Last night I made it out to the Roxy for an invite only showcase of up and coming artist Mika that I’ve written about a couple times here. Let me start talking about the Roxy. It was the most joyous I’ve ever seen it. Clowns and a dude on stilts were entertaining the line outside and there were balloons and streamers hung everywhere. The sign said:

I couldn’t agree more. While waiting in line I discovered a perk of being a blogger. One of Mika’s people was going through the line and making sure that Universal and media people were waiting. I said “I’m a blogger” and she said okay go to the front and wait to the left. A few minutes later I skipped the line of 75+ people like a VIP. Felt pretty awesome.

Inside there was no short of “celebration.” There were glow stick string things and buttons being handed out along with free food and balloons and happiness everywhere. After waiting around a bit and surveying the scene. At 8:45 pm Mika went on stage with his band.

The guy can sing.
Live or recorded hi voice is so high and powerful and unique it’s hard to compare with anybody else in my mind. He played his second U.S show till about 9:30 and it was bar none an amazing performance. It was a bit different since it was all fans yet industry people who may have heard nothing about him. Without a doubt I’m sure they were impressed.

Overall, such a great showcase.

Mika: Myspace | Official Website

Tusday night I went to the amazing Marvimon House in China Town for some tasting of Johnnie Walker Blue Label as well as giving a listen to M. Ward. Before this event I had listened very little to M. Ward at all. In fact I barely knew what kinda of music they played. I’ve come to the conclusion that well a) they are awesome and b) it’s like early country / surfer music / blues / southern / good rock. They played for about 30 minutes I think and there wasn’t a song that didn’t catch my attention. (Hows that for a double negative in that last sentance? – Acutally ignore me I know nothing about grammar and don’t really care) The Marvimon House really caught my attention. Really nice space tucked away on North Broadway. I think China Town is slowly getting more and more venues / real estate is going up. Get in early I suppose.

The event overall was pretty fun. Of course unlimited Blue Label was good yet I liked all the hors d’oeuvres they were passing around. The peices of lamb were excellent. At times I was a bit bored because well I wasn’t drinking that much and you could probably dub it a rich hipster event. You know with like label execs and important people that I should probably know. Yet I don’t, maybe someday if you guys want to talk I’ll be around. Overall fun event and now I know the proper way to taste scotch thanks to the helpful server ladies. Here’s how you do it…

• Glass of ice water + small snifter
• Play with a piece of ice in your mouth until it makes your tongue a bit numb
• Take a sip of scotch and keep in mouth 1 second for every year it has been aged
  or just until you feel all the alcohol burn off
• Swallow and enjoy the smooth flavor

That’s the way to do it and it was the best way I’ve ever drank scotch. Now if you have the cash to throw down on the quite expensive Blue Label I would say go for it. Until then go for the Black or Red label.

Last night I had the pleasure of viewing The Rapture live, and quite the pleasure it was. First of all it was at the Henry Fonda Musicbox Theatre which I like more and more everytime I go there. Good sound and you can see from everywhere, plus the drink prices aren’t too too bad. I got there around 9:15 and caught the end of The Presets. They are awesome, if you want to know more about their live show, read my thoughts here (photos, mp3s, words) and the dance party here.

When I first saw that The Rapture and The Presets were on tour I knew it would be a huge dance party and had to get tickets. It was everything I thought it would be. The whole front half of the Fonda was dancing and everybody in the sold out show was having a great time. With a band like The Rapture where you have an arsenal of good songs it’s hard to have any down time. They played alot of stuff from the new album Pieces of the People We Love as well as good songs from previous albums. Things started to get really interesting and heated when they came back out for the encore. First of all, the only song I really had to see/hear live was “Don Gon Do It,” which was the first encore song. Then the mob started get a little rowdy. One guy managed to jump up on stage, shake his rump and almost dance for like a second, then jumped into the crowd. I was pretty close to the left of him and I think his friends caught him. Then other people started crowd surfing, getting pulled down – then pushed around by the rest of the crowd when they tried to make it back to their spot. People were pretty pissed off about it for some reason. Come on guys… it’s all in good fun. There were three songs in the encore to close out the tour and then out of the awesome sweaty mess we were all in and out to the Hollywood streets.

Overall great show, the guys in The Rapture really know how to keep a show at a high energy point for a good 45 minutes. By the time the show is over I was pretty danced out so we didn’t go to the after party at Starshoes down the way. In closing; it was a really fun show and I would definately try and see them again any time I can.

For a video with really crappy audio (sorry) head here on You Tube.

The Rapture: Myspace | Official Website

Last night I ventured over to the Roxy Theater for the first time and it was quite the experience. I got inside the super packed venue as Whitestarr was rocking and watched for a song or two. They were pretty cool, a sorta throwback to classic rock. I really don’t know what they are all about yet they did have the crowd going. After Whitestarr finished everybody scattered outside to have a cigarette and escape the sweaty heat that seems to fill the Roxy. After some time, Ima Robot goes on and does their thing getting a little dance party going around the stage, then on the stage, then everybody everywhere was dancing. I watched half of the show because I was dumb enough to wear long sleeve and felt like I was in a volcano inside. They played all their old stuff (some can be found here) as well as new stuff that I hadn’t heard before.

At the end of the night, everybody was sweaty and everybody had fun and that’s all that matters. If Ima Robot is coming to a venue near you, I highly recommend going – even if it will be a sweaty mess.

Ima Robot: Myspace | Official Website

Luckily enough I was able to see the Beatie Boys at the Henry Fonda Tuesday night.
RAD.
That’s just the word for it.

Now for a more detailed review of the show. I get in at about 9:20 ish – the show was supposed to start at 9:00. There is no opener, just the Beatie Boys are owning the venue. After probably half an hour to an hour of waiting, they go on. Mix Master Mic shows up first on the table, then the three of them bust out and start doing there thing. A couple observations.

• They are looking prettttty old. I mean they have been rocking for like almost two decades.
• Their rhythm is so precise. In tune with each other all the time.
• The flow of the show was kinda quirky when they stopped the hip hop, and went into like a jazz jam session with some friends that came out – then they went right back to the hip hop.
• Suicide live wasn’t as amazing as I thought. A little dissapointing, yet still good because everybody was out there rocking on real instruments.

They played for close to two hours. Then it was all over as quick as it started. That was that.

Beastie Boys: Myspace | Official Website

View complete set of photos here

I went out to Cinepace last Tuesday for a friends birthday and Oh No! Oh My! When they first went on, I wasn’t really into it… then as the songs went on I got into their indie pop dance folk music. They brought up some friends on stage from A Deadly Syndrome and had some fun. I think that’s what I noticed most of all – all the dudes just having fun up there on stage and puting on a great show. Everything was just happy go lucky. That’s the basic feeling I get from them.

Check out this video I took of one of their poppy songs.

To listen to some of their music, head to the MusicGlob archives.

Oh No! Oh My! Myspace | Official Website | Show Photos

Monday 10/9/06 I made it out to the famous Viper Room to see Dirty Little Secret, here’s a recap…

Lets start off with The Oohlas. I was supposed to go see them when I wrote this post yet didn’t make it out. I did make it just in time to the Viper Room for them to go on. As it usually is, seeing a band live is better than listening to the album. They played a bunch of songs and started the night off right. Lead singer Olivia looked way cute and sounded really good aswell.

Checkout The Oohlas in the MusicGlob archive for mp3’s.

Now onto Dirty Little Secret. I think this band is great and all the guys are cool guys from LA. They are all about their fans and I respect that about bands. Yet first I need to note The Thieves who played before DLS. They are a foreign shredding kinda rock metal band. Love to shred, pose for the cameras, you know be what a typical rock star is supposed to be right? Well at first I thought I was into it, then I realized I don’t really like the same thing over and over again. Here’s the important part, they went over their set time by about 15 minutes. Completely screwing DLS so they couldn’t even get on until past 11:30. Quite rude.

When DLS was finally able to get on, they played an awesome set. The usual audio/visual setup they have is always an added bonus. They were quick in and out for a total set time of maybe 30 minutes including a new song that I am fond of.

Checkout Dirty Little Secret in the MusicGlob Archives for mp3’s.

Lyra pronounced “lee ra” went on after Dirty Little Secret. I had seen them before, yet didn’t remember what they sounded like until then and I thought it was just okay. They did have some catchy dancy songs that won me over, but on the whole I would say it was just an okay performance. It’s to early to say that I don’t like them, so I’ll just leave it at that and let you decide for yourself.

Thursday night I made it out to Indie Schmindie to see The Minor Canon, Briertone, and Sparrows Gate. I had not listened to The Minor Canon or Sparrows Gate and this was a perfect introduction.

All photos by RockInsider, click for more. Ff you can find a picture of me drinking $2 PBR’s, I’ll buy you a round or two next time out at some LA show. Any takers?

Sparrows Gate

Sparrows Gate opened and I couldn’t be more excited about this band. The setup and rocked enough for me to pay attention more. So I did and what I heard pleased me. I’ll have to get more music from these guys.

Sparrows Gate: Myspace | Official Website

Briertone

I’m always stoked on seeing Briertone. The best part this time is Corey (drummer) last time I saw them had only a months worth of playing and played really well. This time around he killed it. They played a new song or two and I’ve always admired how into their music they are. They play with a passion that’s hard to miss. Exciting times for these guys as they embark on a tour through October and into November across the US. Check their myspace for more.

Briertone: Myspace | Official Webstie | MusicGlob Archive (mp3’s)

The Minor Canon

Like Sparrows Gate, this was my introduction to The Minor Canon. If I could just use one word for it, overwhelming. Seven members along with that the lead singer plays a second drum set in some songs plus three dudes playing saxaphone, trombone, and trumpet. There is alot of sound, and it all blends beautifully. I’m going to say it, think Arcade Fire. Amazing to watch, and I think they have an album almost done. Definately a band to watch.

The Minor Canon: Myspace | Official Website

I had been looking forward to this past weekend for a few weeks. W.A.S has been one of my favorite bands of this year… just search.

I checked them out on Saturday September 30 at the Henry Fonda Music Box Theatre. First time I had been there and I was impressed. Sound wasn’t bad and the place was very close if not all the way sold out. Made it there just in time for The Spinto Band to play their last song and single “Oh Mandy.” Great pop song… then onto hanging out upstairs on the rooftop.

Art Brut went on next, instead of making my ears bleed by going inside I watched a big on the screen they had setup outside. I thought I liked Art Brut, then I realized that all the songs sound the same to me, so I passed and waited some more for W.A.S.

Then onto the good stuff… W.A.S went on at I think 11 ish and got us all dancing immediatly. They played a couple new songs that I was stoked on as well as all the good stuff from With Love and Squalor. They played about an hour long set which included The Spinto Band coming up on stage and doing some kind of choreographed dance. Keith and Chris were really into talking to the crowd this show, more so than the previous two times that I have seen them. They were really relaxed and just having a really good time. They played for about an hour then it was all done, yet overall it was an excellent show.

We Are Scientists: Myspace | Official Website

It’s now story time from last night.
Start off by heading to Spaceland and get their a little bit into the Hour of the Shipwreck set. Very different/experimental/unique. I guess the only band I can think of right now to relate them with would be Deerhoof. I think the more you listen, the more you understand. They played a good set, then onto the band Holy Shit. This is almost too easy, but holy shit I was disappointed. I’m not usually one to write about when a band sucks, but I was just fed up. They took forever to setup, the lead singer was chewing gum both during sound check and while singing, then when they finally start, well I left. I went and closed out my tab and left right as they started their second song. The only thing that cheered me up was that the hotdog stand was outside and I can’t pass up a bacon wrapped hotdog death with everything on it.

So we head over to the the echo next for Hell Ya! Got there just in time for eskimohunter to go on. This is my second or third time seeing them live, and I really like them. I have yet to listen to anything on their myspace or mp3’s floating around – yet they are a great live band.

After chatting with some people and hanging out, The Sugi Tap went on. Earlier in the night, my friend Joe mentions that the lead singer from Eve 6 is wondering around. WHAAAT?! Turns out Tony and Max from Eve 6 made a new band. Great alternative stuff, they played a good set that a few dedicated fans were totally into. By dedicated fans, they knew all the words and were way into it. Gotta love that. For more on bands at Hell Ya last night, head here.

Overall, the night was at first full of shit, then turned around right about when I ate that hotdog and it then became a good night. That magical bacon wrapped hotdog with grilled onions, mustard, mayo, and ketchup. It’s 10:45 AM, yet I really want some of that artery clogging goodness right now.

On one final note, if I dropped by the Silverlake lounge I would have been a super echo park hipster. Add on Short Stop or Little Joy and call yourself hipster god.

Live photos from Cinespace show April 06

I went out to Spaceland last night to see The Presets at Club NME which is the usual Wednesday night gig. The Presets are one of the best bands to see live. I kid you not, every show turns into a dance party. They come out and just party and get you moving. It’s so much fun, and if you don’t dance, then I recommend drinking more. If you don’t drink, get into the music, it’s really not hard with The Presets. They were mixing up all kinds of stuff, they even threw in some daft punk that really got everybody pumped up. Then there was “THE LAST 20 SECONDS” that Julian shouted out then everybody was going crazy. Such an amazing show.

They are touring all through October and November all over the place. Check the schedule on their myspace.

For mp3’s and more stuff, head to their post in the MusicGlob archives.

The Presets: Myspace | Official Website | Live Photos

I thought I’d write this up before I forget, as I mentioned before I made it out to the AFI show Friday (9/15) night at the Long Beach Arena. Where do I start… well I started off by not knowing where to go and parked forever away, yet it turns out I saved a few bucks in the process. Then I didn’t really know where to get into the arena at first because the whole place is such a hudge hodgepodge event/convention spaces. After a bit of walking, I finally made it in probably about 9:30 ish and missed Saosin. I was alittle perterbed, especially when I realized there was 5 minutes left to buy beer. So I decided to just head to the floor and enjoy the show.

The band was clad in white like the above photo, with a pretty elaborate stage setup. I don’t know any AFI songs except for the few on the radio that everybody loves. They also played a couple songs that mainly the hardcore fans knew, some song from 1997 that lead vocalist Davey Havok mentioned. If I remeber correctly, “Miss Murder” was their last song and it was a great song to go out on. They were really into the crowd and the fans which I appreciated, specifically Havok thanking the crowd multiple times. He mentioned this show was the largest headlining show to date and thanked everybody for their support. Towards the end of the 2 hour set he jumped into the crowd and had them holding him up while singing. Pretty epic with camera’s recording the whole concert.

Overall, I may not be into their music or style – yet they played a great show. They are into their fans and puting on a great show and they did just that.

AFI: Myspace | PureVolume | Official Website

I made my triumphant return to Cinespace last night for The Films and Persephone’s Bees. The Films have some great indie dancey rockey songs. Remember, The Films are not to be confused with Film School who are also an excellent band. As for the show, The Films you are cool, but the sound was royally effed. My ears were hurting, something was messed up – which unfortunately when the sound is below par, the band suffers. Either way it was cool to see them again. Reminded me to listen to their music again.

The Films: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
The Films – Black Shoes
The Films – Bored

Since The Killers are exploding once again, and well I like them – I figured I’d pass along a tip that Karen emailed in. [Thanks Karen!] Myspace Secret Shows is presenting The Killers FREE 18+ at Celebrity in Las Vegas. If you are in or around Vegas tonight, it’ll be super crowded, yet totally worth it.

Don’t forget, Myspace Secret Shows are all over the place, so add them as a friend to get updates. Head to freeindie.com for a little bit more info.

Here is my review of last nights festivities. I have seen Division Day and Peter Walker live before and you can see pics and read my reviews if you search for them – Division Day and Peter Walker. I took mostly pics of Birdmonster and Briertone, so read on for photos and some words. Yet I will say this as I have before: Division Day, you guys are awesome everytime. They played one new song and I was stoked on it.

View show photos

This was the first time I was able to see Birdmonster live and wow. So much fun. They went on at 11 pm right after Division Day. I can say this, Birdmonster is full of energy. They are all fun on stage and Peters vocals came out great regardless of Spacelands notorious habit of having bad sound. A few points – tamborine and maraca action. I forget which song, but out of nowhere Kevin and Seb from Division day show up with tamborines and Kevin throughs a maraca at me. I did what I could, but I was more occupied trying to take pictures and making my feet dance. Kevin and Seb were up on stage rocking with their tour mates. Overall so much fun, they are really a band to see live – check out their tour coming up.

View show photos

Briertone is simply amazing. Every time I listen, and now that I have seen them live I think, just wow. They went on after Birdmonster at about midnight so most of everybody left, yet they still played so good. After their set chatting with JAX and the band I found out the drummer Cory had only been playing for 4 weeks. He learned everything in a month, and played his first live show. I’m just in awe. Turns out this show was their first show all together after a lineup change and whatnot, yet even through all that they played amazing.

At the end of the night and today I realized how much fun it all was. Especially catching JAX in some tamborine action. She agrees that it was tons of fun – read her review.