LA / LBC / OC
Long Beach’s Magic Lantern have finally gone and released a new sonic document after what seemed like an eternity of waiting. Eagerly anticipated by those who have been biding their time waiting for the band to get on with their uber limited cassette only and CD-R releases (their Self-Titled CD-R was limited to 30), “High Beams”, the band’s latest opus [...]
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Love Me Nots originally uploaded by sexydenimromeo
Arriving at the Detroit Bar last night I wasn’t sure what kind of scene I was going to be in for, I mean this was a pretty odd bill with The Love Me Nots with The Softlights and Great Northern (Amateur Chemist has got some pics too). I love both Great Northern and The Love Me Nots, but not so much at the same show, the band’s energy levels and audiences are polar opposites. To my surprise as AATW and I showed up as The Love Me Nots were taking the stage, they had a pretty sizeable crowd in front of them, though it was obivious that it was mostly curious OC-ites who wanted to check out what this band with two hot girls in go-go outfits were all about. Immediately following the band’s first song, I heard lots whispers around me as people nudged their neighbor to tell that “fuck these guys are rad, who are they again?” which was followed by a “oh, The Love Me Nots, there it is on the drum”.
The Love Me Nots tore through a slew of songs from their debut release, In Black and White, as well as throwing in a 3 or 4 new songs that rocked equally as hard, which is quite comforting to know they’ve got more good stuff in them and has made me even more antsy for them to get back to Detroit, MI to record a new album with Jim Diamond. I’m not sure if I didn’t notice it before when I’ve seen them play or maybe just the previous venues I’ve seen them at PA’s weren’t that good, but Chirstina (bass) and Michael’s (guitar) backing vocals were really good on this night. And as most people who catch the band for the first time are usually focused on singer and farfisa player, Nicole (and how could you not be), it should really be pointed out that Michael, Christina, and Jay (drums) hold it down super tight. I also love the rolls everyone plays on stage (whether it’s intentional or not), there’s Nicole “The Good Girl”, Michael “The Quite Guy”, Jay “The Goofy Guy” and Chirstina “The Bad Girl”, it works perfectly and is part of what make these guys so great live.
So anyways, if you aren’t heading out of town this weekend for the holiday, then I suggest venturing to Spike Billiards in Rosemead, Ca (where the 710 and 10 freeways meet) to see The Love Me Nots on Saturday on a more appropriate bill with The Woolly Bandits and Vooduo.
Download The Love Me Nots “Voice In My Head” (mp3) from The Love Me Nots in Black and White.
[audio:luvmenot_voiceinmyhead.mp3]
The Love Me Nots play Saturday, September 1st at Spike’s Billiards: 7813 Garvey Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770
Buy The Love Me Nots In Black and White from: Amazon
The nouveau space disco sounds of the Chromatics will be splashed across Los Angeles this weekend. You’ll have two chances to see Chromatics, just like Glass Candy a few months back. First on Friday night at White Slave Trade (122 Glendale blvd. Echo Park. 2nd Fl, enter in the back alley behind the Bob Baker puppet theater), which is just a few blocks down the street from Pehrspace. And then again at The Echo on Sunday for Part Time Punks.
Also you need to download the Chromatics’ “Running Up That Hill” (mp3) Kate Bush cover!
[audio:chromatics-katebushcover.mp3]
You can also grab a few more songs from the Chromatics myspace page.
Well Cinespace is not my favorite venue (if you can call it that) to see a band, but I was forced to see Office there last night because I won’t be able to catch their Thursday show at The Roxy, because I will be here. And how did the kids from Chicago handle their first ever Los Angeles show? Quite well as far as I can tell, much better than I would have if I were on stage playing to a bunch drunk idiots from USC/UCLA, I mean not once in the 10 years I have been actively going to shows have I ever seen people sit on the front of the stage while a band is performing so that their friends could snap a picture of them. It was so crass.
Anyways, Office sounded particularly good belting out a majority of the songs from their forthcoming release, A Night At The Ritz, and those who were familar with the band last night, were able to final appreciate getting to hear these songs performed live.
Scott Masson (the bald guy, I know the picture above is misleading) the band’s singer/guitarist and main song writer sings with a sort of furious conviction that really adds a punch to the songs in the live setting, and was especially noticeable in the band’s final song, “Had A Visit”. By the time the band got to their final three songs or so, the collegiate crowd had retreated back to the dance floor in the other room, leaving a much more authentically attentive crowd who were able to show real support for the band.
It’s a shame that a lot of people in Los Angeles are going to probably miss Office because they aren’t playing on the East side of Hollywood, but if you are reading this, try to make it a point to get over to The Roxy on Thursday to see them play with The Deadly Syndrome. Also one other note, which I’m sure most people reading this are already aware of, but Cinespace Tuesdays are over as far being the “hip” place for a band to play. It used go like this, play Spaceland on Monday, Cinespace on Tuesday, and then head up to San Francisco for Popscene on Thursday. Well that just ain’t the case anymore as I don’t think there was a “taste maker” in the house last night at Cinespace.
Download Office’s single, “The Ritz” (mp3) from their forthcoming release, A Night At The Ritz, out September 25th.
[audio:http://www.newlinerecords.com/media/OFFICE-TheRitz.mp3]
Office plays Thursday night at The Roxy – 9009 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Last week was a pretty big one in terms of releases…and in an effort to get to more of them, I’ve posted a few Haiku Reviews of some of the more anticipated albums which didn’t make it to a full review (yes, that’s right, Haikus… I have to try to get something back for those poetry classes in college).
Earlimart – Mentor Tormentor
Sea of few faces
Fears deluded warblers’ woe,
Never more, repeat. Read more »
Innaway has been writing and recording a new record for the past couple of months in LA with producer Rob Campanella, which hopefully will be completed in November. In between studio sessions they are taking the show on the road for a west coast tour in September.
Also the band recently released a 2-song colored vinyl 12″ on the local label, Prime Directive Records, both songs, “I’m Tired of Waiting” and “D2″, are previously unreleased and won’t be made available digitally or on CD.
Innaway September tour dates:
9.06.07 Los Angeles, CA – The Silverlake Lounge *
9.07.07 Costa Mesa, CA – La Cave
9.11.07 San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern * +
9.12.07 Portland, OR – Tonic Lounge *
9.13.07 Seattle, WA – The Comet Tavern *
9.14.07 Boise, ID – Neurolux *
9.15.07 Denver, CO – Hi-Dive *
* w/ A Shoreline Dream
+ w/ 60 Watt Kid
Download “Rise” (mp3)
[audio:http://some.com/mp3/Rise.mp3]
and “Threathawk” (mp3) from Innaway’s self-titled 2005 release on Some Records.
[audio:INNAWAY_Threathawk.mp3]
Buy Innaway’s self titled release from: Insound | Amazon