Friday, December 2, 2011

A Movie Review: Happy Feet 2

Happy Feet 2. An earthquake causes the penguins’ living location to sink in the ground. Since they can’t fly, it means they will die from starvation unless a way out is found. Animals and humans try their best to save the penguins.

For what it is, this movie isn’t bad; however, I suspect it is meant for those twelve and under. I went with some kids and they seemed to enjoy it. For me, I couldn't help but think it was a Ice Age sequel of some sort.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Summer Series 2011: Delayed, but Golden

So this was supposed to go up on Intraffik.com, but sometimes things don't work out as planned.  Instead of having this just gather dust, I figured I'd post it here.

Summer Series:

The Favorites

Is there a better way to start off a summer music post than to mention one of your favorite local bands? Nope. It was off to On the Roxy to catch The Mulhollands. After finding my free parking spot (in past columns, I’ve provided locations for free parking, but it was suggested that for the Sunset Strip I should just keep my mouth shut), I walked up the stairs to On the Roxy and caught part of an acoustic set by Diana Gone Wrong’s lead singer. I hadn’t seen her band in almost two years, but I remembered exactly where I’d caught them: Skinny’s in North Hollywood. Sometimes my memory serves me well. Also there that night was Celeste from Underwater City People. She joined in on a song for the acoustic duo of Donato McDermott and Everett Connors. The crowd inside On the Roxy started to build up as the countdown to The Mulhollands set began. They didn’t disappoint as they gave us a fun set, which include singing atop the bar counter. Well, maybe I should take that “disappoint” word back. There was a demand for two more songs, but they just gave us one. The night was put on by Bohemian Basement. Bohemian Basement. On the Rox. Down. Up. Nevermind, my own word play.

Diana Gone Wrong



Everette Connors and Donato McDermott (w/ special guest from Celeste Kim)






The Mulhollands



A couple days later it was off to The Satellite to catch The Lonely Wild and Family of the Year. I’ve followed The Mulhollands for awhile, but it was just last year that I caught up with these two bands and their Americana inspiration. The one thing I’ve noticed about The Lonely Wild (or maybe it is just my imagination) is that their sets are either of two contrasting sounds: sometimes they let the melody linger and other times they’re just rocking out. On this night, they let the melody linger. Family of the Year closed out the night with a set that had the crowd cheering at the end.

The Lonely Wild




Family of the Year



It was off to Harvard and Stone to catch a band called The Child. The keyboardist is Lauren Rocket of Rocket fame. She was dressed in black versus her more colorful style as a Rocket. They gave us a quick six song set. A man standing next to me made sure I knew that it was Lauren Rocket that I was photographing. I learned that he is Brad Elterman, a photographer who photographed The Runaways, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson and many others. After The Child, I stuck around for Papercranes. It was their Tuesday night residency at Harvard and Stone. My how-things-can-happen-around-me-while-I’m-taking-photos story: The lead singer left the stage and maneuvered her way through the crowd. I felt it was a perfect time to catch some photos of the rest of the band. Before I knew it, out of the corner of my eye I noticed that she was above us, singing from a steel platform that hangs from the ceiling. I took a few more photos of the band and once again before I knew it she had slid down a pole and was back on the stage.

The Child




Papercranes



Four Straight Days

On a Saturday night it was off to see 10,000 Maniacs at Pershing Square. I think there was one person who thought the lead singer was Natalie Merchant or maybe he was just being a jerk and his yelling out, “Natalie Merchant”, was meant to imply that 10,000 Maniacs wasn’t the same without Merchant. I did not care that Merchant had long ago left the band as I still loved their set. As for the lead singer, “I’ve been with 10,000 Maniacs for awhile. In fact, I was a backup singer when Natalie Merchant was around. If you look at the cover of the MTV Unplugged CD, I’m the blurry girl in the background.” Sunday I hung out with some friends at Pasadena Levitt Pavilion where The Belle Brigade was holding court. First up was an unexpected addition to the night, Little Hurricane, a two piece band that gave us a rocking start to the night. As for Belle Brigade, this is probably a set they will want to forget or possibly laugh about later when time heals. They let everyone know immediately that they were down a guitarist. They had gone out to eat and afterwards their guitarist came down with a severe migraine. Then I began to notice that Barbara wasn’t as active as she normally is (from seeing them at Satellite). For their final song “Losers” I saw her run off stage in the middle of the song, leaving her brother to finish up. After the band left the stage, a demand was made for an encore. The MC went to get them, but then came back out to announce that unfortunately, Belle Brigade wouldn’t be able to continue due to Barbara coming down with food poisoning. Too much MSG was used by that restaurant, I say. Monday it was off to The Bootleg to catch Robert Francis. His sister used to be part of the Kiss or Kill Club scene (I was late to the Kiss or Kill scene, so this is based on outside input). It was actually an interesting combination of music genres that night. The night opened up with Taylor Locke, a singer songwriter. Up second was Boots Electric, a solid rock band with a lead singer who gives off the aura of presiding over an evil religious revival meeting. There was some discussion regarding the age of the lead singer’s girlfriend, bassist. My friend insisted that she heard she was only 15. I insisted that I heard they met when she was 15 in Mexico City. In the audience for Boots Electric, I saw Barb Wire Dolls who usually play the Sunset Strip. Robert Francis closed out the night, a singer-songwriter. This interesting switch of genres also resulted in a near complete change over in the audience in between the sets of Boots Electric and Raining Jane. He gave us an hour and 20 minute set and his sister joined for a handful of songs. To end the streak of four days, I hung out with our Intraffik editor at Hotel Café to catch Raining Jane. I came across this band due to my following of Lucy Schwartz. I soon learned that various members from this band play backup for Lucy Schwartz. I have to say that this band definitely isn’t just some backup band for Lucy Schwartz. They gave us a lovely set though perhaps with violent overtones, “Buy our record or I’ll hit you in the throat.”

And since I mentioned Lucy Schwartz so much in the above paragraph, I may as well note that I headed off to the Bronson Caves on September 11th to catch her with The Heartstrings (a string quartet named no doubt after a line in her song, ‘Take a Picture’). This was my first time ever at the Bronson Caves. I’ve hung out within yards of these caves and never even knew the caves were there. Along with perhaps 75 other individuals, I got to listen to a wonderful 45 minute set.

10,000 Maniacs



Little Hurricane



The Belle Brigade





Taylor Locke




Boots Electric




Robert Francis




Raining Jane



Lucy Schwartz




Summer Ends with Tradition and a New Addition

This is my third summer post. Each time I’ve mentioned Aaron Beaumont. Do you think I would do a third post and miss this tradition? Aaron Beaumont has now joined forces with Emma Fitzpatrick to form the band The Mots Nouveaux – yeah, admittedly a bit complicated to pronounce if you are clueless about the French language (count me as one of them). It was off to Hotel Café to catch their set. There is still the 1920s influence, but with Emma’s vocals there is an added element of reflective poetry.



Laura Vall ends this summer series. A friend handed me a flier about a CD release party for someone named Laura Vall. It was being held at a place called Revival, which is all the way out in Venice. Hmm . . . that’s far, was the first thought to come to mind. I decided to go, however. And since I am one of the few folks in Los Angeles without a smart phone, I actually got lost a couple times trying to find the place. I did make it with plenty of time to spare. What a beautiful set. As a gift for attending the release party, everyone received a CD. I’ve listened to that CD a number of times in the past couple weeks.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A Movie Review: 50/50

50/50. A young man who lives a healthy lifestyle, Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), finds out that he has a rare form of cancer and that his chances of survival are 50-50. We follow him through his cancer treatment and how his relationships are impacts. We see him growing closer to his best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen), falling apart from his girlfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard), and dealing with parent-child complications with his mother (Anjelica Huston). And, of course, one has to mention his psychologist Katherine (Anna Kendrick).

This is a movie that deals with the struggles of unexpected hardship (meaning I think folks can relate to this movie even if they haven’t dealt with cancer). This movie has a comedic bent to it and walks the delicate dramady combination well.

And note on Bryce Dallas Howard who has this gift recently of playing heartless characters.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Movie Review: Moneyball

Moneyball. If you read my blog regularly, you'll notice I write occasionally about basketball and football, but never baseball.  The reason is that I'm not really into baseball.  But this movie had some pedigree.  The movie was based on a Michael Lewis book.  I've actually never read a Michael Lewis book, but he did write books that I am aware of:  The Big Short, Blindside, Liar's Poker.  And this movie stars Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill.  It was also well reviewed.  And I got the impression the movie was about more than baseball; a movie about the implementation of a change in philosophy.

I'm not sure this movie deserves a best picture nod as some seem to be saying, but I definitely enjoyed it.  It is a movie about a General Manager of the Oakland A's deciding that he had to switch things up in order to keep up with money teams such as New York and Boston.  Sometimes you just have to think differently and sometimes thinking differently is actually the right way to go.

Monday, November 28, 2011

A Movie Review: Martha Marcy May Marlene

Martha Marcy May Marlene. So maybe I should have paid more attention while watching this movie, because I obviously missed out on something. We have Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) who is given a nickname Marcy May by cult leader Patrick (John Hawkes), but where did the Marlene come into play?

The movie starts with Martha at cult's compound. She soon escapes to her family: her sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson), and brother-in-law, Ted (Hugh Dancy).  Her time with the cult causes a type of post traumatic stress disorder.  She fears that Patrick will go searching for her and she finds it hard to re-integrate into normal society.  Through flash-backs we find that her time at the cult initially started with sexual brainwashing but quickly spiraled into criminal behavior.

I am up in the air with this movie.  I loved the pacing of the movie, but some things just got me irritated.  For example, though her sister and brother-in-law in my mind want to help Martha (yes, they get frustrated, but wouldn't anyone get frustrated with the erratic behavior of a loved one), they for some reason seem hesitant to ask her deeper questions about her two year disappearance.  I don't even think they realize that she was in a cult for two years.  They seem to just accept the fact that she was in a bad relationship.  Of course, maybe when you haven't seen someone for two years, you're hesitant to ask the deeper questions.

Also, I didn't pay close enough attention to when the name Marlene came into play.  Maybe if I did the movie would make more sense.  Somehow I suspect the last few scenes would have played out better.  I'll have to catch this movie on the Sundance channel some day and re-review this movie.

 

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Pu$$y Cow and French Exit playing Redwood Bar

Pu$$y Cow. Lead singer, Joe, pushed his way through the crowd a couple times. A comment was made that the men in the audience should show their bro-tatoes -- you needed to be there.

French Exit. This was my second time seeing them. I'm happy I saw them a second time. After their first song, I was thrilled that I'd stuck around to see them.

Pu$$y Cow



French Exit

Friday, November 25, 2011

Raw Geronimo at Origami Vinyl

Okay, first off not the best Raw Geronimo photo, but I didn't bring my top end camera as I was coming directly from work. Anyways, lead singer, Laena Geronimo, gave one energetic performance. And the music is fun and raw.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Little Hurricane and The Janks at The Bootleg Bar

The Janks. What wonderful sounding music.

Little Hurricane. I caught them at the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena. I decided to catch them again. Great set. Pounding beat.

The Janks



Little Hurricane

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Underwater City People, The King Cheetah, Ol' Bessy and Drag News at Los Globos Nightclub

It was off to Los Globas Nightclub to celebrate Underwater City People's album release party. I got to catch The King Cheetah, Ol' Bessy, Drag News and closing out the night for me was Underwater City People. It was a good time to catch up with friends and celebrate a new album.

The King Cheetah



Ol' Bessy



Drag News



Underwater City People

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Twilight Sleep and Empires at The Satellie

It was off to The Satellite to catch Empires and Twilight Sleep. Empires hail from Chicago. They had one major fan up front who actually got a number of people to get real close to the stage for their final song.  Maybe the guy was from Chicago.  I have to say I love the way their lead singer is staring out into the audience in the below photo.  Twilight Sleep hit the stage next.  I hadn't seen them since Silverlake Jubilee.  I say compare the facial expressions of the two lead singers in the below photos.

Empires



Twilight Sleep

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The World Record and Hi Ho Silver Oh @ Silverlake Lounge

The Monday Residency rotation took me to the Silverlake Lounge for a couple bands. The World Record hit the stage soon after I arrived. My first thought, love the music. My second thought, what a close knit group of friends. The residency band for this month is Hi Ho Silver Oh.  Every so often, I get these e-mails that mention Hi Ho Silver Oh.  I'm happy I finally got to catch them. 

The World Record




Hi Ho Silver Oh

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Shakers, Willa Ford, AutoMatique and Badwater at The Viper Room

The Shakers, I love The Shakers. Anyways, before The Shakers hit the stage, I had to drive out to the Sunset Strip and The Viper Room. It isn't that I don't like the Sunset Strip. It is the fact that it is so far from Glendale. I'm getting old. If I lived in West Hollywood, I'd probably find my way to the Sunset Strip more often. Whenever I'm on the Sunset Strip, I always get this buzz from it.

I got to the Viper Room and found that I wasn't on the guest list. I had to get some help getting my camera inside. Once I got inside the Viper Room, I got to catch about half of Willa Ford's set. She was once a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. I wished I'd caught her whole set. She has a wonderful voice as well as a pleasant personality.

Next up was AutoMatique. They're a former Kiss or Kill band. They just blew me away with their thirty minute set.

The main act, The Shakers, hit the stage at 11-ish.  First two songs were all about Jodie.  It was like, "Wow, where did that come from."  Cameras were out.  Photos were being taken.  Amazing.  And it was one crowded, packed night.  I was basically stuck in one location, taking photos.  And when their set ended, I still couldn't move for awhile.  I swear I was stuck for about five minutes as fans filed out the door. If the Fire Marshall dropped by, I wonder if there would have been capacity problems.

Final band of the night was Badwater.  See photo below.  Hair was in.  A nice end to the night.

My comparison between women of the Sunset Strip versus women from the Silverlake scene.

Sunset Strip conversation

Woman:  I'm mad at you.  You didn't take photos that I would have taken.

Silverlake conversation

Woman:  So do you take photos for a website or the band?

I got to say, I'm a bit bias towards the Silverlake-type conversations.

Willa Ford



AutoMatique



The Shakers



Badwater

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Black Flamingo: The Smell

I noticed that Black Flamingo was going to play The Smell. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to catch their set as my friend and his band The Mo-odds were supposed to hit the stage at the same time, 10 p.m. Anyways, it so happened that The Mo-odds set got pushed until 11 p.m. and the two venues (The Down and Out being the other) were within a block of each other. So I walked up the street to The Smell.  Why do I love the Black Flamingo?  Love the vocals and the background of sorrowful wails.