Froth at Bootleg Bar

Froth will have you remembering all the good times from the 60s -- even if you weren't around at the time.

Tropical Popsicle at Bootleg Bar

Tropical Popsicle is so good, you'll be very upset when the Popsicle melts at the end of the 30 minute set.

Dante Elephante at Bootleg Bar

Dante Elephante is like listening to surfers hitting the waves.

After Reptiles at Silverlake Lounge

After Reptiles was one nice surprise at Silverlake Lounge.  They just garage rocked out the venue.  I wish I could find a website for those guys.  I wouldn't mind catching them again.

Grit at Silverlakge Lounge

Grit took to the stage at Silverlake Lounge and I couldn't help but think: Audra Mae.

Johnathan Knight at the Silverlake Lounge

The night at Silverlake Lounge started off a little later than normal.  I think Johnathan Knight was delayed.  But when he did arrive, he jumped on stage and started off his short set.  His rap was smooth as silk.

The Wild Reeds at The Satellite

The Wild Reeds. First thought, wow. Second thought, they're too cool.

Leftover Cuties at The Satellite

Leftover Cuties. Well over a year has passed since I last saw Leftover Cuties.  I still love this band.

Comment of the set:  Yeah, I'm Jewish and I'm singing a Christmas song.

Willie Watson at The Satellite

Willie Watson opened the night up at The Satellite.  A set filled with blue grass beauty.

Lovelife at the Bootleg

Lovelife was the residency band at the Bootleg in November.  There are some nice beats with this band.

Wunder Wunder at The Bootleg

Wunder Wunder played at the Bootleg a couple weeks back. Dance. Oh, you'll dance.

Misun at Bootleg

Misun hit the stage at the Bootleg a couple weeks back. They call their music style aquawave. I say it has a nice touch of jazz.

Week of Wonders at The Smell

Weeks of Wonders.  A bit of Caribbean.  A bit of pop.  Put it all together and the result is some catchy tunes.

Comment of the set:  I'm so sorry for being difficult.

Body Parts at The Satellite

Body Parts. Synchronized hand motions with some catchy tunes had the audience enjoying the final minutes of a Monday night.

Comment of the set:  Did you guys work?  Boo!!!

James Supercave at The Satellite

James Supercave.  Smooth, somewhat psychedelic sounds hit the stage of The Satellite -- along with some hipster gentlemen.

Air Life at The Satellite

Air Life.  This was Air Life's first show ever.  Yeah right.  No way.  This band was way too solid for a first show.  The band's sound has a jazz feel to it, which lit up the early Satellite night.  The band asked for folks to come up close to the stage.  The audience responded and stayed close throughout the set due to this band's extraordinary 30 minute set.  

A Movie Review: 12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave. In some ways, I found this 12 years of squirming discomfort.  The movie is so graphic I felt the urge to walk out at times.

This movie does grab your attention and is a solid movie.  The imagery of slavery just drives home the point of how evil this was.

I did have a couple problems with the movie.  I wish the movie delved more into the reasoning behind why Solomon was sold into slavery.  Why would his two captors set up such a scheme involving music?  I have a hard time believing that they went around trying to find individuals who played music and then sell them off as slaves.  Were the two hard-up for money?  Were they given an offer they found hard to refuse?  Also, as the boat filled with prisoners was heading south, there was a scene where one slave was given back to his master.  The slave ran as if he was so grateful that he was returning to his master.  Didn't he run away in the first place?  I'd think he'd be scared to death.

  

A Movie Review: Gravity

Gravity. I didn't see this movie in 3D, but I have to believe the opening minutes of this film are just awesome in 3D. Seeing it in simple 2D had me feeling like I was going to fall out of my seat and nosedive right into earth.  This movie deals with how an astronaut attempts to find her way back to earth after a space disaster.  Is this movie Oscar worthy?  My only reason to not put this movie on my list of best movies of the year is the ending.  I swear I expected to hear the theme song from 2001:  A Space Odyssey blast through the auditorium.  That was disappointing.

A Movie Review: Rush

Rush. This movie tells the story of two Formula 1 drivers: James Hunt (an English playboy) and Niki Lauda (an Austrian statistics guy: almost like the modern day Oakland A's management) from the 1970s. The movie delves into their rivalry. Their early individual careers are highlighted, but the movie focuses in on one season when the two are battling for the Formula 1 racing crown.

I am not a race care fan.  I've never watched more than 5 minutes of any car race.  That being said, I did enjoy this movie.  It is a rush.  I loved the interaction between these two individuals.  The very diverse personalities still eventually lead to mutual respect.

Now I did do a Wikipedia search on these two drivers.  They actually lived together when they started out. The movie initially portrays them as bitter rivals who eventually find common interest.  Instead, it was probably more of a Magic Johnson/Isiah Thomas type of situation.  Of course, making them bitter rivals provides a better storyline.

Mars and the Massacre at Silverlake Lounge

Mars and the Massacre started off their night with a bang.  Dressed in white with some fake blood on their faces, these vampire zombies shook the Lounge with their music.

Note:  prior to their set, they set up a television and a video game console.  Folks lined up to play.

Wasi at Silverlake Lounge

Wasi. I wish the lights were a bit more consistent at the Silverlake Lounge.  The guitarist of this band is sure fun to photograph as she is a ball of energy.

This band will have you dancing.

Conway at It's a School Night

Conway. It was my first time at It's a School Night in a very long time.  What got me out there?  A fellow music blogger sent me a text saying I needed to check out Conway.  So off I went.  She commands that stage and her vocals drill you with motion.

And for one of the worse photos -- I need to upgrade my point and shoot.

Max and the Moon at The Bootleg

Max and the Moon. A band with dual vocals that grab your attention.

Harper Blynn at The Bootleg

Harper Blynn at the Bootleg was an experience. They don't let you rest on your feet as the beats keep on coming.

The Tragic Thrills at The Bootleg

I walked into The Bootleg and The Tragic Thrills were kicking off their soaring vocal set.

Raw Geronimo at The Satellite

Raw Geronimo closed out the night at The Satellite.  The avant-garde wildness of this band was on full display on this night.  The crowd was pressed close to the stage to enjoy it all.  And why not press close to the stage?

Spirit Vine at The Satellite

Spirit Vine is doing the October residency at The Satellite.  Some witchcraft arising through the fog.

The Reflections at The Satellite

The Reflections.  The first band I've seen at The Satellite in a very long time due to my time away in San Francisco.  It was a great way to get re-acquainted with The Satellite.  Some smooth rock sounds.  

Bombay Show Pig at Harvard and Stone

Bombay Show Pig. I have to say that Bombay Show Pig is my favorite find at Culture Collide.  And so I knew I just had to catch them again.  It was off to Harvard and Stone on Sunday night, the very next day after seeing them at Culture Collide.

Loud.  Energetic.  Beautifully crafted rock music.  What else can a person want from a band?

I need to see them again someday.  Maybe I'll hit it big someday and take some random flight off to The Netherlands to catch one of their sets :-).

Culture Collide Day 3: Bombay Show Pig

Bombay Show Pig

Culture Collide Day 2: Adi Ulmansky

Adi Ulmansky

Culture Collide Day 1: The Novocaines

The Novocaines

Plus at the Silverlake Lougne

Plus is the residency band at Silverlake Lounge.  They're the Silverlake Lounge version of Youngblood Hawke.  I suspect by the end of the month, the place will be packed to the maximum.

Good Thunder at the Silverlake Lounge

Good Thunder hit the stage at Silverlake Lounge with a bit of electronic funk and a dose of Mazzy Star.

Queen Kwong at The Bootleg

Queen Kwong finished up her North America tour Saturday night at The Bootleg. I got to see the band in both SF and LA. I wonder if that makes me a super fan or a stalker.  I was told that after a month of touring many of them were ill.  It really didn't seem like it when they hit the stage.  I'd venture to say that their Bootleg set was better than their SF set at the Rickshaw Stop.

Dear Boy at The Bootleg

Dear Boy is the first Los Angeles residency band I've seen in awhile.  It was nice to get back out there.  This band has the look down.

Warship at The Bootleg

Warship was the middle band at The Bootleg.  They're relaxed as they play their set.

Love the Ghost at The Bootleg

Love the Ghost was the first band up at The Bootleg. I caught the last half of the set. Their music just pulsates through your body.

The Little Ones in Chinatown

The Little Ones hit the stage in Chinatown on a recent Saturday night.

They represented the first band I saw after spending a few weeks in San Francisco.

It was a joy.

Summer 2013 movie round-up

This was a solid summer.  Though I think other summers had good movies, I think this summer might rank as the best in recent history.  (Example of the competing years: 2009 had Up, Julie and Julia, (500) Days of Summer; 2011 had the last Harry Potter movie, Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris, The Help.)

The Best of the Best

1.  Despicable Me
2.  World War Z
3.  Monsters University
4.  Man of Steel
5.  This is the End

You still want to hand over your well earned money

6.  Lee Daniels' The Butler
7.  The World's End
8.  Blue Jasmine
9.  The Way, Way Back
10.  Fruitvale Station
11.  Fast and Furious 6

Solid, but not Spectacular

12.  The Wolverwine
13.  Pacific Rim
14.  The Bling Ring
15.  Star Trek into Darkness
16.  Iron Man 3

Could have skipped

17.  The Spectacular Now
18.  Elysium
19.  The Heat

A Movie Review: Elysium

Elysium. A movie that has a nice set-up, but essentially falls flat.  The wealthy have abandoned earth.  The rest of humanity is left in poverty on earth.  Yes, an interesting concept, but if falls apart in my mind in two ways.  First, too many over-the-top characters.  You have a serious concept story, but characters that are more appropriate to Arnold Schwarzenegger's Total Recall.  Second, why exactly would a computer program put power into the hands of one person?  If you just killed that person, who would be in power?

A Movie Review: Lee Daniels' The Butler

Lee Daniels' The Butler. A solid movie over-all though in the back of my mind I got distracted with the story line of the son. I should explain: the son gets involved in the sit-ins, freedom riders, was with Martin Luther King when he died, became a key member of the Black Panthers and finally was elected to Congress.  Yeah, right.

A Movie Review: Blue Jasmine

Blue Jasmine. Jasmine is used to the high life. After her husband is convicted of financial crimes and commits suicide in jail, she heads off to San Francisco where she attempts to manipulate her way back into her life style. Does she succeed? You'll need to watch this very entertaining movie to find out.

A Movie Review: The World's End

The World's End. The World's End doesn't rank up there with Shaun of the Dead, but it doesn't mean this isn't one funny movie. You will find yourself laughing throughout the movie as the group of friends continue a pub walk even when they understand the known dangers.

A Movie Review: The Bling Ring

The Bling Ring. This is a movie based on the true events surrounding a group of teenagers who attended Indian Hills High School and decided to rob the young and fashionable in Hollywood. The movie starts with Marc’s (Israel Broussard) first day at Indian Hills High School. He becomes friends with Rebecca (Katie Chang) and Chloe (Claire Julien). Marc and Rebecca – Rebecca leading – quickly start on their crime streak. They start small, stealing from unlocked cars. They then upgrade to breaking into a friend’s home while the parents are on vacation.

As this point, this movie seems to be a dud. What’s going on, Sofia Coppola? The actors are acting in a teenage zombie manner. Rebecca is monotone. Chloe is a rich girl, California blond with no reason for existing. Marc is a wannabe nobody. Maybe this is how they see their lives, zombie-like. A switch soon goes off inside these teenagers that changes their demeanor, a switch that makes you cringe at times and perhaps deep down makes you cheer. Rebecca and Marc decide to take it up a level and see if they can break into Paris Hilton’s house. They find her house key under a mat and success breeds the desire for more of it. The Bling Ring quickly expands to Chloe and two other friends, Nicki (Emma Watson) and Sam (Taissa Farmiga). A swagger seeps in as they throw around the money they’ve stolen (or gotten via the sale of stolen property) at the top clubs of Hollywood.

As mentioned, this movie might have you cheering them on in a sick way. When they enter the houses of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, you might silently cheer as the houses are decadent, nothing more than houses of worship to their occupants. (Though you do have to give it up to Paris Hilton as she does a brief cameo and allowed filming in her house.) You might find yourself sympathetic to certain famous individuals that you wouldn’t think you’d have common ground with: Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox. Yeah, Megan Fox gets a lot of grief, but their home (though higher end then what many of us live in) seems normal. I mean why not target the decadent like a modern day Robin Hood gang versus those trying to live a normal life. Of course, that’s not what The Bling Ring was about.

The Bling Ring is made up of high school kids and so there are probably many who watch this movie and ask – perhaps even teenagers – where are the parents? The kids appear to party in Hollywood or break into homes or do drugs at all hours of the night. Coppola presents us with various takes on parenting in Southern California. Nicki’s mom (who is also Sam’s mom by default) wants her children to grow up famous and challenges them to attain that goal. She is the perfect Hollywood mother. Marc’s dad works in Hollywood and turns a blind eye to signs that his son is up to no good. While Chloe comes from a family who appears to be as tradition as one can get – eating breakfast together?!? In a way, this movie can be seen as a commentary on adults who work in Hollywood and the possible impact that this career choice had on their children (admittedly, Rebecca’s parents don’t seem to be connected to Hollywood though she herself is obsessed with celebrities). Can any type of parental approach possibly steer children, who grow up under the bright lights of Hollywood, away from the dark side that Hollywood brings to the table; especially when the teens are attractive and can curry favor from those in the Hollywood scene?

Though I won’t say that The Bling Ring ranks up there with Coppola’s Lost in Translation and Somewhere, I do recommend seeing this movie. As it starts out, it might cause a moment of reservation, but if you don’t write the movie off in those first few minutes and keep yourself engaged, I think you’ll find yourself enjoying the movie while thinking: these kids are evil and yet I have a voyeuristic perverse pleasure in their criminal acts.

Loose ends:

Many of the actors in the movie are largely unknown, which I think shines a positive light on Emma Watson. Israel Broussard and Katie Chang are the leads in the movie and even though Emma Watson’s acting clearly stands out she is still playing a supporting role. There has to be something said about Emma Watson’s personal character to take a back seat to unknowns.

A Movie Review: The Wolverwine

The Wolverwine. A serviceable action flick that sort of makes you wonder about family loyalty.

And why is it okay for The Wolverwine to have an affair with a soon-to-be married women while lecturing the soon-to-be married husband who is caught cheating, as well?

Zebroids at The Smell

Zebroids are perhaps a more adult version of the band that they followed: Dirty Few.  That didn't mean they didn't have fun.  A friend of theirs went around the audience with a beer bong, giving drinks of water -- this being all ages The Smell.

Dirty Few at The Smell

The Dirty Few at The Smell.  A punk band that skateboards through the audience during their set and vomits afterwards.  Now that's a band.

Heller Keller at The Smell

Heller Keller hit the stage at The Smell first on a Saturday night from a few weeks back.  There wasn't even any announcement.  They just started their normal energetic set, drawing those at The Smell to them.

 

A Movie Review: The Way, Way Back

The Way, Way Back. This is a wonderful and somewhat painful tale of flawed adults parenting awkward young teenagers. And what is truly interesting is the relationship that develops between the water park manager and our lead.  And though I love movies such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I especially appreciate the fact that our lead character is not a wanna-be writer with an IQ that will blow you away, but is just a normal kid.

A Movie Review: Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station. A solid movie; however, I felt like I was getting an overly glossed up point of view of Oscar.  Also, the movie doesn't take the time to dive into the tensions between the poor and law enforcement.

A Movie Review: Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim. I don't think this movie started off very well.  An early conversation goes something like this when a monster sighting wakes up two military personnel in the wee hours of the morning:

"What time is it?"

"2 o'clock."

"2 a.m.?"

Of course, it is 2 a.m.  Do you really think the army would let you sleep from 11 p.m. or whatever time they went to sleep all the way until 2 p.m.  And I thought military used military time anyways.

Also, the first attack happens during the Obama years.  I'd like to know how we made those robots work so well so quickly when Boeing can't even get their Dreamliner to function properly after years of testing.

Never mind all that.  This movie isn't brilliant Oscar stuff, but it is a very good summer popcorn movie.  The fights are cool.  And even though it would seem the use of a sword would be a weapon of choice for close combat versus having a blaster that takes forever to warm up, it is good that it is eventually brought to the fight.

A Movie Review: World War Z

World War Z.  For all the talk about now this movie was a mess, I do think it turned out to be a very thrilling movie.  It is Contagion on adrenalin.  It isn't as scary as one might assume considering that this is a zombie movie.  Even the fact that these zombies have amazing speed that allows them to outrun even the fastest human being doesn't really increase the scare factor.  Instead, this is a very well done medical investigation movie that stands above Contagion.  I even like how the "cure" was found better in World War Z versus Contagion.

Make Music Pasadena: Killola

Make Music Pasadena: Letting Up Despite Great Faults

I last saw them at Silverlake Jubilee.  Loved them then and loved them a couple months back at Make Music Pasadena.

Make Music Pasadena: Dom La Nena

So long since Make Music Pasadena.  Here's a photo of Dom La Nena.

Make Music Pasadena: The Dustbowl Revival

Been awhile since Make Music Pasadena, but I've been busy.  

A photo of The Dustbowl Revival.

A Movie Review: Monsters University

Monsters University. An enjoyable movie about characters who aren't scary, but want to be scary. Kids, please don't look under the bed or listen too hard.

A Movie Review: Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2. Minions. Birthday parties. Girls growing up. Evilness in the world that needs to be resolved. I consider this cartoon to be the best movie of the year (so far).

A Movie Review: The Heat

The Heat. When a movie is liked both by critics and audiences, I usually find myself agreeing. Not with this movie. I could have saved my money on this one.

A Movie Review: This is the End

This is the End.  The movie starts out hysterically with Seth Rogan picking up his friend Jay Baruchel at the airport. It is funny that everyone is trying to talk to Seth while ignoring Jay. They soon party it up, getting stoned at Seth’s house. They then take a taxi (nice add to the move as you don't want folks high while driving) to a house party being hosted by James Franco. A number of celebrity cameos pop up. For awhile, it looks like a Project X for celebrities. Then the inevitable end of the world hits. The earth opens up and many of the celebrities are swallowed up and sent down to the burning pits of hell. Our remaining celebrities (Jonah Hill, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson also survive) are left in purgatory, trying to figure out what in the world is going on.

This movie lasts close to 2 hours. With about 30 minutes to go in the movie it feels like this movie is just a one joke movie and really should just wrap up; however, it takes a nice turn with them leaving the house and the movie picks back up in a fun way.

The audience I watched the movie with was laughing from the beginning to the end.  That is always a good indicator.

Jail Weddings at the Echo Country Outpost

Jail Weddings closed out the night at Echo Country Outpost, kicking off the summer.

Comment of the night:  Usually I have to ask people to come three feet forward.  I need to ask you all to move three steps back.

This band loves to interact with the audience.  The whole back half of the set was spent hanging out in the crowd.

Echo Country Outpost is not out there in the middle of an empty spot in Echo Park. The name might give that impression; however, it is set along Glendale Blvd. I half wonder if folks live in the building. There is a kitchen. And the stage area could be a nice living room. Up stairs and out to the back yard is an outside bar. Some random items are sold such as pine cones and 1960s/1970s type phones. Interesting posters line the wall. I wonder how many folks randomly enter this place on a standard day. It might be a cool place to hang out during a hot afternoon, especially if the bar area is open.

Raw Geronimo at the Echo Country Outpost

Raw Geronimo hit the stage at the Echo Country Outpost.  This band can send you into a wonderful trance. Last time I saw Raw Geronimo, Lauren Fey was MIA. This time she was back -- a wonderful add when she goes wild on the percussion set.

The Lexingtons at the Echo Country Outpost

I’ve hung out in the Los Angeles music scene for awhile and so there aren't many opportunities to head off to a venue I've never heard of before.  Well, Echo Country Outpost is one of those venues and from the look of things it has been around for awhile. I got an update that Raw Geronimo was playing there along with Jail Weddings. Since I don’t get to hang out in the Los Angeles music scene all that much anymore, anytime I have a chance to catch my favorite local bands, I take it.

First up for the night were The Lexingtons. This is an all guy band that likes to dress up. Well, except for one of them. The comment of the night was: We have merch for sale. I know we dress well, but . . . well except for this guy.

Hollywood Forever: The Princess Bride

It was off to Hollywood Forever to catch The Princess Bride.  It was packed.  The night grew chilly, but was perfect if one had a light jacket or sweater.  Plenty of bathrooms.  Hey, maybe they need to allow in some food trucks -- that might be an interesting add on.

A Movie Review: Obivion

Oblivion. Jack and Victoria are doing some final resource collection from earth. The planet was destroyed when a war between alien invaders and humans broke out.  Humanity won, but needed to leave the planet. 

This was an okay movie, but I left with many questions (spoilers):

1.  We find out towards the end that the aliens actually won the war.  Planet earth was pretty much wiped out with very few humans left alive.. Why did the aliens feel the need to continue to rely on human clones?

2.  Jack seemed to quickly make up his mind that the human rebels were being honest with him.  I don't know, it would take me little longer to trust them.  I mean, my whole existence and reason for leaving was being questioned.

3.  Why would the aliens want Jack to come up to their station in the first place?

Young Creatures at El Cid

Young Creatures had their release party at El Cid.  The crowd was pumped for their friends on stage.  Stage lighting.  Smoke.  The stage show.  It all worked perfectly with the band's passion.

Eastern Conference Champions at El Cid

Eastern Conference Champions hit the stage first.  There was a nice crowd waiting for them; however, nearly everyone was in the back.  Only three of us stood near the stage.  After a trio of songs, a handful of folks ventured closer to the stage and then it was an avalanche as everyone came up close. 

They put on their usual great stage show along with stunning songs.  Mercy, I love this band.

Bloody Death Skull at Pehrspace

The New Folk LA Festival held a night at Pehrspace. Bloody Death Skull came on second. The band name seems like a rather violent band name for a band that appears to be full of folks with pleasant personalities.  I ended up being part of the set when their lead singer took a quick rest on my lap.

The mystery:  The lead singer took off into the audience and somehow her microphone wire got tangled up in the ceiling fabric.  How did that exactly happen?

Comment of the set:  How's your shaker?  Is it in tune?

Guy Blakeslee at Pehrspace

Guy Blakeslee has a fan base. A good crowd showed up early at Pehrspace to cheer on their musician. The night was associated with The New LA Folk Fest. What was so intriguing about the night is how much care was put into decorating Pehrspace.  Mats on the floor that indicated that folks should sit for the set.  Bird cages, birds (fake), dolls, and skulls decorated the front of the stage.  Fabric draped the ceiling.  It made for an enjoyable experience.