This Week's Concert Announcements

Hollywood Bowl
9/25/11: TV on the Radio / Arctic Monkeys / Panda Bear / Warpaint / Smith Westerns (on sale 6/18/11 at 10 AM)

Troubadour [Ticketfly]

6/23/11: The Kooks (Friday at 10 AM)

6/29/11: Peter Murphy (now)

7/7/11: Off With Their Heads / Dead To Me / Riverboat Gamblers (now)

7/15/11: The Blow (now)

8/2/11: Tally Hall (now)

8/10/11: Vetiver (now)

The Satellite [Ticketfly]

7/2/11: The Bellrays (now)

The Echo [Ticketweb]

Free Mondays in August: Active Child

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

7/17/11: Nervous Gender / Human Toys / Violet Tremors (now)

7/29/11: Those Darlins / White Arrows / Motopony (now)

8/14/11: Sleepmask / Dream Affair / Dollchimes (now)

8/25/11: The Ettes (now)

10/4/11: Peter Bjorn & John (now)

Echoplex [Ticketweb]

9/2/11: Handsome Furs (Saturday at 10 AM)

9/16/11: Surfer Blood (now)

Bootleg [Ticketfly]

8/6/11: High Places (now)

Greek Theatre

8/5/11: Cristian Castro (presale at Noon, password = 80YEARS; on sale Friday at 10 AM)

9/1/11: Janet Jackson (presale at Noon, password = 80YEARS; on sale Friday at 10 AM)

Coachella

4/13/12 – 4/15/12 (advance one week sale starts Friday at 10 AM)

4/20/12 – 4/22/12 (advance one week sale starts Friday at 10 AM)

Club Nokia

8/19/11: The Glitch Mob / RJD2 / Photek (Saturday at 10 AM)

The Music Box

9/15/11: Boyce Avenue (Saturday at 10 AM)

El Rey

10/13/11: Frank Turner / Andrew Jackson Jihad / Into It. Over It. (Saturday at 10 AM)

Nokia Theater LA Live

11/25/11 – 11/26/11: Yo Gabba Gabba! (Monday at 10 AM)

San Manuel Amphitheatre

8/20/11: Rock the Bells – Ms. Lauryn Hill / NAS / Cypress Hill / Black Star / Raekwon & Ghostface / Mobb Deep / Genius/GZA (Saturday at 10 AM)

The Wiltern

9/10/11: The Kills (Friday at 10 AM)

Gibson Amphitheatre

8/13/11: Pepe Aguilar (Friday at 1:00 PM)

Largo

7/21/11 – 7/22/11: Tim Robbins & the Rogues Gallery Band (now)

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

Live Music Options: 9/27/10 - 10/3/10

Pavement Headline the Hollywood Bowl on Thursday

A cold kicked my ass all week, but I finally made it out on Saturday to Waved Out 2. Dungen put on a trippy show. Not the most exciting set I've seen them play, but they sounded good. This week's pretty ridiculous, look at all the shows on Thursday...

Monday 9/27/10

[Pick of the Night] The Black Keys / Nicole Atkins @ Hollywood Palladium (Sold Out) – That new Black Keys’ record has some jams.

[Recommended] Bettye LaVette and Brian O’Rourke @ Largo ($35) – Legendary Northern Soul singer has teamed up with the Drive-By Truckers in recent years. Her most recent record is a collection of classic British covers (Stones, Beatles, Who, etc.).  

[Recommended] Eastern Conference Champions / Helen Stellar / Therapy Session / Moving Picture Show @ Spaceland (Free) – ECC is doing the Monday night residency in September.

Family of the Year / Grouplove / Seasons / Bowery Beasts @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Grouplove’s set will be acoustic.

Torche / Mountains of Blow @ Bootleg ($12)

Dragonette / Jump Jump Dance Dance @ Troubadour ($15)

Vanaprasta / Pacific Hurt / Kissed Her Little Sister / Chasing Kings @ The Echo (Free) – Dual residency.

Pete Yorn @ The Roxy ($31)

TV Buddhas / Fartbarf / The Fadies @ The Smell ($5)

The Real Noriegas / Blood Beach / White Fang / Sexhair @ Pehrspace

Vanaprasta @ Origami (Free) – 7:00 PM

Semi Precious Weapons / Lady Starlight / Breedlove @ El Rey ($20)

M31 / Upsilon Acrux / Moment Trigger @ Pehrspace

Phil Alvin @ Redwood

A Fine Frenzy / Lucy Schwartz @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP)

Tuesday 9/28/10

[Pick of the Night] Bettye LaVette and Brian O’Rourke @ Largo ($35) - Legendary Northern Soul singer has teamed up with the Drive-By Truckers in recent years. Her most recent record is a collection of classic British covers (Stones, Beatles, Who, etc.).  

[Recommended] The Black Keys / Nicole Atkins @ Hollywood Palladium (Sold Out) – Night two.

[Recommended] The Drums / Surfer Blood / The Young Friends @ The Glass House ($15) – I really like Surfer Blood. Also at the Music Box on Wednesday. I wasn’t so impressed with The Drums when I saw them.  

White Hills / Farflung / Mount Carmel @ Spaceland ($8) – Spacey, stoner rock from the Thrill Jockey label.

Jamey Johnson / Good Man Down @ House of Blues Sunset ($37) – A contemporary country singer that everybody seems to be able to get behind.

Jerry Lee Lewis @ Grammy Museum ($60) – The Killer

Funeral Party / Useless Keys / Canyons @ Bootleg Theatre ($10) – These local kids seem to be on their way. Recently named #47 on NME’s best new bands of 2010.

Paul Layton / Cahn & Yang / Grand Vanity @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Perfume Genius @ Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever ($15)

Jimmy Eat World / We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Fox Theater Pomona ($35 - $45)

Guster / Landon Pigg @ Troubadour (Sold Out)

Sara Bareilles / Greg Laswell / Javier Dunn @ Orpheum Theatre ($28 - $35)

Torche @ Vacation Vinyl (Free) – 7:00 PM

A Pretty Mess / Dead Relatives / Heart of Giants @ Redwood Bar

Conor Oberst / The Felice Brothers @ Pappy and Harriet’s ($20) – Drive out to Pioneertown?

Nevermore / Warbringer / Mutiny Within / Hatesphere @ Key Club ($23 - $53)

Oneohtrix Point Never / Sun Araw / James Ferraro @ The Echo ($10)

Anna Nalick / Kim Divine @ Hotel Café

Nate Denver’s Neck / Crazy Band@ the Smell ($5)

No Age (DJ set) @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM

Wednesday 9/29/10

[Pick of the Night] Surfer Blood / The Drums / The Young Friends @ The Music Box ($20) – I really liked Surfer Blood when I saw them earlier this year. Not so fond of the Drums.

[Recommended] Dukes of September Rhythm Revue (Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Skaggs) @ Greek Theatre ($50 - $120) –

The Felice Brothers @ The Echo ($17)

Jimmy Eat World / We Were Promised Jetpacks @ The Wiltern ($47)

The Hounds Below / Big Black Delta / Nightmare & the Cat @ Bootleg ($10) – The Hounds Below features Jason from the Von Bondies.

Low End Theory: Ana Caravelle / Asura / Oneohtrix Point Never / Matthewdavid @ Airliner ($10)

Buck 65 / The Fling @ Troubadour ($15)

Sarah Harmer / Bahamas @ Spaceland ($15)

Alan Parsons @ Grammy Museum ($20)

Electric Touch / Goldsboro / Radio Freq @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)  

UB40 @ House of Blues Sunset

Alan Parsons @ Grammy Museum ($20) – Conversation and short performance

Goldsboro @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Sarah Silverman @ Largo ($25)

WPA @ Hotel Café

Jason Simon (Dead Meadow) / Daniel Darling / Riley Bray @ 3 Clubs (Free)

Young Hunting / The Black Apples / Ex-Detectives @ Echo Curio

Thursday 9/30/10

[Pick of the Week] Pavement / Sonic Youth / No Age @ Hollywood Bowl ($38 - $48) – Pavement was great when I saw them earlier this year. Mark Ibold’s pulling double duty.

[Recommended] John Cale with guests Ben Gibbard and Mark Lanegan @ Royce Hall ($48 - $68) – Performing Paris 1919 Live; I’d love to see this show, too bad I bought tickets to Pavement months ago.   

[Recommended] Spoon / Cold Cave @ Hollywood Palladium ($43) – Spoon’s always good, but a little boring in a live setting.

[Recommended] Jon Spencer Blues Explosion / Jail Weddings / Haunted George @ Troubadour ($18) – Jon Spencer used to put on a great show back in the day.  

Jamie Lidell / Twin Shadow @ The Echoplex ($23)

Benji Hughes @ Largo ($20) – Fun show.

Ooh La L.A. Festival: Sebastien Tellier / Acid Washed / Kavinsky / Turzi @ El Rey ($25) – French music festival.

Rob Zombie / Alice Cooper @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($38 - $96)

Mucca Pazza / Cobra Lillies / Fish Circus @ Spaceland ($12)

Jukebox the Ghost / Hooray for Earth / AB and the Sea @ The Echo ($10)

High on Fire / Torche / Kylesa @ The Glass House ($18)

Jesse Malin / Moneybrother@ Viper Room ($15)

Train / Needtobreathe @ Greek Theatre ($40 - $50)

Atari Teenage Riot / Skinwalker / All Leather @ Key Club ($15)

Patrolled By Radar / Wheelhouse @ 3 Clubs (Free)

Biffy Clyro / Seaspin / Empires @ Bootleg ($12)

O.A.R. @ Grove of Anaheim

Clovis de la Foret / The Faraway Places / Loch & Key @ Redwood Bar

Ely Guerra @ Detroit Bar ($20)

Endless Hallway / Queen Caveat / Kozmonaut @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

The Drums @ Amoeba (Free) – 6:00 PM

Friday 10/1/10

[Pick of the Night] Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers / ZZ Top @ Hollywood Bowl (Sold Out) – I’ve always wanted to see both of these bands live.

[Recommended] Yoko Ono: We Are Plastic Ono Band w/ Cornelius, Perry Farrell, Iggy Pop, Carrie Fisher, Vincent Gallo, RZA, Nels Cline, Mike Watt and more @ Orpheum Theatre ($60 - $150) – Could be pretty cool. Interesting folks joining her.

[Recommended] The Sword / Karma to Burn / Mount Carmel @ El Rey ($20) – The Sword puts on a good metal show.

School of Seven Bells / Active Child / Healamonster & Tarsier @ Echoplex ($17) – Not crazy about the new album, but I hear it’s a grower.

Neon Indian / Prefuse 73 / Miniature Tigers / Ilirjana @ The Music Box ($23)

Ooh La L.A. Festival: The Bewitched Hands / Revolver @ Spaceland ($12) – French pop straight outta Reims.

The Avett Brothers / Brandi Carlisle / Grace Potter & the Nocturnals @ Nokia Theatre

LA Live ($40)

Vamps @ Avalon ($47)

Aimee Mann @ Largo (Sold Out)

Fountains of Wayne / Jill Sobule @ Troubadour ($25)

Foster the People / Superhumanoids @ The Echo ($10)

Mucca Pazza @ Bootleg ($20) – Baroness Dianaea’s Westoid Wonderland & Apothecary is an Apocalyptic Crust Opera of Magick, Mayhem & Music

Gary Jules @ Hotel Café

AIDS Wolf / XBXRX / Audacity / LA dies @ The Smell ($5)

Rufio / Before Their Eyes Veara / Close to Home / The Young Modern @ The Glass House ($15)

Animal Eye / Green Screen Door / Trapsps / Rare Grooves @ Pehrspace

Learning Music @ Echo Curio

Saturday 10/2/10

[Pick of the Night] Eagle Rock Music Festival: The Soft Pack / Nosaj Thing / Darker My Love / The Gaslamp Killer / Frankel / Geneva Jacuzzi / Egyptian Lover and Arabian Prince / Nobody / Blank Blue / Lucky Dragons / Seasons / Rainbow Arabia / Walking Sleep / The Submarines / Wait.Think.Fast. / Manhattan Murder Mystery / Moses Campbell / Radars to the Sky @ Colorado Blvd in Eagle Rock ($5) – The Soft Pack and Frankel are my two top picks, but the Low End Theory stage should have a good crowd too.

[Recommended] Yoko Ono: We Are Plastic Ono Band w/ Cornelius, Perry Farrell, Lady GaGa, Carrie Fisher, Vincent Gallo, RZA, Mike Watt and more @ Orpheum Theatre ($60 - $150) – The cast of supporting characters pretty much guarantees it will be interesting.

Matt & Kim / Fang Island / Hawnay Troof @ The Music Box ($20)

The Blood Arm / Sweaters / The Franks @ Spaceland ($8)

Carrie Underwood @ Hollywood Bowl ($46)

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers / ZZ Top @ Verizon Wireless ($120) – If you missed the show at the Bowl

School of Seven Bells @ Detroit Bar ($12) – If you miss them at the Echoplex

Ooh La L.A. Festival: Gotan Project / General Elektriks / El Hijo De La Cumbia @ Club Nokia ($40)

Tea Leaf Green / Truth & Salvage Co. / Tauk @ Troubadour ($25)

Australian Pink Floyd @ Nokia Theatre LA Live ($30 - $60)

Keaton Simons / Raining Jane / Marina V @ Hotel Café

Psychic Handbook / Last Eyes / Via / Speculator @ The Smell ($5)

Hayes Carll / Bonnie Whitmore @ McCabe’s ($15) – 8:00 PM show is sold out, tix remain for 10 PM show

Rufio @ The Roxy ($18)

Sunday 10/3/10

[Pick of the Night] Belle & Sebastian / Jenny & Johnny @ Hollywood Palladium (Sold Out) – I’m seeing them at the Hollywood Forever show on Monday, but if you’re a fan, they put on a great show.

[Recommended] The Soft Pack @ Detroit Bar ($12) – Dig their latest record.

[Recommended] Yoko Ono @ Grammy Museum ($25) – She led a fascinating life.

Matt & Kim / Fang Island / Hawnay Troof @ The Glass House ($20)

Guitar Wolf / Hans Condor / The Black Apples @ El Rey ($19)

The Cooling Time / Dead Country / The Hounds Below @ Spaceland ($5)

Grand Ole Echo @ The Echo (Free) – 5:00 PM

Dead Meadow / Exploding Flowers / John Carpenter @ Echoplex ($12)

Aimee Mann @ Largo ($40)

He’s My Brother She’s My Sister / Amanda Jo Williams @ Bootleg ($8)

So Cow / Neonates / Peter Pants @ The Smell ($5)

Recent Live Music Announcements

Jonsi (of Sigur Ros) Comes to the Wiltern

Hollywood Bowl

10/15/10: LCD Soundsystem / Hot Chip / Sleigh Bells (on sale 8/6/10)

The Music Box
9/29/10: Surfer Blood / The Drums / The Young Friends (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = LETSGOSURFING; Saturday at 10 AM)
10/6/10: CocoRosie (Saturday at 10 AM)

Gibson Amphitheatre
9/4/10: Alejandro Fernandez (Friday at 1:00 PM)
9/30/10: Rob Zombie / Alice Cooper/ Murderdoll (Friday at 10 AM)
10/10/10: Pablo Milanes (Friday at 1:00 PM)

The Wiltern
9/29/10: Jimmy Eat World / We Were Promised Jetpacks (presale Thursday at 11 AM, password = KROQ; Friday at 10 AM)
10/9/10: Bassnectar (Friday at 10 AM)
10/17/10: Jonsi / Mountain Man (Friday at 10 AM)
11/7/10: Florence and the Machine / Group Love (Friday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Palladium
8/21/10: El Tri / Just Like a Priest (Saturday at 10 AM)
10/27/10: Bullet For My Valentine (Friday at 10 AM)

Club Nokia
9/22/10: Michael Franti & Spearhead (Friday at 10 AM)
9/26/10: Will Downing (Friday at 10 AM)
9/30/10: Sebasten Tellier & Friends / Acid Washed / Kavinsky (Saturday at 10 AM)
10/2/10: Gotan Project / General Elektriks / El Hijo de la Cumbia (Saturday at 10 AM)
10/20/10: Blake Shelton (Friday at 10 AM)
10/30/10: The Dan Band (Friday at 10 AM)

Spaceland
Mondays in September: Eastern Conference Champions
10/1/10: Bewitched Hands on Top of Our Heads / Revolver (Saturday at 10 AM)

Echo
9/23/10: Jim Jones Revue (Saturday at 10 AM)
9/26/10: Frankie Rose / Hunx & His Punx (now)
9/29/10: Felice Brothers (now)
10/5/10: First Aid Kit (now)

El Rey Theatre
10/14/10: K-OS / Shad / Astronautilus (Friday at 10 AM)
10/29/10: Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan (Friday at 10 AM)

Shrine Auditorium
10/23/10: Air / Quadron / Juliette Commagere (presale now, password = LOVE; Friday at 10 AM)

Greek Theatre
10/22/10: Widespread Panic (presale now, password = DIRTY; Friday at 10 AM)

Troubadour
10/9/10: Klaxons (now)
11/16/10: Greg Dulli (now)

Echoplex
11/14/10: Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s (now)

Largo
8/27/10: Jon Brion (now)
8/28/10: Jon Brion / Nels Cline (now)
9/20/10: Ranchero Brothers (now)
9/23/10: Chinese White Bicycles an evening with Robyn Hitchcock and Joe Boyd (now)
9/24/10: Jon Brion (now)
9/25/10: Patton Oswalt (now)

Ticket Giveaway: Waved Out

My pals over at Aquarium Drunkard have given me a few pairs of tickets to give away for their Waved Out festival this Saturday at the Echoplex. The festivities commence at 3:30 and the show features some of the most hyped bands out there right now.

I'm super into that Surfer Blood record right now, so that alone is worth the price of admission for me. Pals and comedians Matt Dwyer and Matt Braunger are hosting.

To win these tickets, email me [dukeufo at gmail] with the name of your favorite new band. Please put "Waved Out" in the subject line. The contest closes Thursday at 7:00 PM.

@ The ECHO

3:30 TO 4:00 – APES OF WRATH

4:15 TO 4:45 – TAPE DECK MOUNTAIN

5:00 TO 5:35 – SUPERHUMANOIDS

5:50 TO 6:30 - THE PO PO

6:45 TO 7:25 – GAMBLE HOUSE

7:50 TO 8:30 – DIRT DRESS

@ The ECHOPLEX

3:45 TO 4:15 - GIANT CLOUD

4:30 TO 5:00 – FAMILY PORTRAIT

5:15 TO 5:50 - ACTIVE CHILD

6:05 TO 6:40 – MOON DUO

6:55 TO 7:35 – THE COATHANGERS

7:50 TO 8:30 – BEST COAST

8:45 TO 9:20 – TURBO FRUITS

9:35 TO 10:25 – SURFER BLOOD

10:40 TO 11:10 – THE SANDWITCHES

11:20 TO MIDNIGHT - PIZZA!

Live Music Options: 3/22/10 - 3/28/10

Admiral Radley Play the Bootleg on Wednesday

If you missed SXSW this year, have no fear...multiple great shows every night this week.

Monday March 22, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Serena Maneesh / Depreciation Guild / Seaspin @ Troubadour ($12) – Quality Norwegian shoegazers.
[Recommended] The Minor Canon / Go West Young Man / Two Guns / This Machine Kills Fascists @ The Air Conditioned Supper Club in Venice - Westsiders need to show up to shows on their side of town, I’m sure they get sick of driving to Echo Park and Silver Lake. The Minor Canon’s one of my favorite local bands.
[Recommended] Seaspin / Twilight Sleep / Future Ghost / French Miami @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Seaspin continues its residency (and also plays at the Troubadour tonight).
[Recommended] Moonrats / He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister / Halloween Swim Team @ Spaceland (Free) – Moonrats’ residency continues.
Kashmir / Oliver Future / Italian Japanese @ Bootleg ($10)
The Infamous Stringdusters @ Largo ($25)
The Frequency / Horse Stories / Last Man Standing @ The Echo (Free)
David Scott Stone / The Faraday Trippers / Sleepwalkers Local / Oscillator @ Echo Curio
Smokers in Love @ Bordello ($8)
Moment Trigger / Whitman / Adam Papagan & David Liebe Hart / Orca Team @ Pehrspace
Powersolo @ Redwood
Julia Holter / Nudge / Matthew David @ Synchronicity

Tuesday March 23, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Janelle Monae / Bruno Mars / Malina Moye @ Viper Room ($15) – Janelle Monae was one of my highlights of last year’s SXSW conference.
[Recommended] Titus Andronicus / Let’s Wrestle / Slang Chickens @ Bootleg ($12) A couple of pretty well respected indie bands. Let’s Wrestle is on Merge and Titus Andronicas is on XL Recordings.
Acid Mother Temple and the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. / Over-Gain Optimal Death / Kill Kill Kill @ Spaceland ($12) – One of the most prolific bands out there.
Spring Summer / Patrick Park @ Hotel Café
Kreator / Kataklysm @ House of Blues Sunset ($28)
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour / Wallpaper / White Apple Tree @ The Echo ($15) – Straight outta Denmark.
Curt Smith of Tears for Fears / Zoe Keating @ Largo ($25)
Lovelikefire / Kashmir / Space Waves / Red Tide @ Silverlake Lounge ($10)
Taylor Locke & the Roughs / White Arrows / Paper Zoo @ Bordello ($8)
Rodrigo y Gabriela @ Grammy Museum ($12)
Britain Ashford / Spring Queen / Olentangy John @ Synchronicity

Wednesday March 24, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Admiral Radley / The Henry Clay People / Gooby Goo & Peekers @ Bootleg ($10) – Admiral Radley is the new band featuring Jason Lytle of Grandaddy and Aaron Espinoza of Earlimart. The Henry Clay People have a new album in the can that will come out in June.
[Recommended] Ray Davies / The 88 @ The Grove of Anaheim ($45 - $55) – I enjoy the hell out of seeing Ray Davies pretty much every time. Still my favorite lyricist of all time. Also at the Canyon Club on Thursday night.
[Recommended] Janelle Monae / Bruno Mars/ Otis Heat @ Viper Room ($15) – Night two.
[Recommended] Cymbals Eat Guitars / Bear in Heaven / Freelance Whales @ The Echo ($10) – Hipster central.
[Recommended] Chatmonchy @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM – If you like cute, Japanese girls, I think you already know what to do.
Devendra Banhart and the Grogs / Dorothy and the Originals @ The Wiltern ($25 - $30)
Club NME: Garotas Suecas / Think About Life / Bullied By Strangers / Neverever @ Spaceland ($10) – Straight outta Brazil. Fun stuff.
Samuel Stewart / Sister Crayon / Fergus Brown @ Hotel Café
World’s Greatest Ghost / Tempo No Tempo / Big Whup @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Bad Religion / The Adolescents @ House of Blues Sunset ($25)
Endless Hallway / Kozmonaut / Kill the Academy / Magnuson @ Troubadour ($5)
Low End Theory: Samiyam / Kutmah / Ages @ Airliner ($10)
The Low Anthem / Timber Timbre @ Largo ($25) – Also at the Bootleg Thursday night (for $10 cheaper).
The Growlers @ Alex’s Bar ($5)
The Loneliest Monk / Tiff Randol / Nadine et Terence @ Bordello ($10)
Y La Bamba / Falsetto Teeth / The Franks / Children of the Kai @ Echo Curio
Orca Team @ L’Keg
White Fang / Wampire / Neon Navajo @ Synchronicity

Thursday March 25, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Ray Davies / The 88 @ Canyon Club in Agoura Hills ($35 - $49) – Pretty tasty combo. Ray Davies always entertains me.
[Recommended] The Deadly Syndrome / Signals / Rabbits @ The Echoplex ($10) – This is the record release party for the new Deadly Syndrome record. It’s a little more introspective and more of a slow burner than the first one.
[Recommended] She & Him / The Living Sisters @ El Rey (Sold Out) – Zooey and M. Ward.
[Recommended] The Morning Benders / Miniature Tigers / We Barbarians @ Troubadour ($12) – I never could get past the silly band name, but the Morning Benders play good, music supervisor approved indie rock.
[Recommended] Dead Meadow @ Hollywood Forever Cemetary Masonic Lodge (Free) – Order the album from the band and get a guaranteed slot. Nice riffage.
The Low Anthem / Timber Timbre / The Barr Brothers @ Bootleg ($15)
Bad Religion / Off with Their Heads @ House of Blues Sunset ($25)
Tobacco / The Hood Internet / The Baths @ The Echo ($12) – Beck guested on the new Tobacco record, so maybe he’ll show up? Tobacco’s the side project of the lead singer of Black Moth Super Rainbow.
The Paul F. Tompkins Show @ Largo ($25)
Glacier Hiking / Eastern Conference Champions / MWK @ Spaceland ($7)
Grand Hallway / Mighty Tiger / The Sequel @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Narrows / Kerretta / Dangers @ The Smell ($8)
Pierced Arrows @ Detroit Bar ($10) – Ex-Dead Moon.
The Photo Atlas / The Rouge @ Viper Room
The Rhone Occupation / Random Patterns / Family Portrait / Fictionist @ Echo Curio
Caspian / Arms and Sleepers / Beware of Safety @ Pehrspace
Joey Ryan @ Hotel Café
Barrio Tiger / Sun Trash / The Jew Cocks @ Redwood
John Mayer / Michael Franti & Spearhead @ Staples Center ($40 - $80)
Shooter Jennings @ Grammy Museum ($12)

Friday March 26, 2010
[Pick of the Week] Radar Bros. / Bell Gardens / Extra @ Spaceland ($10) – I just can’t get enough of the new Radar Bros. record (out Tuesday on Merge Records). See the new lineup with Dan Iead (Broken West), Brian and Stevie (the Movies) and Be Hussey.
[Recommended] Yacht / Bobby Birdman / Small Black / Washed Out / Pictureplane @ Echoplex ($14) – Ground zero for the hipsters.
[Recommended] Jon Brion @ Largo ($25)
[Recommended] Jay-Z @ Staples Center (Sold Out) - They give you another excuse not to go to Coachella this year.
Metric / Codeine Velvet Club / Nico Vega @ Hollywood Palladium ($31) - I saw them at the Silverlake Lounge back in the day.
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists / Sally Crewe & the Sudden Moves @ The Glass House ($14) – High energy shows.
Foreign Born / Jail Weddings @ The Echo ($10) – Local indie rockers on the Secretly Canadian lable.
Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore / Frank Fairfield @ McCabe’s ($15)
Tobacco / The Hood Internet @ Detroit Bar ($10)
Hank III with Jackass @ The Roxy ($22)
The Splinters / Jeff the Brotherhood @ Origami Vinyl (Free) - 6:00 PM
Three Bad Jacks / Blazing Haley / Los Creepers / Fighting Chance @ Troubadour ($15)
Copeland / I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business @ El Rey (Sold Out)
The Paper Chase / Kiss Kiss / A Decent Animal @ Bootleg ($12)
Ty Segall / Jeff the Brotherhood / The Splinters / Wounded Lion @ The Smell ($5)
Pato Banton @ Alex’s Bar ($12)
Stag Hare / Bigger Insides / Summer Recreation Camp / Catcher @ Echo Curio
Moses Campbell / Your Yellow Dress / The Dining Dead @ Pehrspace
Spindrift / The Upsidedown / Magic Mirror / Matt Tow @ Redwood

Saturday March 27, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Surfer Blood / Best Coast / Turbofruits / Active Child / The Coathangers / Dirt Dress / Gamble House / The Po Po / Moon Duo / The Sandwitches @ Echoplex ($10) – Starts at 3:30 PM. Hosted by Matt Dwyer and Matt Braunger. Presented by Aquarium Drunkard. I really dig the Surfer Blood record. Best Coast got some great writeups out of SXSW. The Sandwitches have some promising stuff too.
[Recommended] Field Music / Learning Music @ Bootleg ($10) – Field Music are an underrated British indie pop band.
[Recommended] Dirt Bird / Kissing Cousins / Modern Time Machines / Wrong Way Driver / Wet & Reckless @ Mr. T’s Bowl – Good local lineup.
[Recommended] Japan Nite 2010: Chatmonchy / Red Bacteria Vacuum / Omodaka / Okamoto’s / Jinny Oops! / Ajuku Girls @ Viper Room ($14) – Always a fun time. Chamoncy and Jinny Oops
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists / Sally Crewe & the Sudden Moves @ Troubadour ($16) – High energy stuff.
The Morning Benders @ Detroit Bar ($10) – If you missed them at the Troubadour.
The Like / Sweaters / Vum @ The Smell ($5) – The Like’s doing the Monday night residency at the Echo in May.
The Quarter After / Federale / Chief Nowhere / Ojos Rojos @ Spaceland ($8)
Krishna Das / Deva Premal & Miten with Manose @ Wilshire Ebell ($35)
B-52’s @ Canyon Club ($60)
Paul Wall / Chamillionaire @ The Grove of Anahiem
Kit / Death Sentence: Panda! / 60 Watt Kid / The Old Lumps @ Echo Curio
Fay Wrays / Dead Ponies / The Shade @ Pehrspace
Pierced Arrows / Lullabye Arkestra / D-Rex / Living Sickness / Goldiggers @ Redwood – Ex-Dead Moon.
Hugh Cornwell @ Alex’s Bar ($12)
Bill Orcutt / Peter Kolovos @ Synchronicity

Sunday March 28, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Air / AM @ Walt Disney Concert Hall (Sold Out) – Any chance you get to see a cool band at the Disney is a guaranteed unique and memorable experience.
[Recommended] Giant Cloud / Le Switch / The World Record @ Spaceland (Free) - Last minute add. Free show with the Le Switch and The World Record - two of my favorite LA bands. Giant Cloud are from New Orleans, and signed to Park the Van.[Recommended] Surfer Blood / Turbofruits @ Detroit Bar ($10) – If you miss them at the Echoplex
[Recommended] Slumberland Records 20th Anniversary Show: Boyracer / Brown Recluse / Devon Williams / Go Sailor / Henry’s Dress / Neverever / Pants Yell! / Summer Cats / The how @ The Echo ($15) – Starts at 7:00 PM
KSCR Fest: Thee Oh Sees / The Entrance Band / The Growlers / Rumspringa / Princeton @ USC Campus Between EF Hutton/Founders Park (Free) - From 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The Standells / The Zeros / Peter Case / Pierced Arrows / Giant Drag / Ty Segall / Lords of Altamont / Sean Wheeler & Zander Schloss @ Echoplex ($20) – Starts at Noon
The Refugees @ McCabe’s ($15)
Nellie McKay @ Alex Theatre in Glendale ($26)
Neil Hamburger @ Spaceland ($8)
W.A.S.P. @ The Key Club ($25)
Guy Blackman / Crayon Fields @ Echo Curio – starts at 3:00 PM
Aaron Drake / Scott Cazan / Ulrich Kreiger @ Echo Curio
Lemon Bear / Back to the Future the Ride / Cowan / Suzi Star @ Synchronicity

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)

Live Music Happenings

Dum Dum Girls Play Spaceland on Saturday (photo credit: Lauren Dukoff)

Thanksgiving week means a much more manageable calendar of live shows. If you want to check out the hype go see Real Estate on Monday at Spaceland, Real Estate and Best Coast and Pearl Harbor on Tuesday, Japandroids and Surfer Blood on Friday and Dum Dum Girls and Pearl Harbor on Saturday.

Monday 11/23/09
[Pick of the Night] The Happy Hollows / Dios / One Trick Pony / Real Estate @ Spaceland (Free) – The Happy Hollows are doing the Monday night residency this month at Spaceland. Real Estate recently got the “best new music” designation from Pitchfork. They’re from New Jersey and have a little bit of Yo La Tengo influence.
[Recommended] Bobb Bruno @ Echo Curio – He always entertains me with his samples and his bunny suit.
[Recommended] Fanfarlo / Freelance Whales @ The Echo ($12) – Fanfarlo’s are a band of Londoners who sound quite a bit like a more listenable version of Beirut (maybe 65% Beirut, 25% Arcade Fire and 10% Neutral Milk Hotel).
[Recommended] El Perro del Mar / Parson Red Heads Acoustic Trio / Annie Stela / Hecuba @ Hotel Café ($15)
Mississippi Man / Whispering Pines / Olin and the Moon / Wake Up Lucid @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Mississippi Man is doing the Monday night residency this month at the Silverlake Lounge.
The Books @ Hollywood Forever Cemetary
The Watkins Family Hour @ Largo ($20)
Post-foetus / Little Teeth / the 1921a / Ray Brower @ The Smell ($5)
Papa Roach / JET / Billy Boy on Poison / After Midnight Project @ Club Nokia
Former Ghosts / Whitman / Manhattan Murder Mystery / Brother Mitya @ Pehrspace
Thrice / The Dear Hunter / Polar Bear Club @ Avalon
Joe Perry Project @ House of Blues Anaheim
Gwar @ Glass House ($22)

Tuesday 11/24/09
[Pick of the Night] Real Estate / Best Coast / Pearl Harbor @ Echo Curio – This show should be ridiculously packed (Echo Curio is small). Real Estate got best new music from Pitchfork for their album. Best Coast is a local band (also featuring Bobb Bruno) that has caught the attention of a lot of the country’s tastemakers. Pearl Harbour were recent featured on the cover of LA Record.
Wolfmother / Heartless Bastards / Thenewno2 @ The Wiltern ($25) – If you liked the old Wolfmother, you should dig the new Wolfmother.
Max Tundra / Deastro / Healamonster and Tarsier @ The Echo ($12)
Lissie / Red Arrow Messenger / Leslie and the Badgers @ Bootleg ($12)
The Bixby Knolls / Los Nova / Northern Sky @ Spaceland ($5)
Joe Perry Project @ House of Blues Sunset
Caitlin Crosby @ Hotel Café
Café Tacuba @ Club Nokia
Elle Macho / Mr. Gnome / Diamonds Under Fire @ Silverlake Lounge ($10)
Thrice @ House of Blues Anaheim
Kiss @ Honda Center

Wednesday 11/25/09
[Pick of the Night] Low End Theory Club: Daedelus @ Airliner ($10)
Simian Mobile Disco @ Mayan Theatre ($23.50)
Club NME: The Hard to Get / The Ross Sea Party / Kid Whiskey / The Downtown Train / Gin & Frolic @ Spaceland ($5)
Kiss @ Staples Center
Jami and the Vaporizers / Bring Em Young Guns @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Butch Walker @ Hotel Café
Royal Crown Revue @ The Mint ($18)
Thrice @ House of Blues Anaheim
Semi Precious Weapons / Rocket @ Viper Room ($15)
Norma Jean / Horse the Band @ Glass House ($16)

Thursday 11/26/09
Gobble. Gobble. Give @ the Echo – Help feed the homeless starting at 10 AM.

Friday 11/27/09
[Pick of the Week] Japandroids / Surfer Blood @ The Echo ($10) – I saw Japandroids at Spaceland a few months ago, pretty good show. Surfer Blood has the attention of a lot of bloggers at the moment.
Julian Casablancas / Haim @ Downtown Palace Theatre ($35 - $150)
Rooney / Tally Hall / Crash Kings @ El Rey ($21)
Dokken with Lynch Mob @ House of Blues Sunset
Café Tacuba @ Fox Theatre in Pomona ($62)
Little Teeth / Hyena / Freaky Mountain / Moses Campbell @ Echo Curio
NASA Space Universe / Twin Lions / W-H-I-T-E / Dva Damas @ Pehrspace
The Passports / Kate Earl / Molly Jenson @ Hotel Café
Switchfoot @ House of Blues Anaheim
Cash’D Out @ Viper Room ($15)
Justin Nozuka @ Glass House ($20)

Saturday 11/28/09
[Pick of the Night] Dum Dum Girls / The Tartans / Pearl Harbor @ Spaceland ($10) – Dum Dum Girls have the attention of a lot of tastemakers. They just signed to Sub Pop too.
The Black Crowes / Truth & Salvage Co. @ Club Nokia ($53)
Peaches / Amanda Blank / Steed Lord @ The Wiltern ($25 - $30)
The English Beat / Upground @ Troubadour ($20)
Pilar Diaz / Wait.Think.Fast. @ Echoplex ($12)
Carney @ El Rey ($17)
Hatebreed / Trivium / Cannibal Corpse / Chimaira / Unearth / White Chapel @ Hollywood Palladium ($30)
The Moore Brothers / Them Hills @ Echo Curio
Kitten / Fort Wife / Torches in Trees / Plg/Vndr @ the Smell ($5)
Rooney / Tally Hall @ Glass House ($16)

Sunday 11/29/09
Neil Hamburger @ Spaceland ($8)
Part Time Punks @ The Echo
Straight No Chaser @ the Wiltern
Ilo Mar / Emily Lacy / Daniel Munkus / Geoff Geis @ Echo Curio
Dokken w/ Lynch Mob @ House of Blues Anaheim
West Coast, Left Coast: Piano Spheres @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($25)

Recently Announced Live Shows

Surfer Blood Is Coming To the Echo

Orpheum
11/14/09: Ray Davies performs Kinks songs with the Vox Society Choir (now)
12/4/09: Todd Rundgren (now)

Nokia Theatre
12/5/09: KIIS FM Show – Taylor Swift / Keri Hilson / Fabolous / Ting Tings / 3OH!3 / LMFAO (now)
12/12/09: Stevie Wonder / Jonas Brothers (Friday at 10 AM)
12/16/09: Mark & Brian Christmas Show: Heart / Foreigner (Friday at 10 AM)

Fox Theater in Pomona
12/12/09: Passion Pit (on sale Saturday at 10 AM)

The Glass House
1/22/10: Black Lips (Friday at Noon)

Avalon
11/21/09: Pablove Benefit – Tom Morello / Black Rebel Motorcycle Club / Shirley Manson (now)

Club Nokia
12/26/09: Salt-N-Pepa (Friday at 10 AM)

El Rey
1/23/10: Black Lips / Nobunny / Jemima Pearl (Friday at 10 AM)

Largo
12/14/09: Aimee Mann Christmas Show (call club)

The Echo
11/27/09: Japandroids / Surfer Blood (now at Ticketweb)
12/9/09: Rock and Comedy Benefit: Black Francis / Tim & Eric / Bob Odenkirk / Brian Posehn / Dave Lovering (magic act) (now)

Echoplex
11/12/09: Dead Meadow / Imaad Wasif / Useless Keys (now)
12/8/09: Rock and Comedy Benefit: Black Francis w/ Flea, members of Pixies, Love & Rockets and more (now)
1/28/10: Fruit Bats / Citay (Monday at 10 AM)

Spaceland
11/16/09: Johnny Echols (of Love) / The Quarter After (now)
11/20/09: Spacehog / Sing Orpheus (now)
12/17/09: Against Me! (now)
12/18/09: Foreign Born (now)

Troubadour
12/19/09: Against Me! (now)

Honda Center
2/26/10: Bon Jovi (AmEx presale now; on sale 11/16 at 10 AM)

Staples Center
3/4/10: Bon Jovi (AmEx presale now; on sale 11/16 at 10 AM)