with:
Hatcha (Kiss FM, Big Apple, Tempa, London UK)
Roommate & Antiserum (OSC) (Argon, Hollow Point, Steps in Time, Mode, SF)
Sam XL & Pablo Hassan (Pure Filth, Smog, LA)
DJ Steady (Drumz, LA)
Kemst (Smog Pure Filth, LA)
Sound Reinforcement by: Pure Filth
Art Installations by: Spectr
BIRTHDAY BASH FOR PAWN!!
FMI: www.smogla.com
9pm / $10 / 21+
The Locust || Listen
The Locust have always been noted for their alarming musical turns – just as soon as the listener’s settled into something relatively easy listening, given the band in question’s past, ‘We Have Reached An Official Verdict: Nobody Gives A Shit’ shows up, all dragonfly shrieks and Transformers death, and tips a few buckets of aural horseshit all over the place. A minute and 22 seconds after it arrived, it’s gone, but again don’t get comfortable: this isn’t an album of rapid-fire seizures a la its predecessor. You’d go so far, in fact, to say that The Locust have excelled themselves on New Erections: they’ve written ‘proper’ songs.
Of course, the ridiculous is still fantastically realised and brutally executed: the blink and you’ll miss it fit of fucked-up foaming-at-the-mouth franticness that is ‘Full Frontal Obscurity’ is terribly comic and completely terrifying in equal measures. Vocals snake about each other while drums slow, gradually, over a minute-something of sweaty sludge-core camped up with Rocky Horror histrionics. ‘Scavenger, Invader’, meanwhile, isn’t a song by any stretch of the definition: it’s an inhuman grind, the sound of Terminator’s killer robots achieving their goal of global conquest, throughout the ages. - Drowned in Sound
with:
Qui || Listen
Upsilon Acrux
Halloween Swim Team || Listen
Save Money when you order tickets by mobile phone
text Skull to 467467
7pm / $15 / All Ages
Even though Japan noise/metal/rock/drone kings Boris have created a progressive body of work, the latest release from the prolific trio seems to be carrying baggage of the band’s recent collaborations with both Sunn0))) and Merzbow, in addition to further merging existing influences like punk and hard rock.
With all that going into the blender, Smile is remarkably diverse. The pacing changes from the psychedelic melancholy of opener Flower Sun Rain into quick, loud and messy punk/noise explosions before opening up the freak-out floodgates on My Neighbor Satan. Near the album’s close, the psychedelic insanity of Ka Re Ha Te Ta Sa Ki is a whirlwind of pounding drums, circular chanting, spasmodic guitar noise and violent soloing that perfectly exemplifies Smile’s fusion of panicky, heavy abrasiveness and lush, melodic and dreamy sprawls. - Now Magazine
with:
Torche || Listen
Lair of The Minotaur || Listen
@ Echoplex
enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Save Money when you order tickets by mobile phone
text Boris to 467467
7pm / $14adv, $16dos / all ages
On his full-length debut, the child of Kiwi pop kingpin Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House) is more a descendant of the scattershot aesthetic that Todd Rundgren perfected on his 1972 masterpiece Something/Anything. Often producing and playing all the instruments, Liam loops hook-happy guitars through syncopated rhythms (”Second Chance,” “Energy Spent”), serves up classic-pop reproductions (the Beach Boys-esque “Lullaby”), and tosses in odds and ends both ridiculous (the honking “Better to Be”) and sublime (the gently folk-rocking “Wise Man”). Skillful if occasionally rickety, Lightning showcases a confident, evolving voice. - Spin
with: The Veils
Karin Tatoyan
@ Echoplex
enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Save Money when you order tickets by mobile phone
text liamfinn to 467467
8pm / $12 adv, $14 dos / 18+
The “new Germs” have toured semi-regularly since 2005, including a run on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour and playing the “Secret” premiere in June. Fans and some punk peers initially derided the reunion, believing it to be either a nostalgic cash-in or a reputation-sullying mistake. But those aghast by Landon from “A Walk to Remember” donning Crash’s blue-circle armband, are realizing that West’s spit-soaked reprisals of his Crash role are faithful and riveting, right down to West’s spitfire rebuttals to skeptics.
“If you sit home moaning about the past and haven’t seen us play, then you can go to hell,” West said. “I wasn’t going to mess with Darby’s songs or change his singing style. I wasn’t going to be sober doing lounge-jazz either.”
In a way, the Germs’ sets are more live theater than reunion tour, and less of a post-mortem hit parade than a chance for a younger generation to feel the gleeful fury and bleak sadness of the ’80s L.A. punk scene for themselves.
“There is a level of chaos, mischief and danger to it, but it’s fun and done in the original spirit,” said West. “We try and show them what a real punk rock show should be.” - LA Times
with:
The Mae Shi
Spider Problem
Save Money when you order tickets by mobile phone
text Nogod to 467467
8:30 pm / $17 Advance, $20 day of show / 18+
With echoing acoustic guitars and gorgeous harmonies, it’s understandable that Los Angeles, CA’s the Watson Twins are occasionally tagged as a country act. However, identical twin sisters Chandra and Leigh Watson prove that genres are only skin deep on their debut LP, Fire Songs, out this week on Vanguard. The vocal melody on “How Am I to Be” sways and swaggers like a Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac gem, while “Sky Open Up” recalls Neil Young’s stark heartbreak as much as it does the Carter Family’s strumming meat and potatoes country.
Born and raised in Louisville, KY, the Watsons moved to California in the ’90s, where they began writing their own music and performing with local musicians. The Twins collaborated with Rilo Kiley siren Jenny Lewis on her 2006 solo debut, Rabbit Fur Coat, while also self-releasing their first EP, Southern Manners. Fire Songs was recorded in September of 2007 in L.A. - Spin
with:
Tim Fite || Listen || Watch || Download
This noisy iconoclast, who backed up the anticonsumerist hip-hop folk of last year’s Over the Counter Culture by giving it away on the Internet, takes a more introspective, equally fierce approach here. Alternating between woozy crooning and angry outbursts, Fite echoes the bent intensity of Tom Waits and Eels’ Mark Oliver Everett, fitting his warped, oddly captivating melodies to everything from drunken waltzes (”The Barber”) to funky social commentary (”More Clothes”) to gorgeous ballads (”Harriet Tubman”). At his most relaxed, however, Fite still sounds like his head could explode. - Spin
Plus:
Robert Francis
Save Money when you order tickets by mobile phone
text Sunshine to 467467
8:30pm / $10 adv, $12 dos / 18+
I’d never seen Summer Darling before. It only took me about three bars of the first song to fall in love with the foursome. For large portions of their set I felt like I was transplanted to the year 1994, nearly sure my track jacket had transformed itself to an old flannel shirt found at Goodwill. One or two songs reminded me of something like The Promise Ring or early Jimmy Eat World. That’s not to say that Summer Darling is playing in the past because there was something very contemporary about what they were doing. I think ten years younger and played twice as fast, and Summer Darling might be at The Smell instead of The Scene.
There was a lot of band interaction as they played, turning to face each other and look each other in the eyes. What I really loved were the lyrics. They were honest, if not venomous, but still endearing. The words to the songs were sung above, not beneath, the instrumentation and that made for a very intimate set despite the deafening buzz and fuzz. - Classical Geek Theatre
with:
Chikita Violenta || Listen
Writer || Listen
Amateurs || Listen
8:30pm / $5 / 18+
I was elated when Williams played a cover of “Alex Chilton” towards the end of his set, not just because it’s a killer song, but specifically because one of the notes I scribbled down in the first few minutes of Williams’ playing was “Waiting for Somebody.” The same feeling of whimsical mischief felt when listening to Westerberg’s love song from the 1992 Singles soundtrack is aroused when hearing Williams’ innocent pop guitar and string arrangements. Just as The Replacements sound like the lighthearted black sheep of the early 90s (compositionally, not lyrically) when occasionally/awkwardly lumped into the same category as grunge superpowers Nirvana and Alice in Chains, Williams’ work stands out as effervescent defiance in the face of the indulgent psychadelia that is getting much of the local attention. Spindrift, Entrance, and Devendra Banhart are all acts that I have written about and very much appreciate, but Williams is unique in that he refuses to be another psych-folk-blues musician in Los Angeles. He’s just not having it. Instead, Williams writes refreshingly light tunes tinged with Westerberg-like self deprecation that could have been fitting on the soundtrack of any My So Called Life episode: songs for being distraught, but laughing about it. - LA Weekly
with:
Residual Echoes
Silver Daggers
The Mona Reels
Of Aires
5pm / $8 / All Ages
Bodies of Water may have waited barely a year to release a follow-up to their hand-clapping, head-nodding, heaven-looking debut, but musically, they take their time. “Under the Pines”, a mostly instrumental track from their upcoming A Certain Feeling, takes a while to get to its verse, instead carefully establishing a theatrical organ-and-power-chords overture with all the rock-opera oomph of a homespun Jim Steinman. They project toward the rafters, but build the song carefully, bringing in David Metcalf’s snaky guitar line and letting their wordless harmonies comment on the earthly action of music. The first verse doesn’t kick in until after the two-minute mark, but the chorus sets the song loose: “Under and under and under and under the pines!” they shout in unison, alluding to Leadbelly or Nirvana or those 40 days in the wilderness. Here’s hoping they never make just a three-minute pop song. - Pitchfork
with:
The Henry Clay People || Listen
Seasons
Save Money when you order tickets by mobile phone
text secretlycanadian to 467467
8:30pm / $8 adv, $10 dos / 18+
Well, this should be interesting! It’s not every day a traveling marching band rolls (marches?) through town. Mucca Pazza was conceived by composer Mark Messing and the band has been performing in and around the Chicago area, in bars, parks, parades and theaters for over three years. The lineup includes St. Louis expatriate Jeff Thomas, aka Jeffrey Positive, of The Honkeys, on guitar. The following is from their press kit:
30 people in a band? No problem. At every rehearsal, BBQ, and party, everyone loves one another like one big family. Until a gig comes along, and then… The trombones rumble with team saxophone, who fight for stage space with the clarinet and the fiddle, who don’t notice because they are busy vying for the attentions of the accordions, who could care less because the drum corps are a bunch of bullies, who are constantly melting at the sight of the glockenspiel, who has an eye for the cymbals, who keeps falling over the sousaphone, who is busy avoiding flying pom poms, who are chasing after the trombones, who are rumbling… Mucca Pazza are marching misfits. They play everything from Gainesbourg to Le Tigre, Bar-Kays to Ali Hassan Kuban and lotsa original compositions (including one commissioned by a queen from a distant planet - long story). One would think that only in Dr. Seuss’ imagination could a marching band perform in 10 canoes going down the Chicago River, but Mucca Pazza was there! They play everywhere: from punk venues to orchestral halls, from public parks to private extravaganzas, from diva palaces to dive bars, from TV shows (did you see them on Conan O’Brien?) to Lollapalooza. Your town is next! Watch out! - Trouble in River City
Save Money when you order tickets by mobile phone
text Honk! to 467467
8:30pm / $8 / 18+
LA’s own Hearts of Palm U.K. are Erica Elektra (vocals, keyboard, guitar) and Ambi-D (glockenspiel, guitar, keyboard, percussion). They are two friends who’ve known each other since junior high; two friends whose lives have led them to join together and make a new kind of music. The duo draws their influence from bands like Camera Obscura, Kings of Convenience, Fischerspooner, Ratatat, The Notwist, The Blow and Azure Ray.
Erica Elektra has been electric ever since she was electrocuted playing bass in her New York City basement apartment. The basement flooded, but she didn’t notice until it was too late. Now she’s a superconductor! Ambi D. gets her name because of the ambidextrous way she plays all those instruments at once. Hearts of Palm U.K. are developing their own electro-indie-pop style and couldn’t be happier about it. They are ready to dance, rock out and have fun…just don’t ask about the U.K. - Andy & Otis
with:
Happy Stars
The Broken Remotes
8:30pm / $5 / 18+
BOOTIE LA
LA’s monthly mashup bootleg party
From Seattle, special guest:
DJ FREDDY, KING OF PANTS
Resident Bootie mashup DJs:
ADRIAN & the MYSTERIOUS D
DJ PAUL V.
Midnight mashup show:
FOXY COTTON
BOOTIE LA is now at the Echoplex, with more room to dance, two bars, great sound and lights, and mashup videos on three giant screens!
This month, Bootie welcomes back DJ Freddy, King of Pants, creator of Seattle’s original, long-running monthly mashup night, FrankenBoot. He’ll be dropping the bootleg classics, as well as the newest mashups fresh off the digital press. Resident Bootie DJs Adrian & the Mysterious D and DJ Paul V. will keep your brain guessing and body dancing with creative song combinations, celebrating — and satirizing — the many different forms of music. And returning to the stage for the midnight mashup show — with a special political Independence Day-inspired number — is Foxy Cotton!
Launched in San Francisco in 2003, BOOTIE was the first club night in the United States dedicated solely to the burgeoning artform of the bootleg mashup. Mixing and matching every conceivable musical genre, era, and style into one big dance party where everyone feels welcome, it’s a place where all sounds, cultures, and sexualities can unite on the dance floor. Bootie provides the soundtrack for the A.D.D. generation — with free mashup CDs given away like candy! Bootie Š because one song at a time just isn’t enough.
FREE Bootie CDs to the first 50 people through the door!
9pm / $5 before 10pm, $10 after / 21+
@ Echoplex
Enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI: Respect on Myspace
10pm / $10 / 18+
@ Echoplex
Enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI: Respect on Myspace
10:00pm / $10 before 11pm - $15 after 11pm / 18+
with:
THE INSIDERS [METALHEADZ, RUFIGE RECORDS, UK]
ROXANNE [GROUNDSCORE]
MACHETE [RESPECT]
MC XYZ [RESPECT
@ Echoplex
Enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI: Respect on Myspace
10:00pm / $5 before 11pm - $10 after 11pm / 18+
With:
ASIDES [METALHEADZ, EASTSIDE RECORDINGS, UK]
SCOOBA [RESPECT]
MC QUESTIONMARK [CONTAGIOUS MUSIQ]
MC XYZ [RESPECT]
@ Echoplex
Enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI: Respect on Myspace
11pm / $5 / 18+
@ Echoplex
Enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI: Respect on Myspace
10:00pm / $10 before 11pm - $15 after 11pm / 18+
Tappa Zukie
Backed by the Echodelic Soundsystem
Spinning the best in classic reggae, dub and dancehall
@ Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd
(Main Entrance is through Alley)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI:
Dub Club on MySpace
9pm / $12 / 21+
with Resident DJs:
Tom Chasteen
Roy Corderoy
The Dungeonmaster
Boss Harmony
Spinning the best in classic reggae, dub and dancehall
@ Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd
(Main Entrance is through Alley)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI:
Dub Club on MySpace
9pm / $5 / 21+
with Resident DJs:
Tom Chasteen
Roy Corderoy
The Dungeonmaster
Boss Harmony
Spinning the best in classic reggae, dub and dancehall
@ Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd
(Main Entrance is through Alley)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI:
Dub Club on MySpace
9pm / $5 / 21+
with Resident DJs:
Tom Chasteen
Roy Corderoy
The Dungeonmaster
Boss Harmony
Spinning the best in classic reggae, dub and dancehall
@ Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd
(Main Entrance is through Alley)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI:
Dub Club on MySpace
9pm / $5 / 21+
with Resident DJs:
Tom Chasteen
Roy Corderoy
The Dungeonmaster
Boss Harmony
Spinning the best in classic reggae, dub and dancehall
@ Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd
(Main Entrance is through Alley)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
FMI:
Dub Club on MySpace
9pm / $5 / 21+
Jail Weddings is a force to be reckoned with. Like that bad taste you have in your mouth after a full night of intoxication and things worth regretting but never forgotten, always staying fondly close at hand. Gabriel Hart’s voice perfectly encompasses feelings of love, lust and sorrow. Wonderfully accompanied by the uniquely different, yet harmonizing voices of Tornado Jane and Katya Nadia Hubiak. This band will have you dancing on your feet in no time and wanting to go home with the random stranger next to you for fear of feeling lonely yet another night. This is desperation at its finest, brought straight from the heart and right through the veins. - Swampland
with:
Devon Williams
The Starlite Desperation
Arrow Dan
8:30pm / FREE / 21+
with:
Magic Mirror
Lower Heaven
plus resident DJs spinning the best in Brit / Indie / Soul / Twee / Madchester / Punk / Glam
FMI: ClubUnderground.net
9pm / $5 if 21+, $7 under 21 / 18+
resident djs Michael Stock and Benny Shambles spinning mutant disco * Postpunk * indiepop
FMI:
Part Time Punks on Myspace
10pm / $5 / 18+
with:
The Muslims
Christmas Island
resident djs Michael Stock and Benny Shambles spinning mutant disco * Postpunk * indiepop
FMI:
Part Time Punks on Myspace
10pm / $5 / 18+
resident djs Michael Stock and Benny Shambles spinning mutant disco * Postpunk * indiepop
FMI:
Part Time Punks on Myspace
10pm / $5 / 21+
resident djs Michael Stock and Benny Shambles spinning mutant disco * Postpunk * indiepop
FMI:
Part Time Punks on Myspace
10pm / $5 / 21+
with:
Psychedelic Cowboys || Listen
The Bowmans || Listen
Paul Inman’s Delivery || Listen
Sausage Grinder
hosted by Chris Morris and DJ Cuz’n Roy
5pm / FREE / all ages
with:
Grant Langston & The Supermodels || Listen
Nicole Gordon
Claire Holley || Listen
Smith and Wesson
hosted by Chris Morris and DJ Cuz’n Roy
5pm / FREE / all ages
with:
James Wilsey
David Serby || Listen
Lisa DeRosia || Listen
Austin Hartley- Leonard
Plus Squaredancing from 3pm-5pm with
Triple Chicken Foot || Listen
hosted by Chris Morris and DJ Cuz’n Roy
3pm / FREE / all ages
with:
Mike Stinson
The Cheatin’ Kind
Welldiggers Banquet
Brett Jensen’s Death Valley Jubilee
hosted by Chris Morris and DJ Cuz’n Roy
5pm / FREE / all ages
