Live Music Options: 2/15/10 - 2/21/10

Lou Barlow Plays Spaceland on Thursday

This week's really an embarrassment of riches for local live music fans. Great stuff pretty much every night (and some of it's even free). You've got a nice mix of locals and touring bands; polished KCRW music and buzzy lo-fi blogger favorites; folk, hip-hop and heavy pysch music.

Monday February 15, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Princeton / Le Switch / Wade Ryff & Friends / Adam Stern @ Spaceland (Free) – Princeton continues their Monday night residency. Le Switch has been playing mostly new songs at their recent shows. I’m digging them.
[Recommended] Useless Keys / Aushua / We Barbarians / Science @ The Echo (Free) – Useless Keys has the Monday night residency.
Gamble House / Horse Stories / Letting Up Despite Great Faults / La Font @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Gamble House has a Monday night residency.
Red Arrow Messenger / Maxim Ludwig / He’s My Brother She’s My Sister @ Bootleg (Free) – Red Arrow Messenger continues its Monday night residency.
Teddy Thompson @ Largo Little Room ($25)
Peter Weiss / Josh Klinghoffer / Black Church @ Echo Curio – See the newest member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Klinghoffer) at an art gallery space.
Foot Ox / French Quarter / Kevin Greenspon @ Pehrspace
Ruby Friedman Orchestra @ Hotel Café

Tuesday February 16, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Wearedios / The Henry Clay People / Signals @ Troubadour (Free) – Looks like Ronnie James Dio sent another cease and desist order to Dios. Great lineup for free.
[Recommended] Lissie / Jay Nash @ Hotel Café ($10) – Lissie’s getting some nice press recently. Check out Aquarium Drunkard’s recent post.
[Recommended] Mia Doi Todd / Becky Stark / Farmer Dave Scher / DJ Frosty @ Spaceland ($8) – I do enjoy some Farmer Dave.
Ferraby Lionheart / The Sweet Hurt / John Gold / Dough Rollers @ Bootleg (Free) – Go see The Sweet Hurt.
Clipse / Gift of Gab @ the Roxy ($16.50)
Rickie Lee Jones @ Vista Theatre ($30 - $75) – “Chuck E’s In Love”
Magic Kids / Pearl Harbour / Dunes @ The Echo ($10) – Magic Kids are getting some blog attention. Check out Pitchfork’s Foreskincast.
Alkaline Trio / Cursive @ Glass House in Pomona ($24)
Los Lonely Boys / Alejandro Escovedo @ House of Blues Sunset ($20 - $40)
Funny or Die @ Largo ($25)
Cheese on Bread / Royalchord / Big Whup @ Echo Curio
Ollin / Las Cafeteras / Metiritas / Upground @ Echoplex ($12)
Roll the Tanks / Hungry Angry Baby / Hello Dragon / Vanish Valley @ Silverlake Lounge ($7)

Wednesday February 17, 2010
[Pick of the Night] The Watson Twins / Daisy McCrakin @ Bootleg ($10) – The Watson Twins have a new record out.
Old Man Markley / The Pine Box Boys @ The Echo ($10)
Low End Theory Club: Shlohmo / Ernest Gonzales / Sodapop @ Airliner ($10)
Sarah Silverman @ Largo ($25)
Club NME: Oh My Stars / Curtains For You / Summer Obsession / I Hate Kate @ Spaceland ($5)
Alkaline Trio / Cursive / The Dear & Departed @ House of Blues Sunset ($20)
Arrington De Dionyso’s Malaikat Dan Singa / Corey Fogel / Infinite Body / Kevin Greenspon @ Echo Curio
Under the Asbury / Joshua Norton / Mason Reed @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Austin Hartley-Leonard @ Hotel Café
Bob Schneider / Smile Smile @ Troubadour ($18) – Austin singer-songwriter who used to date Sandra Bollock.
Faster Pussycat @ Key Club ($10)

Thursday February 18, 2010
[Pick of the Week] Imaad Wasif / Lou Barlow & The Missing Men / Avi Buffalo @ Spaceland ($8) – Imaad continues his residency. Very strong lineup tonight with indie god Lou Barlow and indie contenders Avi Buffalo.
[Recommended] The 88 @ Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa ($5) – Heading out on the road with Ray Davies. Lucky bastards.
Cold Cave / Smith Westerns / Best Coast @ Echoplex ($12) – Very blog friendly lineup.
Fanfarlo @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM show
Rare Grooves / Black Elephant / TraPsPs / The Happy Hollows @ The Smell ($5)
Crooked Cowboy & the Freshwater Indians / Cairo Gang / Johnny O’Donnel and Famous Players / John Webster Johns @ The Echo ($7)
Medeski Martin & Wood @ El Rey ($32)
Meshell Ndegeocello @ Largo ($30)
Chris Shiflett / Audra Mae @ Labrie’s ($15)
Shoenberg Knife Fight Ensemble / Manhattan Murder Mystery / Seasons / Garbaj Kaetz @ Echo Curio
John Butler Trio / Charlie Mars @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
See Green / Ives the Band / Audrey Ryan @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Brother Sal / Pete Bernhard @ Hotel Café
Random Patterns / Alpine Decline @ Synchronicity

Friday February 19, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Jon Brion @ Largo ($25) – He’s cut it down to one show a month.
[Recommended] Ancestors / Black Math Horseman / Intronaut / Mountains of California @ Spaceland ($8) – Local heavy shit.
[Recommended] Earthless / Tweak Bird / Year Long Disaster @ Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa – More stoner rock.

[Recommended] Harlem / Audacity @ L'Keg Gallery - I'd probably hold out for seeing Harlem at Spaceland, but if you're not 21 this is an option.
Randy Newman @ Royce Hall ($40 - $65) – He definitely inspires some mixed feelings.
KRS-One @ The Roxy ($22)
The Damned / Gene Loves Jezebel @ House of Blues Sunset ($28)
MUSINK: The Cult / Jim Rose @ OC Fair & Event Center ($30 - $75) – Music festival and tattoo convention.
Fitz and the Tantrums / Pop Noir @ The Echo ($8)
Tera Melos / All Leather / F’N A! @ the Smell ($5)
Radars to the Sky / One Trick Pony / Mississippi Man / Rademacher @ Echoplex ($10)
The Dan Band / The Lampshades @ Club Nokia ($19 - $30)
P.O.S. / Grieves with Budo / Dessa @ Troubadour ($15)
C-Horse / The Lonesome Heroes / Rocking Horse People / The Terrapin @ Echo Curio
Jorma Kaukonen / G.E. Smith @ McCabe’s ($26.50)
Old Toy Trains / Jubilee Singers / Subtle Selves @ Pehrspace
Danny Chaimson and the 11th Hour @ Home on Riverside ($10)
Truth & Salvage Co. / Jonah Matranga / Honneycombs / Square on Square @ Hotel Cafe
HowardAmb / Vaginals / Missincinatti @ Synchronicity

Saturday February 20, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Brendan Benson / Frank Fairfield @ Troubadour ($15) – Some great power pop. Member of the Raconteurs.
[Recommended] Andrew Bird @ Bovard Auditorium at USC ($30 - $50) – He’s a pretty captivating performer.
[Recommended] Harlem / Dante vs. Zombies / J. Worthington Foulfellows @ Spaceland ($10) – Austin band that’s getting a lot of positive buzz right now. They’ve got a record coming out on Matador in April. Dante vs. Zombies is a pretty good band name.
Tinariwen @ Royce Hall ($24 - $48) – All the way from Mali
Fanfarlo / April Smith & the Great Picture Show @ El Rey ($17.50)
MUSINK: The Damned / The Buzzcocks / The Head Cat / Jim Rose @ OC Fair & Event Center ($30 - $75) – Music festival and tattoo convention.
The Entrance Band / Lights / Pocahaunted @ Bootleg ($15)
Meiko @ Hotel Café
The Eternal Triangle / Seasons / George Glass / Magick Orchids / The Transmissions @ Pehrspace
Abby Travis / Wet & Reckless / Wild Yaks / The 1921A / Cosio @ Redwood Bar ($10)
Jonathan Coulton with Paul & Storm @ Largo ($25)
Chuck Dukoswki Sextet / Insects vs. Robots / The Shrine / Voodoo Merchant @ Echo Curio
Conspiracy of Beards: 30 Piece Leonard Cohen Choral Tribute @ The Mint ($15)
Jorma Kaukonen / G.E. Smith @ McCabe’s ($26.50)

Sunday February 21, 2010
[Pick of the Night] Sloan / Taylor Locke & the Roughs / The World Record @ King King ($15) – Veteran Canadians still put out some good records. Get there early for The World Record. Quality local stuff.
Mirah / Rachel Cantu @ Bootleg ($14) – K Records veteran.
MUSINK: NOFX / Face to Face Jim Rose @ OC Fair & Event Center ($30 - $75) – Music festival and tattoo convention.
Lemon Sun / The Secret 6 @ Alex’s Bar ($5)
White Lung / Nu Sense / Friendly Neighbors / NASA Space Universe @ The Smell ($5)
Part Time Punks: DJ Tim Burgess @ The Echo ($5)
Jonathan Coulton with Paul & Storm @ Largo ($25)
Ray Wylie Hubbard / Amy Speace @ McCabe’s ($20)
Kicking Skunk / David Lee Paulson / Birds Beware @ Echo Curio

Recently Announced Live Shows

The Fonda
4/27/10: Dr. Dog / Deer Tick (on sale 1/22 at 10 AM)

Nokia Theatre
5/16/10 – 5/17/10: Ricky Gervais (presale for AmEx cardholders starts 1/18 at 10 AM; on sale 1/22 at 10 AM)

El Rey
1/28/10: Broken Lizard Live (now)
2/20/10: Fanfarlo (now)
3/10/10: Little Boots / Dragonette / Fan Death (now)
3/11/10: The New Mastersounds (Friday at 10 AM)
4/10/10: Liars / Fol Chen (now)
4/28/10: Dark Star Orchestra (now)
5/1/10: NEEDTOBREATHE (1/30 at 10 AM)
5/21/10: Shout Out Louds (now)

Wilshire Ebell Theatre
3/27/10: Krishna Das / Deva Premal & Miten (Friday at 10 AM)

Glass House Pomona
1/30/10: Moving Units / Rumspringa / Casxio (now)
3/12/10: Little Boots / Dragonette / Fan Death (now)
4/30/10: NEEDTOBREATHE (2/12 at Noon)
5/25/10: Kaki King / An Horse (Friday at Noon)

McCabe’s
2/6/10: Langhorne Slim (now)
2/14/10: Van Dyke Parks (now)
2/27/10: Phranc (now)
5/8/10 – 5/9/10: Jennifer Warnes (now)

The Echo
3/2/10: Nice Nice / We Break Cameras (now at Ticketweb)
3/3/10 – 3/4/10: Shrinebuilder (now)
3/18/10: Xiu Xiu / Tune-Yards (now)
4/21/10: Megafaun / Breathe Owl Breathe (now)

Echoplex
2/13/10: James Lavelle (now)
4/17/10: jj / Delorean / Bachelorette (now)


Troubadour
2/20/10: Brendan Benson / Frank Fairfield (now)
3/9/10: Manchester Orchestra / The Features (now)

Bootleg
2/11/10: Alec Ounsworth (now at In Ticketing)
2/21/10: Mirah (now)
3/5/10: Mike Watt (now)
3/6/10: Jarrod Gorbel (now)
3/25/10: The Low Anthem (now)

Live Music Options: 9/7/09 - 9/13/09

Girls Play the Bootleg Theater on Thursday (photo credit: Sandy Kim)

I started last week out with Henry Clay People and Local Natives. The crowd starting lining up as early as I've seen since the days when Elliott Smith used to play the club. The Henry Clay People set reminded me why I liked them so much in the first place - no guest appearances or costumes and very few cover songs - just a tight, fun, unpretentious rock 'n' roll band. Local Natives blend of Fleet Foxes-style harmonies and Vampire Weekend-esque jams make them seem like a safe bet for commercial success.

Also at Spaceland was Division Day's record release party on Wednesday night. After a prolonged absence from playing live shows, the band successfully pulled off the new material. It was great to see those guys on stage again.

Monday 9/7/09

[Pick of the Night] Leslie and the Badgers / Old Californio / Welldiggers Banquet / Painted Hills @ The Echo (Free) - After a long weekend it's hard to get motivated to get out of the house. It's the first night of Leslie and the Badgers' residency. Painted Hills is Josh Schwartz's (Beachwood Sparks, The Tyde) band and he's a fantastic guitar player. Old Californio's well worth checking out too.
Saint Motel / The Jakes / Fight From Above / Giant State @ Spaceland (Free) - Saint Motel begins its Monday night residency.
Abe Vigoda / moment trigger / Bro-Mags @ Pehrspace
The Blind Boy Paxton & Frank Fairfield Show @ Redwood Bar
Mew @ Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa (Sold Out)

Tuesday 9/8/09

Nine Inch Nails / HEALTH @ The Fonda (Sold Out) - Rescheduled from last week. Admittedly I haven't listened to Nine Inch Nails in about a decade, but the Fonda promises the best combination of size and sound quality.
[Recommended] Os Mutantes @ Amoeba (Free) - 6:00 PM - Free chance to see the legends.
[Recommended] Hedgehog /Queen Sea Big Shark / Casino Demon @ Silverlake Lounge ($10) - Sing for China benefiting the China AIDS orphan fund - I don't know any of the music, but I always like seeing bands from other cultures.
[Recommended] The 88 / The Secret 6 / The Douglas Lee @ Spaceland ($10) - The 88 continues its Tuesday night residency. Good opportunity to check back in with them after a lot of shows where they've been opening for bigger bands.
AC/DC / The Answer @ the Honda Center in Anaheim (Sold Out)
Summer Darling / Sing Orpheus @ The Echo (Free) Resident Hero @ Troubadour ($10)
Collective Soul @ House of Blues Sunset
Nina Storey @ Hotel Cafe
Nico Vega / Dirty Sweet / Gringo Star @ The Roxy
Stab City @ Redwood Bar

Wednesday 9/9/09
[Pick of the Night] 3 Inches of Blood / Saviours @ Knitting Factory ($14) - Some seriously fast metal, slashing metal.
[Recommended] Club NME: The Answer / Sea of Air / It's Casual @ Spaceland ($10) - Northern Ireland's The Answer have been opening for AC/DC in stadiums across the world. It's blues based metal along the lines of Zeppelin. Good opportunity to see them on their night off at Spaceland.
HEALTH / Pictureplane / Mi Ami / Dam-Funk @ Troubadour ($12) - This is where the Pitchfork generation will be tonight.
Petracovich / Briana Rettig / All Spots to Black / Loxsly @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Natalie Cole @ Hollywood Bowl ($1 - $96)
Low End Theory: Hudson Mohawke / Dorian Concept @ Airliner ($10)
All Wrong and the Plans Change / Moving Picture Show / All Babes Are Wolves @ Three Clubs
Emily Wells / Joey Ryan / Angie Mattson / Kari Kimmel / Leah Andreone @ The Echo (Free)
David Cook / Crash Kings @ The Fonda (Sold Out) - American Idol
Black and White Years / The Good Cheer / Cheetahsaurus / Evan Voytas @ Viper Room ($12)
Twilight Circus Sound System @ The Echoplex (Free)
Harper Simon @ Largo ($10)
Josiah Leming @ Hotel Cafe
Not the Government / Stab City / Narwhal Party / Bastidas @ Echo Curio

Thursday 9/10/09
[Pick of the Week] Cass McCombs / Girls / John Webster Johns @ Bootleg Theater ($13) - Should be a busy night at the Bootleg (this is where the Pitchfork generation will be). Cass McCombs is a bit of dark singer-songwriter who recently got "Best New Music" from Pitchfork. Girls debut album comes out 9/22 on True Panther/Matador. Their first single "Lust for Life" got a ton of praise. The album's a little bit inconsistent, but there are a few highlights. Kind of like early, lo-fi Elvis Costello. There's a nice pop sensibility to it.
[Recommended] Outrageous Cherry / The Tyde / Asteroid #4 / Devon Williams @ Spaceland ($8) - Good lineup from top to bottom for retro-minded psych pop fans.
[Recommended] Film Screening: Let Them Know - The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO @ Ricardo Montalban Theater ($17) - Documentary on the early LA punk scene followed by a concert with 7 Seconds, Youth Brigade and Swingin' Utters - Buy tickets HERE and Trailer HERE
[Recommended] Clem Snide @ Hotel Cafe - They'll be at Pappy and Harriet's this weekend with Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven.
[Recommended] Nine Inch Nails / Io Echo @ the Wiltern (Sold Out) - Another rescheduled show.

Camper Van Beethoven / Cracker @ El Rey ($24) - If you're not heading out to Pappy and Harriet's for their annual campout.
Take Us There Slumber Party @ Echo Curio - All night slumber party hosted by Dublab
Deracine / moment trigger / Mikki and the Mauses / PROTECT ME @ The Smell ($5) - Deracine is a Japanese noise band.
Prayer / United State of Electronica / The Dance Party @ Three Clubs
Local Natives / We Barbarians @ Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa ($8)
Seasons / Manhattan Murder Mystery / Torches in Trees / Jack Wilson Jr. @ L'Keg
Mia Maestro & Aaron Robinson / Black Heart Moon / Courtenay Green / Eloise @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Soulsavers feat: Mark Langegan / Jonneine Zapata / Red Ghost @ Troubadour ($18)

Collective Soul @ House of Blues Anaheim
Lazer Sword / Rainbow Arabia / Hecuba / Ghosts on Tape @ The Echo ($8)
Hal Sparks @ Largo ($20)
Camp Freddy @ House of Blues Sunset ($25)
The Growlers / Some Days / Blue Jungle @ Alex's Bar in Long Beach ($5)
George Benson @ Grammy Museum (Sold Out)

Friday 9/11/09
[Pick of the Night] Vivian Girls / The Beets / The Black & White Years @ The Echo ($10) - If you're looking for the Pitchfork generation, look no further...
[Recommended] Talib Kweli @ Key Club ($23) - Great rapper
Seu Jorge & Bebel Gilberto @ Hollywood Bowl ($10 - $96) - Smooth Brazilian tunes.
Jon Brion @ Largo ($25) - I wasn't awed the last time I saw him, but it's always an interesting show.

Dead Man's Bones @ Bob Baker Marionette Theatre - This is Ryan Gosling's band
Kaiser Cartel / Anni Rossi @ Hotel Cafe
Gestapo Khazi @ The Smell ($5)
Pollyn / The Congress of American Musicologists @ Bootleg ($10)
Reggie White / Andy Kindler / Rory Scovel / Nick Thune @ Spaceland ($12) - A rare Friday night comedy show at Spaceland.
The Health Club / Cobalt Cranes / Traps PS @ L'Keg Gallery
Paolo Nutini @ The Wiltern ($25)
Battlehooch / Whqles / 60 Watt Kid / Jeffrey Jerusalem @ Echo Curio
Chase Long Beach @ Troubadour ($10)
Sinbad @ Club Nokia ($28 - $40)
Year Long Disaster / Oh No Not Stereo @ Viper Room ($15)
Augustana / HoneyHoney @ the Roxy
Glay @ House of Blues Sunset ($43) - Japanese stars
Exene Cervenka Acoustic / John Doe @ Alex's Bar in Long Beach ($10)
Blessure Grave / Voice on Tape / Bestial Mouths / Warrior Line / Birth @ Pehrspace
Street of Little Girls / Laco$te / The Amazements @ Silver Factory Studios

Saturday 9/12/09
[Pick of the Night] Brendan Benson @ Troubadour ($15) - Great pop songwriter. I hear his new album is another solid effort.
[Recommended] Tribute to George Harrison: Ryan Ross, Robert Francis, Matt Popielich, Michael Runion, Amanda Jo Williams, El May, Leslie Stevens, Andy Creighton, Brian Whelan, Joe Napolitano @ Spaceland ($10) - Benefit for Harmony Project. Neat, eclectic collection of musicians from bands like Foreign Born, Panic at the Disco, Le Switch, The Broken West and the World Records. These tributes are always a mixed bag, but usually a fun time.

[Recommended] Space Waves / The Meeting Places @ Silver Factory Studios
Sunset Strip Music Festival: Ozzy Osbourne / Korn / Pepper / The Donnas / LMFAO / Shwayze / Shiny Toy Guns / Kottonmouth Kings / Unwritten Law / Fishbone / Earl Greyhound / Eulogies / The Ringers / The Knux / Nico Vega / Andre Legacy / Iglu & Hartly @ Sunset Strip ($40) - There was a time (second through fifth grade) when I was a massive Ozzy Osbourne fan. The other bands I've enjoyed over the years: Fishbone, The Donnas, The Knux
Flying Lotus / Daedelus / Gaslamp Killer / Jogger / Post-Foetus @ The Fonda ($20)

SASSAS 10th Anniversary Concert @ Various Locations - See website for details
Seu Jorge & Bebel Gilberto @ Hollywood Bowl ($10 - $96) - Night two of the smooth Brazilian tunes.
Derek Schmidt / Worried Minds / Cosio / Anita Coats @ Echo Curio
The Superbees / Chelsea Smiles / Prima Donna @ Redwood Bar
The Honorary Title @ Knitting Factory ($15)
The Asbury / Bizzart @ The Smell ($5)
Ace Frehley @ Viper Room ($25)
Aziz Ansari @ Largo ($25) - Comedian
Lelia Broussard @ Hotel Cafe
Vaud & the Villians @ the Echoplex ($18)
The Dan Band @ Club Nokia ($20 - $30)
Purple Melon / Battlehooch @ Bootleg ($8)
Glay @ House of Blues Sunset ($43) - Japanese stars
The Aquabats @ the Glass House in Pomona ($18)

Sunday 9/13/09
[Pick of the Night] Seu Jorge & Bebel Gilberto @ Hollywood Bowl ($10 - $96) - Sunday night's a good night to break out the wine and cheese and see some smooth Brazilian tunes.

[Recommended] Little Radio Summer Camp: Andy Clockwise / Dios / Xu Xu Fang / Sweaters / Marvelous Toy @ Tony's Bar [2017 E. 7th St] ($10)
Part Time Punks: Blue Jungle / The Widow Babies @ The Echo ($5)
The Honey Brothers / Soko / The Colourist @ Troubadour ($15)
Dave Matthews Band /Switchfoot @ Verizon Wireless ($40 - $70)
Adam Marsland's Chaos Band / The Anny Celsi Band / The Jeff Merchant Band @ Spaceland (Free)
The Binges / Mack Whinston & the Reflections @ Viper Room ($10)
The Beets / Dunes / 2Up / Lucky Dragons @ the Smell ($5)
Justice for India Benefit: The Delta Spirit @ Alex's Bar in Long Beach
Tom Paxton @ McCabe's (Sold Out)