Willie Nelson Makes Some Southern California Appearances This WeekI only made it out to see two bands last week - Flying Tourbillon Orchestra and The 88. Good times. If you've got kids, you should definitely take them out to the Kidrockers events. It's a little painful to see how awkward bands are with children, but it's fun to see how the kids react.
Lots of legends in town this week: Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Black Francis, Jonathan Richman and Morrissey for starters. There's also a healthy share of buzz bands (Passion Pit, Grooms, Band of Skulls, Zaza, Sic Alps) and as always, tons of cool local bands.
Monday 12/7/09
[Pick of the Night] Mere Mortals / Sky Parade / Threes and Nines / Special Guests @ Spaceland (Free) – According to the LA Weekly, Grand Duchy (featuring Black Francis and Violet Clark) are the special guests. Mere Mortals are doing the Monday night residency this month.
[Recommended] Morrissey / Doll & the Kicks @ Fox Theater Pomona (Sold Out)
[Recommended] Polyamorous Affair / Zaza / Tearist / Laco$te @ The Echo (Free) – This is part of the Manimal Vinyl residency. Zaza’s playing all over town this week.
[Recommended] The Blind Boy Paxton & Frank Fairfield Show @ Redwood Bar
Pizza! / Gull / Gone to Croatoan / Signals @ Pehrspace
Links / Mata Leon / Repeater / Giant State @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Links are doing the Monday night residency this month.
Rachel Cantu / Diamonds Under Fire @ Bootleg ($8)
One Eskimo @ Hotel Café ($10)
Tuesday 12/8/09
[Pick of the Night] Willie Nelson @ Club Nokia ($45 - $125) – Living legend
[Recommended] Benefit for Baby Winston Bertrand: Black Francis w/ Flea, members of Pixies, Love & Rockets, She Wants Revenge, Weird Al, Ok Go / Tenacious D / Michael Penn / Grand Duchy/ The 88 @ Echoplex ($25)
[Recommended] Jonathan Richman @ The Mint ($15)
Black Math Horseman / Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound / National Sunday Law @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Parade of Lights / Army Navy / Evan Voytas / White Arrows @ Spaceland (
Rosie Thomas Xmas Show with Josh Ottum & Special Guests @ Largo ($20)
A Night of the Beats @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($38 - $106) – Poets like Exene Cervenka, Michael McClure, Kurt Elling and David Meltzer read while Alan Broadbent, Joshua Redman and others play jazz.
Bruce Hornsby & the Range @ House of Blues Sunset
Zaza @ Origami Records (Free) – 7:00 PM show
The French Semester / The Spires / The Monthlies / Seasons @ The Echo ($5)
Horse Stories / Son of the Velvet Rat / The Steelwells / Yellow Red Sparks @ Bootleg ($8)
Meiko @ Hotel Café ($12) – at 10 PM
AM / Sara Lov @ Hotel Café ($10) – From 8 – 10 PM
I See Stars @ Troubadour ($14)
Wednesday 12/9/09
[Pick of the Night] Henry Wolfe / Nik Freitas / Rex Aquarium / Learning Music @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – The return of Rex Aquarium is a pretty big deal in local music circles.
[Recommended] Jonathan Richman @ The Mint ($15)
[Recommended] Club NME: Zaza / In Waves / Io Echo (DJ Set) @ Spaceland ($8)
[Recommended] Benefit for Baby Winston Bertrand: Host Black Francis / Tim and Eric (music set) / Bob Odenkirk / Brian Posehn / Dave Lovering (magic act) @ Echoplex ($25)
[Recommended] Willie Nelson @ Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks ($65 - $85)
[Recommended] Grand Hallway / Cave Country / Buddy / The Good Listeners @ Bootleg ($8) [Recommended] Califone @ Hammer Museum (Free) - Screening of Califone's film All My Friends Are Funeral Singers followed by a live performance. Starts at 8:00 PM.
Bebel Gilberto @ The Fonda ($25)
Low End Theory Club @ Airliner ($10)
Holiday Organ Spectacular @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($25 - $72)
Sean Paul @ House of Blues Sunset
Good for the Jews with Marc Maron @ Largo ($25)
Spaceland on Ice: Light FM @ Pershing Square (Free) – Show starts at 7PM
Dierks Bentley / Eric Church @ The Wiltern – Go Country’s Christmas concert
JR Richards @ Hotel Café ($12)
The Finches / Foot Ox / Splinter Cake / Whitman @ The Smell
Volbeat @ Troubadour ($15)
Thursday 12/10/09
[Pick of the Night] Morrissey @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($90) – Legend. Tix remain.
[Recommended] Brydan Smith / Grooms / The Northstar Session / Radio Moscow @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Presented by Aquarium Drunkard
[Recommended] Jonathan Richman @ The Mint ($15)
The Boxmasters featuring: Billy Bob Thornton @ House of Blues Sunset ($17.50) – Wanna let BBT master your box?
Lemon Sun / Dirty Sweet / The Silent Comedy / Spirit Vine @ Spaceland ($10)
Skinny Puppy / Vvervvolf Grehv / Baseck @ Club Nokia ($30)
Huebel & Scheer Rockettes Christmas Spectacular @ Largo ($20)
Space Waves / Boy Scout Jamboree (Spindrift acoustic) / Happy Prescriptions / Old Toy
Trains @ Mr. T’s Bowl
Live Arts Benefit: Alanis Morissette / Greg Laswell / Miss Willie Brown @ Troubadour ($75)
Deadbolt / Throw Rag / Motochrist / Blagg Dahlia (acoustic set) @ The Echo ($10)
Agent Ribbons / Evan Way / The Finches @ Bootleg ($8)
Jim Bianco @ Hotel Café ($10)
Tape Deck Mountain / All Wrong & the Plans Change / Evan Voytas / The Drowning Men @ 3 of Clubs
Friday 12/11/09
[Pick of the Night] Jon Brion @ Largo ($25) – Wish Jon a happy birthday.
[Recommended] Son Volt / Sera Cahoone @ El Rey ($20)
[Recommended] Tristeza / Lower Heaven / Drew Andrews @ Spaceland ($10)
[Recommended] Magik Markers / Sic Alps / Foot Village / Bipolar Bear @ The Smell ($5) – Big night for the more adventurous.
Zaza @ Vacatopm Records – 7:00 PM
Ice Cube @ House of Blues Sunset ($50)
People Under the Stairs / Kenan Bell @ Detroit Bar ($15)
Band of Skulls / Red Cortez @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
Curtis Peoples / Keaton Simons @ The Mint ($8)
Queen Kwong / Dante vs. Zombies / Echoes De Luxe @ Bootleg ($8)
Camp Freddy @ The Roxy ($20)
Tower of Power / Average White Band @ Club Nokia ($35 - $55)
John Doe @ McCabe’s ($20) – The early show at 8PM is sold out, but there are still tickets for the 10 PM show.
The Capshuns / Bixby Knolls @ The Echo ($5)
Flavors 1990’s Party: DJ Spinna / J. Rocc / DJ Scratch @ The Echoplex ($15)
The Rescues / Brian Wright & the Waco Tragedies @ Hotel Café ($12)
The Christmas Music of Manheim Steamroller @ Nokia Theatre ($50 - $70)
Saturday 12/12/09
[Pick of the Night] Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys with the Jonas Brothers and More @ Nokia Theatre ($50 - $150) – Picked because of Stevie, not the Bros.
[Recommended] Princeton / The Parson Red Heads / The Coals @ Spaceland ($8)
Passion Pit / Band of Skulls / Plague Vendor @ Fox Pomona ($25) – Hipster dance party.
KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas: AFI / Rise Against / 30 Seconds to Mars / Three Days Grace / Anberlin / Dead By Sunrise @ Gibson Amphitheatre (Sold Out)
Grooms / 60 Watt Kid / Tempo No Tempo / Professor Calculus @ The Courtyard ($5) - Located at 1670 Beverly Blvd
Pocahaunted / James Ferraro / Mark McGuire / Vodka Soap / Mirror to Mirror @ The Smell ($5)
Todd Snider @ El Rey ($25)
Stand Up Dads: Greg Behrendt / Dana Gould @ Largo ($25)
Mike Watt & His Missingmen / Ladyheat @ Redwood Bar – Local legend.
Grant Lee Phillips / Sara Watkins @ Hotel Café ($15) – From 7 – 10 PM
The Start / Mellowdrone / Shiloe / Cat Party @ Troubadour ($12)
The Rescues / Kate Earl @ Hotel Café ($12) – Starts at 10 PM
Palo Verde / Cinder Cone @ Echo Curio
John Gorka @ McCabe’s ($20)
Hit + Run 4-Year Anniversary: The Gaslamp Killer / Kutmah / Nobody / Abcnt / Farmer Dave Scher (DJ set) @ Echoplex ($10)
Brett Dennen / Grace Potter and the Nocturnals / Robert Francis @ The Wiltern ($25)
Sunday 12/13/09
[Pick of the Night] Letting Up Despite Great Faults / Death Kit / Spirit Animal / Wet & Reckless @ Spaceland (Free)
KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas: Muse / 311 / Phoenix / The Bravery / Slightly Stoopid / Metric @ Gibson Amphitheatre (Sold Out) – Expect a Muse U.S. concert announcement very shortly (with some local favorites as the opener). I would like to see Phoenix and Muse puts on a powerful show.
Benefit for Fran Drescher’s Cancer Movement: Jackson Browne / Olivia Newton John / Inara George / Beth Nielsen @ Million Dollar Theatre ($30 - $100) – I would like to see Jackson Browne.
Aimee Mann Christmas Show @ Largo (Sold Out)
CHURCH / Manhattan Murder Mystery / M31 @ The Smell ($5)
Evangelista / Thrones @ Echoplex ($12)
The Slits / Weave! @ The Echo ($12)
Brittain Ashford / Evan Way / Cricket @ Echo Curio
Dan Crow / J.P. Nightingale @ McCabe’s ($8) – Early show at 11 AM.
Bid D and the Kids Table @ El Rey ($17)
Joe Purdy / Meaghan Smith / Lauren Shera @ Hotel Café
[Pick of the Night] Mere Mortals / Sky Parade / Threes and Nines / Special Guests @ Spaceland (Free) – According to the LA Weekly, Grand Duchy (featuring Black Francis and Violet Clark) are the special guests. Mere Mortals are doing the Monday night residency this month.
[Recommended] Morrissey / Doll & the Kicks @ Fox Theater Pomona (Sold Out)
[Recommended] Polyamorous Affair / Zaza / Tearist / Laco$te @ The Echo (Free) – This is part of the Manimal Vinyl residency. Zaza’s playing all over town this week.
[Recommended] The Blind Boy Paxton & Frank Fairfield Show @ Redwood Bar
Pizza! / Gull / Gone to Croatoan / Signals @ Pehrspace
Links / Mata Leon / Repeater / Giant State @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Links are doing the Monday night residency this month.
Rachel Cantu / Diamonds Under Fire @ Bootleg ($8)
One Eskimo @ Hotel Café ($10)
Tuesday 12/8/09
[Pick of the Night] Willie Nelson @ Club Nokia ($45 - $125) – Living legend
[Recommended] Benefit for Baby Winston Bertrand: Black Francis w/ Flea, members of Pixies, Love & Rockets, She Wants Revenge, Weird Al, Ok Go / Tenacious D / Michael Penn / Grand Duchy/ The 88 @ Echoplex ($25)
[Recommended] Jonathan Richman @ The Mint ($15)
Black Math Horseman / Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound / National Sunday Law @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Parade of Lights / Army Navy / Evan Voytas / White Arrows @ Spaceland (
Rosie Thomas Xmas Show with Josh Ottum & Special Guests @ Largo ($20)
A Night of the Beats @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($38 - $106) – Poets like Exene Cervenka, Michael McClure, Kurt Elling and David Meltzer read while Alan Broadbent, Joshua Redman and others play jazz.
Bruce Hornsby & the Range @ House of Blues Sunset
Zaza @ Origami Records (Free) – 7:00 PM show
The French Semester / The Spires / The Monthlies / Seasons @ The Echo ($5)
Horse Stories / Son of the Velvet Rat / The Steelwells / Yellow Red Sparks @ Bootleg ($8)
Meiko @ Hotel Café ($12) – at 10 PM
AM / Sara Lov @ Hotel Café ($10) – From 8 – 10 PM
I See Stars @ Troubadour ($14)
Wednesday 12/9/09
[Pick of the Night] Henry Wolfe / Nik Freitas / Rex Aquarium / Learning Music @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – The return of Rex Aquarium is a pretty big deal in local music circles.
[Recommended] Jonathan Richman @ The Mint ($15)
[Recommended] Club NME: Zaza / In Waves / Io Echo (DJ Set) @ Spaceland ($8)
[Recommended] Benefit for Baby Winston Bertrand: Host Black Francis / Tim and Eric (music set) / Bob Odenkirk / Brian Posehn / Dave Lovering (magic act) @ Echoplex ($25)
[Recommended] Willie Nelson @ Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks ($65 - $85)
[Recommended] Grand Hallway / Cave Country / Buddy / The Good Listeners @ Bootleg ($8) [Recommended] Califone @ Hammer Museum (Free) - Screening of Califone's film All My Friends Are Funeral Singers followed by a live performance. Starts at 8:00 PM.
Bebel Gilberto @ The Fonda ($25)
Low End Theory Club @ Airliner ($10)
Holiday Organ Spectacular @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($25 - $72)
Sean Paul @ House of Blues Sunset
Good for the Jews with Marc Maron @ Largo ($25)
Spaceland on Ice: Light FM @ Pershing Square (Free) – Show starts at 7PM
Dierks Bentley / Eric Church @ The Wiltern – Go Country’s Christmas concert
JR Richards @ Hotel Café ($12)
The Finches / Foot Ox / Splinter Cake / Whitman @ The Smell
Volbeat @ Troubadour ($15)
Thursday 12/10/09
[Pick of the Night] Morrissey @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($90) – Legend. Tix remain.
[Recommended] Brydan Smith / Grooms / The Northstar Session / Radio Moscow @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Presented by Aquarium Drunkard
[Recommended] Jonathan Richman @ The Mint ($15)
The Boxmasters featuring: Billy Bob Thornton @ House of Blues Sunset ($17.50) – Wanna let BBT master your box?
Lemon Sun / Dirty Sweet / The Silent Comedy / Spirit Vine @ Spaceland ($10)
Skinny Puppy / Vvervvolf Grehv / Baseck @ Club Nokia ($30)
Huebel & Scheer Rockettes Christmas Spectacular @ Largo ($20)
Space Waves / Boy Scout Jamboree (Spindrift acoustic) / Happy Prescriptions / Old Toy
Trains @ Mr. T’s Bowl
Live Arts Benefit: Alanis Morissette / Greg Laswell / Miss Willie Brown @ Troubadour ($75)
Deadbolt / Throw Rag / Motochrist / Blagg Dahlia (acoustic set) @ The Echo ($10)
Agent Ribbons / Evan Way / The Finches @ Bootleg ($8)
Jim Bianco @ Hotel Café ($10)
Tape Deck Mountain / All Wrong & the Plans Change / Evan Voytas / The Drowning Men @ 3 of Clubs
Friday 12/11/09
[Pick of the Night] Jon Brion @ Largo ($25) – Wish Jon a happy birthday.
[Recommended] Son Volt / Sera Cahoone @ El Rey ($20)
[Recommended] Tristeza / Lower Heaven / Drew Andrews @ Spaceland ($10)
[Recommended] Magik Markers / Sic Alps / Foot Village / Bipolar Bear @ The Smell ($5) – Big night for the more adventurous.
Zaza @ Vacatopm Records – 7:00 PM
Ice Cube @ House of Blues Sunset ($50)
People Under the Stairs / Kenan Bell @ Detroit Bar ($15)
Band of Skulls / Red Cortez @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
Curtis Peoples / Keaton Simons @ The Mint ($8)
Queen Kwong / Dante vs. Zombies / Echoes De Luxe @ Bootleg ($8)
Camp Freddy @ The Roxy ($20)
Tower of Power / Average White Band @ Club Nokia ($35 - $55)
John Doe @ McCabe’s ($20) – The early show at 8PM is sold out, but there are still tickets for the 10 PM show.
The Capshuns / Bixby Knolls @ The Echo ($5)
Flavors 1990’s Party: DJ Spinna / J. Rocc / DJ Scratch @ The Echoplex ($15)
The Rescues / Brian Wright & the Waco Tragedies @ Hotel Café ($12)
The Christmas Music of Manheim Steamroller @ Nokia Theatre ($50 - $70)
Saturday 12/12/09
[Pick of the Night] Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys with the Jonas Brothers and More @ Nokia Theatre ($50 - $150) – Picked because of Stevie, not the Bros.
[Recommended] Princeton / The Parson Red Heads / The Coals @ Spaceland ($8)
Passion Pit / Band of Skulls / Plague Vendor @ Fox Pomona ($25) – Hipster dance party.
KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas: AFI / Rise Against / 30 Seconds to Mars / Three Days Grace / Anberlin / Dead By Sunrise @ Gibson Amphitheatre (Sold Out)
Grooms / 60 Watt Kid / Tempo No Tempo / Professor Calculus @ The Courtyard ($5) - Located at 1670 Beverly Blvd
Pocahaunted / James Ferraro / Mark McGuire / Vodka Soap / Mirror to Mirror @ The Smell ($5)
Todd Snider @ El Rey ($25)
Stand Up Dads: Greg Behrendt / Dana Gould @ Largo ($25)
Mike Watt & His Missingmen / Ladyheat @ Redwood Bar – Local legend.
Grant Lee Phillips / Sara Watkins @ Hotel Café ($15) – From 7 – 10 PM
The Start / Mellowdrone / Shiloe / Cat Party @ Troubadour ($12)
The Rescues / Kate Earl @ Hotel Café ($12) – Starts at 10 PM
Palo Verde / Cinder Cone @ Echo Curio
John Gorka @ McCabe’s ($20)
Hit + Run 4-Year Anniversary: The Gaslamp Killer / Kutmah / Nobody / Abcnt / Farmer Dave Scher (DJ set) @ Echoplex ($10)
Brett Dennen / Grace Potter and the Nocturnals / Robert Francis @ The Wiltern ($25)
Sunday 12/13/09
[Pick of the Night] Letting Up Despite Great Faults / Death Kit / Spirit Animal / Wet & Reckless @ Spaceland (Free)
KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas: Muse / 311 / Phoenix / The Bravery / Slightly Stoopid / Metric @ Gibson Amphitheatre (Sold Out) – Expect a Muse U.S. concert announcement very shortly (with some local favorites as the opener). I would like to see Phoenix and Muse puts on a powerful show.
Benefit for Fran Drescher’s Cancer Movement: Jackson Browne / Olivia Newton John / Inara George / Beth Nielsen @ Million Dollar Theatre ($30 - $100) – I would like to see Jackson Browne.
Aimee Mann Christmas Show @ Largo (Sold Out)
CHURCH / Manhattan Murder Mystery / M31 @ The Smell ($5)
Evangelista / Thrones @ Echoplex ($12)
The Slits / Weave! @ The Echo ($12)
Brittain Ashford / Evan Way / Cricket @ Echo Curio
Dan Crow / J.P. Nightingale @ McCabe’s ($8) – Early show at 11 AM.
Bid D and the Kids Table @ El Rey ($17)
Joe Purdy / Meaghan Smith / Lauren Shera @ Hotel Café
