks @ Troubadour ($18) – I haven’t seen Urge Overkill for a good 15 years.

The Kills / Cold Cave @ The Music Box ($25)

Man Man / Shilpa Ray / Her Happy Hookers @ El Rey ($18)

Soulive / Lettuce / Break Science / Chali 2na @ Club Nokia ($30)

Mutaytor @ Echoplex ($12)

John Maus / Geneva Jacuzzi / Holy Shit @ The Echo ($10) – Ariel Pink associates

Brian McKnight / Jagged Edge @ Nokia Theatre ($35 - $88)

Above and Beyond @ Hollywood Palladium ($79)

Cranky George @ Bootleg ($10)

Penelope Edmund / Black Love / Roses Jade Camelia / Warrior Line @ The Smell ($5)

Nightmare – A Tribute to Alice Cooper @ Redwood

The English Beat @ House of Blues Anaheim ($25)

The Art Laboe Show @ Orpheum ($33 - $93) – Zapp, Peaches & Herb, etc.

Saturday 5/14/11

[Pick of the Night] The Henry Clay People / Shadow Shadow Shade / Manhattan Murder Mystery / maus haus @ The Satellite ($10) – Night two. They promise a different set list each night.

Peter Bjorn and John / Bachelorette @ El Rey (early show sold out / $25 for midnight show) – I stand behind their second and third albums.

Lord Huron featuring the Calder Quartet / The Union Line / Milo Greene @ Troubadour ($12)

Joan of Arc / Air Waves / Catwalk @ The Smell ($8)

Zac Brown Band @ Hollywood Bowl ($35 - $110)

The Kills / The Black Angels / Cold Cave @ Fox Theatre ($23)

The Beat Junkies / DJ Premier @ Echoplex ($10)

The Muffs / The Stripminers @ Alex’s Bar ($14)

KIIS FM’s Wango Tango: Ke$ha / Pitbull w/ J-Lo / Selena Gomez / Matthew Morrison / Lupe Fiasco / T-Pain @ Staples Center ($45 - $215)  

Rusko @ The Wiltern ($44 - $50)

Above and Beyond @ Hollywood Palladium ($79)

Tin Hat @ McCabe’s ($20)

Dante vs. Zombies / Lovely Bad Things @ Aladdins Jr. ($5)

French Quarter / Whitman / The Teeets / Voice on Tape @ Echo Park Country Outpost ($5)

So Many Wizards / Old Lumps / The Buzzards @ PB&J Gallery in Pomona ($2)

Sasquatch @ Redwood

Mickey Avalon @ The Roxy

Evil Maria @ Origami (Free) – 7:00 PM

Sunday 5/15/11

[Pick of the Night] The Black Angels / Sleepy Sun @ El Rey ($20) – Drugs and Sunday

[Recommended] TV On the Radio / IO Echo @ Fox Theatre ($25)

[Recommended] Big Sunday: Everest / Sarah Negahdari / Incan Abraham / Chapin Sisters @ Echoplex ($5 donation)

[Recommended] The Grand Ole Echo: Brian Whelan @ The Echo (Free) – Early show at 5:00 PM

Benefit for the Littlest Tumor Foundation: Best Coast / Jon Brion / Paul F. Tompkins @ Largo ($40)

Haroula / Charlie Wadhams / John Elliott / Terra Naomi @ Bootleg ($5)

Eisley / The Narrative / Christie DuPree @ Troubadour ($18)

Mia Doi Todd @ McCabe’s ($15)

The Dead Beats @ The Echo ($8)

The Moody Blues @ Nokia Theatre ($50 - $120) 

The Crystellles @ Redwood

Sean Hayes @ The Mint ($18)

Joan of Arc / Air Waves @ Detroit Bar ($10)

Kissing Cousins @ Origami (Free) – 6:00 PM

Happy Mother's Day (From Me and the Hag)

Recent Concert Announcements

The Wiltern

5/11/11: Elvis Costello [set-list decided by audience members spinning “The Spectacular Spinning Songbook” and then being invited sit on stage in  a “Society Lounge”] (presale Thursday at 10 AM; Friday at 10 AM)

6/9/11: Adele (presale Thursday at 10 AM; Friday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Palladium

6/10/11: Deftones (presale now; Friday at 10 AM)

Grove of Anaheim

5/12/11: Merle Haggard (presale Thursday at 10 AM); Saturday at Noon)

Orpheum

6/18/11: Brett Dennen (presale now; Friday at 10 AM)

El Rey

3/8/11: Khaira Arby / The Sway Machinery (Saturday at 10 AM)

4/25/11: Bell’Aria (now)

5/2/11: Xavier Rudd / HoneyHoney (Friday at 10 AM)

Club Nokia

3/9/11: Stryper (Friday at 10 AM)

3/30/11: KEM (Friday at 10 AM)

Nokia Theatre LA Live

3/19/11: Espinoza Paz (Saturday at 10 AM)

The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland]

3/22/11: Viva Voce / Damien Jurado (now at Ticketfly)

4/19/11: Those Darlings (now)

4/28/11: Dark Dark Dark / Y La Bamba (now)

5/21/11: S. Carey / Other Lives (now)

The Echo

Mondays in March: Spirit Vine

3/25/11: Say Hi / Parson Red Heads (now at TicketWeb)

3/31/11: The Baseball Project (now)

4/8/11: Hunx and His Punx / Shannon and the Clams (now)

4/12/11: Moon Duo (now)

4/20/11: Subhumans (now)

5/28/11: Allo Darlin (now)

Echoplex

3/25/11: Rainbow Arabia / Spoek Mathambo (now at TicketWeb)

3/28/11, 4/25/11, 5/9/11, 5/23/11: Chris Robinson Brotherhood (now)

4/23/11: Jamaica (now)

The Glass House

3/29/11: Sum 41 (Friday at Noon at Ticketfly)

3/31/11: She Wants Revenge (Friday at Noon at Ticketfly)

4/13/11: Sleigh Bells / The Klaxons (Friday at Noon at Ticketfly)

4/14/11: Broken Social Scene (Friday at Noon at Ticketfly)

The Smell

2/22/11: Vivian Girls (now at TicketWeb)

Silverlake Lounge

Mondays in March: Bowery Beasts

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)

Recently Announced Live Shows

Vampire Weekend Are Coming To Town in November

Largo
10/22/09: Ben Gibbard & Jay Farrar (call club)

The Fonda
11/8/09: Imogen Heap (Saturday at 10 AM)

El Rey
11/27/09: Rooney / Tally Hall (Saturday at 10 AM)

Club Nokia
12/4/09: The Cranberries (Friday at 10 AM)
1/27/10: The Pee Wee Herman Show (now)

Orpheum Theatre
12/16/09: Zero 7 (Saturday at 10 AM)

Empire Polo Club
4/24/10: Stagecoach Festival - Keith Urban / Sugarland / Billy Currington / Phil Vassar / Merle Haggard / Ray Price / Bobby Bare Jr. / Doyle Lawson (on sale 10/16/09)
4/25/10: Stagecoach Festival - Toby Keith / Brooks & Dunn / Gary Allan / Jamey Johnson / The Oak Ridge Boys / Little Jimmy Dickens / Bill Anderson / Avett Brothers / Chuck Mead / Mary Gauthier (on sale 10/16/09)

The Wiltern
11/20/09: Raphael Saadiq (Saturday at 10 AM)
12/9/09: Dierks Bentley (Saturday at 10 AM)

The Legendary Park Plaza
10/31/09: KCRW's Masquerade - DJ Shadow / Sea Wolf / Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros / Little Dragon (now through KCRW)

The Art Theater in Long Beach
11/2/09: Vampire Weekend (on sale Friday at Noon)

Pappy & Harriet's
11/5/09: Vampire Weekend (Friday at Noon on Ticketweb)
11/8/09: Leon Russell (now at Ticketweb)

Lomita VFW Hall in the South Bay
11/14/09: Vampire Weekend (Friday at Noon at Ticketweb)

Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock
10/16/09: Dan Deacon / Nuclear Power Pants (now at Ticketweb)
10/17/09: Horse the Band / Iwrestledabearonce (now at Ticketweb)
10/29/09: The Night Marchers / Nighthorse (now at Ticketweb)
12/4/09: Cold Cave / Former Ghosts (now at Ticketweb)

Sinking Radio: Merle Haggard's

This is my weekly reminder to tune in to the Sinking Radio show on LittleRadio.com. The show airs Friday from Noon to 2:00 PM. I believe Todd's back in town after running up the coast with Le Switch.

Each week on the show, the DJs kindly play an official You Set the Scene pick. My pick for tomorrow's show is Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried." To the uninitiated, the Hag is probably looked at as that redneck who wrote "Okie From Muskogee." In reality, Merle Haggard's one of the all time best songwriters and performers from any genre. His lyrics are full of humanity and I don't think anybody has written so many great ballads. 

Most of 2008's music trends left me cold (although a lot of great music was released). I wasn't feeling the no wave revival or the gay disco revival or all the bands (spanning genres) with tribal drum beats. So as 2009 started, I got heavy back into the Hag. 

My year started with a road trip with three friends to Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in Bakersfield to see Merle Haggard's first show back from lung cancer. When the cancer was announced, I immediately kicked myself for missing so many of his shows (I'd only seen him once). I knew I wanted to see him again, but worried his voice would be shot from the cancer.

As soon as the Hag hit the stage, he was home. Unlike a lot of the living legends I've seen, Merle Haggard knows why people love him. He stays true to himself as an artist, and it definitely doesn't hurt that he can choose from 75 or 80 fantastic songs he's recorded. 

He talked about fighting cancer and getting part of his lung removed. Remarkably, he still sounded fantastic. He couldn't quite hit all the notes, but most guys his age can't. With so many great songs, he didn't play everything I wanted to hear, but I'm not complaining. It was a long, generous set. With such autobiographical subject matter, it's amazing to hear his introductions to the songs.

Meanwhile, my friend loaned me a copy of Haggard's 1981 autobiography, Sing Me Back Home. The book's written in a folksy style and gives a lot of background on the Hag and the inspiration for his lyrics. Being an outlaw wasn't a marketing scheme/pose for him. When Haggard lost his father at a young age, he rebelled against society in a big way. He was constantly running away and in and out of juvie. He eventually got thrown in San Quentin for stealing a car. He already knew how to play guitar, but it was there that he saw Johnny Cash perform and got inspired to become a more serious musician. It's a warts and all look at Haggard, but I came away liking him even more. 

"Mama Tried" is probably the quintessential Haggard tune. It precedes 2Pac's "Dear Mama" by almost 30 years, but tells the same story. It's a heartfelt ode/apology to a delinquent's poor, single mother. Haggard takes a couple of liberties with the lyrics (he wasn't an only child and he wasn't sentenced to life without parole) but it's otherwise true. In the book, his mom says it still chokes her up when she hears it. 

Buy tickets to see the Hag at the Grove of Anaheim on 2/5/09

Buy the Down Every Road box set (you really do need all 100 songs)