Friday Night Music Options 2/23/07

Afternoons Play Their First Show Tonight

I went by Spaceland last night and saw the biggest set of amps I've ever seen on their stage. I was afraid to stick around, so I stopped by Safari Sam's instead. There was a healthy crowd out for the Love/Kinks/Byrds tribute. Some of the bands did a really nice job and some of them butchered the hell out of the songs. In their defense, a lot of the songs on Forever Changes aren't that easy to pull off. It was all in good fun (and for a good cause) so I'm not complaining.

Tonight's Pick:

Afternoons / Charlie Wadhams / Dirt Bird @ El Cid ($10) – Afternoons is a new band featuring Brian, Steven and Brent from Irving, BT from Pine Marten, Tom Biller (Jon Brion’s engineer, producer to Sean Lennon) and an all girls choir. Tonight is their very first show ever.

Also recommended:

Jon Brion @ Largo ($10) – What if Largo started charging $100 to see Jon Brion? Would you still pay it? You need to see him at some point. You should probably just get in line right now.
Mike Stinson / I See Hawks in LA @ the Scene – For the country rockers.

I don't know as much about these:
Om / Earthless @ the Echo ($12) – Crazy drone metal.
Chocolate Bar Party @ the Ex_Plex ($10) – Apparently the long awaited downstairs at the Echo is finally open. DJs spinning “RAREGROOVE SOULCLASSICS HIP HOP REGGAE WORLDBEAT HOUSE”
Veruca Salt / The Ringers @ Viper Room ($15)
Chris Trapper @ Gengis Cohen ($10)
The Strays @ Spaceland (?)
Dir En Gray / Fair to Midland @ Wiltern – When I drove by the Wiltern this morning at 8:30AM there was a giant line of people who had camped out overnight. I looked at the marquee and had no idea who the bands were. Is the adoration for the crazy Japanese metal or the System of a Down approved Texans?

Thursday Night Music Options - 2/22/07

Tonight's Pick:
Club Tribute – Music of The Kinks, The Byrds & Love: The Prix / Kind Hearts & Coronets / The Digs / The Shakes @ Safari Sam’s ($7 or $5 w/canned food donation) – A tribute with local bands performing covers of three of my favorite bands ever.

Also Recommended:
Give Love Give Life Benefit: Jackson Browne / Willie Nelson @ Gibson ($40-90) – If you like easy, breezy singer-songwriters and don’t have the first three Jackson Browne records, then you’re really missing out. And Willie Nelson is a legend. Pick up Red Headed Stranger immediately.
Cold War Kids @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – Apparently they’re playing this Myspace “secret show” tonight too. They were on Kimmel last night, but I haven’t watched it yet.
Bobb Bruno @ Land [366 E. 2nd Street] ($3)
Clipse / Cold War Kids @ Myspace Secret Show [1530 Ivar St.] (Free) – First come first served. Get there early. It’s supposed to start at 7:00PM.

Hell Ya Night!: Pan America / Polus / Red Monroe @ the Echo (Free for 21+, $5 for 18-21) – Polus are an up-n-coming shoegaze band from Long Beach. Red Monroe are a solid indie band from Dallas. Hard to put it in words exactly what they sound like, but slightly proggy indie rock. You can also catch them at Spaceland on Sunday night.

Wednesday Night Music Options 2/21/07

TIVO Alert: Cold War Kids on Jimmy Kimmel

Tonight's Pick:

Ghostface Killah @ Key Club ($25) – I’m no authority on hip-hop, but Ghostface put out my favorite hip-hop album of 2006 (Fishscale). He was in the Wu-Tang Clan too.

Also worth seeing:

400 Blows / Wires on Fire @ 3 of Clubs (Free) – Intense local punk rock.

Cold War Kids @ El Rey (Sold Out) - This one sold out suckas. So did the Troubadour show tomorrow night. They are doing a Myspace secret show tomorrow with Clipse, but you might want to get there early.

I know less about these, but I'm sure they'd be perfectly fun:

Grizzly Bear / Foreign Born @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – Last year Grizzly Bear put out one of the most revered albums by music snobs around the globe. It ranked #7 on my list of hipster cred albums that didn’t move me. If you didn’t get tickets to this, maybe you can catch them at Coachella on 4/29.The music obviously has merit, I’m just not feeling it for some reason. Download “On a Neck, On a Spit”
Club NME: Rock Kills Kid / Circus Minor @ Spaceland ($5) – Rock Kills Kid is one of those local bands that seems to spring out of nowhere with a major label deal. If you like 30 Seconds to Mars and She Wants Revenge, then you might wanna listen.
Oxbow / Intronaut / David Scott Stone & Bobb Bruno @ the Mountain (Free) - Remember how that Jesu show got canceled at Spaceland last night? I guess the two openers still wanted to play a show for their LA fans......
Astra Heights @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Low End Theory: Eliot Lipp / Thavius Beck @ Airliner Club ($5) - For the underground hip-hop fans.

Dub Club: Twinkle Brothers @ the Echo ($15)

Van Morrison @ Gibson Amphitheatre

Gomez / Ben Kweller @ Wiltern - I like Ben Kweller, but I've never gotten into Gomez.

Monday Night Music Options 2/19/07

I'm just back from vacation with no time for a real post today (actually my computer just froze and lost a decent one and I can't stand to lose another one).

TIVO alert: Silversun Pickups on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Monday's Pick:
Divsion Day / Twilight Sleep / Bedroom Walls / Tigers Can Bite You @ Spaceland (Free) - Division Day play that head nodding energetic indie rock. I've gone the first two weeks and I've had a really good time. Bedroom Walls play the cool dream pop. Tigers Can Bite You is Dave Woody's (Fiver) new band. I haven't seen Twilight Sleep, but they're tight with Silversun Pickups, so maybe they'll come down after their Tonight Show performance? They'll be playing the big blog showcase at SXSW.

Also Worth Seeing:
The Airborne Toxic Event / Dead Ponies / Brother Reade / The Share Ease @ Viper Room ($10) - Solid lineup if you're on the westside. The Airborne Toxic Event will be doing the residency at the Echo in March. Dead Ponies put on a good live show.

Ralph Stanley / Howe Gelb @ El Rey ($25) - Stanley's music was featured prominently in the Coen Brothers' O Brother.

Weekend Music Options 2/17/07-2/18/07

Camera Obscura Play the El Rey on Saturday

Saturday's Pick 2/17/07:
Camera Obscura / Portastatic @ El Rey (Sold Out) – Top quality Scottish indie pop band. For all you fans of Teenage Fanclub and Belle & Sebastian. Portastatic is Mac from Superchunk and Merge!

Also Worth Seeing:

The Switch @ M Bar [1253 N. Vine Street] ($5) – The Switch play saloon-y, piano/keyboard-driven pop. It’s a little reminiscent of Harry Nilsson or Paul Williams. The Tripwire has a nice review of their new EP and Rock Insider wrote a nice post about them this week as well. They’ve got MP3s too.
Sparta / The Movies @ the Echo ($12) Early Show @ 6:00PM – Look at the time, don’t miss them. The Movies are one of my favorite local acts.

I know less about these:
Hearts of Palm U.K. / Murmur @ Pehrspace – Hearts of Palm UK play pleasant dancey, lo-fi, electro-folk. I noticed when I googled Murmur that there are about 47 bands with that name. I think some of them might have to change their name.
Neko Case / Eric Bachmann @ the Fonda (Sold Out) – I love Neko’s work with the New Pornographers. She made one most critically acclaimed records of 2006.
Lifetime / Mika Miko @ the Troubadour ($15)

Sunday's Happenings 2/18/07:

Yes Me to Death / Strangers Smile / DJ Kevin Bronson @ the Smell (Free) – This is an early show (around 6:00PM) which is good on a Sunday night. I went the first week and it was a lot of fun. Next week I’m DJ’ing, but that shouldn’t stop you from coming out this week….

Give Up (sad music night) @ the Redwood Bar [316 W. 2nd St. ] (Free) – Star studded lineup of DJs including: Frosty, Dntel, Devendra Banhart and Tim Koh. Remember when they used to do this at Bigfoot? I don’t go to the Bigfoot anymore.
Lion Fever @ the Echo ($5) – Record release party.
Anavan @ Il Corral [662 no. heliotrope dr]

Friday Night Music Options 2/16/07

Autumn Defense Plays Spaceland on Friday

Friday Night's Pick:

The Autumn Defense / The Parson Red Heads / Jonathan Wilson @ Spaceland ($10) – The Autumn Defense is John Stirratt and Pat Sansone of Wilco. I saw them at Largo a couple of years ago and they were pretty good. Mellow, sunshiney pop songs. The Parson Red Heads are one of my favorite local bands. Nice 1960s jangly sounds – influenced by the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Also Worth Checking Out:
Gris Gris / Darker My Love / Big Business @ 6th Street Gallery [1269 East 6th Street] ($5) – This is the release party for the new issue of the L.A. Record. I heard there might be a special guest band too (but no guarantees). I’ll give you a hint – they’re in Big Business’ top 12 friends on Myspace.
Imaad Wasif @ the Smell ($5) – He was in Alaska and has played with the New Folk Implosion and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. He’s another one of those cool Indians in indie rock. He put out an album last year on Kill Rock Stars.
Anavan @ Pehrspace [325 Glendale Blvd] ($7)

Don't Know Much About These:
Powder @ El Rey ($15)
Yo Majesty / Chow Nasty @ Echo ($8)

Thursday Night Music Options - 2/15/07

Rob Crow Plays the Troubadour Tonight (Hopefully While Wearing a Full Shirt)

Tonight's Pick:

Rob Crow (of Pinback) / To Live and Die in LA @ Troubadour ($14) – Rob Crow’s the lead singer of San Diego indie rock band, Pinback. He’s also released records with Goblin Cock, the Ladies, Thingy, Optiganally Yours and Heavy Vegetable. The new solo record isn’t quite as good as the last two Pinback records, but you’ll still enjoy it if you’re a Pinback fan. Download “I Hate You Rob Crow (single version)”

Also worth seeing:

The Good Listeners / Mezzanine Owls / Tandemoro / Cavil at Rest @ the Scene ($5) – The Rockinsider presents this showcase. Mezzanine Owls are a local shoegaze-influenced band with a new record out. The Good Listeners are a mellow, atmospheric band who usually play with some cool visuals behind them. Tandemoro are a fun indie band with keyboards and turntables and drums and guitars.
Mike Stinson @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Stinson’s my favorite local country singer. Well worth checking out if you’re into Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and Gram Parsons.
Josh Haden / The Minor Canon / The Chapin Sisters @ the Echo ($7) – Josh Haden was in the band Spain. They played mellow, moody jazz-inflected pop. It makes sense that the Minor Canon are playing with Haden tonight, because their new album (which I will recommend to you on Tuesday) follows in that tradition. The Minor Canon has a record release party at Sea Level on Tuesday and they’re doing the Monday night residency at Spaceland in April. If you can’t wait for that, then check them out tonight.

The 88 / Pierre de Reeder @ Que’s Riverbottom [4201 W. Olive in Burbank] ($5) – Nice intimate setting for the local power-pop dudes.

I know less about these:

Ima Robot @ the Roxy ($16)
Octopus Project @ Knitting Factory ($10) – David Fricke called this Austin band’s music, “instrumental space dance.” Download “Music Is Happiness”
Cracker / Camper Van Beethoven @ Safari Sam’s ($18) – David Lowery started Cracker after Camper Van Beethoven broke up. I remember watching the “Take the Skinheads Bowling” video on MTV when I was a kid in the mid-1980s.

Jessie Deluxe / Thee Gentleman Callers @ Spaceland - Harder rock'n'roll

Happy Valentine's Day 2/14/07 Music Options

Tonight's Pick:

Albert Hammond Jr. @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – Albert Hammond Jr. is/was the rhythm guitarist in the Strokes. I still like those first two Strokes albums. His first solo record comes out on March 6th and it’s good. Mostly mellow sunshiney rockers with solid guitar work. His voice is nice too.

Also Worth a Look:
Paleo / Bodies of Water @ the Scene – Paleo’s a freaky singer-songwriter from Brooklyn. Bodies of Water are a local manic, indie band that’s developing a good following.
The Head Cat @ Knitting Factory ($20) - Lemmy and Slim Jim Phantom’s new psychobilly band.
Infinity @ Safari Sam’s ($3 before 10pm, $5 after) – They’re a female fronted Journey cover band. They’re a lot of fun to see and they usually pack a huge crowd.
The Gray Kid / The Shys @ Spaceland ($8) – The Gray Kid’s a white rapper dude who I recently saw at the Echo. The Onion said he bridges the gap between Beck and Eminem. The Shys are a local band that play the bluesy rock ‘n’ roll.
Astra Heights @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Kevin Bronson at Buzz Bands has a mini-feature on these guys today. Check it out.
Low End Theory @ Airliner ($5 or $10) - CARLOS NIÑO & MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON with MIA DOI TODD, MYKA MILLER and PETER JACOBSON

Tuesday Night Music Options 2/13/07

The Watson Twins Play the Echo Tonight

Spaceland was packed again last night for the Division Day residency. The Happy Hollows and Great Northern also brought in a lot fans. You've got two more weeks left to enjoy their residency.

Tonight's Pick:

The Watson Twins / Luther Russell @ the Echo (Free) – The Watson Twins go on at 9:00PM. They backed up Jenny Lewis on her excellent album and have an EP of their own. If you like easy, breezy country/folk, canyon rock then check them out. They're about six feet tall and excellent singers.

Also worth checking out:

In Waves / Dead Ponies / Polus @ El Cid ($7) – Atmospheric rock ‘n’ roll.

Occidental / The Lights From Here @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Occidental are local instrumental rockers and all around good guys. Joe at Radio Free Silver Lake recommends the Lights From Here.

I know less about these, but you might dig:

Switch / Acid Girls @ Safari Sam’s ($10) – For the indie dance party crowd. Switch is a producer, remixer, DJ and he’s working on the new M.I.A. record. That first M.I.A. record was a lot of fun. Download Switch’s Spank Rock “Bump” remix
They Shoot Horses Don’t They @ Knitting Factory ($10) – An eight piece band from Vancouver on the Kill Rock Stars label.
Luke Paquin @ Tangier ($8) – Hot Hot Heat guitarist.

Really can't recommend this headliner, but the support act would be good:

Incubus / Albert Hammond Jr. @ Wiltern (Sold Out) – Go listen to Albert Hammond Jr’s songs on Myspace. They’re pretty good.

Monday Night Music Options 2/12/07

Division Day Continues Their Residency Tonight

Tonight's Pick:

Division Day / Great Northern / Happy Hollows @ Spaceland (Free) – Last week was packed and this week should be too.The Happy Hollows go on at 9:00PM. They’re starting to build a lot of buzz based on their energetic live performances. I haven’t seen them yet, so ’m looking forward to it. Great Northern just signed to the cool local label, Eenie Meenie. Their debut LP comes out in May. They’re one of the many local bands that you need to check out. Division Day are the Monday night resident band in February. They’re a super tight, high energy indie band with catchy tunes. They play a lot of shows around the country with Birdmonster. Download “Tigers” and “Colorguard”

Other Options:
Miss Derringer / Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlots @ Safari Sam’s ($7) – For the Juxtapoz crowd.
Rolling Blackouts @ Viper Room ($10) – On the local Record Collection label.
Incubus / Albert Hammond Jr. @ Wiltern (Sold Out) – Albert Hammond’s new solo record is good.
Simon Dawes @ the Echo (Free)
Eastern Conference Champions @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

Weekend Music Options 2/10/07-2/11/07

Saturday's Options (2/10/07):
Mirah / Anna Oxygen @ Troubadour (Sold Out) K Records recording artist.
Sarah Shannon / Goldenboy @ Spaceland – Sarah Shannon was the lead singer of Velocity Girl. Her new solo record came out last Tuesday.
The Roots / Lupe Fiasco @ Gibson Amphitheatre ($55) – Pretty good lineup, but I’m not sure I’d pay that much money for it.
Rocket / The Ettes @ the Scene
Living with War @ Largo ($20) – Artists featured on Neil Young’s Living with War website (including John Doe).

Sunday's Options (2/11/07):
ZZ Top @ House of Blues ($100) - $100 is a lot of money to pay for any concert.
Incubus / Albert Hammond Jr. @ Wiltern (Sold Out) - That forthcoming Albert Hammond Jr. record is good. He's playing some solo shows later on.
Smiths Nite @ Part Time Punks ($5) – With the Moon Upstairs and Sniks (featuring members of The Sharp Ease and Longstocking)
Yes Me to Death @ the Scene (Free) – 4:00PM to 8:00PM.

Friday Night Music Options 2/9/07

Sparklehorse Plays the Fonda Tonight

Like most Friday nights in LA, there's a little something for all you live music fans. Not sure if I'm going to be able to make it out tonight or not since I've got the premiere of a short film I worked on....

Friday Night's Pick:

Sparklehorse @ Henry Fonda ($18) – We all benefit from the pain Mark Linkous has lived. Danger Mouse produced several of the tracks on his new record and Tom Waits appears on one song. In the past he’s collaborated with PJ Harvey and Nina from the Cardigans and he produced one of Daniel Johnston’s records. The sound is fragile, rural psychedelica. I strongly encourage you to check it out, because he doesn’t make it out here very often.

Also worth checking out:
Radars to the Sky / Thailand @ El Cid ($8) – This is Radars to the Sky’s EP release party. They’re a new local, indie band with 90’s indie rock inspired moments, along with some much poppier elements. Go over to their Myspace page and listen to “Rude Surprise.” I know Joe at Radio Free Silver Lake is a big Thailand fan, but I haven’t heard much from them yet..
Xu Xu Fang / the Softlightes @ Tangier ($10) – This is the record release party for the SoftLightes, who have a record coming out Tuesday on Modular. You might remember the lead singer from his former band, the Incredible Moses Leroy. It’s a very easy on the ears record that incorporates electronic sounds with solid harmonies similar to Stars or Postal Service. Listen to “The Microwave Song” and tell me he doesn’t sound a little like Ben Gibbard. I know Bronson over at the LA Times/Buzz Bands is a big fan. I haven’t heard much from Xu Xu Fang yet, but I’m curious and I know Scott at Little Radio is a fan.
The Prix @ Lava Lounge – The Lava Lounge is closing its doors and the Prix is helping them do it. Nice mid-1960s British inspired music. Download The Prix’s “St. Domino”
Miho Hatori / Los Abandoned @ Troubadour ($12) – She was in Cibo Matto and then she had that 1960’s Brazilian-inspired band with Smokey Hormel. She’s also played with the Beastie Boys, Butter 08, Gorillaz and John Zorn. Here’s a message from her: “I am looking forward to seeing you!!! Ladies and Señores, bum rush the show.”

I know less about these:

Norah Jones @ Amoeba 6:00PM (Free)

Castaneda @ Spaceland

Mika Miko @ the Smell ($5) – Local all girl “pre-punk” new wave band on Kill Rock Stars [thanks for the correction]. They're one of the many local bands heading to SXSW in March.
The Autumns @ the Echo ($8) – Local band that I don’t know much about, but they’ve gotten 4/5 stars from Mojo and 8/10 from NME.

Thursday Night Music Options 2/8/07

Eleni Mandell at the Echo Tonight

Thursday's Pick:
Eleni Mandell / Ferraby Lionheart / Charlie Wadhams @ the Echo ($8) – Eleni Mandell’s celebrating the release of her new record (Miracle of Five out last Tuesday on Zedtone Records). Torchy, female singers aren’t something I regularly listen to, but she’s so talented it completely transcends genre. This record should appeal to fans of Jenny Lewis, Cat Power and Norah Jones. Read up on her at No Depression and Bust Magazine. Get there early enough to see the talented openers.

I know less about these, but how about these....
Jucifer / Sasquatch / Sirhan Sirhan @ the Scene – If what I just wrote about Eleni Mandell made you feel like vomiting, then this will be more your scene. Bring your earplugs.
Sparklehorse / Tom Brosseau @ Fingerprints Records in Long Beach 6:30PM (Free) – Sparklehorse will be at the Fonda tomorrow. They tour about once every eight years so you should probably go see them.
Ringside / Mumiy Troll / Donita Sparks @ the Roxy ($14) – Ringside is Balthazar Getty’s band. Mumiy Troll is from Russia. Donita Sparks used to be the lead singer of L7.
Hello Menno / Hopewell @ Silverlake Lounge ($7)
Bill Kirchen / Tony Gilkyson / Johnny Dilks @ Safari Sam's ($12) - Kirchen was the guitarist for Commander Cody. Gilkyson's a great guitarist who played in X and plays with Mike Stinson

The Amateurs @ Spaceland
Photo by Autumn de Wilde

Wednesday Night Music Options 2/7/07

Busdriver Performs Tonight at Airliner

Tonight's Pick:

Low End Theory: Busdriver / Daedelus @ the Airliner ($5) - Low End Theory is a weekly underground hip-hop club (hosted by Nobody) at the Airliner Club at 2419 N. Broadway. Busdriver's new to me. I saw him open the Deerhoof/Hella show and enjoyed it. He's got unusual beats (some supplied by Boom Bip) and bizarre lyrics. Seems like a cool alternative to the average night out in Hollywood/Silver Lake.

Also Appearing:

Club NME: The Lady Tigra @ Spaceland – She’s playing some show in Vegas next week with Kanye West, Gnarls Barkley, Girl Talk and Lupe Fiasco. Female hip-hop that seems like it falls somewhere between Peaches and Salt-N-Pepa.
Astra Heights / Oliver Future @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Astra Heights recently toured with She Wants Revenge and Monsters are Waiting. All three bands are playing in town tonight. They’re playing every Wednesday night in February at the Silverlake Lounge.
stellastar* / Monsters are Waiting @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
Brant Bjork @ the Scene – From his label: “Brant will play a Solo Electric show at 9:30pm and SABBIA, a desert film by Kate McCabe and Brant Bjork will be shown at 10:30pm. Although there will be some seating, it will be a casual screening so that people can mingle and drink while casually watching the film. Sabbia is a beautiful andmagestic vision of desert landscapes coupled with weird people sequencesand music by Brant Bjork.”
Dub Club: King Kong @ the Echo ($12)

Tuesday Night Music Options 2/6/07

Spaceland was hopping last night for the first night of Division Day's residency. The Movies played a relatively subdued set (at least for them) but still pleased their fans. Division Day came out with trademark high energy and turned on lots of new folks. They've got great support acts all month, so get out and see them.

Tivo Alert: Calexico on Conan O’Brien

Tonight's Pick:

Arthur Lee Tribute: Kind Hearts & Coronets / Listing Ship / The Shakes / Richard Strange / Bodies of Water @ the Echo ($8) – A tribute to the man who wrote the song that this blog is named after. It’s always interesting to see how artists re-interpret the songs. If only I'd gotten more than 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night.

Also Worth Seeing:
The 88 @ the Key Club ($10) – The 1960’s-pop inspired local band that you hear about once a night on your favorite TV shows. It looks like they’re a quartet now - Brandon’s no longer in the band.

I know less about these, but maybe worth seeing?
Paul Oakenfold @ Knitting Factory ($39) – It should be pretty painfully obvious to you that I know nothing about the DJ culture.
Nico Stai / Dynamite Walls @ Spaceland
Stellastarr / Monsters Are Waiting @ Safari Sam’s ($5)
Nik Freitas / Gwendolyn @ Tangier ($5)
In Waves @ Silverlake Lounge ($7) – Layered, dreamy pop.

Live Music Options - Monday 2/5/07

Division Day Play Spaceland Every Monday in February

Tonight's Pick:

Division Day / The Movies / Occidental / Tandemoro @ Spaceland (Free) – Tandemoro goes on first at 9, then the Movies at 10, Division Day at 11 and Occidental at midnight. Division Day is doing the Monday night residency at Spaceland this month. They’re currently shopping for a record deal. They’re super nice guys who work their asses off and write catchy songs. Their live shows are high energy, infectious indie pop. The range of bands that journalists and bloggers compare them to is absolutely ridiculous, because they really mostly sound like themselves. I threw Rhett Miller into the mix once, mostly because of the singer’s vocal style. Check them out. Download “Tigers” and “Tap-Tap, Click-Click” The Movies are a ridiculously fun live band. Timothy James has punk rock attitude without the punk rock songs. He writes amusing lyrics but they’re not a joke band. Download “Rock in the Slingshot” (wouldn’t that be great song for a Viagra commercial) and “Timothy James” (yes, he’s got a personal anthem); Occidental are good guys that are starting to get a lot of high profile opening gigs around town. They play instrumental rock ‘n’ roll augmented by cool electronic sounds.

Also worth checking out:
Lily Allen @ Henry Fonda (Sold Out) – Anybody see her on Saturday Night Live? Why does she wear those dresses that make her look pregnant? The Other Music record store in New York wrote the best review of this album. Apparently there was a branch of reggae in the ‘70s British scene called Lovers Rock and Lily Allen’s music feels heavily inspired by it. That’s much better than calling it reggae-lite.
Paul Weller @ Avalon (Sold Out) – The living legend was in the Jam, Style Council and has had a great solo career.

Free, so what do you have to lose?
Simon Dawes / Richard Strange @ the Echo (Free)
Eastern Conference Champions @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

Weekend Music Options 2/3/07-2/4/07

Saturday Night’s Pick:
Morrissey @ Pasadena Civic Auditorium (Sold Out) – I heard he’s been visiting some of his old haunts around town and even hitting some club nights. If you haven't ever seen him, do yourself a favor....

Also Noteworthy:
Tivo Alert: Lily Allen on Saturday Night Live
Moving Units / The Deadly Syndrome @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – The Deadly Syndrome’s working hard now that they’re on Dim Mak. Expect lots of Cobrasnake or mini-Cobrasnake action.
Languis / Hopewell / Cris Cordero / Demander @ Pehrspace (Free) – Hopwell is ex-Mercury Rev.
Paul Weller @ Avalon (Sold Out) – Ex-Jam, Ex-Style Council legend.
The Shakes / Thee Makeout Party @ Taix (Free)

Sunday 2/4/07
Yes Me to Death / The Switch @ the Scene (Free) 4:00PM – You can watch the Super Bowl, eat some BBQ, drink some beer and hear some bands. DJ Solid Todd (Sea Level) will be there too.
Paul Weller @ Avalon (Sold Out)
What’s Your Rupture Night / Cause Co-Motion / Mika Miko @ the Echo ($5) – This is a celebration of the What’s Your Rupture label that just released a quality compilation with the Long Blondes, Love is All, Cause Co-Motion and Comet Gain.
The Blow @ the Echo ($10) Early show at 6:00PM – K Records.
The Game @ House of Blues (Sold Out)

Friday Night Music Options - 2/2/07

Being a music blogger in LA is so easy. There's always great stuff to write about.

Tonight's Pick:

The Airborne Toxic Event / The Deadly Syndrome / Hello Astronaut, Goodbye Television @ the Echo ($7) – Two of my favorite new local artists with another band I’m hearing good things about. The Airborne Toxic Event is one of those bands that other bands are probably jealous of because they packed the Echo the first time they played. They’re all really good musicians and they’re tight as a band. They’ve got a catchy, British inspired sound. The Deadly Syndrome’s upbeat, indie pop is a lot of fun to see live. They’re a band that you can walk in without knowing anything about them and walk away thinking it’s your new favorite band. For fans of Oh No! Oh My! andTapes ‘n’ Tapes. They just signed to Dim Mak. They do that drum circle thing at the end like the Little Ones. Am I the only one tired of seeing that? It’s a minor complaint. Apparently there's going to be $1 Dewar's specials all night too. Get your drink on.

Other stuff worth checking out:
Tivo Alert: Nas on Jimmy Kimmel
M. Ward @ El Rey (Sold Out) – I don’t sit around and listen to a lot of M. Ward, but the guy’s got skills. I’ve seen him once and he’s a great acoustic guitarist. He’s heading out on the road with Norah Jones after this, so it might be your only chance to see him at a small venue for a while.
Morrissey @ Pasadena Civic Auditorium (Sold Out) – Legend. See him.
The Watson Twins @ the Getty (Free) – Mellow goodness from the local twin sisters. They’re one of the “highlight” bands at this year’s SXSW. The advance reservations are booked up, but get there early and put your name on the waiting list because people will be no shows. I hear the 405 was closed at the 101 this afternoon, so plan accordingly.
Dengue Fever @ Temple Bar ($12) – Psychedelic Cambodian music.
Hello Menno / Polar Goldie Cats / Hopewell @ the Smell ($5)
Tussle / Aloe Blacc @ Natural History Museum ($9) - Gallery tour starts at 5:30pm; Diversity of Life Series Discussion starts at 6:30pm; Show starts at 8pm – Tussle’s a fun dance rock band. But not in an annoying way.

Haven't heard it yet:

The Hidden Hand @ Spaceland – From Dusted Magazine: “…the Hidden Hand’s latest is a nice hybrid of doom, stoner, hard rock and psychedelic, sort of like Cream crossed with Cathedral."

Thursday Night Music Options 2/1/07 - PB&J!

Tonight's Pick:
Peter Bjorn & John / Cass McCombs @ the Roxy (Sold Out) – The population of Sweden is about 9.1 million. In recent years rock ‘n’ roll bands like the Hives, The Hellacopters, abd (International) Noise Conspiracy were the biggest import. Now everybody’s talking the pop. Recent bands to emerge out of Sweden include: Love is All, Shout Out Louds, Acid House Kings, El Perro del Mar, the Concretes, Jens Lekman and now PB&J. What will be next? Hopefully not the black metal. That shit’s way too funny to take seriously. I’ve got my fingers crossed for more bands like Dungen. I highly recommend PB&J They’re way too catchy. As somebody posted in the comments, their second album might even be better than this new one. I still haven’t heard their first one, but it got reissued overseas this week, so look for it as an import.

Also worth seeing:

Dosh / Occidental / The One AM Radio @ the Echo ($10) – The Anticon nights are always popular. Dosh is more of a jazzy/indie guy rather than a hip-hop guy. Get there early for my friends in Occidental. The One AM Radio is a new singer-songwriter signed to local label, Dangerbird. He’s another one of those Indians of Indie rock along with Ramesh of Voxtrot and Jerry from the Foxymorons.
Morrissey @ Pasadena Civic Auditorium (Sold Out) – I have a really hard time getting through his recent albums too, but Morrissey’s really good live.
Busdriver @ Amoeba (Free) 7:00PM

Midnight Movies / Sky Parade / Residual Echoes @ Spaceland – Solid local bill.

Or maybe this is your speed:

Helmet @ Troubadour ($18) – Helmet was good live the last time I saw them in 1994. Pennywise / the Circle Jerks @ House of Blues

Wednesday Night Music Options 1/31/07

I have a bunch of live music reviews to write once I get some time - the Cold War Kids, Brian Wilson, The Broken West.....

Tivo Alert: RZA on Craig Ferguson

Tonight's Pick:

Earl Greyhound / Muscadine / Sasquatch @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Anybody see Earl Greyhound last night?

Also Appearing:

Polysics @ Knitting Factory ($14) – Japanese synth rock.

Ampop @ Silverlake Lounge (Early Showcase at 7:00PM) – Iceland Iceland
Helmet @ Troubadour ($18) – I’ve seen Helmet before. I think it was 1994.
Club NME: Strangers Smile / Carina Round @ Spaceland – Stranger Smile were formerly in Low Flying Owls.
Chapin Sisters / Miranda Lee Richards @ Tangier ($8)
Kaki King @ Hotel Café