Live Music Options: 6/13/11 - 6/19/11

Monday 6/13/11

[Pick of the Night] The Californian / Races / Black Flamingo / Farewell Continental @ The Satellite (Free)

[Recommended] Dante vs. Zombies / Double Negatives / Vows / Halloween Swim Team @ The Echo (Free)

[Recommended] Henry Wolfe / What Laura Says / Monstre / Olin & the Moon @ Bootleg (Free)

[Recommended] Florence + the Machine / Twin Shadow / Hanni el Khatib @ Greek Theatre ($35)

Duniven / The Petting Zoo / The Wallburds / Rachel Fannan @ Silverlake Lounge (Free)

J. Irvin Dally & Big Moves / The One AM Radio @ Echoplex (Free)

Leighton Meester w/ Check in the Dark @ Troubadour (Sold Out)

Krishna Das @ Wilshire Ebell Theatre ($35)

Brendan Perry / Robin Guthrie @ El Rey ($25) – Dead Can Dance frontman
Fiction Family / Jolie Holland / Timber Timbre @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP)

The Civil Wars @ Largo (Sold Out)

Asa / Gold Motel @ Hotel Café

Jethro Tull @ Grove of Anaheim

Tuesday 6/14/11

[Pick of the Night] The Flaming Lips @ Hollywood Forever (Sold Out) – Performing The Soft Bulletin in its entirety. That’s my favorite Lips’ record.  

[Recommended] Florence + the Machine / Twin Shadow / Hanni el Khatib @ Greek Theatre ($35)

Bruno Mars / Janelle Monae @ Gibson (Sold Out) – Janelle Monae puts on a great show.

Motley Crue / Poison / New York Dolls @ Hollywood Bowl ($35 - $183)

Mother Mother / Andy Clockwise / Airlines @ The Satellite ($10) – Andy Clockwise puts on an entertaining show.

Emma & Her Lady Parts / The Damselles / C-Horse @ Redwood

Incan Abraham / Stone Darling @ The Central (Free)

Chief / Papa / Haim @ Troubadour ($18)

Marc Broussard / Matt Hires / Chic Gamine @ El Rey ($25)

Mona / Mind the Gap @ The Echo ($10)

Luz Elena / Chris Accardo / Mark Lane @ Lot 1 ($5)  

The Civil Wars @ Largo (Sold Out)

Greenhorse / Yoya / Francisco the Man / The Devil Whale @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

The Civil Wars @ Amoeba (Free) – 7 PM

                                  

Wednesday 6/15/11

[Pick of the Night] Wildbirds & Peacedrums / Therapies Son @ The Satellite ($10) – Swedish duo get great reviews from the likes of Pitchfork.

[Recommended] The Flaming Lips @ Hollywood Forever (Sold Out) – Performing The Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. I still find it odd that a group as big as the Flaming Lips wants to do entire shows where they cover another band’s record.

Deftones / The Dillinger Escape Plan / Le Butcherettes @ Fox Theater Pomona (Sold Out)

Matt & Kim / Autobot / The Thermals @ The Music Box ($25)

The Civil Wars / James Vinent McMorrow @ El Rey ($20)

Spain / Chromium Heart / Naomi Greenwald / The Outerlys @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead / Ringo Deathstarr / Follow That Bird @ The Glass House ($12)

Meat Puppets @ Detroit Bar ($15)

Low End Theory: Death Grips / Subtitle @ Airliner ($10)

Thursday 6/16/11

[Pick of the Week] Booker T. Jones / Nick Waterhouse / DJ Clifton @ The Satellite ($20) – The second Stax legend to play the Satellite this year. Mavis Staples blew my mind.

[Recommended] Bill Callahan / Michael Chapman @ Troubadour ($15)

Youssou N’Dour / Angelique Kidjo / Vusi Mahlasela @ Greek Theatre ($35 - $55)

Meat Puppets / Trotsky Icepick @ The Echo ($15)

Ford & Lopatin / Telephathe / Sun Araw / Tearist @ Echoplex ($15)

Sarah Silverman @ Largo ($25)

Grand Hallway / Hearts and Minutes / The Reflectacles / Tuesday Glass @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Peter Murphy @ Amoeba (Free) – 6 PM

Friday 6/17/11

[Pick of the Night] The Wooden Birds / A House For Lions / Daniel Ahearn @ The Echo ($12) – I was always a big American Analog Set fan and dig The Wooden Birds too.

[Recommended] Aesop Rock / Kimya Dawson / Rob Sonic @ Troubadour ($20)

[Recommended] And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead / Ringo Deathstarr / Follow That Bird @ Echoplex ($14) – Always capable of putting on a good show.

The Hundred In the Hands / Lesands / Electric Guest @ The Satellite ($10) – New York dance band on Warp.

Opening Night at the Bowl: Harry Connick Jr. / Gloria Estefan / Cirque du Soleil @ Hollywood Bowl ($16 - $168)

The 88 @ Hotel Café

Matt & Kim / Autobot / The Thermals @ The Music Box ($25)

My Pet Saddle / Forever Baby / Neverever / Dirt Dress @ The Smell ($5)

Mark Sultan / Lamps / TRMRS / Death Hymn #9 @ Blue Star at 2200 East 15th St ($10) 
Grant Lee Phillips w/ The Section Quartet @ Largo ($25)

Elevaters / Brit Manor @ Bootleg ($12)

Tech N9ne @ House of Blues Sunset ($35) – Kansas City rapper

The Ditty Bops @ McCabe’s ($20)

Pete Rock @ The Key Club ($20 - $60)

Miracle Parade @ Origami (Free)

She Wants Revenge / Nico Vega @ House of Blues Anaheim ($29)

DOA / JFA / Litmus Green @ Alex’s Bar ($12)
U2 / Lenny Kravitz @ Angel Stadium ($30 - $300) - Whoops, this slipped my mind. Great tix released when I looked Friday morning 

Saturday 6/18/11

[Pick of the Night] Dengue Fever @ The Getty (Free) – Early show at 6:00 PM

[Recommended] Make Music Pasadena: Best Coast / The Morning Benders / Ra Ra Riot / Hello Seahorse! / Jenny O / Tijuana Panthers / Zola Jesus / Saint Motel / Kisses / Seasons and lots of others @  Downtown Pasadena (Free) - Good lineup, this totally slipped my mind earlier in the week..
Odd Future @ House of Blues Sunset (Sold Out) – Should be a good spectacle. Whenever I hear Tyler the Creator, it makes me want to pull out my Dr. Dooom record.

Baths / Mexicans with Guns / Salva / Shlomo / Ground Is Lava / Anenon / Jonwayne @ Echoplex ($15) – I still haven’t seen the local Anticon artist.

Nico Stai / Oh Darling @ The Satellite ($10) 

Matthew Sweet @ McCabe’s ($25) – Girlfriend Stripped
Hunx and His Punx @ Nomad Gallery ($10) 

Brett Dennen / Dawes @ Orpheum ($25)  

Mariachi USA Festival @ Hollywood Bowl

Alex Nester / Stiff / Nehemiah & the Scholars @ Troubadour ($20)

Pangea / Them Howling Bones / Images / Delabre @ The Echo ($8) – Early show at 5:00 PM

The Paul F. Tompkins Show @ Largo ($25)

Watts Ensemble / Graham Reynolds & Golden Arm Trio @ Bootleg ($10)

Bushwalla @ Hotel Café

Cacaw / Foot Village / Tinsel Teeth / Naked Kids @ The Smell ($5)

The One AM Radio / Dreamtapes @ Origami (Free)

Joey “Shithead” Keighley @ Vacation (Free) – 3:00 PM

Hellogoodbye / Atlantic Pacific / TS and the Past Haunts / Modern Memory @ Alex’s Bar ($12)

U2 / Lenny Kravitz @ Angel Stadium ($30 - $300) - Whoops, this slipped my mind. Great tix released when I looked Friday morning 

Sunday 6/19/11

[Pick of the Night] Swervedriver / The Black Watch @ Echoplex ($22) – The veteran shoegazers are back.

The Marietta James / Brother Bear Jones @ The Satellite ($5)

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit / Maria Taylor / Doc Dailey @ Troubadour ($15)

ABC @ House of Blues Sunset ($25)

Grand Ole Echo: Skip Heller / David Serby & the Dirt Poor Folklore / Ted Russell Kam / Mark Lennon @ The Echo (Free) – Early show at 5:00 PM

Horrid Red / German Army @ The Echo

Duncan Shiek @ Largo ($25)

Light In the Attic Mowest Party @ Amoeba (Free) – Matt and Patrick spin cuts from their new Motown West compilation. Great label.

Chip Taylor @ McCabe’s ($16)

Kissing Cousins / Lakes / Light Music / California Concords @ Alex’s Bar ($5)

Ticket Giveaway for Booker T at the Satellite (Plus 10 Interesting Facts About the Legend)

If you’re a fan of soul music even a little (or love the sound of a Hammond organ), I shouldn’t have to explain the historical relevance of Booker T. Jones to you. But just in case you need a little prodding to go see him at the Satellite next Thursday June 16th (buy tickets), here are ten facts about him. I’m also giving away some tickets, so email me [dukeufo at gmail] with the name of your favorite Stax single. The contest closes Monday at 3:00 PM and winners will be notified Monday night.

1)   Co-wrote, along with the MG’s, his most famous song, “Green Onions” while he was still in high school.

2)   As part of the Stax house band (when he wasn’t away at college), Booker T. played on a ridiculous number of classic songs by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, William Bell and the rest of the Stax roster, serving an integral role in defining the southern soul sound.

3)   Co-wrote, along with William Bell, “Born Under a Bad Sign,” which is a vital part of the blues-rock canon.

4)    Co-wrote a ton of underrated soul jams, one of my favorite being, “I Forgot To Be Your Lover” (co-written with William Bell) which slays me every time I hear it (except, when Billy Idol did it).

5)   Produced (as well as arranged and played on) Bill Withers’ classic debut album, Just As I Am.

6)   Produced Willie Nelson’s pop standards, crossover album Stardust, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide (and shows how an album of pop standards can be done right).

7)   In 1993, he toured, along with the MG’s, as Neil Young’s backing band in the US and Europe. He also played on Young’s Are You Passionate? LP.

8)   In 2007, Booker T. and the MG’s received a lifetime Grammy award

9)   His 2009 solo album, Potato Hole, features Drive-By-Truckers as his backing band with Neil Young on guitar (and also won a Grammy for best pop instrumental album).

10)   Has a new album on Silver Lake’s Anti Records called  The Road From Memphis, which features The Roots, Sharon Jones, Lou Reed, Jim James and Matt Berninger.

Recent Concert Announcments (Sunset Junction and more)

Sunset Junction [more to be announced]

8/27/11: Melvins / Charles Bradley / Art Brut / Tapes ‘n Tapes / He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister / The Stripminers / Ladies of Motown / Cold Blank / Swedish Eagle / Morgan Page / Art vs. Science

8/28/11: Hanson / The Belle Brigade / Peaches (DJ Set) / The Three Degrees / The Growlers / EC Twins / Trent Cantrelle / Lady Danville / Lazr Tag

The Satellite [Ticketfly]

6/10/11: The Belle Brigade / Little Hurricane (now)

6/14/11: Mother Mother (now)

6/15/11: Wildbirds and Peacedrums / Therapies Son (now)

6/16/11: Booker T. / Nick Waterhouse (Thursday at Noon)

6/17/11: The Hundred in the Hands (now)

6/30/11: J. Roddy Walston and the Business (now)

8/13/11: The Get Up Kids (Thursday at Noon)

The Echo [Ticketweb]

6/14/11: Mona (Thursday at 10 AM)

6/27/11: Cults (now)

6/29/11: The Parson Red Heads (TBD)

8/5/11: Donkeys (now)

Echoplex [Ticketweb]

6/19/11: Swervedriver (now)

The Wiltern

5/26/11: Stevie Nicks (fan club presale now; Friday at 10 AM)

Troubadour [Ticketfly]

5/11/11: Prince (now)

6/14/11: Chief / Papa (Wednesday at 1:00 PM)

7/19/11 & 7/21/11: Alkaline Trio / Smoking Popes (Thursday at Noon)

One Colorado in Old Town Pasadena [Free KCRW shows]

6/11/11: Diego Garcia

6/25/11: Motopony

California Plaza in Downtown LA [Free KCRW shows]

7/15/11: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80

7/22/11: Joaquin “Joe” Clausell

The Music Box

6/6/11: Flogging Molly / The Drowning Men (Saturday at 10 AM)

8/2/11: The Naked and Famous (now)

Nokia Theatre

7/15/11: American Idol Live Tour 2011 (Friday at 10 AM)

7/16/11: Roberto Tapia / Enigma Norteno (Friday at 10 AM)

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

7/30/11: LA Rising – Rage Against the Machine / Muse / Rise Against / Ms. Lauryn Hill / Immortal Technique / El Gran Silencio (Friday at 10 AM)

Club Nokia

7/24/11: B’z (Saturday at 10 AM)

7/30/11: Zoe (Friday at 10 AM)

10/20/11: The Musical Box [Tribute to Genesis] (Friday at 10 AM)

John Anson Ford

8/16/11: k.d. lang & the Siss Boom Bang / The Secret Sisters (Saturday at 10 AM)

Greek Theatre

7/29/11: Los Lonely Boys / Los Lobos (Friday at 10 AM)

7/30/11: Peter Frampton (Friday at 10 AM)

8/17/11: Go Go’s (Friday at 10 AM)

10/22/11: Idina Menzel (Saturday at 10 AM)

Largo [Laughstub]

7/8/11: Vanessa Carlton (now)

8/27/11: Patton Oswalt (now)

Gibson Amphitheatre

9/17/11: Ke$ha / LMFAO / Spank Rock (citicard presale now; Saturday at 10 AM)

Bootleg [Ticketfly]

5/18/11: Patrick Park (now)

5/22/11: Steve Earle (now)

The Glass House [Ticketfly]

7/23/11: Alkaline Trio / The Smoking Dopes (Thursday at Noon)

McCabe’s

6/18/11: Matthew Sweet – Girlfriend stripped (now)

7/24/11: Frank Fairfield (now)

Grammy Museum

6/1/11: Flavor Flav (now)

Royce Hall

5/18/11: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down / Morning Teleportation (now)

Bardot

5/16/11: Obi Best / Gardens and Villa (Free w/ RSVP)

Alex’s Bar

7/9/11: David Bazan / Rocky Votolato (now)

Live Music Options: 5/2/11 - 5/8/11

I'm Looking Forward to Charles Bradley on Wednesday

A ridiculous number of really good shows this week. Be a good music fan and get out there.



Monday 5/2/11

[Pick of the Night] Battles / Holloys @ Echoplex ($17) - The kings of proggy, indie rock are back to claim their throne. 

[Recommended] He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister / Soko / Cowboy & Indian / The Rag Dolls (Burlesque) / DJ Ana Calderon @ The Satellite (Free) - He's My Brother, She's My Sister is doing the Monday night residency this mont at the Satellite. 

Xavier Rudd / honeyhoney @ El Rey ($25)

White Arrows / Lesands / Vanaprasta @ Bootleg (Free) – Seems like only eight months ago that White Arrows did a residency at Spaceland.

Taylor Locke & the Roughs / Keith from The 88 / Fidlar / Joe Firstman @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Taylor Locke's doing the Monday night residency at the Silverlake Lounge. Locke is Rooney’s guitarist. I've heard good things about Fidlar.  

Chen Santa Maria / This Invitation / I Love You / NOW @ Pehrspace

Ceci Bastida / Leftover Cuties @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP) - Bastida will be at the Hollywood Bowl later this summer. 

Tuesday 5/3/11

[Pick of the Night] Leon Russell / Booker T. Jones @ El Rey ($30) - Two guys that played on a lot of the greatest records of all time. I've seen them both solo and it's worth supporting your legends. 

[Recommended] Alberta Cross / Blue Blood / Stone Darling / Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven @ The Satellite ($10) - Alberta Cross is doing a Tuesday night residency this month at the Satellite. Blue Blood's a new local band (I've seen both of their shows) that's got a Tom Petty/Whiskeytown (without Caitlin) vibe. 

[Recommended] Bootsy Collins @ Grammy Museum (Sold Out) - Funk legend.
Beach Fossils / Craft Spells / Sea Lions @ The Echo ($12) – Brooklyn. Beach in the name. I think you get the drift. They’re on the Captured Tracks label along with Craft Spells. Some catchy tunes. 

Lovers / Matu / The Dead Ships / Brkn Rbtz @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

Dredg @ The Roxy ($20)

Raekwon @ Detroit Bar ($20) - Wu Tang forever. 

The Lonely Wild / Judson / Zenda Marie / The Jasper Dickson Revue @ The Central (Free) - The Lonely Wild's doing a free Tuesday night residency at The Central. So if you're in Santa Monica, check them out. I caught them last month at LaBrie's. 

Wednesday 5/4/11

[Pick of the Week] Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band @ The Echo ($14) - Great story and great album. Bradley's 62 and put out his debut album this year. He's got a gruff voice with a lot of personality. If you're a soul fan, check him out. 

[Recommended] Cass McCombs / Frank Fairfield / Residual Echoes @ Troubadour ($12) - Talented (mellow) singer songwriter. 

[Recommended] The Donkeys / Social Studies / The Damn Sons @ Bootleg ($10) - The Donkeys are on the Dead Oceans label. They're canyon rock influenced, but pull a Pavement riff or two into the mix. 

The Pipettes / Family of the Year / Hot as Sun @ The Satellite ($14) - The Pipettes members have changed (but they're still cute) and their sound has shifted more to a disco pop vibe. 

Chris Cornell / William Elliott Whitmore @ John Anson Ford (Sold Out) - Soundgarden lead singer. 

Rhett Miller / Robert Francis @ The Autry Museum ($17 - $22) - The Old 97's front man is still putting out solo records. 

John Waters @ Largo ($35) - The gross out director. 

James Blunt / Christina Perri @ The Wiltern - I heard his saccharine song today at the Americana. 

The Red River / Radiation City / Toy Bombs @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

The Raveonettes / Tamaryn @ The Glass House ($15) - Good band, two shows later in the week at the Troubadour. 

Bostich + Fussible @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM

Low End Theory: AMP Live / IMI / Dials @ Airliner ($10)

Dredg @ The Roxy ($20)

Curren$y @ Detroit Bar ($18)

Thursday 5/5/11

[Pick of the Night] Apex Manor / The Fling / The New Division @ The Echo (Free w/ RSVP) - Apex Manor's the local band that was The Broken West. Their debut came out earlier this year on Merge Records. Sophisticated pop fans take note. 

[Recommended] The Corin Tucker Band / Crazy Band / The Pity Party @ The Satellite ($15) - Sleater-Kinney fractured into Wild Flag and The Corin Tucker Band. 

[Recommended] Calexico with Mariachi Luz De Luna / Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta @ Echoplex ($20) - Celebrate Cinco de Mayo 

[Recommended] Cloudland Canyon / Jonas Reinhardt / War Drum @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) - They move into some psych rock terrain on this one. 

[Recommended] The Raveonettes / Tamaryn @ Troubadour ($23) - I've never followed The Raveonettes super closely, but always enjoy them when I hear it. 

[Recommended] J. Mascis / Black Heart Procession @ Detroit Bar ($15) - I caught Mascis at SXSW and thought it was great.
[Recommended] Prince @ The Forum ($25 - $200)

Chris Cornell / William Elliott Whitmore @ John Anson Ford (Sold Out) - Soundgarden lead singer. 

Atmosphere / Blueprint / Grieves w/ Budo @ Fox Theater Pomona (Sold Out) - Rhymesayers

Grant Lee Buffalo @ Largo ($30)

Timur and the Dime Museum / Dorian Wood @ Bootleg ($10)

Johnny Clegg @ House of Blues Sunset ($25)

Vex Ruffin / Master Blazter / Sun Araw / Matthewdavid @ The Smell ($5)

Bloody Death Skull / Fatty Dearest / The Avant-Garde Volkpenis @ Echo Country Outpost ($5)

Friday 5/6/11

[Pick of the Night] J. Mascis / Black Heart Procession / Rachel Fannan @ The Echo ($20) - I caught J. Mascis doing the solo (semi) acoustic thing at SXSW and loved it. He's just got so much soul when he plays. 

[Recommended] The Raveonettes / Tamaryn @ Sold Out ($23) – Night two at the Troub.

[Recommended] Mike Stinson / Tony Gilkyson @ Bootleg ($12) – I saw Stinson a lot when he still lived here.
[Recommended] Prince @ The Forum ($25 - $200)

Ezra Furman & the Harpoons / Tristen / The Apache Relay @ The Satellite ($10) - What you'd get if you combined Bob Dylan, Gordan Gano & Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers. 

Junip / Acrylics @ El Rey ($20) - Jose Gonzalez. 

The Corin Tucker Band / Crazy Band @ The Glass House ($12) - If you missed the show on Thursday at the Satellite. 

Moving Units / Crystal Stilts @ Natural History Museum - Seems like an odd pairing to me. 

Dirty Vegas / The Hundred in the Hands / White Apple Tree / Polaris at Noon @ Echoplex ($12) – Dirty Vegas are also playing the free Monday night show next week at Bardot.

MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert: Jane’s Addiction / Chester Bennington / Paramore / Ozomati / Dave Gahan  @ Club Nokia ($125 - $250)

Grant Lee Buffalo @ Largo (Sold Out) 

Ricky Martin @ Nokia Theatre ($46 - $620)

Ke$ha @ Hollywood Palladium 

NAR / Black Elephant / RAAATS! @ The Smell ($5)  

Chuck Dukowski Sextet / The Kris Special / Sanglorians / Stellaluna @ Pehrspace

The Diet Thrills Foreman / Some Days / Deadly Finns / Los Cometas @ Five Stars Bar ($5)

Saturday 5/7/11

[Pick of the Night] Fleet Foxes / The Cave Singers @ Hollywood Palladium ($48) - I've always liked Fleet Foxes more than logic tells me I should. The new record sounds good to me too. 

[Recommended] The Songs of Patsy Cline: The Living Sisters (Inara George, Becky Stark, Eleni Mandell and Alex Lilly) @ Walt Disney Concert Hall – With special guests Zooey Deschanel, John Doe, Shirley Manson, John C. Reilly and Charlie Wadhams.

[Recommended] Portugal. The Man / Telekinesis / Unknown Mortal Orchestra @ House of Blues Anaheim ($29)
[Recommended] Prince @ The Forum ($25 - $200)

[Recommended] Lucha Lounge Mexican Wresting Show: 400 Blows / Street Buddy / Friend Slash Lover @ 1993 Blake Ave ($10)
Zola Jesus / Naked on the Vague / Hive Mind @ The Satellite ($14) – Hipster (and critic) approved. NME called her last album a dark masterpiece. 

The 88 / Taylor Locke & the Roughs @ The Echo ($20) – Early show at 5:00 PM. Good pop music. I've seen them a lot over the years. 

Avi Buffalo @ The Getty (Free) – Early show at 6:00 PM

Wavefest: Roberta Flack / KEM / Macy Gray / Sheila E. @ Greek Theatre ($30 - $130)

The Submarines / Pepper Rabbit / White Sea @ Troubadour ($14) - I saw them at the Eagle Rock Music Fest last year for the first time in a while. Enjoyable pop music. 

Richard Thompson / Alistair Anderson @ McCabe’s (Sold Out)

Ceu / Francisca Valenzuela @ El Rey

Diddy-Dirty Money / Lloyd / TYGA @ Club Nokia

The Thrilling Adventure Hour @ Largo (Sold Out)

Ricky Martin @ Nokia Theatre ($46 - $620)

King Devil @ Bootleg ($8)

Foot Village / BITCHES / The Tleilaxu Music Machine / Batwings Catwings @ The Smell ($5)

Ghostland Observatory @ The Glass House ($25)

Underground Railroad to Candyland / Old Lumps / Simon Lebron / Peter Pants @ Pehrspace

Eddie and the Hot Rods @ Redwood Bar

Junip @ Detroit Bar ($18)

Sunday 5/8/11

[Pick of the Night] Ancestors / Tweak Bird / War Widow @ Bootleg ($8) – Heavier rock. I've seen Tweak Bird a couple of time and enjoy them. 

Ghostland Observatory @ Club Nokia ($25 - $30)

Grand Ole Echo: Tony Gilkyson @ The Echo (Free) – Early show at 5:00 PM. Gilkyson is a fantastic guitar player. 

The Meteors / Hentchmen / Kat Killers / A.Y. / Slash-O-Matic @ Echoplex ($25) – Psychobilly fans?

45 Grave / Death Party @ The Echo ($8)

Yanni @ Nokia Theatre ($80 - $150)

Ceci Bastida @ Amoeba (Free) – 5:00 PM show

Eddie and the Hot Rods @ Redwood Bar

Dirty Vegas @ Detroit Bar ($8)

Recent Live Music Announcements

Thirstin' Fer Moore?

Troubadour

7/28/11 – 7/29/11: Thurston Moore / Kurt Vile (Friday at 1:00 PM)

Greek Theatre

6/24/11: Deep Purple (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = HIGHWAYSTAR; Friday at 10 AM)

7/8/11: Steely Dan performs Aja (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = NINETEEN; Friday at 10 AM)

7/9/11: Steely Dan performs fan favorites (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = NINETEEN; Friday at 10 AM)

7/31/11: George Thorogood (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = BOURBON; Friday at 10 AM)

8/12/11: The Decemberists (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = KILLROCKSTARS; Friday at 10 AM)

The Orpheum

8/20/11: Amos Lee (presale now, password = MISSION; Friday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Bowl

7/25/11: Maroon 5 / Train (American Express presale on now; public onsale Monday at 10 AM)

8/8/11: Phish (American Express presale on now; public onsale Friday at 10 AM)

The Music Box

5/11/11: TV on the Radio [show moved from 5/3/11] (now)

6/17/11: Matt & Kim (now)

Staples Center

6/20/11: Britney Spears / Nicki Minaj (Saturday at 10 AM)

6/23/11: Mana (Friday at 10 AM)

Honda Center

6/24/11: Britney Spears / Nicki Minaj (Saturday at 10 AM)

El Rey

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

6/24/11: Rooney (Saturday at 10 AM)

8/11/11: STRFKR (Saturday at 10 AM)

Fox Theater Pomona

6/23/11: Kyuss Lives! / The Sword (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = DESERT; Friday at 10 AM)

7/1/11: Dropkick Murphys (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = GOING; Friday at 10 AM)

7/24/11: Demetri Martin (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = FUNNY; Friday at 10 AM)

Verizon Wireless

8/20/11: 311 / Sublime with Rome (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = KROQUNITY; Saturday at 10 AM)

Club Nokia

7/29/11: Mint Condition (Friday at 10 AM)

The Wiltern

7/21/11: Ben Folds (Friday at 10 AM)

Hollywood Palladium

6/11/11: Paul Van Dyk (now)

10/8/11: David Crowder (Friday at 10 AM)

Echoplex [Ticketweb]

5/31/11: Stereo Total (now)

Largo

5/17/11: The Fiery Furnaces (now)

6/9/11: Nick Thune / Arj Barker (now)

6/20/11: Duncan Shiek (now)

Grammy Museum

5/12/11: Booker T. (now)

6/9/11: Diane Schuur (now)

Getty Museum

6/18/11: Dengue Fever

7/9/11: Best Coast



Musings on Coachella - Saturday Edition

I was at the first Coachella in October 1999. I had a hooked-up VIP pass. There was a great communal vibe and I wandered in and out of the performing bands’ trailers. I stood on the side of the main stage and witnessed some fantastic performances. It was my first time seeing Morrissey and he did not disappoint. I went back in 2003, 2004 and 2005. 2005 sucked. I vowed to never return.

In 2007 and 2008 I went to the Stagecoach Festival (which takes place the weekend after Coachella on the same grounds). I had a great time both years. It’s a super laid back vibe and you can actually walk around with a drink in your hand. They even have a barbeque contest with great food. If you have the artist wristband, they shuttle you around on golf carts. I’ve seen legends and I’ve discovered new bands both years. This year the Stagecoach bookers took it in a full-on NASCAR direction, so I decided I’d sit it out.

As I was sitting at my computer watching some of the Coachella coverage last Friday, I felt like I was missing out. I’d been rejuvenated by My Bloody Valentine’s performance the night before at the El Rey, so I decided I was ready to brave Coachella again. When I got offered some free Side Stage wristbands for Saturday and Sunday, I was in.

The drive out on Saturday morning was pleasant. We didn’t have a hotel reservation, but drove by a Motel 6 and decided to check their website for a vacancy. $85/night – not bad for last minute on Coachella weekend. There was absolutely no traffic until we got a few miles from the venue. We used the right lane to bypass all the traffic and went around to the back side of the parking area in about three minutes. Unfortunately they route pedestrians the long way around the grounds. It’s a pretty exhausting 20-25 minute walk with no shade in the 98 degree afternoon desert heat. We headed for some shade in the artist compound. At Stagecoach they have coolers with free beer in the artist compound. At Coachella they have five gallon tanks of Arrowhead water. We ran into a friend who offered us a parking pass for Sunday.

We jumped in a golf cart with a friend who was parked in the vendor parking lot. He had a full mini bar in the back of his car, so we poured drinks into plastic cups and snuck them into the festival. Drive-By Truckers were playing at the Outdoor Theatre, so we went backstage and watched them from the side. They sounded as good as anybody can sound from the side stage. It’s a unique perspective, but not a great place to be a part of a show.

Twenty minutes into DBTs we walked over to the Mojave tent for Dr. Dog. The last couple of Dr. Dog shows left me cold. Toby was sick and didn’t sing much when they played the Hotel Café and the El Rey show was just underwhelming. This show restored my faith. Great band.

The last time I remember seeing Superchunk was at the This Ain’t No Picnic festival in 1999. I was never a Superchunk fanatic, but I followed them in college and still own their first five records. I didn’t have any expectations going in, since they don’t play many shows these days. I was completely caught off guard when they proceeded to blow me away. A steady and reliable band like Superchunk is elevated even higher in an era of completely transparent, blatant, trend-hopping bands. In a sea of bands (and festival attendees) crying for attention, they avoided the rock star clothes, attitude and posing and focused on having a good time. Mac and Laura still look great too. And yes, they closed their set with “Slack Motherfucker.”

I stumbled back to the artist area during Michael Franti and Spearhead. Icky. This line from Wikipedia pretty much sums it up: “Except for occasionally wearing crocs on an airplane or in a restaurant, Franti has been walking through life barefoot since 2000.”

Having never seen TV on the Radio and being a pretty big fan, I had to see them. They were pretty good. That’s as strong of a statement as I’m willing to make. Pretty good. Seeing them didn’t change my opinion of them in any way. Everybody was raving about Tinariwen in the Gobi tent.

Late Friday I finally got around to watching Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story on DVD. It’s a very informative and interesting documentary and Booker T. Jones features prominently. It was the perfect time to finally see him. Appearing with the Drive By Truckers as his backing band (they also appear on his new record), the band sounded great. Hearing Booker T. do “Green Onions” on his Hammond was one of the highlights of the festival. And put that documentary in your Netflix queue.

We snuck away towards the end of Booker T’s set to see the last song of the Fleet Foxes’ set. I still love those harmonies on “Mykonos.” There was a huge crowd taking it in too.

It was time for a dinner break. We moved through the crowd at Thievery Corporation and I ate some tacos. The food at Coachella is pretty underwhelming. Would it really be that hard to hire the Taco Zone or Kogi people next year?

A lot of people were really excited to see M.I.A. When I saw her at Coachella 2005, I found her mildly amusing. At Coachella 2009, she was just unbearably bad. A “singer” jumping around a bunch of dancers in DayGlo outfits while a backing track plays is not my idea of entertainment. The airhorn siren that blared every 15 seconds didn’t make it any more tolerable. Her records have some undeniably catchy moments, but her live show is a train wreck. Many of you may disagree, it’s okay, we can still be friends.

At this point, we decided we’d put some rock in our slingshot. We headed towards the Mojave tent where Turbonegro and Mastodon were closing out the night. Unfortunately, in order to avoid the crowd, we took the road behind the stages. When we arrived, the backstage areas of all three tents were shut off. Since there was no easy way to get in front of the stage we headed back to the hotel.

Once we got checked in to the hotel, the lights went out. You can see a lot of stars when the lights go out in the desert.

A post on Sunday’s show is coming soon…..