No brainer

How do you know when you're totally invested in a band? When a $50 ticket sounds like a bargain||||||||||||||||||||

More:
3/1: 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. - Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego - 1100 Kettner Blvd. San Diego, CA
3/12: SXSW - Austin, TX (Emo's)
3/14: SXSW - Austin, TX (Red Eyed Fly's - Little Radio)
4/27: Coachella Festival - Indio, CA.

Classic:

There's some kind of madness in the air

Most people immediately think of gunshots, a Clash sample, and those sweet grooves belted out by miss lady hot-jams M.I.A., but not me. My favorite Paperplanes hail from Long Beach and have recently resurfaced from the recording studio with a spot opening for Radar Bros., a sold-out record release party, and a brand new album entitled Rhinestone Republic. Another first for the band, and fans like me, will be when we visit the new tiki-heaven/venue called Puka Bar this weekend.

It's a fairly new bar and is located near the 710 freeway on Willow. Basically, this is another huge section of Long Beach that most people don't know about but has remained historic and peaceful. San Diego's Transfer and locals Fast Dragon will also plug in. Here's the details for the show this coming Saturday:

P u k a B a r
cover: $5
9 pm, Feb. 23rd

Download: "Fever Blister", taken from the Paperplanes EP. You can download more of their catalog HERE.

Little Radio + Noisepop + Wolfgang's Vault @ SXSW

SXSW day parties are being created and finalized by bloggers, media companies, and scenesters all over the country. While many of last year's heavy-hitters are still sorting out the details Little Radio just announced their lineup and it's by far the most impressive batch of bands I've seen from any crew. I would find it very difficult for anyone to top it at this point, but who knows? The 3-day event will be co-sponsored by the good folks at Noise Pop and Wolfgang's Vault. Check the details below.

WED, MARCH 12th:
TWO GALLANTS, THE OCTOPUS PROJECT, WHITE DENIM, FOREIGN BORN, BROTHERS & SISTERS, DIE! DIE! DIE!, TOM FREUND, RESTAURANT, THE EXPLORERS CLUB, and BRAZOS.

THU, MARCH 13th:
THE RAVEONETTES, THE BLACK ANGELS, A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS, GRAND ARCHIVES, THE BIG SLEEP, MINIPOP, THE PITY PARTY, SPINDRIFT, YELLOW FEVER, and PEEL.

FRI, MARCH 14th:
AUTOLUX, HELIO SEQUENCE, THE STILLS, ROGUE WAVE, THE LITTLE ONES, GRAND OLE PARTY, DAVID DONDERO, ED HARCOURT, and MAGIC BULLETS.

"There are links to EVERY ONE of the bands playing, so go back up, click around and enjoy some music. It'll be good for you! Might be a few other surprises announced on top of this, so beware! Again, the important details are that this is a free party presented by Little Radio, Noise Pop and Wolfgangs Vault, (no rsvp, badges or wristbands required) and there is free beer and bloody marys starting each day at 11am at the Red Eyed Fly (715 Red River)."

"There will be an outside stage, an inside stage, 3 bars and a VIP area in the parking lot.Everyone should plan on getting there as early as you can, because like every year, we will be at capacity quick. For everyone not going, we'll be broadcasting live on Little Radio again (audio and video), so you can tune-in to all 3 days from the safety of your desk or home."

Dude.

Everest - Boardner's - Free

In 2007 I caught almost every Let's Independent gig at Boardner's. The sound and scenery at this west side locale is beautiful and boasts a sweet patio area. This Radio Free Silver Lake sponsored event also showcases loads of new talent from the east side as well as numerous bands that have eventually made their way onto the airwaves of KROQ, KCRW and Indie 103.1 (Sea Wolf, Great Northern, A-Tox, etc.). Tomorrow night's affair features Everest. They are arguably one of the most talented and mesmerizing acts in Los Angeles. If you haven't seen them, assuming you're a fan of Neil Young and Wilco, then now is the time. This show is FREE.

Lineup:
Everest: "Rebel in the Roses" (MP3)
The Transmissions
The Bentleys

Seasons Change

I haven't been to The Henry Clay People residency yet but tonite's Echo gig is different, and even has a theme. Producer/Little Radio DJ/Mighty Lemon Drop/C86 All-Star/beer drinking champion Dave Newton has produced and recorded all of the bands on the bill. I'm gonna try and get over there after I watch Film School.


The Pity Party play their third night of solid gold at Spaceland along with Austin's What Made Milwaukee Famous (beer?) and locals Ladies and Gents.

Last week on Little Radio I was a guest on the internationally famous Sinking with Sylvia (and sometimes Todd) program (Thursdays from 11-1pm PST). It was a Valentine's Day-themed show so I got to play some slow jams from my private collection. Here's one in particular that holds a special place in my heart...yet many of the listeners didn't seem to care for:


Download: "Seasons Change" by Expose. No break-up should exist without this testament to everyday living in Los Angeles and beyond.

Correction: I played "Baby Come Back" by Player, I originally announced that it was a Hall & Oates song. It should also be noted that Player were attempting to achieve the status and fame that Hall & Oates did with that classic single.

p.s. Daryl Hall is playing SXSW.

The Naturalist

Many of you who listen to KCRW are well aware of their current subscription drive. The highly influential music station has spent the past 2-3 weeks trying to raise money for the digtization of their entire music catalog. There's an impressive 60,000 (probably more) titles and archives that the station has amassed over the years. Many of the performances are one of a kind live sets and interviews. Let's not also forget that KCRW is the avenue for NPR, a diversity of programming, and numerous music DJs that people have fallen in love with over the years.

A good friend of mine co-founded a web documentary company called The Naturalist. It's certainly not easy in this day and age to start something creatively from scratch, but this mini-documentary should convince everyone that taking risks to pursue something you love is well worth it. Their first doc centers around KCRW's "Save the Music Library" subscription drive and it's very impressive.

Click here to watch!

-photo by Jessica Holmes

Back it up

Whew! I can honestly say I wouldn't go see MBV without Colm (he's a co-founder of the band). A reunion without all of its original members is called a JOB. Thankfully the news item is bogus.

Kevin vs. 400 guitars? Both are too friggin' loud for these ears. And why "400"?

Video time!

A grip of brand new videos from the past two weeks.


The Raveonettes: "You Want the Candy"

Shocking Pinks: "Emily"

Clinic: "Not Free"

Cut Copy: "Lights and Music"

Need a band name?

It's no secret that people have given up on creativity when it comes to band names. So a few friends of mine decided to call a meeting and come up with a list of questionable titles that we'd like to see. I know, some of them may sounds cheesy, awkward, or just plain stupid. Don't worry. I can guarantee that your new power trio or multi-instrumental psych collective will stand out like F*** Buttons.


Dig in:

Tickle Me Emo
Hot Pockets
Pillow Sweat
Dallas Reigns
Hoogie-Boogie Land
Light Bulb Eating Contest
I'm OK, You're UK
Nuts
Poop Story
Your Chemical Pregnancy
Zaxxon
Nice Capades
Gerry Hat-Trick
McLovin' Spoonful
Jim Membership
The Fig Newtons
Gone With The Wind Chill Factor
The Hugs
The Popcorn Ceiling Fans
Burnt Sienna Miller
Todd vs. Sylvia
The Chardonnays
Say Hi To Your Cousin's Loser Boyfriend
Eddie Bauer Edition
West Indian Hurl
Mating Season
Dengue Beaver
Post-Fontaine
Geometry Notes
The Keifer Bar Tab Experience





Not impressed? Go try the Band Name Maker.

'Headless' - El Rey Theatre

It was fitting that AUTOLUX brought out "Headless" for the encore. The band used to incorporate this beautiful yet-to-be-released wall of sound more often back in 2004, and it still holds up so well today. It begins with Greg layering a couple of guitar loops that sway back and forth in unison, like a 2-ton grandfather clock sitting at the bottom of the ocean. Within a couple of minutes Eugene and Carla join in and the song gets more hypnotic and extremely heavy.

"Headless" is simply awesome. It personifies the band's attention to detail and machine-like sound. It's also dreamy without being tired and powerful without asking the audience to submit. While I can understand that loyal fans are frustrated with the delay of album #2 I also feel assured every time I watch Autolux play a song like "Headless". Their new material reminds me that great things are on the horizon and patience is indeed a virtue worthy of everyone's behavior.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

AUTOLUX returned to the sold-out, 900 capacity El Rey crowd with their first ever encore after a lengthy set of musical escapism, primarily split between new songs (I counted 6) and favorites from 2004's Future Perfect. It was a good thing they did. Not one person among the sea of humans could be found walking away from venue. Here's what I got:

New:
Finders Fee
The Science of Imaginary Solutions
SSW
Reappearing
Headless
_________?

Old:
Turnstile Blues
Subzero Fun
Capital Kind of Strain
Blanket
Plantlife
Robots in the Garden