Kevin Bronson on December 4th, 2008

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[The behinder I get …]

‣ More valentines to the Smashing Pumpkins, whose second night at the Gibson Amphitheatre on Wednesday was even better than the first. No full review from me this time, but check out Friend of Buzz Bands Jeff Miller’s account at the OC Register’s Soundcheck blog. I will say it was one of those nights you were constantly up and down in your seat — up for the hits, as well as the Headbangers’ Ball-worthy numbers with Dokken’s George Lynch, and down for the acoustic numbers.

‣ It doesn’t pay to have a dangerous or edgy band name, I guess. L.A.-via-San Diego indie rockers the Muslims [pictured at the Part Time Punks Festival] have changed their name to the Soft Pack. Can’t associate with Muslims, dudes, even ironically. Of course, this comes shortly after L.A. quartet the Weather Underground disassociated themselves from their obviously terrorist name and went to calling themselves the Red Cortez. Self-Titled riffs on the Soft Pack’s name change.

‣ That was none other than the Charlatans’ Tim Burgess raving (on Facebook) about Victoria’s show Tuesday night at the Silverlake Lounge. “I’m convinced [ex-Spacehog guitarist] Antony Langdon is a modern genius,” Burgess posted. “The music blurs genres and the lyrics killed me in an amazing way.”

‣ I thought there was still some gas left in the tank, but apparently not: Phantom Planet is history. The Dec. 12 show at the Troubadour will be the band’s swan song.

‣ Lots of Christmas music around right now, but I like the vibe on 8mm’s just-released “Christmas EP,” as well as a lot of the artists on “I’ll Stay Until After Christmas,” a benefit for Amnesty International, and a new digital EP by the Raveonettes, “Wishing You a Rave Christmas,” which includes this little gem: Download: “Come On Santa.”

‣ I had no idea when I challenged Classical Geek Theatre to get his Nerdcore on that he would do it so exhaustively. Great stuff from November’s show here.

‣ And, finally: Please, no.