The Colour Coast with Night Talks and Michelle Young & The Collection (The Satellite)

Michelle Young and The Collection opened up the night at The Satellite. There was a poetry reading, which was for Emery Becker. Becker is a fellow photographer that was killed recently while riding his motorcycle on the 5 freeway. It was an emotional moment. The band also had current American Idol contestant, Effie Passero, on stage as a backing vocalist for a couple songs.

Michelle Young & The Colleciton

This was my first time seeing Night Talks in 2018. And the first thing I noticed was the band was 2 musicians short. I learned that the keyboardist is busy with school while the second guitarist decided to pursue DJing. The reduced band size actually tilts the band towards a more rock sound vs pop.

Night Talks

The Colour Coast is the residency band at The Satellite for April. This band intertwines some stage choreography with tropical pop sounds.

The Colour Coast

Ramonda Hammer with Livingmore and illuminati hotties at the Echoplex

The most important debate that I was having with myself was: when will the bands start their sets? There were five bands playing Ramonda Hammer's 2nd residency night. Usually, there are 4 bands playing with the first set time at 9:15 p.m. I decided to show up at around 8:45 p.m. to see if that would work out. I obviously didn't get the memo. I walked in and there was a nice crowd already inside and the first band up was half way through their set.

My first full band set was illuminati hotties, which was a band that another photographer was there to see. That got me interested. The photographer mentioned something about them being a full of energy band. Then they started their set. The first song started on a very mellow pace. I was like, "What's this photographer talking about?" It didn't take long for the band to drive it up a couple notches. It was a fun set.

illuminati hotties

Livingmore is a band I've seen a handful of times. I figured I knew what to expect from the band, a bit of country influenced tunes with a charismatic lead. For this set, they turned down the country and went full on rock. It was awesome.

Livingmore

Ramonda Hammer is a band I last saw in late 2016. I'd noticed them playing around town, but never got to head out to their set. Well, they are the residency band for April at The Echo and since I love residency bands, I had no excuse. What did I notice: I guess they were doing eye glasses night. The lead singer was wearing eye glasses. At one point during the set she tossed the glasses off her face and it landed in front of her. Another band mate was in constant movement and my eyes kept looking at the glasses, seeing how close his foot would come to smashing the glasses. I don't believe the glasses were of any real value so all was good either way. The breaking of the eye glasses never happened for those interested.

Ramonda Hammer

Happy Hollows and Traps PS at Highland Park Bowl

It was off to Highland Park Bowl to catch Happy Hollows and Traps PS. Highland Park Bowl used be known as Mr. T's. I used to hang out there every so often, catching various punk rock bands.

This was my first time back to the location to catch some bands.

The highlight was Happy Hollows. I first saw this band way back in 2009. It was just fun catching their infectious enthusiasm.

Happy Hollows

Traps PS opened up the night with some artistic flair.

Traps PS

Sounds Like Disco and Sleep Still at The Satellite

It was a quick hit and run to The Satellite to see Sleep Still and Sounds Like Disco.

Interestingly, this was the first ever set for Sleep Still. For being their first set ever, they were solid with their melodic sounds. They had friends and relatives hanging with them. In fact, one musician's grandfather flew in for the night.

Sleep Still

This was my second time catching Sounds Like Disco. Their friends were right up to the front of the stage. This band gives their all with a high energy romp.

Sounds Like Disco

A Hi Hat Night: A Recent Thursday Night

It was a free night at The Hi Hat where I got to catch Allah Las, Peach Kelli Pop, Fenster and Swearing at Motorists.

The night started off with Swearing at Motorists. I'd say this set was part comedy and part exaggerated music. As for the comedy part, at one point he pointed out fans like Ted Danson and Tony Danza.

Swearing at Motorists

Fenster came in from Berlin, Germany. They gave us some German minimalism funk. And their comment of the night, "Should we make a music video with all of you? Who's famous on Twitter?" And someone replied, "I have 500 Instagram followers!"

Fenster

This was my second time seeing Peach Kelli Pop and their rapid fire music. That sound had a mosh pit going at The Hi Hat. What did I notice: this band cleared off the stage in 5 minutes.

Peach Kelli Pop

Final band up was Allah Las. This was my third time seeing them. I've had one long history with this band that provides you with a sound of drug induced haze. I've seen this band at two music festivals back in the 2011/2012 time frame - Eagle Rock Music Festival/Silverlake Jubilee.

Allah Las

It was a rainy night, but it didn't prevent folks from lining up and waiting in the rain.

One not so good thing about the night: there were a couple drunk hecklers, but the bands dealt with them in style.

Sikemor at The Satellite

Sikemor. Occasionally, a band follows me on Instagram. And then after a period of time I notice that they're playing a set at a venue I frequent. That's what happened with Sikemor. They followed me on Instagram, kept in contact and then I noticed they were playing The Satellite. I'm happy I caught their set. They have some sweet vocals that just make you want to fall in love.