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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Sunday, January 13th: The Vandelles @ The Echo
I was supposed to see The Vandelles last night at The Prospector, but was just too dang tired to venture out, good thing Dave Segal made it, read his review here (sorry I missed you Dave).
[audio:http://www.fanaticpromotion.com/mp3s/thevandelles/thevandelles-lovelyweather.mp3]
The Vandelles - Lovely Weather (mp3)
Also Recommended: The Secret Stolen @ Que Sera, Ancestors @ Spaceland
Monday, January 14th: Everest @ Spaceland
Though this is first time I’ve covered Everest, they have been long covered in the LA blog circle. Recently signing to Neil Young’s label, Vapor Records, Everest will release their debut LP, Ghost Notes on April 8th. w/The Parson Red Heads, Mezzanine Owls
[audio:everest_inyoursoftheart.mp3]
Everest - In Your Soft Hands (mp3)
Also recommended: Radar Bros. @ The Echo, We Barbarians @ Silverlake Lounge
Tuesday, January 15th: The Soft Hands @ The Prospector
Long Beach’s The Soft Hands play a hurried and rigid type of earnest punk rock that has more in common with Talking Heads and Wire than the Pistols or The Damned. w/Deluxe, The Youngs, Writer
[audio:softhands_ihopeso.mp3]
The Soft Hands - I Hope So (mp3)
Also Recommended: Electric Children @ Scene Bar, Jesca Hoop @ Hotel Cafe, Coco B’s @ Silverlake Lounge
Wednesday, January 16th: Stab City @ Que Sera
I don’t know much, if anything, about Stab City other than I like their song “The Buldge” (their other songs aren’t nearly as good as this one) and they have a great band name. w/Dead Ponies, Codpiece
[audio:stabcity_thebulge.mp3]
Stab City - The Buldge (mp3)
Also Recommended: Dusty Rhodes and the River Band @ The Echo
Vultures United CANCELED Thursday, January 17th: Vultures United @ Scene Bar
Vultures United used to be Graves For Fireflies, they sound like The Bronx. They just scored a nice opening slot on the West Coast dates of Gallows tour next week. w/It’s Casual, The Gibbs, A.D., and Chingalera
[audio:vulturesunited_dancehallmusic.mp3]
Vultures United - Dance Hall Music (mp3)
Also Recommended: The Airborne Toxic Event @ Spaceland
Monday, January 18th: The Growlers @ La Cave
I just recently got The Growlers Greatest Hits, their debut album they produced and recorded themselves in their own studio in Costa Mesa. 18 tracks strong the band does surprising well to hold your interest. w/The Japanese Motors
[audio:thegrowlers_barnaclebeat.mp3]
The Growlers - Barnacle Beat (mp3)
Also Recommended: Bizzart @ Koo’s, Entrance @ Que Sera, LA Record Player #3 @ Charlie O’s
Saturday, January 19th: High On Fire @ The Glasshouse
This is High On Fire’s only Southern California show on their current US winter tour. Death is Communion was one of my favorite heavy as fuck albums of 2007. w/Saviours, A Life Once Lost, Archons
[audio:http://shop.relapse.com/dbmedia/audio/High%20On%20Fire%20-%20Rumors%20Of%20War.mp3]
High on Fire - Rumors Of War (mp3)
Sunday, January 6th: Tempo No Temp @ Knitting Factory
Berkeley’s Tempo No Tempo play Los Angeles tonight in support of their new EP, Repetition. w/Aanchors Aaweigh (Blood Arm side project), and The Histories
[audio:http://www.doublenegativerecords.com/audio/repetition.mp3]
Tempo No Tempo - Repetition (mp3)
Also Recommended: No Age @ The Smell, The Health Club @ Proof, Rademacher @ Safari Sam’s
Monday, January 7th: Radar Bros. @ The Echo
Radar Bros. kick off their residency at The Echo and will be releasing their new album, Auditorium, on January 29th on Merge Records. w/Le Switch, Twilight Sleep, Wrong Way Driver
[audio:http://www.mergerecords.com/audio/radar/warmrisingsun.mp3]
Radar Bros. - Warm Rising Sun (mp3)
Also recommended: The Deadly Syndrome @ Viper Room, The Parson Red Heads @ Spaceland
Tuesday, January 8th: Jeremy Jay @ Troubadour
With the recent K Records release in November of Airwalker (stream it here) Jeremy Jay is already gearing up for the April release of A Place Where We Could Go. w/The Sess, The Muslims, The Prayers
[audio:jeremyjay_airwalker.mp3]
Jeremy Jay - Airwalker (mp3)
Also Recommended: Jesca Hoop @ Hotel Cafe
Wednesday, January 9th: Radars To The Sky @ Scene Bar
Square Girls and Radio Free Silver Lake present Radars To The Sky, Rademacher, and Birds and Batteries. RSVP to squaregirls @ gmail.com to get on the discount list…only $3.
[audio:long_walk_home.mp3]
Radars To The Sky - Long Walk Home (mp3)
Thursday, January 10th: Six Organs of Admittance @ The Echo
Six Organs of Admittance is Ben Chasny of Comets On Fire solo work. He recently released a new album, Shelter From The Ash on Drag City and is out on the road supporting it. w/Horsethieves
[audio:http://dragcity.com/mp3/dc348sixjade.mp3]
Six Organs of Admittance - Jade Like Wine (mp3)
Also Recommended: The Weather Underground @ Spaceland
Friday, January 11th: The Black Heart Procession @ Spaceland
It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from the The Black Heart Procession camp. Since releasing The Spell back in 2006, things have been pretty quite. This is one of four West Coast shows. w/The Moon Upstairs
[audio:http://www.touchandgorecords.com/media/3596.mp3]
The Black Heart Procession - Not Just Words (mp3)
Also Recommended: ForcefieldON @ Alex’s Bar, The Vandelles @ Scene Bar
Saturday, January 12th: LSD and the Search For God @ The Prospector
Hazy droney rock, you might call it shoegaze. A great bill rounded out by the addition of The Stevenson Ranch Davidians and The Vandelles.
[audio:lsd_startingover.mp3]
LSD and the Search For God - Starting Over (mp3)
Sunday, December 9th: This Moment In Black History @ The Smell
This is my pick as the best show to see of the four shows This Moment In Black History are playing in Los Angeles. Also at Spaceland on Monday
[audio:http://www.coldsweat.org/mp3/garbage_in_garbage_out.mp3]
This Moment In Black History - Garbage In/Garbage Out (mp3)
Also Recommended: Prefuse 73 @ Troubadour
Monday, December 10th: Radio Free Silver Lake presents Rock Against HD @ Safari Sam’s
Joe at RFSL has gathered up a group of some of his favorite LA bands to put on the 3rd annual Rock Against HD event. A $5 to $10 donation at the door is asked with all proceeds going to The Huntington’s Disease Society Of America.
Rock Against HD - Stream new and unreleased tracks from Sarah Negahdari (The Happy Hollows), James Patrick (Buffalo Roam), The Spires, The Western States Motel, Thailand, and The Movies.
Also recommended: LA Weekly Presents “Click Hear” @ The El Rey, Goon Moon @ Troubadour
Tuesday, December 11th: Die Midwestern @ The Prospector
Die Midwestern are a Long Beach group I am unfamiliar with, but I like their alt-country indie pop. w/Stacy Clark and Copia.
[audio:diemidwestern_behonest.mp3]
Die Midwestern - Be Honest (mp3)
Wednesday, December 12th: Office @ Spaceland
This Chicago group released A Night At The Ritz in September and are now hitting the East side for the first time.
[audio:http://www.newlinerecords.com/media/OFFICE-OhMy.mp3]
Office - Oh My! (mp3)
Also Recommended: Bjork @ The Nokia Theatre, Jesca Hoop @ Troubadour, Le Switch @ Scene Bar
Thursday, December 13th: West Indian Girl @ Bordello
Check out West Indian Girl’s new video for “To Die In L.A.“. Get in free when you rsvp to rsvpla@metromix.com, w/Sara Melson, Blair
[audio:http://www.milanrecords.com/westindiangirl/ToDieInLA.mp3]
West Indian Girl - To Die In L.A. (mp3)
Also Recommended: Swim Party @ Silverlake Lounge, Ferraby Lionheart @ Troubadour
Friday, December 14th: Christmas Sweater Festival @ Crash Mansion
The Deadly Syndrome, The Mae-Shi, Happy Hollows, The Pity Party, and Eskimohunter at Crash Mansion. No headliners, no support bands; instead each band will play two fifteen-minute sets throughout the night. $5 Min. Donation, all proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders.
Christmas Sweater Festival - stream tracks from all the bands set to perform
Saturday, December 15th: Les Savy Fav @ The El Rey
One of the most fun live bands and going strong for 12 years, Les Savy Fav are out supporting their new French Kiss Records release, Let’s Stay Friends. w/The Dodos, We Barbarians
[audio:http://www.frenchkissrecords.com/audio/les_savy_fav/the_equestrian.mp3]
Les Savy Fav - The Equestrian (mp3)
Also recommended: Mythmaker @ The Prospector
Sunday, December 2nd: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings @ The Galaxy Theatre
I haven’t picked up Sharon Jones’ newest, 100 Days, 100 Nights, but seems like it is getting pretty good reviews. I really like her last album, Naturally. Also at The El Rey on Tuesday
[audio:http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/ch_music/sharon_jones_100days100nights.mp3]
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights (mp3)
Also Recommended: Voxtrot and Division Day @ The Fonda, Soulsavers @ Troubadour
Monday, December 3rd: Grand Ole Party @ The Echo
I saw Grand Ole Party and Vampire Weekend together just a few months back at the Troubadour, both were good, but their performances were noticeably “green”. Both bands have toured heavily in between then and now and I would expect both to have improved ten-fold.
[audio:http://www.filtermmm.com/media/grandoleparty_nastyhabits.mp3]
Grand Ole Party - Nasty Habits (mp3)
Also recommended: Carbon/Silicon @ Troubadour, A Place To Bury Strangers @ Viper Room
Tuesday, December 4th: A Place To Bury Stangers @ Silverlake Lounge
These guys are on the tips of everyone’s tongues now that they have been anointed by the almighty P-fork, though discerning music fans have known about APTBS for a while.
[audio:http://www.killerrockandroll.com/aplacetoburystrangers/mp3s/To_Fix_The_Gash_In_Your_Head.mp3]
A Place To Bury Strangers - To Fix The Gash In Your Head (mp3)
Also Recommended: The Cave Singers @ The Echo, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings @ The El Rey
Wednesday, December 5th: Bands in Toyland @ The Avalon
Indie 103.1 presents the “Bands in Toyland” celebration and toy drive to benefit Firefighter toy collection all over Southern California featuring Datarock, Spoon, Pinback and Sea Wolf. This is a well matched bill and is for a good cause. Don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy with you.
[audio:http://www.seawolfmusic.com/media/youreawolf.mp3]
Sea Wolf - Your A Wolf (mp3)
Thursday, December 6th: The Thermals @ The Glasshouse
The Thermals are just a good time. Really, how could anyone not like this band? Fast punk rock songs delivered in a raw power pop manner. Also on Friday at the EchoPlex
[audio:http://www.subpop.com/assets/audio/2909.mp3]
The Thermals - Here’s Your Future (mp3)
Also Recommended: Sons and Lovers @ Gypsy Lounge
Friday, December 7th: Radars To The Sky @ Spaceland
Two of my favorite local indie rock bands, Radars To The Sky and The Henry Clay People, who both have really long names are playing at Spaceland. Make room on the flyer for the opener The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra.
[audio:long_walk_home.mp3]
Radars To The Sky - Long Walk Home (mp3)
Also recommended: The Thermals @ EchoPlex
Saturday, December 8th: Thee Makeout Party! @ Plush Cafe
I like what Thee Makeout Party! have going on, I liked what I saw of Pterodacdudes at The Doll Hut, dig what A.M. is doing, and think I remember liking what I heard of Audacity on their myspace page. Should be a fun show, plus I probably owe something to OC bands.
[audio:http://www.theemakeoutparty.com/flash/downloads/05_wrecklessepic.mp3]
Thee Makeout Party! - Wreckless Epic (mp3)
Also recommended: This Moment In Black History @ The Scene Bar
Sunday, November 25th: Radamacher @ Allstar Lanes
Rademacher’s final night of their “blog residency” LA shows. Get the final 3 tracks from their new album, Stunts below. $5 cover includes bowling and shoe rental.
[audio:http://radradrad.com/music/if_you_got_some_magic.mp3]
Rademacher - If You Got Some Magic (mp3)
Monday, November 26th: Francisco The Man! @ Knitting Factory
Francisco The Man! were really good last time I saw them at The Prospector. Also at Thursday at The Silverlake Lounge
[audio:FTM-Lord_Knows_Im_Weak.mp3]
Francisco The Man! - Lord Knows I’m Weak (mp3)
Also recommended: Le Switch @ The Viper Room
Tuesday, November 27th: The So So Glos @ Silverlake Lounge
A tip of the hat to Cat Dirt for the heads up on The So So Glos from New York.
[audio:sosoglos_blackandblue.mp3]
The So So Glos - Black and Blue (mp3)
Also Recommended: Dead To Me @ The Glasshouse, The Henry Clay People @ The Prospector
Wednesday, November 28th: Don Caballero @ Safari Sam’s
For you instrumental math rock fans. I saw them about a year and a half ago at Alex’s Bar and they were really good. w/From Monument To Masses
[audio:doncab_mmmmmacting.mp3]
Don Caballero - Mmmmm Acting, I Love Me Some Good Acting (mp3)
Also recommended: The Rolling Blackouts @ The Scene Bar, The Moon Upstairs @ La Cita
Thursday, November 29th: The Rolling Blackouts @ Silverlake Lounge
The Rolling Blackouts have got a lot of mileage out of their 2004 release, Black is Beautiful, we’re hoping they get something new out in ‘08. w/Francisco The Man, Weather Underground
[audio:http://download.wbr.com/recordcollection/av/04%20Hung%20Up%20On%20The%20Hang%20Ups.mp3]
The Rolling Blackouts - Hung Up On The Hang Ups (mp3)
Also Recommended: Letting Up Despite Great Faults @ The Prospector, 60-Watt Kid @ The Smell
Friday, November 30th: Ghostland Observatory @ Henry Fonda
I have still yet to see Ghostland Observatory, but word of their spectacular live shows continues to spread each time they come to town.
[audio:http://www.traciedwards.com/SadSadCity.mp3]
Ghostland Observatory - Sad Sad City (mp3)
Also recommended: Don Caballero @ Alex’s Bar, L.A. Record Player #2
Saturday, December 1st: 60-Watt Kid @ Pehrspace
60-Watt Kid mash multiple music genres together to make endearing psychedelic experimental pop. w/Katie The Pest, Abe Vigoda
[audio:http://www.absolutelykosher.com/OcsicnarfNas.mp3]
60-Watt Kid - Ocsicnarf Nas (mp3)
Also recommended: The Living Suns @ Detroit Bar
