A Dream: Stage Diving, Passenger Seat, Friend

My dream:

I was at a large music festival. A band was playing in front of a relatively large crowd. To end the set, the lead singer leaped into the audience for a stage dive finale. He jumped into the air like he had rockets attached to his shoes. He went flying the distance of a football field, out to the point where the crowd was thinned out. There were only a handful of folks in the area where his dive was ending. A single person who could potentially catch the singer stepped out of the way and bang, the lead singer landed flat on his face -- smack into the asphalt parking lot. My mind screamed, "His face it going to be ruined by all the small asphalt rocks."

I was driving down a steep downward hill. I noticed that behind me was a police car. I then noticed that I was driving the car via the passenger side. Well, I couldn't let the cops see me driving my car in such a strange manner. I un-clipped my seat belt and attempt to slide over to the driver side seat as slyly as possible, hoping the cops wouldn't notice.

I went to visit a teacher-friend of mine at her school. She didn't notice me initially, but when she did she came over. 

She asks, "Are you here to see Adam (name change)?"

Me, "No."

Friend, "He's giving folks their $14,000."

Me, "What?" Why would Adam be handing folks $14,000.

Friend, "Oh . . . " Voice trails off as if remembering, "You weren't included? . . . "

Friend, in an attempt to change the conversation, "Do you know Brenda?"

Me, "Brenda? No."

Friend, "Do you know Monica?" She began to walk away, through a crowd of students, trying to get away from me due to the slight embarrassment of me being left out of this $14,000 payout.

Me, walking after her, "I know a Monica Jackson."

And then I woke up . . . 

Bright Missiles and Deep Breaths at Silverlake Lounge

Bright Missiles

I spent a nice time at Silverlake Lounge to catch Deep Breaths and Bright Missiles.

Deep Breaths is the name for a singer songwriter. I couldn't help but think Irish folk music as I listened to his beautiful set. He used two different guitars during his set and he made both of them sing.

Bright Missiles is a three piece band that reminds me of soaring eagles. Noticed: their drummer can explode at a moments noticed.

I'm happy I showed up on this night. I walked out with a pleasant skip to my step due to Deep Breaths and Bright Missiles.


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Lena Fayre with Yassou and Me Yow at the Bootleg Theater

Lena Fayre

It was off to the Bootleg Theater to catch Lena Fayre along with Yassou and Me Yow.

Does Me Yow even have a Facebook page? I couldn't find one. What did I notice? Four young guys who were well supported by (I'm assuming) family members. As they took to the stage, a group of five individuals from young to old walked into the Theater, dressed to the 9s in tuxedos and formal dresses. I couldn't help but think that the family members had just left a classical concert to catch their relatives play a rock show.

Yassou came in from San Francisco. I didn't know that until I went to their Facebook page. When they went on stage they mentioned, "There are some really good pupusas in this area." I couldn't figure out why they'd mention that as those are widely available throughout Los Angeles. Then I learned they came in from San Francisco; but then, doesn't San Francisco have great restaurants? Having hung out in SF for 4 months a couple years ago, I can say they have some great restaurants. Oh well. Yassou's music has a dark glory to it, a pressing moodiness.

Lena Fayre is the residency artist for February. Her friends came in with chocolate covered strawberries. Thumbs up. I had one. Very tasty. What did I notice? Both Lena Fayre and Lilie Bytheway Hoy (Yassou) both wore white outfits. I wonder if that was pre-planned? Probably not. Both looked stylish. Lena Fayre took the stage with earnest sounds that provided a unique blend of Asian, soul and experimental.


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A Movie Review: Deadpool

Deadpool. Okay, I'm not totally buying into the hype around this movie. Wade/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is a mercenary. In a mercenary filled bar, he is approached by a prostitute named Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). They come to an agreement, but then end up falling madly in love with each other. Wade is then diagnosed with cancer. It appears this love story is about to end, but then he is approached regarding a secret medical program. He is not only promised a cure, but is told he'll be given special powers. He ignores the offer initially, but eventually agrees.

He is then injected with a serum and tortured by Ajax (Ed Skrein) and Angel Dust (Gina Carano). It takes awhile, but eventually his powers manifest -- he power, he doesn't die. There is a problem: his cells transform his body into a horribly disfigured person. Well, this doesn't sit well with him and so he attacks Ajax. With the medical facility burning around them, Ajax puts him down. Not knowing the powers that Deadpool now possesses, Ajax leaves him to burn to death.

When Deadpool resurrects, he goes out for revenge. Two X-Men, Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), initially interfere with his desire for revenge, but then eventually join him.

Why am I not totally buying the hype? Okay, I found the dialogue rather witty, which is my big plus. My problem -- and I know this is in the comic books -- but how often in a movie does the man need to save a beautiful woman from a life of prostitution? Also, to me, the strip joint scene just felt wrong. You have Vanessa who appears to have moved away from prostitution while with Wade, but then somewhat returns to that lifestyle.

This movie is definitely a different take on a comic book character, but I just can't totally get behind it.

Note: I wonder if they director/studio/producer ever thought about eliminating the scene where a guy goes flying into a freeway overhead direction sign? Just wondering as back in October 2015, there was an accident in Los Angeles/Glendale where a person was ejected from his car and ended up on a overhead sign.

Duke Basketball vs Carolina: 74 - 73

I ended up catching this game in two parts. I got home in time to watch the last 17 minutes or so. I then watch the first half later. I love how one of the announcers said, "If you just joined us and were wondering where Matt Jones is, . . . " Maybe he said that, because he knows that those of us on the West Coast tend to miss 6 p.m. start times?

This game was intense throughout though it always felt like Carolina had the edge. It always felt like Duke hit a timely 3 pointer that got them back into the game, down 2 to 4 points. Then in the final minutes, Duke played solid while Carolina seemed prone to turnovers. I heard the complaint that Carolina went tentative, not trying to get that fifth foul on Marshall Plumlee. I don't totally agree. While watching the 2nd half of a second time, it seemed to me that they drove to the basket plenty versus settling for shots from the perimeter. It is just they couldn't hit anything.

I've said in previous posts that I just can't see how Duke will win the Championship. Their bench is just so short and I'm betting Matt Jones misses a couple games. Their current #4 seeding probably starts heading down to #6. On the other hand, I'm not sure Carolina is going anywhere either. Yes, this was a rivalry game, but if Carolina can't take down a team that was playing 6 players (I'll say 6 though many say 5 as I thought Chase Jeter played some solid minutes) and basically couldn't implement their game plan in the last 3 minutes of the game, I'm not sure how they'll be able to play when there will be at least 2 close games during a March Madness run.

My notes:

Marshall Plumlee rocks.

Brandon Ingram can take a shot over his defender from anywhere on the court.

Grayson Allen has no fear driving to the basket. I will admit I was thinking that he threw that ball up in the air a half second to soon.

Derryck Thornton had the game moment with that block.

I love how the team initially mobbed Coach K before celebrating on their own. It almost feels like the team understands that every victory is just so precious and needs to be treasured.

Colleen Green, Adult Books and Psychomagic at The Echo

Colleen Green

I went to The Echo to catch Colleen Green. She went with a karaoke set. I will admit I wished she'd gone with a original music set as this was only my second time seeing her, but it was all good. She had some friends on stage with her and they were all having a fun time singing some recent hits and then backtracking to the 80s.

Also playing were Psychomagic and Adult Books. Psychomagic sounds like one would expect based on their band name. They're from Portland. Portland equals great music in my book and they didn't disappoint. Adult Books is the residency at The Echo. They hit the stage a few minutes early, speeding through their set in quick order.


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Duke Basketball vs Virginia: 63 - 62

I don't know how far Duke will get in the March Madness Tournament. With 6 players and a 7th who plays 5-ish minutes, that just doesn't seem like a team that can go very far. With that said, victories against a top notch team like Virginia are sweet to watch. (At this point, I'm assuming Amile Jefferson redshirts. With 6 games left -- and there is no sense he's coming back against Carolina -- how can he possibly rotate back in with ease?)

This game was played with both teams attempting to pull away during different points in the game. In the middle of the first half, Virginia pulled away with an 11 point lead. Duke fought back and was down only 3 at the half.

Duke made a run of their own in the middle of the 2nd half, getting up as much as 7.

Then Virginia fought back. The game was tight for the last 8 minutes though Duke held the lead or was in a tie until the final seconds. With 11 seconds left, Virginia's Brogdon made a hope and a prayer reverse layup. I think Duke's defense was tight and he just tossed it up, hoping it would go in. It did. Ouch.

Duke brought the ball up to the floor and then called a time out. That's when Grayson Allen took the ball down the lane and got the ball in as time ran out.

Was it travelling? Well, yeah. There is a perfect photo of it out there. Of course, as was mentioned by one article I read, in full speed it is something that is hard to catch as it all went down in about 0.2 seconds.

So . .  .

Chase Jeter has to step it up. He needs to be the 7th man. Sure, Duke wasn't that deep last year either, but at least Marshall Plumlee and Grayson Allen played some minutes as a 7th and 8th member of the team.

Duke needs to hit their free throws. They helped Virginia get back into the game during the 2nd half by missing some key free throws.


 

Badlands, Pinned in Place and RVIVR at Pehrspace

RVIVR

It is always fun hanging out at Pehrspace, especially when you run into a follow photographer and get to spend a few minutes after the show talking shop. I learned my fellow photographer had taken some time off to study video. Now that's interesting.

The night's bill was filled by Razorcake and LA Zine: Badlands, Pinned In Place and RVIVR. RVIVR had a large fan base. One such fan asked if I was there media purposes. Unfortunately, not. Sometimes I shoot for Culture Collide. Other times I just do photography for fun. She asked if I was into sonic punk. Well, I really didn't know, but I suppose I am now as RVIVR knocked it out of the park.


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The Controversy and Pom Poms at The Satellite

The Controversy

It was off to The Satellite to see The Controversy in their shared residency with Pom Poms.

Pom Poms hit the stage first with their Johnny Cash inspired music. Their lead singer plays it smooth throughout.

The Controversy went with a ragged dress code while setting up their gear. They then left the stage and returned in a stylist dress and fluffy miniskirt. Ha ha. With that they went into their electronic beats and light shows to give a thrilling 30 minute set.

Though I didn't grab one, there were cupcakes in the back.




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Silver Snakes and Wovoka at Silverlake Lounge

Silver Snake

Silverlake Lounge had a solid crowd to catch Silver Snakes. With a charismatic lead singer, the band drew their fans up close and personal. Opening for them was Wovoka with speed metal sounds that pulsated the body.


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Kitten with Olivver the Kid and Hunny at The Fonda Theatre

I got to team up with Culture Collide to catch Kitten at The Fonda Theatre.

Kitten took to The Fonda Theatre stage on a late January night with dance sounds that make one think back to a re-imaged 80s. Those dance sounds embrace lyrics that explore the search for love, be it what lead singer Chloe Chaidez desires or what she wonders is desired of her. “Let’s get loud again,” she told her fans after a mid-concert acoustic song break. She could also have said, “Let’s re-energize again.” She did more than just energize her fans by dancing to the beat of her band – the hair, that hair flings so vividly. She crowd surfed a couple times and then to end her set she invited fans to join her on stage, which a couple dozen did before security held back more from joining the fun. Her crowd interactions made the concert feel intimate, like hanging out at local Los Angeles venues like The Satellite or The Smell (yeah, I read a little on Chloe Chaidez and learned she used to hang out at The Smell).

Opening up for Kitten were Olivver the Kid and Hunny. They had their own solid fan bases for the night. I noticed a handful of folks with Olivver the Kid’s symbol “ØV” inked onto their hands. Hunny gave the audience a warm-up with the dance grooves.

For more photos from the night, click on this Culture Collide link.