A little over a week ago, at the Silent Movie Theater in the Fairfax District, I and a bunch of local artsy musician types were glued to the screen, watching the most recent Dublab short film festival, “Labrat Matinee V: Daytime Goes Dark.” After seeing thirty or so pretty good shorts and music videos (featuring, among others, Michael Cera, Flight of the Conchords, Charlyne Yi, Daedelus, Laura Palmer’s mom, Ariel Pink, and John Malkovich being interviewed and simultaneously bathed by Craig Bierko), I somehow corralled Cinefamily honcho and cinematic curator Hadrian Belove away from his buddy Billy Zane (loved you in Orlando!) and into my journalistic clutches.

What exactly is Cinefamily?
»continue reading Interview: Hadrian Belove of The Cinefamily

The Giraffes
Interview and photos by Brian Romero - March, 23 2008

You guys are about halfway through your cross-country tour, how’s it going so far?

Damien: So you’re lobbing softballs huh?
»continue reading Interview: The Giraffes

The Vacation
Ben and Steve Tegel

Interview and photos by Brian Romero - February 7, 2008

Hollywood is filled with rock bands who look the part but fail to deliver the goods. The Vacation is not one of them. They continue to craft primal, sleaze-tinged songs that consistently bring the audience to a writhing frenzy. Brothers Ben and Steve Tegel talk about the band’s upcoming album and shows at the Viper Room.

Ben, you gave me a CD with rough mixes of the new album late last year. Is it all done?

Steve: It’s all done on the recording side of it. We just have to figure out how we’re going to release it. We’re talking to some small labels now and if it doesn’t work out we’ll release it ourselves.

Ben: We actually have way more songs that I haven’t given to you yet. There’s at least twice as many. Maybe even more than that.

Are those songs going to be released down the road?
»continue reading Interview: The Vacation

Hello, vegetarian.

Hello.

Was this your first time to Oki-Dog?

Yes.

What did you order and why?

The vegetarian burrito, because I didn’t see the grilled cheese until it was too late.

What was the veggie burrito comprised of?

Iceberg lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, sliced dill pickles and shredded cheese wrapped in a giant white flour tortilla by a toothless man. He offered to put chili in it for me. I declined.

How was the veggie burrito?
»continue reading Ask A Vegetarian About Oki-Dog

Midnight Records
2867 S. Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Myspace Page

I recently sat down with Midnight Records owner and Hip-Hop guru Sam Fuston to talk about the state of Hip Hop. Midnight Records is the #1 independent Hip-Hop retailer in LA, mostly because Sam carries a lot of stuff you can’t find anywhere else, like exclusive mixtapes. If there’s a mixtape in the streets, chances are it came from Midnight Records. Freshly signed artists will often ship mixtapes to Sam so they can get an understanding of how the product will sell before their first record comes out. For example, just before Young Jeezy blew up with Thug Motivation 101, he flew Sam down South on an all-expenses paid V.I.P vacation. Sam met with Jeezy and saw how much of a celebrity he was in his own hood. He watched Jeezy perform in front of thousands of fans that were singing Jeezy’s lyrics back to him. And this was all before anyone really knew who Jeezy was. When Sam got back to LA, Jeezy shipped a box of mixtapes exclusively to him so the West could discover Jeezy.

Sam is on a first name basis with any popular rapper you can think of.

Midnight Records is also a barbershop.
»continue reading A West Coast Conversation About Hip-Hop

Dengue Fever, everybody’s favorite Los Angeles/Long Beach-based ’60s Cambodian Khmer pop group named after a debilitating disease, hits the Knitting Factory tomorrow night. As you might expect, Losanjealous would like to see you in attendance. [Translation: Once again we resort to that oldest of "ways to get people to go to shows" hat tricks ... giving away tickets. Entry instructions at the end of the article.]

I was first infected by the band some years ago at the Echo. Since that time they’ve gone on to win critical acclaim, soundtrack work courtesy Matt Dillon, tours around the globe and hopefully the fame and fortune that goes hand-in-hand with all of the above. Tomorrow they’ll play the Knitting Factory as an integral part of a night chock full of Cambodian goodness. From the press release:

Tuesday, August 14 is CAMBODIAN ROCK NIGHT at The Knitting Factory (7021 Hollywood Blvd.), with a live performance by Dengue Fever, DJ Siem Reap Duff spinning the best in Cambodian Rock, and the screening of two films: THE GOLDEN VOICE, a film about legendary Cambodian pop singer Ros Sereysotha and SLEEPWALKING THROUGH THE MEKONG, a documentary about Dengue Fever’s 2005 trip to Cambodia. This all ages event starts at 7:30 and is $15.

In 2005, a documentary crew followed the Los Angeles-based Cambodian pop band Dengue Fever to SE Asia to capture the response the band got to their take on Khmer Rock, a style of music that flourished in Cambodia before the Khmer Rouge. The result, SLEEPWALKING THROUGH THE MEKONG, is a captivating, humorous and sometimes deeply moving film which tells the story of a band seeking not only to give back something to the country which gave it so much, but endeavoring to aid in the preservation of Cambodia’s musical legacy.

Press releases can only take you so far, so we’ve thrown three topical questions to Zac Holtzman, DF’s resident guitarist and owner/resident landlord of our favorite beard in town.

Yo, Zac. What are three major differences between preparing for a gig in Phnom Penh and preparing for a gig at, say, the Knitting Factory in Hollywood?

A. Pulling the equipment together is difficult over there. Wondering what type of amps we’d have, and what keyboards and drum kits we’d be playing. So, the equipment issue.

B. In Phenom Phen we were afraid the whole stage setup was going to fall into the river. We don’t have to worry about that here.
»continue reading Three Questions For Dengue Fever

You can get Thai Food anywhere in LA, but Palms Thai is the only place where you can watch Thai Elvis perform while eating your Pad See Ew Noodles. I recently sat down with Kevee Thongprecha a.k.a Thai Elvis for a Q&A after his nightly performance at Palms Thai.

Losanjealous: How long have you been singing at The Palms?

Thai Elvis: Six years. But I’ve been singing since 1957. I used to sing when I was in Bangkok.

LA: Did you do shows over there?

TE: Yes. I used to go back every ten years to do shows in August. It was always sold out. But I haven’t been back since 1991.

LA:What was the biggest audience you ever had?

TE: Silver Dollar, Las Vegas 1978.

LA: How many people were there?
»continue reading Five Minutes With Thai Elvis

I met my editor, tyrant and micromanager, Ryan at the Kibitz room for the “Kibitz Komune!”, a Soren Gray benefit show featuring The Vacation, Paul Chesne, Soren Gray, Drugstore Cowgirls and more! Ryan had warned me to conduct myself as a pillar of journalistic integrity and to NOT mix up the Tegels and not to annoy the barstaff for he is a regular there. He told me to show up on time, not to imbibe too much and to GET MY STORY IN RIGHT AWAY. He must have spoken to LaVerne who might be a bit miffed at me since she caught me trying to wheel the Kegerator out of the conference room afterhours. As a matter of fact, Ryan informed me that he wasn’t taking “any of my sass” and that he has a “zero tolerance policy for foolishness” whilst on assignment. He wasn’t taking any chances. He was shadowing me for the night and making sure I didn’t charge up the Losanjealous Amex with t-shirts, shots for everyone in the bar (that only happened once and it was as the Tiki Ti and there were only four people in the bar!) and that I didn’t dance onstage while I was supposed to be taking photos.

10:23 pm
Arrive at venue. Ryan is nowhere to be seen. Door guy gives me lip about there being a dress code. I say that I’m in a dress, so what’s the problem. Door guy says I need “more flair”…whatever that means. Finally lets me in as I agree to wear his hand made bedazzled donkey brooch and pass out his bedazzling business cards.

10:30 pm
Text message to Ryan: M here. hve notebook & camra. Whr u?
10:33 pm
Text message to Ryan: Dude. M @ bar. dont mke me drink.
10:35 pm
Text message to Ryan: 1 of Tegels next 2 me @ bar. Not sure which one. Byng shot.

10:36 pm
Ryan is standing behing me and asking if I used the Amex to buy the shot and hissing at me not to drink with the Tegels, not to buy any tortas and to get up to the front of the stage and take photos because Paul Chesne is going on.

10:38 pm
While shooting photos of Paul Chesne who is playing with members of the Vacation, I spot Ryan in the mirror doing shots with a redhead.
»continue reading Kibitz Komune @ Canter’s, April 5: The Losanjealous Timeline

Aloha Joey! It’s truly an honor to be in the presence of a show business legend.
Alo-HO Ron! Here at the Joey Ho Show we prefer alo-HO!

Well then Alo-HO! Joey, you’re taking your show to the Valley on Wednesday. What do you have in store for us?
Oh this is a BIG show, I assure you. All of my Ho’s will be there. Cathy Colada, Puka, Poi, and Waikiki Steve manning the bar. You’ve heard of Hawaii 5-0; well, we are the Hawaii 5 Ho’s! We also have some great singers, a crazy comedian, and for the Valley a visit from the Polynesian Pineapple Princess Poo-poo-ly. Just an eruption of talent! And of course door prizes! it’s a show of Comedy, Music, Cocktails, Hulas and Potted Meat! You know SPAM is the state meat of Hawai’i!
»continue reading Joey Ho: The Losanjealous Interview

Neil Hamburger served up drinks with his inimitable brand of humor last night as guest bartender at the Cha Cha Lounge.

Donning his signature formal tux, thick-rimmed glasses and greasy comb-over, Neil – the so-bad-that-he’s-good standup comedian persona of funnyman Gregg Turkington – approached me and my friend Nick with his curiously welcoming scowl as we took our seats at the bar. I asked for two Buttery Nipples, and Nick, who happens to be a bartender, proceeded to explain how to make the shots (butterscotch Schnapps and Bailey’s). Neil returned and sat four uneven shots in front of us. “I made a little extra,” he said. We asked if he’d like to join us in our first drink of the evening. Naturally, he accepted.
»continue reading How Neil Hamburger Made Me Drink Out of My Shoe

I’m a big fan of this TV show and I recently had the opportunity to email the producer and creator, Lou Pizarro, a few questions. As you can see, he’s a real good sport. Not to mention, a very protective brother. I disagree with him about Lauren Sanchez and was disappointed that he didn’t green-light drug-testing for NFL head coaches, but I appreciate the time he took out to answer my questions. Someone probably got to keep their car for an extra fifteen minutes. Here goes:

When you initially emailed me and asked me to contact you with any questions, I have to admit, I was a little worried. Since I had written some less than flattering things about Sonia on my page, I was thinking that I would call you guys up, Vanessa would trace the call and Sonia and Matt would arrive at my house, tow my Prelude and bitch-slap me in front of the neighbors. Was that the original the plan?

First and foremost to let you know the comments about my sister did not bother her one bit, for she just shrugs it off and laughs. And as far as Sonia and Matt showing up at your doorstep, it would be to say thanks for at least taking the time to watch the show, whether your opinions are good or bad..hehehe..so relax and don’t worry.

How’s your head? I saw you take that beer bottle “to the dome.”

My head is fine, I have had worse.

When you went to the hospital to get the stitches (I assume down the block on Reseda and Roscoe) did any doctors recognize you and put you in front of other people in the emergency room?
»continue reading Operacion Repo Interview

Congratulations to our TIED December 2006 Commenters of the Month, Jenn and Jeff. As the Losanjealous staff is “tied” up on a conference call with our London office at present, we asked them to kindly interview each other. First up: Jenn Interviews Jeff, a New Jersey transplant who’s lived in Los Angeles for over six years. Jeff blogs at westolowski.com.

Jenn: How’d you end up in Losanjealous? As in who/what referred you and made you decide to stay and become a frequent visitor/commenter?

Jeff: I’m not sure, but I think I linked to Losanjealous one day through the now-defunct L.A. Alternative website. I stuck around for a couple of reasons. No. 1, I really like the name. No. 2, I enjoy the typically dry, sarcastic tone of the site. No. 3, I won tickets to a Bronx/400 Blows show back in August so now I’m stuck in this dreary fantasyland of entering ticket giveaway contests as though I’ll ever win another pair of tickets through Losanjealous again. No. 4, I’m still trying to figure out the Brian Dennehy obsession.

Which of your comments do you think helped you win this award?
»continue reading Losanjealous’ December 2006 Commenter of the Month: TIE: Jenn and Jeff (Part One)

…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead is currently touring to support its newest album So Divided,which will be released by Interscope on November 14. I gave the new album a listen and I have to say, it has its moments. The last track in particular vibes serious Course of Empire / Queensrÿche nostalgia. That can’t be a bad thing.

Recently I got the chance to pose a few questions to the band. New album aside, I had desperately wanted to ask Jason: Some Los Angeles residents might not realize that you opened the “Beauty Bar” in Austin earlier this year. How is that venture going, and do you have any plans to transplant more of Cahuenga corridor to Austin? Say for example The Spotlight. Would you consider opening a “The Spotlight” if the opportunity presented itself?

While Jason was not available, I hit the jackpot with frontman Conrad Keely. Admittedly most of my questions were food related. I was hungry at the time. Nonetheless, Conrad tolerated my bullshit and even answered a few questions with typical Conrad aplomb. Trail of Dead are slated to arrive in Los Angeles at the end of the month. Read the interview below and find out how you can win a copy of their new album.
»continue reading Trail of Dead: Conrad Keely on So Divided, Tacos, Medical Marijuana, Olympic Blvd

Congratulations to our October 2006 Commenter of the Month, Oscar. Less talk, more rock–on with questions.

Are comments dying or are they just being born?
I say they come when they come. Sometimes the mad commenting skills just come with the talent within, other times people are just bored and post whatever crap they feel like posting. That’s where the magic lies.

Do you remember your very first comment on any Web site, ever? What was the comment and the website?
It was probably eBay for some Rage Against The Machine concert tickets I won and it was probably something like “Great communication. An asset to eBay. A++++ all the way!”

Of course it would be tied to a show. How often do you see live music?
I try at least once a week. I live in Eagle Rock so it’s a short drive to lots of local venues like the Echo, Spaceland, and The Fold. There’s weeks I have no hearing and dying of sleep depravation because of the constant bombardment of music! It’s always cool to pace it out once in a while.
»continue reading Losanjealous’ October 2006 Commenter of the Month: Oscar

Longtime readers of the site may remember my last review of the Walkmen. Recently I got my hands on a copy of their forthcoming album Pussy Cats, a song-for-song cover of a 1974 Harry Nilsson/John Lennon album by the same name. I then got the chance to pose a few questions to the band. Pete Bauer answers them here with aplomb. The Walkmen’s new album drops October 24. Want to check it out free? Look for the giveaway at the end of the article. Happy Friday, denizens. Happy Friday.

You’re from DC, but you live in New York. Which city do you consider your hometown? Who’s got the better Natural History Museum?

I definitely feel more like New York is my home now as I’ve lived here 10 years or so and my life is here, but I think I may still relate more to folks from DC. Maybe I’m just not that great at making new friends. I think the NY Natural History has a little something on DC’s. I was just there two weeks ago and really enjoyed the Bio-Diversity room.

Nilsson’s album Pussy Cats was recorded during the infamous ‘lost weekend’ period, wherein Nilsson and Lennon were boozed out of their gourds, running amok in LA and getting thrown out of places like the Troubadour. Did any of the Walkmen make it out to LA to prep for these sessions in similar fashion?

Actually I was living out there for a few months prior to making our last record. I met my wife there.
»continue reading The Walkmen: Pete Bauer on Pussy Cats, Los Angeles. Plus, Win a Walkmen Prize Package

At our last staff meeting, after the long silence following De Marco’s Powerpoint presentation, the idea of a Losanjealous “Commenter of the Month Award” was thrown out on the table. The suggestion was mocked and promptly forgotten as matters turned to ordering food. This was early July. Cut to a couple of weeks ago, when, frisking a rented tuxedo vest (8 weeks late = $366.22), I found a cocktail napkin in the pocketwatch slit with the minutes of that meeting. The relevant scrawling upon it read: “COMNTR O’ MO.” Looking back, I’m not exactly sure who exactly put forth that idea, as we tend to be drunk at our meetings, but we were happy to recover it and finally put it into action here. -Ed.

It gives us much pleasure–too much, really–to present the first ever Losanjealous Commenter of the Month Award (LCMA–not to be confused with the LAMAs or LACMA) to:

(MV)Pete
September 2006