IO Echo at Space 15 Twenty

You know what is totally awesome? I was walking to Hotel Cafe to catch my friend Aaron Beaumont's set at 9 p.m. As I'm walking up Cahuenga, I hear an IO Echo song. I'm like, "Hmm, I wonder if that is a DJ playing their song or if that really is IO Echo?" I jaywalked across the street (semi-safely) and head into Space 15 Twenty. I catch the last two songs. After this short IO Echo sighting, I couldn't help but think, "I so LOVE this band." I then took off and continued up a block to Hotel Cafe. So random. I didn't even know IO Echo was playing there. If only I had know . . .

A couple really awful photos.

Twilight Sleep and Static of the Gods at Silverlake Lounge

It was off to see Twilight Sleep and Static of the Gods at Silverlake Lounge.

Static of the Gods hails from Boston. Their myspace page states that their influences are the sun, moon, stars, land, and sea. I'd agree. At moments, it was like listening to these heavenly sounds.

Comment: It's a little hot in here. I am a little sweaty, I am not going to lie.

Twilight Sleep started their set without introducing themselves. They set up their instruments, did their sound check and then just started their set. For a couple seconds there I was wondering if they were just doing a quick jam to see if the sound was okay or if they were starting their first song. As soon as it was evident that they were starting their set, their fans moved towards the stage.

Comment: We have a backing band. It's called the radio.

Once again a band at Silverlake Lounge was competing with a Spanish radio station for the hearts of the Lounge's patrons. Twilight Sleep's lead singer put the microphone near the monitor, but this resulted in some horrid feedback and she quickly jumped back and apologized, "I wanted you guys to hear what we are hearing."

Static of the Gods







Twilight Sleep

Prizzy Prizzy Please @ Echo Curio along with Pu$$y Cow and Spokemen

I saw Prizzy Prizzy Please awhile back a Juanita's in Highland Park. Since they're from middle America, it isn't like I get to see them all that often so I made sure I would be able to catch their set at Echo Curio. In fact, this was my first night out to catch music since my return from Prague. I'd spent about a week trying to get rid of jet lag.

The line up I saw included Pu$$y Cow, Spokesmen, and Prizzy Prizzy Please.

I noticed Joe from Pu$$y Cow, right before their set started, coming through the door with his music stand. I then over-heard him say for one song, "I forgot my kazoo." Oh well, he was responsible for putting this night together so he probably had other things on his mind -- or maybe he's just getting old?? :-).

During the Pu$$y Cow set, a couple questions were asked: "Should we leave a five second break between songs?" and "Are we playing too loud?" I guess Echo Curio has gotten itself shut down by police at times from neighbors complaining about the music. There is a sign on the door requesting that folks only enter or exit between songs. Luckily, on this night, no police showed up.

The Spokesmen are from out of state. They're on tour with Prizzy Prizzy Please. They had what appears to be a decorated 2x4 that they use in front of the bass drum -- check below photo for evidence.

The final band of the night was Prizzy Prizzy Please. They started out with some blasting punk rock mosh pit music and then switched it up with a more melodic sound towards the end. This is what I love about this band, this ability to switch it up with ease and it all sounds awesome. Of course, I have to admit, I had to leave Echo Curio towards the back half of their set. It was just getting too hot inside for me. Luckily, as noted by their neighbors, the music can be heard outside of Echo Curio so I stood by the window and listened from that vantage point. A couple individuals commented that they were doing the same thing as me. How hot did it get inside Echo Curio? Well, the window was fogging up by the end.

I overheard the owner/manager mention that they will be putting in an air conditioning unit soon. Please do. Come the hot months of summer, if there is not an air conditioning unit, everyone will be watching the bands from the sidewalk. (Note: I do love Echo Curio and do show up every other month or so -- so this paragraph is a sense of future relief versus an attack on the venue.)

Pu$$y Cow







Spokesmen









Prizzy Prizzy Please

Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Cinespia and the movie "Casablanca"

I recently attended a Hollywood Forever Cemetery Movie night (Cinespia). I saw "Casablanca" with a dozen friends. I couldn't believe that a handful of them had never seen the film. It was a great night with the audience cheering when Humphrey Bogart and then Ingrid Bergman made their first appearances on screen. The audience also cheered during the classic lines from the film. It made for a very enjoyable movie night.

Before the movie, a young lady was walking among the audience, blowing soap bubbles.

Some notes: $10 to see the movie. Street parking or $5 to park inside the cemetery. Bring a jacket or sweater even if it is hot in the daytime and it seems unnecessary, because it can get chilly at night. Click on links to get directions.

Below is an older photo from about a year ago.

The Dharma Bums, The Mormons and Pu$$y Cow (5th Anniversary) @ The Blue Star

I suppose putting up a blog late is better than never. I caught Pu$$y Cow's fifth anniversary show and soon thereafter took off on vacation so I never really had a chance to post the blog up sooner than now.

After checking out Silverlake Jubilee and then heading off to Pasadena to hang out with friends, I went to the Blue Star to celebrate Pu$$y Cow's 5th Anniversary. What a crazy day with The Dharma Bums, The Mormons and Pu$$y Cow.

I had a timing issue with heading out to the Blue Star. As mentioned, I was hanging with friends, but definitely didn't want to miss out on Pu$$y Cow's set. I sent out a couple text messages regarding when Pu$$y Cow might go on stage, but didn't get any replies back. I decided to head over at around 10:45 p.m. While driving down the street that leads to Blue Star, I couldn't help but notice that the street was packed with parked cars. Unfortunately, not all those cars were for the Pu$$y Cow show. This area appears to be becoming a party scene section of Los Angeles.

I got there in time to catch the last couple songs of The Dharma Bums. The next band up were The Mormons. They dress up as Mormons. I believe the last time I saw them was the 2007 Eagle Rock Music Festival. The lead singer wears elbow and knee pads. He needs these as he does the craziest things like stretching himself parallel to the ground by hanging alongside the metal gate that is used to load equipment onto the Blue Star stage. And his legs lock into positions that have to make one squirm a tad, contortionist.

The final band of the night was Pu$$y Cow. They went on around midnight. A great party with streamers being tossed -- and glitter not so much.

Comment regarding the glitter: "I thought this would be so much more interesting."

The main reaction to the Pu$$y Cow set? There was crowd surfing as individuals crowd surfed the night away. A great celebration of five years.

And as I was leaving at around 1 a.m., there were still party people arriving for the party going on a few yards away from The Blue Star.

Photos:

Dharma Bums




The Mormons











Pu$$y Cow

A Movie Review. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Looking at the yahoo reviews of this movie, the critics and audience seem to be at odds. The critics rank it low. The audience seems to love it. I mostly stand with the critics on this. There were parts of this movie that I just loved and then other parts I just wanted to get up and leave. I thought the action scenes were fun, but then when it veered away from this I thought it was weak. And the mythology of the knife was just awful.

The Shakers at Kibitz

Mercy, I hadn't seen The Shakers in awhile so I trucked on over to Kibitz to catch their set. They had the crowd dancing. A guy who looked to be in his 70s was dancing with a couple of the younger ladies in the crowd. He wore two watches, which was interesting. For someone who walked with a cane, he had some moves.

Jodie was showing support for one of my favorite bands, The Mulhollands. Check out the photos for proof.

Jail Weddings and The Like at The Echo

First off, my editor over at intraffik.com wasn't able to secure me a photo pass for The Echo (which requires one) so unfortunately no photos for the night.

Anyways, it was off to catch Jail Weddings and The Like at The Echo.

I got there around 10 p.m. It was already getting crowded. One of my friends was supposed to meet me at The Echo. I was worried that she wouldn't be able to get into the venue.

Jail Weddings went on shortly after 10 p.m. It doesn't take long for the lead singer to engage the audience. The band got it going from the start though they did have some technical difficulties with the lead singer's microphone that slowed down the set just briefly. At one point, I noticed that the lead singer had left the stage, drinking some water while the rest of the band led the way.

Comment one of the night from Jail Weddings: I'd like to ask the band and you, who is insanely depressed at the moment.

Not me, I say, because I was getting to see Jail Weddings.

Comment two of the night from Jail Weddings: This song goes out to the guy who changed the 'L' to 'D' on all the Like posters on Sunset.

Jail Weddings ended their set with the lead singer going down into the audience and starting a mosh pit.

My friend showed up just in time to catch the last couple songs of Jail Weddings. We then waited for The Like as the venue started to get even more crowded. The Like has been around for awhile, I was told by my friend, but this was the first time I was seeing them. This is an all chick band though the lead singer had a broken left arm (sprained???) and so she mentioned: We're having a boy on stage for the first time in nine years. (A friend was taking over guitar duties.)

This band has pop sensibilities with a lead singer who has a very bubbly personality. They'll be playing at Silverlake Jubilee. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch their set and post some photos up on a future blog.

And as we were leaving, we noticed a line of folks waiting to get inside. Yes indeed, The Echo was packed.

Ashes Divide and Sweethead at Spaceland

It was off to see Ashes Divide and Sweethead at Spaceland. I try to make it out to a Monday night at Spaceland once a month.

The first band up was Ashes Divide. It was actually a long wait to hear Ashes Divide. I got to Spaceland at around 9:50 p.m. and they didn't go on stage till 10:30-ish. Initially, I was getting a bit irritated, but then as Spaceland started to fill up and folks began to press towards the stage I found myself getting excited by the vibe. When they finally got on stage, I enjoyed every minute of their set. Anyways, one thing I was watching out for -- rather or not the lead singer would run into his bandmate. He came close a couple times. A guy in the crowd noticed the lead singer sweating it out so he put a water bottle on stage for him. The lead singer never took a swag so as soon as the band left the stage, the guy in the crowd walked over, "I may as well get my water back. I was trying to be helpful."

Next up the the residency band, Sweethead. The set up was all profession, roadies and all -- actually there were roadies for Ashes Divide. The set list was carefully taped to the floor. The nice set list didn't last long as there was a spill almost as soon as their set started. I think the lead singer likes to throw things. She tried to throw a balloon into the audience (that didn't work out very well, of course). And towards the end of the set it looked like she was considering tossing her microphone. She does hop in heels rather well.

Comment of the night (Sweethead lead singer): I was trying to have a drink, but I only have water."

Noticed: Sweethead had a small unicorn up on stage.

Over-all: A great night of music.


Ashes Divide







Sweethead

Move Rankings: Winter, Spring 2010

Here are my winter, spring movie rankings.

Forget playing in the snow, these movies will be so much more fun

Alice in Wonderland
Ghost Writer
Kick-Ass
The Runaways
Book of Eli
Daybreakers

It is raining, time to see a movie

Crazy Heart
Clash of the Titans
Shutter Island
She's Out of My League
The Yellow Handkerchief
Lovely Bones
Edge of Darkness
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Oops, mistake

Youth in Revolt
Twilight: New Moon

A Movie Review: Kick-Ass

Kick-Ass. This is one of those movies where you realize you're getting old. While I was watching the movie, a handful of audience members were oohing and aahing about a switchblade. Okay, enough about my aging self. What about the movie? There were moments that made me squeamish and think that this was a slightly inappropriate movie, but I couldn't help but enjoy this movie. Though the focus of this movie is Dave Lizewski /Kick-Ass (Aaron Johnson), I think the thrill of the movie is when there is a focus on Mindy Macready/Hit-Girl (Chloe Moretz) and Damon Macready (Nicolas Cage). They bring the humor and inappropriateness that makes this movie a joy. It is a kick-ass movie.

That Noise, Socadia, Vanaprasta and Mulhollands at Club Moscow

It was off to Club Moscow to catch The Mulhollands. They were the last band of the night so I ended up catching four bands in total. The other bands being That Noise, Socadia, and Vanaprasta.

First off, I made some friends in line. We had a nice conversation.

We were then allowed inside where That Noise was already on stage. They had a camera guy there. The guy went on stage where he was taking photos from all angles. One of those angles was with the lead singer straddling over the camera guy who was lying on his back.

Socadia was next. They had to deal with a dead microphone. They dealt with it with ease.

The third band was Vanaprasta. They had the crowd going with a Cinco de Mayo scream. The crowd even carried the lead singer around for a few moments.

And then The Mulhollands, one of my favorite bands. They had a back-up singer for the night.


That Noise







Socadia







Vanaprasta





The Mulhollands