Kings of Convenience at the Music Box

Check out my photos of Kings of Convenience at the Music Box over at Stereogum.

Anthrax at Club Nokia

Check out my photos of Anthrax, Testament and Death Angel at Club Nokia over at OC Weekly.

My review is also over at OC Weekly.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at the Music Box

Check out my photos of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at the Music Box over at Stereogum.

Portishead at the Shrine Auditorium

Check out my photos of Portishead at the Shrine Auditorium over at Stereogum.

Battles at the Mayan Theater

Check out my photos of Battles at the Mayan Theater over at Stereogum.

Battles at the Glass House

Check out my photos of Battles at the Glass House over at OC Weekly.

My review is also over at OC Weekly.

Death Cab For Cutie at the Santa Barbara Bowl

Check out my photos of Death Cab For Cutie and Explosions In The Sky at the Santa Barbara Bowl over at Stereogum.

Death Cab For Cutie at the Fox Theater in Pomona

Check out my photos of Death Cab For Cutie at the Fox Theater in Pomona over at OC Weekly.

My review is also over at OC Weekly.

Foo Fighters at the Forum

Check out my photos of Foo Fighters at the Forum over at Stereogum.

Cut Copy at the Hollywood Palladium

Check out my photos of Cut Copy at the Hollywood Palladium over at Stereogum.

OMD at Club Nokia

I missed quite a number of concerts during my medical hiatus. One of the shows that crushed me the most was the return of OMD at the Music Box in March. OMD is touring in support of their latest album The History of Modern is their first album with the original line up since 1986.

Washington





Hailing from Australia and trying to break out stateside,Washington kicked off the evening by warming the crowd up with a batch of tunes. Their lead singer Megan Washington vocally reminded me of Gwen Stefani. Washington has a new release Insomnia in the works.

OMD






Under the cover of a dimly lit stage, a slow wash of synthesizer pads circulated throughout Club Nokia as OMD took the stage for "Dazzle Ships". Firing up the Delorean back to 1980, "Stanlow" had Andy McClusky quip "doesn't every band open with a song about an oil refinery?". OMD surgically stacked their setlist and immediately ignited the audience with the chirping synthesizers of "Messages" as McClusky strapped on his Fender Jazz bass.

Seeing that that crowd was in the age range from late 30's to 50's, it was impressive to see most of the dance floor go absolutely nuts for "Tesla Girls". OMD never let up the whole evening by working through "She's Leaving" and "History of Modern (Part 1)". Paul Humphreys took center stage for "(Forever) Live and Die" which was bolstered with a saxophone solo by Martin Cooper.

Arguably one of their biggest hits "If You Leave" had McClusky reminisce about going to Paramount pictures and writing the song for "Pretty In Pink". Humphreys continued to display his timeless voice for "Souvenir" as the crowd enthusiastically clapped along. A double shot of "Joan of Arc" and "Maid of Orleans" sounded flawless and had McClusky interruptive dancing vigorously across the stage.

McClusky prefaced their new song "Green" as a fantastic before renenergizing the crowd by going down to the front rail to greet fans as he sang. The hits just kept coming as "Talking Loud" and "So In Love" had the crowd still moving their feet. "Locomotion" was recreated perfectly with its steel drum like synthesizers.

The digital cameras popped out en masse during "Dreaming". "Sailing on the Seven Seas" had another classic McClusky quip when he deadpanned "Even if you don't like it..it is a brilliant song". The classic synthesizer plinks of "Enola Gay" were rapturous had McClusky warn the crowd that they better not be tired.

OMD reemerged to kick off their encore of "Walking On the Milky Way". McClusky told the crowd that they got in trouble for not playing "Secret" back in March and I was glad they played it as it is one of my favorite songs from them.

McClusky took us down memory lane one more time stating he remembered playing "Electricity" at the Whisky A Go-Go nearly 31 years ago. If you own a synthesizer or enjoy dancing then do not miss OMD who are one of the most energetic and vital synthpop bands from the '80s.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart at the Detroit Bar

Check out my photos of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart at the Detroit Bar over at Stereogum.

Smashing Pumpkins at The Cosmopolitan

Check out my photos of Smashing Pumpkins at The Cosmpolitan over at Stereogum.

OMD at the House of Blues Anaheim

Check out my photos of OMD at the House of Blues Anaheim over at OC Weekly.

Smashing Pumpkins at the Wiltern

Check out my photos of Smashing Pumpkins at the Wiltern over at OC Weekly.

My review is also over at OC Weekly.

St. Vincent at Apogee's Berkley Street Studio

Check out my photos of St. Vincent at Apogee's Berkley Street Studio over at Stereogum.

Beirut at the Greek Theatre

Check out my photos of Beirut at the Greek Theatre over at Stereogum.

Jane's Addiction at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre

Check out my photos of Jane's Addiction at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre over at OC Weekly.

My review is also on OC Weekly.

Dum Dum Girls at the Detroit Bar

Check out my photos of Dum Dum Girls at the Detroit Bar over at Stereogum.

Erasure at the Hollywood Palladium

Check out my photos of Erasure at the Hollywood Palladium over at OC Weekly.

Bush at the City National Grove of Anaheim

Check out my photos of Bush at the Grove of Anaheim over at OC Weekly.

Ladytron at the Wiltern Theatre

Check out my photos of Ladytron and Sonoio at the Wiltern Theater over at Stereogum.

Bright Eyes at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Check out my photos of Bright Eyes at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery over at OC Weekly.

Bon Iver at the Gibson Amphitheater

Check out my photos of Bon Iver at the Gibson Amphitheater over at Stereogum.

The Kooks at Fingerprints Records

Check out my photos of The Kooks at Fingerprints Records over at OC Weekly.

Peter Hook and the Light at the El Rey Theatre

Check out my photos of Peter Hook and the Light at the El Rey Theatre over at OC Weekly.

My review is also over at OC Weekly.

The Horrors at the El Rey Theatre

Check out my photos of the Horrors at the El Rey Theatre over at Stereogum.

Fleet Foxes at the Greek Theatre

Check out my photos of Fleet Foxes at the Greek Theatre over at Stereogum.

Big Black Delta at the Satellite

As a long time fan of Mellowdrone (circa 2006), it was intriguing to hear that lead singer and bassist Jonathan Bates had struck out on his own forming the dark synthesizer tinged Big Black Delta. The fact that this was the kick off of their free Monday night residency in September and had Sonoio on the bill made this a can't miss show.

Sonoio




Surrounded by an outline of light bulbs and armed with a drool worthy Teenage Engineering OP-1 synthesizer, Alessandro Cortini of Sonoio challenged the Satellite soundsystem with crushing synthesizer bass lines and electronically sliced programmed drum beats as he raffled off songs from his outstanding new album Red.

It was evident that Alessandro was prepared for his upcoming opening slot for the Ladytron tour. His whole set was outstanding but some of the highlights were the pulsating beat of "Scientist", the vocoder effects of "Livid", and the flickering lights in rhythm of the roaring synthesizers of "Enough". Don't miss the opportunity to see Sonoio on 9/24 at the Wiltern opening for Ladytron.


Tennis System




Two Fender Jaguar guitars created a vortex of churning sound that mimicked such bands as A Place To Bury Strangers and My Bloody Valentine. Tennis System filled in the guitar quotient of the evening with their deafening twin assault. While the vocals gasped for air as if you were drowning in a pool, the combination of drums, bass and guitars overwhelmed everyone in the room. Tennis System are touring behind their latest album Teenagers and are making a run on the East Coast before returning to Los Angeles for Filter's Culture Collide Festival on October 5th.


Big Black Delta





While two female drummers were positioned on separate corners of the stage between a bass amp and a panel of LCD lights, Jonathan Bates was the center of attention. The bludgeoning electronic blasts of dark wave synthesizers culled from the era of Depeche Mode circa "Black Celebration" were hypnotic as they were synced with the flashing lights of the LCD panel.

Released on the outstanding local label Coming Home Records, Big Black Delta's debut album will be available on September 26th. Bates's ability to program synthesizers and electronic drums is impressive and was on display throughout the evening. "Capsize" washes over you with its synthesizers and Bates's processed vocals.

His cover of INXS "Never Tear Us Apart" was outstanding with an smashed 8-bit breakdown that could jumpstart your broken heart. Saving his best song for last, "Huggin' and Kissin'" was phenonmenal with its jackhammer repetitive driving beats and some of the best vocals that Bates has recorded. I can't endorse this residency enough and plan to see them again on September 26th at the Satellite.

Girls in the Guardian

Check out my photo that ran for an interview with Chris Owens of Girls in the Guardian.

The National at the Hollywood Bowl

Check out my photos of The National at the Hollywood Bowl over at Stereogum.