Live Music Options: 8/30/10 - 9/5/10

Another great week to be a music fan in Los Angeles. I caught the Little Ones on Friday night at the Echo. They're still as fun as ever. Kevin from Division Day is their new drummer.

Monday 8/30/10
[Pick of the Night] White Arrows / Grouplove / Superhumanoids / Whispertown 2000 @ Spaceland (Free) – Solid lineup tonight. Get there early and stay all the way. Grouplove recently came in at #10 on NME's list of the 50 Best New Bands.
[Recommended] Mavis Staples @ Grammy Museum (Sold Out) – Doors at 7:30; conversation and short performance
[Recommended] Twilight Sleep / Gliss / The Hundred Days / Big Moves @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – The last night of the Twilight Sleep residency.
[Recommended] Physical Forms (ex-Mae Shi, Busdriver and Kevin from Division Day) / Nicole Kidman / Generation / Dimples / So Many Wizards @ Pehrspace ($5)
[Recommende] Fol Chen / Sister Crayon / Evan Voytas / Rachel Goodrich @ The Echo (Free) – The last night of the Fol Chen residency.
Nations Afire @ Troubadour ($10)
Slayer / Megadeth / Testament @ Long Beach Arena
Pete Molinari / The 3 Hos (Smokey Hormel, Stephen Hodges, Rick Holmstrum) @ Redwood Bar
Battle Tapes / Cinderella Motel / Rebel Rebel @ The Viper Room ($10)
Rachel Goodrich / AM @ Bardot (Free w/ RSVP)

Tuesday 8/31/10
[Pick of the Night] The Submarines / Obi Best / Sea of Bees @ Bootleg ($15)
[Recommended] Pete Molinari / Les Shelleys (Tom Brosseau and Angela Correa) / Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven / Mark Huff @ Redwood Bar
Jenny & Johnny @ Amoeba (Free) – 6:00 PM show; Jenny Lewis and boyfriend Jonathan Rice
Bobby Bare Jr. / Blue Giant / Stephen Brower and the Silent Majority @ The Echo ($12) – Some alt country.
Pacific Hurt / Le Sands / Mississippi Man / Neverever @ Troubadour
Asleep at the Wheel @ Grammy Museum ($20) – Conversation and short performance
Melissa Etheridge @ Orpheum ($40 - $103)
The Charmkin Rebellion / Telegram / Fake Problems / Electronic Beat @ Spaceland (Free) - Fake Problems are heading out with Gaslight Anthem next month, so here's a good chance to see them for free...
David Spade and Friends @ Largo ($40)
Gooby Goo & Peekers / Italian Japanese @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Anna Nalick @ Hotel Café
Daybreak Ends / Simulator @ Viper Room (Free)
Green Day / AFI @ Verizon Wireless (Sold Out)

Wednesday 9/1/10
[Pick of the Night] Ty Segall / Garotas Suecas / Grass Widow / The Franks @ Spaceland ($10) – Noisy, damaged garage rocker now from the San Francisco scene. Garotas Suecas are a troplicalia/garage band from Sao Paolo, Brazil. Aquarium Drunkard wrote about them a few months back.
[Recommended] Low End Theory: Busdriver / Existereo @ Airliner ($10)
[Recommended] Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses @ Grammy Museum ($10) – Conversation and short performance
Herbie Hancock Birthday Celebration @ Hollywood Bowl ($2 - $139) – With tons of special guests: India.Arie, Terence Blanchard, Wayne Shorter, Susan Teschi, Derek Trucks, etc…
Princeton / The Bonedaddys / The Reflectacles @ The Bandshell (Free) – Show starts at 7:00
Exploding Flowers / Residual Echoes @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Seven Saturdays / Helen Stellar / Tape Deck Mountain @ Bootleg ($8)
Jamie Drake / Amber Rubarth @ Hotel Café
Men @ The Glass House ($12)
Pete Molinari / Stone Darlings / Miranda Lee Richards @ Redwood Bar

Thursday 9/2/10
[Pick of the Night] Dr. John and the Lower 911 / Eddie Baytos & the Nervis Brothers @ Santa Monica Pier (Free) – He is New Orleans and it’s free.
Marijuana Death Squads / Holloys / Woah Hunx @ The Echo ($5) – Marijuana Death Squads features: P.O.S., Ryan Olson of Gayngs, Har Mar Superstar, Isaac Gale, and former members of Cows.
Nite Jewel / Teen Inc. / Heart Shaped Rock / Peanut Butter Wolf @ Troubadour ($10) –Buzzy.
Pete Molinari / The Preservation / Mark Huff @ Redwood Bar
George Ellias / Hand @ Spaceland (Free)
Kisses @ Cinespace
Ian Cooke / Broken Numbers Band @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Sky Parade @ Bootleg ($8)
Universe / dubBumba / little gold / Lovey Doveys @ The Smell ($5)
Tyrone Wells / Branches / The Shape of the Earth @ The Glass House ($16)
Bitches Brew Panel @ Grammy Museum (Free) – Henry Rollins and others discuss the classic album
The White Panda @ the Roxy
Ufonik / The Sunshine Brothers @ Viper Room
Lipbone Redding @ The Mint ($15)
The Delta Mirror / I Hate You Just Kidding / Repeater @ Detroit Bar ($8)
Wang Chung @ Key Club ($15)

Friday 9/3/10
[Pick of the Night] No Jacket Required: Very Special Guests / Delorean / Superhumanoids @ Grandstar in Chinatown ($10) - The very special guests are the sort of band that sells out the Echoplex.
[Recommended]Stereo Total / Vice Cooler / Kisses / Allister Izenberg @ Echoplex ($16) – Stereo Total’s always been a fun band.
[Recommended] The Delta Mirror / Afghan Raiders / Healamonster & Tarsier @ Spaceland ($8) – Back from tour. They did a residency at the Echo in March.
Rocco Deluca / JBM @ Hotel Café
The Pity Party / Useless Keys / Spirit Vine / Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound @ 5 Star Bar – Good lineup. I still ahven’t been down to the 5 Star Bar.
Cold Cave / Abe Vigoda @ Detroit Bar ($12)
Earth, Wind & Fire (works) @ Hollywood Bowl ($15 - $166)
Southern Culture on the Skids / Lynda Kay / Jeremiah and the Red Eyes @ The Echo ($14)
Ceci Bastida / Nina Dioz / Orlando / Faro @ The Glass House ($10)
Venrez @ Troubadour ($12)
The Mau Maus / Symbol Six / The Billybones @ Redwood Bar
Mumiy Troll @ the Roxy
Uriah / Attika / Lords of Ruin @ Viper Room ($15)
Bleeding Through @ Key Club ($17)

Saturday 9/4/10
[Pick of the Week] FYF Fest: The Rapture / Panda Bear / Sleep / Dead Man’s Bones / Unbroken / !!! / Local Natives / Best Coast / 7 Seconds / Thee Oh Sees / The Mountain Goats / Ted Leo & the Pharmacists / Man Man / Delorean / Cold Cave / Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti / Washed Out / Davila 666 / School of Seven Bells / The Soft Pack / Wavves / AA Bondy / The Blow / Warpaint / Off! / Vetiver / Ceremony / Big Freedia / Screaming Females / Magic Kids / The Growlers / Lower Dens / Let’s Wrestle / Cults @ Los Angeles State Historic Park ($30) – Impressive lineup. There are three stages which results in some pretty serious conflicts.
Mark Burgess / Veil Veil Vanish / Repeater @ Troubadour ($15)
Inara George Presents: Dolly Parton Tribute @ The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum ($25 - $40) - The Living Sisters, Becky Stark, Harper Simon, Charlie Wadhams and others appear
Dan Bern @ Hotel Café
Earth, Wind & Fire (works) @ Hollywood Bowl ($15 - $166)
Youth Brigade / Krum Bums / All or Nothing @ The Glass House ($12)
George Glass / Off Campus / Geisha Boys @ Pehrspace
Kris Special / Stellaluna / Worker Bees / Ugly Winner / Heather Woodbury’s As the Globe Warms @ Echo Curio
Francisco the Man @ Redwood Bar
The English Beat @ The Roxy
Imperial Stars / Enfamus @ Viper Room ($15)
Cherry Poppin’ Daddies @ The Mint ($15)
SMTOWN Live: Kangta / BoA / U Know / Max / Super Junior / Girls’ Generation / Shinee / f(x) / Zhang Li Yin / Trax @ Staples Center ($40 - $180) – “Asia’s best rides the K-Pop wave in LA” – whatever that means

Sunday 9/5/10
[Pick of the Night] The Gories / Haunted George / Nice Smile @ Spaceland ($22) – Reunion tour of the dirty garage rockers from Detroit. The band features Mick Collins before he was in the Dirtbombs.
FYF Fan Fest: The Rapture / Panda Bear @ Undisclosed Location ($10) – You have to buy tickets at the FYF Fest. These things are usually at the Eagle Rock Center for the Arts.
The Big Picture: The Films of Twentieth Century Fox @ Hollywood Bowl ($15 - $166)
Dre Allen @ Troubadour ($12)
Part Time Punks: Smiths/Morrissey Night @ The Echo ($5)
Faun Fables @ Steve Allen Theater
Cobalt Cranes / Night Beats / Boom Chick / The Myonics @ Echo Curio

Recent Concert Announcements

White Denim is Coming to Spaceland

Spaceland
11/2/10: White Denim (now at Ticketweb)

Masonic Temple at Hollywood Forever
9/28/10: Perfume Genius (now at Ticketweb)

Gibson Amphitheatre
10/3/10: Terra Music Fest – Nelly Furtado / Fefe Dobson / Belanova (Wednesday at 1:00 PM)
10/26/10: Snoop Dogg / Mike Epps (Friday at 1:00 PM)
11/7/10: Massive Attack / Thievery Corporation (Friday at 10 AM)

The Wiltern
11/18/10: Katherine Jenkins (Friday at 10 AM)

Fox Theater Pomona
10/19/10: Interpol / White Rabbits (Friday at 1:00 PM)
11/26/10: Attack Attack! / Emmure / Pierce the Veil (Saturday at 10 AM)

Club Nokia
11/4/10: Ghostland Observatory (Friday at 10 AM)
12/3/10: The Posies / Brendan Benson / Aqueduct (Saturday at 10 AM)

Pappy and Harriet’s (Pioneertown)
9/17/10-9/18/10: Clean Air Clear Stars Festival: Dead Meadow / Wiskey Biscuit / Sky Parade / The Meek / Nightmare Air / 1776 / Federale / Brush Prairie / Hawkeye and others (now at Inticketing)

El Rey
10/3/10: Guitar Wolf / Hans Condor (Saturday at 10 AM)
10/19/10: Deer Tick (Saturday at 10 AM)
10/23/10: The Rudy Cole Experiment (Saturday at 10 AM)
10/26/10: Lights (Saturday at 10 AM)
11/15/10: Cornershop (Saturday at 10 AM)
11/19/10: Hey Monday / Cartel / The Ready Set (Saturday at 10 AM)

The Music Box 10/21/10: Wiz Khalifa / Yelawolf (Saturday at 10 AM)
11/5/10: Gov’t Mule (Saturday at 10 AM)
12/11/10: Peter Hook presents Unknown Pleasures (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = unknown; Saturday at 10 AM)

Troubadour
10/29/10: Moving Units (Thursday at 1:00 PM)

Largo
10/3/10: Aimee Mann (call club)

Live Music Options: 8/23/10 - 8/29/10

Anybody make it out the Sunset Junction this weekend? I skipped it again. Some hot shows at the Bootleg this week....

Monday 8/23/10
[Pick of the Night] Blind Boy Paxton / Frank Fairfield @ Redwood Bar – Frank Fairfield’s heading to Europe for a month, so this is your last chance to see him for a while.
[Recommended] Twilight Sleep / Helen Stellar / By Sunlight / Robotanists @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) – Good lineup.
[Recommended] White Arrows / Heavy Young Heathens / Gamble House / The Outline @ Spaceland (Free) – White Arrows’ residency continues. Gamble House has gotten a good amount of buzz with their Grizzly Bear-vibe.
Fol Chen / Crocodiles / Woom / Jessica 6 @ The Echo (Free) – Fol Chen is doing the Monday night residency this month and the gimmicks continue. Metal band Viscera will perform the music of Fol Chen tonight.
Slang Chickens / Papa @ Downtown Independent Theater – Playing after the screening of The Scenestars
JP Jones, Chrissie Hynde & the Fairground Boys @ Grammy Museum (Sold Out)
MNDR / Maximum Balloon DJ set @ Bardot - Maximum Balloon features Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio
Dave Mathews Band / Raphael Saadiq @ Hollywood Bowl ($60 - $90) – Get there early for Rapahel Saadiq, he’s got a great voice.
Andy Clockwise @ Hotel Café – 6:00 PM showcase
Stellaluna / Blood Beach / White Fang / Sexhair @ Pehrspace
Asss / Bestial Mouth / Tik Tik / White Leopards @ Echo Curio

Tuesday 8/24/10
[Pick of the Night] GZA / Freddie Gibbs / Kendrick Lamar / Toks / Abcnt @ Echoplex ($18) – I saw Freddie Gibbs at Spaceland a while back and he’s the real deal.
[Recommended] Henry Wolfe / Charlie Wadhams / Sunday Soundtracks @ The Echo ($5) – Singer-songwritery
Tanya Morgan / TiRon / Afro Classic / Ahmad @ Spaceland ($12) – Hip-hop group from Brooklyn that got some good reviews for their last record
Wilding / Chromium Heart / Cactus Pricks / Modern Time Machines @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Wilding is the new name for Tigers Can Bite You
Chris Isaak / Marc Broussard @ Greek Theatre ($62 - $125)
Captain Ahab / The Pukes @ Downtown Independent Theater – Playing after the screening of The Scenestars
Fitz & the Tantrums @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM
Big D (Little Richard Tribute) / Thee White Dogs @ Bootleg ($8)
Eyes Lips Eyes / Kid Theodor @ El Cid
Thriving Ivory / Ryan Star / Entice @ Troubadour ($15)
Bonossus and the Gnomefly / Palm Reader / Tarisyphus / Lingonberries @ The Smell ($5)
Chelsea Boys / Buffalo Moon / Tan Dollar / The Cosmonauts @ Echo Curio
The Neighborhood Bullies / The Stains @ Redwood Bar
Monte Montgomery @ The Mint ($16)
John Mayer @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater ($50 - $95)

Wednesday 8/25/10
[Pick of the Week] Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses / The Americans @ Boogleg Theater ($20) – I saw Bingham put on a great show a few years back at Stagecoach. He’s also the guy who wrote a lot of the music in Crazy Heart.
[Recommended] Jason Falkner / The Spires @ Spaceland ($12) – I’ve followed his work throughout the years with The Three O’Clock, Jellyfish, Eric Matthews, Brendan Benson, Beck, as well as his solo stuff.
[Recommended] Jimmy Webb @ Largo ($30) – The legendary songwriter.
[Recommended] Los Lobos @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM
The Hold Steady / Jaill @ Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa
Low End Theory: Tokimonsta / 6Blocc / Yuk @ Airliner ($10)
Henry Wolfe @ The Standard Hollywood
Norah Jones / Corinne Bailey Rae @ Greek Theatre ($46 - $78)
Big Search @ Downtown Independent Theater – Playing after the screening of The Scenestars
Filligar / Red Arrow Messenger / All Wrong and the Plans Change @ Troubadour ($12)
The Muddy Reds / Matt Ellis / National Park Service / Walter Spence @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
City of Progress / Wholes / Random Patterns @ Echo Curio
Sarah Blackwood @ Redwood Bar
The White Buffalo @ The Mint ($15)
Upsilon Acrux / Blood Beach / Narwhal @ Show Cave

Thursday 8/26/10
[Pick of the Night] Black Mountain / Lower Heaven @ Bootleg ($16) – Great chance to see Black Mountain in a small venue before they come back in November to El Rey. Heavy psych rock.
The Hold Steady / Jaill @ The Glass House ($20)
Radars to the Sky / Death To Anders / Smokers in Love @ Spaceland ($7)
Juliette Commagere / Papercranes / Luke Rathborne / Estelle Raskina @ Echo ($7)
Beatlesfest / Led Zepagain @ Santa Monica Pier (Free) – Abbey Road plays an acoustic set of Beatles’ tunes.
The Franks / Lord Huron @ Downtown Independent Theater – Playing after the screening of The Scenestars
Relax to Paris / The Ivy Walls / Fight From Above / The Broken Column @ Troubadour ($10)
Vaud & the Villians / Lil Gizzelle / RT n’ the 44’s @ Echoplex ($12)
Incan Abraham / The Lonely Wild / The Shade @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)
Josh Tatum @ Hotel Café
Learning Music / Gals / Forget Me Nauts @ Echo Curio
Spirit Animal @ Redwood Bar
Filter @ The Roxy ($27)
White Buffalo @ Detroit Bar ($10)
Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Gibson Amphitheatre

Friday 8/27/10
[Pick of the Night] The Little Ones / Downtown Union / Kissing Tigers @ The Echo ($5) – It’s been a while since the Little Ones have played. I’m still a big fan of their debut EP. [Recommended] Jon Brion and Friends @ Largo ($25)
[Recommended] Pete Molinari / Patrick Park / Mark Huff @ Redwood Bar – A seven night run for Pete Molinari. He’s a British singer-songwriter who does well over there.
Mark Olson / Ivan & Alyosha @ McCabe’s ($15) – Founding member of the Jayhawks
Boris / Red Sparowes / Helms Alee @ El Rey ($20) – Good lineup of heavy rock.
The Fling / Deep Sea Diver / Sam Outlaw / Archeology @ Spaceland ($7) – The Fling’s record release party. Deep Sea Diver is Jessica Dobson’s band (she recently played with Beck).
Gamble House / Walter Meego / Mystery Claws @ Pehrpsace – If you missed the free Gamble House show at Spaceland on Monday
John Williams and the Music of the Movies @ Hollywood Bowl ($165 - $166)
Stoic Ideal @ Troubadour ($12)
Shannon Curtis / JT Spangler / Aaron Beaumont @ Bootleg ($10)
Cyndi Lauper / Allen Toussaint / David Rhodes @ Greek Theatre ($41 - $83) – It would be cool to see Allen Toussaint.
Asia @ Club Nokia ($16 - $45)
Denim Family Band @ Hotel Café
Dave Phillips / R. Jencks / Mike Shiflet / Damion Romero / Moment Trigger @ The Smell ($5)
The Juliana Theory @ The Glass House ($25)
Neverever / Deadly Finns / Some Days @ 3 of Clubs
The Shants / Evan Roberts / Dead Flowers / Ricky Stein @ Echo Curio
Delta Rose / Warner Drive / Run Devil Run @ Viper Room ($15)
Unwritten Law / Nico Vega @ The Key Club ($20)

Saturday 8/28/10
[Pick of the Night] Jaill / Woah Hunx / Audacity @ 6th Street Warehouse – Jaill’s new album just came out on Sub Pop.
[Recommended] Jon Brion and Nels Cline @ Largo ($25)
The Antlers @ Getty Museum – DJ Frosty will be there spinning. From 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Oneida / Jonas Reinhardt / The Lights @ Spaceland ($10) – Well respected Brooklyn-ites on the Jagjaguwar label.
Matthew Sweet / John Wicks @ McCabe’s ($22.50) – Good power pop lineup.
Sunset Strip Music Festival: The Smashing Pumpkins / Slash / Kid Cudi / Common / Semi Precious Weapons / Steel Panther @ Sunset Strip ($58 - $113)
Boris / Red Sparowes / Helms Alee @ the Glass House ($16)
Cap’N Jazz / Abe Vigoda / The Black Apples @ Echoplex ($20) – Reunion show for the influential emo band.
Pete Molinari / Eleni Mandell / Mark Huff / The Driftwood Singers @ Redwood Bar – Night two of his seven night residency.
Cobra Lillies / Evangina @ Pehrspace
John Williams and the Music of the Movies @ Hollywood Bowl ($165 - $166)
Funkfest: Morris Day / Bar-Kays / Lakeside / Slave / Klymaxx @ Greek Theatre ($36 - $93)
The Juliana Theory @ El Rey ($27) – Indie-emo-pop
Something Corporate @ Club Nokia ($39)
Lit Crawl II @ the Echo (Free) – 6:00 PM
Satellite / David Poe @ Hotel Café
Pete Swanson / Rene Hell / Heller Keller @ The Smell ($5)
Cinder Cone / Swore / Towards Distant Suns/ Snore Tape @ Echo Curio
Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic @ The Mint ($15)
Joan Sebastian @ Gibson Amphitheatre

Sunday 8/29/10
[Pick of the Night] Pete Molinari / Mark Huff / Triple Chicken Foot @ Redwood Bar
The Chemical Brothers / Chromeo / Yacht @ Hollywood Bowl ($17 - $141)
Ron Emory (of T.S.O.L.) @ Spaceland ($12)
West Indian Girl / The Branches @ Hotel Café
Batwings Catwings / Dadfag @ The Echo ($5)
Goo Goo Dolls / Switchfoot / Green River Ordinance @ Greek Theatre ($46 - $78) – No offense to the band (I’ve actually saw them once back in the mid-90’s) but who are the people who pay $80 to see the Goo Goo Dolls in the year 2010?
Magic Johnson @ The Smell ($5)
Pete Swanson / Rene Hell / John Wiese / Robedoor / Infinite Body @ Echo Curio

Interview: Jerry James of the Foxymorons

David Dewese and Jerry James are the Foxymorons

Going on over a decade as a band, the Foxymorons are set to release their fourth long player next Tuesday. Their last record got positive reviews from All Music and Pitchfork and regular play on Morning Becomes Eclectic. The new record's already getting tons of spins on KEXP (song of the day) and gotten a video premiere on Pop Matters.

You Set the Scene: What's going on in Ft. Worth?
Jerry James: Man, every morning the weatherperson on the radio tells me it's going to be 105 with a heat index of 110. I'm over the summer. It's mostly movie theaters and frozen yogurt for me until the fall.

YSTS: We’ve had an incredibly mild summer; it’s just finally starting to heat up. People are predicting an Indian summer. First off, love the album cover - where'd the photo come from?
JJ: Thanks! I took it while on a houseboat in Kerala, India about ten years ago. Somehow it seemed to be right for the cover.

YSTS: Tell me how you got started playing music.
JJ: I had always felt too uncool for rock. In middle school, the older tough dudes in my shop class were into rock and I felt like I’d get laughed out of the room if I tried to engrave the name of a rock band into a class project. It was all hair metal or whatever, but still. So that left me with Top 40. But eventually, I remember my dad handing me a twenty and asking me to take his car to the gas station for a fill-up. I saw a copy of Rolling Stone with Nirvana on the cover at the gas station and used the change to buy it. Dad wasn’t happy. Anyhow that sparked an interest in Nirvana and eventually I found myself at the used CD bins buying Dinosaur Jr, Pavement, and Gram Parsons albums. It happened really quickly - from Boyz II Men to Pavement in the span of 18 months. How did it happen? Somehow the ethos of punk rock and indie rock made it seem possible to make up songs. I felt like I was sneaking in through the back door.

YSTS: Were your parents really strict and did they immigrate from India or were they born here?
JJ: My parents immigrated to the US from India in the early 70’s. Oh yeah, they were pretty strict by American standards but it could’ve been worse. Some of my Indian friends had super-strict parents. I used to attribute my parents’ weird idiosyncrasies to being Indian but I’ve come to realize that everyone’s parents are weird.

YSTS: So, when did you finally pick an instrument?
JJ: Around that time, I picked up a crummy acoustic guitar, which is still the primary guitar I used to write songs. My band mate David showed me a few chords and pretty soon I was trying to make up songs. Every time I’ve thought about upgrading from the cheap-o guitar, David’s like “don’t bother.” I’m not sure what he means by that.

YSTS: Your band mate, David, lives in Nashville. Tell me a little bit about how the writing/recording process takes place.
JJ: We like each other in small doses - I'm being facetious here, sort of - so it works out to make music long-distance. We used to mail each other 4-track tapes or I'd find a song strummed into my voicemail at work. Lately I’ve been sending him songs I record into the voice memo function of my phone. At some point, we'd work out the arrangements, try to muck up the other person's songs, and record it cheap and fast at a studio in Nashville or Dallas. This last record was recorded at David’s house in Nashville.

YSTS: LA seems to play a big part in the lyrics on this record, both in the songs David sings and the songs you sing. Do some of these songs date back to when you were living here? Or do you just get musically inspired by the idea of Los Angeles?
JJ: We’re both kind of fascinated with the idea of California. In fact, he’s somewhere out there right now on a solo trip in a rented car driving around soaking up beach vibes. I think living in Los Angeles subconsciously influenced the record: the old Largo, browsing at Skylight books, Sunday afternoons at Amoeba, almost getting hit by a pool cue at Little Joy…I miss it.

YSTS: Why five years between records? What have you been up to?
JJ: We never intended to take that long. David transitioned to a freelance day job and did a lot of international traveling. Plus, our creative energies were directed to a new project, a clothing line that we started, so we put our songs on the backburner. I’m hoping the next record comes out much faster.

YSTS: Is there much of a scene in Ft. Worth? Or does most of the action take place in Dallas and Denton?
JJ: A friend made me a mix of primarily Fort Worth bands that seemed pretty cool although I’m not really too knowledgeable about the scene. People here seem to talk about Telegraph Canyon a lot though.

YSTS: Who are some of the local bands you're into?
JJ: Around North Texas, people talk about Telegraph Canyon or Sarah Jaffe, although I don't keep up too well. I'm sure there are lots of smaller, exciting bands but I’m not sure.

YSTS: What about Centro-matic and all the Will Johnson/Matt Pence projects?
JJ: Oh yeah, don’t get me started. Not only do they make great records and play awesome live shows, but they’re really nice people as well. Will was super-encouraging when we were making 4-track recordings around ‘97/’98. He also sat in on drums on an earlier record, Rodeo City. And we’ve been collaborating with Matt Pence in some capacity for a few records now.

YSTS: Any local blogs or music publications that you can share with my readers?
JJ: We Shot JR is a blog with a distinctive voice and a pretty well-informed underground/independent sensibility, although I’d advise you not to read the comments.

YSTS: I know you’re a breakfast freak. What’s your favorite local breakfast spot?
JJ: There’s a place called Paris Coffee Shop that’s been around since the 1920’s. It’s got a really comfortable, friendly vibe and the food is delicious. My favorites in the morning are the pancakes and biscuits. The pies are also awesome. There’s usually a line of regular ol’ timers but it’s worth the wait. I’d also recommend the Montgomery Street Café which is really tiny so I usually sit at the counter. It’s got pictures of Annie Oakley and Wyatt Earp on the walls and breakfast is inexpensive and good.

YSTS: And any favorites from your time in LA?
JJ: Oh man, Los Angeles has some great breakfast places but my favorite is The Griddle on Sunset. Hands down. I feel like everything they serve is as good as it gets. I lived within walking distance of it at one time, but convenience has little to do why it’s my favorite. I recommend just buying a single pancake, though, because they’re huge. The plates of left-over pancakes that I’d see get taken back to the kitchen could feed a family for weeks.

YSTS: Best barbecue spot?
JJ: There’s a family-run place called Angelo’s near where I live. It’s been around forever and I always see the same guys behind the counter and the same woman at the register. It looks like it’s right out of the 60’s. Lots of dudes in cowboy hats and boots and the beers are served in giant frozen schooners. People rave about the brisket but I get the ribs. Oh yeah, I should mention all the massive “hunting trophies”, i.e. taxidermy on the walls.

YSTS: Best burger?
JJ: I was just at Kincaid’s a few days ago. Awesome burgers and milkshakes and the meat is cut and ground in the store daily. It’s another place that’s been at its location for decades. Its claim to fame is that it served thousands of burgers in a single day after it was voted the best burger in the country by some publication. But the thing that makes it for me is that no matter how long it’s been since I’ve been in, the smiling lady at the counter, Lynette, always greets me by name. How do you like that?!

YSTS: How’s it compare to your beloved In-N-Out?
JJ: Ha! Don’t put me in that position. I love them both. The rumor is that one’s about to open in Garland, near Dallas. I bet it’ll be mobbed all the time, though.

YSTS: Best tex-mex?
JJ: This is a tough one. I always take people to a place called Joe T Garcia’s near the stockyards. People argue the merits of the food – although, for the record I think the fajitas are great – but what’s not up for debate is the amazing vast outdoor patio, which is actually more like a massive garden with a decorative swimming pool, fountains, and connecting courtyards. Somehow I feel like I’m vacation in California when I’m there. I heard a rumor that Fleetwood Mac would fly out to Texas just for a meal there. I don’t know if that true, but it’s a good story.

YSTS: Drink of choice?
JJ: I’ll answer by category: Guinness, gin-and-tonic, vanilla milkshake.

YSTS: Favorite thing about living in Ft. Worth?
JJ: People are totally friendly and I live near the FW Modern which is a fantastic museum.

YSTS: Least favorite thing about living in Ft. Worth?
JJ: Honestly, I can’t find a bad thing to say about it. Oh, well it’s absurdly hot right now.

YSTS: Your favorite book?
JJ: I’m glad you didn’t say novel. I’ll pick Franny and Zooey. Short stories are my favorite format and these are both good. I was just at the doctor’s office and saw Jonathan Franzen on the cover of Time. I’ll probably pick up his new book, although I never got around to The Corrections.

YSTS: The Corrections is great. One of my cousin’s a book scout and she was right when she said every Midwestern son should read it. Favorite film about Texas?
JJ: Patricia Neal just died so I’ve been thinking about Hud lately. She’s so good in it and Paul Newman plays such a great and despicable character. I really love that movie. I know Dazed and Confused was filmed in Austin, but does it count as a Texas movie? I don’t know, it makes me think of Texas.

YSTS: Two great choices. And yes, I’d definitely consider Dazed and Confused a Texas film. Favorite film about LA or set in LA?
JJ: I’d like to think of something less obvious, but Swingers is such a Los Angeles movie to me. I always liked driving past the Los Feliz 9-hole golf course because of it.

YSTS: Yeah, that came out right around the time I originally moved to LA. I remember the only guy I knew dragging me around to all the spots, The Dresden, 3 of Clubs, Derby. Any must see TV?
JJ: I probably can’t suggest anything most people don’t already know about. Mad Men and Curb Your Enthusiasm are about it for me these days. I watch almost no television, unless it’s on Netflix. I’ve added Breaking Bad to the Netflix queue.

YSTS: All great shows, but that’s a lot of uncomfortable TV. Five desert island records?
JJ: These could change anytime.
Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Wilco – Summerteeth
Nirvana – In Utero
Big Star – 3rd / Sister Lovers
Neil Young – On the Beach

YSTS: Interesting. I think I’d pick different records from the last three. Last question - any plans for a tour this time around? How about another LA show [they played Spaceland and Sea Level when their last album came out]?
JJ: Nothing planned yet. We’d love to tour. I’m glad we got to play Los Angeles at the time of our last album and I’d be thrilled if we could make it happen again.

YSTS: Thanks for the time.

Order the new album

An old YSTS interview with David Dewese

MP3: Out of Control

MP3: Skinny Cow Blues

Recent Concert Announcements

Are you following me on Twitter? I already plugged the Arcade Fire shows there late last week...

Shrine Auditorium
10/7/10 – 10/8/10: Arcade Fire (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = KROQSUBURBS; Friday at 10 AM)

Culture Collide Festival (Spaceland, The Echo, Echoplex, 826LA, The Standard, Taix)
10/7/10 - 10/10-10: Black Lips / Klaxons / Tokyo Police Club / Phantogram / The Bronx / Montonix / Casiokids / Land of Talk / The Boxer Rebellion / The Besnard Lakes / Sea Wolf / Voxhaul Broadcast and others (Now at Ticketweb)


Hollywood Palladium
11/19/10: Black Label Society / Children of Bodom / Clutch (Friday at 10 AM)

The Wiltern
9/25/10: X Japan (Now)
10/22/10: Minus the Bear / Tim Kasher / AM (Friday at 10 AM)
10/24/10: Sufjan Stevens (Now)
10/26/10: Never Shout Never / The Maine (Saturday at 10 AM)
11/26/10: Pretty Lights (Friday at 10 AM)

Nokia Theatre
9/24/10: Gladys Night / The O’Jays (now)
10/2/10: The Australian Pink Floyd Show (now)

The Music Box
10/29/10: Kate Nash (Saturday at 10 AM)
11/26/10: Bonobo / Tokimonsta (now)
11/30/10: Grinderman (presale Thursday at 10 AM, password = HEATHEN; Friday at 10 AM)

El Rey Theatre
10/4/10: Tired Pony (presale Friday at 10 AM, password = HORSE; Saturday at 10 AM)
10/12/10: Punch Brothers / Chris Thile (Saturday at 10 AM)
10/25/10: UNKLE (Friday at 10 AM)
11/14/10: Marc Cohn (Saturday at 10 AM)
11/26/10: Dawes / The Moondoggies / The Romany Rye (now)

Fox Theater Pomona
9/28/10: Jimmy Eat World / We Were Promised Jetpacks (Friday at 10 AM)

Troubadour
9/28/10: Guster (Saturday at 1:00 PM)
10/6/10: Futureheads (Thursday at 1:00 PM)
10/7/10: Lissie (Friday at 1:00 PM)
11/26/10: The Queers / The Riptides (Saturday at 1:00 PM)

Spaceland
9/16/10: Radio Moscow / Night Horse (now at Ticketweb)
9/17/10: The Parson Red Heads / Le Switch (now)
9/25/10: Speed Buggy (now)
10/15/10: David Bazan / Wye Oak (now)

The Echo
8/27/10: The Little Ones (now at Ticketweb)
9/2/10: Marijuana Death Squad / Har Mar Superstar / The Holloys / Woah Hunx (now)
9/17/10: Men (now)
10/19/10: Scout Niblett (now)

Silverlake Lounge
Mondays in October: Wet & Reckless

Walt Disney Concert Hall
10/20/10: Ravi Shankar (create series now, or box office opens on Sunday)
10/27/10: Neil Sedaka (see above)
11/10/10: Buika / Lila Downs (see above)
12/8/10: Natalie Cole (see above)
2/15/11: Wynton Marsalis (see above)
3/5/11: Herbie Hancock (see above)

Echoplex
9/25/10: Waved Out – Dungen / The Entrance Band / John Grant / The Fresh & Onlys / Shannon and the Clams / John Carpenter / Christmas Island / So Many Wizards / Summer Darling / Young Prisms (now at Ticketweb)
10/5/10: Talvin Singh (now)
10/22/10: Owen Pallett / Little Scream (now)
11/2/10: Stew & the Negro Problem (now)
11/11/10: The Soft Pack / Kurt Vile (now)
11/12/10: Pains of Being Pure at Heart / Weekend (now)

Detroit Bar
10/3/10: The Soft Pack (now)
10/7/10: The Like (now)
10/9/10: Land of Talk / The Besnard Lakes (now)