Spare Parts for Broken Hearts and Dead Dawn at The Satellite

Spare Parts for Broken Hearts

I got an invite to catch Spare Parts for Broken Hearts at The Satellite. I was more than willing to accept. I've followed this band from afar for awhile. Unfortunately, they've played mostly in Long Beach. What's my connection to this band? One of the members of the band is Laurita, who used to play in a band that I justed loved back in the day, The Randies. How does Spare Parts for Broken Hearts sound? Oh so good with pounding rock and an entertaining stage show.

Dead Dawn was the headliner band. They sounded like death. I mean that in a good way. The band has a lead singer who goes for the punk rock sex appeal while controlling the stage with her charisma. Her band mate stands back with coolness. It makes for a wonderful contrast.

Oyster Kids with ADLT VDEO and Smoke Season at the Echoplex

Smoke Season

First residency band I saw in October was Oyster Kids. ADLT VDEO opened up the night. From what I read, this band has been around for a year. I'm eager to see how they develop their sound. On this night, their music was so tender it made me want to take tender photos.

Oyster Kids came on at 10 p.m. This was an hour earlier than the standard 11 p.m. start time for residency bands. Not a bad thing, actually, for those who can't stay out late on a Monday night. What's their sound? I'll let the door guy explain as I overheard him state, "They sound like Silversun Pickup." Now that's high praise.

Smoke Season is a band I've followed for a number of years. In fact, I saw Gabrielle Wortman when she was in another band that she fronted. When they were setting up, her stand with her electronic devices began to tip over. She caught it before it crashed, which probably would have caused issues for the set. "Good catch," I couldn't help but think.

Holly Marilyn (Hotel Cafe)/Mike Taylor (The Satellite)

Holly Marilyn

Sometimes years pass between when you see bands/artists. That was the case in mid-September when I headed off to Hotel Cafe and The Satellite. Holly Marilyn was up at Hotel Cafe. I saw her numerous times when she played in the band called The Child and during a short stint for Night Terrors of 1927. Her set at Hotel Cafe was way too short. Her set was definitely in the Hotel Cafe style -- singer-songwriter, so no electronic beats like The Child. There was also a touch of nervousness as she hadn't been on stage for a few years. Friends were there to support and I got to talk briefly with Coco Morier and Lauren Willow White. Just marvelous.

Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor was the September resident musician at The Satellite. The last time I saw him was a few years back at Club Moscow -- mercy, I haven't been there in years. Mike Taylor's set was a ball of energy and fun. It started off with the drummer playing along with the DJ. Then on came Mike Taylor. He moved across the stage constantly. He moved so much he was sweating a storm by the end of his first song. The crowd loved it and demanded an encore. He complied. Who could say no considering it was his last night?

Bloke and Bird and The Happy Problem at Harvard and Stone

Bloke and Bird

Sometimes you see a band for the first time and decide you just need to see them again. That's how it was with Bloke and Bird. I saw them earlier this year at Harvard and Stone and noticed that they were playing there again. They came in with a large group of friends. They had a drink and then set things up.

Lead singer Jennifer put a kazoo in her shorts and a shaker in a boot. Her vocals are so tender, they'll send you into dreams. Note: They keep talking that they are doing acoustic sets and not their full band sound. I want to see how they sound as a full band. 

The Happy Problem

The Happy Problem closed out the night for me. Bloke and Bird went singer-songwriter. The Happy Problem went rock and roll. It was lead singer Kim's birthday and there was a cake nearby to be shared with all at the end of the set.

Before one song, she mentioned that the song was written for a cello and oboe. Unfortunately, for this night she just did it acoustic. Once again, like with Bloke and Bird, I had to imagine how awesome that song would have sounded with a full sound.

Jurassic Shark with Sadwich and French Vanilla

Sadwich

French Vanilla

A couple weeks back I headed out to the Bootleg Theater to catch the September residency band, Jurassic Shark.

Sadwich opened up the night. As they were about to start someone yelled out, "Where's Zoey?" There was a moment of silence which was ended when someone in the band -- the new band member, I'm guessing -- said, "I'm Zoey now." The person in the audience yelled back, "You're the new Zoey!" This is a lo-fi band that immediately catches your attention. They resemble Summer Twins with a touch more beat. Their last song had just been written and was their first time performing it. It was a mess, but made the band all the more endearing. Near the end of the set, the person who had previously yelled out about Zoey, once again made her voice heard, "Literally, anything you play we will like."

French Vanilla is a band I saw earlier this year at The Echo. What did I notice this time other than the awesome inclusion of a saxophone in this punk band? They had the most casual set up. They just meandered on and off stage. I was thinking for sure they'd have to start their set 15 minutes late, but they actually started within 5 minutes of their scheduled set time. I'd say with the saxophone, this band is a punk-jazz band. The lead singer can definitely jump dance longer than any of us. Lyric of the set, "Keri got her period in the shower and everyone laughed at her.

Jurassic Shark

Jurassic Shark told the audience that they're from Monrovia. Folks from Monrovia must like to get places early. They started their set 10 minutes early. This band will hit you up with quick spurts of energy.

What was so great about this band: one of the band members mugged it up big time for me. It was so funny. (See photo to the left.)

GRIT, Moon Honey and Sego at Chinatown

A final Chinatown night until next year. What a fun few months. On this Saturday night GRIT,
Moon Honey, and Sego hit the stage.

Grit. I think that band name pretty much sums up their sound. Moment: The lyrics "Cold Blooded" were being sung as two young girls were running in circles next to the stage. Moon Honey's lead singer wore a theatrical headdress. She sort of reminded me of a mix between Toyland and Wizard of Oz. What else did I notice: in the middle of the set, the keyboardist switched out synths. I couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever stepped on his Mac computer (during a set) that he had on the floor -- he was jumping/running right next to it as he was doing the switch. Sego has a mystery to them. Their stage moves were out-of-control in a controlled manner.

GRIT

GRIT

GRIT

Moon Honey

Moon Honey

Moon Honey

Seg

Sego Sego

Lael Neale and Weyes Blood at the Resident

Lael Neale

I finally made it to the Resident. I've seen photos from other photographers, but never made it down there myself until this past Thursday. I got to see Lael Neale and Weyes Blood.

Seeing both artists made me think of my vacation in Iceland. When I was in Iceland, there was a singer-songwriter music festival. It was a pleasant surprise. That's how I felt tonight. Lael had some great lyrics. "I want to know your grace." "I need proof that I live, but I don't want to give up my freedom." "If you become my lover, I'll never look back."

Weyes Blood has deep vocals backed by beautiful guitar rifts. And she likes to stick out her tongue on occasion. She reminded me of Jenny O. Her comment of the set, "I have two more songs, but they're each seven minutes long." What I noticed: She used cassette tapes to back her up.

Weyes Blood

Lara FM with Eli and The Itches, Orphan Googles and Violent Vickie

Lara FM

A pretty cool night at the Silverlake Lounge. I hadn't headed out to the Silverlake Lounge for a couple months. Lara FM was the headline. She has a great set design. She had mannequin heads and dolls decorating her stage. She had a white sheet hung. She also had a dancer. It reminded me of those wonderful independent teen movies where the teenagers are super cool and hip and know where all the cool art scenes are.

Opening up for her were a number of musicians. Violent Vickie had a ballet dancer with her. You also couldn't help but think about your favorite independent teen movie. Orphan Googles went full out industrial rock. At times, it looked like the drummer's eyes would pop out after each drum beat. Lyrics: Drink, Smoke, Watch TV. After they ended their set, the DJ put on some classic pop songs. Funny, industrial rock to pop love songs. Eli and The Itches had some unique akimbo moves on stage. What did I notice: there was an interesting shoe-sock combo. The lead singer also tossed his cloths in front of the stage: jacket and shirt.

PAPA with Green Gerry and Maxim Ludwig at the Bootleg Theater

PAPA

A great night of music hit the Bootleg Theater last Friday for PAPA's residency. Green Gerry started the night off with a shaker, mad style start and a shift of music that went from manic to slow beats and back to manic. There were some great quotes from Green Gerry. First, "Are the guys from PAPA here? No? That's awkward, we'll just have to do what we're good at." Second, "I picked a dumb f*cking name for my band, Green Gerry." There was also an offer of free coffee for anyone who showed up at his work at 8 a.m.

Maxim Ludwig is a band I've followed for years. I first saw Maxim Ludwig at Hotel Cafe. On this night, I was reminded of really cool '80s music. Comment of the set, "How are you guys doing? That's what I've asked at every show I've played at since I was fourteen." Maxim can slide across the floor like any top pop star.

PAPA must have made a mistake when they asked me to plug in some equipment. They had technical issues throughout their set. There were waves at friends asking for assistance. The friends weren't sure what was needed and so gave some shrugs. There was a lot of equipment changes, chord changes, sound guy coming in to help. Through all those technical glitches was one awesome show. Their sound in the four walls of the Bootleg just reverberated with brilliance.

The Buttertones with Dumb Fucks and Prettiest Eyes at The Echo

The Buttertones

What a wild and crazy night at The Echo. Opening up the night was Dumb Fucks. They're young. They're punk. And they love having their fans in the middle of a mosh pit. What did I notice: The lead singer had a bandanna pinned to the back of his coat that had Dumb Fucks written on it. By the end of the set it was falling off. For the final song, the guitarist was pushed into taking over lead vocals. I don't think he was too into doing that.

Prettiest Eyes reminded me a little of a favorite local band called Pu$$y Cow. Prettiest Eyes is full blown country punk. The bassist looked like he was in a caged stage. He moved about the stage, covering practically every inch of the stage. To end the set, the drum set was in total chaos. That's the best example of their awesome set.

The Buttertones didn't slow it down. The Echo was packed with fans ready for a show. They weren't disappointed. What did I notice: the band was in casual/dress pants. They also have a saxophone player who is just old school cool.

Sorry for the dark photos. The lights were low on this night.


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Ghita and Alexa Villa at The Satellite

Ghita

It was off to The Satellite to catch a couple of artists. The big big surprise was seeing Ghita. She comes to Los Angeles via Morocco, Europe and Boston. There was a large crowd of friends in support. She mentioned that this was her first show in Los Angeles. Her voice is like sweet honey. "Life is too beautiful to give up on it now."

Opening was Alexa Villa. She's a model/singer. Her sound is a dash of pop with a sprinkle of punk. What did I notice: she loves to point out folks in the crowd. She also is quick to smile. Her backup band had fun entertaining the crowd with their stage presence.





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Knox Hamilton and Hawai at the Bootleg Theater

Knox Hamilton

I have this tradition of going out on Monday nights. So on the last Monday of August, I'd seen all the residency bands, but still wanted to head out. I noticed that the Bootleg Theater had a Monday night event going on -- the last night of their residency had happened the prior Monday. I decided to head out. What a joy.

I overheard the sound guy at the Bootleg say that it was an industry night for Knox Hamilton. I don't know if this was truth or rumor. Anyway, Knox Hamilton killed it. Four guys from Arkansas who just play solid rock.

Opening up for them was local band Hawai. Their sound was a near match for Caribbean jazz. With soft vocals, this band had the crowd wrapped around their fingers.


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Rush Midnight, Pr0files and Zipper Club at The Echo/The Satellite

Zipper Club

This is admittedly 2 weeks late.

I don't believe I've done this in more than a couple years, I went to two different venues on the same night. First up was The Echo. There I saw Rush Midnight and Pr0files. Rush Midnight is a solo disco project. The artist stood amid a display of rope lights.

I've been on this effort recently -- actually based on good luck -- of catching bands/artists that I didn't catch at Make Music Pasadena. Pr0files was the latest. Dressed in a colorful kimono-like outfit, the lead singer took us on a passion tour.

Then I ran off to The Satellite to catch the residency band Zipper Club. This band just rocks out. And then there was the awesome light show. It was just so cool with symbols and lasers crossing the stage. Lyrics of the set, "I just want to take your breath away." To end their set, they went mosh pit punk.


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