Night Talks with WARGIRL and Ever So Android at The Hi Hat

There was an eclectic night of music at The Hi Hat last Tuesday. WARGIRL brought a mix of afro-beat and jazz. Night Talks is doing their Tuesday night residency. They gave us some strong vocals mixed with pop sounds. Ever So Android ended the night with Seattle punk. They played with so much power that I wondered if I'd be able to get enough sleep before work the next day -- too much adrenaline.

Teleskopes and Lauren Ruth Ward at Harvard and Stone

Rock to country rock at Harvard and Stone. Teleskopes hit the stage and rocked it out for their thirty minute set. The lights were interwoven with their rock moves. Lauren Ruth Ward then hit the stage (after a brief 3 song set by LP -- that was a surprise). What did I notice about Lauren? She loves to communicate with her hands. With the DJ blasting the music during their setup, she turned to her band mates and instead of shouting, motioned with her hands. Her moves were actually very understandable. She even looked at me, wanting me to tap LP on the shoulder. A look, a nod, and I knew exactly what she wanted me to do.

LA Bouquet with Field Medic and Rad Horror at the Bootleg Theater

This night was an eclectic range of sounds. Field Medic started the night off with some lo-fi sounds. After hitting play button on his boombox, he'd give a soft smile to those in the audience before singing his tune. Rad Horror is originally from New Jersey. The band gave us some New Jersey punk sounds. LA Bouquet is the March residency band. They gave the audience some smooth sounds that melted the audience.

The Habits, Cologne and Jane at The Hi Hat

This was a night that had music for most everyone. The Habits brought the pop sounds. Cologne kicked it with the rock and long hair. Jane gave the audience a brief 15 minutes dance set.

I See Hawks in L.A. at The Hi Hat

The I see Hawks in L.A. ruled The Hi Hat on Tuesday nights in February. Per the band, each Tuesday night had a whole different set of songs. This band showed off a heavy metal t-shift, but gave a set that was Americana-cool.

Mind Meld with OGOD, Prettiest Eyes and Death Valley Girls

The Echo on a Monday night started out with three straight speed bands that drove up the heart rate. OGOD (Over-Gain Optimal Death) just pushed and pushed without much vocals. Prettiest Eyes sound is like an good over-dose of a band I've followed for years, Pu$$y Cow. Mind Meld was the residency band for February. They continued the amazing sounds. The fourth band, Death Valley Girls, changed up the sound a bit with their witchy sounds. There was an amusing moment during their set. One guy in the audience yelled out something like, "F*ck Death. Death to Satan." One of the member of Death Valley Girls said in a soft voice -- not near her microphone -- "That's the point." The guy in the audience couldn't hear her and yelled back, "I don't know what you're saying to me."

GiGi Gash, Sugar Fly, Rebel and a Basketcase and New Evil at The Satellite

Over a week back on a Thursday night, I had great fun at The Satellite. GiGi Gash hit the stage with some spooky sounds and fireball lights. Sugar Fly gave one energetic performance. Sweat was pouring by the end. It was galvanizing. Then there was Rebel and a Basketcase. This was my first time seeing them perform though I almost went to see them at the Bootleg Theater. They're a band not to miss. Evan Rachel Wood knows how to connect with the audience. My amusing moment: she kept calling her fans unicorns. I kept thinking, "Why is she comparing them to Silicon Valley tech companies?" New Evil was doing their record release party. They didn't hold back. They had friends playing different characters throughout their set. Though I did half wonder if one of the "characters" nearly got into a fight with someone in the audience. The wrestling seemed a bit intense for a few moments.

The Palms with Fever High and Smoke Season

Monday night at The Satellite was fun. Fever High opened up the night. Two female leads who love to dance and sound like they came in from the 1980s. Smoke Season is a band I've followed for a few years now. This band always puts on a solid show. Lead singer Gabriella knows how to put on the dance moves. While their set was going, I came to the conclusion that I'd probably followed Gabriella's career longer than 95% of the folks in the audience. The Palms is the February residency band. Their set was smart and skilled. I had this strong feeling throughout the set that I'd seen some of the band members in other bands, but just couldn't place them. I was later told that two of the members were from a band called Terraplane Sun. Ah, yes.

 

Undercover Monsters, Maniac and Pu$$y-Cow at The Redwood Bar

It was Dre Day time. Year 11. I always look forward to this date. Nice to see friends. Nice seeing bands having fun. Up was Undercover Monsters, Maniac and, of course, Pu$$y-Cow. Undercover Monsters hit the stage first, showing off their Undercover Monsters' t-shirts. Last time I saw them, they were going with a Hawaiian style fashion. I half expected them to go with that style again, but they didn't. Maniac put on some Oakland Raiders' t-shirts to show some N.W.A. style. Then came Pu$$y-Cow with their entertainment set. Rolls of paper streamers were being thrown across the small Redwood floor area. One has to wonder if anyone nearly tripped from the paper streamers that filled the floor. Then there were the glow sticks that everyone waved during the back half of the set. It was a perfect way to party hard on Dre Day.

Ride the Wave with Spirit Mother and New American at Silverlake Lounge

First time at Silverlake Lounge for a couple months. I came in and Spirit Mother was in the back half of their set. They swung the violin. New American wanted the crowd to come closer to the stage. By their set time there was a solid crowd at the Silverlake Lounge, but folks wanted to hang out back. Too bad. This band rocked. Ride the Wave is the February residency band. Their drummer wore a Mickey Mouse t-shirt.

The Planters and Snowball II at The Smell

It was off to The Smell to catch a couple bands. The Planters and Snowball II both hit it up with some eclectic sounds. Sometimes you were listening to psychedelic sounds. Others times rock. Sometimes they went mellow. It was all awesome. What did I notice: the keyboardist for Snowball II decided to light up a cigarette. She had a problem though. When she struck the match it appeared to go into a mini-explosion. She turned away from the audience. Who knows what she had to do to get the fire under control.

Warbly Jets with JD King and The Dream Ride at The Satellite

It was the last night of Warbly Jets' residency. JD King opened dress as a rock king. One of the Warbly Jets helped him out. The Dream Ride lead singer knows how to stretch. Warbly Jets closed out their residency in front of another packed crowd. This band just killed it. The photographers were out in action. Of course, none of us could really move around as the crowd was pressed up front. I think the last time I saw a residency this packed was during Dorothy's residency.

Katelyn Tarver with Gabriela Francesca and LA Poolside at Resident

It was off to the Resident to catch Katelyn Tarver. The last time I saw her was nearly two years ago.

Gabriela Francesca opened up the night with a solid smile and catchy tunes. Alone with some swimsuit/sweater fashion.

LA Poolside did some rapping. Female singer in the middle and two guys providing some moments of worship. It was a fun set.

Katelyn Tarver then hit the stage. The place was packed. She had a quick smile and a pleasant personality. Her set was a perfect mix of songs that expressed joy and melancholy. I seriously hope I don't have to wait another two years to catch another of her sets.

A bottle of 7-Up played a role throughout the night.