Check out my photos of Bush at the Grove of Anaheim over at OC Weekly.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
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.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
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.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Hum at the High Dive
Check out my photos, setlists and some interesting new tidbits from Hum who played the High Dive and A.V. Club Festival over at Stereogum.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, September 02, 2011
Incoming: IDentity Festival at the Hollywood Palladium
For those of you who need an electro fix this Labor Day weekend, the IDentity Festival will be held at the Hollywood Palladium this Saturday September, 4th. A sampling of the line up includes the Crystal Method, Booka Shade, Hercules and the Love Affair, Jason Bentley, Pretty Lights and Steve Aoki. Get you tickets here because you have Monday off anyways.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Serge Gainsbourg Tribute at the Hollywood Bowl
Check out my photos of the Serge Gainsbourg tribute at the Hollywood Bowl featuring Beck, Ed Droste, Zola Jesus, Victoria Legrand, Sean Lennon, and Joseph Gordon-Leavitt over at Stereogum.
Weezer at the Fantasy Springs Special Event Center
Check out some photos and my review of Weezer at the Fantasy Springs Special Event Center over at OC Weekly.
Helmet at the Slidebar
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Red Hot Chili Peppers at Club Nokia
Check out my photos of Red Hot Chili Peppers at Club Nokia over at Stereogum. This show raised $1 million dollars to support the Silverlake Conservatory of Music.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Death Cab for Cutie at the Greek Theatre
After catching Death Cab for Cutie down in San Diego, I opted to catch their second night Greek Theatre in hopes they would mix up their setlist and potentially dust off some old favorites. Of course, Death Cab For Cutie came through to deliver a sparkling high energy set.
Frightened Rabbit
Rising among the likes of such great Scottish bands as Mogwai, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Teenage Fanclub, Frightened Rabbit will win you over with their heart on a sleeve lyrics and clever melodies. Touring tirelessly behind their latest release The Winter of Mixed Drinks, Frightened Rabbit are known for winning over fans with their compelling live show.
Opening their set with "The Modern Leper", Scott Hutchison strummed his Fender guitar as his brother Grant Hutchison started to form the percussive backbone of the song with his steady drumming. The guitars would really rumble during the opening of "Nothing Like You" as Scott's Scottish accent adds extra charm to the song.
Scott apologized to the crowd implying he had a rough night of drinking the evening prior but it didn't seem to impede his performance on stage. The propelling riff of "Head Rolls Off" continued to ensnare the attention of the fans in the audience as it was difficult to deny their embracing tunes. "Keep Yourself Warm" was a perfect set closer and left the fans wanting more. I'm sure Frightened Rabbit will be headlining bigger venues with their next album.
Death Cab For Cutie
A dimly lit stage awash in red lights set the mood for the ominous opening bass line of "I Will Possess Your Heart". Ben Gibbard sporadically used an E-Bow on his G&L telecaster guitar adorned with a Seattle Mariners logo to build the feedback swells at the beginning of the song.
Gibbard would quickly drop his guitar to run over to the keyboards while the band were tightly interlocked in the rhythm of the song. "Crooked Teeth" presented a shift in mood and lighting as the four LCD screens vividly lit up and a full on rock show commenced.
The irony of "Why Would You Want to Live Here?" was addressed later in the set as Gibbard admitted that since he has lived in Los Angeles for three years that he can complain about the city he inhabits. Shifting gears to their latest album Codes and Keys, "Doors Unlocked and Open" had Chris Walla focus his energy on his Korg MS-20 for the haunting synthesizer bass line.
"Long Division" sounded noisier than the recorded version with a shoegazey breakdown. Chris Walla added some Rhodes like keyboards to "Grapevine Fires". A deep bending sustained guitar line was played by bassist Nick Harmer for "Codes and Keys" supported by Gibbard's uplifting vocals.
Gibbard took center stage for a solo haunting acoustic version of "I Will Follow You Into The Dark". The hits just kept coming as the band effortlessly worked through "Soul Meets Body", "A Movie Script Ending" and "The Sound of Settling". The encores for the evening included my personal favorite "405" and the epic closer of "Transatlanticism".
Death Cab For Cutie will return on October 14th to play the Fox Theater in Pomona with Release The Sunbird and October 15th with Explosions In The Sky at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Odds are I will be attending both.
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