Live Music Options: 1/3/11 - 1/9/11

Melvins Start Their Friday Night Residency

Happy new year everybody. There aren't many touring bands on the road right now, so get out there and support the local musicians.

Monday 1/3/11

[Pick of the Night] The Belle Brigade / Alex and Sam / The Sweet Hurt / Wyoming @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] (Free) - Make sure to get there in time to see The Sweet Hurt.

[Recommended] Grouplove / Guards @ Bootleg (Free) - Grouplove have some big buzz behind them right now.

Cannoneers of the New Command / Lemon Sun / Timothy Morales / Duniven @ The Echo (Free)

Kinch / Maniac / Wild Eyes / Paper Tiger @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

Phil Alvin @ Redwood Bar

Real Noriegas / Vietnambla / Summer Twins / Mock Duck @ Pehrspace ($5)

Pacific Hurt / The Union Line / My Pet Saddle @ Detroit Bar (Free)

Lucy Schwartz / Lovebird @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP)

Tuesday 1/4/11

[Pick of the Night] The Monolators / Downtown Union / Shirley Rolls @ LaBrie’s (Free) – The Monolators are doing a Tuesday night residency at LaBrie’s this month.

Olin & the Moon / Diamond Light / Demo Team @ The Echo ($5) – Olin and the Moon are doing a Tuesday night residency at The Echo this month.

Torches in Trees / Railroad to Alaska / The Sunshine Factory / Bikos @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Cinderella Motel / Barrio Tiger / Active Set @ The Redwood

Wednesday 1/5/11

[Pick of the Night] The Spires / The World Record / The Gromble @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] ($8) – I’m a big fan of the World Record. Great power pop.

Polls / Alpine Decline / Blonde Summer @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Low End Theory: Ras G / Sigma @ Airliner ($10)

Anthony B and his band @ Echoplex ($10)

Drivin’ N Cryin’ @ The Mint ($20)

Dub Club: Anthony B @ Echoplex ($10 - $15)

Thursday 1/6/11

[Pick of the Night] Whispering Pines / Wheelhouse / The Fantastic Harlan Jones Band @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] – Good roots/Americana night. Wheelhouse is Brian Whelan from The Broken West/Apex Manor/The World Record.

[Recommended] Wait.Think.Fast / Tom Brosseau @ Largo ($20) – Email the band to get half price tickets.

[Recommended] Peter and the Wolf / Moses Campbell / Black Jesus @ The Smell ($5)

Geneva Jacuzzi / La Femme / DJ Ariel Pink @ Three Clubs ($2 - $5)

Zongo Junction / Turkuaz @ The Echo ($12)

Act As If / The New Assembly / Jaimie Stein / Braxton Olita @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

John Torres @ Hotel Café

Youth Brigade / T.S.O.L. @ Key Club ($18)

Friday 1/7/11

[Pick of the Week] Melvins @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] ($20) – Two sets. Performing Colossus of Destiny & Lysol Record and Eggnog Record; They’re doing different albums each Friday, so check out the calendar.  

Little Dragon / Sister Crayon @ Natural History Museum ($9) – Swedish electro-synth

Rocco Deluca / Tom Freund @ Hotel Café

Viza / The Dirty Diamond / Pui / Metrognome / Prisoners of Disguise @ Troubadour ($18)

Tha Dogg Pound @ Key Club ($25)

Billygoat / Vinnie Ferra @ Bootleg Theater ($10) – Billygoat’s also opening for Little Dragon tomorrow at the Echoplex.

Downtown Union / Polaris At Midnight @ The Echo ($5)

Assemble the Skyline / Scarlet Grey @ The Roxy ($17)

The Smell 13^th Anniversary: High Places / Ghost Animal / Butchy Fuego / David Scott Stone / Laco$te @ The Smell ($7)

Kamikaze / Sassafras / Spider Problem / The Mo-Odds @ Redwood Bar

Ernest Troost / Mark “Pocket” Goldberg @ McCabe’s ($15)

Drivin’ N Cryin’@ House of Blues Anaheim

Saturday 1/8/11

[Pick of the Night] People Under the Stairs @ Detroit Bar ($15)

Little Dragon / Billygoat @ Echoplex ($15) – If you miss them at the Natural History Museum

The Smell 13^th Anniversary: Captain Ahab / Square Root of Evil / I.E. / Nero’s Day at Disneyland / Jon Barba @ The Smell ($7)
Jandek @ Crystal Cove Auditorium at UC Irvine ($20) - The still (somewhat less) elusive Jandek. With Mike Watt on bass and BJ Miller on drums.

The Hush / Satellite Thieves / Thatwasthen / People By the Sea / Bethpage Black / The Modern Drone @ Troubadour ($12)

The Thrilling Adventure Hour @ Largo ($25)

Ringside / Parade of Lights / Oh Darling @ Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] (

Kelley James / Kate Voegele / Amy Kuney @ The Roxy ($15)

Exene Cervenka / Paul Burch @ McCabe’s ($16)

Tyler Hilton / The Brendan Hines @ Hotel Café

The Slackers @ Key Club ($23)

Sunday 1/9/11

[Pick of the Night] Michael Davis (featuring Dawes) / The Chances / The Stamps @ Bootleg ($8)

Crom / The Cutthroats 9 / AD @ Three Clubs (Free)

John Thill / Comfort Slacks / Treasure Mammal / I.E. @ The Smell ($5)

Loafer’s Glory @ McCabe’s ($15) – Featuring Herb Pedersen, Tom Sauber & Bill Bryson

Bonnie Dune / Jared Lee @ The Roxy ($15)

Elvis Presley Birthday Bash @ Echoplex ($20)

Part Time Punks: Britpop Nite @ The Echo ($5)



Live Music Options: 12/27/10 - 1/2/11

Giant Drag Play The Satellite (f/k/a Spaceland) on Wednesday

I hope everyday had a splendid Christmas. Hard to believe it's almost 2011. All these New Year's Eve events this year make me glad I'm off the market and able to enjoy a quiet night enjoying a nice meal with my lady...

Monday 12/27/10

[Pick of the Night] Feel Free / Run-On Sunshine / Devon Williams / Black Elephant @ The Smell ($5)

[Recommended] Full Frontal / Franco Near Death / Health Club / Programmed For Pleasure @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] (Free)

The Long Tangles / Garland / Michelle Vidal / Jack Diamond @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

Captain Ahab / Nicole Kidman / Kevin Greenspon / Trudgers @ Pehrspace

FMLY Fest @ Various Locations ($5) – See FMLY’s website for more information

Tuesday 12/28/10

[Pick of the Night] Marvelous Toy / Manhattan Murder Mystery / College Kids @ LaBrie’s (Free)

[Recommended] Freestyle Fellowship / The A-Team / Nocando / Medusa / Flash Bang Grenada / 2Mex / Dibia$e @ Echoplex ($15)

Greenhorse / Go Motion / Elcassette @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

The Black Beverly Heels / Million Kids / Dirty Santas @ Redwood Bar

Wednesday 12/29/10

[Pick of the Night] Giant Drag / White Arrows / Sisu @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] ($10) – Good pre-NYE lineup.

David Archuletta @ Grove of Anaheim ($33 - $43)

Low End Theory: Eprom / Mezzo @ Airliner ($10)

Inclined / Kings Road / John Goraj @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

MKNG FRNDZ / Ghost Mom / Cold Showers / Dance Troupe MGM Grand @ The Smell ($5)

Eprom / Mezzo @ Airliner ($10)

Samiam / Tiltwheel @ Alex’s Bar ($10)

Thursday 12/30/10

[Pick of the Night] The Duke Spirit / Crash Kings / Free Lions @ The Roxy ($23.50)

The Growlers / Grand Elegance / Gantez Warrior @ The Echo ($12) – Should be a big crowd to see the Growlers.

Terminal Twilight / The Present Moment @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland]

War @ Grove of Anaheim ($35 - $45)

Repeater / Adam Bones / The Danvilles / Verna Beware @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Luna Is Honey vs. Tremellow / Narwhal Party vs. Gestapo Khazi / Peter Pants vs. Traps, Ps / Mock Duck vs. THErapist @ The Smell ($5)

Friday 12/31/10

[Pick of the Night] Lucinda Williams / Jackshit @ The Viper Room ($100) – I love Lucinda.

[Recommended] The Raveonettes / Autolux @ The Standard Hollywood ($50) – Two great bands for one kind of expensive price.

[Recommended] The Warlocks / The Meek / Black Flamingo / Chelsea Wolfe / Lantvrn @ The Smell – Probably the most affordable thing to do tonight.

Nite Jewel / Kenan Bell @ The Echo ($15)

NOFX / Dead To Me / Old Man Markley @ The Wiltern ($23 - $53)

Camp Freddy @ The Roxy ($60) – For $214 it’s all you can drink

The Pharcyde / The Lowkeys @ Key Club ($30 - $1,600) – In their defense, the $1,600 package includes eight tickets and four bottles of liquor.

Royal Crown Revue @ The Mint ($37)

Donavon Frankenreiter / Sugar Ray @ Grove of Anaheim ($72)

Giant NYE: ATB / Gabriel & Dresden / Dresden and Johnston / Francis Preve @ Hollywood Palladium ($75 - $1,225)

Hard NYE: Mr. Oizo / Brodinkski / DJ Falcon / Congorock / Harvard Bass / Destructo / Sean Perry @ The Music Box ($60 - $2,000)

Together As One: Major Lazer / Diplo / Rusko / Laidback Luke @ LA Memorial Coliseum & Sports Arena ($90 - $150)

John Digweed @ The Avalon

Bootie LA: Lady Tigra @ Echoplex ($10 before 10 PM, $20 after)

Mayer Hawthorne (DJ Set) / Classixx / Jason Bentley / Raul Campos @ Viceroy Hotel ($200 / $250 at door) – Includes open bar and hors d’oeuvres

Kristin Chenoweth @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($69 - $186)  

Gene Taylor Blues Band featuring Dave Alvin, Johnny Bazz, Bill Bateman / Frank Fairfield @ Redwood Bar

The Aggrolites / Stranger @ House of Blues Anaheim ($55)

Cum on 2011: Steel Panther @ House of Blues Sunset ($49)

Saturday 1/1/11

Unwritten Law / Big B / Majority Lost / The Darlings / Sozay @ The Roxy ($26)

Sunday 1/2/11

I didn't see much worth mentioning..?

Recent Concert Announcements

The Music Box

2/6/11: Cat Power (Wednesday at 10 AM)

2/11/11: The Aquabats (Wednesday at 10 AM)

The Satellite (f/ka/ Club Spaceland)

1/26/11: Typhoon / Brainstorm (now at Ticketweb)

1/29/11: Darwin Deez / Fol Chen (now at Ticketweb)

Fridays in February: Har Mar Superstar with Marijuana Deathsquads

3/12/11: Revolver / Hey Rosetta (now at Ticketfly)

Echoplex [Ticketweb]

2/26/11: Death / RTX / Sic Alps (now)

3/4/11: Autolux (now)

3/26/11: Men (now)

The Echo [Ticketweb]

2/17/11: Lucero (now)

3/22/11: The Strange Boys / Natural Child (now)

Gibson Amphitheatre

2/11/11: Love Affair 2011 – Heatwave, Rose Royce, Blue Magic, GQ, Evelyn Champagne King, The Moments, Barbara Mason, Billy Paul, The Floaters (Wednesday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Palladium

5/28/11: My Chemical Romance (now)

El Rey

2/9/11: Meat Beat Manifesto / Not Breathing (now)

2/12/11: Jackie Green (now)

3/10/11: Dance Gavin Dance / iwrestledabearonce / In Fear and Faith (now)

Hotel Café [venue]

Wednesdays in January: Anna Nalick

1/21/11: Meiko (now)

1/31/11: Sierra Swan / Heather Porcaro / Linda Perry (now)

2/15/11: Mountain Man (now)

2/19/11: LA Guns

Live Music Options: 12/20/2010 - 12/26/2010

John Carpenter - This Guy Will Rock You Harder Than You'd Guess By Looking At Him

Good shows for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Christmas...

Monday 12/20/10

[Pick of the Night] Middle Brother / Cass McCombs / Mountain Man / Guards / Blake Mills  / John McCauley of Deer Tick @ Troubadour ($15) – Middle Brother is John McCauley of Deer Tick, Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes. Benefit for Invisible Children. Pretty damn good lineup.

[Recommended] Fool’s Gold / Shadow Shadow Shade / Evan Voytas / Rumspringa @

The Echo (Free) – Should be packed so you might want to get there early.

[Recommended] Sweaters  / Wet and Reckless / Allah Las / Puddin Tang @ The Satellite [f/k/a Spaceland] (Free) – It’s been a popular residency.

The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($36 - $96)

Midnight Magic / Olugbenga / The Captain / Nomi @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP)

Sarah Silverman / Dax Shepard / Jeffrey Ross / Chelsea Peretti @ Largo ($25)

The Chances / Quazar and the Bamboozled / Jason Diaz / The Hunting Accident @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

Agent Ribbons / The Moor / Rachel Fannan / So Much Fun @ Bootleg ($7)

Michael Nhat / Fantastica Bastidas / Voice on Tape / So Many Wizards @ Pehrspace

Tuesday 12/21/10

[Pick of The Night] Buzz Bands Holiday Show: Lonely Trees / Rabbits Rabbits Rabbits / John Carpenter / Non Ultra Joy @ The Echo ($5) – Pablove benefit some good bands. John Carpner’s one of my favorite new artists. Rabbits Rabbits Rabbits features members of the Mezzanine Owls.

[Recommended] Dum Dum Girls / Abe Vigoda / Protect Me / Glass Actor @ Echoplex ($15) – Check yo ponytail. No, you check your’s.

[Recommended] Threes and Nines / Charlie Wadhams / Ariana Delawari @ Bootleg ($8) – You gotta check out Charlie Wadhams.
Marvelous Toy / Seasons / Cody the Band / Nightfur @ LaBrie's (Free)
Foo Figthers @ Undisclosed Location (Free w/ RSVP - if chosen)

The Manhattan Transfer Christmas Show @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($36 - $96)

The Watkins Family Christmas Show @ Largo ($25) – Do you like bluegrass music?

Dead Country / Halsted / High Pilots @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Bell Biv DeVoe @ House of Blues Sunset ($25) – That girl is poison…

Black Beverly Heels / Barrio Tiger / The Stitched Lips @ Redwood Bar

Wednesday 12/22/10

[Pick of the Night] Odd Future @ The Roxy ($12) – Hottest shit in (underage) hip hop right now. I admittedly wouldn’t mind seeing these guys.

Tricky / Nocando @ Troubadour ($25)

Low End Theory: Awol One / Elephant & Castle @ Airliner ($10)

Beauty Shop Holiday Benefit: Zooey Deschanel / The Chapin Sisters @ Largo (Sold Out)

Matu / Brit Lauren / Deltom / Sanglorians @ Silverlake Lounge ($7)

Winds of Plague / After the Burial / War of Ages / Thick as Blood / Upon a Burning Body @ The Glass House ($23)

Christmas Live! @ Nokia Theatre LA Live (Free) – Song and dance numbers

The Crazy Squeeze / Long Neck Goose / The Blackerby’s / Red Roses @ Redwood Bar

Thursday 12/23/10

[Pick of the Night] Tommy Santee Klaws / Manhattan Murder Mystery / Holy Vessels / Barrie Rose @ The Smell ($5)

The Growlers / Grand Elegance / Gantez Warrior @ Detroit Bar ($12)

Winds of Plague / As Blood Runs Black / The Great Commission / Burning the Masses @ The Glass House ($23)

Eileen Ivers: An Irish Christmas @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ($36 - $95)

Olive Juice @ Silverlake Lounge ($5)

Rosie Flores Band / Danny B Harvey / Karling Abbeygate @ Redwood Bar

Friday 12/24/10

[Pick of the Night] Anti Xmas Show: 2Mex and Life Rexall Are Smartyr / Deeskee / Awol One / Existereo / Cadalack Ron @ Grand Star Jazz Club ($15)

Saturday 12/25/10

Merry Christmas (if you’re into that sort of thing)

Sunday 12/26/10

[Pick of the Night] Uncle Jamm’s Army Reunion @ Grove of Anaheim ($40 - $45) – Tribute to Rodger featuring Kool Moe Dee & the Egyptian Lover
[Recommended] FMLY Fest @ Various Locations ($5) - See FMLY's website for more information

Part Time Punks @ The Echo ($5) – Rough Trade records night.

The Splinters / Las Sangronas Y El Cabron / Anus Kings / The Outskirts @ The Smell ($5)

Kasio Antaxia / Love of Ivy / The Ambient Light @ Redwood Bar

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