My Favorite New Music Releases of 2010 (Top 20)

A big thanks to all these artists for putting out great music this year. I had a lot of fun listening to music this year...

20)  Jamey Johnson: The Guitar Song (Mercury) – I was initially interested in this for the packaging. It’s a 3LP set with the first disc on black vinyl, the second disc on half white/half black vinyl and the third disc on white vinyl. It’s shitkicker music, but ambitious shitkicker music in the tradition of Merle Haggard. Across 25 songs, Johnson shows his tender side, his sense of humor and his pissed off blue collar, ex-Marine, Southerner side. Points off for being the co-writer of “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” (although he made more in the hour it took him to write that than I’ve made all year). 

19)  Aloha: Home Acres (Polyvinyl) – They’re such an underrated band. It’s layered, emotional indie rock. Click through to listen on Polyvinyl’s band page.

18)  Pernice Brothers: Goodbye, Killer (Ashmont) – I still like Joe Pernice’s wordplay. Who else writes a song called “Bechamel?” Highlights are “The Great Depression” and “Something For You.” 
MP3: Jacqueline Susann

17)  The Moondoggies: Tidelands (Hardly Art) – This one’s not as loose and carefree as their debut, but it is quality roots rock that’s been growing on me since its release.
MP3: It’s a Shame, It’s a Pity

16) Futurebirds: Hampton’s Lullaby (Autumn Tone) – Tasty Americana with no pretense. Aquarium Drunkard’s got some downloads HERE.

15)  Roky Erickson: True Love Cast Out All Evil (Anti-) – This is the best thing Erickson’s done since 1967. A lot of the credit has to go to his backing band, Okkervil River. “Goodbye Sweet Dreams” is the standout track. Left click HERE to stream tracks from Anti-

14)  Dungen: Skit I Allt (Mexican Summer) – Swedish psych mang. This one’s a little mellow and free. Tame Impala may be getting all the attention right now, but I still like Dungen better.  

13) Sleigh Bells: Treats (Mom & Pop Music) – For people who know me, this is probably the most surprising inclusion on this list. They push everything to the point of complete distortion but keep it fun. Their eyesore of a website is the visual equivalent of their music, yet somehow it works (the music, not the website).  

12) Le Switch: The Rest of Me Is Space (Self-released) - These local guys were also #3 on my LA best of list. Stream the whole album HERE.
MP3: All About Heart

11) The Soft Pack: The Soft Pack (Kemado) – A 33 minute blast of simple, hooky rock ‘n’ roll songs. No affectation – just fun.  The vocals are high in the mix and his voice is sort of a cross between Julian Casablancas and Jonathan Richman. I guess they live in LA now, I still think of them as a San Diego band, so I left them off mine. Highlights are “More or Less” and “C’Mon.” Stream songs HERE.

10) Surfer Blood: Astro Coast (Kanine) –The easiest (and most reductive) way to describe them is Weezer meets the Shins. The vocals are processed and buried in the mix but come through clean on the choruses. The occasional bit of tropical percussion creeps through from time to time. Bonus points for the David Lynch and Twin Peaks references. Highlights are “Swim” and “Harmonix.”

9) Menomena: Mines (Barsuk) – This record is a bit depressing, so I don’t listen to it as much as some of the other stuff on this list. It’s chaotic, unpredictable and has quick time signature changes. Menomena once again prove there’s a place for saxophone in indie rock.
MP3: Five Little Rooms

8) The Besnard Lakes: The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night (Jagjaguwar) – They build songs like nobody else. Swirling guitars, falsettos and intense as shit. See them live because it’s always a highlight of the year.
MP3: Albatross  

7) Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings: I Learned the Hard Way (Daptone) – Retro soul done so well. Great voice, great band and really good songs add up to repeat listening.

6)  The Black Keys: Brothers (Nonesuch) – It’s blues rock so you’ll hear some copped riffs. On this record you might also hear some Tom Jones, T. Rex and Cold War Kids.

5)  Radar Brothers: The Illustrated Garden (Merge) – This was #2 on my local list. It might be my most listened to record of the year.

4)  Aloe Blacc: Good Things (Stones Throw) – This was #1 on my local list. Like a lost Bill Withers’ record from 1973.

3)  Deerhunter: Halcyon Digest (4AD) – This guy should not be allowed to sequence his own records. It starts out slow and then really hits its stride around track five. “Helicopter” and “Desire Lines” are two personal favorites.
MP3: Revival

2)  Kelley Stoltz: To Dreamers (Sub Pop) – I just enjoy the shit out of Kelley Stoltz’s music. Hipsters would probably rather listen to the other band he plays with, Sonny & the Sunsets (and they’re pretty good too) but I love this. Maybe I love the 1960s too much?  
MP3: I Don’t Get That

1) Phosphorescent: Here’s to Taking It Easy (Dead Oceans) – On wax their laid back grooves make them seem like a modern day Willie Nelson. But live, his superb band completely annihilated the Troubadour earlier this year. There’s tons of beautiful pedal steel on this record. Highlights include “Tell Me Baby (Have You Had Enough)” and “The Mermaid Parade.”
MP3: The Mermaid Parade

Top 10 Local (Los Angeles) Releases of 2010

It was another great year to be a local music fan. The diversity of music in this town is pretty staggering. A few of these releases will pop up on national top 10 lists while a few others will probably only be on my own.....

10) Glasser: Ring (True Panther) – If you see a lot of local bands, then you’ve seen dramatic singing paired with weird outfits and extreme electronic beats (is it Har Mar’s fault?). For the record I like Har Mar, but a lot of the more tribal stuff makes me want to tear my eyes out and jam pencils into my eardrums. Glasser’s record teases at some of these elements, but falls solidly on the good side of the spectrum.

MP3: Mirrorage

9) Local Natives: Gorilla Manor (French Kiss) –Somebody had to form a band that sounded like 1/3 Grizzly Bear, 1/3 Fleet Foxes and 1/3 Vampire Weekend – might as well be them. Nice harmonies. My only real knock is that some of the songs could have been tightened up a bit (but you could say the same thing about Fleet Foxes), overall a very solid debut.

MP3: Sun Hands

8) Flying Lotus: Cosmogramma (Warp) – I’m not really a fusion fan or beats guy, so this isn’t really in my wheelhouse. But this is the kinda thing that I like to put on when I’m working (just what every artist wants to be – background music). Very few lyrics in there to get in the way, but plenty of textures to hold up on repeated listens. 

7) John Carpenter: Fairy Tales Forgotten (self-released) – On this record, he’s got a little bit of a weird, almost sinister Shudder to Think vibe. His live show can be significantly more rocking and blues heavy. Either way, he’s an artist I’m keeping my eye on. Stream Album

6) Warpaint: The Fool (Rough Trade) – When you follow a band through its early evolution and lineup changes, you’re never quite sure what their debut record’s going to be like and how they’ll be received on the international stage. With Warpaint, it was even better than expected on both counts. Atmospheric and moody afterparty jams.

MP3: Undertow

5) The Henry Clay People: Somewhere On the Golden Coast (TBD Records) – Longtime followers of the band were expecting more new songs (especially with the outtakes floating around out there) but as the first nationally distributed album, it’s a good representation of the band. They’re not concerned with changing the world, just helping you temporarily escape from it and I think Paul Westerberg would approve of that sentiment.

4) Off!: First Four EPs (Vice) – This has so much energy it transports back in time to seventh grade when I first got into punk and hardcore. The Circle Jerks were always a favorite so it’s appropriate that Keith Morris is involved. At the age of 55, Morris’ intensity puts all you youngsters to shame.

3) Le Switch: The Rest of Me Is Space (self-released) - The band tweaked their lineup, making more of a straight rock ‘n’ roll album this time around. I’ve always appreciated the honesty and way Aaron Kyle lays it all on the line when he sings. I volunteered to write press materials for this, so you probably already knew I was a fan.

MP3: Call Out

2) Radar Brothers: The Illustrated Garden (Merge) – I was excited when the band met me at Verdugo Bar to gauge my interest in working on their press materials and even more excited after I took the record home and listened to it. They’ve been my favorite LA band for 12 years and this is their best release since 2002’s And the Surrounding Mountains. It’s got such a rich, warm, comforting sound – quite possibly my most listened to record of the year.

Download "Horses Warriors" (click through to Merge)

1) Aloe Blacc: Good Things (Stones Throw) – If you’re a fan of old school soul, Aloe Blacc’s the real deal. He’s an insanely talented singer and it comes off so effortless. He blows away all the other local, neo-soul singers I’ve seen. His “Femme Fatale” cover might be my least favorite song on the record, but it’s probably a good entry point if you’re not a big soul fan. 

MP3: Dark End of the Street (not from the album)

Live Music Options: 10/11/10 - 10/17/10

The Morning Benders Come to the Music Box on Thursday

Had a really good week seeing live music last week. Belle & Sebastian at the Hollywood Forever was very cool. It was a pretty mellow set, but they sounded quite good. The stage and viewing area was much larger than I expected and you could take a picnic in without anybody really looking too closely at your stuff. We got there kinda late, so parking was a problem. Quite a hike through Hollywood. I also caught Besnard Lakes at the Echoplex on Friday. So good. They played a lot off of The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse, which made me very happy.

Monday 10/11/10

[Pick of the Week] Teenage Fanclub / Radar Brothers @ El Rey ($25) – Huge fan of both of these bands.

[Recommended] Wet & Reckless / White Arrows / The Franks / Practice Band @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

[Recommended] Radars to the Sky / George Glass / Red Cortez / Backwords @ Spaceland (Free)

[Recommended] Evan Voytas / Hands @ The Echo (Free)

Fran Healy / Carina Round @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP)

Jessie Baylin / The Belle Brigade / Whispertown @ Bootleg ($10)

Danielle Ate the Sandwich / The Wellspring @ Hotel Café

Tuesday 10/12/10

[Pick of the Night] The 88 / Scott Doherty @ Troubadour ($15)

Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile / Jon Brion @ El Rey ($25) – Kinda like Largo, but at the El Rey

Remy Zero / Sanders Bolhke / Great Northern @ Spaceland ($15) – They of the theme to Smallville

Eels / Jesca Hoop @ The Music Box ($31)

Fran Healy / The Hopelessly Devoted / Robotanists @ Hotel Café (Sold Out) – Travis fans who missed him this weekend

Macy Gray / Nikki & Rich @ The Roxy ($25)

The Blakes / Sea of Cortez / Lord Huron @ Bootleg ($10)

The Melvins / Totimoshi @ Detroit Bar ($18)

Smog Sessions @ The Echo ($10)

Olentangy John / Silver City Dead / Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside / We Are Country Mice @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

The Script / Hugo @ The Wiltern ($35 - $42)

Dave Koz @ Grammy Museum ($15)

Jack Johnson @ Verizon Wireless

James @ House of Blues Anaheim

Alice in Chains / Deftones / Mastodon @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($20 - $80)

Wednesday 10/13/10

[Pick of the Night] Off! @ Club Lingerie ($8) – 1^st EP Record Release show

[Recommended] Off! @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM show. The band features Keith Morris, Dimitri Coats, Mario Rubalcaba and Steven McDonald

[Recommended] The Corin Tucker Band / The Golden Bears / Wait.Think.Fast @ El Rey ($18) – I was a Sleater-Kinney fan.

Frightened Rabbit / Plants and Animals / Bad Veins @ Mayan Theatre ($20)

Bettie Serveert @ Spaceland ($15) – Hard to believe their first album came out on Matador in the US in 1992.

James / Ed Harcourt @ The Music Box ($27.50)

Gogol Bordello / Forro In the Dark @ Club Nokia ($35)

Matt Costa / Threes & Nines @ Troubadour ($18)

The Acorn / Leif Vollebekk / Stone Darling @ The Echo ($12)

El Ten Eleven / Baths / Sister Crayon @ Bootleg ($12)

Go West Young Man / The Spies / Square on Square / Novacriminal @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Cinjun Tate @ 3 of Clubs (Free)

Low End Theory: Exile / Sam XL @ Airliner ($10)

Thursday 10/14/10

[Pick of the Night] The Morning Benders / Twin Sister / Cults @ The Music Box ($17.50) – That Morning Benders record has really grown on me.

[Recommended] Shadow Shadow Shade / Eastern Conference Champions / Lesands @ Echoplex ($12)

M.I.A. / Rye Rye @ Mayan Theatre (Sold Out)

Zola Jesus / Broken Spindles / Obstacle Corpse @ The Echo ($10)

Legendary Shack Shakers / Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies @ Spaceland ($12)

Miike Snow / Mark Ronson & the Business Intl / MNDR @ Club Nokia ($25)

K-OS / Shad / Astronautilus @ El Rey ($20)

John West / Sara Haze / Isaiah Blas & the Pennant @ Troubadour ($15)

Cory Chisel / Henry Wolfe / Hand @ Bootleg ($12)

Death to Anders / George Glass / Francisco the Man / Maxwell Demon @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Toby Lightman / Sweet Talk Radio @ Hotel Café

The MuerTones / Margate / Triple Chicken Foot @ Redwood

CKY @ The Roxy ($20)

Valient Thorr / Red Fang @ Detroit Bar

Friday 10/15/10

[Pick of the Night] David Bazan / Wye Oak @ Spaceland ($17) – On a night inundated with clubby (both lounge and dance) bands, here’s your alternative. I’ve got some tickets to give away for this one.

LCD Soundsystem / Hot Chip / Sleigh Bells @ Hollywood Bowl ($40 - $72) – I do like some of those Sleigh Bells songs (they'll headline El Rey on the 20th).

Four Tet / Jon Hopkins @ The Music Box ($20)

Kruder & Dorfmeister / Jason Bentley @ Club Nokia ($45)

LTJ Bukem @ House of Blues Sunset ($30)

Miike Snow / Mark Ronson & the Business Intl / MNDR @ The Wiltern ($35)

Eric Andersen accompanied by Van Dyke Parks @ McCabe’s ($22.50)

Mike Doughty / Mike Viola @ Bootleg ($22)

Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea / Gamble House @ The Echo ($12)

Look at What the Light Did Now (Feist film) @ Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever ($12)

Manhattan Murder Mystery / Luna is Honey / Torches in Trees @ Pehrspace

Jamaica / Nighwaves / Parallels / French Horn Rebellion @ Echoplex ($10)

Slant / Color Free @ Troubadour ($12)

Malaikat dan Singa / Foot Village / Neverever / Dunes @ The Smell ($5)

Say Anything / Motion City Soundtrack / Saves the Day / Valencia @ Avalon ($34)

Maxim Ludwig & the Santa Fe Seven / Parlor Hawk @ Hotel Café

Pure Country Gold / Sawyer Family / The Country / The Rebel Set @ Redwood

The Aggrolites @ The Roxy ($20)

Frightened Rabbit / Plants and Animals / Bad Veins @ House of Blues Anaheim

Saturday 10/16/10

[Pick of the Night] The National / Owen Pallett @ Fox Theater ($33) – I’m not really a big fan of the National, but I’ve always felt like I should be.

Kenan Bell / Hesta Prynn @ Bootleg ($10)

Dub Quake: Michael Rose / Scientist with Roots Radics / Sister Nancy / Ranking Joe / Lloyd Hemmings / Lady Tigra and others @ Echoplex ($25 for two day pass)

Bootie LA @ Spaceland ($5 before 10 PM, $10 after) – LA’s bimonthly mashup bootleg party

Valient Thorr / Red Fang / Green and Wood @ The Echo ($10) – This is an early show at 6:00 PM

Gaelic Storm @ Troubadour ($23)

Rocket / The Spider Problem @ 3 Clubs

Paul F. Tompkins show @ Largo ($25)

Ron White @ the Wiltern ($60 - $70)

Palm Reader / Plasma Centre / Peter Pants / ParallaxScroll @ The Smell ($5)  

Tangent Transmission / Fim / John German & the Early Humans / Nacosta @ Pehrspace

Calavera / Wooly Bandits / Surf Rats / Inazuma @ Redwood

We Barbarians @ Detroit Bar ($10)

DJ Quik @ Key Club ($35)

Rabbits Rabbits Rabbits @ Origami (Free) – 7:00 PM

Sunday 10/17/10

[Pick of the Night] Jonsi / Mountain Man @ the Wiltern ($47 - $63) – Sigur Ros put on a great live show, so hopefully Jonsi holds his own.

[Recommended] Mountain Man @ Amoeba (Free) – 5:00 PM show

[Recommended] Jonsi @ Origami (Free) – 5:00 PM show but it’s already full

Holy Fuck / Indian Jewelry / Clip’d Beaks @ Spaceland ($14) – Critically acclaimed electronic band.

Die Antwoord @ The Music Box ($30) – South African rave-hop

Joe Frank @ McCabe’s (Sold Out)

Dubquake: The Heptones / Stone Love / Peanut Butter Wolf / The Lions / Sister Nancy / Tippa Lee @ Echoplex ($25 for two day passes)

Hoodoo Gurus @ Viper Room ($12)

T. Mills @ Troubadour ($15)

Vincent Minor / Obi Best @ Bootleg ($8)

Lucky Dragons / Mi Ami / Kit / The Urxed / Traps, ps @ Pehrspace

Million Kids / Scream / The Gears / Brainspoon @ Redwood

Rascall Flatts @ Verizon Wireless

Live Music Options: 9/14/10 - 9/19/10

A day late and a dollar short. I spent last week checking out a lot of music shrines and cities I'd never visited. Caught some great jazz, Charlie Louvin (hopefully not his last show) and some serious honky tonks. Some good stuff going on this week, unfortunately I'm still frantically playing catchup...

Tuesday 9/14/10
[Pick of the Night] The Tallest Man on Earth / S. Carey @ The Music Box ($18) – Nice, stripped down folk music. Sean Carey’s the drummer from Bon Iver.
Shonen Knife / Neverever / Fantastica Bastidas @ Spaceland ($14) – They’re also playing at 5:00 PM at Amoeba. Hard to believe Naoko will turn 50 this year.
Funeral Party / Deluka / Dahga Bloom @ Bootleg Theatre ($10) –Recently named #47 on NME’s best new bands of 2010.
Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group / Le Butcherettes @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
Mason Jennings @ Largo ($25)
She Saw / The Diet Thrills Foreman / Tremellow @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
A Pretty Mess / The Black Widows / Abactive Ramex @ Redwood Bar
Jan Bell / Will Scott / The Driftwood Singers / Judson and Mary @ Echo Curio
Daughtery @ Grammy Museum (Sold Out)

Wednesday 9/15/10
[Pick of the Night] AA Bondy / JBM / Up Died Sound @ Spaceland ($12) – I heard mixed things about the FYF Fest this year, but a lot of my friends really seemed to enjoy AA Bondy’s set.
[Recommended] The Melvins / Totimoshi @ Troubadour ($18) – Heavy sounds.
The Walkmen / Japandroids / Dan Mangan @ The Music Box ($23)
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club / Jeffertitti’s Nile @ The Glass House ($20)
Low End Theory: Diabia$e / Low Limit / Mike Gao / Blank Blue @ Airliner ($10)
Mason Jennings @ Largo ($25)
Bleu / Mike Viola @ Hotel Café
US Royalty / Chasing Kings / Line and Circle / The Smiles @ Bootleg ($8)
Another Perfect Crime / Thee Nataniel Fregoso and the Bountiful Hearts / EZ Tiger / Ingenue @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Pepper / Shwayze @ Grove of Anaheim
Stab City @ Redwood Bar
Fully Fullwood Band / Robert Ffrench @ Echoplex ($10 before 10 PM, $15 after)

Thursday 9/16/10
[Pick of the Night] Menomena / Suckers / Tu Fawning @ El Rey ($20) – I like the last couple of Menomena records. If you miss TV on the Radio, check them out.
[Recommended] Mark Kozelek @ Largo ($30) – I’ve liked him from the Red House Painters days. Also playing tomorrow night.
Buddy Guy @ Grammy Museum ($20)
AA Bondy / JBM @ Detroit Bar ($12) – If you missed him at Spaceland on Wednesday.
Primus / Mariachi El Bronx @ Club Nokia ($40 - $50)
Radio Moscow / Night Horse / The Shrine / Make Up Sex @ Spaceland ($10)
The Chapin Sisters / The Finches / Hi Ho Silver Oh @ The Echo
Sam Amidon / Miracle Parade / Il Gato @ Bootleg ($10)
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers / Audra Mae / Roy Jay @ Troubadour ($18)
Lower Heaven / Ben Starshine / Chief Nowhere / Stevenson Ranch Davidians @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Pepper / Shwayze @ Grove of Anaheim
Jennifer Knapp @ The Mint ($20)
Batwings Catwings / Sundelles / Unstoppable Death Machines @ The Smell ($5)
Pillars and Tongues / Metal Rouge / Up Died Sound / Team Brick @ Echo Curio
Hotrod Hillbillies / Badluck Bandits @ Redwood

Friday 9/17/10
[Pick of the Night] The Parson Red Heads / Le Switch / The World Record @ Spaceland ($5 or $2 if you wear all white) – The Parson Red Heads are moving back to Oregon. Wish them well (and see three great bands in one night).
[Recommended] Mark Kozelek @ Largo ($30) – I’ve liked him from the Red House Painters days.
Local Natives / The Love Language / The Union Line @ The Music Box (Sold Out) – The latest breakout LA band.
Autolux / Gold Panda @ The Glass House ($15)

Gamble House / Colleen Green @ Grand Star in Chinatown ($5) - Aquarium Drunkard's night
Pantha Du Prince / The Sight Below @ Echoplex ($14)
Men @ The Echo ($5)

Lobster Fest: Saint Motel / Venus Infers / Spider Problem @ Ports O'Call Village in San Pedro ($9)
Andy Clockwise @ Hotel Café
Daniel Ahearn / Alex & Sam / I Hate You Just Kidding / Nicole Vaughn @ Pehrspace
Primus / Mariachi El Bronx @ Club Nokia ($40 - $50)
Marina and the Diamonds / Young the Giant @ El Rey ($20)
Mystery Jets / Dominant Legs @ Troubadour ($18)
Kathleen Madigan @ Grove of Anaheim
Hanson / A Rocket to the Moon @ House of Blues Sunset ($39)
Eliza Gilkyson @ McCabe’s ($22.50)
Almon Loos / Omar & the Stringpoppers @ Redwood Bar
The Adicts @ Key Club ($25)
Disturbed / Avenged Sevenfold @ Verizon Wireless
yOya / Ana Caravelle @ Origami (Free) – 7:00 PM
Spirit Vine @ 5 Star Bar
The Silver Lake Chorus / Rose Rossi @ Bootleg ($10)
Bare Wires / Plasma Centre @ The Smell ($5)
Smithfield Bargain / Bikos / The Sunshine Factory / Tommy Santee Klaws @ Echo Curio

Saturday 9/18/10
[Pick of the Week] Phoenix / Grizzly Bear / Girls @ Hollywood Bowl (Sold Out) – Phoenix and Girls put out two of my favorite records last year.
[Recommended] The Love Language / Radar Brothers @ Origami Vinyl (Free) – The Love Language at 5:00 PM and Radar Brothers at 7:00. The new Radar Brothers is finally available on hot wax.
Local Natives / The Love Language / The Union Line @ The Music Box (Sold Out) – The latest breakout LA band.
Tyvek / Jeff the Brotherhood / Wounded Lion / Protect Me @ The Smell ($5) - Just got back from Nashville and Memphis and I saw Jeff the Brotherhood stuff everywhere down there.
Autolux / Gold Panda @ El Rey ($22) – Autolux is a good live band.
93.5 Kday’s Frest Fest: Ice Cube / DJ Quik / Tha Dogg Pound / Warren G @ Nokia Theatre ($25 -$85) – Good lineup.
Lobster Fest: Dengue Fever / Fitz & the Tantrums / Gram Rabbit / The Growlers / AWOLNATION / We Barbarians / Leslie & the Badgers @ Ports O'Call Village in San Pedro ($9)

The Riverdales / Kepi Ghoulie / Toys That Kill @ Troubadour ($20)
Old Lumps / Moses Campbell / Hi Ho Silver Oh / Ema and the Ghosts @ Pehrspace
The Paul F. Tompkins Show @ Largo ($25)
Serj Tankian @ Greek Theatre ($35 - $78)
Casxio / The Dance Party / Yellow Alex & the Feelings / SeanShan @ Spaceland ($8)
Heart @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($52 - $117)
Dirty Sweet / The Binges @ Bootleg ($10)
Reel Big Fish @ Grove of Anaheim
Nekromantix / The Howlers / Mutilators / The Grims @ The Glass House ($22)
Elizabeth Cook @ McCabe’s ($15)
Swords of Fatima / New Rome Quartet / Electric Children / Secret Society of the Sonic Six / Art of Bleeding @ Redwood Bar
Lyfe Jennings @ Key Club ($33) – Early and late show
Jack’s 5th Show: Steve Miller Band / The Cult / The Fixx / Night Ranger / Skid Row / Modern English / Sweet @ Verizon Wireless
Spider Problem / Bastidas / Dangerously Sleazy @ Echo Curio

Sunday 9/19/10
[Pick of the Night] Tamaryn / Puro Instinct / Dunes @ The Echo ($8) – These days, getting your music released on Mexican Summer pretty much guarantees every blogger, college radio kid and indie record store employee is going to give it a listen.
[Recommended] Richard Thompson @ Amoeba (Free) – 5:00 PM; Fairport Convention? Anyone?
[Recommended] Japandroids @ Detroit Bar ($12) – Spazzy in a good way.
Lobster Fest: John Doe & Exene Cervenka / The Section Quartet / Miss Derringer / Walking Sleep / Tijuana Panthers @ Ports O'Call Village in San Pedro ($9)

Mia Doi Todd / Henry Wolfe @ Hotel Café
Ozomatli / Calexico / Mexican Institute of Sound @ Hollywood Bowl ($17 - $141) – Interesting lineup.
Screeching Weasel / The Dollyrots @ Club Nokia ($27)
The Emotions / Deniece Williams / Barbara Lewis @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($29 - $102)
Pete Anderson / Gwendolyn / The David Brothers @ the Echo (Free) – 5:00 PM show
Chilly Gonzalez Piano Talk Show @ Largo ($20)
Peter Himmelman @ McCabe’s ($20)
Jonas Brothers / Demi Lovato @ Verizon Wireless
Judgement Day @ Origami (Free) – 7:00 PM
Fiction Company / Black Mercies @ Spaceland (Free)
Candye Kane / Karling Abbeygate / Thomas Yearsleys Exotiki / The Blasters @ Redwood Bar

Live Music Options: 4/26/10 - 5/2/10

Dr. Dog Play at El Rey Theatre Tuesday Night

I was busy last week, so I only made it out Thursday night for Los Baby Fools, the Mallard and Le Switch at the Bootleg (Le Switch is sounding great) and The Henry Clay People at a house party in Silver Lake. Both Le Switch and the Henry Clay People also have shows this week, along with quite a few other great bands...

Monday 4/26/10
[Pick of the Night] Walking Sleep / Radar Brothers / The Henry Clay People / Obi Best @ The Echo (Free) – Come early and stay late. Probably the most fun you’ll have for free all week.
[Recommended] Helen Stellar / Repeater / Robotanists / Fictionist @ Spaceland (Free) – The last night of Helen Stellar’s residency.
So Many Wizards / Tomorrow Tulips / The Fling / Hotel St. George @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – The last night of So Many Wizards residency.
Chris Thile @ Largo ($25)
Aqualung / Krista Polvere / Yellow Red Sparks @ Bootleg ($20)
Sleeping At Last / Andrew Carroll / Ezra Reich @ Hotel Café
Endometrium CxPx / Magick Orchids / Obscurer @ Echo Curio
Knight Rider / Baths / Wonder Wheel / Wet Mango @ Pehrspace

Tuesday 4/27/10
[Pick of the Week] Dr. Dog / Deer Tick / Pepi Ginsberg @ The Music Box ($22.50) – I do love Dr. Dog…
[Recommended] Jack Wilson Jr. / The Commotions / Death Hymn Number 9 / The Californian @ Spaceland ($5) – You’ll recognize members of the Californian from many other local bands.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Live @ El Rey ($26)
Juliette Lewis / Tahiti Boy & Palm Tree Family / 22-20s @ The Echo ($10)
Whispertown / Chasing Kings / All Wrong and the Plans Change / Tod Wisenbaker @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Trevor O’Neill / Random Patterns / Rough Cuts @ Bootleg ($8)
Lady Danville / Reni Lane / Matthew Jordan / Karen Ramos @ Hotel Café
Jooklo Duo / Cotton Museum / Metal Rouge / Peter Kolovos @ Echo Curio
Raul Midon @ The Roxy ($23)

Wednesday 4/28/10
[Pick of the Night] Aquaserge / Sister Crayon / Corridor / Casper & the Cookies @ Spaceland ($8) – Aquaserge is a French band featuring members of Stereolab and Acid Mothers Temple.
Blue Jungle / The Bellys / The Uzi Rash / Old Blood @ The Smell ($5)
I, Omega / Cromwell / Dose of Adolescence / Hands Like Glass / Stretford End @ Troubadour ($10)
Dark Star Orchestra @ El Rey ($30)
Craig Wedren / Woolen / All Spots to Black @ Bootleg ($10) – Former Shudder to Think lead singer.
Civil Twilight / Reni Lane / Matthew Jordan / Karen Ramos @ Hotel Café
Kav / The Union Line / Useless Keys / Samuel Stewart @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Mayaztek / LA Fog @ The Echo ($15)
Low End Theory: Alex B / King Cannibal / Chillis @ Airliner ($10)
Shpongle @ The Roxy ($25)
Ginuwine @ Key Club ($20)

Thursday 4/29/10
[Pick of the Night] Jamie Lidell / Solid Gold @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – Blue eyed soul singer.
[Recommended] The Antlers / Phantogram @ Detroit Bar ($14) – Also at the Troubadour on Friday night.
The Murder City Devils / Mikki and the Mauses @ Glass House ($23) – Popular Sub Pop band from the late 1990s is doing a quick West Coast tour. Also at the Music Box on Friday.
Rogue Wave / Man Miracle / JBM @ El Rey ($20)
Dante vs. Zombies / Woah Hunx / Apes of Wrath @ Spaceland ($5)
HoneyHoney / Nina Storey / Jenn Grinels / Ryan Levine / Kris Gruen @ Hotel Cafe
Signals / Dinowalrus / Foot Village / Tempo No Tempo / Ezra Buchla @ The Smell ($5)
Lemon Sun / Leopold & His Fiction / Red Arrow Messenger @ The Echo ($10)
Emily Wells / Timmy Straw @ Largo ($20)
His Name Is Alive / Pepper Rabbit / Arrows @ Bootleg ($10)
Socorro / Monster / Sisu @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Learning Music / Nymph @ Echo Curio
Eddie Spaghetti @ Redwood
Katchafire @ The Roxy ($20)
The Coals / The Low Countries / The Lincoln Bedroom @ 3 of Clubs
Jefferson Starship / Quicksilver Messenger Service / Country Joe McDonald / Tom Constanten @ The Grove of Anaheim

Friday 4/30/10
[Pick of the Night] The Antlers / Phantogram @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – Pretty dark record. Pitchfork darlings.
[Recommended] Les Blanks / Le Switch @ Casey’s Downtown (Free) – Great free entertainment. This is the record release party for a split 7” featuring these two fine local bands.
Murder City Devils / Constant Lovers @ The Music Box ($22.50) – Quick West Coast tour from the beloved band.
Heartless Bastards / Hacienda / Amy Cook @ Echoplex ($16) – Female fronted rock’n’roll.
Growing / Eric Copeland / Bipolar Bear / Cyber Grind @ Spaceland ($10) – Experimental noise rock bands.
Too Short @ Key Club ($30)
Nite Jewel / Sugar & Gold / Luxxury @ The Echo ($10)
Gift Horse Project @ Bootleg ($20)
Chris Pierce / Kari Kimmel / Brother Sal / Ernie Halter @ Hotel Café
The Slackers / See Spot @ El Rey ($20) - Ska
A Day to Remember / August Burns Red @ The Wiltern
Tig Has Friends with cast of Sarah Silverman Program @ Largo
Neil Innes @ McCabe’s ($24.50)
Bach, Rock & Shakespeare VII @ Greek Theatre
Moses Campbell / Nymph / Nice Device / Paper Rainbow @ The Smell ($5)
Tarltons / Paddleboat / Foot Foot / Wires in the Wall @ Echo Curio
Gemma Ray / Earthmen & Strangers / Goldiggers / Cobalt Cranes @ Redwood
I Heart Lung / Cue the Moon / Rare Grooves / His Orchestra @ Pehrspace
The Spill Canvas @ The Roxy ($15)
Needtobreathe / Stephen Kellog & the Sixers / Seabird @ Glass House ($15)
LA Vampires / Yekoo / Diva / Inca Ore / Psychic Reality @ Synchronicity

Saturday 5/1/10
[Pick of the Night] Circle Jerks / 7 Seconds / Municipal Waste / Ceremony @ Fox Theater ($15) – I was a huge Circle Jerks and 7 Seconds fan back in the junior high. Group Sex holds up really well too. 7 Seconds’ Walk Together, Rock Together album holds some pretty good memories too.
[Recommended] Avi Buffalo / Voices Voices / The Wailing Wall @ Troubadour ($12) – Avi Buffalo’s debut album comes out next week on Sub Pop. Avi’s voice sounds a lot like Dave Woody from Tigers Can Bite You and Fiver and the music sounds a hair like the Shins.
[Recommended] Nico Stai / Shadow Shadow Shade / The Black Apples @ Bootleg ($10)
No Age / Growing / Eric Copeland / White Shit @ Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock ($10) – This will probably kill the attendance at Spaceland on Friday night.
The Ponys / Disappears / Christmas Island @ Spaceland ($10) – Pretty good night of music. The Ponys first two albums were on In the Red and the last record was on Matador. Christmas Island have released music on Woodsist and In the Red.
Korean Music Festival @ Hollywood Bowl
Needtobreathe / Stephen Kellog & the Sixers / Seabird @ El Rey ($18)
Holly Conlan / Snow and Voices / Eleisha Eagle @ Hotel Café
Big Whup / Pizza! / 60-Watt Kid / So Many Wizards @ the Smell ($5)
The Thrilling Adventure Hour @ Largo ($25)
Baby Dee / Simone White @ McCabe’s ($15)
Spirit Animal @ Redwood
The Slackers / See Spot @ The Glass House ($15)

Sunday 5/2/10
[Pick of the Day] Old Californio / Paul Chesne Band / The Believers @ The Echo (Free) – Early show at 5:00 PM
Solid Gold / Marvelous Toy / 22-20s / Jacques Baraban @ Spaceland ($10)
Lupe Fiasco / B. o. B. @ House of Blues Sunset ($43)
Scars on Broadway @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
Bonfire Madigan / Cate Le Bon @ Bootleg ($10)
A Day to Remember / August Burns Red / Enter Shikari / Silverstein / Go Radio @ Fox Theater ($25)
Flobots @ Key Club ($13)
Aaron Roche & the Choir at Your Door @ Hotel Café
Title Tracks / Voxhaul Broadcast / Catwalk @ The Echo ($8)
Magneto @ Gibson Amphitheatre

Radar Brothers: The Illustrated Garden

This year's already shaping up to be much better than last. I've already enjoyed a bunch of new releases ( Surfer Blood, The Soft Pack, Beach House, Spoon, Aloha and Broken Bells to name a few). And the rest of the year looks promising too (I'm already digging the new Dr. Dog). But the record I've listened to the most so far is the Radar Brothers new album, The Illustrated Garden (due March 23rd).

As longtime readers know, the Radar Brothers have been my favorite LA band for over a decade. After hearing the new one (and loving it) I agreed to help them out with some of the press materials, so you'll probably see me paraphrased in some of the press for the album.

A few weeks back I caught the new live lineup recording a session for the Aquarium Drunkard's radio show and then last night I saw them at a small space in Highland Park. It's probably my favorite live lineup so far. Jim Putnam's joined by Be Hussey (bass), Stevie Treichel (ex-Movies on drums), Brian Cleary (ex-Movies on keys) and Dan Iead (ex-Broken West on guitar).

For those heading to SXSW, you can catch them Thursday in the day at Home Slice Pizza or later that night at the official Merge showcase at the Cedar Street Courtyard. For those in LA, their record release party is Friday March 26th at Spaceland.

Stream the new album HERE

Buy tickets to the record release show HERE

Pre-order from Insound HERE

Recently Announced Live Shows

Radar Brothers Play Their Record Release Show at Spaceland in March

Spaceland
3/26/10: Radar Brothers (now at Ticketweb)
3/30/10: Hugh Cornwell / Kristeen Young (now)

Club Nokia
4/15/10: The Specials (presale now, password = GHOSTTOWN; Friday at 10 AM)
5/16/10: a-ha (now)
6/1/10: 3OH!3 / Cobra Starship (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = Want; Saturday at 10 AM)

El Rey
4/23/10: High on Fire / Priestess / Black Cobra / Bison BC (Friday at 10 AM)
4/30/10: Slackers (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = Reckless; Saturday at 10 AM)
5/18/10: Converge / Coalesce / Gaza / Lewd Acts / Black Breath (now)

The Fonda
3/18/10: Stephen Stills (Saturday at 10 AM)

Fox Theater – Pomona
5/7/10: Mastodon / Between the Buried and Me / Baroness / Valient Thorr (presale now, password = Oblivion; Friday at 10 AM)

The Wiltern
3/21/10: Tears for Fears / Wainwright (Friday at 10 AM) [has anybody else noticed how much that popular Grizzly Bear song sounds like Tears for Fears?]
4/10/10: Patty Griffin / Buddy Miller (Saturday at 10 AM)
5/21/10: The National (Friday at 10 AM)

Walt Disney Concert Hall
5/14/10: Bajofondo (presale now; Saturday at 10AM)

The Echo
3/5/10: Shadow Shadow Shad (now at Ticketweb)
3/10/10: Abe Vigoda / Lovvers (now)
3/20/10: Beth Hart (now)
4/4/10: NON (now)
4/7/10: Miles Kurosky / Pancho-san (now)
4/21/10: Megafaun / Breathe Owl Breathe (now)
4/25/10: Blank Dogs / Cosmetics (now)

Echoplex
3/27/10: Surfer Blood / Turbo Fruits / Active Child (now)

Bootleg
2/26/10: Eric Johnson of the Fruit Bats / Breathe Owl Breathe / Leslie and the Badgers (now at in ticketing)
3/13/10: Choir of Young Believers (now at in ticketing)
3/23/10: Titus Andronicas (now at in ticketing)
3/26/10: The Paper Chase (now at in ticketing)
3/27/10: Field Music (now)