During a four-plus-year run in the band War Tapes, Neil Popkin traded in dark, brooding rock influenced by the ’80s post-punk greats. With War Tapes on haitus, Popkin is getting out in the sunshine more, if the early songs from his new project Dreamland are any indication. The trio – Popkin, Andrea Wasse and Pablo […]
[Hello, hello … Anybody out there on a Monday holiday? No? Yes?] Add the Young Veins to the latest batch of groups diving into the Swell Sounds of the Sixties. Or Something Similar. The L.A.-based quintet, spearheaded by ex-Panic at the Disco dudes Ryan Ross and Jon Walker, conjoin a little British Invasion with a […]
Guillemots frontman Fyfe Dangerfield’s solo album “Fly Yellow Moon” wavers between the romantic musings of a guy who’s rethinking his place in universe and the slightly unhinged psych-pop of a writer who can’t wait to get to the next hook. Good stuff, so good that you arch your eyebrows at the press release saying it […]
[Cheers to Josh Homme on his 37th birthday – maybe his QOTSA bandmate Troy Van Leeuwen will raise a glass to him at Spaceland tonight …] Van Leeuwen’s quartet Sweethead continues its residency at Spaceland, and also on that side of town it’s the second week of the Like’s stint at the Echo (Jail Weddings […]
[The party was apparently this past weekend in NYC – lost my invitation – but today is officially Bono’s birthday. And his 50th, at that. Those AARP discounts really help, pal. … Meanwhile, in L.A. tonight:] Pop-rock collagists Fang Island [pictured], who’ve been touring with L.A.’s Red Sparowes, check in for a 6 p.m. in-store […]
[It’s the first week of a new month, and so many good shows ahead. Happy birthday today to Interpol’s Paul Banks, and here’s what up on this busy Monday:] Broken Social Scene [pictured] hits town behind its new album “Forgiveness Rock Record” and plays a sold-out show at the Fonda Theatre. … Lupe Fiasco continues […]
Guitarist Adam Ross has paid his dues. Now the singer-songwriter, who spent much of the last two years playing in Rihanna’s touring band, is paying attention to his own muse. Fronting the trio Yours Til Death, Ross this week releases his debut EP, “Delivered,” a five-song batch of earnest rock full of prodding guitars that […]
Interesting night ahead at the Vanguard, where the Red Bull Sound Clash pits Kid Sister against Moving Units, with the bands squaring off against each other from stages at opposite ends of the venue. The hip-hop vs. rock showdown will feature four rounds of “competition” in which the acts will show their stuff, with some […]
That annual collision of people, pavement and pop music known as Sunset Junction is upon us. The two-day street fair may very well be on its last legs – I frankly don’t know what to make of all the political wrasslin’ – so I vote that we just enjoy it while we can. At 20 […]
Swedish songstress Lykke Li [pictured], whose 2008 debut “Youth Novels” was produced and co-written by Bjorn Yttling of Peter Bjorn & John, brings her danceable (and remixable) indie-pop to the Wiltern. Local quartet the Deadly Syndrome, who’ve been holed up working on a new album, open. … Speaking of danceable, the Ting Tings are paired […]
