This weekend in L.A.: Stellastarr*, No Doubt, more
Kevin Bronson on
1
[Happy birthday to longtime Buzz Bands fave Michael Penn on Saturday. Here’s what’s huge, and not-so, this weekend:]
Tonight: Told somebody I was eager to see Stellastarr* at the Troubadour and was asked, “What is this, 2003?” And I thought, you know, it some ways it would be better if it were. Stellastarr was one of the best of the wave of post-Strokes post-punk bands back then, and after some down time and record-label misadventures, the NYC quartet returned this month with their third album, “Civilized.” It’s a bit trippier than past outings, but every bit as taut and biting and full of art-school detachment. Wild Light and Mason Proper open the sold-out show. … Quite a night ahead at the Redwood Bar, where soul singer Susan Marshall winds up a string of dates in L.A. – Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli, Queens of the Stone Age drummer Gene Troutman, Gutter Twins’ Scott Ford, Mike Ness guitarist Chris Lawrence and Sin City Allstars keyboardist Carl Byron will join Marshall. … Also: No Doubt and Paramore at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (also Saturday and Sunday); Reel Big Fish at Club Nokia; Wales’ Future of the Left and Japandroids at Spaceland; Deerhoof and Busdriver at the Echoplex; Dazzler and Anavan; Adam Marsland’s album release party with Get Set Go at Brennan’s in Marina del Rey; local rapper Sirah’s record-release party at the Knitting Factory; the French Semester as part of the International Pop Overthrow lineup at the Knitting Factory; the Turtles and Badfinger as part of Hippiefest at the Gibson Amphitheatre; Floating Action and Generationals; Chief and Mini Mansions at the Bootleg Theater; the Colourist at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana.
||| Download: Stellastarr’s “Freak Out”
Saturday: Priscilla Ahn, who just returned from a bunch of festival appearances in exotic places, headlines the Troubadour. … The Polyamorous Affair and Dios team up to play downtown’s Loft 265 (265 S. Main). … Also off the beaten path, Samuel Stewart performs at Crazy Girls (1433 La Brea). …” And N*E*R*D, along with Trouble Andrew, bring the party to the Avalon. …” Also: The Waking Hours as part of International Pop Overthrow at the Knitting Factory; Vanaprasta at the Bootleg Theater; Ferraby Lionheart at the Hotel Cafe; Timonium Slowdive at Pehrspace; the Health Club at downtown’s Silver Factory Studios; and Company of Thieves at Spaceland.
Sunday: Grant Langston has a new album, “Stand Up Man,” and he headlines Grand Ole Echo at the Echo. … Also: Judas Priest performing its album “British Steel” at the Gibson Amphitheatre; Evan Way and Spirit Vine at the Air Conditioned in Venice; and Modern Time Machines at All-Star Lanes.
Photo by Phil Knott
Told somebody I was eager to see Stellastarr* at the Troubadour and was asked, “What is this, 2003?” And I thought, you know, it some ways it would be better if it were.
I’ve been thinking this all the time lately. I bet 80% of my favorite albums from the decade came from 2004 or earlier.