Live Music Options 5/1 - 5/4

Secret Machines vs. Daniel Johnston on Thursday

Secret Machines at the El Rey is my pick of the pick. You should also support local bands the Brokedown on Tuesday and The Clean Prophets on Wednesday.

Monday 5/1/06
Mark Olson & Gary Louris @ Troubadour ($25) – This should appeal to the y’Alternative / No Depression fans. The two main guys from the Jayhawks back together. Also at the Troubadour on Tuesday.

I Rape Nick Lachey @ Il Corral ($5) – What gets me is that their name is not in the past tense. Obviously I haven't heard them.

Sunset Rubdown @ the Echo ($8) – Side project of Spencer Krug from Wolf Parade. Their album comes out on 5/2.

Tues 5/2/06
Secret Machines @ Amoeba 7:00 PM (Free) – See a rare acoustic performance. Also appearing on 5/4 @ the El Rey.

The Bellrays @ Sea Level 7:00 PM (Free) – She’s a soul singer fronting a dirty rock band. They put on a powerful live show. Also appearing at Safari Sam’s on 5/12.

Wolfmother @ Tower Records Sunset 7:30 PM (Free) – They’re from Australia and they love Blue Cheer. The album’s solid if you like that sorta Led Zep/Blue Cheer thing. Also appearing at the Henry Fonda on 6/14.

Ladytron @ the El Rey (Sold Out) – They’re pretty (even the dudes) and they make fun music. If you picked Devendra Banhart or Sigur Ros over Ladytron at Coachella, here’s another chance to see the synth-pop band.

The Brokedown / Tony Gilkyson @ Silverlake Lounge ($7) – The Brokedown is a local sunshine-y pop band with a slight country sound. They should appeal to fans of the Jayhawks, Son Volt, etc. They play the Silverlake Lounge every Tuesday in May. Tony Gilkyson (formerly in X and Lone Justice) is a great guitarist and he’ll perform his songs with the help of Kip Boardman and Mike Stinson. Download The Brokedown’s “Down in the Valley”

Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory @ Little Temple ($5) - See the underground beatmaker with the former lead singer of the Beachwood Sparks.

Wednesday 5/3/06
The Clean Prophets / The Morning After Girls @ Spaceland ($8) – The Clean Prophets are a local psyche-pop band with a growing fan base. Their music should appeal to fans of the Chameleons and Echo & the Bunnymen. Download their song, “Tambourine Crown.” Melbourne’s The Morning After Girls have played shows with Brian Jonestown Massacre and toured with BRMC. They should appeal to fans of those bands (the newer BRMC stuff).

Drive-By Truckers / Son Volt @ House of Blues ($25) – It’s a dream week for Southern rock and y’alternative fans. They’re also playing Thursday night.

Thursday 5/4/06
Daniel Johnston @ Amoeba 6:00 PM (Free) – Seeing Johnston for free at Amoeba is kind of the perfect way to see him. You never know how long he’s going to play or what kind of mood he’s going to be in. It can be really uncomfortable watching him perform..

Secret Machines @ the El Rey ($24) – Secret Machines should be seen with a great sound system. David Bowie’s a huge fan of their live show for a reason. Like other great live bands like Radiohead and Spiritualized, their songs flow into one another, arrangements are altered from the recorded versions and they take you on a “trip” (that’s Bowie’s word choice, not mine). This is billed as an in-the-round performance which should be interesting at the El Rey.

Daniel Johnston @ Spaceland ($15) – If you’re planning to go, Sea Level Records still has tickets. How many of his famous admirers will show up?

Richard Buckner @ Largo (?) – He’s a talented, intense folk singer/songwriter with a gruff voice.

The Gris Gris @ the Echo ($8) – A garage-psych band from San Francisco that gets compared to 13th Floor Elevator. Download “Skin Mass Cat”