[Happy birthday to Jimmy Chamberlin, wherever he’s drumming …] Toronto’s Constantines [pictured], now in their 10th year (yes, it’s true), hit town for a show at the Echo with a couple of lively supporting acts – Long Beach’s Crystal Antlers, with whom you are probably familiar, and Norwegian psych-poppers I Was a King, with whom […]
Red Cortez and Glasser have been added to the benefit show for the fire-ravaged TacoZone truck, which I posted about earlier in the day. Kenan Bell and Robert Francis are the other principals for Friday’s shindig at Spaceland.
[Lester William Polsfuss was born 94 years ago today. You probably know him as Les Paul, the Wizard of Waukesha, inventor of the solid-body electric guitar.] Mr. Paul’s legacy clamors on throughout L.A. tonight. The Lemonheads [Evan Dando, pictured] are back in town, stopping at Spaceland in support of “Varshons,” a new album of cover […]
[It’s Kanye West’s birthday, and I wonder what you’d get a guy who has his own line of limited-edition glow-in-the-dark sneakers.] Can’t think of another album from this year that has been a more slam-dunk mood elevator that Metric’s “Fantasies.” The Canadian-bred band, who seem to have had more homes that an Army brat (they […]
[Big shows, little shows, possibly illicit shows, festivals – this weekend has a little bit of everything. Now if I only knew where Prince’s birthday party was Sunday …] Today: I seriously don’t know where to start. The Offspring are sure to bring back their heyday at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, and Joe Cocker his […]
[File under “self-promotional:”] About nine months ago, to no fanfare whatsoever, I used my laptop and some change rescued from under the seats of my car to launch BuzzBands.LA, a blog that, in a manner, continued the column I did for the Los Angeles Times for seven years. I’ve been flattered by the attention and […]
[Twenty-five years ago today, Bruce Springsteen released “Born in the U.S.A.” Salute something, even if it’s Annie Leibovitz’s album cover.] Around the clubs, for folks who don’t have tickets the to the big Green Day show at the Music Box @ Fonda, or who aren’t going to brave the elements for Video Games Live at […]
Gliss’ current tour may not necessarily be one for the ages, but it’s certainly one for the police blotter. The L.A. trio, criss-crossing the country in support of its sophomore release “Devotion Implosion” [review], has felt the exhilaration of playing several bang-up shows – they circle back to L.A. and play with Von Iva on […]
[Happy birthday to Suzi Quatro – maybe I will bust out the leather jacket in her honor tonight …] Not quite as frantic a schedule in the city tonight – unless you’re a fan of Pennywise (sold out at Club Nokia) or 2 Live Crew (playing the Key Club). … Pilar Diaz ends a rockin’ […]
[Happy birthday to Fabrizio Moretti of the Strokes, all of 29 years old today. His side project, Little Joy, will be in town later this week – Thursday at the Detroit Bar and Friday at the Troubadour. Now, on to tonight …] How difficult is it to support good local bands in L.A.? Damned hard […]
