COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL 2009
SET FOR APRIL 17, 18 AND 19;
STAGECOACH:
CALIFORNIA’S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
TO TAKE PLACE THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND,
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 AND SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Monday, October 06, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
Record Review: Henry Clay People - For Cheap or For Free
Don't forget about the record release party tonight at Spaceland. I wrote this back in late August and planned to re-write before posting, but I'm too lazy.
The Henry Clay People: For Cheap or For Free (Autumn Tone)
The Henry Clay People are full of surprises. After a year of constant gigging around Southern California, For Cheap or For Free is a remarkable progression over their debut album. Known for their raucous live shows, it's great to hear that infectious energy captured on record.
At times, For Cheap or For Free feels like a post-adolescent concept record. But instead of some self-pitying Reality Bites / Garden State bullshit, it's a helluva lot of fun. And we can all relate (can't we?) to dead end jobs, debt, being hungover and calling in sick, showing up for work with bloodshot eyes and an overall sense of displacement. Most of the songs are sung from the perspective of "we," which enhances the inclusive vibe of the record.
Musically, the band plays with familiar sounds, but moves on before you have a chance to nail it down. It might be a piano part that evokes the Stones, or a short guitar riff that makes you think of Neil Young. When they sing about being timeless, is it an allusion to Badfinger?
The quartet fills out their sound on several songs with contributions from Jillinda Palmer and Jonathan Price from I Make This Sound. Dave Newton (the Mighty Lemon Drops) and Joe Napolitano (from label mates, Le Switch) produced the record.
Ever wonder what the Hold Steady would be like if they grew up listening to Neil Young and Pavement instead of the Boss? Even if you haven't, For Cheap or For Free is highly recommended.
Half Price Neil Young Tickets
KLOS is running a promotion for half price floor tickets (down to $44) for Neil Young. The show takes place at the Forum on Thursday October 30th. Opening the show will be Everest and Death Cab for Cutie.
"The concerts will feature Young with the same band that so ably backed him in Europe - Ben Keith, Rick Rosas, Chad Cromwell, Anthony Crawford and Pegi Young."
Go here for Tickets
The KLOS password is: HeartofGold
Thanks to Joel for the tip.
"The concerts will feature Young with the same band that so ably backed him in Europe - Ben Keith, Rick Rosas, Chad Cromwell, Anthony Crawford and Pegi Young."
Go here for Tickets
The KLOS password is: HeartofGold
Thanks to Joel for the tip.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Five Observations About My Bloody Valentine Live
Just a few words about last night’s My Bloody Valentine show at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.
Observation #1: The surprising availability of tickets
I was completely on the fence about going until Jeff Weiss offered up a ticket (to buy) via text. So last night, after a stop at my favorite record store in West LA, Record Surplus, I ventured over to the show. Much to my surprise, I found a free parking spot right in front of the venue. Good start. Jeff wasn’t there yet, so I strolled over to the will call area. Within thirty seconds of standing there, I was offered my first (of three) free tickets for the show. Too late, I’d already agreed to the purchase.
Jeff showed, and half-heartedly tried to sell another extra ticket. No takers (not even for $20). So we started brainstorming for people we know on the Westside. He found a taker on his first call. One of the people I walked in with couldn’t even give away one of his tickets. Meanwhile, I hear that the Sigur Ros show at the much larger Greek Theatre is sold out for tonight (as is tonight’s MBV show). Guess that’s what happens when you don’t put out an album for 17 years (and charge $60 for tickets).
Observation #2: The line to get in was insanely long
The line was fucking ridiculous. At 9:00 PM it was about 500 people long, snaking completely around the parking lot. We decided to wait out the line and join Kevin Bronson for a margarita at the Mexican restaurant across the street. Turns out that Scott McDonald had the same idea. I will respectfully disagree with him on the drink prices though, Jeff, Jeff’s editor and I paid $32 for a very weak pitcher of margaritas. The service was incredibly slow, so by the time we made it over at 9:45, nobody was in line.
Observation #3: Earplugs are not optional
In both Randall Roberts and Kevin Bronson’s reviews, they have some great observations about the volume. I’m not used to seeing that many Marshall Amps on stage, so I reached for my earplugs as soon as they started. (I recommend the re-usable, musician-style earplugs over the foam). Scott McDonald mentioned that he really didn’t think it was all that loud. But that’s probably more of a statement about how loud it was the other times he’s seen them. During the 17 minute feedback finale, “You Made Me Realise,” I stood outside and listened to the windows rattle.
Observation #4: They don’t call it shoegaze for nothing
The crowd was completely sedate, even by Los Angeles standards. I left during the last song to hit the bathroom, and I saw a guy sitting in the front row of the seats sleeping.
Observation #5: The show was really good, but short of transcendent
I had a lot of fun and I’m glad I went, but I wouldn’t pay $60 again to see them in that size of venue. I know the hardcore fans will totally disagree.
Observation #1: The surprising availability of tickets
I was completely on the fence about going until Jeff Weiss offered up a ticket (to buy) via text. So last night, after a stop at my favorite record store in West LA, Record Surplus, I ventured over to the show. Much to my surprise, I found a free parking spot right in front of the venue. Good start. Jeff wasn’t there yet, so I strolled over to the will call area. Within thirty seconds of standing there, I was offered my first (of three) free tickets for the show. Too late, I’d already agreed to the purchase.
Jeff showed, and half-heartedly tried to sell another extra ticket. No takers (not even for $20). So we started brainstorming for people we know on the Westside. He found a taker on his first call. One of the people I walked in with couldn’t even give away one of his tickets. Meanwhile, I hear that the Sigur Ros show at the much larger Greek Theatre is sold out for tonight (as is tonight’s MBV show). Guess that’s what happens when you don’t put out an album for 17 years (and charge $60 for tickets).
Observation #2: The line to get in was insanely long
The line was fucking ridiculous. At 9:00 PM it was about 500 people long, snaking completely around the parking lot. We decided to wait out the line and join Kevin Bronson for a margarita at the Mexican restaurant across the street. Turns out that Scott McDonald had the same idea. I will respectfully disagree with him on the drink prices though, Jeff, Jeff’s editor and I paid $32 for a very weak pitcher of margaritas. The service was incredibly slow, so by the time we made it over at 9:45, nobody was in line.
Observation #3: Earplugs are not optional
In both Randall Roberts and Kevin Bronson’s reviews, they have some great observations about the volume. I’m not used to seeing that many Marshall Amps on stage, so I reached for my earplugs as soon as they started. (I recommend the re-usable, musician-style earplugs over the foam). Scott McDonald mentioned that he really didn’t think it was all that loud. But that’s probably more of a statement about how loud it was the other times he’s seen them. During the 17 minute feedback finale, “You Made Me Realise,” I stood outside and listened to the windows rattle.
Observation #4: They don’t call it shoegaze for nothing
The crowd was completely sedate, even by Los Angeles standards. I left during the last song to hit the bathroom, and I saw a guy sitting in the front row of the seats sleeping.
Observation #5: The show was really good, but short of transcendent
I had a lot of fun and I’m glad I went, but I wouldn’t pay $60 again to see them in that size of venue. I know the hardcore fans will totally disagree.
Recently Announced LA Area Shows
I think the hardcore Oasis fans (like my girlfriend) will be seeing them at the Pearl Theater in Las Vegas - the venue's capacity is 2,500. But for the more casual fans.....
Recently Announced Local Shows:
Oasis / Ryan Adams @ Staples on 12/4/08 (presale on now with password Wonderwall; regular on sale date is 10/3/08 at 10:00 AM)
The Smashing Pumpkins @ the Gibson Amphitheatre on 12/2/08 & 12/3/08 (KROQ presale starts Friday at 10:00 AM; public onsale is 12/4/08 at 1:00 PM)
Matthew Sweet @ El Rey on 11/26/08 (on sale 10/4/08 at 10:00 AM)
Van Morrison performs Astral Weeks @ the Hollywood Bowl on 11/7/08 & 11/8/08 (Citibank presale on now, regular on sale 10/5/08 at 10:00 AM)
Deerhunter @ El Rey on 11/25/08 (on sale 10/4/08)
Hooray for the Holidays with the Aquabats @ the Fonda on 12/12/08 (on sale Saturday at 10:00 AM) Ozomatli @ House of Blues Sunset from 12/18/08 – 12/20/08 (on sale now)
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