Queen Kwong, Spider Problem and Stab City at Grand Star

It was off to the Grand Star to see Queen Kwong, Spider Problem and Stab City. This was my first time ever to the Grand Star in Chinatown.

Comment: I've never felt so Chinese, I guess.

Queen Kwong was up first. So I was reading Queen Kwong's blog or rather Carré Callaway's blog. There was a question that was asked: How do you feel about having a large fan based composed of men with foot fetishes? She has an answer, but my answer is: I'm a guy and I find her attractive, but I don't have a foot fetish -- at least, I don't believe I have one, maybe it is a latent thing.

Noticed: A set list on an itemized restaurant receipt.

I feel like doing a little comparing and contrasting between Spider Problem and Queen Kwong, perhaps because both bands have female lead singers. I ran across Spider Problem for the first time in October 07 over at El Cid. I saw Queen Kwong for the first time in May 08 at Silverlake Lounge. I've seen Spider Problem way too many times to try and count while I've seen Queen Kwong five times (maybe once more, but I'm holding at five): Silverlake Lounge, Echo Curio, Spaceland, The Echo and Grand Star.

There are some major contrasting points between the two singers. At Grand Star, both spent part of their set on the floor of the stage, but Carré was sitting on the ground jamming on her guitar while Shayne was sprawled across the stage after jumping on one of her band mates. I noticed how both dealt with their microphone stands. Carré moved her stand around so that it fit with how she was working the stage. For Shayne, within thirty seconds, her microphone stand was tossed to the side -- I do love that about her. Shayne is the bumper car derby girl while Carré is the rocker chick with Audrey Hepburn grace. They have different styles, but they both front great bands.

And hey, Queen Kwong has a fun blog. And as for Spider Problem, what happened to their blogging. I loved reading their blog.

The Spider Problem drummer loves to pour water on herself.

I haven't forgotten Stab City in all of this. This band just gets you going. There was a whole line of women creating their own mosh pit for half their set. I captured a few photos of the drummer. This drummer goes right up there with the drummer from Prizzy Prizzy Please as being an act all on his own. He doesn't just sit at his drum set. He roams around his drum set, banging away at it from any angle he pleases. Hey, I'm a guy who likes Queen Kwong, but I'm also a guy who can like a band like Stab City.

Comment: I am far too sober. It is a sad state of affairs.

The sober comment was soon rectified when three drinks were brought to the feet of Stab City's lead singer.

Queen Kwong









Spider Problem











Stab City

The Rob Z Project and Pu$$y Cow at El Cid

A Rob Z night at El Cid. Pu$$y Cow had one of their better sets. They just seemed really energized that night. Maybe it had something to do with Joe, their lead singer, wearing shorts. He sure did work the stage. Or maybe it had to do with their name change, Pu$$y Bacon. Bacon was the theme of the night. Whatever the reason, I wanted more, not less.

Rob Z Lounge Project









Pu$$y Cow









Rob Z Lounge Project

A Movie Review: Cyrus

Cyrus. I really enjoyed this movie. There is a nice romance between John (John C. Reilly) and Molly (Marisa Tomei). I loved the awkward way that they ran into each other at a party and the instant connection you could see forming. I also loved the interaction between John and Cyrus (Jonah Hill). You knew almost immediately that Cyrus was out to chase John off, but that John hadn't figured it out yet. When he does, there is some great battle of the wits between the two. It was also nice to see John's ex-wife, Jamie, (Catherine Keener) still having a friendship with John.

My one issue with the movie is when John follows Molly home. Obviously, John is suspicious of Molly's behavior. On the other hand, I would think that if Molly was so private about her personal life that she would have had an irritated or even an angry response when she found John in her house versus her more pleasant response. Perhaps her real response and resolution was left on the editing floor.

Aska at Spaces 15 Twenty

It was off to Spaces 15 Twenty to catch Aska. My friends and I were wondering what to do on a Saturday night. The goal was to do something relatively cheap. One uncovered Spaces 15 Twenty. Having run into the back end of an IO Echo set there, I was a go to head on over for a free night of music. Aska has a very ambient sound, maybe even a touch of shoe gaze.

Over-heard. The DJ was playing a Lake song. Awesome.

Saw. Did I notice IO Echo in the audience? I think I did.

A Movie Review: Knight and Day

Knight and Day. I came into this movie with a bit of hesitation. I hadn’t heard the best comments about this movie and I am not normally into romantic-action flicks. For example, I have no interest in seeing Killers. On the hand, I wanted to see if Tom Cruise could turn around his career. My conclusion, it isn’t blow away fantastic, but I have to say I had fun watching this movie. And the hot moment, Gal Gadot showing up for a brief two minutes or so.

The Shakers and Katy J at the Kibitz

It was off to the Kibitz to check out The Shakers and Katy J. I arrived in time to catch the last half of Katy J's set. She can really belt out Dolly Parton's 'Joleen.' The Shakers came on next. Jodie was doing some dancing with her microphone stand.

See below for some photos from the night.

Katy J





The Shakers

A Fourth of July Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl

So this is admittedly a little dated. I went to the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate the Fourth of July. Vince Gill was the guest singer. I'm not that into country music, but I have to admit I enjoyed his set. Interesting note. My family and I headed down to the bus area. As we were waiting for the next series of buses to come by (we weren't able to get into the first set of buses that took off), I noticed my friend coming towards the bus stop with her family. I got their attention and said hi. They came around the barricades to say hello to my family. Then a bus arrived and we got on -- along with my friend. I told her she'd just cut in line in front of folks who had waited for some thirty minutes or so. She wasn't convinced. She said that she hadn't seen a line behind us. Ah, that's because they had probably stopped folks at a certain point to wait for the next bus. Shame on my friend for cutting in line. :-)

Mates of State at The Echo

It was off to see Mates of State at The Echo. What an awesome set. Kori Gerdner and Jason Hammel have a wonderful chemistry together. Jason teased Kori regarding a "fictional" birthday and they had great banter regarding song choices.

The set itself lasted about an hour (including three encores).

For the last song, a group joined in with any percussion instrument they could find. It was one joyful celebration -- brought back to mind last year when seeing No Doubt joined on stage by Paramour and everyone just having fun.

Sorry for no photos. We (my Intraffik editor included) had trouble getting a requested photo pass to The Echo.

Vise VIrsa and Underwater City People at Old Towne Pub

It was off to Old Towne Pub in Pasadena to catch Vise Virsa and Underwater City People. The week was spent going out and about so I was a little tired out, but I couldn't miss Underwater City People -- one of my favorite bands.

Vise Virsa



Underwater City People

The Mulhollands, The Royal Heist and Bathroom Murders at Club Moscow

It was off to Club Moscow for The Mulhollands record release party. I have to be honest that practically the only time I go to Club Moscow is when The Mulhollands are playing so I can’t say that anything is standard, but they usually let us in come 10 p.m. On this particular night, we didn’t get in until closer to 10:15 p.m. And usually the first band is playing, but for this night the first band didn’t get on stage for another fifteen minutes or so. Interesting, as Club Moscow seems to be rather strict on start times. Not a big deal, it was just something I noticed.

Anyways, the first band of the night was The Royal Heist. I am familiar with the band, having seen their name around, but surprisingly this was the first time I caught a set of theirs. Interesting note, the lead singer was using Sarah Jeanette’s microphone stand. Next up was
Bathroom Murders. I’ve seen them once at Club Moscow. I guess like The Mulhollands, they’re regulars at Club Moscow. I took a peak at their myspace page and they are lined up to play Club Moscow for the next few months. They only played perhaps half their set. They had some unfortunate computer glitches. My friend described them as a party band.

The final band of the night were The Mulhollands. Sarah Jeanette was looking beautiful in a polka dot dress. The band was hyped for their record release party. The fans were also hyped. I have this feeling that a lot of the people were there for The Mulhollands. I actually stayed put where I was, because I would have had a difficult time moving anywhere else. Screams were heard throughout their set. Anyways, as I was waiting around to buy their CD after their set, I noticed a young woman vomiting behind a curtain. I was feeling sorry for her and then as she was being led outside she bumped up against me. At that point, my feelings of sorry turned to the following thought: Gross, watch your step.

Comment: If we sell out our CDs, Jeff will have to make out with me.

My funny little story: I noticed a couple of friends near the bar. I waved hello to them. A young woman standing between my friends and me started waving to me. Once she noticed I was waving to my friends behind me, she got embarrassed and hid behind a friend. Ahh.

The Royal Heist










Bathroom Murders











The Mulhollands