Last night myself along with hundreds of others ventured out to catch the Editors live on the Jimmy Kimmel live show. Besides the waiting around for a little while I’ve come to really appreciate tv show concerts. It’s all such high production. Everything sounded awesome to begin with and you gotta love when there is a grip of lights shining all over the place. They played the goods from their latest album An End Has A Start as well as tracks off of The Back Room. I forgot how cool these guys are live. Nothing special, just playing and playing well. I think it’s actually just Tom Smith’s voice that make them so unique. Such powerful and clear vocals… it just sounds so good. They played for about 30 minutes maybe and it was totally worth it. Free high quality show of the Editors made Wednesday so completely worth it.

After that ended at like 9:30 some friends and I hit up the the Good Luck Bar which is now one of my new go-to places. Awesome place… it was especially nice since it was only Wednesday and not over crowded.

For more of the Editors… just search.
*Apologies for the crappy photo… they don’t allow camera’s so cam phone pics will do.

Editors: Myspace | Website

Review: Daft Punk / Ratatat / Sebastian & Kavinsky
July 21, 2007 Los Angeles Sports Arena

Well now that I’m finally back to writing after a hectic weekend, lets talk about Daft Punk. First of all the concert was completely sold out - the whole place packed and a giant sweat box. There really isn’t any reason to call it a concert, it was more like the biggest dance party I’ve ever been too. I think probably like 15,000 people or so… 90% of them dancing. I was only able to get concourse tickets and it was amazing to just watch the people on the floor always moving. Everybody nodding their head right fist pumping. My view as you can tell from the terrible treo pic above that I could see practically everything. Direct angle view of the stage and screen closest to me plus a view of all that was happening on the floor. It was just a sea of people moving and swaying… lighters, cell phones, glow sticks all in the air simultaneously to the beat.

The intensity of the show grew song by song as well the visualizations. They controlled each one of our movements so methodically through lights and sounds. The line of lights above the floor (pictured above) blew my mind and everybody else’s when they first turned on. It was so unexpected and I had never seen anything like that before. I can’t even describe the stage to you… everything was an LCD screen or LED light of some sort.

To be honest… I’m at a loss for words. What I’m thinking and feeling about the show is far beyond what I’ve ever experienced at a concert before. LAist has a great review you can read here. [vids on youtube here]

As I was sitting in the parking lot after the show with friends we dissected the night and how amazing that hour and a half was. One of the main things that made our heads explode was the songs. They didn’t play any one of their tracks in any way you have ever heard it. They were constantly mixing 2,3,4 songs together to create completely new tracks all together that got everybody into a sweaty dance rager.

So intense. So amazing.
It’ll be hard to see a concert as sick as this was ever again.

Lets talk about Ratatat and Sebastian & Kavinsky for just a few sentences.
Ratatat was absolutely sick. They played all the good songs like my personal favorite “El Pico” and an awesome version of “Gettysburg.” They had some artsy videos running in the background that were synced with the music. Most notable was the perspective of you inside a car driving and a dude on the passenger side outside the car that smashes the front window in with a bat. Perfectly in sync with the beat that just made me want to rage more. Sebastian & Kavinsky are some really talented dj’s. They got the crowd dancing in between sets with some unique mixes.

In closing… one of the most amazing experiences… I should go pickup their new dvd and relive the times.

The Eastern Conference Champions are playing tonight at the Silverlake Lounge for their debut LP, Ameritown. I am utterly addicted to their single “The Box.” It just seems to get stuck in my head and never leave. Ameritown came out today and you can listen to the goods over on the best new social network for music, VIRB.

As for the show tonight….

Silverlake Lounge
2906 W Sunset Blvd.
Lineup:
Eastern Conference Champions – 11:00 pm
The Vampire Weekend 10:00 pm
Faker 9:00 pm
The French Semester 8:00 pm

More on Eastern Conference Champions later…

Eastern Conference Champions:
Myspace | VIRB | Website | Buy on iTunes

MP3
Eastern Conference Champions - The Box

Thursday night show…

Monsters Are Waiting, Scientific Phenomenalist David Lovering (of The Pixies), Mellowdrone (acoustic), Gliss, Meho Plaza
All Ages
$13 (i think)
The Roxy

I never wrote about the excellent Monsters Are Waiting but I’m a fan of The Pixies and Mellowdrone. I just heard of Gliss from a friend of mine asking me if I had heard of them. Just heard of the name and nothing else… and Meho Plaza is new to me as well. Just a good all around lineup.

This week is finals week yet there is of course no short of things to do around LA. Tonight is Indie 103.1’s 3 year anniversary party for Check One, Two Mondays at the Viper room.

I hope to head out yet I do have a final tomorrow so we’ll see how things pan out the rest of the day. This week I may be a little sparse on the blogging due to the end of classes for now.

Click the flyer for all the details yo.

Oh yeah, and it’s 21 + always at the Viper Room.

I wanted to tell you guys about Vosotros, a music collective here in LA. They are a group of awesome people making music and a record label. Every month they make a new band and they play the last Thursday of every month at Land in Little Tokyo. Along with the live show they record a podcast which you can pick up at canyoutasteit.com. It’s really awesome that this kind of thing is being done around town. Three other local bands play at the show along with the monthly new band. If you want a taste of some new local music, Vosotros live@land is the place to go.

East West Quintet, Ninja Academy, pb&j… and g, Super Robot.
Land: 366 E 2nd Street in Little Tokyo
9:00 / 3 bucks

Vosotros Website

Such a good time last night at the show. Thanks to all who came out, the awesome bands, the echo, and co-sponsors for a great success. I was out in full force trying to make use of my new camera. Of the 280 photos I took, 55 of them are decent enough for sharing. I really gotta get used to my digital SLR so good good photos can be taken. All my friends that came out, thanks it wouldn’t be fun with out all of you. I was so happy to see JAX and Heather and Happy Birthday to Heather! Now on with the review… gonna be shortish this time.

PHOTOS: MusicGlob Gallery: 5/23/07 at The Echo
Gallerys: The Monolators | Castledoor | 8-Bit

THE MONOLATORS Myspace | Website

I was so happy to finally see The Monolators and they rocked. Energy from every song built on the last until the end which came too soon. The crowd was large and loving every minute of their unique psychedelic rock with a little tiny punk. Overall great set, loud and fun. I got to talk with Eli and Mary for a few moments and they are so great. It’s just a perfect setup, awesome music and awesome people.

CASTLEDOOR Myspace

Castledoor is an indie pop gem. All dressed up and looking good they played a solid set of there foot tapping goods and and later busted out the acoustic for a slow one. They are a full gang and look comfortable together on stage. If you check out their blog you’ll see how fun they all are. I don’t want to just say they played a good show “it was fun” like I always do but I’m fresh out of creative writing talent. Couple extra bits: I didn’t know it but bassist Brandon and I went to high school together. Such a small world, him playing the show and me co-presenting. Also they are/have been recording at the ship (you know the famous one over there in silverlake that tons of good bands record in) and I can’t wait to here what they have coming up. Lots of potential so keep an eye out as they will be sticking around for awhile.

8-BIT Myspace

I knew 8-Bit was going to be rad but I didn’t know how rad. They were so rad they were sick. Their get ups fit them perfectly. Once they took to the stage the took control of the crowd. Within seconds everybody was nodding their heads to the beat. Their rap is fresh and unique. They know how to keep it real I guess you would say with songs like “Suck my dick bitch,” and various others off their latest album. At the time they went on I think everybody was drunk enough to get really into it. I know I was cause I think I took close to 100 pictures of just them. 25 were good enough to share with you. If you get a chance, they are a must see.

SUMMER DARLING Myspace

I’m so sorry Summer Darling yet I arrived during your last song and was only able to snap a few crappy photos. I know you’re awesome though and I’ll see you soon!

** update 5/24/07 ** Thanks to everybody who was there, good times all around.!

8-Bit, Castledoor, Summer Darling, The Monolators
The Echo [1822 Sunset Blvd.]
doors 8:30 $7 door / $5 with flyer FULL POSTER HERE TO BRING TO DOOR

Presented by KXLU 88.9 | LA Underground | LA Taco and of course MUSICGLOB.

I’ll be toting around a camera, have long blond hair, drunk. Come talk to me!

TOMORROW: live review, The Monolators.

So I went down to my hometown of San Diego last Sunday for the big radio show of the year at the Coors Amphitheater. You know like Weenie Roast here in LA basically. So I’ve been pretty out of it with my blogging this past week and one of the reasons I was waiting for 91X to post some photos so I could include them in my post here. Too bad they are useless to me. I wish there were more good ones but whatever I’ll use what I can.

Story time it is… I’ll run down who I saw first to who I saw last.

THE USED myspace | website
As a side note they have a new album out today. I don’t really know much about it yet. I mean I’ve been a Used fan since the first album when I was just a kid. Now that I’m grown up a bit and Bert has blond hair I don’t really know what to do. Anyways…. live show. Audio sucked. I was really disappointed. I think it’s because they went on at 3:15 and the sound guy didn’t feel like giving them the time of day. Maybe, just maybe it was for some other reason. Either way I was disappointed and hoped for better. I’ll have to see them some other time and place when they are headlining and hopefully it’ll be good.

SILVERSUN PICKUPS myspace | website
Everybody’s favorite buzz band hit it big. Like really big. I thought hey these guys are good when I first heard them quite a long time ago. I wrote a post on them here in the archives. I never thought that they would be playing festivals and big shows. Congrats to them. Silverlake turned big time. As for the live show… audio was still a little crappy but they played a solid ‘good’ show. The thing that really caught my attention was how comfortable on stage they were and they were just having fun with it. Songs dragged on for twice their length as they were rocking out and just having a blast. Some dude won a contest to be their roady for a day and they were messing with him quite a bit. Basically he was their bitch and he was having fun with it too. All in all, I wish I saw them at a smaller show ages ago like I should have being a blogger and all, but I didn’t so all well. They won’t be playing too may smaller venues anymore.

THE BRAVERY myspace | website
I was all about The Bravery two and a half years ago or however long they popped their heads into the scene. Then all the drama between them and The Killers front man Brandon Flowers made me side with The Killers and I stopped listening to The Bravery. (Douchery by Brandon Flowers, he later apologized) I also pulled one of those “their not cool anymore” cards when I was a douche. I still am a douche but at least I know and tell you guys the truth. Guess what, I like em again. Not like the thousands of eleventeen year olds or whoever but as a person who has watched their style change a bit into something more evolved. They also won my vote as my second favorite set because it sounded the best. I could actually hear the vocals and everything was mostly mixed correctly. I was able to enjoy the songs and not be stuck thinking about how the sound is crappy. They played all the popular ones that everybody danced a bit to and a few new ones from the album that comes out today. Great show, I was impressed and they won me over.

30 SECONDS TO MARS myspace | website
Welp folks, 30 Seconds to Mars took the cake as far as my book is written. I had been listening to their latest album, A Beautiful Lie all last week and I’ll admit I like it. It’s actually pretty crazy how big a year or two has taken them but they’ve always had a pretty huge fan base. Due to of course Jared Leto. Being a dude I’m not so partial to saying things like this, but everybody knows he’s hot. I thought I would see alot more kiddies because I thought thats what a large portion of their fan base was. I was wrong. They played quite the amazing show. Just goes to show you when you have a front man like Jared Leto that knows he is a rock star and plays the part perfectly you will see a good show. During “The Kill” he decided to run around the whole lower level climbing on chairs and through people. Standing on top of anything he could with spotlights right on him. I had never seen that by anybody in a show of this size. He’s a good example of actor turned rock star as he knows exactly what to do to get the crowd into it. He had all the lights turned off and everybody put up their lighters or cellphones which always looks awesome when you have a grip of people. Pretty amazing show and I didn’t even know I was that into that much.

– RECAP –
All in all, good festival. It was nice and cloudy most of the time so it wasn’t too hot. There was all kinds of weird stuff going on on the lawn like a couple of jerkoffs asking us if we drove “a fast car” that is “blue” because supposedly a fast blue car cut him off on the freeway and he “remembers faces” as he was talking to my friend. He later was almost arrested yet wasn’t and continued to be a jerkoff. Oh yeah, then there was two girls romping around making out and fondling each other. Alot of people thought that was worth watching. As always in San Diego and well pretty much any big festival like show there was bro’s wanting to fight each other. Some guy got knocked out cold in the walkway right below the lawn so everybody rushed to check it out. Just remember, the lawn is always an adventure - but get good seats. It’s worth the money most of the time.

This will serve as a dual purpose post. Both a live review and some mp3 sharing. Last night I caught the end Elf Power’s set. This troop from Athens, Georgia played a really fun show. Their stage presence was so comfortable it felt like a local band on a Thursday night. It was a pretty full house at Spaceland, everybody looking like they were having a great time. Elf Power’s unique ability to have 6 bodies and different instruments all creating dancable folk indie rock is what makes it all worth listening to and seeing them live. They hung out after the show for a bit and are all so nice and just seem to love what they’re doing. I like it, maybe you will too.

Shortish post today… it’s Friday and I’m mega tired. For more on Elf Power check out the Daytrotter Session.

Elf Power: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
Elf Power - An Old Familiar Scene
Elf Power - Walking With The Beggar Boys

Rockinsider has put together Peter and the Wolf tonight at Pehrspace in Glendale. If you didn’t know, many people will tell you that Peter and the Wolf is awesome. Once you listen you will tell yourself. Also I haven’t told you about the Monolators yet, but you should know that they sound great aswell.

Check out my words in the archive.

Looks like a great show especially for only 5 bills I mean come on.

Complete details over at RockInsider.

Bloc Party live was everything I thought it would be. Amazing and amazing. I’ve wanted to see them live since their last album release over two years ago. Lets start off with the venue. The Wiltern LG Theatre is a great venue in many ways. Great sound, a balcony and front pit area as well as bars in all the right places. They seem to have done it all right.

Now onto Bloc Party. They opened with “I Still Remember” which is a perfect song to open with. Once you hear that opening guitar you are ready. Kele’s vocal’s were right on throughout the whole show. You could hear him almost perfectly and he hit all his notes. Notable favorites throughout the show were “kreuzberg” (pictured above) as well as all of the “encore.” They went off stage for a couple minutes to give time for the stage hands to setup another drum set identical to the one on stage already. Except this one had the Bloc Party decal on the base mirrored. When they came back out base player Gordon Moakes jumped on the other drum set and they played “Sunday” with double the drums. It sounds absolutely awesome. They then played a couple more and finished off with the ever popular “Helicopter” which threw everyone into and absolute dancing frenzy. Strobe lights and stage lights going crazy to the fastest version of “Helicopter” I’ve heard. They then in said thanks and bowed in absolute style to complete the show. The whole show was excellent especially with the accompanying light show. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my Monday night.

Bloc Party: Myspace | Official Website

Last night I ventured to JAX’s return of Indie Schminie which she pointed out I have perfect attendance. It was at The Scene which is a tiny little dive bar with an easy atmosphere and great drink prices. They’ve got a little stage that sounds pretty good + pool table + photobooth + Mrs. Pacman / Galaga. I made it to the fourth stage playing Mrs. Pacman which I was fairly pleased with. It’s a small place but felt really cozy. Plus any beer for 4 bucks had me going back for Newcastles often. Now onto the music but first a short story.

Adrian Grenier was there. Of all places - a tiny dive bar in Glendale. I was actually starstruck. I couldn’t believe it. I was probably such a little girl about it because I watch Entourage alot. I asked him when the new episodes were on, he told me April which I also just found out from the website. I almost didn’t recognize him because he was sporting a sweet beard and hanging out with the guys from The Good Listeners. All in all - the combination of music, friends, and a star sighting made it a great night.

Now the music.
For mp3’s from each band - head to Rock Insider.

The following is in order from openers to headliners. (Mezzanine Owls)

I missed Civil At Rest which I’m a little dissapointed about but it’s okay.
Civil At Rest: Myspace | Official Website

Tandemoro

Never heard these guys until the show. Jaxxy told me I’d like them - and I do. Good ole indie pop I can never get away from it. Notable Highlight was a Devo cover of uhhh that one song I forget. You would know it. Lead singer Mike Griffin’s voice sounded a little harsh (he may of had a cold or I might be a dbag and that’s his style) but the music and lyrics are good.

Tandemoro: Myspace | Official Website

The Good Listeners

The Good Listeners are all talent. ALL. They’ve fused together all kinds of instruments into awesome indie pop rock songs. Like the picture above they had a projector setup - yet the funny part no video. Just the blue light for the whole deal. I was kinda waiting for something to happen yet nothing so that’s just the way it goes. I think lead singer (Nathan?) told us at the start of their set there was no video but hey whatever. Great set, these guys really know what they are doing and it shows in the music.

The Good Listeners: Myspace | Official Website

Mezzanine Owls

The Mez Owls were the main reason I went out to the show last night. I’ve been excited about the owls since around the time of this post. All good songs, all good times. They seemed really “together” if you know what I mean. They hung around before the show, went up there and did their thing and did it well. I honestly don’t have much to say about the performance, it was just good. A solid good performance to add to their buzz and soon to be fame and fortune. We can only hope.

The Mezzanine Owls Myspace | Official Website

It seems that Youth Group have been doing their fair share of blowing up. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone writes, “Youth Group are destined for hugeness.” That’s pretty sweet I suppose.

I don’t usually post up tour schedules yet I felt like it today. Go and enjoy.

For more on Youth Group (mp3’s and words) head to the Music Glob archives

3-9 Doug Fir Portland OR#
3-10 Crocodile Cafe Seattle WA#
3-12 Slim’s San Francisco CA#
3-13 Spaceland Los Angeles CA#
3-14 Casbah San Diego CA#
3-15 Filter Austin TX*
3-16 Soho’s Austin TX*
3-17 Latitude 30 Austin TX*
3-20 Beta Bar Tallahassee FL +
3-21 AKA Lounge Orlando FL +
3-22 The Earl Atlanta GA+
3-23 Local 506 Chapel Hill NC+
3-24 Grey Eagle Asheville NC+
3-25 Exit Inn Nashville TN+
3-27 The High Tone Memphis TN+
3-28 Mojos Columbia MO+
3-30 Southgate House Newport KY+
3-31 The Billiken Club St. Louis MO+
4-1 Grog Shop Cleveland Heights OH+
4-5 Space Gallery Portland ME+
4-6 Middle East Club Cambridge MA+
4-7 Century Lounge Providence RI+
4-9 Maxwells Hoboken NJ+
4-10 Mercury Lounge New York NY+
4-11 North Star Bar Philadelphia PA+
4-13 Black Cat Washington DC+
4-14 Club Cafe Pittsburgh PA+
4-15 Magic Stick Detroit MI+
4-17 Empty Bottle Chicago IL+

# - Headlining
* - SXSW
+ - with Aqueduct

Youth Group: Myspace | Official Website

Went to Cinespace last night - haven’t been there in many moons. Gotta love the free booze. So The Colour went on first. A local Los Angeles band that just released their album Between Earth & Sky. I thoroughly enjoyed them. They played all the songs to keep the audience moving. They also had alot more people watching than Wired All Wrong which was I guess the headliner if there is such a thing at Cinespace.

I will say that lead singer had all the right microphone tricks. You know the spinning around and all those tricks you see the emo bands doing. He had them down even though they aren’t an emo band by any means - I guess I’m just scarred from seeing that kind of thing all too often on mtv. I revisited their music today and like it even more than last night. He’s got a powerful voice and their rock soul music is all to perfect to listen to hanging out with friends. Overall good show by The Colour.

The Colour: Myspace

Now onto Wired All Wrong. Well here’s were it goes down hill folks. Sorry but I watched about 2 -3 minutes of the first song then decided to amuse myself somewhere else. The guys were playing like it was an arena and they were ready for the big time. Especially the bassist with his black fingernails and gloves cut off at the knuckle. There were just too many things that turned me off I could write about but it’s really just easier to say this -

It was about as typical as a girl wearing ugg boots in the winter.

It amuses me to say that even with all their grand theatrics on stage (which also included two attractive chicks in doctors coats fiddling around with a clipboard and every so often singing) that there was about 1/4 of the people watching them as was The Colour. To throw out a number - maybe 40. I could be dreadfully wrong yet I’ve seen empty shows at Cinespace and this was one of them.

I will say this - I don’t mind their music, I would give it a listen every so often yet the live show killed it for me.

Wired All Wrong: Myspace

Well I’m done being Negative Nancy for today, I don’t usually like to write negative reviews but you know what, it has to be done.