Photos of The Secret Machines at Spaceland

Due to smoke machines and a bit of a shaky hand, these photos didn't really come out that well. Believe it or not, this was the Secret Machines light show at Spaceland. It was one of the coolest lighting setups I've seen for a club tour. They were loud as hell too....

New Music Releases: 10/14/08

These updates are so much easier when publicists don't send me any of the records. Of course, I can't really recommend anything either...

Records I’ve Heard:

Secret Machines: Secret Machines (TSM Records) – This is the band’s first release since guitarist Ben Curtis was replaced by ex-Tripping Daisy guitarist Phil Karnats. The change is pretty subtle. The kraut rock influences might be toned down a little and the classic rock ‘n’ roll influences are dialed up a bit? Josh Garza’s bombastic drums have always kind of made the band for me. They have one long jam during the third track, “Have I Run Out,” but save most of it for the 11 minute closing track, “The Fire Is Waiting.” I'm digging it more than their last record and it got a good review from Pitchfork today too. If you’re not going to Neil Young, make sure to catch them at the Key Club on 10/30/08. For all that talk about how loud those My Bloody Valentine shows were at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Secret Machines were a lot louder the last time I saw them at the Viper Room.
MP3: Atomic Heels

On the Shopping List:
Townes Van Zandt: Delta Momma Blues (Fat Possum) – Vinyl reissue

Townes Van Zandt: Townes Van Zandt (Fat Possum) – Vinyl reissue

Lucinda Williams: Little Honey (Lost Highway) – Haven’t heard anything but the first single so far. At the Wiltern on 11/21/08

Local Releases:
Army Navy: Army Navy (The Fever Zone)

Hearts of Palm UK: For Life (Hypnote) – At Spaceland on 11/6/08
MP3: I Flow
MP3: People and Logistics

Shiloe: And Now the Screaming Starts (New & Used Records) - Available digitally too

Other Noteworthy Records:
David Bowie – compilation selected by Bowie
Ane Brun – At the Hotel Café on 10/30/08
Buena Vista Social Club – live
Kenny Chesney
Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power, The Amorphous Strums
Nikka Costa
The Dead C
The Decemberists – 12” singles; at the Wiltern on 11/24/08
Dillinger Four
Early Man – EP
The Fleshtones – Christmas album
Frances
Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs – At Spaceland on 11/29/08
I’m From Barcelona
Nick Jaina
Keane
Killing Joke – Peel Sessions
Ladyhawke – EP; at the Echo on 10/16/08
Ray LaMontagne – at the Wiltern on 11/2/08
Mario Local – MP3: Samba Sem Nenhum Problema
Menahan Street Band – MP3: Make the Road By Walking
Ingrid Michaelson – at El Rey on 11/6/08
The Mighty Underdogs –at the Knitting Factory on 10/30/08
The Organ – EP; MP3: Let the Bells Ring
The Parties
Religious Knives
Santana
Todd Snider
The Spores
The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt! – single; MP3: Fast Forward Regrets
Tobacco – MP3: Truck Sweat
Various Artists – Born to the Breed – Judy Collins Tribute
Various Artists – Hotel Café Christmas compilation
Various Artists – W. soundtrack
Various Artists – We Wish You a Metal Christmas
The Visitations
Windy & Carl
Winterpills
Yonlu – single; MP3: I Know What It’s Like

Recently Announced Live Music Events

Secret Machines / The Dears @ Key Club (on sale now)

Jenny Lewis / Beachwood Sparks / Pierre de Reeder @ Orpheum on 10/30/08 (on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM)

Rhett Miller @ Largo on 11/22/08 (available now through Largo)

Robyn Hitchcock @ Largo on 11/13/08 (available now through Largo)

Tarfest: Love Lies Sleeping / Castledoor / DJ Shepard Fairey @ El Rey on 10/4/08 (on sale now)

Jon Doe & Kathleen Edwards @ El Rey on 11/13/08 (on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM)

Amanda Palmer @ the Fonda on 12/16/08 (on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM)

Experience Hendrix: Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox / Buddy Guy / Johnny Lang / Kenny Wayne Shepherd / Robby Krieger @ Greek Theatre on 11/2/08 (presale started today, on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM)

The Summit: Bobby Brown / Johnny Gill / Ralph Tresvant @ Greek Theatre on 11/9/08 (presale started today, on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM)

Live Music Reviews - Secret Machines, Jay Reatard, etc.

Here’s some of what I’ve been up to for the past couple of weeks…..


Wednesday 7/23/08: Lucero @ Spaceland
I’ve only owned one Lucero record, which I liked (not loved), but was still curious to check out their set. I was impressed; Spaceland was packed and their heavily tattooed fans were there to drink. For me, their live set was more compelling than that one record I own. Just a really good Southern-style rock ‘n’ roll band.

Sunday 7/27/08: Hypernova @ Little Radio
Hypernova’s an Iranian dance-rock band. They’re super tight and catchy if you’re into bands like Franz Ferdinand. Unfortunately I had to leave before Castledoor took the stage.

Sunday 7/27/08: Secret Machines @ Viper Room
My girlfriend turned me on to Secret Machines when we started dating. She’s known the guys for longer than she’d want me to say, so I’ve benefited from a lot of free tickets (Wiltern, El Rey, Avalon, ACL, etc.). I was a little apprehensive this time, because it was the first show I’d seen since guitar player Ben Curtis left to form School of Seven Bells. Their new guitarist is another guy who played in a shitload of Dallas bands, Phil Karnats.

I hadn’t been to the Viper Room since the Pink Taco guy bought it, and it didn’t seem like much had changed. By the time the band started, it was packed with big cornfed bastards everywhere. As is always the case with Secret Machines’ shows, it was ear punishing-ly loud. You know it’s a great SM show when Josh Garza is just pummeling the drums with those giant baseball bat sticks.

Secret Machines has always been a bit of an anomaly as a rock ‘n’ band because their guitar has always taken a back seat to the rest of the band. Karnats seems like he might change all that. While he didn’t step into the spotlight, he definitely held his own with Curtis and Garza. The set was a lot more hard rocking and less krautrock than recent appearances. And that pleased me. Can’t wait to hear the new record.

Wednesday 7/30/08: Jay Reatard / Cheap Time @ the Echo
Ever since reading about Cheap Time on Other Music, I’ve been intrigued. They started off with ties to Be Your Own Pet, but their record is a lot more interesting than the last Be Your Own Pet album. The Nashville power trio came out with loads of energy and garage rock attitude. The songs were less lo-fi than the record, but only a couple (“People Talk” and “Wildlife”) stood out from the rest. They’re still kids, so I’ll keep them on the radar. A suitable opener.

By the time Jay Reatard took the stage, it was ridiculously hot and quite possibly over capacity. He came out and immediately owned the stage. The Memphis trio was powerfully intense and much tighter than the early recordings would suggest. Live, the band treads the Circle Jerks-ish ground where metal (Flying V and all) and punk meet. It was a nice vacation from the (occasionally too) innocuous indie bands I usually see. The band commands the crowd’s attention without much interaction. He’s had some problems with spectators in the past, but he’s no GG Allin (or even Henry Rollins for that matter) out looking for a fight. I even saw him give a bunch of autographs before the set. After the show the merch table was swarmed (I saw one guy spend $60) and the bass player looked very pleased. Gas money to San Diego….

Download Jay Reatard’s “See-Saw”

Friday 8/1/08: Viewing Party for Airborne Toxic Event at Spaceland
LA can be such a fickle town; Bodies of Water played an early set downstairs to a handful of people. I can’t say much, because I was at home watching the Kurt Cobain documentary, About a Son. I haven’t listened to Nirvana’s music in about a decade, but it was interesting to hear Cobain speak. The film’s not great, but if you were ever a Nirvana fan, it’s a renter.

I showed up to see Lipbalm (Sylvia and Dia) DJ. Saw a bunch of friends, and had a good time. T.A.T.E. did a good job on the show too. They’re hitting the road with the Fratellis soon.
See T.A.T.E. on Rehearsal Space
Listen to a podcast of T.A.T.E. on Morning Becomes Eclectic

LA Live Music Options: 7/21/08 - 7/27/08

Secret Machines Play the Viper Room on Sunday

Another stellar week of live music options. There are heavily hyped new bands (Hercules and Love Affair, Sebastian Tellier), legends (Steely Dan, Randy Newman, Van Dyke Parks) and plenty for Americana fans (Lucero, James McMurtry and Dwight Yoakam). Not to mention Secret Machines and Darker My Love....

Monday 7/21/08
[Recommended] Jail Weddings / The Moon Upstairs / Thee Makeout Party / Weave @ the Echo (Free) – The Moon Upstairs record was in my top 10 for local releases last year.
[Recommended] Letting Up Despite Great Faults / The Rhone Occupation / Whalebone @ Echo Curio (Free) – I haven’t been to a show at Echo Curio yet, but I liked Letting Up Despite Great Faults last record.
[Recommended] Princeton / You Me and Iowa / Army Navy / Whitman @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)
Under the Influence of Giants / The Snow / Hello Vegas @ Spaceland (Free) – From their Myspace page: “Under the Influence of Giants are a group of hot guys that will force you to masturbate with blueberry jam.”
Plasticsoul / Karabal Nightlife / The Breakups @ Mr. T’s Bowl
Two Sheds / Leslie and the Badgers @ Hotel Café
The Zac Brown Band / Rescues @ Troubadour ($12)
Bad Bones @ the Scene

Tuesday 7/22/08
[Recommended] Ray Davies @ Grove of Anaheim ($35 - $55) – Really hard for me to get down to Anaheim on a weeknight, but I highly recommend it if you can….
James McMurtry / Dedringers @ Troubadour ($20) – McMurtry’s a singer-songwriter out of Austin. His new record is political and dark. Check out “Cheney’s Toy” on his Myspace page. And yes, he’s Larry’s son (ever read All of My Friends are Going to Be Strangers? It’s pretty great).
Peter Walker @ Echoplex ($12) – This is the Peter Walker known for being a highly influential raga and flamenco acoustic guitarist, not the one who started Dangerbird Records and now plays in Eulogies.
Summer Darling / Chikita Violenta / Writer / Amateurs @ the Echo – Solid local lineup, plus Chikita Violenta out of Mexico City.
Jay Brannan / Annie Stela @ El Rey ($16)
Babyland / The Prids / Shiloe @ Spaceland ($8)
Happy Stars / The Meadows @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Wednesday 7/23/08
[Recommended] Club NME: Lucero / Jessica Lea Mayfield / Glossary @ Spaceland ($15) – Lucero’s always been called Southern rock’s version of the Replacements. Great drinking music for their rabid fan base.
[Recommended] Steely Dan @ Nokia Theatre ($50 - $110) – A part of me wishes I was going to this. I have a new found appreciation for them after watching the Classic Albums making of Aja. They’ve got an 11-piece backing band.
[Recommended] Inara George & Van Dyke Parks @ Tangier Restaurant (Sold Out)
Randy Newman @ Largo (Sold Out) – Performing songs from his forthcoming record.
Hercules and Love Affair @ the Echo ($18 / adv tix sold out) – Disco with a lot of buzz. Being on DFA definitely helps.
Learning Music / Golden Dogs / From Leaf to Feather @ Tangier ($10)
Cute is What We Aim For @ Troubadour ($15)
Tenlons Fort / Avi Buffalo / Ema and the Ghosts @ Mr. T’s Bowl
The Old Believers / Active Set / Hard to Get / The Meemies @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Thursday 7/24/08
[Recommended] Lucero / Jessica Lea Mayfield / Glossary @ the Echo ($15) – If you miss them at Spaceland Wednesday (or you’re under 21).
[Recommended] The Meeting Places / Archways / Antiques / The Eye The Ear and the Arm @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – The Meeting Places is Scott McDonald’s band.
[Recommended] The Riverboat Gamblers @ Viper Room ($15) – The Riverboat Gamblers put on a high energy live show.

Anavan / Bipolar Bear / tik tik @ the Smell ($5) – Anavan’s another local band that should capitalize on all the attention on the Smell. They’re heading off on a big European tour at the end of October.
Tokyo Police Club / Afternoons @ Hammer Museum
Dizzee Rascal / Kenan Bell / Hollywood Holt / 87 Stick Up Kids @ the Echoplex ($22) – Dizzee Rascal’s got a few fun songs.
The Warlocks / The Vandelles / The Meek @ Troubadour ($14)
Middle Class Rut / Burning Brides / Nebula @ Safari Sam’s ($10)
The English Beat / The Alarm / The Fixx @ Henry Fonda ($35)
Ron Sexsmith @ Largo ($30)
The Life and Times / Nueva Volcano / Solare @ Spaceland ($8)
The Kin / The Rescues @ Hotel Café
Sleepingboy / The Health Club @ Mr. T’s Bowl
Sirhan Sirhan @ the Scene
Foxy Shazam / Scary Kids Scaring Kids @ Key Club
Benefit for Spencer Rollins: Young Animals / Cobra Lilies / Dorian Wood / Exitmusic / Avi Buffalo @ All Star Lanes ($5)

Friday 7/25/08
[Recommended] Darker My Love / Fool’s Gold @ the Echo (Free before 10:30 PM / $5 after) – I’m telling you, the new Darker My Love has total breakout potential.
[Recommended] Jon Brion @ Largo ($30 / $20 for 2nd set only)
Bullet for My Valentine / Cancer Bats @ Wiltern ($27.50)
Rocky Votalato / Owen / Vast Atlantic @ Troubadour ($14)
Diana Ross @ Hollywood Bowl ($10 – $114)
The Republic Tigers / Radars to the Sky @ Spaceland ($8)
John Webster Johns / Residual Echoes @ El Cid ($7)
That Noise / Ninja Academy @ Pehrspace
The Youngs / David Scott Stone @ Mr. T’s Bowl
Wyclef Jean @ House of Blues ($35)
Los Lonely Boys / Los Lobos @ Greek Theatre ($35 - $55)
EPMD @ Crash Mansion ($25)
Bipolar Bear @ the Scene

Saturday 7/26/08
[Recommended] Wanda Jackson @ Knitting Factory ($23) – Rock ‘n’ Roll pioneer.
[Recommended] Greg Proops Chat Show w/ Flight of the Conchords (Sold Out)
Sebastian Tellier @ Knitting Factory Front Room ($15) – Some good buzz for this Frenchman. His new record was produced by Daft Punk.
Howlin Rain @ Spaceland ($10) - Ethan Miller's (Comets on Fire) other band.
Harvey Milk @ Relax Bar – Veteran metal act that recently got a best of new music from Pitchfork.
Does it Offend You, Yeah? / The Black Ghosts @ the Echo ($18 / Advance tickets sold out) – Newish dance rock band with some pretty good buzz.

Lemon Sun / Rumspringa / Eastern Conference Champions / Gangi @ Troubadour ($10) - LA Record is presenting this show.
Tha Alkaholiks @ Fat Beats Records (Free show at 4:00 PM) – Celebrating the release of their live DVD. Fat Beats is located at 7600 Melrose.
The Human Value / Biblical Proof of UFOs / Kids of Widney High / Artichoke @ Zen Sushi
Seasons / Odd Modern / Downtown Union @ Pehrspace
Alkaline Trio @ House of Blues ($18.50)
Gary War / Summer Vacations @ the Smell ($5)
Tha Alkaholiks @ Crash Mansion ($20)
Zizek Urban Beats Club @ Getty Museum (Free) – El Guincho canceled.
Louis XIV @ Huntington Beach Pier
Dusty Rhodes & the River Band @ Key Club
Year Long Disaster @ Swing House Studios - Fresh off some arena dates with the Foo Fighters.
Diana Ross @ Hollywood Bowl ($10 – $114)

Sunday 7/27/08
[Recommended] Secret Machines @ Viper Room (Sold Out) – Secret Machines recently announced plans to self-release their new album this fall with the help of World’s Fair. If you haven’t had the chance to see them live, I highly recommend it.
[Recommended] Dwight Yoakam / Chris Cagle / Emerson Drive / Lee Brice @ The Greek ($40 - $60) – Yoakam’s a whole lotta fun to see live.
[Recommended] Gnarls Barkley / Fallou Dieng / Deerhoof @ Hollywood Bowl ($10 - $123) – Gnarls Barkley’s gotta be a lotta fun to see live too.
[Recommended] Little Radio Summer Camp: Castledoor / Weather Underground @ Little Radio ($10) – 1218 Long Beach Ave in Downtown LA.
Grande Ole Echo @ the Echo (Free) – Early show at 5:00 PM.
Brunch Americana @ Safari Sam’s (Free) – Early show at Noon
The Black Ghosts @ Turntable Lab
At the Gates @ the Fonda ($32)
Neil Hamburger / Abe Lincoln Story @ Spaceland ($8)
Bart Davenport / Michael Berg / Underground @ Tangier
Lemon Sun / Rumspringa / Eastern Conference Champions / Gangi @ Troubadour ($10)
Howlin’ Rain / Mark Fosson @ McCabe’s ($12)