Inflight At Night

I’m here to throw my hat in the proverbial pool of LA blogger praise for The Henry Clay People who are playing a great show tomorrow night at The Echo with a steller local line up that includes Radars To The Sky, Tigers Can Bite You, and Molecules (did they just change their name???).

The Henry Clay People for however boring their name may sound write songs that are anything but, they remind a little of The Thermals, but there is something else I am hearing that reminds me of another band that I can’t quite put my finger on…and it’s not Built to Spill, Pavement, Modest Mouse, or The Replacements…damn this killing me. Anyway their live show is supposedly pretty good, like fall down rock out make the crowd scarred for their safety good.

Download “Elly and the Eczema Princess” (mp3) from their album, Blacklist the Kid with the Red Moustache, you can also pick up another track at Rock Insider who just happens to be presenting the show with Radio Free Silver Lake and KXLU.

Blacklist the Kid with the Red Moustache is out now: Insound | iTunes

So why in my right mind would I post about something that happened days ago (10 to be exact)? That’s like 1000 years in blog time… Well, first of all, I have a job - but more importantly, this is a post for those who may have missed a recent piece of music-journalism genius.

An article on msnbc.com (I know “what the f%#k” right, just trust me) titled “The Rock & Roll Hall of Lame,” lists 8 of the most overated bands/artists of rock lore. I took pariticular note of this, not just because I am a fan of an overwhelming majority of the bands on the list, not even because I agree with all the reasons WHY the author claims they are overrated, but because it is an affirmation of something I’ve often argued with friends about.

Believing something to be overrated isn’t a designation of talent or value.

For example, a band that appears in the aforementioned article, The Doors (no suprise), is a band I’ve liked ever since I was mesmerized by the cover of “Strange Days” as a young tot. However, I can recognize that they are extremely overrated, and this has NO effect on the pleasure I get from listening to their music.

So while The Doors may not be a surprising choice as an overrated band, some of the others on the list may cause shock or dismay. Whether you agree with the choices or not, the writing itself merits a read, and I beseech you, don’t be too sensitive if you find your favorite all-time band on the list.

If this hasn’t been enough to convince you to click the link, then maybe this song-title mashup clue as to who is included on the list will… “BeautifulFadetoTeenFireBombsAlongtheNorwegianMote”

The rock ’n’ roll hall of lame

When Recover released Ceci N’Est Pas Recover (translation “This Is Not Recover”) back in 2002, the title was a pretty fair assesment of what their earlier fans would think of their new work as compared to their 2001 release, Rodeo & Picasso. Gone was the scream sing scream formula and in it’s place was slower more tightly wound pop (that what it is) rock songs. It didn’t take long for the majors to notice, and Recover soon signed to Gary Gersh’s newly formed label, Strummer Recordings (Mars Volta, The Rapture) and released This May Be The Year I Disappear which failed to generate the same energy as their EP and failed to sell. Recover broke up in 2005 I believe (someone wikipedia that shit for me) and vocalist, Dan Keyes, has since moved on to doing full on pop with his new project, Young Love.

This really has nothing to do with LA since Everyone Knows Everyone takes place in Austin, TX and there has been no announcement of any more reunion shows, I just really liked that EP, Ceci N’Est Pas Recover, still so much so that I play it at least two times through everytime I put it on. Well I guess I know Jax at Rock Insider hears me on Recover…can I get a Hell Yeah!

Download “Push Push” (mp3) from the Ceci N’Est Pas Recover.

Also, something else I just thought of, since this EP was released on the now defunct Fiddler Records, and subsequently has gone out of print, are they any plans to re-release it? It’s a five song little masterpiece in my mind.

Sunday, June 24th: The Parson Red Heads @ Detroit Bar
The Parson Red Heads seem to be playing somewhere in LA every week, but this week they’ve decided head south. Also at The Prospector in Long Beach on Tuesday. w/Brothers & Sisters, My Pet Saddle!

The Parson Red Heads - Days Of My Youth (mp3)

Monday, June 25th: Casket Salesmen @ Rhythm Lounge
I kept confusing the name of this band with the midwest’s Casket Lottery, but they are nothing like them. Check ‘em out in LB if you live around here, they go on 10pm. Also at The Roxy on Friday.

Casket Salesmen - I’ll Buy That For A Dollar (mp3)

Tuesday, June 26th: Black Diamond Heavies @ Spaceland
Heavy on the Southern Rock and Delta Blues, Black Diamond Heavies hail from Nashville, TN. Sounds kinda like some of the new Clutch stuff.

Black Diamond Heavies - Guess You Gonna Fuck It All Up (mp3)

Wednesday, June 27th: The Monolators @ Knitting Factory
The Monolators continue to impress the locals, recently finding a champion by the name of Jax. Solid line up w/Canada, Weather Box, The Break Ups

The Monolators - We Fell Dead (mp3)

Thursday, June 28th: Blackmarket @ The Galaxy
Blackmarket continue their run of tours with bands that are too heavy for them. Last time I saw these guys they were touring with Big Business, not sure what the thinking is here. But regardless, good band. Check ‘em out w/Burning Brides

Blackmarket - Bad Call (mp3)

Friday: June 29th: Lightning Dust @ El Cid
Amber Webber and Joshua Wells of Black Mountain who have formed the side project, Lightning Dust. w/The Cave Singers. Also at 6th Street Warehouse on Saturday

Lightning Dust - Listened On (mp3)

Saturday: June 30th: Battles @ Troubadour
I think this is sold out, but if you got tickets, count yourself lucky as these guys don’t tour nearly as often as they should. Maybe with the recent success of their new album we’ll see them playing more often.

Battles - Atlas (mp3)

Great Cruz Bay in St. John - U.S. Virgin Islands

Wow, I am finally posting about Crash Gallery, their 5 song ep they put out last year was one of my favorites of 2006. I just saw them (well not really ‘just’) at SXSW where they put on a killer show, much better than their 2005 set at SXSW (they admitted it was their worst to date).

They are finally coming to California to play some shows, and unforntunately it doesn’t look like anyone helped them out (geeze those are some shit venues), BUT please don’t let that hold you back from checking them out. My advice, head to the show, and buy yourself and the band many rounds of drinks and have a good time. Befriend them and then help them get a decent show next time they come out West. Seriously. They’re like Against Me! meets Bloc Party (before they put out that boring sophomore album).

It was really hard to choose two songs to put up here, because in all sincerity, I love all 5 tracks on this ep and will listen to it on repeat several times over in one sitting.

Download “Ransom Note” (mp3)

and “A Million Coats of Paint” (mp3) from their self released self-titled ep.

Crash Gallery West Coast Tour:
June 20th - Long Beach, CA @ The Blue Cafe
June 21th - Hollywood, CA @ The Joint
June 22nd - Thousand Oaks, CA @ Borderline
June 23rd - Santa Barbara, CA @ Jensen’s Guitars
June 24th - San Diego, CA @ The Zombie Lounge

Crash Gallery’s self-titled ep is available now on iTunes.