Friday night, I slipped on down to the oasis of Pappy and Harriet’s, in Pioneertown, near Joshua Tree, the spiritual hometown of Gram Parsons. Spindrift was scheduled to play a show with a bunch of their psyche-holic bandito friends and promised a premiere of their film, The Legend of God’s Gun, at 1 a.m., in the back parking lot. I’m not sure why they called it a “premiere”—it seems to me there’ve been lots of screenings of this movie in various forms at various L.A. parties during the past couple years—but no matter. My friends and I needed a cheap and musically challenging diversion during the holiday weekend, and drinks cost less in the Old West.
Due to the wet weather and recent tornadoes in the Californian deserts, it took nearly three hours to drive out to Joshua Tree. But it was a treat to walk in late and have Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days band greet us with honest, sawdust-on-the-floor saloon tunes. Gleason, a perennial favorite of Pappy and Harriet’s, played tight, authentic Americana country, with just a teeny tiny touch of seventies Laurel Canyon hippie. It was nothing I hadn’t heard before, but sometimes formalism when it’s tightly arranged and well performed is better than your band’s “experimental” half-baked concoctions. And I’ll bet Dave Gleason’s boys really complemented the chicken fried steak most of the local families were eating, on what looked like folding tables.
After a brutal half-hour of take down and set up, an acoustic duo called “The Dutch Masters” took the stage. At first I thought maybe they were members of Spindrift, since they had the God’s Gun look down pat: one guy with a vest, hat, and Doc Watson moustache, and the other dude with lanky hair, a top hat, and a cravat, like a 19th century prairie undertaker. Oh, and both with fake guns and holsters. I was eyein’ them up when somebody told me that the undertaker dude was Courtney Taylor-Taylor of the Dandy Warhols. That explained the wall of paparazzi in the front row, blocking everyone else’s view (and I guess I was one of them–I apologize to all the folks behind me). »continue reading Spindrift, Quarter After, Asteroid #4 & Dutch Masters at Pappy and Harriet’s, High Desert, May 23, 2008
HEADS UP AND WARY OF SPAM
Ladytron & Datarock will be DJing at the venerable All Star Lanes in Eagle Rock following their gig this Thursday, the first of a two-night stand at the Fonda for both outfits. No cover; plus, while you enjoy their tasty selections, word has it bowling and drinks will be free. Which drinks are free? We don’t know. Sparks is an educated guess.
As mentioned there’s no cover for the party, but you’ll need to RSVP with your name and email address here to get on the list. Warning: Checking those little boxes = Toyota will spam you and probably call you, if you are foolish enough to submit your phone number(s).
Oxford UK band Foals played their first L.A. show at the Troubadour on Saturday. I arrived at the sold out show about an hour before the opener and already a healthy crowd had formed at the front of the stage. It’s only two months since the release of their debut album Antidotes but the buzz surrounding the five-piece was definitely strong. As the group takes the stage the first thing that strikes you is their formation. Lead singer and guitarist Yannis Philippakis and bassist Walter Gervers stand on the left while guitarist Jimmy Smith and keyboardist Edwin Congreave stand opposite. It’s as if they were facing off against each other and the drummer (and female heartthrob) Jack Bevan marked the line of scrimmage. Maybe it was this unusual formation plus the weight of Yannis & Jimmy’s amps at the front of the stage that created a perfect harmonic frequency, as the stage fluctuated from noticeably bouncey to absolutely pounding throughout the night. Whatever the cause, it helped spread the dance atmosphere into the audience. As far as the music goes, other than the inference from the title of early single “Mathletics” and some of the guitarwork, their songs do not fit neatly into the math rock genre. Sure much of the guitars are constant repeating attacks of staccato lines, and, yes, those same guitars are cradled high above the waist, but vocals, which are often repeating as well, play a very prominent role. Also, there are several slower paced songs on the album with what sounds like eighties-reminiscent new wave vocals. However, you want to describe their music the show was energetic and fun with a good balance between serious music experimentation and dance party abandon.
LOS ANGELES — Proving once again that cleverly orchestrated publicity stunts are indeed an effective means to gain coveted media attention, popular alternative rock outfit from the U.K. The Kooks were the beneficiaries of a saturation of coveted coverage on the Los Angeles-based music & culture website “Los AnJealous.” Beginning with publishing the initial announcement on May 16 of The Kooks intentions to play small, free acoustic busking sets at local landmarks on May 20, the popular website went on to follow with what can only be described as a carpet-bombing campaign of “posts” on May 20, May 21, May 22 and May 23.
It was not known at press time if the website received any financial remuneration in exchange for the pervasive Kooks coverage, however it would not be unwarranted given the amount and quality of coverage delivered to its vast, much sought-after readership.
Reviewing a Clinic show is like having me write about my hypothetical first-born: expect a bias. However, I can say that over the years their visits to Los Angeles saw gradually smaller venues and the standard arms-crossed crowd. With the buzz surrounding latest release Do It those blasé onlookers are a thing of the past, and a cult following has formed which promises loyal attendance to any performance, even if it was on third street promenade. After 11 years as a band, the incessant inquiries about their unwavering image are gone, along with the proverbial, “You toured with Radiohead? Oh my god, how did Thom’s hair smell?” questions. On Tuesday night at the Troubadour, Do It was performed first in its entirety followed by a set of fan-favorites and an encore. Make that two encores, as the mob demanded one more song, forcing the already unmasked band to put the surgical gear back on and play once more.
Readers! Did you snooze on the free acoustic Kooks gig at Canter’s Kibitz Room last night? Fear not; we’ve got your back with this handy, printable step-by-step instruction sheet as to how to recreate the gig in your very own studio apartment. Behold:
Hang a few dozen 8×10 framed live classic rock photos on the walls of your apartment. Go heavy on Aerosmith, if possible.
Purchase a pastrami on rye from Canter’s deli, to go. While in the area, stop by Liquor Time Liquor (7873 Santa Monica Blvd at Fairfax) and purchase a large bottle (1.75 L) of Jack Daniels “Old No. 7″ Tennessee whiskey.
Place the pastrami sandwich on the floor of your apartment. Douse it with the whiskey. Spare no whiskey. Liberally pour the entire contents of the bottle over the sandwich. Next, grind the sandwich thoroughly into the floor and spread it as far as you possibly can. Use a broom or a mop to ensure even distribution. When finished, scoop whatever food particles remain, if any, into the garbage. Mop up any remaining whiskey with a dry mop so as to preserve the scent. If your floor is carpeted: Skip the mop.
Wait outside the front door of your apartment for five minutes. Eventually allow yourself inside (after checking your ID to verify you are 21 or older).
Invite six friends over. This will be the ambiguous “friends of the band, UK label reps and management” group, so they’ll need to already be in the venue (your living room) before the show starts. They should all have British accents. Give them carnival tickets. They will, during the course of the show, trade these carnival tickets to you for free alcoholic beverages, so make sure you have something on hand for which to serve them. NOTE: They’re Brits. Don’t expect a tip.
Invite 12 more friends over. These are the Los Angeles fans. Each fan should have a minimum of one camera or recording device on his or her person. There were probably some 75 people at the actual gig, but you’re building this replica to scale. That is, unless you want to do the sandwich-and-whiskey trick six more times.
Collectively watch this video submitted by one of our readers.
Voila! You’ve just recreated The Kooks: Live In Los Angeles: A Free Acoustic Set At Canter’s Kibitz Room. Pat yourself on the back, get your hands on one of those carnival tickets and trade it in to yourself for a well-deserved cocktail.
In case you’ve never heard, here’s some words on an indefinable band that’s worth knowing, Sun City Girls.
Born out of the wilds of Phoenix, Arizona and named after one of the O.G. planned retirement communities sometime after the beginning of disco, Sun City Girls occupied a place under the underground for some twenty-five years. The band deeply defied any simple understanding, nevermind genre. Obviously out to please audiences from the get-go by performing a mix of free jazz, hardcore, Middle Eastern, beat poetry and another dozen styles, what they were all about… well it doesn’t really matter. Are known quantities what you prefer to occupy your time with, or do you get that otherworldly chill with the decidedly unknown? Sun City Girls went a long way towards making those unknowns the most comfortable place to be. In any case, it’s not a bunch of bullshit. Astounding musicians, they were prolific in their recording output, and never ones to ditch politics just because they become unspeakably terrible.
Sadly, Charles Gocher, the band’s drummer and collaborator who was known for his enormous heart and truly free spirit passed away last February. Making good on a promise to pay tribute to his memory, as well as to the legacy of the band itself, brothers Richard and Alan Bishop are playing across the country with The Brothers Unconnected: A tribute to Sun City Girls and Charles Gocher. Opening with a 40 minute film of Charlie’s video works, The Handsome Stranger, the surviving duo will play two acoustic sets of Sun City Girls music.
An inspiration to the very core of experimental, borderless music. All hail Sun City Girls.
The Lakers and Spurs open the NBA Western Conference Finals tonight at Staples Center.
Tip off for the game is scheduled for an early 6:00 pm PST start in order to maximize the national television viewing audience. Factoring in for driving, parking and beer, getting in your ass in your seat by 6:00 is going to be tough anyway you slice it.
How will YOU get to STAPLES Center downtown by 6 pm tonight?
Brian Wilson is back on Capitol, literally: The former Beach Boy appeared at the iconic tower in Hollywood yesterday for a photo op and announcement:
BRIAN WILSON RETURNS TO CAPITOL RECORDS / EMI, HIS ORIGINAL LABEL HOME
Hollywood, California – May 19, 2008 – He is one of popular music’s most deeply revered figures, a legendary writer, producer, arranger and performer of some of the most cherished music in rock history. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to call Brian Wilson one of the most gifted and influential pop composers of the last 50 years. Today, Wilson announces his return to Capitol Records / EMI, his original label home. Wilson’s new studio recording, That Lucky Old Sun, will be released by Capitol/EMI on CD, CD/DVD, limited edition vinyl and digitally on September 2 (September 1 internationally).
Brian Wilson’s return to Capitol Records / EMI, where The Beach Boys caught their first hit wave with the 1962 classic, “Surfin’ Safari/409,” is a triumphant homecoming for one of the world’s most gifted and beloved musical talents.
As previously announced, The Kooks will apparently be walking the sidewalks of Los Angeles singing songs today, eventually arriving at the venerable and pastrami-infused Canter’s Kibitz Room for an acoustic set this evening. More details at this time:
If you happen to be in the area of Westwood Village Theatre around 330pm on Tuesday, May 20th you might be one of the lucky people to catch The Kooks performing live acoustic. Watch out, they could just walk around the block and visit the folks at UCLA.
The boys also have a craving for some snacks at the Canter’s deli (sic) around 9pm. You never know, they might just walk next to The Kibitz Room for a jam session. I heard it’s first come first serve (for 21+ please) at the Kibitz Room and it holds only 50 people!
If you’re a biker in L.A. who’s even remotely afraid of ending up in traction, you know of the constant struggle to find the least undesirable option in getting from point A to point B. Sometimes you choose wrong and nearly get pushed into traffic by the very people who are supposed to protect and serve, like I did on Saturday.
Riding on Melrose east of Fairfax is one of my worst nightmares, so I was taking alleys, even though they’re filled with potholes and scary Dumpster detritus. As I got closer to the the hot dog-scented intersection of Melrose and La Brea, though, I started to bike on the sidewalk alongside Melrose, stopping at a red light before La Brea. As the light changed (including a walk light), a cop car on my right stopped just short of the street, taking up the entire width of the crosswalk I was about to cross. »continue reading The Bicycle Brief, Chapter 2: Invisible Bike (Non Lolcat Version)
Some time ago, we promised Losanjealous readers that if they sent in their desperate requests for advice, somewhere, somehow, one of the L.A. Derby Dolls would answer them. In the intervening weeks, LADD’s Markie D. Sod has been cogitating carefully about your inquiries, and we now present the choicest questions/answers for your reading pleasure.
Dear Derby Doll,
I have a great relationship with my boyfriend, and we’ve talked about getting married, but there’s one catch. I’m a very petite woman and my boyfriend loves—as he puts it—“a whole lotta ass”. He’s said that if he is going to spend the rest of his life with one girl, she’s got to have a big booty. So he’s said that he’ll propose to me only if I get silicone implants in my butt. He’s willing to pay for them, but I’m a little hesitant about altering my body like that, even if it is for the love of my life. What do you think I should do?
Stand Uppity w/ Eugene Mirman,
Andy Kindler & Marc Maron
Thu 5/22 | Echoplex | Info | [ENTER]
La Vida Sake — Sake & Food Tasting
Benefit for the LTSC | Info
Thu 5/22 | Petersen Museum | [ENTER]
El-P & Dizzee Rascal w/ Busdriver
Thu 5/22 | El Rey | Info | [ENTER]
The Von Bondies w/ Die! Die! Die!
Fri 5/23 | Safari Sam’s | Info | [ENTER]
22nd Annual Jazz Reggae Festival
Day 1: The Roots, John Densmore, Garth Trinidad, Goapele, Immortal Technique, Amos Lee, Dr. Lonnie Smith / Day 2: Stephen Marley, Capleton, Mr. Vegas, Alaine, Selena Serrano, Pangea Collective
Memorial Day Weekend Sunday 5/25 – Monday 5/26
UCLA Intramural Field
Abe Vigoda
Babasonicos
Mates of State
Film School
In case you’ve never heard, here’s some words on an indefinable band that’s worth knowing, 
Sadly, Charles Gocher, the band’s drummer and collaborator who was known for his enormous heart and truly free spirit passed away last February. Making good on a promise to pay tribute to his memory, as well as to the legacy of the band itself, brothers Richard and Alan Bishop are playing across the country with 
The Lakers and Spurs open the NBA Western Conference Finals tonight at Staples Center. 
HEADS UP
If you’re a biker in L.A. who’s even remotely afraid of ending up in traction, you know of the constant struggle to find the least undesirable option in getting from point A to point B. Sometimes you choose wrong and nearly get pushed into traffic by the very people who are supposed to protect and serve, like I did on Saturday. 
El Perro Del Mar
22nd Annual Jazz Reggae Festival
