Tonight in L.A.: Breakestra, Joe Perry, Dr. Dog

Kevin Bronson on October 6th, 2009

3

[Birthday greetings go out to Matthew Sweet today. And, tonight:]

Not a good thing when your band name is more memorable than your music. Portland quartet Starf*cker – who brings its modest dance-pop to the Echo tonight – is doing something about its career-assassinating name, anyway. The band just called upon its fans to participate in a name-change contest ([email protected], if you are so inspired). I’m thinking something that suggests bright colors. … Nice to see the Breakestra [whom I wrote about in the Times many moons ago] coming back strong. Miles Tackett [pictured] and his band just released their first album in four years, “Dusk Till Dawn,” and the Rootdown stalwarts will bring the funk tonight at the El Rey Theatre. … Speaking of new albums, the Joe Perry Project has a new one titled “Have Guitar, Will Travel,” and the Aerosmith guitarist will celebrate the release with a show at the Viper Room. … Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 (with R.E.M.’s Peter Buck in the band) plays Spaceland (and the Parson Red Heads open). … Dr. Dog headlines the Fonda, with Everest and Jeffrey Lewis opening. … And Finland’s the 69 Eyes [download below] bring their big rock to the Key Club. … Also: Pearl Jam and Ben Harper and the Relentless7 with another sold-out show at Gibson Amphitheatre; Ingrid Michaelson at a sold-out Troubadour; Fever Ray at the Glass House (their Wednesday show in L.A. is sold out); Miike Snow and Jack Penate at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa; Robby Krieger and Ray Mazarek of the Doors at Club Nokia; Mimicking Birds at the Bootleg Theater; Lelia Broussard at the Hotel Cafe (with Zac Poor playing a late set); and ExDetectives at the Silverlake Lounge.